Helicopter Mom

I have to admit, I have been quite the helicopter mom since Charlie has come home. I swore I would never be 'that' mom- But lo and behold- that's me. I use the excuse that she's a preemie, but who am I kidding? I'm not sure it'd be any different even if she was full term.

Anyway, my sweet Mom, who's also a first time Grandma, was gracious enough to put up with my hovering this last week. Let me tell you- it was wonderful. Who knew mom's still needed their moms so badly!? She grocery shopped for me, did my laundry, did the dishes, and made sure there was dinner on the table every night. I definitely logged a few more hours of sleep each day too. What did I do to deserve this fabulous lady in my life?

I'm so glad Charlotte got to meet her Gramma k (for the 2nd time, but since her first time meeting Gramma she was in an isolet.. we don't really count that).

Melt my heart. 

Three Generations!

Home At Last!

I think it's safe to say we are truly enjoying having sweet baby Charlie home! I can't even believe its been three weeks! Its surely been exhausting, but she is so worth all the sleepless nights.

All in all she's a terrific baby. Everyday I'm so grateful for her! I could not have asked for a more laid back little girl. Don't get me wrong, she's still a princess and loves her baths. She also loves to eat. In her first week home she gained almost ten ounces! She's got her daddy's appetite.

(Look at those chins!)

It's crazy to think that her due date is tomorrow, and she's already two months old! She's still on a bit of oxygen, but we're hopeful she won't need it much longer. I'm counting down the days until I'm able to take her places and show her off to the world!

I've had a blast watching her grow bigger and can't wait for all that's to come with my sweetie!

I just adore her!

Watch Charlie Grow

Charlie is growing and getting stronger each day! She is now weighing in at 3lbs 13oz, and taking a bottle twice a day. The weeks have blurred by and although sometimes it seems as though we've taken two steps forward only to take one back, she continues to make small progress. 

Jared and I are so proud, and so thankful that our little girl is doing well. 

Princess Charlotte

I'll tell you why my little girl is a princess.. First, she loves bath time (which apparently is super rare here in the NICU). Since she got her PICC line out, she got to have her first real bath! I was worried when the nurse warned me that the babies cry the whole time and usually hate them-who wants to see their tiny 3lb baby upset? 

Second, she hates a dirty diaper. Twice now in the middle of changing her diaper she's pooped massive amounts. I know she's strategically planned it too, so she can avoid sitting in a dirty diaper (now I just have to train her to only do that when dad is changing her....).

Baby Charlie is making progress just about every day. With only a few set backs she's been gaining a little weight, and pooping a ton! Yesterday she pooped on me and then spit up on me... I'm beginning to feel like a real mom! I'm sure the novelty of being pooped on will wear off in the very near future, but for now, I'm going to enjoy it. I think I can enjoy things like that a lot more when I can only hold my baby once a day so for now, I'll take what I can get from my little sample baby. 

Charming Charlie

This last week has been a complete blur. I couldn't tell you my Tuesday from my Wednesday. Some days have been harder than others but we're surviving. Most importantly Charlotte is surviving- more like thriving actually! She has successfully made it onto breathing without help, and even pooped twice on her own yesterday. Her next milestones are maintaining her own body temperature and gaining some weight, which can't be too far off with the determination this little girl seems to have.

I've learned some things this week too. I think the most important being- don't take anything for granted. I'll never get a first pregnancy again, and I spent much of the time finding things to complain about. Now, I'd give anything to still be pregnant (don't get me wrong I'm savoring every moment I have with my sweet miracle baby). Also, after almost 23 years of hearing "just wait til you're a mom....." I FINALLY get what it's all about. I know what that means now! Being a mom is the best and most terrifying thing ever. But I wouldn't trade it for the world! 

Although things with this pregnancy did not go at all as planned, I am beyond grateful for the outcome.

I think its no secret that my sweet baby girl gets cuter everyday (if that's even possible)!

Miracle Baby

Let me start out by saying it took me a long time to figure out what I should title this entry.. Unprepared, unexpected, underestimated, most terrifying experience of my life!... These are just several of the words that went through my mind when I think about how to describe Thursday June 21, 2012- the day we met (very briefly for me anyway) our beautiful little girl. We welcomed Charlotte (TBD) Olson into the world at 6:44pm via c-section. Weighing in at 2 lbs 10 oz this strong little one came out breathing all on her own- some would say that in itself is a miracle. Although it wouldn't last too long, I knew from that moment she's a fighter, and she's gunna make it. 


I guess I should back up a bit and explain how it all happened... Thursday afternoon I went in for a 30 week ultrasound to make sure this little girl was growing on schedule.. Jared and I both admitted to having not so great feelings the week leading up to the appointment, I hadn't felt her move much and was worried something was off. That morning as I got ready I laughed to myself 'what if I had to have the baby today? Haha, no way I don't even have diapers.' Unfortunately that's only the beginning if how unprepared I am... And in just a few short hours (it literally felt like minutes) I was being rushed across the street to St Marys to be hooked up to monitors and IVs. Little Charlie's growth was, well, just that. Little. My doctor had hoped to keep her in for as long as possible to ensure the best development for her lungs she could get by steroid shots. Unfortunately I got only one shot before it was decided we couldn't wait another day and I was almost immediately taken to the OR. They wasted no time drugging me up and before I knew it the neonatologist was showing me my first (much too quick) glimpse of our sweet baby. And that's the last I'd see of her for 11 of the longest hours of my life.. Ideally I was to go back to my recovery room and rest up as much as I could (hows one hour of sleep in 30 hours?-I'd say pretty good considering the circumstances..) while Charlie went to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to be poked and prodded and worked up. I sent Jared frequently for reports and picture updates of how our little one was progressing. All was good. Even the doctors agreed she's making great steps. Such a strong, brave, courageous little girl we have on our hands... How did I get so lucky? If I'd not have gone into my doctor appointment we might be singing a very different tune tonight--to say the least. The fear, the tears, the worry and upset- I'd have to say so far it's worth it all. She's a beauty for sure and not only that but she's a trooper. Jared and I joked we should make her middle name be 'Norris' so we can call her 'Chuck Norris' cuz nothing can take this little sweetie down. 


Being born ten weeks early puts her up for many risks and challenges to overcome, but I'm confident that she can do it. I've felt the love and prayers of all those around us and that night she was born there's no denying the spirit that poured all around me. I WE love that little girl so much after knowing her just a short time. So there you have it, she's a miracle in every way and even though we've got a long, terrifying road ahead we're already so blessed to have this little slice of heaven in our lives!

Birthday Blunders

Jared had his 24th Birthday yesterday! I've come to realize though with each year that passes, birthdays become just another day of the week.. I couldn't refused to let this day go by unnoticed though and spent the majority of it crafting up some homemade decor, a sweet little cupcake for two recipe and wrapping my heart out (not really, he only got two gifts- which I'm pretty sure positive were no surprise to him).  I was sneaky enough to get one surprise by him--although this, I would later find out, was a major FAIL too. (Perhaps I am just not good at Birthday Surprises....) Jared's recent favorite dish comes from Chili's- and it's all he's been talking about- well, not really, but it comes up pretty often. I ordered it to go and picked it up shortly before he was to arrive home, along with a RedBox (another fail... redbox let me down for the first time ever not having the movie that I wanted). But I know what you're all wondering, how I could fail at getting Jared's favorite meal? Well, come to find out- after he'd practically (probably) force fed himself dinner- he had not one but TWO lunches. 

Not to worry though, the night ended with an unexpected stop at Yogurt Beach (I know, more food right?) and a happy (full) Birthday Boy.