One Month Old!

I can't believe a month has already gone by! Charlotte is such a little joy. I am just trying to treasure every little moment. Even the sleepless ones in the middle of the night. They just grow up way to fast! She is starting to smile now and the kids just love her to death.

C is for Charlotte

My first little photo session with Charlotte. She was eight days old and stayed fast asleep the whole time.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I know it's long gone, but I still wanted to say that despite all the ups and downs we had a great holiday this year. Actually I felt very blessed because Chris was home for most of the month of December! It was so nice to have him all day everyday. And even though the only real holiday decorations we had were the tree, it was okay, I survived. We had a nice, simple Christmas Eve dinner with my mom and dad.And even though with presents and baby we had little or no sleep, Christmas was a fun day that included a long nap:).

The tree and stockings after Santa came...

Sophie found the pickle ornament and got the prize!

Christmas Eve jammies, I love stripes:).

My handsome hubby in his cracker crown after Christmas Eve dinner.

Our five day old little elf, Charlotte.

Happy New Year!!!!

Unfortunately we kicked off the new year by saying goodbye to Chris again. He had to be back to work again and we found out that the family would not be able to come out yet. So we are kind of in limbo right now. But we still had fun bringing in the new year. We celebrated the countdown with CNN at 9:00.


My mom had gotten hats, blowers, soundmakers, and Martinelli's for the celebration. The girls were way into it, so excited and hyper! Sam really wasn't in the mood and didn't want to be photographed.

Mom & Charlotte at 11 days old.

My dad doing a new year's dance.

Sophie and her Happy New Year crown...

and Maggie in hers.

Cheers to a wonderful 2009!

Bringing Home Baby

Sunday the 21st was Chris and my 12th wedding anniversary! Though we had had plans to go out to the Melting Pot for dinner and a movie the night before, we had a baby instead:). Chris took the kids to church and then they all came to see me later. Then later that night Maki and Sophie came to hang out and Soph just wanted to hold Charlotte forever. The hospital gave us a cute Santa hat for her to wear.

The next day it was time to come home! The whole gang wanted to be there to bring home baby. We got her changed into her little going home outfit and then waited for the nurse to bring the wheelchair. It was a rainy, cozy day.
Mom and her 4 little punkins!


Last little snooze in the bassinet.

Maggie checking Charlotte out in her carseat.

It was so nice to be home! My mom and dad had the house all cleaned and the fireplace on. We gave Charlotte a bath and everyone wanted snuggle time.


Feeding Charlotte has been a challenge. She had gone down to 6 lbs. 11oz. in the hospital and hadn't pooped in a day. So we were a little stressed. Breastfeeding has always been difficult for me and even though I wanted it to be successful, we were concerned that she was eating. So I started pumping and now she is doing great. I'm pumping every meal right now and it's quite time consuming. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to last with it, but it's working okay for now and I'm glad she's getting "the good stuff".

Charlotte is Born!

After what felt like a forever pregnancy, our little one is finally here! After that one night of false labor that thankfully brought daddy home I had mixed feelings about wanting to have her out. I wanted to meet her and not be pregnant anymore, but I also knew I had so much to do that would be a lot harder once she got here. And I'm funny about dates, I wanted her to be born on an even number day. So I had many suggestions on how to get her out sooner, but I decided she knew when the best day would be (though I didn't want to be in the hospital on Christmas!).

On the night of December 19th I had a contraction that woke me up at about 12:30. I didn't think much of it other than it kinda hurt. An hour later I had another one and then the next hour another. When I finally had another at 4:30 I decided to wake Chris up and let him know. I still wasn't totally sure because they were so infrequent, but they hurt pretty bad when they did come. I decided to shower and get ready and we left for the hospital at almost 6:00 so they could check me out. We left the kids with my parents and told them we would call when we knew anything.

We got checked in and they hooked me up to the monitors. I wasn't really having many contractions but they decided to check me and I was already 8 cm dilated!! I totally panicked because I so wanted an epidural and I was afraid it was too late. I did not want to do without again, it is no fun. Chris called my mom and she rushed over to be there too.

Luckily when they wheeled me into delivery the anesthesiologist was ready to go. The epidural insertion was actually the most uncomfortable part of the whole delivery. I think I put a permanent dent in Chris's shoulder I was squeezing him so hard.


But as soon as it was in the Dr. was there and said I was ready to push whenever I wanted. So on the next contraction I went for it and out came her head and in the next push she was out!

Charlotte Elizabeth Roberts

7 lbs. 5oz. 20 1/2"

December 20th, 2008 7:29 a.m.

So she came before Christmas, on a nice even numbered day and the delivery was easy peasy as far as deliveries go. I just had one little stitch and my recovery has been really easy too. It was the first time I was actually anxious to out of the hospital and get home.

Charlotte with delivery Dr. Hong

Maki got a Charlotte footprint stamped on her arm:).

Charlotte bonding moments with mom...

...and Dad

Charlotte loved her first bath, especially when they put her head under the facet.

New babies are so peaceful and it's such a sweet, spiritual experience.

The kids were so excited to come and meet their new sister and to see mom. And it was so good to see them.

It's been so fun to see the kid's reactions to her. They just love her. Sam who was so indifferent and not too excited, just adores her.

Sophie just wants to hold her all the time and not be away from her. At this point Maggie is fascinated watching her, but did not want to hold her yet.
It was a great day, I also got a visit with flowers and treats from my good friend Jane and her husband Jonathan. It was so nice.

Finally she was here.

Sophie's Piano Recital

Sophie had her holiday piano concert on December 13th. It was so nice because Daddy was home to see it and Papa and Maki were there as well.

This year she played "What Child is This" as a duet with her friend Brenna and solo she played "Queen's March". She did a perfect job.

Brenna and Sophie with their wonderful Russian teacher, Irina Fenessey.

It was a fabulous concert and we all went out to eat at Chili's afterward. Great job Soph!