Erin, Paul and Malcolm Visit

Uncle Paul and Cousin Malcolm got to meet Charlie for the first time last month.  Paul thought Charlie was pretty awesome and spent some quality time hanging and snuggling with him.  Malcolm was excited to meet Charlie, but not exactly "wow-ed" by Charlie's baby ways (ie. not doing much).  

So what was Malcolm "wow-ed" by?  

1) Our wood burning stove and Mike's ability to make fire!

2) Thomas the Train book that plays music!

3) Running our morning meetings from his office!

(Nope, still not crazy about Charlie.)

4) Shopping in Freeport with Mommy is fun!!

5) A new favorite book about machines!

What a handsome guy!

Maybe next trip Charlie will display some new skills to wow Malcolm.

Until then, Charlie is giving it some good, hard thought....

St. Nick's Day

Charlie may be a bit too young to understand St. Nick's Day, but we had our fun with it.  He's the best stocking stuffer ever!!!!

Mmmm....Pie.

We celebrated Charlie's first Thanksgiving at his Grandparents Franz's house.  It was a very nice weekend and Charlie did awesome sleeping at a new house.

Few things say "Thanksgiving" more than good ol' Pumpkin Pie.

Lack of teeth and the inability to eat solids couldn't hold Charlie back 

from partaking in the pie goodness.

What We're Thankful For....

So Kissable!

With a belly like this...

And a face like this....

it's no wonder we spend our days kissing this baby.

Auntie Erin Meets Charlie

Auntie Erin came for a visit to meet Charlie.  We decided to pack Charlie up and all meet her at the airport.

The meeting was a sweet sight to see.

We took Charlie for his first pizza experience at Flatbread in Portland.

Then a quick stop by the ocean for a picture.  Quick because it was cold and windy!

Erin was super helpful while she was out.  She cooked lots of meals for us....including pancakes!  She snuggled with Charlie every morning while Mommy slept a little more.   And used all of her expert mothering tools to soothe Charlie...like dancing and singing with him.

And lots of snuggles!

Charlie LOVED his Auntie time!

Sharing Pumpkin Day With Our Cute Pumpkin

Charlie's first Halloween Trick or Treating was spent in a cute little outfit helping Daddy hand out candy to the neighborhood kids.  

He was the hit of the town!

Happy Halloween!

Nonna and Papa meet Charlie

At the end of September Nonna and Papa came for an extended visit to meet Charlie.  Sweetly and understandably, the long awaited meeting brought tears to all of our eyes.

It didn't take long for them to fall in love with this little guy.

Having Nonna and Papa here was also very helpful for the rookie parents.  They helped us clean and cook.  They allowed the new mom at few extra, and much needed, winks. 

We were even able to venture out of the house and try some new things with Charlie.

Like going to the Apple Orchard.

Charlie even posed for some pictures.

We tried going out to eat following the orchard, but Charlie only lasted until our food came.  So we packed up our food and ate at home.  But at least we tried.

Charlie watched his first Red Sox game with Daddy and Papa...and cried like most Red Sox fans do.

Charlie also learned a new skill while they were out...finding his thumb.

Some days were busy and other days we all took the time to hold and stare at Charlie.  He certainly brings serenity to the beholder.

Charlie loved all the snuggles and knows how much he is loved.

We all look forward to another trip from Nonna and Papa!

Like Father, Like Son

So Many Visitors!

People from near and far have come to visit our new little addition (and I'm not referencing our new deck or wood stove).  Over the past month Charlie has met many people, and melted a few hearts too.

His NunaMia and Grandad have spent a few afternoons passing the time by holding and staring at his cute face.

His Great Grandmother, Nan, spent a day with him and raved about how beautiful he is and that he looks like his mother (her words, not mine).

We took the opportunity to snap a Four Generations picture.  What a special moment!

His Uncle Matt and Aunt Becca came all the way from PA to meet him.  They spent the day bonding with him and taking in all his newborn-ness.

Kristy and Jason "swung through" Maine on their trip from NY to WI (no, Maine is not on the way).  Neither could get over how tiny he was, and therefore, were very nervous to hold him.  But she did great!

Although we don't have pictures to show, many friends in the area have also visited Charlie, and many generously provided us with delicious meals.  These much appreciated meals were the only reason we survived the first three weeks without starving.
(Nonna and Papa also visited.   Look for those details in an upcoming post.)
We LOVE visitors and welcome more!

Month One - Crash Course in Charlie Care

A month ago, Charlie was born into our lives.

We had no idea how our lives would change when we brought home that tiny little bundle.

Charlie has done a tremendous job of tolerating our bumpy trek up a very steep learning curve.  Being around such a blessing, we have learned lots of things.  We have learned how to hold, carry, change, soothe, wake, feed, change, swaddle, bounce, rock, change, bathe, sing to, and change (again) and all while battling sleep deprivation.  What a patient little guy we have.

We have also learned to slow down and stare.

We have learned to cherish all of his coos and sighs.

We have learned to love on a whole new level.

We have learned how to be a family.

  And that's what he's taught us in the first month....imagine what we'll learn in a year.

We've learned a lot this month and all of our hard work has been rewarded greatly with heart-melting smiles and moments of tender eye contact.

What a great month!