Charlie - 4 Months

{July 24, 2013}

 

 

Stats:

Height- 27.25 inches - above 97th percentile

 

Weight- 16.11 lbs - 86th percentile

 

 

 

Eyes-  Slate blue...I'm banking on another brown eyed girl! Doesn't look like they will get much lighter at this point.

 

 

 

Hair- Still sort of losing her baby hair. Interested to see what happens next. I was bald until almost 2, but Grace obviously didn't have any problems in the hair department.

 

Clothes- Barely still in 3-6. Lots of 6's. Some 9 month things. Sister is ruining my outfit planning for this Fall, which stinks because I have a TON of 6-12 month things that are super cute and I doubt she wears half of them. Grace was in 12-18 month clothes by 8 months and Charlie is 2 lbs heavier right now.

 

 

 

Diapers- Size 2.

Food- Upped bottles to 6 oz per feeding. Still taking 5-6 bottles a day. Going to start rice cereal or oatmeal this month.

 

 

Sleep- Aside from a week or two of sleep regression, we seem to be back on our normal schedule...taking a late evening nap, getting in a last small bottle around 9pm, and then out until 645-7am.

 

Visitors during her third month:

 

Daddy

 

Not that he is really a visitor, but Charlie got to meet her daddy this month!! Safe to say they are getting along like they've never been apart and are seriously twins. It's kind of weird. I don't think Charlotte got any of my genes. It's cool though, D makes a cute baby girl. ;)

 

Things of Note- Rolling queen. Rolls both ways, but spends most of her day rolling from her back to belly. Starting to try and sleep on her stomach. Drooling like CRAZY. On the lookout for teeth this month! Had my first two nights away this month on a business trip shortly after D came home. Everything went well and he got a good taste of what solo parenting is like with our two babes!

 

Sister Status- 

 

 

Grace goes between ignoring Charlie and being sweet to her. She has recently started getting toys to give Char and still loves to tell her how cute she is. Since D has been home, Grace has definitely preferred him to handle Charlie while I hang with G. We are working on spending quality time with both girls separately, in addition to family time together.

 

 

 

Another month down! Time flies with daddy back home. It's crazy how much more relaxed things are when you have another set of hands around. Although D has taken some adjusting to life with two babies, it never fails to impress him at how laid back Charlie girl is. I mean, it's just ridiculous. You'd think it would take some time to come to terms with the fact that we have another infant in the home, but really I think it's the "terrible twos" that have thrown him for a loop as we settle in as a family of 4. This next month we have a road trip that involves a 16+ hour round trip car ride and seeing a bunch of family in the span of less than 5 days...two of those being travel days. It's going to be a busy, fast visit, but I can't wait for more of our family to meet Charlie (and some will be seeing Grace for the first time!) and catch up! The following weekend D and I have a quick trip to NC for a wedding he is a part of and it will be our first two nights without the babies since he has been back. Actually, I think the last time we had some time with just us, Grace was 7 months old...so let's just say, this is very needed and hopefully becomes a more regular occurrence than once every 2 years. Woof. ;)

 

I'm trying to get back into posting-- hopefully sooner than Miss C's next monthly update!

 

xo,

H

The Best Day

After almost 9 months, we got to bring D home on July 6th at 1:20am. Even in the middle of the night, an Army band played patriotic music as families filled the stands of the parade field, waiting to get their loved ones back. Having never experienced a deployment, I had also never had the pleasure of attended a homecoming. It is like nothing else...just full of emotion and extremely moving. After an eternity (not really), white buses pulled alongside the field and the crowd began to cheer as a sea of green uniforms made their way into formation. Although there is a short ceremony, everyone is desperately scanning the group to find their special someone and as soon as they are released you can rush onto the field and into the arms of the person you are waiting for. In our case, I balanced two babies and D was able to find me before we even made it only the field! After months of worrying, Grace went right into his arms and in the most emotional moment of the night, he got to meet Charlie in person for the first time.  

 

 

Many friends described the feeling of a homecoming to me...some dealt with deployments while pregnant or completely solo. No matter what you go through in the months leading up to that day, whether your time apart was "easy" or difficult, being reunited with someone you love is like nothing I can compare. Wedding day, births of children...it ranks up there- and in some cases, is even better.

xo,
H

5 on Friday

 

ONE.
Day Dates are my new jam. Now that D is home and on leave for the next 30 days, day dates allow us to spend time together while I'm working from home and the girls are in "school". He keeps pretty busy between the house, dogs, golf, and working out while I'm sitting behind my desk...so we decided while he's on leave, once a week lunch dates are a must. Especially because there are no babysitters required. Amaze. On a similar note, he is able to pick up the girls early and have special time with them, too. Success all around.

TWO.
Marathon Training. It's happening. Slowly but surely mileage is increasing and this week we got lucky with a particularly cool and overcast morning on Wednesday that just begged us to get our long run for the week over with. 7 miles down...next long run is 9. Training in the Georgia heat is no joke, but the feeling after those runs are over is priceless. Really looking forward to the next few months of increasing endurance and feeling strong!

THREE.
as in tres. Speaking of Spanish, Grace randomly busted out 1-10 in Español last week and D and I were floored. Guess we weren't giving Dora enough credit.

FOUR.
Four months is how old my baby turned on Wednesday. Pictures and monthly update to come. Spoiler alert: she's great...and huge. She's currently a bonified roller from back to belly and belly to back, she loves to "chat", and she is making her daddy fall in love with her more and more each day.

FIVE.
This has made me laugh no less than at least once a day this week. I am so in for it with this one...

 

(Also, thanks G for finding the largest bra I own. Just awesome.)

xo,

H

Charlie - 3 months

{June 24, 2013}

 

This girl. I still stare at her and can't believe that I made something so precious. 3 months have passed at super speed and with some of this months upcoming events, it looks like there is no slowing down for us anytime soon.

No appointments until our 4 month well baby check-up next month, so some of my stats will be more accurate then.

Stats:

 

Height- ~25 inches (measured at home)

 

Weight- 14.5 lbs (weighed at home)

 

Eyes-  Still slate blue, keeping me guessing.

 

 

Hair- Seems to be getting lighter?! Also, amazing hairline thanks to losing some of it around the back. Poor babe. ;)

 

Clothes- 3-6 months.

 

 

 

Diapers- Size 2.

Food- Formula. Six 5 ounce bottles a day.

 

 

Sleep- Same as last month, except we have moved from the bassinet in my room to the crib upstairs! Charlie has been falling asleep between 7-8pm and I wake her up/feed her while she's asleep one last time around 9:30pm before putting her down for the night. Hopefully this month we transition to dropping that later bottle and bump up the ounces that she is taking during the day. If she stirs I'll bring her down to my bed and we snuggle till about 6-7am when I wake her to get dressed and fed before daycare.

 

Visitors during her third month:

 

Samantha

 

 

 

Nanny & Granddaddy

 

Gran

 

 

Things of Note- Rolls from belly to back. Focuses and reaches out to grab things. Puts hands, thumbs, blankets in mouth ALL the time. Still loves her paci. Is drooly...like, way moreso than Grace ever was. Is it possible to start teething this early? Still lets me snooze with her and discovered her love for the bumbo this month!

 

 

 

 

Sister Status-  Looking back on some of Grace's older posts, Charlie is about 2 months ahead of Grace's stats, size wise. They are very similar in their eating and sleeping habits (thank GOD!), and are both cute as buttons. ;)

 

 

 

Three months is always a biggie for me. It's when I really feel like we find our stride...and I'm not going to lie, it's generally when I think my babies lose that infant look and get full on baby chub which I DIE for. Charlie is still the easiest baby. I'm so lucky that these last few months have gone smoothly. As exciting as this month was, month 4 is going to prove to be even bigger in Charlie's little life, as she will be getting her daddy back and meeting him for the first time. I know D is going to fall for our girl just as hard as I have, and I can't wait to see how their relationship really takes shape.

 

 

 

We love you Charlie babe!

 

xo,

Momma

Randoms

• I took the potty training plunge with Grace on Memorial Day weekend. We had a solid 3 days of non-stop potty talk and came out relatively successful! I'm so proud to say she's been pee accident free since that weekend. We still do pull-ups for nap and bed time, but this is mostly because I am lazy and don't want to have to change sheets if she has an accident.

• We all have homecoming outfits (with back-ups for the girls) planned for D's arrival. I've never been more excited about a single day in my life. The anticipation feels like a combination of our wedding and the birth of my babies. Cant. freaking. wait.

• I've been working out like a fiend to try and get back in fighting form for D's arrival. 11+ weeks post baby, and I still have about 13 lbs to go to get to my pre-Charlotte weight. Funny thing is, I feel like I don't look terrible given that I still have quite a bit to go. I still have a few weeks to really push it and see where I end up.

• People that post on FB that they have a 4 week old and have lost all of their baby weight make me want to punch them through my computer screen. (Kidding...)

• Grace at 2 years and 9 months:
• Hates bugs, lizards, and frogs.
• Loves dancing, picking flowers, and singing songs.
• Favorite animal is a "kitty cat".
• Favorite color is purple.
• Is generally super sweet and over the top girly.
• Still doesn't like dresses.
• Wants to watch Peppa Pig, Doc McStuffins, Dora, and Diego on the reg.
• Loves treats and chocolate (good work, Mommy).
• Makes me laugh with all of the outrageous things she says almost daily.

• Charlie at 2.5 months:
• Sits and looks cute. ;)
• Smiles ALL the time.
• Giggles.

• My MIL comes into town to visit this Friday and is here for 9 days. She is great and I'm excited to have help, but am still anxious because c'mon, it's my MIL. Gotta at least pretend like we have our act together.

xo,
H

Charlie - 2 months

 

{May 24, 2013}

Let me tell you...after last months rocky start, I saw the light this month. We've got a schedule down, I'm managing both girls successfully, and D's return home is getting literally closer by the day. This month I had my first stretch of 3 weeks solo between two visitors. It was definitely a test of my patience, but by the second week we were rocking it. I knew it would be a confidence boost to just see that I could manage and I'm really, very glad I've had this whole deployment, single mother experience. Not only does it make you appreciate your partner, it does give you a whole new sense of self. Basically I let D know how badass I am as often as possible. ;)

 

Charlie girl, you continue to surprise me with just how happy and easy you are. Grace is the best little toddler I know, but baby, you take the newborn prize. I want 5 more of you. But I'll settle for 1...maybe in a couple of years. ;)

 

You are so content to just watch your sister and you literally wake up smiling. You love to be snuggled and I try to take a nap with you on my chest at least once a weekend, but you also like your space to observe and take everything in. Everything includes being interested in Grace's shows on the TV. At 2 months. Mother of the Year Award? No?

 

I find myself creepily sniffing your hair and kissing your head multiple times a day. I can't help it. I gotta savor that newborn smell before it turns into sweaty toddler. It happens so fast. Your rolls? Light up my life. Even though you are a tall girl, you've filled out, and there is nothing that makes me happier than a chunky baby.

 



Stats:

 

Height- 24.5 inches

 

Weight- 13.3 lbs

 

Eyes- Still slate blue. Sometimes I think they look lighter, but it just depends on the light and what she is wearing. 

 

 

Hair- Looking more brown again. Maybe not as auburn as I thought.

 

Clothes- We are officially closing out 0-3 months and moving up to our 3-6 month options. I have plans to reorganize drawers and her closet to get everything updated. (Update: Done. You are officially in 3-6 months at 10 weeks.)

 

Diapers- Size 2.

 

Food- Straight formula. Stopped breastfeeding and never looking back. This is part of the reason our schedule has gotten so much better and things have been easier lately.

 

Sleep- Seriously the BEST. Sister falls asleep after her last bottle around 9 pm and is out cold until 5-6 am. I don't know who I owe for that one, but it's my saving grace. Mama needs sleep to function.

 

Visitors during her second month: Auntie Amanda! {Pic to come}

 

Things of Note- I went back to work so C started daycare at 7 weeks and mommy almost had a meltdown. Not really, but I had to let some people at the school know the correct way to do things. So I'm obviously loved there. Things have steadily gotten better and I actually like her daycare providers now. For the record, separation anxiety is just as bad with the second child.

 

Sister Status- I'm so in for it.

 

 

You guys already love each other so much and I can't wait to see you both grow together. Some days I swear you are already conspiring against me...like when I change 2 poop diapers within a 5 minute span. Kidding...

 

 

Grace's favorite saying is still, "Aww baby Charlie, you so cute." She also enjoys singing you bedtime songs...her most popular goes something like this..."Go to sleeepppp, go to sleeepppp." She sings traditional lullaby's as well...haha.

 

 

Even though the above picture doesn't capture it well, your big sister makes you smile like no one else can. :)

 

 

She's also said you guys will be sharing a room when you get big enough. But I wouldn't hold her to that if I were you.

 

We all love you so much Charlie girl. I can't wait to keep watching you grow and see all of the extra love you bring to our family!

 

 

xo,

Mama