one month

June 23, 2013

Weight: 13 pounds 2.5 ounces (100%)

Length: 23 ¾ inches (100%)

Head circumference: 15 ¾ inches (100%)

Sweet Charlie Boy!

What a joy it’s been to have you here for a whole month! You are the perfect addition to our family and we love you so very much. After a couple of days in the hospital, we came home and Carson greeted us with a celebratory cinnamon cake and lots of excitement!

You are a good snuggler and like to be held, which we LOVE, but you also enjoy time in both your swing and vibrating chair and end up napping in them quite a bit during the day so that you’re downstairs with us. You are able to sleep through a lot of talking and playing. You like to lay on both your back and your tummy when you’re awake. You are really good at holding your head up already. You are pretty laid back and easy going. Your big brother loves you so much, and it’s easy to see that you love him right back. He gets really close to your face, talks to you, sings to you, and gives you lots of hugs and kisses, and you are patient, really seeming to enjoy it most of the time.

You eat every couple of hours during the day and usually sleep between each feeding. Feeding you has been a joy! You’ve got a good latch and strong suck. I’m thankful it’s gone so well. You’re beginning to stay awake for a bit longer each time during the day and we love to see you open those sweet eyes. You like to look at the light and move your head towards our voices. You are already a rock star sleeper! We swaddle you using the swaddle me blanket and you sleep in the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper in your room. The Rock ‘n Play’s bassinet shape is cozier than your crib and is more comfortable for you. You usually eat at about 9:00 at night and don’t wake up until about 3:00-5:00. Then, you sleep until 7:00-8:00 in the morning. We are thankful that eating and sleeping are both going so well!

You are a big boy and are in the 100th percentile in weight, length, and head circumference. You were not able to wear newborn sized diapers and clothes and are already growing out of many 0-3 month clothes that Carson wore until he was 2 ½ months old! We’re finishing up this pack of size one diapers, and you’ll start wearing size two tomorrow. We’re thankful you’re such a big healthy boy! Your circumcision and cord both healed at 2 weeks. You’ve developed baby acne on your face and neck, but thankfully, the doctor said it’s normal, won’t bother you, and should clear up in another month or two. You’ve also got a blocked tear duct on your left eye which causes yellow goop to come out of your eye. The doctor told us to massage it and that it should heal on its own.

You’ve already gotten to know all four of your grandparents. They were here for your birth and took turns staying with us and helping during our first couple of weeks at home. You’ve also met lots of friends from church. You had lots of sweet company both at the hospital and at home the first couple of weeks. Everyone was excited to meet you and loves you already!

Your first outing when you were 10 days old was to Loco FroYo with Mama, Daddy, Carson, Pops, and Granny. Then, you went to a hotdog supper at church the next night. You went to church on a Sunday morning for the first time at 2 ½ weeks old. You went on your first road trip when you were only 20 days old, and it was a 7 ½ hour drive! Our dear friend Lloyd from Hohenwald, TN passed away and we went so that Daddy could help with the funeral and so that we could see his sweet family and let them know how much we love them. It was special to be there to celebrate such a good friend’s life. You did a wonderful job traveling and meeting so many new people! I’m so thankful for that.

Charlie James, you are an absolute joy. I was nervous about having two kids and learning how to balance my time and energy giving you and Carson plenty of love and attention, but it has been an absolute joy and not as difficult as I imagined thanks to two sweet and patient boys who love each other! It’s also been made easier by our sweet family and friends who have spent extra time with Carson so that we could rest and have plenty of time getting to know you this month. They’ve also been really helpful in cooking for us, so that I could spend time with my boys and not have to worry about cooking. I am very thankful for your grandparents and for our sweet church family and for the love they’ve shown us.

You’ve transitioned to life in this great big world so well this first month, Sweet Boy and we are so very very thankful you are ours. Our hearts are overflowing with love and thanksgiving for you, Baby Boy!

We love you!

Mama, Daddy, and Carson