Sibling love and a fun playdate

Jack loves holding Charlie Close-up!

Lauren and Charlie

Isn't this such a cute picture?? These four have been friends since the beginning. They play so well together and love getting together. I just can't believe how big they are getting. Thanks for being such great friends!

Silly picture!! Hailey, Lauren, Caden and Jack...

Recent pics

Here are some more recent pictures. Charlie is packing on the weight. He gained one pound in 10 days. His doctor was pretty impressed! Jack and Lauren continue to amaze me. They have handled this transition so well. They always want to hold him or rush to comfort him when he is crying. Overall, things are going way better than expected. We are really enjoying everything.Charlie waving at the camera while Jack holds him.
Charlie and Lauren

"Oh no Mom...not ANOTHER picture."

Charlie always seems to have his tongue out.

A day skiing

Jack and Jason spent the day on Mt. Hood skiing. Jack was so excited and woke up really early this morning ready to go.
Jason and Jack..

Getting on his gear.
On the magic carpet.
What a big boy. I guess Jack has improved so much since last year. Jason was so impressed that he could go down the mountain all by himself.

Jack had the time of his life today and is so lucky his daddy is so awesome and took him skiing.

The end of the day.
He wasn't ready to go, and is so excited for the next time he gets to go skiing.
While Jack and Jason were skiing, Lauren, Charlie and I stayed home. Jane was so nice and watched Charlie while Lauren and I went out just the two of us for lunch and a pedi. Thanks Jane! I asked Lauren what she wanted to do while Jack went skiing and her first response was to get her toes painted! Oh what a girlie girl!

Here is some video of Jack in action skiing. After seeing this, Lauren said that she can't wait to try it next year.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

The kids were very excited to wear green for St. Patrick's Day! We started the morning with green pancakes and green milk for breakfast. They loved it!!

A silly picture.

Our First Week

Our first week home with Charlie has gone great. He is a great baby. He sleeps about 3 1/2 hours before he wants to eat, so it has been really easy for me to manage. I am getting enough sleep and don't feel too tired. (Although, we all know I need very little sleep.) We have been spoiled with friends coming by to visit and bringing dinners. Here are some pictures of our first week at home.Charlie's first bath. At first, he cried, but then he seemed to like it.
We had two little helpers in the bathroom with us. They loved having a turn washing him.

All clean...

Jack and Lauren just sat and watched Charlie in his swing. They are in awe of him.

My mom was here all week helping us. She did lots of loads of laundry for me and helped a ton with all the kiddos. Thanks Mom! You are the best.

Jack and Lauern are ALWAYS asking to hold him. They do an amazing job.

Lauren playing with Charlie.

Welcome Sweet Baby Charlie!!!

I am so excitd to introduce the newest addition to our family, Charlie! What a sweet boy he is!! At 8 lbs. 4 oz. (everyone in the O.R. was shocked that I had such a BIG baby!!!), Charlie has been eating and sleeping well. Things are going really smoothly. Jack and Lauren are the BEST! What a transition this must be for them and they are handling it SO well. They love to hold him and "play" with him.
Pregnancy was a bit different this time, as we didn't know what we were having. I was sure we were having a girl and could barely sleep the night before my c-section as I couldn't come up with a name I loved! (I think I only slept an hour that night with the anticipation of the next day.) Of course, I didn't care if we were having a boy or a girl, but was thrilled when Dr. Barrett said, "It's a boy!" Now that our family is complete, I just can't wait to see what life has in store for my three little ones!!

Two days before Charlie's birth. Wow, that is a HUGE belly!!
This is right before we left for the hospital. We were all so excited. Our last picture as a family of four.

The c-section went well, although I could feel A LOT more tugging and pulling this time. It was a bit weird and I was glad when I got out of the O.R. so I could hold my precious baby.
Meeting my little guy for the first time. Pure joy....

Jack and Lauren were so excited to find out they had a brother. Lauren wanted a girl, but now that Charlie is here, she says that she is so glad he is a boy.
Proud Papa

Meeting Charlie for the first time. It was so cute hearing them...all I heard was, "Oh, he is so small and cute." Next I heard, "Dad, can I hold him now?" Jack wanted to be the third person to hold Charlie (after dad and mom) and Lauren was glad to be the fourth person to hold him.

So sweet...

Jack holding his little brother for the first time. His smile says it all.

Lauren could barely contain her excitement. We knew Jack would take to the new baby well, but we weren't sure how Lauren would do. We found out quickly that she loves being a big sister and does amazing helping and holding him. I love her expression in this picture. She just couldn't wait to hold him!!

Such a good big sis.

Couldn't love these four more.

Me and my three kids. Our first picture together.

Just perfect....

Charlie looks so much like Jack did. They have the same coloring and nose...

Love him to pieces.

Mommy and Charlie

When Charlie would cry, Jack and Lauren would rub their finger on his forehead to calm him down. It actually worked a few times.

When I wasn't holding Charlie or talking with visitors, this is how I spent my time. I figured I wouldn't have much time to sit and read magazines when I got home, so I had to take advantage in the hospital.

Dr. Barrett and Charlie. She delivered all of my babies.