nothing beats a sleeping baby.

Love doesn't Divide. It Multiplies.

As much as people told me that my love would multiply when Charlotte was born, I was fearful. I couldn't imagine being able to feel more love than I did with just having Liv. I am here to say, I have so much love in my heart for my little girls. Just when I thought I couldn't love Liv anymore than I did, Lo came along. I was so afraid that I would have to divide my love in half. The truth is, I love Liv SO much more now. I just look at her and relive all of the quirky things she did as a baby. I realize all of the stages Liv went through to become the amazing little girl she is now. At the same time, I get to discover all of Charlotte's beauty and sweetness. I am so in love. I feel so blessed to have our family. They are my ROCK .

**(ROCK is our family name acronym- Ryan, Olivia, Corinne, Charlotte, Corriah Katrina).

Look at me...

Look who likes to get a hold of my camera and take self portraits.

snug bug.

What a difference.

Well I have to say, Charlotte has been on more outings in her 2 weeks of life then Liv did in her first 2 months of life. Now granted, I haven't ventured out with out Ryan. I am not ready to be out numbered in a public setting (other then our neighborhood park and walk to play groups). It is also helpful that it is summer time my germaphobia doesn't quite set in until November. We have been out to eat, coffee shop runs, the mall, suburban square, parks, grocery store etc. Life just goes on when you have a toddler reminding you that you can't have daily nurse-ins in bed. Although I am dragging half of the time, it forces me to not get stuck in that "NewBaby Bubble" that I was in with Liv. I have ran out twice by myself.....once to get a pedi. What a world of a difference....... When Liv was born I think I ran out to the grocery store and filled a cart in 20 minutes just because I was afraid she would have to nurse while I was gone. I have already pumped twice and Lo took a bottle without any trouble. Ryan and Liv gave it to her. I even gave her some (which is not typical for babies to take from a bottle when the true source is right there).

So far, so good! However, we have just approached the 2 week growth spurt so an all day nurse-in is what I need. Not happening..... we will get through it though.

DELIVE(RED)

So sweet.

Holding Her sister hasn't gotten old yet........

sisters.

sleepy head.

Me and My Girls.

My Hero.

Who would have thought that I could look up to a 2.5 year old? I am so proud of Liv. She has amazed me with her acceptance of her baby sister. Other than a few typical toddler episodes, Liv has been so incredibly loving to Lo. She watches after her and has found some creative ways to interact with her. She is so nurturing. How refreshing...... She is my hero.

Weight check.

We took Charlotte today for her second doctor's appointment. On Thursday she was 7 lb .2 oz. and today she was 7 lb. 10 oz. That is a half a pound in days...........You go girl! She is feeding every 3 to 4 hours and getting a good size meal each time(not like her big sister who was a snacker allllll day).
The doctor said she looks super healthy and is in the 50 % for height, weight, and head size. It was super sweet when we were there because Liv didn't like the doctor handling her little sister. She kept saying "now give her to my daddy". So Swweeettttt! Over protective already........

Our family is growing.

Just wanted to post congrats to Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Brian for getting engaged. We are so incredibly happy for them. They seem like a match made in heaven. Can't wait to help Chrissy with the planning. She is going to look so beautiful in a wedding dress.
We love you guys!

My life is fulfilled.

Throughout my pregnancy journey, I was so afraid of having two kids. How could I ever love two? Do I have enough love for two? Will Liv feel slighted? Can I handle it all? etc.
Not to say, I don't have moments where I still have those fears, but for the past 6 days, I have discovered more love within my heart then I ever imagined. Not only do I love Ryan more than ever, I love Liv, I love Charlotte. I love the love I see between Liv and Charlotte. I knew liv was an amazing little girl, but now I look at her in a different light as well. She is a big sister. I just gave her the best gift anyone could ask for. I friend for life.
My favorite moments so far are the ones when I am nursing Charlotte and Liv comes over onto my other side. She rests her head on my chest and watches Lo eat. Liv kisses Charlotte's forehead, then I kiss Liv's as I hear Charlotte chugging away. Love rushes through my heart like never before. I have created two beautiful little girls. What have I done so right in my life to be so lucky?
We have the perfect little family of four. My life is so fulfilled!

Loving her Little LoLo

3 days old.

Our girls are doing great. Liv loves her sister so much. She is being our little mama. She doesn't like when her sister is upset and tried to sing to her to comfort her. Liv can't get enough of holding Charlotte. Liv and mommy went to the park today for some solo time. When we ride in the car, we look back and Liv is reaching out trying to hold Lo's hand. So priceless.......

Look at the big sister!

8 minutes old.

We even got a bow in her hair.....

Charlotte's Here.

Well the time has finally arrived where we area family of four. On her due date, Charlotte decided to arrive. I woke up at around 7 am with some mild cramping that was every 5 minutes but nothing I would have been alarmed with. The only reason why I was alarmed was bc it was exactly every 5 minutes and that is how my labor started with Liv. I woke Ryan up and we called the doctor. They told us to come into the hospital because of my extremely fast unmedicated delivery with Liv. This time I wanted an epidural if I had the choice. We met both of our families at the hospital and they entertained LIv while I was getting checked and stuff. At about 12 pm the doctor decided to break my water. I had extreme contractions for about an hour then got the epidural at about 1:30. (Which by the way is HEAVEN) As soon as I got it, I felt like I was at a spa getting a spa treatment. The relief was incredible. However, not too long later (maybe 20 minutes) I felt major pressure and asked to get checked. The doctor checked me at about 2:00 and I was complete and ready to push. She told me to sit back and enjoy my epi for a little (well that was hard because I really had to push). But at 2:45 the nurse told me to push. I pushed through two contractions. The nurse turned to grab some gloves. She put one on (not the other), and turned to me. She ran over and I pushed Charlotte out with m y third contraction. The nurse delivered her with one glove on and no doctor in site. The look on the doctor’s face when she walked in the room was extreme shock. It was amazing. Ryan, My mom, and Ryan’s mom were in the room coaching me. It was incredible.

Charlotte came out with a full head of hair and looking identical to her mommy. The pictures of me as a baby are identical to her. As soon as she was born, everyone came back to meet her. Olivia was especially excited. She couldn’t wait to hold her and kiss her. What a moment…….to see two little girls that we Ryan and I have created. I couldn’t ask for anything else…….

Ry will be home for almost two weeks as we adjust to our new family. Our girls are in love and are future best friends for life. You may not heare from me for a little while. Once we have time to actually sit and open our laptops, my posts will keep coming. Until then, wish us some sleep.........