So precious...

My mom took the day off to spend with me and the kiddos. Before she came down, I asked her to bring some "props" for a photo shoot Kim is doing of Charlotte. I couldn't resist taking a few photos of my own before she comes down on Sunday. Kim's baby gift to me is a newborn photo session of Charlotte!

The bowl is so fun...I love how cute she looks curled up in it. TFL

xoxo

nikki

Yummm

One of my best friends Ashley came over the other day to bring me a sandwich and a piece of cake from my favorite deli EVER. It is a restaurant in Tampa called Wright's Deli and I love it. Well, she brought me a piece of Hummingbird cake and I savored it for 3 days! After it was gone I decided to search the internet for a recipe. I found this one from Paula Deen and knew I couldn't go wrong. I still want to "tweek" this recipe till it is as good at the cake from Wright's but until then, here is the recipe I used... I hope you enjoy it as much as my family is!

Hummingbird Cake

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 mashed bananas

1, 8oz can crushed pineapple

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

4 large eggs

2 cans of cream cheese frosting

optional: 1 cup coconut, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Mix the ingredients together and pour into a greased/floured bundt pan. Bake at 350 for 55 minutes. Let cool. Cut top half of bundt cake off and frost in between the layers. Place the top layer back on and frost the entire cake with cream cheese frosting. Enjoy!

xoxo

nikki

The first week

Charlotte's little fingers

I love this picture...sound asleep, head back and mouth open...too cute!

Getting adjusted has actually been pretty smooth... I am trying to enjoy the whole process since it will be gone before you know it! These are a few pictures from the first week of Charlotte's life.

TFL

xoxo

nikki

a few more random picts...

Sean and Dr. Shroder with Charlotte.

Mommy wearing her St. Patty's Day hat that Riley made in school that day.

Nanna and Joyia with Charlotte.

Nanna holding her first granddaughter.

xoxo

nikki

two big brothers

The excitement was obvious. Riley was thrilled to meet his little sister. The first thing he wanted to do is hold her. He told her his name was Riley and that he was her big brother...and that he loved her already. He just wanted to keep rubbing her head and smiling at her.

Brody wasn't sure what to think...he couldn't figure out why we kept telling him that Charlotte was no longer in my tummy, but that she was this little baby that I was holding. He kept running over and rubbing my tummy and saying "baby", then looking at her not sure what to think. I am sure it will take a while for him to realize what is happening.

I really look forward to seeing how both Riley and Brody will adapt to being big brothers to Charlotte. I am sure they will take good care of her.

xoxo

nikki

introducing Charlotte Grace

Sean, Nikki, Riley and Brody want to welcome Charlotte to our family:

Charlotte "Charlee" Grace Cleary

March 16, 2009

9:53am

8lb 2 oz

20 1/2 inches long

xoxo

nikki

Labor and Delivery...

Sean took this right after we arrived at the hospital. I was so tired...no sleep for over 24 hours at this point.
My mom took this picture in between contractions...this was at approx 8:45am

On Sunday night, March 15th at 11pm I went into labor. (I was scheduled to be induced the next morning at 6am.) I was able to stay at home and labor until 6am and when I went in, I obviously did not need to be induced... I was 5 cm and 80% effaced. The dr ordered my epidural and then broke my water. I went to 8 cm really fast and then from 8 to 10cm within 15 minutes. I started pushing around 9:45 and Charlotte Grace was born at 9:53am on March 16th.

March 16, 2009 at 9:53am

8lb 2 oz.

20 1/2 inches long

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers for me and Charlotte.

xoxo

nikki

The countdown in on...

...i go to the dr tomorrow for my "final" checkup. As of last week I was 1 cm dilated and so he wants to check one more time to make sure we are continuing in the right direction. He scheduled me for an induction on Monday the 16th (since he will be out of town on my due date- the 20th) and I am praying that date won't change. I am hoping to post a few picts from the other day...Kim took some pictures of me and I am so excited to see them!!
xoxo
nikki