The Kid Has Better Moves Then I Do

Also filmed before the baby came, at Shane's deli one night while we ate dinner.

I think we have a Jimi Hendrix fan on our hands.

Tums

Shortly before the arrival of Charlotte, I caught this little conversation on camera. Can you tell I was suffering from a lot of heartburn? Out of the mouths of babes...

Sam holds his sister for the first time

I think the first thing he said in looking at her, "she has little tiny toes!" Too fun, our kids on the couch for the first time.

Love those cheeks!

I think most newborns look like raisins for the most part, and Charlotte definitely has her dried fruit-like moments, but Sophie caught a great picture at the hospital. Thank you friend!

Charlotte Grace

Born Friday afternoon, February 19th, at 12:59 pm after a quick 5 1/2 hour delivery, Charlotte Grace entered the world. Our heads are still spinning, and trying to keep up on sleep while chasing our Sam is impossible, but three days into it, we are happy and content.

Amazing how much easier so many things are this second time around, breast feeding being one of them. It's all coming back, and seems more manageable. Ask me again though in three weeks and we'll see how things are then. Scott is off work this week, so I've got it pretty awesome. He was a champ through the entire experience, I felt completely spoiled and loved.

Sam is adjusting well, but then, she's only been home for two days. First time he held her, he exclaimed in his high, piping voice, "She gots little tiny toes!" "She gots little tiny ears!" and kissed her so so gently on the top of her head with a loud, smacking "Mmmmuhhh" sound. Thankfully we have it on video, too precious.

It is naptime now and I have 15 minutes to go lay down. Good thing these beginning weeks pass quickly, and that our neighborhood Starbucks is only blocks away. Thanks for all the prayers and support, we love you!

Waiting

And now we wait.

Went in for my 40 week doctor's appointment last night and was pleasantly surprised that he suggested inducing us on Friday morning, at 6 am. What a crazy thought, Thursday night we're a family of three, Friday we're four, Lord willing.

My brain is having a hard time comprehending the change, what will she be like? What will Sam think when we bring her home? I'm sure she'll be different then Sam as a baby, but how? Trying not to worry about things like colic, and feeding and sleeping at this point, but it's difficult to shut those thoughts out.

Dim memories of cozy, middle of the night feeds, the small sounds babies make when they're happy, the smell of a freshly washed baby hair and head, the first smile and teeny, tiny baby fingers and toes pass through my foggy brain. All that, again.

I am so thankful. Thankful to have a wonderfully empathetic husband who should win some type of award for putting up with my vocal complaining this pregnancy and is eager to sleep at the hospital BOTH nights, should I want him there. Thankful for my precious toddler who is so dear and fun, and will be waiting for us at home. Thankful that I won't be pregnant by Saturday. Thankful that the end of February is near and that means it's almost March and SPRING IS COMING. Thankful for the batch of frozen chocolate chip cookie dough that awaits my return in the garage freezer.

All at once I feel nervous, excited, preoccupied, emotional, and am desperately trying to restrain unnecessary nesting desires. Really, does the house need to be vacuumed again? Why do the closets need to be reorganized, the baby won't be looking at them. Seriously, someone tell me to just go lay down. Maybe tonight after Lost.

Thank you for your prayers as we head into this weekend, pictures, the name and updates to come!

Now That's Service

Happy Valentine's Day!

We played hooky from church thanks to a case of untimely (possible) case of pink eye in Sam and enjoyed a great family day. First stop, our local Starbucks where we were greeted by a favorite barista, Judd.

We sat at a large table, basking in the warm southern sun pouring through the window and played "pretend."

"Let's pretend we're in Florida right now, what would we be doing?" and nibbled on an apple strudel, warm out of the oven, compliments of Trader Joe's frozen aisle.

Then, we hear Judd say, "do you guys want some pumpkin loaf?" He gives us three hand-carved hearts, one for Scott, me and Sam.

A perfect start to a Hallmark holiday. Next stop, the Sports Center to swim and then to visit the animals at Cosley. We are making the most of whatever time we have left before Baby #2 arrives, no imminent signs as of yet.

Avatar 3D!

Huh. Interesting movie. Much could be said, but I don't have the energy. Suffice to say we were throughly entertained and my bladder hung in there for all three hours of the movie.

Sam enjoyed these glasses for days afterwards, the best part was when he wore them attempting to shoot basketballs with his little hoop.

Snow Day

My poor, optimistic son. We got something like 14 inches of snow dumped on us here in Illinois yesterday. The first thing Sam did upon getting his snow gear on was head to the shed where all our summer toys are stored. The child wanted to play baseball with white whiffle balls in the snow.

Spring and summer cannot come fast enough for us all.

Tums

Can you tell that I've had a lot of heartburn throughout this pregnancy? I have it now, as a matter of fact. Poor Sam has probably heard me say, "My stomach hurts Buddy, Momma needs a Tums," 12 times a day.

So it didn't really surprise me when he told us that HE needed a Tums, it was coming eventually I suppose.

Days left until Baby #2, the doctor thinks I'll go next week sometime, "or sooner." Thanks. That's helpful.