Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all of our friends and family!

First Christmas!

Charlotte slept through most of her first Christmas but she managed to wake up a few times to enjoy Christmas Eve. She was proudly displaying her smiles and new sounds! With her first Christmas also came her first cold, so she is resting up today and we've had our first stab at using baby saline nose spray! She isn't too happy but she is finally resting a bit.

Getting Ready

Papa is already planting the Yale seed!

Sun!

After days of cloudiness and snow, we finally got some sun! It came out just in time for sunset and we got some amazing views off the porch onto the hills. I am thrilled we got the snow but it was really nice to see the sunshine this afternoon.

Another Snowy Day

Any and all plans have gone out the window today as we are being dumped with more snow. I actually love it and wish it would be Fall and Winter all year round. Charlotte is doing wonderful, she is enjoying her awake time and still practicing smiles and coos.

For Alexis and Scott

These are for you Alexis & Scott, haha! The doggy is a Jack Russell he rescued this summer...who doesn't love a fireman-saving-an-animal-picture?

I also found some parade pictures for you to enjoy. The top one, hes in the bucket during a 9/11 event. The driving picture was from the Memorial Day Parade. Alexis - maybe you will be back on the east coast by then and we can go together with Charlotte! This is my public plea to get you back here!

Snow!

It's snowing! Here's a fun picture of the snow this afternoon. Charlotte is napping the day away, missing her first big snow.

Frank

Here's our handsome man checking things out while we are snowed in!

Visit to Mama and Papa's

Charlotte got to meet some of Mama's high school friends this weekend. We went to Mama and Papa's house for some wonderful food and fun. Charlotte is continuing to smile, but they are very difficult to capture on camera. I have realized that after taking all the pictures I have taken, that we really need a picture of the whole family! So, I finally included a picture of Ben and me from that weekend.

Smile!

So, just moments after commenting on trying to capture a small smile, she let this one out! She was just about to doze off in my lap...so it may be a dreamy smile, but it was so big!! Excuse the poor quality. I only had my camera phone right near me to actually get it on film. So sweet!

Hanging Out

Charlotte was enjoying her time in the lime light today - I was just really trying to capture a smile....this is a semi smile. I think she is doing really small smiles as of yesterday, but it still could just be gas! Frank enjoyed looking on as we played with the camera.

At her last appointment she had grown one pound and one inch! She is holding her head up more and more and when she spends time on her belly, she is trying very hard (but not really succeeding) to push herself up. Time is flying by!

Big Stretch

Not too much is new here at the Racho house. The doctor just gave me the go ahead to be more active, yay! Things are not 100% as they should be with my healing, but we are slowly getting better. We are looking forward to the holidays and taking her on little adventures.

Sleepytime

Another day filled with napping, eating, and well....you know what else babies do! Her sleeping schedule is still inconsistent, but she is starting to form a slight pattern.

Frank was looking especially pitiful this morning. He likes to pick up his food bowl after meals and walk around with it. He also enjoys sitting or laying near it and acting like he hasn't been fed in months. He thinks he is being smart! It looks like I placed the bowl by him, but he did this all by himself.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Here we are Thanksgiving morning just hanging out while Ben preps a turkey. Still housebound due to some healing issues, we are spending it at our house. Charlotte is opening her eyes more every day and checking things out!

Baby Wellies!

So I just stumbled on some pictures from Nantucket this summer. We went when I was about five months pregnant and, of course, I scouted out baby clothes. How cute are those wellies? Everyone said I was nuts for getting them so early, but I found it to be a totally justified purchase. I also could not resist the green jumper! I had to really resist buying an outfit at Lilly Pulitzer while we were out there because we just couldn't guess what size to buy...but that is OK, since we can buy that back home.

Snacking

These were taken last weekend. She was snacking with Mama here. We are looking forward to the holidays to really get out of the house and see everyone and let Charlotte start to see more of the world other than our house!

Still home

Still mostly hanging around at home (but feeling really ready to go out!) heres a cute shot of her napping on my lap. She is starting to wake up a lot more and she is looking around a lot more.

The "Other" Baby

He was feeling left out, so here is Frank, our other "baby". He is spoiled rotten and taking being a brother very well...though he would really like to sample some of her bottles. These were taken at Compo Beach in Westport. We love taking him there when its off season and they allow dogs...we usually meet some other wacky pugs.

Toes

Taken yesterday with Papa, here are her little baby feet. We are still trying to stay home for a bit and not take her out too much yet, so we have to entertain ourselves at home with family and friends...and Frank, of course.

Boppin!

Here we are in the boppy swing...which she is not sure if she likes or not...

I'm gonna eat your nose!

When Charlotte is hungry she will try to eat everything in her way, including noses! Last night we gave her a bath and she was so hungry she was eating her hands the whole time. It was hilarious. She is very clear about when its time to eat.

This was taken at the hospital with Mama, Charlotte and me. This was taken Saturday when we were told we can go home! What a happy day, especially after five days there. The nurses were all wonderful and it was a wonderful environment...but we were thrilled to go home!

So, everyone was wondering how Frank would take being a brother in the house. Fearing jealousy issues, we are happy to report he is very calm and loving with Charlotte and he is happy he can still sleep in the bed between us. He really just wants to lick her head and feet, but he is good when we say "no".

In the hospital with Grandma Joan

At home on her first night with Papa.

This picture cracks me up...this was on Tuesday. She was born on Thursday. This was before all the drugs they use to induce you. I think at this point we were thinking we would deliver in a day or so....not the case! I like how hopeful I look...little did I know...

Here we are at home! All stretched out and happily napping!

Also from the hospital, here she is with Daddy's hand on her. She looks so small! She has been home for a week now, and it seems like she has grown! She went to the doctor today and she has not gained any weight yet, which is perfectly normal. I wish she could stay small forever!

She is here! Charlotte was born on 10/30/08 at 7.94oz and 20" long! It was a long journey but she is here and beautiful. This picture is from the hospital, on her first day of life. That knit cap is from the volunteers that knit baby clothes for the hospital babies. It is my favorite item of her clothing right now!