Week One

Little Charlotte is a one week old and already assimilating to our little family very well.  She sleeps right through Jackson's "playing" for now and seems pretty content overall. We took her on her first walk last night and she slept in the carrier without any problems which was nice...we have to take adventure of the relatively cool evenings while we can! Early in the week my brother and Erin came to visit for the day and it was nice to catch up with them. Charlotte and Jackson both enjoyed the company! My mom took Jackson back to her place again for a couple days and when he got home, we were preparing for Pam, Brittany, Camryn, and Bubba to come visit. It was quite the weekend with one toddler and two babies in the apartment, but we had a good time.  Jackson went on some outings and the babies ate, slept, and observed all the activity.  Other than Jackson wanting Grandmommie all to himself, everyone did pretty good in the midst of diaper changing, burping, and all those other wonderful baby activities. 

This week Brandon is getting more school work done for class this coming weekend, and I will be trying to rest while I can. Jackson has been waking up right as I put Charlotte back to bed around 6:30am, so needless to say the days of sleeping when the baby does are long gone!  He has been coming into our bed though and hanging out for a little bit which helps me wake up and ease into the day! If only I could figure out a way to keep Charlotte as sweet and tiny as she is now and yet have her sleeping all night like Jackson...that would be heavenly!

Charlotte likes Aunt Erin

Hanging with Daddy

My little ones...

...couldn't love them more.

Grandmommie with her little girls

All three grandkids at once

Jackson and Grandmommie have the poses down...not so much the little ladies!

Grandmommie and Charlotte

Jackson cannot resist kisses

Comfy and alert with Grandmommie

I can see the biceps growing already...17 pounds between them!

Mamas and their babies!

Meet Charlotte Avery!

She is finally here! I went into the hospital about 10:00pm on Friday and Charlotte arrived at 2:02 am Saturday morning. She was 7lbs 8oz and 20 inches long, and looks a whole lot like her daddy...there is a little bit of Jackson in there too though! We were able to come home around noon on Sunday, and so far everything is going well. My mom and Brandon were at the hospital with me and Jackson spent the night with some of our friends. He got 12 hours of sleep and was none the wiser until he came up to the hospital to see us! And to say that Jackson LOVES his baby sister is an understatement. He loves giving her kisses and if she makes any noise, he is the first one to get to her! I am going to have to keep a sharp eye on them because he is already trying to scale the changing table and her bed to be close to her. It should be an interesting few months getting used to two little ones around here to say the least! 

Charlotte is already very different than Jackson was as well. We were bouncing him from day 1 to get him to sleep, and she just cuddles right up in Brandon's arms and is out like a light.  Something tells me she will be a daddy's girl, although I could not adore her more. And so we begin a new chapter of life...as Brandon says, "Two went up the hill, and three came down!" Or in this case, Four came down. 

Charlotte getting measurements

Proud Papa

Our little lady

Open those eyes!

Checking each other out

Mama and baby

After delivery and preparing to rest

Brandon and his girls!

Jackson meets Charlotte

Where has mommy been and more importantly which one of her snacks can I have!

The whole family

Brandon and Charlotte hanging out while I rest

Holding onto Daddy for dear life already!

It was a difficult labor and delivery for Brandon.

Chillin' and waiting to be discharged from the hospital

Getting ready to go home

Waving to the camera

Riding to the car

I love my baby sister!

Jackson wishing he could carry Charlotte around.

So many kisses to give 

Sacked out in the car seat when we got home

A little wink perhaps? She likes to give the pirate eye!

And so we wait...

Four days out from our due date, and we are still waiting. Lots of contractions and preparations lately, but not go time yet! Brandon has all of his work done for class this weekend and Jackson is packed and ready to spend the night with friends when needed.  I have been working out the last few mornings and walking a lot with my mom, but of course these little ones come when they wish. 

Jackson is preparing too, including increasing his communication skills with additional words such as shoes, teeth, banana...you know all the important things. My mom came down yesterday to stay with us a few days and brought him some new shoes and shirts since he is growing so fast. I cannot wait to see how he reacts to his sister!

Preparing

Well, we are slowly preparing ourselves for our little girl.  I had a sonogram last Thursday because I am measuring a bit small, but she is right on target and just riding really low. That checkup prompted me to shift things around a bit in the "baby corner" of our apartment, so she now has several baskets full of pink clothes waiting for her. And we pulled the cradle out as well and got that all fixed up. Jackson is quite curious about the new bed and toys that have appeared over the weekend, so I can only imagine what he will be thinking when the baby is actually here! 

Speaking of Jackson...he has been preparing as well. I have started letting him attempt to feed himself which is messy but he is gradually making progress. Yogurt is a favorite at the moment, although it is apparently great for finger painting as well as eating...I need to work on that with him. Daylight Savings threw him off a bit though as well as the fact that he slipped in the shower last night and busted his lip. I sure hope the injuries are few and far between, especially once his sister arrives. It could be crazy around here otherwise. 

Brandon has an intense couple of weeks coming up for school with several projects and papers due. Of course that is how it would be right as I am nearing my due date as well. Hopefully he can get ahead on some things early this week though just in case the baby comes early. For now, we wait...

After eating yogurt for 10 minutes, it is now getting spread on the cabinets

One cute little mess.

Banana in hand, busted lip, and ready for bed.

That lip is hardcore!

The Zoo

We are moving through March here in SA.  I am 37 weeks and counting and Jackson and I are soaking up the time outside of the house before we are at home with a new baby for a while. Today Jackson had his first trip to the zoo which was quite entertaining. He didn't know what to think of all the animals at first but ended getting right up against the cages pretty quick. The petting zoo was of course a hit and once Jackson figured out that they had brushes for the goats, he proceeded to make it his goal to brush every goat in the place. They appreciated it I am sure. I think he is still more interested in climbing and running more than anything, but something tells me the zoo will be even more fun as he gets older. 

Brandon is working on papers and various things for class this weekend, and I am resting and preparing for the new baby. Not long now!

Brushing the goats one by one

Enjoying the petting zoo

Are you seeing this crocodile?

As close as possible to the crocodiles and fish

Pointing out the crazy monkeys swinging all over the cage

Jackson and his friends on the Komodo Dragon

Lots of Flamingos and lots of noise

Loaded in the stroller and ready to tour the zoo