Breech Legs

Even before he was born, Charlie proved that he plans to be quite the individual. Rather than settling into the usual head-down position in my uterus, Charlie steadfastly stayed in a "frank breech" position, meaning that his head and feet were at the top of my uterus, and his little bottom was at the bottom (see the far right picture below). Now that he's here, we've forgiven him for his stubborn breech-ness, but we do have a constant reminder--his stick straight little legs. Charlie doesn't do the typical "fetal" position with his legs curled up in front of him. Rather, when he gets angry, upset, or even when he's just relaxing, his little legs stick straight up in the air. Everyone who examined him in the hospital asked almost immediately whether he was breech as a result of those straight little legs. It cracks us up and continually reminds us what an eccentric, funny little man we have.

Charlie was "frank breech," as seen below:

Angry breech legs pictured here...

And relaxed breech legs here:
Breech legs are great for sleeping...
Except when they knock you over!

Charlie's First Birthday Party

No, Charlie isn't 1 yet--although it does seem like time is flying now that he's here! Charlie attended his first birthday party last Saturday, and enjoyed every minute. The birthday girl, Blythe, was absolutely adorable and Charlie enjoyed meeting her and her sweet friends. He can't wait to get together again!

Sweet Blythe enjoying her birthday cupcake...

And Charlie cuddling with Blythe's mom, Erica:

Charlie's Two-Week Checkup

Charlie had his two-week checkup today and everything looked great! He is gaining weight quickly and is as healthy as can be. He had more than regained his birth weight (he was 8 pounds at birth, and weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces today), which pleased his pediatrician (and his mom :). He was in the 25th percentile for weight, the 50th percentile for height, and the 25th percentile for head circumference. Sounds like Charlie has a bit of growing to do! He also behaved very well, and hardly made a sound when they had to draw blood. Luckily, it's looking like Charlie did not inherit his mother's aversion to needles. :)

Charlie's Friends and Family

Charlie has been blessed with lots of friends and family, many of whom have been able to visit him in the days following his birth. He has so enjoyed getting to meet everyone and put faces to all the voices he heard while he was in the womb. :)

Here is Charlie meeting Grandma Ali (my mom) for the first time:

And relaxing with his Papa (my dad):

Charlie's Aunt Addie made the trip up from Corpus Christi to be at Charlie's birth. Charlie LOVES his Aunt Addie and was so excited that she was there to welcome him to the world. His Great-Aunt Dede (who is like another grandmother to him) came up from Seguin for the birth and it just kills me that we don't have a picture of her with Charlie. But she was behind the camera for most of the three days she spent in Dallas (and is responsible for almost all of the good hospital pictures I have), and somehow we missed a picture with her. Charlie wants Dede to come back to Dallas so they can get a photo together!

Charlie meeting his Mimi (Clint's mom) for the first time:

Charlie talking to his Pawpaw (Clint's dad) about how to be a good cowboy:

Charlie meeting his Aunt Sarah (my college roommate) who was in town for work when Charlie was born:

Charlie with his Aunt Ann (another one of my best friends from college). Charlie is so excited Ann is living in Dallas now!!

Charlie meeting Matt and Clare.

He loves the flowers they brought him! :)

My sister Meg, brother-in-law Graeme, brother Sam, and Sam's girlfriend Audra came up to Dallas to spend the weekend with Charlie. They arrived at home about the same time we did and we had so much fun spending the weekend together. Charlie loves his big rambunctious family!

Here he is with his Aunt Meg. He is in love. :)

Uncle Graeme gave him stock tips and helped him with his soccer skills.

Don't they look cute with a baby?? Charlie wants a cousin! :)

Staring contest with Uncle Sam...

And cuddling with Audra.

We've had more visitors since we arrived home.

Thomas and Allison (from V&E) stopped by to say hi:

And Mark and Jessica got to meet Charlie during their trip to Dallas.

Charlie loved cuddling with John and Caroline!

And was so excited to meet the Grays. He can't wait until he's big enough to play with his best friend George!

Although we've remembered to get our camera out for a lot of our visitors, there are also a lot that we've missed. :( Charlie sends a shout out to Erica and Leah, the Smiths, Manuel, Carmen and Taliana, Elizabeth, Susan, and all his other new friends. He has so enjoyed meeting all of you and can't wait to get to know you all even better!

One Week Old!

How time flies! Our sweet baby boy is already one week old, and it is hard to believe that his first week passed so quickly--and so peacefully. He is proving to be an unbelievably good baby, which has resulted in rested and happy parents. He eats like a champ, sleeps great, and is so fun to play with. He is also a great cuddler--there is nothing better than cuddling with him after he eats. We feel so lucky to be his parents!

Below are some pictures of our first week at home.

Charlie is starting to smile more and more. Although the photo is blurry, I just love this happy little smile!

He hasn't been in it too much yet, but he is starting to like his swing.

But his favorite activity is cuddling with his daddy after work.

Charlie loves a good swaddle before he gets into bed for the evening...

And REALLY loves his playmat. Charlie loves to lay on this mat on his stomach or his side and is just entranced by its black and white images.

Announcing his manhood to the neighborhood...

We also had Charlie's first doctor's appointment this week. It went quite well--the pediatrician congratulated us on a "perfect baby" (we agree :). Although Charlie hates being cold and naked, he suffered through the appointment like a champ. He weighed 7 lbs., 8 oz. when we left the hospital and was up to 7 lbs., 11 oz. at his appointment. They want him to be back up to his birth weight (8 lbs.) by next Tuesday. I think he's well on his way!

And finally, some bath time pictures of Charlie. He is not a fan of the sponge bath part, but loves cuddling in his towel after, loves having his hair washed, and especially loves having his hair brushed.



What a wonderful week...don't grow up too quickly little Charlie!

Home Sweet Home

After some frantic wrangling with Charlie's carseat (apparently we should have read the manual more carefully before pulling up to the 15-minute parking area in front of the hospital), we made it home safe and sound yesterday, May 14. Our 3 1/2 days in the hospital were pretty great--it was such a special time in our lives and the nurses, doctors, and staff were unbelievably good. I could not be more impressed with the labor and delivery wing at Baylor Dallas--it is fabulous! Although I am glad to be home, I am missing my hospital bed--it made feeding and getting in and out of bed so much easier after a c-section! Charlie is sleeping and eating like a champ, and as a result, his parents are rested and as happy as can be. We are having so much fun showing the guy around his new digs. :)

Little Charlie is his first "real" outfit. Clutching Ella for moral support--we were a little nervous to leave the safe haven of the hospital and head out in the rainy weather. :)

Charlie got in a quick snuggle with his daddy before Daddy went to get the car.

Mommy and Charlie waited patiently for Daddy to return.

Finally in his carseat--and he loved it!

Home Sweet Home!

Charles Field

Charlie joined our little family at 9:56 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. He weighed 8 pounds and was 20.25 inches long. He has dark blue eyes, strawberry blond hair, and is as sweet and as healthy as can be. He hates having his diaper changed, but other than that, he has been an absolutely perfect baby. We are completely in love with him. :)

Here we are on our way to the hospital.

Last preggers photo--I was SO excited to get him out, but a little nostalgic that it was my last few hours of pregnancy.

Charlie! And 8 pounds--wow!

Daddy nervously did his first diaper change in front of a lot of nurses, doctors, and techs. :)

First family photo!

First time to hold Charlie--this really was the most incredible experience of my life.

Charlie's first bath--he hated the sponge bath, but LOVED washing his hair.

Sweet boy with his clean hair. :)

Relaxing in Daddy's lap...

Sweetness...

Life is good. :)