Today is our 1 year anniversary of bringing home Charlie! We cannot believe that a year has already gone by - even though at times it seems a lot longer;) Chuck and I met a family this fall who welcomed a premature baby into the world. They recently brought their little boy home (after over 100 days in the NICU) and I remember the complete fear of bringing Charlie home that first day. We had gotten so numb to the machines, the cords, the nurses - we didn't know what we would do without them. It turns out we did a pretty great job:) Charlie is doing awesome and Chuck and I could not be more proud of this, now, giant little baby. He surprises us, makes us laughs and fall more in love with him each day. We are the luckiest people in the world!
Bringing Charlie Home 2013 - He was just over 4 pounds.
Charlie 1 Year Later - Now a little fatty!
Trying to recreate the picture holding a little baby - wasn't happening:)
Charlie is visits his NICU doctors at the end of this month for another check-up. I cannot wait to show the team of specialists how much he has improved since our last visit. I feel like he has hit a growth spurt and now how 6 teeth to show off as well:) We estimate his weight at well over 20 pounds. At his 1 year check-up he was just shy of 20, and since then has been binge eating, EVERY DAY. We do not know the exact amount because we are too lazy to put batteries in our scale - oops. All joking aside, Charlie is a really great eater. He loves the transition to 'human' food and not love people eating in front of him and not sharing. You've been warned:)
Developmentally, Charlie is also doing wonderful. He still has some skills to work on, but he is definitely more mobile than I ever could have imagined. He crawls at lighting speeds and will stand just about anywhere or on anything. He definitely is a fearless baby. We are still seeing a physical therapist once a week and she is really proud of his progress. Charlie is starting to be more vocal with lots of squeals, grunts and sprinkles of mama dada:)
I wanted to share some holiday highlights. I'm sure Chuck will say "SARAH, stop posting so many pictures. People don't want to see them." And I will politely respond "SHUT UP CHUCK."
Enjoy:)
Gobble Gobble
Uncle Jamie and Charlie at Festival of Trees
On our way to see Santa in Riverside. We still haven't received the picture yet - but I'm sure someone does not look happy next to Santa...
Some holiday cards pics....
And an impromptu Oliver Twist outfit change.
Charlie and Emily:)
Thank you for my jammies
Grandma Christine brought with the green ornament that's on our tree (above Charlie's handprint). It's been in her family for 134 years. So great to keep this tradition alive with Charlie!
Trying to sneak into the presents early...
I think I'll just play with my old toys...
Charlie giving Grandpa Joe a present for the garage.
Grandpa Joe sharing his chocolate pudding...yum!
Grandma Wendi gives the best mani pedis!
Emily was our nanny for the weekend!
Watching the Bears game with Uncle Jamie!
Charlie will be so hipster in his authentic Carhart's.
Charlie and Grandma Jean - xoxo
Lot's of Laughlin's on one couch!
Oh thanks Uncle Mike.
Grandma Leslie thought I was sleepy....I was not!
Laughlin 2014 New Year Card - sneak peek!
The day after Christmas we visited the NICU at Prentice to drop off a few goodies for the babies still there. Last year we received a book from a NICU graduate family with a note on their babies progress. I thought this was such a neat idea and a great way to provide a little bit of hope when you need it the most. We visited with one of our nurses and the great reception staff:)
They also spruced up their waiting room with a fancy new kitchen!!!
New Year's baby! You can't see it too well, but this is the little hat I made last year when Charlie was in the hospital.
Uncle Adam came to visit from San Francisco.
He let Charlie try on the latest Giant's World Series ring, but he didn't get to keep it;)
We were snowed in (literally) a few weeks ago and were getting a little stir crazy.
Trying to escape more pictures....ahhh!!!!
Charlie and his BFF!
As always, thank you all so much for following Charlie and keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate you all so much and love being able to share a little bit of Charlie with you all.
Have a happy and healthy 2014!
xoxo - Sarah, Charles and Charlie
