Yes, We Are Still Alive!

I know, no pictures. I promise one day soon I will get to this, but I have had several of you mention that you have been checking the blog and I felt compelled to let my few readers know that we are still alive. Douglass Charles turned one month yesterday and this is my first full week by myself since he came. We are managing and things are going relatively well considering I have no idea what I am doing. Thankfully I cooked ahead and with several leftovers from my mother-in-law's stay and a sweet friend delivering food today Doug is at least getting dinner most nights.

I still haven't managed to figure out how to get dressed everyday. If I have to do more than that - like get the store - it is quite the challenge. The house is incredibly dirty, but we try to pick up every evening to keep our sanity.

Charlotte is adjusting very well and continues to amaze me and make me laugh. She currently carries her baby doll around and makes her cry constantly, feeds her a fake bottle, and puts her in her brother's swing. She also likes to help with her brother by pulling his passy out of his mouth and then trying to give it back. Douglass Charles will amuse her at times and let her try and then he eventually gets mad.

He is a little piglet. He eats at least every 3 hours and is now averaging 4 ounces every feeding. I don't know how much he weighs right now, but he has already moved out of his newborn diapers and is in 3 month clothing (some 3-6). I believe he is going to be a big boy. He is a good baby, though. I am very blessed.

Doug and I are managing to get some sleep. Your prayers are appreciated as we try to get our second born to learn that his bed is for sleeping not our arms. This stage will soon pass and then our little boy will be too big to be held. I keep reminding myself to enjoy my little sweet moments with him. The go by all too quickly.

Again, I hope to get pictures posted soon. It seems crazy at the end of the day that something this simple just doesn't seem to get done. All you mommies - especially those with more than one - know that even the simplest things are a challenge when one has two to care for.

Until then... xoxo

Welcome to Our World!

As many of you already know, Douglass Charles English, Jr. finally made his debut on February 25th. Ironically, he shares his birthday with his Paw Paw, my father, who was born on the same day fifty some odd years ago (Dad, I won't reveal your age). Needless to say, I scored some big points with my dad having his first grandson on his birthday.

Douglass Charles (what we are calling him) came fast and furious as I went into labor at around 6:00 a.m. and had him at 8:09. We barely made it to the hospital and drugs were out of the question. While quite painful and somewhat frightening this kind of delivery was my kind of delivery if I couldn't have drugs. He weighed 8lbs 11oz and was 20.5 inches long. He is a sweet boy and is adored by his big sister Charlotte.

We have had plenty of help - which I have needed - since I came home from the hospital. Doug's parents have been here for over a week and my mother comes in this evening. Doug also took a week off and has been a tremendous help. I really don't know what I would have done if I hadn't had all this assistance.

I apologize to all of you for such a delay in making this post and to all of you who have still not heard from me personally. I was barely in the hospital for more than 24 hours and my phone died not long after arriving there (honestly, remembering to bring the charger was the last thing on my mind). I wanted our time this time in the hospital to be a little more quiet than the last so I opted to make phone calls later - my phone also decided this for me. Douglass Charles and I got to have a nice three hour period alone not long after he was born with no visitors just soaking up time together. It was nice for me knowing that I was going home to be mommy of two.

We appreciate your prayers as we continue to transition. I am having troubles breastfeeding again and Charlotte is begining to understand that "Bubba" (what she calls her little brother) is not going anywhere anytime soon (i.e. a trantrum that transpired yesterday morning when I was unable to hold her immediately). Until the next post, enjoy the pictures. Thanks for all the prayers and support!