She has my finger.

She has my finger.
~Michael after Charlotte was born.

Happy Birthday Charlotte!

Eight years ago today, my family (most of them) went back to London to catch their flight back early the next morning to the states after being here for a visit for 10 days.
Eight years ago today, Michael and I were doing our normal routine although I wasn't feeling 100%.
Eight years ago today, I let Michael take me to the hospital thinking I had appendicitis at 7.30pm (I still didn't want to go at 7.30 - stubborn to a fault!).
Eight years ago today, at 8.57 pm, with a Midwife who had a Welsh accent that I couldn't understand, Charlotte decided to bless us with her presence - me with my Animal Kingdom shirt on and sunglasses (as always) on my head!).

She came into the world when she was ready, and in her own way (Surprise!). And eight years on, that is still her personality. Yes Charlotte was born with a Bi-lateral cleft lip but we were both strong enough and ready to go home by 9.30pm (doctors and midwives were very impressed), but we just had the little issue of having no baby items - not even a diaper or a bottle! Small issue

The next few days were a whirl-wind, but not for Michael and I. My family were called at the airport and to say they were shocked is an under-statement. 'But we just spent 10 days with you!' they said. Naming books and online lists were brought in to help with a name. Charlotte was decided, although I also liked Victoria Elizabeth. I immediately starting calling her Charlie. The CLAPA team came in the next day, at 9.10am. I'll never forget them telling me that she will most likely not have a lot of confidence (not in a negative way, they were only preparing us for some of the reactions we could receive). They stopped worrying about us by the time Charlotte was 21 months and had more confidence then they have ever seen in someone that young.


Eight years ago today, Michael and I became a family of 3.
Eight years ago today, we were blessed with an angel sent from God.
Eight years ago today, was a night we will never forget.

Happy birthday Charlotte - hope you enjoyed the day in Birmingham (Ikon Gallery, Birmingham Art Gallery, Bull Ring shopping until we dropped, etc).

More pictures here.