6 weeks? It can't be.

Seriously, where are the days going?  And how is it that I blink and another week has flown by us at light speed?  Here are a few pictures from the past couple of weeks!  Our "summer off" is SO fun!

Last week, we took Charlie to his first picnic.  If he had a visible neck, I would have popped his collar.

We also made our first trip into the office to see Team RESA and other office friends (hey Emily and JD!).  Obviously Charlie had to dress appropriately...don't worry, he wore pants, too.  And since it wasn't a jeans day, he was sporting khakis.

Here is how I found Cy and Charlie the other day...life is good.

Charlie naps like a champ and really likes falling asleep on his play yard.

Yesterday was a BIG day.  Charlie and I went to the pool for the first time with the Berg's!  

Sarah says that in this picture, Charlie is saying, "really?"...

And finally, racked out after some time splashing in the baby pool...

And in the very biggest news of the week, Charlie is smiling all the time!!  The first picture is directly after being cleaned up from a massive blow out.  The second, is just from this afternoon while we were hanging out and watching the Ellen show.  We love the dancing.  Both of the outfits he is wearing are 3-6 month already!! He is growing SO FAST.

Stay tuned for a sampling of pictures from his newborn session with Mindy Myers.  They are AMAZING.

Until next time!

Meighan and Charlie

One Month!

Ok, so four weeks vs. one month isn't a huge difference, but we're documenting his whole first year on a month by month basis.  Curtis and Amber sent the super cute stickers shown on the onesie below.  We'll post one for each month of Charlie's first year to watch his growth!

Look for more updates soon!

Meighan and Charlie

Four weeks?!?

Charlie will be four weeks old on Tuesday...where have the days gone?  People told me that maternity leave would fly by and that entire days would pass like an hour.  I didn't fully understand this until the beginning of my third week of leave.  Where did today go?  When your life is centered around feeding a baby every three hours, the days fly!

Charlie is such a great baby and we're really settling into a great routine around here.  He's been known to go five hours between feedings in the night (THANK YOU) and is such a sweet baby!  He's also been known to poop immediately following a diaper change and/or bath and occasionally manages to actually poop on one of us...already advanced for his age, that kid. :)

See below for a few new pictures from the past several weeks.  With Cy around, it is REALLY hard to keep up with posting even 1% of all of the pictures!

Charlie is all about taking his bath each night...this is, so far, my very favorite picture of our sweet little boy. 

Cy and his mini-me...

Charlie is changing so much, but remarkably, looks more and more like his Dad each day!



He is working that double chin...did we mention that he gained a full pound in only one week?

Cy's mom got us a Moby wrap while she was here.  We love it!  Note that Charlie's mouth is wide open as he sleeps.  Cy says that's the only thing Charlie got from me. 



Charlie went to a very special little girl's 6th birthday party this past Saturday (Happy Birthday Mal!).  He didn't really get into the action...

He did, however, get a visit from the birthday girl...

In all, we are loving this new addition to our life!

Until next time!

Meighan and Charlie

Charlie is here!

I know I'm a little late in posting this given Charlie is actually 10 days old. Forgive me. I'm typing with one hand while I hold this sleeping angel baby who (knock on wood, cross your fingers and say a prayer) has been going four hours between feedings in the night!

Here's a quick recap: Operation Eviction was a total bust. I tried everything! And I mean everything: acupuncture, eating at a specific Godfather's Pizza, walking like a mad woman and scrubbing our hardwood floors Mr. Miyagi style on my hands and knees. Turns out the only thing that got him to budge was an induced labor last Tuesday! That started as a debacle, too when the hospital called at 5 pm on Monday night to say we'd been placed on the "on call" list given how busy the Labor and Delivery unit was. It's good I was alone at home because I'm pretty certain my head spun around like the girl from "The Exorcist". After an anxious night of no sleep, we were able to go in at our 7:30 am scheduled time (hooray!!!!). I'll spare you the details, but labor and Charlie's delivery went exceedingly well (we're talking post-epidural, here). So well in fact that Cy declared it was "easy" and "so natural". EASY?! FOR WHO?

I digress...I know you don't really want to hear me blap anymore...you just want the goods. So, before I get to pictures of Charlie I just have to tell you how remarkably blessed Cy and I feel to have this darling baby boy and a remarkable support system of really wonderful family and friends that are like family. Life is good!!!

Our first family photo:

Cy took one of his infamous "Go Go Gadget Arms" pictures after my first push!  In this picture, I'm saying, "REALLY?!?"

For those of you who have followed the blog, you know that I hoped for Charlie to look just like Cy.  I definitely got my wish! 

And a couple of pictures from Charlie's photo shoot at the hospital.  He was not even 24 hours old!

Charlie looks so much like Cy in this picture!

Charlie's first big trip out of the house was to Hy-Vee (aside from the pediatrician).  Appropriate given our shared love of food and his ability to eat himself into a food coma.  He was born at 8 lbs. 6 oz and we brought him home at 8 lbs 1 oz.  On Wednesday at the pediatrician, he was already 8 lbs 13 oz!  

I can't get the picture to turn the right way, but decided to post it anyway... :)  He slept like a champ at the Hy-Vee deli!

 

I'll try to be better and post more regularly with less blapping and more Charlie photos.

Until next time!

Meighan and Charlie (racked out and completely unaware of his blogging today)

Exciting Baby Gear and Operation Eviction

I know I've got some updating to do as I have been an admittedly bad blogger as of late!

First, exciting baby gear...there is a whole new definition of things that are exciting at the Phillips house.  For instance, the day Charlie's car seat came, you would have thought someone left a bag of money on our front door.  Well, that happened again a couple of weeks ago (not a bag of money, but cool baby gear) when his stroller came!  I am really looking forward to getting out on some runs with Charlie, which meant we needed a running stroller.  We won't be able to "go for a run" together until he is about 8 months old or so, but in the interim, the stroller has an attachment for his infant seat and he and I can get out for some morning walks this summer. 

Check out this awesome stroller!  Thanks Dad and Diane for getting us "the BOB"!!

Onto Operation Eviction...at 34 weeks, Charlie started acting like he might be arriving a little too early.  Needless to say, he gave us a bit of a scare and I laid low for a few weeks to encourage him to stay put a little longer.  We spent a lot of time praying for a healthy baby and asking him to be patient.  It worked!  I'm now over 37 weeks (full term, yea!!) and Charlie can come ANY DAY.  The tough part?  I was SET on the fact that Charlie would be late...big and late.  Well, he's big for sure (more on that in a minute), but now my mind is not so set on him being late.  In fact, if he would like to go ahead and come now that would be perfect.  We are ready to meet him and I am ready to put my ribs back in place. 

Yesterday at the doctor, we walked in and he said, "I can't believe you are still pregnant!"  He obviously hasn't read my segment on Prego PSAs.  He then went on to estimate that Charlie weighs somewhere between 8 and 8.5 pounds...right now.  At 37 weeks.  Two words: mega baby.  Charlie is taking after his Dad for sure!  So, Operation Eviction is in full swing and I'm walking and eating spicy foods like it's going out of style!  Here is an update on the countdown in his room...

Until next time...which is hopefully a post updating you on Charlie's big arrival!

Meighan and Charlie

The Nursery is (nearly) Done!

Remember how I said that our family and friends have been amazing in helping us get ready for Charlie's arrival?  The neighbors are no exception.  We have AMAZING neighbors...and I'm not just gushing because they had a shower for us.  They are literally that fun.  Who else would have a celebration of Michael Jackson's life?  Or SE Bell night at the fair?  Anyway, they went together and gave us a great baby shower!  Check out the pics below:

The neighborhood girls plus our honorary neighbor Rachel!  Jen (on the far right in front), had their new baby girl Samantha 4 days before this picture was taken (congrats Matt and Jen!)!  I know, I know.  It's rude for someone to look that good after having a baby.  First, don't expect this from me...and second, don't expect me to stand next to Jen for a few months. 

Are those Sweet Binney's petit fours?  YES.  Thank you Kate!!  For more on my obsession with these yummy little nuggets, refer to the family baby shower post. 

At the neighborhood Christmas party, everyone placed their bets on the DeWall and Phillips' babies.  We have a winner for the DeWall game and have eliminated several contenders shown below...

In other preparation news, the nursery is really close to being finished!  I'd like to add some shelves on either side of the window, but for all means and purposes, we are basically there!  See below for Charlie's room:

I finally wrote on the chalkboard... :)

Finally, on Friday evening I decided I needed a little downtime on the couch.  Bridget decided she needed some downtime, too and fell asleep snuggling Charlie:

Life is good (for now) as a Phillips' puppy. 

In other Phillips' family news, Alicia (aka Aunt Lulu) has officially begun her service in the Peace Corps in Fiji!  She left Arkansas on Monday (which resulted in some major tears from Cy's mom) and her group left Los Angeles last night.  We can't wait to hear more about her awesome island adventures!  If you're interested, check out her blog: aliciapc.wordpress.com.  As if that isn't enough from Cy's over-achieving siblings, Vill also graduated from Airborne school last week and is officially making his way to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Benning...as a winter Ranger no less.  We are super proud of both of them!   

Until next time!

Meighan and Charlie

The Family Baby Shower, more nursery decor and a Prego PSA

Our growing family has been totally spoiled by friends and family when it comes to baby showers!  Charlie is going to be totally set for the first few years of his life!  This past weekend, my Mom and Cy's Mom, Sister and Grandma (aka MeMaw) hosted a family/family friends baby shower.  It was such a great time!  See below for some pictures:

Cy's sister Stella created the diaper cake shown below with some help from Lynn and Alicia.  Note that the bib on the bottom tier says "Star of Mommy's Blog".  Holla. 
     

Cy's Aunt Pauline also made a diaper wreath!  I can't bring myself to take either apart just yet...

The food selection included petit fours from Sweet Binneys.  You should really consider eating one if you haven't.  And if you don't live here, you should try to convince me to send some to you.  They are that good.  Several posts back, my good friend Kate noted that this blog seemed to be equally devoted to food and Charlie.  Keen observation on her part. 

I couldn't resist posting a picture of the old fashioned rocking horse that Charlie's great MeMaw and PawPaw gave him.  It fits PERFECTLY into the classic toys decor of his nursery and is SO CUTE. 

On Sunday morning, I really wanted to hang the letters in Charlie's nursery.  Hanging the letters of his name was an AWESOME idea until we started hanging the letters of his name.  Dear Pottery Barn Kids, how about making the letters a standard width?  Or maybe making the holes a standard distance from the top of the letter?  Despite a pretty long process complete with the laser level (we are getting tons of use out of the thing), masking tape, thumb tacks and the pink tool kit Dad and Diane gave me for Christmas a few years ago, the project was completed successfully!  Note that Cy literally rolled out of bed and started in on this.  Check out his head wound (aka major bed head).

Ok, last but not least, we need to address the PSA that follows.  Let me be the first to tell you that my belly is big.  I am growing a mega baby after all!  The following is a collection of the best comments I've received to date about the size of my belly and speculation as to the appropriate due date...

A Public Service Announcement: Things you might consider NOT saying to a prego…

At 14 weeks (and still in my regular clothes):
Man: Meighan, is that you?  I barely recognized you!  My goodness you have filled out!  You used to be so petite! 
Me: (crickets…staring in disbelief)

 At 25 weeks:

Another prego: So, when are you due?  This spring?
Me: Nope…June…end of June. 

At about 28 weeks and referring to being absent for maternity leave:

Man: Meighan?!  I didn’t know you were still here!  I didn’t even invite you to our meeting!  I thought you were already gone! 
Me: Nope…not due until the end of June.
Man: Wow, I bet I really offended you.

At 31 weeks in a crowded elevator where I know a younger, single guy and no one else:

Young, single guy: So, have you decided if you’ll have the baby naturally or via c-section?
Me: Um…we’ll see.

At 31 weeks and on a Wednesday:
Mom: Wow!  I think your belly has gotten bigger just from Sunday! 
Me: Thanks. 

At 32 weeks:

Man: So…only 2 or 3 more weeks to go, right?!?
Me: Nope…more than 7. 
Man: Awkward pause and silence…

Also at 32+ weeks:

Lady at Casey’s: So when you gonna have that baby?
Me: Oh, about seven more weeks.
Lady: SEVEN WEEKS!?! (with mouth gaping while making a face that suggested horror)

I'll let you guys know about any others I get over the next seven weeks.  They are bound to get better...

Until next time!

Meighan and Charlie