Charlie's First Two Months

I've been meaning to post for some time now-- most especially I want to thank you all for your blessings, support, well-wishes, advice, gifts-- we feel so fortunate to be so cared for! Charlie's wonderful-- he's a sweet, happy boy who has already changed so much in just these first two months.

Delivery was really not the nightmare I imagined! We went in that cold October morning around 4 or 5, and really the epidural was something I didn't go in planning to have. I won't go into too much detail, but I will say, after walking for some time and realizing that I wasn't going to win a prize if I didn't have an epidural-- I saw no reason not to have one at that point! WOW! I will recommend that to everyone!
Charlie was born at 11:44 a.m. He was so much bigger than we'd thought-- we were told to expect 6 lbs, maybe a little more. In fact, at one point during my pregnancy, they considered taking him out early because they thought he was too small! But when he arrived, he was 8 lbs., 2 oz. & 19.5 in. !!! He was slightly jaundiced those first few days, but he quickly returned to his birthweight by the second week and he turned pale like his Mommy & Daddy. The above picture makes me laugh because he looks so chubby and so much older than just few days old.
We took him on a short hike up on the Blue Ridge Parkway right before Jeremy went back to work. It was such a beautiful day, and it was so nice to get out of the house!
Unfortunately, Charlie didn't seem to like it much-- probably takes after me in that way! :)
Jeremy is great with Charlie (and me!) He took off about a week of work, and I was practically clinging to his legs when he was headed back to work (I wasn't ready to do it on my own!) Charlie will smile when he holds him, and I have to laugh still at the songs Jeremy would sing-- The Beverly Hillbillies theme & The Gambler ("Son I made I life out of reading people's faces.... ) were ones that seemed to calm Charlie those first few weeks.Sleep was hard at first, just like everyone says. Charlie most likely had his days and nights mixed up. He'd be up for most of the night-- mostly just being curious about the world, not always fussing. This book really helped with those first few weeks, I'd recommend that.Now that we're headed to his third month, things are starting to fall in place. He's a good napper, and he's slept through the night a few times (YAY!!!). (I have a theory that this is why-- another recommendation!) I don't think he likes the bassinet very much, so he still sleeps with us a portion of the night, which is okay, because it's so exciting to wake up and see him! :)He's already had 2 special holidays! Halloween and Thanksgiving. Charlie did have a Halloween costume, but even though it was sized for newborns, it was much too big. So he wore all the Haloween/pumokin stuff he'd been given. We didn't go anywhere that evening, but that day I took him to my dad's workplace and to school so Charlie could meet Jeremy's class. That was so fun. Thanksgiving we stayed in town and went to some friends-of-the-family's home. Charlie was passed around the whole afternoon & he was sweet for them all... good for us, because they've all volunteered to babysit! I love being home with him. I have until sometime in January, then Jeremy will be home for 2 weeks with him. We have lucked out and have the most wonderful, sweet lady who volunteered to sit for us! She's missing having a baby in her house (she's got 5 kids), and we know Charlie will be well cared for.I love his expressions. He watches the world and is mesmorized by our faces and the noises we make. He especially loves the Christmas tree, and we're not sure if he likes the ornaments or lights, but maybe we need to keep it up all year!Such a sweetie.He loves his paci! And he, of course, has to be a Hokie. Here we are watching the ACC championship last Saturday. We're so excited for Christmas. Can't wait to have Jeremy home again with Charlie and me, and to visit family and friends. Start some traditions. Luckily, since he's so young, I don't feel like I have to go crazy with the gifts. After all, he's gotten so many presents just for his arrival that he hasn't played with yet! :)

Well, there you have it. I promised pictures of our little sweet pea, and now I'm off to play with him! Hope you are all enjoying the holidays, and we'll post again soon.