Charlotte is 3 months!

I can't believe my baby girl is 3 months old! Well, technically she was yesterday. I snapped this picture last night. She is absolutely amazing and we love her more everyday. I wanted to do this with each month milestone, but I haven't been able to find time thus far.

Here's what's going on with my girl:

*She has found her hands and LOVES them.
*loves opening and closing her hands and reaching out to grab stuff (especially mommy's hair!)
*has no use for laying down. If you put her flat on her back, she gets seriously torked off and tries to sit herself up. If you put her at a 45 degree angle, she can pull herself on up to a 90 degree angle.
*has started to try to hold her own bottle and can for a minute or so.
* still drinking mostly breastmilk, but we've recently started supplementing with formula.
*Started an 8:30 bedtime on Sunday 3/6/11
*giggles when mommy and daddy make funny noises
*has a smile that can melt any heart
*loves to be held and walking around
*LOVES being read to. I've never seen a baby who pays attention so closely to the pages in a book
*intently watches the colors on the TV
*is 12 lbs 7oz and 24.75 inches long
*"toots" like a grown man...seriously some foul smelling stuff coming out of a sweet little girl
*is starting to like headbands for a short period of time


We love you, Charlotte Baby! We can't wait to watch you over the next few months, but feel free to slow down! Time is going so fast! Never forget we love you more than anything! Love you Boogs!

Coming Home

We got to bring our little monkey home on Thursday, December 9th. Here are some pictures of her with mommy, daddy, and our little family of 3!!

If i can get a certain little girl to snuggle with her daddy tonight, I'll try to blog Christtmas and her 1st time meeting everyone.

Introducing Charlotte Jenice

This is a little late, but better late than never. I've not actually found a free moment to sit down and type out Charlotte's birth story. But obviously, this blog is for documenting our lives and her birth is a very HUGE addition to that life! For those of you who have already heard or read the story on FB and either seen pics on there or seen her in real life...please feel free to ignore this month late post!

So we went to the doctor on December 3rd, 2010 and Dr. Tobler told us that we would be coming in on Tuesday the 7th for an induction. He was going out of town and with my history he was afraid of letting me go past my due date on the 11th. We drove home anxious and filled with anticipation of meeting our daughter. I'm pretty sure I didn't sleep at all Monday night. We had to be at the hospital at 6:30 on Tuesday. So we got up, earlier than necessary, bags packed and ready to go. Then I decided that we needed to take a picture of the 2 of us before we became a family of 3. Well, that meant unpacking the camera and trying to figure out the self-time on the camera. Here is the result- Our last picture before we were parents!



When we first got there the nurses were getting ready for shift change. We were able to get settled in and I changed into my lovely gown. My loving husband snapped this picture

Dr. T came in and decided to get the Pitocin started at 9 am. My contractions started to kick in pretty quickly, but they weren't showing up on the monitor. I was really starting to feel them, but unfortunately, nothing was happening as far as dilation. Time ticked away. Mom and Trenton kept me entertained and I tried to rest (yeah right). At 1:30, Dr. T came in to check on me before heading to the Lancaster clinic and decided to go ahead and break my water.

After that, whoa baby, things felt like they were really picking up. For some reason, I was really feeling things, but nothing was changing. The contractions were coming, but I wasn't dilating very fast. The nurse checked me again and I was between a 3-4. I was hurting pretty bad and they thought that might be slowing things down, so I asked for an epidural. After they administered that, they upped the pit hoping to get things moving, which it did. Unfortunately, the epidural didn't take. AT ALL! So they decided to do an inner-thecal (spelling), which was supposed to last 3 hours. It lasted a whole hour. Dr. T checked back in and I was at a 5. I was in so much pain!!! I told Trenton I wanted to quit and that I couldn't take any more. Dr. T decided we could re-administer the epidural if I wanted....which at that point, I gladly wanted. Turns out I have slight case of scoliosis (spelling) that blocked it the first time. It took the anesiaologist awhile to get back to the hospital. At about 9:45 she did the 2nd epidural and it started working immediately. Dr. T had headed home and was going to check back in later since I had only been at a 5 a few hours earlier. When the nurse checked me directly following the administration of the epidural, I was complete. THe nurse called the doctor right back in and we started getting ready to push. It was amazing and I've never felt more powerful in all my life. He ended up cutting me because I was tearing because her head was pretty big. I ended up with 2nd degree tearing, but other than that, it was a picture perfect delivery.

Charlotte Jenice arrived at 11:02 pm on December 7th. She weighed 8lbs 11.8oz and was 22 inches long. She is absolutely perfect and we're head over heels in love!

Enjoy the pictures!

Dear Little Miss

My sweet girl,

I cannot begin to put into words all the thoughts on my heart this morning. Your dad and I are beyond excited to finally meet you. I wonder who you'll look like and if you'll be a sleepyhead like both of us. I can't believe that in less than 36 hrs (hopefully) we'll have all the answers to those questions. Will you have any hair, will your eyes sparkle blue, how much will you weigh...etc.

We've cried so many tears, praying that one day we'd be blessed with a baby. Praying each night together that we'd get to be parents. And now, sweet girl, you'll soon be ours, and every tear will be worth a million more.

Please come soon....we're ready.

D-Day

Well, in case you haven't heard...tomorrow is the day. I'll be arriving at the hospital at 6:30 am to be induced on Tuesday! We're excited, nervous, and scared all at once!

We had an appt on Friday and I was dilated 1-2 cm & 100% effaced at that time. I was really hoping something would happen this weekend on its own, but alas, here I sit at work still. I haven't slept for 2 nights, mostly nerves I think. So I'm heading home at 1/2 day to rest for a little bit because I'm sure I won't sleep tonight and I'll need my energy tomorrow.

I can't wrap my mind around the fact that in 36 hrs (give or take) we'll be holding our sweet girl in our arms. What an answered prayer! I'll try to post a new blog when possible, but you'll likely catch a better update on Facebook!