Welcome Home

We drove you home today! It was surreal sitting next to you and your sister on the way home from the hospital while Daddy was driving.  Our two little girls sitting side by side; the beginning of many adventures together.

When we got home we were greeted with many gifts.  Your daddy gave Mommy a beautiful bouquet of purple flowers for bringing you, his beautiful second daughter, into the world.  Nonna also welcomed you home with flowers and a cute little teddy bear.

So many people sent gifts and well-wishes for you, little Charlotte; you have many admirers.  Mommy has lots of thank yous to write!

Meeting Nonna and Ga

You were just shy of one-day-old when Nonna and Ga came to meet you.  There were smiles all around as you were passed from one set of arms to another.  Everyone wanted to hold you at once (including Mommy who didn't want to let you go)!  It's a good thing they'll be here for a while so we all have plenty of time to share you.  :o)

Meeting Your Sister

 Welcoming you into the world was an amazing feeling.  Almost equally wonderful was introducing you to your big sister, Eleanore.  I have to admit, I had been nervous about how Ellie would react to meeting you for the first time, but as you can see by the look on her face, she loved you immediately.

 She also loved the kitten that you gave her at the hospital.  I can't quite tell yet, but I think you liked the little lamb she gave you too.  :o)

Ellie does not give kisses out freely (in fact Daddy and I often have to steal them), but she leaned over right away and gave you a kiss on the head.  She then gave you a little "boop" on the nose, another sign of her affection.

She, just like us, couldn't get enough of you sweet Charlotte.  Our trio has become a family of four, and we are all overflowing with happiness and excitement to start this new adventure together!

Introducing Charlotte Josephine Messmer

You are finally here!  Charlotte Josephine, you arrived on April 25, 2013 at 2:09pm.  You were 19.5 inches long and weighed 7 lbs 14 oz.  We already love you so much and are so proud that you're our daughter.  They were right, when you have more than one child, you don't divide your love, it multiplies.  Right now our love for you and Ellie is overflowing!

Your Birth Story

As Mommy guessed two weeks earlier, the full moon started everything off.  At 5:47am on April 25th, my water broke while I was still in bed; that woke me up quickly!  I jumped up and told your daddy that this was it, you were coming!  You had perfect timing too.  We had a good night's rest under our belts and had plenty of time to say goodbye to Eleanore before heading off to the hospital.

Here's the last shot of you while you were inside of me.  The doctors had to help move things along, but once it got started, everything went smoothly and you did just what you were supposed to do.

Mommy's epidural didn't work this time, so I felt you coming.  It was a blessing in disguise, though, because it was much easier to tell when and where to push.  I only pushed for 10 minutes and at 2:09pm you were welcomed into this world by Dr. Blake!  (Who, by the way, was able to be there because you decided to arrive on the last day before she went on vacation!)

Mommy got to hold you right away.  Daddy cut your umbilical cord and then gave you a kiss that he'd been waiting 39 weeks and 5 days to give.

Here you are, only minutes old. 
You were 19.5 inches long and weighed 7lbs 14 oz.

Things couldn't have gone more perfectly.  You put a big smile on everyone's face.  :o)

This is you, little angel.  Your first day as Charlotte Josephine Messmer.  We love you and are so excited to watch you grow up!

Come On Out!

I feel like I should be taking a new picture of my belly all the time these days.  Every time I wake up I feel bigger!  I probably am, you are crowding all of my organs...most noticeably my stomach and lungs.  I get heartburn every time I eat because there's no room for the food, and catching my breath after walking up the stairs is getting tougher and tougher.

I imagine you're getting uncomfortable in there too.  I have a solution for you...come on out!  We are so excited to meet you, the suspense is killing us!  There is a full moon tomorrow night, and you're due date is in three days, so we're ready when you are.  :o)

Taking Your Time

I think you are already trying to assert your independence and let us know how different you are from your big sister Ellie.  I was just sure that since I had her at 38 weeks, you'd be here already.  But of course, you have decided to stay put.  I'm not complaining, I'm just in awe of your ability to establish your presence in our family before you're even here.  I can't wait to learn more about you, but I guess I'm just going to have to keep on waiting for you to decide when you're ready to say hello.  I love what I know already though!  See you soon, Little One.

37 Weeks:

38 Weeks:

 39 Weeks:

All My Bags Are Packed, I'm Ready to Go...

We've actually had our hospital bag packed for a few weeks now.  Thanks to Aunt Melinda, I've got a typed list of everything I should need to help welcome you into the world.  That includes a special gift from your big sister Ellie to you, and one from you to her.  :o)  I can't wait to share them with you.  I think we are ready, we're just waiting on you now!

A Shower Just for You!

You are one lucky girl, Baby 2.0, Mommy's friends threw a shower just for you!  Normally most people assume that Mommy and Daddy have all they need for the second baby, but these ladies wanted to make sure you knew that they are very excited to meet you!

You've got lots of clothes from your sister that she has worn before, but now you have a few new additions to your wardrobe.  It's fun to have some things that are all your own.

You also got a very special book just for you!  I think you're going to love it; it has lots of animal noises in it that we can practice making together.  :o)













Big Sis Ellie got a little something too, her own book and some bubbles to play with outside.  Mommy's friends thought of everything!  I hope you know how excited we are to meet you soon, and so is everyone else!!