Charlie's first week on the outside.
Life for Charlie changed dramatically last week. One day your hanging upside down in your own private pool listening to the sweet sounds of your Mom's heartbeat and her favorite CD's. The next, the world is ending as Mom's body is at war with itself and you're caught in the crossfire. Your head is literally squished between Mum's pelvic bones as you are squeezed like ketchup from a little packet out of the the only home you ever knew.
Is this reason enough to cry every three hours? I guess so.
In the first days of Charlie's life on the outside he got held a lot. Easily he spent more time in the comfortable embrace of someone's arms than he spent laying in his bassinet.
Already after just seven days his face is changing. His eyes track together and follow objects as they or he move. He's found his fingers again and is learning to comfort himself by stuffing a little fist into his mouth. His skin is clearing up, but his nails are growing and few new scratches show up on his cheeks after every bout of crying.
Various Photos
With all these photos, I'm trying to decide which is better.
| A single 20x30 in Black & White of my favorite |  |
| Or a bunch of 8x10's from his first week of life |
      |
At the Hospital...
The delivery team who saw us through a very long night. I seemed to be only one without a clue.
Bottom Row Left to right, Midwife Susan, Mommy Amy, Nurse Rebecca
Top Row, Doula Kim and Daddy Daniel.
Labor lasted an incredible 24 hours. Amy did smile once.
Doula Kim and Amy. Kim was invaluable in keeping Amy's spirits up and helping with pain management.
Minutes after Charlie is born, we're all smiles, the pain forgotten. Charlie is hungry and demonstrating the incredible ability un-medicated newborns have to crawl and look for food. Sorry buddy, this is a barren land over here. Does it get any better than this?
Mother and Charlie are doing fine. We can hardly stand to be away from him!
Finally at Home...
After two and half very boring days at the hospital baby and mommy were discharged. Let the adventure begin!
When he looks at me, I actually think my heart might burst. This is just after his first bath at home. This is the calm after his screaming while we washed him.
What's a baby without Nana and Papa? What's a Daddy without inlaws!
Please don't go home yet Nana. Thanks Papa Birk for the steak dinner!
Family and Friends
First on the scene, Aunt Sara couldn't wait to come see baby c.
Friend Simon is thrilled to touch little baby (after his mom scrubbed his hands first)
