Charlie

We have been having a lot of fun with our new little buddy!

He is the most awake at night.  The lighting on this picture is horrible but I just love seeing those wide open little peepers.

Why are baby profiles so cute?  I can't be the only one who thinks this, right?

Charlie has been getting a lot of attention.  Everett likes to do his daily reading while snuggling the little guy.

Ashley likes to hold Charlie as well.  One night she even asked to hold him in bed while I was reading Lassie to her.  They both fell asleep.  It was adorable.

James loves to grab Charlie and smell him.

Charlie is learning to anticipate these events.

But James is really pretty gentle for a two-year-old.  He loves to hold Charlie.  Let me tell you, the boppy is great for helping kids hold babies.  It is the perfect platform for weak little toddler arms.

James loves giving Charlie his pacifier.  I think it must be like playing with a fun, moving puzzle piece.

One day, James overheard Everett and me talking about how good babies smell.  James has been interested in smelling Charlie ever since.  "I smell Charlie's hair, Mommy!"  James will announce proudly.

William also likes smelling and feeling Charlie's hair.  He remarks often on how soft it is.  William also brings Charlie his pacifier if he is crying, and he very sweetly tucks Charlie's blanket around him if it gets loose.

William enjoys comparing Charlie's tiny body parts with his larger ones.  He is especially fascinated by Charlie's little ears.

Even though William is not really very interested in babies, he shows his affection in a lot of quiet, sweet ways.  

Everett took this picture.  I am usually on the other side of the camera so I was glad to have this one.

Charlie is two and a half weeks old now, and he has already changed so much!  I had to take some pictures today and try to capture his two-week sweetness.

One of my favorite things about brand new babies is that they have little wrinkly necks.  They remind me of turtles extending out of their shells when they try to raise their proportionally large heads.  I see this picture and all I want to do is kiss those little neck creases a thousand times over.

This smile is from gas.  Charlie was working on his digestion.  The facial expressions are hysterical.  And this boy is a grunter.  I can always tell when he is about to fill his diaper because he grunts really loudly for a few minutes before it happens.

Charlie also has a sweet little chin.  

OK, so I am a baby person.  I know not everyone is, but I really enjoy this age.  Babies keep me up at night, sure, but they don't talk back and they don't need to be entertained.  They are snuggly little bundles of warmth and sweet-smelling breath, and if all I do is hold a baby and keep it fed during the day, I can consider myself productive.  

(*Disclaimer:  I have not had a baby with colic.  *knock on wood*)

You could have skipped all of the words and pictures to get to the gist of the entire post right here: We are having a ton of fun with the newest member of our family!