Charlotte at One Week

Charlotte is one week old today, and what a week we have had. Niki, Grandma Stringer, and I have really enjoyed watching Charlotte explore her little body. She tests out facial expressions, and swings her arms around. At this point, she does not have the capability to accurately move her arms. All she can do is make her brain say "Arm move," at which point the arm moves in a random direction, and she says "Hmm. That was interesting." She is learning, by test after test, how to make her arms and legs move where she wants them. As a result, she looks like "Elaine" from Seinfeld dancing - or a Busta Rhyme video . . .

We have been bottle-feeding Charlotte breastmilk. This works well for all of us, and we are working on establishing a pattern. She sleeps 4 hours a stretch at night, and we have to wake her up when we need to feed her. We understand that colic does not set in until 2 weeks after birth, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that she remains peaceful throughout her babyhood.

Connie and Duke have taken well to Charlotte, and we are beginning to see signs now that Duke is protective of the baby, and that Connie understands that when the baby cries, Niki and I need to attend to her. Once more days go by, we will be able to tell if these are random acts that the animals have taken, or are patterns of behavior.

Pacey is very wary, and still will not come within 2 feet of the baby.

Niki is feeling very well, and is healing nicely. She has the evening weepies that new mothers get, but it does not last long. Charlotte gets a little fussy in the evening (the witching hour), but settles down quickly.

Every day, Charlotte is spending more and more time with her eyes open, taking in the world. Right now, she can recognize high contrast - she enjoys looking at our green wall in the back of the house that contrasts with the bright windows. She looks back and forth . . .

We had a Cannonwood Champagne Toast on Sunday afternoon. Many of our neighbors stopped by, and we gave Charlotte a very nice introduction to the neighbors, the McMullens, and Jordan Williams.

We have also been enjoying "Skyping" with Grandpa Stringer back in Rochester, and talking to JoAnn and Spike and looking forward to their visit.

We are having a great time.

Charlotte's Room

Here is Charlotte going in her room for the first time. She also gets to meet Pacey the Cat, and hear the MSU Fight Song on her mobile for the first time.

(This was not the first time hearing the Fight Song, though - I sang it to her earlier in the morning). (This is all on March 12, 2008.)

CJS, NIS, and CJS

Not quite Spielberg...

I strung together some clips I had taken. This is about 8 minutes long, and consists of a number of clips ranging in length from 20 seconds to a few minutes. Accordingly, this is for hard-core Charlotte-Movie-And-Pictures-Fans only. Yes, they are not action-packed, but it gives you an idea of how she wiggles and squirks. During one of the clips, the weird "breathing" sound in the background is the breast pump. I wisely didn't film Niki using it because I would still like to remain married.

Charlotte soon after birth...

Here's another video of Charlotte, about three hours old. I think she looks like a little old man.

Charlotte, meet Connie; Connie, meet Charlotte

More videos - coming home from the hospital

First checkup

Charlotte's first checkup at the pediatrician's office went very well! She has almost regained her birthweight and is back up to 7 pounds, 6 ounces. She was 7 pounds, 2 ounces at discharge from the hospital, if I remember correctly. She's at the 70th percentile for length and at the 40th to 50th percentile for weight. The doctor says she looks terrific in all aspects, and the tiny bit of newborn jaundice (very very common!) is mild and should start clearing up.

Just had a visit from the lactation consultant and will try to get the breastfeeding going. Charlotte's not super interested in having to work for her food, and the milk hasn't quite all come in yet. We're going to keep running that play until we get it right though! That's what Corey says, anyway.

Overall, everything is going well and we're learning the ins and outs of newborns. Crikey, it's a lot of work!

Baby video!

More later . . .

Very exciting second day

Discharge papers are being signed as I type this - Charlotte will feel Tennessee sunshine on her face, go for a ride in a car, meet dogs and a cat, and sleep in her own bed for the first time today. Very exciting!

Charlotte is doing well. We are breastfeeding and supplementing with formula, so she is getting all the nutrition she needs. She was a little gassy yesterday, which caused some squalling, but with some epic farting and belching, she got it all straightened out and now is our peaceful little girl.

Yesterday, Niki, Charlotte, and I spent time getting to know one another by cuddling, swinging (in our arms), singing together (she heard me sing the MSU fight song for the first time yesterday morning), and sucking (she likes fingers).

She likes the "Hush Little Baby" song. Niki sings the regular version, and I sing her a different one (she prefers mine) . .

Hush little baby, don't you fuss.
Daddy's gonna buy you a VW bus.

If that VW bus won't go,
Daddy's gonna buy you an old Peugeot.

If that Peugeot just won't do,
Daddy's gonna buy a BMW.

If that Bimmer won't go far,
Daddy's gonna buy you a new Jaguar.

If of that new Jaguar you tire,
Daddy's gonna buy us an old Starfire.

Down Tennessee two-lanes we'll rumble,
and off to sleepy land you'll tumble . . .

During the day, Grandma and Grandpa Stringer stopped by in the morning, and then brought us "Baby's first picnic" for dinner. Grandma made chicken fajitas, a lettuce and strawberry salad, and rice. It was very good. Angela, Kathryn, and Lillian from Niki's office came, brought us lunch, and cuddled Charlotte for a while.

Later in the afternoon, Sara Thomas and Annabelle came to meet Charlotte. Annabelle is a year and a half old, so Charlotte will grow up looking up to her. It was nice to see the two little girls together for the first time.

Last night, I took some baby blankets home to show the dogs. They couldn't care less. I made them sit and knelt down to hold it out to them. Connie immediately nosed under it to get closer to me, and Duke nosed in further and rolled over. So much for that plan . . .

Niki, Charlotte, and I enjoyed a very nice evening. We dimmed the lights and chatted until it was time to go to sleep. We're pretty lucky parents!

Niki is packing up to go home, so I should probably log off and help her. Big day today!

-Charlotte's Dad

First Day

Our little Charlotte has had a long, wonderful first day. We are closing in our her first 24 hours, and she's experienced a lot. She has had many visitors from the neighborhood (Ronnie the Mayor of Cannonwood being the first), and met her paternal grandparents, who made the drive from Michigan.

Most importantly, however, Charlotte, Niki, and I have been enjoying getting to know one another. She is slowly getting the hang of feeding, and we are learning how to comfort her. Our baby is already a talker, cooing, muttering, and almost purring while she sleeps and wakes. She can cry and belt it out, too. Heck, she's her parents' baby after all, and Niki and I have never been accused of being quiet . . .

We've had a successful midnight feeding, and Niki and I finally got our first hour and a half of sleep (we last slept early Sunday morning). Charlotte is quiet, and we are looking forward to finding a way to quietly transfer her to the baby trolley for a few more hours sleep.

Our e-mail accounts, blog, and telephones have been a-buzz today with well wishers, and we are very thankful for all of your good thoughts, and for the influences you all will be on Charlotte and us as she (and we) grow in the future.

More later, of course!

Love,

C, N, 'n' C

Charlotte is here!

We had the distinct pleasure of holding our sweet Charlotte at 6:08 this morning. Niki labored hard and efficiently, and is recovering nicely. Charlotte is strong, beautiful, and healthy - everything we could hope for.  She is 21.5 inches long, and 7 lbs, 8 oz.  She has a full head of black hair.

Ronnie and Jean, and Alicia, Faith Carol, and David have already come to welcome Charlotte to our world.

Today is a wonderful day!

C, N, and C

Warming the baby trolley

We're getting closer.  They've turned on the warmer over the baby trolley.  Dr. Kim Scott wil deliver the baby and is already here.  They are bringing in yak trays and towels.  Soon, soon, soon.