Charlie Martin

Growing up sisters play dolls, ride bikes, sing silly songs to their boyfriends on the phone, go to proms, go to college, get married, and have babies. Getting to be a part of Mac's life has been awesome. I have shared so many memories with her. One of my favorite memories has been Mac being in the delivery room for Masons birth. She was there for Kades as well but Masons was really special. I didn't have her in the room with me so that she would return the favor, I wanted her to experience my life changing with me. I knew that she was more private than I was and when she had children she wouldn't want me in there and I was totally fine with that.

Well, April 2nd 2011 Mac became a mommy! Charlie was not the easiest baby to get into this world. He was not wanting to make his entrance but four weeks early Mac's body felt differently. After three days in the hospital with blood pressure issues, Charlie was born via C section. Grandparents were the only ones in the family to go to the hospital for several reasons. First, there are ALOT of grandparents and second, with Macs blood pressure so I we all felt it was better if she was left to stay calm and healthy for her and Charlie. I will never forget getting the call Charlie had arrived. I had been waiting since Wednesday for the call and instead there were alot of "nothing new" conversations. Finally, Saturday morning Mac sent me a text and said they were doing the C section at 3:00! I was thrilled. So I am sitting at Nolans baseball game and waiting impatiently for the call. Hours go by and sometime after 6:00 my mom FINALLY called and said Charlie was here and everyone was healthy. Charlie did have to stay in NICU for a few days but he was fine. And one week to the day that Mac entered the hospital, she and her new family were headed home.

So, with more excitement that I imagined I would ever have, I set out this morning to meet my sweet nephew on his one week birthday. 83.7 miles later, I was in the driveway of Mac house. I calmly waked in the house and went straight for my sweet boy.

 I know the love of a mother and her son. I know the instant love you feel. I have seen babies, held them, and loved them instantly but nothing compares to seeing Charlie for the first time. Mac and I have shared so much. Seeing her baby for the first time was unbelievable. He is perfect. He looks just like his daddy. Those Martin jeans are STRONG!

 I held him and smothered him in kisses. I talked to him about his ten perfect fingers and ten perfect toes. I told him how his cousins couldn't wait to meet him and how they loved him already. I told him how badly I wish I could have met him sooner. I just couldn't stop talking to him and I didn't want to put him down. He is perfect!

As much as I loved holding him, I loved my time with Mac too. We went to lunch together while Gigi and Grandpa Charles kept him. We shopped a little and talked a lot. It was so fun to hear Mac talk about how she loves just watching him and it reminded me how strong she has always been hearing her tell his birth story. I think we both needed a little sister time. But we didn't waste too much time away because both of us wanted to get back to Charlie

When we got home we took Charlie and his four legged siblings for his first walk. It was fun to be outside pushing a newborn again. I have missed that peaceful time pushing a stroller. Mac got to give some attention to Sophie and Finn!

I hated for my visit to end. I wish I could have held that sweet boy forever. But with a huge storm coming towards Macs house, I had to leave. I kissed Charlies sweet head, hugged my amazing sister and headed home to my house of boys! The whole way home I got to reflect on Mac and Charlie.

Mac loves being a mom. She is a natural. The way she looks at her little boy makes my heart smile. She is so tender and gentle with him. She talks in third person to him even though she swore she would never do that. Charlie is precious. He is a squeaky little bird! Mac thinks he makes noises because she talked during her pregnancy so much ( she is a teacher!). He has a calm temper and loves to sleep. They are still figuring each other out and it was awesome to watch just for the day. I think of all my memories with Mac, today is now one of my favorites.