Welcome Charles Michael!

After a very quick labor where we almost didn't make it to the hospital on time, Charles Michael was born on Friday morning at 9:31. He was a very healthy 8 pounds 10 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long. We were in the hospital until Sunday (where unfortunately big brother Peter was not allowed to visit due to the new flu regulations), and have been home getting settled since.

It was pretty quiet in the hospital, mostly just Charles and I, as Geoff was trying to spend time with Peter as well. We did have some visitors, Gritz, Granddad and David, Joanne, Jay and Aggie, and Kristin, Christine and Tedd all came to visit while we were there.

Since we've been home, Peter has been absolutely wonderful and loves his baby brother. He is often asking to hold Charles, and has been very sweet and gentle. If Charles starts to cry, Peter runs to find out what is wrong. He also will sing to Charles to get him to calm down and go to sleep. Charles is fascinated with Peter, gazing at him while he is being held and looking for him when he hears his voice.

Charles had his first pediatrician appointment Tuesday morning, and while on Sunday his weight had dropped down to 8 pounds 1 ounce (as expected), Tuesday he was up to 9 pounds, passing his birth weight.

There is an album with more pictures of Charles's first few days on Picasa.

39 Week Picture and Poll

One week (or less) to go. I hope that I don't make it to my due date, but I don't feel like I'm going to go early. Last time, it was our last weekly poll since I didn't make it to my due date (my water broke without me having contractions, which I really hope doesn't happen this time). Either way, the next post could be an announcement, which would be pretty exciting. For a surprise bonus picture, scroll to the bottom.

How far along? 39 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Still holding steady at 37 pounds.
Maternity clothes? Oh yes.
Stretch Marks? Still just the same, although I do get pretty itchy in this weather.
Sleep: A little less stuffy, but having a very hard time getting comfortable so I'm still pretty tired.
Best moment this week: Our mini-date night for my birthday.
Movement: Yes, and while it's uncomfortable it is comforting.
Food cravings: Nothing really special, maybe citrus, but not too much.
Gender: Team pink won the poll.
Labor Signs: No more contractions, but the baby is definitely moving down and I'm having lots of pressure.
Belly Button in or out? Out, although it's stretched pretty flat.
What I miss: Being able to bend over and pick something up or tie my shoes.
What I am looking forward to: Finally having everything washed, organized and ready to go (hopefully it will be done before the weekend, there isn't much left to do). There are still some things that we need off of the registry, but for the most part it can wait until after the baby is born.
Milestones: Just one week until my due date, but hopefully I'll go sooner than that.

From theBump.com

Your baby's the size of a watermelon!

Baby keeps growing, despite being so crowded in there. He probably weighs around 6.2 to 9.2 pounds and measures about 18.9 to 20.9 inches.

Read more here.


From BabyCenter.com

How your baby's growing:

He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon.

Read more here.

38 Week Picture and Poll

Two weeks (or less). I cannot believe how fast time time it is going. Then again it also feels like I've been pregnant forever. Last time, we were still settling into the apartment while this time it feels like I still have so much to do to get the apartment ready. I guess some things never change.

How far along? 38 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Holding steady at 37 pounds, and this is after I ate my weight in crepes last night.
Maternity clothes? Oh yes.
Stretch Marks? Haven't noticed anything new since last week.
Sleep: I'm pretty tired, but having a hard time falling asleep because I'm stuffy and can't breath through my nose.
Best moment this week: Hearing the baby, followed closely by finding out that I probably wouldn't go into labor in the middle of the blizzard (obviously I didn't).
Movement: Yes.
Food cravings: Chocolate covered pretzels. Shame there isn't an upcoming holiday where it would be perfect to get some.
Gender: Team pink won the poll.
Labor Signs: A couple of contractions here and there, but not nearly enough to be doing much. Baby definitely feels like he or she is dropping
Belly Button in or out? Out.
What I miss: Breathing through my nose, I'm a little stuffy but my sinuses are pretty swollen so I'm pretty stuffed up.
What I am looking forward to: Celebrating my birthday this weekend (a little early since my birthday is pretty close to my due date).
Milestones: Nothing interesting.

From theBump.com

Your baby's the size of a pumpkin!

Baby is about 18.9 to 20.9 inches long and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. Her head is now about the same circumference as her abdomen.

Read more here.


From BabyCenter.com

How your baby's growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek).

Read more here.

Happy Thirty-Four Months!

Once again, I forgot to post this update last week, I guess I was distracted by Nemo. Peter is taking very well to his big boy bed, not getting out by himself in the night even though naps haven't been quite as successful. Then again naps didn't always work in the crib either, so I guess there isn't much change there.

From BabyCenter.com

At thirty-three and thirty-four months, most children can:
Names one color - He can name many colors, and has been doing this for a while now
Names one friend - He names many friends, and has been doing this for a while as well
Carries on a simple conversation - He can do this too, he has gotten much more talkative

At thirty-three and thirty-four months, half the children can:
Alternates feet going up and down stairs - He does this when he is holding someone's hand, but not when he's holding the banister by himself and he doesn't do it all the time.
Uses prepositions (e.g., on, in, over) - Check
Speaks clearly most of the time (75 percent can be understood) - Hard to say since he seems to be using a lot of made up words, but a lot of what he says does make sense so probably.
Stacks eight blocks - I haven't actually counted, but he does make high towers

At thirty-three and thirty-four months, a few children can:
Is toilet trained during the day - No, but we are going to try again next weekend. It would be nice if he was toilet trained before the baby was born but I'm not holding my breath.
Wiggles thumb - He says that he can't and refuses to try.
Expresses a wide range of emotions - Oh yes
Draws a stick figure - I haven't seen him do this, and he still kind of is drawing in scribbles

37 Week Picture and Poll

Three weeks (or less) and counting, and I'm now considered full term. I really can go at any time, so I guess I should really finish packing. Another long day, although they all seem to be long now. Last time, the picture was a day late, although I did have a bonus picture from the baby shower.

How far along? 37 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Up to 37 pounds, maybe I've been craving sweet a little too much this week.
Maternity clothes? Oh yes.
Stretch Marks? I caught sight of a few on the bottom of my belly in a mirror. Not sure how long they've been there. Only good thing is that I did get those last time and they went away.
Sleep: Really wishing that I was getting more, it is so hard to get comfortable.
Best moment this week: Peter getting and sleeping in his big boy bed.
Movement: Yes.
Food cravings: Still sweet.
Gender: Team pink won the poll.
Labor Signs: Just Braxton Hicks.
Belly Button in or out? Out.
What I miss: My energy. By 4, I'm exhausted and ready for a nap (although Peter rarely naps anymore).
What I am looking forward to: A quiet weekend, probably the last before the baby is born. Our only real plan is watching the England/Ireland game at brunch time on Sunday.
Milestones: I'm full term!

From theBump.com

Your baby's the size of a winter melon!

Yay! Baby has reached full term. He likely measures around 18.9 to 20.9 inches and weighs about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. He's gaining about 1/2 ounce each day.

Read more here.


From BabyCenter.com

How your baby's growing:

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard).

Read more here.

A New Bedroom Look

Even though it will be a little while before we move the baby into Peter's room, I've been having a hard time getting him in and out of the crib. So this weekend we went shopping for a big boy bed.

Peter had a lot of fun testing out the beds, from toddler beds to bunk beds. In the end we decided to go with bunk beds, since the room really isn't big enough for two beds so we will need them eventually.

The delivery was scheduled for yesterday, and it was looking like it wouldn't arrive before Peter went to bed. But about ten minutes before bedtime, the doorbell rang (causing Peter to scream out "avocado sushi!" in excitement).

Of course that meant that the bed was going to be made right then, and that bedtime would be pushed back. Once it was ready, he was so happy and very ready to go right to sleep.