Day-4 Leaving the hospital

We left the hospital around 1:15 pm.  We loved our experience at Lake Forest Hospital.  I am SO happy with my decision to have Charlie there instead of Lutheran General.

 So much love for this boy!

 We picked up the girls from Long Grove and dropped them off in Mt. Prospect to go the carnival with Grammie and Papo.  Allie decided to trick them by wearing her mustache that she got in the grab bag from GG!  It was pretty funny!

 We're home!  It's always an emotional thing for me.  The Welke's had some decorations on display, though all of the blue balloons were popped by the time we came home!  Our inside was decorated too and the girls kept saying how beautiful our house looked!

 Daddy back on diaper duty!

 Big sister holding her brother with care.

 Hospital bracelets before we cut them off!

Charlie-Day 3

 We started off that day thinking we'd be going home, however since I was having my headaches, the RN thought that the MD might want the anesthesia department to come and see me to deal with the problem.  It turns out that to treat a spinal headache, I had to lay flat and consume a lot of caffeine.  It worked (hello Starbucks!) and bought me an extra day there!  The great thing was that the GG's came into town and were able to meet Charlie and see the girls!

 GG Harold's father was also named Charles, and it's Uncle Rick's and cousin Ryan's middle name.  It runs in both sides of Matt's family, how cool is that?

 Allie loved laying in the bay window and made quite the graham cracker mess!

 The boys!

 Matt talking to Charlie!

Charlie Day 2

Out of bed and able to visit with my girls!

 They enjoyed pushing the buttons on the bed and sliding down it when it was fully upright!

 Charlie had a busy day 2!  He had his "procedure" and his baby bella photo shoot!

I was feeling pretty good and moving about but I started dealing with headaches the night before.  It got pretty bad that afternoon.

 Pamma came that night

 Our celebration dinner!  Champagne, salad, steaks, and dessert!

 I only had a sip or two!  I felt funny drinking even though the doctor gave me the OK!

Charlie-Day 1

Charlie's first full day!  He had his hearing tested and he passed.  I got my IV taken out and even got to shower!  

We had some more very special visitors Wednesday evening!

Welcome to the world Charles Joseph!

Officially the last bump picture!  We headed out to Lake Forest Hospital right after this at 5:30 am.  I got there and they started hooking me up to all of the monitors.  As it turns out, I was having contractions!  We picked the right date!

 Here we go!  C-sections are so glamorous!

 We heard he was out and Matt snapped a picture of the clock!  It's a good thing because the staff had to ask him what time the birth was.  I guess they were more concerned making sure we were fine than checking the time.  Makes sense to me!

 Hi baby!

 When I saw him, I thought that he looked like Matt's Gramps out in Colorado!  Definitely a Charles!

 Meeting him

 Trying to keep him warm

 Daddy's chin

 Proud daddy in recovery.  I took this pic so it's from a low angle as I was in the bed.  I couldn't move my legs for a long time, such a strange feeling!

 And we have visitors!!  I had just been given a double dose of pain meds and some benedryl since I was itchy from some of the drugs.  I was so tired and out of it when they came.  Matt took all of these pics.

 Aunt Jill, Grammie, Papo and the girls were the first to arrive early that afternoon.  I was grateful that I was feeling better than I did with Allie.

 Ardell Joseph with Charles Joseph

 Hugs for baby!

 Sweet

 Next set of visitors...the Welke's!

 They had to take turns since children under 12 weren't allowed unless they were siblings.  Uncle Matt happy to have another boy around!

 I love this pic of my snuggle bear!

Pamma with grandson #2

 Grandpa Dennis has some fun things in store for this boy!

 Handsome boys!

Baby's first concert! Our last hurrah!

Our last night out for a while!

39 weeks and 3 days!

This may be the last bump picture.  I know I've only taken about two of them!  Here I am prior to the Blake Shelton concert on Saturday.  I was told I could schedule the C-section starting July 17th, but I had to wait until after the 19th since I didn't want to miss the show!

Brookfield Zoo before baby!

I REALLY wanted to bring the girls to the zoo and take them to the dolphin show before the arrival of this boy!  We went on Friday and had the best time and perfect weather.  I loved watching Claire's expression as she watched the dolphins perform.  She is such the animal lover!

 Playing outside and loving one another!

 Claire couldn't wait to paint her face.

 The end result!  Yes, she walked around the zoo like this all day.

 Cooling off

 As you can see, her face paint had faded by days end!