Mid-April my boyfriend and I welcomed a new little bundle of joy into our life. This bouncing baby boy was 10 lbs 6 ozs. when we brought him home.

That first time he feel asleep in my arms – my heat melted and became forever his.

We named him Charles (although we usually call him Charlie) and though the nights were somewhat sleepless those first few weeks and I swear every time he ate he pooped and every time he pooped he was hungry again… he’s been a constant source of joy and laughter in our home.  At first his big sister Olivia (now 6 yrs old and VERY accustomed to being an only child) was a little unsure about what to think of this new addition. She regularly voices her concern when he gets too near to her toys or dominates too much of our attention, but she’s warming up to him nicely and now she’ll even kiss him on the cheek occasionally.

Our favorite times together are in the mornings – I go and pick Charlie up and carry him over, Olivia climbs into bed with us, and we all snuggle together, laughing and bonding as long as our busy schedule will allow.

Although Charlie is not my first, it’s amazing how easily you forget just how demanding the needs of a baby can be! I feel like I get nothing done during my “work day” (working from home can be a dangerous thing) and I definitely feel like the laundry and dishes have tripled since his arrival – but what I also forgot is the immense joy a new little one brings into your day-to-day life.

When Olivia was a baby – I was a single mom, still in college and had just started my business. Those were tough times but I feel like she inspired everything and anything really great I have done since then. Now, Charlie feels like the completion of our family – our house feels that much more like a home and come Mother’s Day this year – I get to celebrate with that much more enthusiasm.

Happy Mothers Day to all of you mothers out there – especially you doggy moms, you rarely get the recognition you deserve for the hard work you do!

– Nichole, Olivia + Charlie

Here you can see Olivia + Charlie at home with mom and dad:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLf24oAC-L4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01]