Praise be to God

Charles Andrew has arrived!

January 19, 2006

3:o4 p.m.

10 pounds, 10 ounces

22.75 inches long

Charlie was born at home, in a tub of warm water in his parent's bedroom.  His dad, our dear friend, Kendra Fletcher, and our sweet midwife were there to assist mom through a difficult but rewarding labor! 

Big sister Kate came in to assist the midwife in cutting the cord and collecting the cord blood.  She also later learned how to examine the placenta and the membranes and has restated her desire to someday become a midwife herself.

Nana & Grandad and each of Charlie's five big brothers soon came into admire this precious new life God has given to us! 

Charlie was born with his body in a posterior position while his head delivered completely transverse.  Ouch! Doesn't begin to explain what his birth felt like.  Apparently it was a little painful for Charlie too as he cried pretty much non-stop until our dear chiropractic friend arrived.  A quick adjustment to Charlie's neck calmed him down immediately.  It truly was an amazing thing to see!  Thank you Dr. Beech!

I can't believe these pictures are taken at only four days old!  Charlie looks so old, and yes so BIG.  Look how he's holding up that head!  I'd told the children we weren't going to be calling Charles, Chuck.  Stephen said, "Unless he's really fat, then we'll call him, "Chuck Wagon!"  I will tell you I've heard him referred to as Chuck Wagon a couple of time and it does seem to fit! 

Charlie's name is very special to us.  His first name Charles, is in honor of a dear friend of Lisa's, Mr. Charlie Galatro.  Anyone who knows, "Mr. G." will have no problem understanding why Lisa wanted to name her son after him.  Mr. G.'s love of the Lord, love for children, love of music and love for life were a precious part of Lisa's life growing up.  The Lord placed Mr. G. in Lisa's life just when she needed him there and he'll always hold a special place in her heart.  Lord, may our son grow to exemplify the best parts of Mr. Galatro's life.  Thank you, Mr. G.!

Charlie's middle name, Andrew, is in honor of our dear friend, Andrew Fletcher.  Fletch is a friend of both Lisa and Eric's from our days at UOP and led the campus Bible study that was instrumental in the Lord calling Eric to  Himself.  Fletch married Lisa's dear friend and the Lord has been so gracious in allowing our friendship to grow for the past many years.  As couples we were engaged a week apart from each other, married within a month of each other, and until Charlie, have matched each other child for child!  Eric especially wanted to honor this friend of his he describes as, "Godly, funny, dependable, hard-working, a family man, and all around great guy."  Our son couldn't have a better namesake!

More pictures of Charlie with his siblings and other admirers can be seen here.

Send Charlie an email!  We'll save them for him!  Charlie@ekandfamily.com