2-2-2

2 Months 2 Weeks and 2 days old!!!

Charli just loves bath time which makes me hopeful she will be a fish in the water! Plus Sassy has the pool all ready for her this summer. Her eyelashes are so long and all of a sudden just appeared. She changes more and more everyday but her hair just keeps on growing. She is also consistently sleeping through the night, I can't believe it!

She has become fascinated with something called...hands. She is realizing her hands and her ears belong to her! She also moves her hands through her hair and consistently makes a microphone with them and talks on the phone. (Dan thinks she is a righty)

I took 98 pictures last night during bath time and after. They are all too cute I wish I could post them all.

I think Charli is really enjoying having her rotation of days between Mommy, Daddy, and Sassy. I know we all love it!

Sassy's Photos

What else would you expect from Sassy but photos when she babysits!!! Here are a few with her captions.

Winnie loves me this much!

TOOOOO CUTE!

It's a bird...it's a plane...it's SUPER Charli!

Uncle Eric, you better leave Sassy alone or I'm gonna punch you right in the nose! Love, Charli Reece aka "CRC"

My little monkey

Life is Beautiful

May 2012 has brought us some beautiful weather filled with sunshine. Charli has enjoyed this weather going on walks, sitting on Grandma's lap under a tree, strolling through Long Grove...and in this case having the wind blow through her hair with grampy. I don't know if there are too many 2 month olds that have enough hair to blow in the wind, but she does. She is just so amazing and full of life I can't get over just how amazing she is. She communicates so well and is such a terrific baby, we are so lucky. For the last 2 night she has slept from 10pm-7am. I cannot believe it! She just keeps growing and growing. We were with a 7lb. 4oz baby on Thursday, Molly, and its hard to believe that was Charli not too long ago! Each day is such a blessing full of firsts. I can't help but smile when I wake up, smile when I go to bed, and smile all day long. Thanks Charli, I love you.

Teamwork

Dan and I don't have the typical baby system of taking turns in the middle of the night. We do everything together and I am so thankful. There is something about the moral support of having him wake up and change her if I need to pump or sit with each other while she is eating at 2am. I always have something on the DVR so we don't dooze off while holding her. Either way Charli, just know that Mommy and Daddy don't get a lot of sleep and we love you so much that we are both with you whenever you wake up in the middle of the night. One thing...Daddy makes it a party so no wonder you have decided to go back to sleeping all day and partying all night. Mommy will be changing that system real fast!

Speaking of teamwork, you saw your very first soccer game yesterday and guess what??? You slept through the whole thing!!!

Charli in her favorite place, her changer!!! LOL

Back to work

It is official I am back to work for a few days before summer break. It was a very easy transition seeing as though my Mom was here to watch Charli and I am able to come home every 2 hours, so there were no tears. I'd like to say these 9 weeks flew by which they did, but it really doesn't feel like she was born yesterday. I think that is because every moment becomes so special and in a day there are so many moments that days become longer. I also live more each day, every day is so special, and watching her grow is a miracle and surreal.

 If you can believe it she only got up once at 2:30am for the first time... the night before I went back to work, like she knew to let mommy sleep a little longer. She is such a wonderful baby.

My Mom had such a great day with her. Every time I came home she was wearing something else or they were laughing, or they had just had some kind of adventure. Dan filled me in that when he went home she asked him to help her rinse Charli's bum in the sink (my mom would do this after every diaper change if she could). She also put the diaper on the wrong way...I had to laugh out loud. I guess diaper changing is not like riding a bicycle...she did use cloth diapers with me so I guess she has an excuse. Just a reminder they put pictures on the front of diapers so you always know which way they go :)

Charli had the best time. When my day was finally over and I came home, I arrived to a beautiful sleeping baby. Thanks Sassy, we are so lucky to have you!! We love you! See you next week!

Mommy and me

I have been told numerous times get out from behind the camera, make sure you get in some pictures before you miss out on these moments. Here are a few random photos.

I'm a dancer!

Feed me!

Nurse and pump, nurse and pump, that is all that is on both our minds!

 Dan and I had our first "night out" alone after becoming parents. We drove out to Naperville so Sassy, Grampy, and Charli could hang out and we went to dinner. By the time we made it out to dinner it was after 8:30. We ended up at Shintu after walking out of Domo. Needless to say our conversation was based on Charli and we were entertained by numerous texts and videos from my mom of Charli. Once you become a parent it all changes. No complaints here...We were back by 11.

I mean who wouldn't want to hang out with me!

2 month Dr. Appointment

On the 14th we had Charli's 2 month Dr. appointment where she received 4 shots. She was so brave, but let me tell you there was a scream you never want to hear again! She also cried her first real tears but then within moments she was all better with one red band-aid on one leg and a blue on the other. She is such an awesome little baby. She showed off for a little while while lifting her head up and looking around while on her stomach, the Doctor commented on how strong she is. I guess tummy time is paying off. He said she is following the growth chart perfectly, music to any parent's ears. We will see him again at our 4 month appointment. Great job Charli, weighing in at 11.4!!!!

Look at that tongue!

Can you believe her blue eyes, just beautiful!

With Daddy

with Dr. Mike

My 1st Mother's Day

The weather was amazing, what a special day. First of all the point of Mother's Day is to spend it with family, what is not to like about it! I think it is officially my new favorite day of the year.

Dan, Charli, Eric, I, and the dogs went on a 2 hour walk to start out the day. It was so relaxing and Charli thoroughly enjoyed it in her Jeep stroller. It was the first time we used it and she really liked the ride.

We then went to the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle and had a feast. It was Dan, Charli, and I, joined by Mom, Dad, Eric, and Grandma (who for 92 looks fabulous). We had a really nice time. Mom and I opened gifts and Charli definitely spoiled me, I am the luckiest Mommy.

We then all headed over to Culvers for ice cream (custard), did you know it is  free for Mothers on our special day! That was awesome:). We ate our dessert in our cars, laughed some more, and then parted ways for the evening. We went home and just relaxed, it was the perfect day.

 Happy Mother's Day! To all of you who made my 1st Mother's Day so memorable and special. Thank you!

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Ice cream cake, yum

4 generations

The love of my life

Her special outfit from Gramsy in Florida

Awwwww

(see the guy at the table behind us, even he was laughing with/at us)

Note from Daddy

Dan C. Collins

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Jennifer L. Collins

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Monday, May 07, 2012 10:31 AM

Ok…. I am seriously getting sad/excited/don’t know what to think about how damn adorable Charli is. I was looking at the pics on the most recent blog and holy cow!!!! Our daughter cannot grow up this fast. I am so happy with everything I can’t even hold it in anymore!!!

Love you!!!

Dan Collins

 

Special Education Teacher

Head Wrestling Coach