Two!

We can't believe Charles is two years old. It's gone so quickly. I know that's so cliche to say, but it's true. Russell realized that this time last year Charles wasn't even walking yet. And now...we can't keep up with him. He's running and climbing and has more energy than we can even imagine exists!

Charles' birthday was last Friday. We've had a birthday every week for three weeks...first Micah, then Aunt Christy, and on the 15th was Charles' birthday. There are more friends and family with birthdays this month, but these three are unique because they are each exactly a week apart.

With a two week old baby, we were not up to having a big party. And, I hadn't been organized enough to come up with something beforehand. So...we had a nice day together, starting off with pancakes for breakfast and then a trip to the Zoo. Russell took the day off so we could be together for Charles' birthday. After a short visit to the Zoo to specifically see monkeys, we went to McDonald's for lunch. Naps were a must and then we had dinner with Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Christy.

We had lots of leftovers from the food people from Sunday School provided during the week. The meals were such a blessing! So, we ate the leftovers and enjoyed cake and ice cream. Grandma and Aunt Christy thought we needed a Bert & Ernie cake. They used left over frosting from Christy's birthday party and doctored it up to make the colors they needed. It turned out to look, and most importantly, taste great!

We opened presents and then it was time for bed. He got lots of presents considering how few people were there to give them. But, I did wrap each item separately so there would be more to open. It's opening the presents that's the most fun!

Some pictures:

An early birthday present from Grandpa & Grandma Sharp. It was a hit!

The chimps...not a flattering angle!

Birthday lunch at McDonald's.

A picture with an actual smile...amazing! He's already licked the cake, on Bert's sleeve.

I wanted to get Charles the Fisher Price "Racing Ramps Garage" for his birthday. Before I could find it, Grandma found it at a Garage Sale! It was a HIT! Saturday morning he headed straight for the toy and Russ had to drag him away to eat breakfast.

A Baby Story

Micah Allan Sharp joined our family on August 1st. My friend Jen introduced me to the concept of "birth stories" when I had Charles. So...I thought I'd write Micah's for you to read.

I'd been having contractions off and on for several weeks. Charles arrived early so I thought we'd have an early bird this time too. No such luck. My due date was July 30th and it came and went with another visit to the doctor's office. Dr. Craddock talked to the baby as she listened to the heartbeat, "come out of there" she said! She said they would induce me on Monday (August 4th) if the baby didn't come over the weekend.

Thursday morning I woke up before 5 am with contractions After laying there for 30 minutes I got up and told Russell who was getting ready for work. By 6:30 when it was time for him to leave, I decided he better stay home because the contractions were coming every 5-7 minutes. We called Grandma to let her know to be prepared to take Charles at moment's notice.

I called the doctor to see when we needed to head to the hospital. With Charles my water broke, so I didn't have to worry about timing contractions. The nurse said they need to be about 5 minutes apart and strong enough I couldn't stand or talk through them. We then got our bags packed and the house ready to host Grandma and Grandpa for several nights. As I did the housework, my contractions faded. We had lunch, Charles took a nap, and Russell and I watched a movie. The afternoon came and went and the contractions did too, at random intervals.

We decided to get out of the house and went to Mom & Dad's for supper. The contractions started to come stronger. Russell and I did a few laps around the cul de sac and I sat on Dad's exercise ball hoping one technique or the other would speed things up.

Nothing was happening so we headed home and went to bed. By 11 o'clock the contractions were coming stronger and more regularly. Russell watched Letterman and his timer while I focused on breathing and making it through each one. We called Grandma and left our house around midnight for the hospital. A few painful contractions hit me along the way. And, the front desk at the Wesley Birth Care Center was in no hurry to get me admitted and wanted me to sign forms while I was having strong contractions. I guess it's nothing out of the unusual for them, but can I really remember my social security number or hunt for my insurance ID card while in intense pain?!?!

At my appointment on Wednesday I was three centimeters dilated. By 12:30 Friday morning I was at six centimeters. Only four to go. The contractions were strong and hard and coming more frequently. I believe in natural childbirth, but I had them give me something in my IV. I tested positive for Strep B so I had to be given intravenous antibiotics. I figured if I had an IV I might as well get something to take the edge off. Well...it didn't seem to work. The contractions were in my back. Horribly painful back pain. Russell tried to encourage me like the good coach that he is. I'm afraid I wasn't very nice to him (I apologized later)...I needed quiet to focus and my inner pessimist did not want to hear positive thoughts!

The nurse checked me again, and I was at nine centimeters. I couldn't take it any more. Give me an epidural...I caved, going against everything I believe in! It was too late. But I wanted something. They called the anesthesiologist who obliged me with an alternative, some medicine at a lower spot in the spinal cord. And, best of all, it works immediately!

After it took affect and a few pushes later we welcomed Micah Allan Sharp into the world. My first thought when seeing him for the first time is that he looks like cousins Elena and Holden. I thought those two looked like their dad...maybe it's their big, brown eyes that remind me of Mason. But, these three must look like the Wall/Hiebert side of our families. Sure enough, when I was feeding him later in the day I thought, "he looks like he has my Grandma Wall's mouth!" Aren't genetics a funny thing?!?!

Micah's stats:

Born-August 1, 2008, 3:19 am

Weight- 6 pounds 14 ounces

Length-19 3/4 inches

Sleeping in the hospital

On Daddy's lap

Charles visited us several times in the hosptial (we had to stay 48 hours after the time of Micha's birth due to the Strep B) and had fun playing with Dad.

This had to be sometime right after he was born. Russell put that shirt on when he was getting ready for work!

Charles is very curious and affectionate, but not gentle!