I'm 3 Months Old Today

and look who I met

jealous?

I've been a good girl,
natalie

JUST PHOTOS!!!

Thanksgiving

Natalies first Thanksgiving was an eventful one...there was rain in San Diego and LOTS of it. We thought the break in the rain would allow us to do Father Joes's run well we were wrong. Natalie and I headed for cover while Craig finished the race. Hopefully these pics will give you a sense of how wet it was.


After the family was dry and warm. Natalie got all dressed up and started to cry and it was hard to get her to stop. Our best guess is that she was just upset that she is still too small to eat turkey.


Craig's family came over with all the side dishes and we had a feast. Yum!

Triathelete

Natalie competed in the baby triathalon this week and man did she do well. Her time was 1.35 seconds beating out all the other competitors. The events in a baby triathalon? Puke, Pee, Poop! Let's just say it was a messy day on the changing table.

Zoo Tripping

Hey Everyone,
Mommy and Daddy packed me and Grandma into the car and took us to the zoo. My favorite part, and the only part I was awake for, was when Daddy fed me a bottle in the car before we even got in the gates.

From what I heard the tigers were really active and the baby panda running around the enclosure was too cute. Here are some pictures of me sleeping and some animals.






Still Snoozing,

Miss Natalie

Gimme the...

AXE! Yeah Go Bears!

Here I am in my Cal gear celebrating the victory...sorry Wade I'm not ready to go to the dark side and sport the bib just yet. Maybe Daddy will use it to wipe my tushie.

Since the game was not on TV Mommy, Uncle Stephen, Grandma, and of course me went up to Newport Beach and Balboa Island....we walked the boardwalk and saw the old house and got a frozen banana. Here some pictures of me all bundled up and sleeping at my first day at the beach.


Kisses,

Miss Natalie

8 week well baby check-up at 10 weeks

Hi Everyone,

See those shiny things on my legs? They are all I have to show for my first set of vaccinations. I got 3 in one leg and 2 in the other, I didn't even cry. Well that's not exactly true...I cried when Daddy had to stop cuddling me and I had to lie on the table. Mommy even got in the fun and got a flu shot while we were there and for a brief time we had matching bandaids. I had no fevers, just a couple of long naps.

Here are my stats at 10 weeks:

Weight: 10lbs 3oz
Length: 23 inches

The Dr checked me out head to toe and says I am a healthy girl!

See Daddy needles are nothing to be scared of!

Kisses,

Miss Natalie

Update

Hi Everyone,

It has been so great getting to know you the past eight weeks. Just before my big 2 month birthday I finally got to meet my Uncle Kevin and Sue. Even though he looks like he's serving a plate of cheese...I'm really quite comfy the way he's holding me.

The actual day of my birthday, November 10th, Grandma Susan came to town. It had been 5 weeks since I'd seen her I was really excited to get to the airport. I got all dressed up in a little dress and after the airport we got to go out to lunch. Then we came home and played! We had a big dinner with Mom's family while I slept in the swing. I had a busy day!



Here is an update on my likes and dislikes:

Likes:
Watching my mobiles. I really like my hedgehog one over the changing table right now
Getting my diaper changed and hanging out while Mom and Dad talk to me
Bathtub is okay now!
Eating
Moving all the time
Being in the kitchen

Dislikes:
Having anything put over my head
Spitting up
My Carseat
Books

Growing,
Natalie

Aren't I Cute?

A hard day at the aquarium left Natalie pooping and puking in unison.
The result? Mommy lifted Natalie sky high to clean her front to back
and let her air dry. Daddy was of no help, choosing to take pictures
(as was grandma Enid). But the result was this cuteness. What this
has to do with the aquarium? Not much.

Natalie Swims With The Fishes

Saturday was Natalie's introduction to her 1st cousins once removed or
her 2nd cousins... We're not really sure which they are and have been
too lazy to look it up. Plus looking it up would only take the joy
out of the periodic academic discussion Craig has on the topic with
his dad. You can count on this subject coming up every time extended
family gets together. Anyhow Craig's cousin Jon & his lovely wife
Lindsey have the 2 cutest twin boys. Thomas & Everett and their ear
to ear smiles visited Natalie and the rest of us for a fun day in La
Jolla at the aquarium. The boys LOVED that Natalie was wearing sun glasses just like them.

Coffee Cup Wisdom

This quote from Tim Russert was on my cup this week. It puts everything into perspective

"You can shower a child with presents or money, but what do they really mean, compared to the most valuable gift of all - your time? Vacations and special events are nice, but so often the best moments are the spontaneous ones. Being there. Every moment you spend with your child could be the one that really matters."

Happy Halloween!

Natalie had a very busy day. We went up to Craig's work where they have a big trick or treat, parade and activities for the kids. Natalie dressed up as a penguin(thanks Jilli) and enjoyed helping Craig get some candy.

Who needs candy when you have a yummy hand?

In her costume (WAY too big)

What's Up With Miss Natalie

Natalie seems to be getting more alert each day. She is getting used to some of the daily routines and is not always screaming her head off when she is on the changing table(a welcome change). She is still unhappy at bathtime, getting strapped in the carseat and journeys in the car. She is addicted to movement but it has to be big movements...she is giving our muscles and back a work out. Here are some of my favorite pictures from her very alert and awake week. Enjoy!
With her changing table buddy

Smiling and Posing

Checking the features of her bouncy seat

My new favorite pic

With Craig at dinner

Natalie's Blog Debut

Well I cannot believe that we are almost at Natalie being 6 weeks old. Looking at her now she is starting to loose that newborn look. We have had some ups and down the first weeks but feel that we are settling into a routine. It was definitely hard to see my Mom go but we haven't done too bad since she left. Natalie has given up sleeping on the couch and now is in the Pack 'n' Play right next to the bed. She also loves being worn in the ring sling (still hates the Bjorn)and now enjoys the swing and the bouncy seat.

We have had some concerns about her weight gain and she has been diagnosed with Reflux. Currently we are trying some things and hoping that she will not be needing medication. We have a baby scale and monitoring her weight here at home.

In bragging news...Natalie knows two words she says "MA" and "HI" seriously. I thought I was hearing MA but Craig verified it and I have it on my voicemail. Sunday we both thought it sounded like she had said hi. Later in the day after waking from a nap I said, "Hi Natalie" and she responded with "Hi". Craig nearly lost it with laughter. I agree it would have been more impressive if she said, "Hi Ma" but she is barely 6 weeks lets not put too much pressure on her.

Now for the good stuff the pictures....
Newly Born

Today in her swing



On her Playmat

In her Bouncy Seat

Getting To Know You

Even after a few weeks Natalie is letting us know loud and clear her likes and dislikes. I know we've been really bad with getting pics but it feels like there is not much time in the day after feedings and diaper changes.

Just so you can keep up on Miss Natalie

Likes:
Horsie Rides (Thank You! to our lactation consultant for showing us this)
Getting her hair washed/scalp massaged
Having Craig talk to her in Spanish
Sleeping on the couch
Being Swaddled
Eating
Rockaby Baby Beattles CD
Her Soothie (Mom wants to hold off but it really does amazing things to help calm her)
Sleeping at night!!!
Car rides
Waiting for Daddy to come home to poop

Dislikes:
Having a dirty diaper
Having above diaper changed
Being Dressed
Being Undressed
Getting a Bath
Not being held

We are really blessed Natalie is such a wonderful and perfect little girl. We love getting to know her each day. Pictures soon, I promise!

Dad's Email

Here is an email that Craig did shortly after Natalie's birth. I am adding it to the blog for anyone who may not have seen it:

Drum roll please .....

And now ... Put your hands together ... An event we've been waiting 9 months
for ... Provide a hearty post-partum welcome to the one, the only Natalie
Paul (last name)!!!

The stats are:
* Born Wednesday, 9/10/08 (or, as they'd write in Europe -- 10/09/08 for the
numerologists amongst you) at 9:06pm. Daddy tried to convince the nurses
that she was born at 9:10 on 9:10 but they were having none of it. She was
9 days early vs. the projected due date -- I'm not sure why this member of
the family is the one who thought being early was appreciated and valued.

* Weight: 7 lbs. 5 oz.

* Length: 19.5 inches

* Eye color: Tough to tell -- much of her time is spent with eyes closed.

* Delivery/Labor: Water broke at 3am on Wednesday meaning total time in
various stages of labor was about 18 hours. An epidural was required at
about 7cm dilation (just made it under the wire). Actual pushing took about
2.5 hours.

* Hospital: Scripps Mercy in San Diego

* Languages spoken: English, American Sign Language, Latin (I know, amazing
eh!!!! Problem is she's shy about showing off so early in life. LOL!!!)

Many have asked where we got the name Natalie Paul -- well, we liked Natalie
as it has a classic appeal with both Christian and Hebrew roots. It's
multi-syllabic which seemed to go well with her last name. And it also
provides ample opportunity to nickname her, be it Nat or Tali or Sweetheart
(I think this last one could have come with any name we chose.) Her middle
name, Paul, is in honor of the grandfather she never got to meet.
Danielle's dad is Paul and we wanted to pay tribute without modification.

Although Natalie battled a case of jaundice requiring an extra night's stay
in the hospital, she is otherwise healthy and seemingly very happy to be
home. She is extremely strong -- her legs and arms are deceptively powerful
when compared to her weak father's ability to manage that strength. Also
doing great is Natalie's mom ... Danielle had a long but very smooth
delivery and she is already high on energy, low on soreness after just a
couple of days. Daddy is tired and in awe, not to mention amazed that he
watched the entire birth without puking or passing out.

I know that in this Web 2.0 world I should be posting all photos to a
website and let you grab them. Well, we'll put more out on Danielle's blog
(canddbabysd.blogspot.com) and likely put some in a photo gallery but here
are some photos of our little bundle of joy before we get to those things
... They've been compressed so that I could send you several ... If you want
larger size files to print the photos, just let me know.

Many thanks and love to all of you for your bountiful support and generosity
during this amazing time. We are so lucky to have such wonderful, loving
friends and family.

All our love!

Craig, Danielle, and Natalie

She's Here!!!!

Natalie Paul was born Wednesday September 10th at 9:06 pm. She weighs 7 pounds 5 ounces and is 19.5 inches long. Everyone is doing great and after needing an extra day under the blue lights Natalie, Mommy and Daddy are all home....Yes we know you want pictures, they are on the way.

38 Week Appointment

"Do you have time to kill an hour?" This is what the Dr asked at the end of our Friday appointment. It seems as if the pre-eclampsia worries continue to surround me. Even with all the symptoms, swelling, high blood pressure, and weight gain...baby and I seem to be fine.

Craig and I walked over to the hospital and went to get a non stress test and some blood work. For those of you who don't know Craig does not do well with blood and he was barely able to deal with me having my blood drawn. I think that the birth plan will be updated to exclude the iphone from the room. It is hard to pull Craig away...he tried to justify the use because all the emails were about me. How will this be any different during delivery? I long for the good old days when all he had was a phone there are just too many bright and shiny features on the iphone to distract him.

Another funny story was last week I had a leg cramp and somehow Craig was awake for it and tried to massage it out. When he stopped the massage the cramp returned. He suggested we let the nurses know about these cramps so that they could provide massages during the cramps. I believe that I laughed out loud at this....Craig wondered why and who would help me during these leg cramps? I really wished that I had a mirror at that moment...if I was smart I would have just shown him his reflection in his bright shiny iphone.

36 Week Appointment

Well we are now in the homestretch! We had our 36 week on Friday and everything continues to look good. The baby was so active during the appointment the Dr. wondered how much coffee I had drank that morning. Answer none. We asked how long past our due date we could go and she said 10 days...so we are pretty sure that the little one will be born in September. We have weekly appointments until she becomes an outside baby!

35 Weeks & 35 Days

As of today I am exactly 35 weeks and have 35 days left. Today baby and I got to go through a "dress rehersal" about what will happen when I am in labor. The last two days I have been showing some signs of pre-eclampsia. I began to get concerned because if it did turn out that I had it, I was worried that she would come early which we are not ready for. I had tried to contact my Doctor but she was out of town. After a few calls to the DR on her vacation in Utah I got my orders to go to labor and delivery for some lab work and to have the baby and my blood pressure monitored for a while.
Going there I really had no expectations of what would happen. I went in and registered and a sheet of labels with my information was printed. These labels went on all my paperwork, blood collection tubes, a bag to hold my clothes, and an ID bracelet. I got to go into the L&D room and had a chance to practice how to work the gowns. Two monitors were placed on the baby and I had one monitor for the blood pressure.
After about an hour my blood pressure was down, no concerns about protein levels, and baby activity was good. I was allowed to go home before my blood work came back because everything else looked good. I came home feeling more confident that baby would be cooking longer but then I had a fortune cookie today and the message said, "You will be receiving an unexpected blessing in the next few days". Hopefully a few days according the Chinese is 35.

Sorry Baby

Baby,

Mommy must apologize in advance for this blog entry. It is just that this persistant 24/7 heartburn is becoming hard to manage. Almost everytime I tell someone that I have heartburn they tell me, "oh your baby will have LOTS of hair". If this old wives tale turns out to be true I imagine you will look something like this when born.

Please Pass the Tums,
Mommy

Letter from Baby

Hi Everyone,

Baby Girl here ... I decided that I needed to intervene before Mommy and Daddy hit a full month without updating you all about moi! I have been growing each day and we have visited the Doctor two times since the last post. I am doing great and the Doctor is also pleased with how Mommy is doing. The Doctor thinks Mommy is funny because at one appointment she couldn't feel all my kicks and then at the next one a few weeks later she couldn't feel the contractions she was having. Don't worry they were just Braxton Hicks, no eviction notice received yet.

Today is Mom and Dad's Anniversary. I searched high and low for the perfect gift but what I found was slim pickings around here. So I thought that morning sickness would be good. So right as Mommy was all dressed and ready to leave the house I gave her the present. It was not as warmly received as I hoped since she was not too happy as she had to change her clothes and do something about her hair on the way out of the house. Sorry.

I think that we will all be going out to a fancy restaurant to celebrate later this week. Here are some pictures from the wedding two years ago for your enjoyment, before I was even a twinkle in anybody's eye.



Love,
Baby

ps.- Mom & Dad STOP referring to me as spoiled. I do not think this is funny. Just because the nursery is overflowing with outfits, toys, and beautiful homemade blankets does not mean I'm spoiled. I tend to see this more as being well loved than spoiled.

pps- can you believe that they still are stumped with my name? They have this criteria and a short list but I am not holding my breath. I am comforted by knowing that they will not be able to take me home from the hospital without a name ... or a car seat. Checkmark next to the car seat.

Duck, Duck, Goose

For the last few months I have had no idea if Craig is still sleeping in the same bed. This is because of the pillow fortress. It seems as if each week I go farther in the pregnancy I need another pillow. Right now there is a wedge pillow to support the belly, a body pillow for full body support, extra pillows at the feet to reduce swelling, extra pillows at the head to prevent heartburn, and pillows at the back to prevent rolling over.
Every so often Craig will try loft an arm over the pillows to find me. When his hand ends up on the belly the baby switches into protect mode. She instantly begins to kick the hand of the intruder in our pillow palace. It wakes me up. He sleeps through it. Anyway I woke up this morning to the baby trying very hard to slay the hand of the intruder. I got up and started my morning routine. In the bathroom I noticed that there were all these brown things everywhere. I looked in the mirror I was covered head to toe in feathers. My mind started wandering. Am I giving birth to a goose? Am I turning into a duck? I followed the trail back to the bed and wouldn't you know it the big full body pillow sprung a huge leak. Our bed looks like a professional duck hunting event took place there. Good thing my Mom is coming on Tuesday....she'll be able to fix it so I can refortify the pillow fortress.

New Post!

Woo Hoo!

A new post about old topics...the 28 week appointment.

On June 25th I went in for the routine appointment and everything continues to look good.

Mommy was down a few pounds (good since they said I was up 14 the month before)
I passed my Gestational Diabetes Screening
Blood Pressure Excellent
Swelling continues to just be swelling
Belly Size Good
Baby Heartbeat Excellent

At this appointment I was told that I was to start doing kick counts. This is where you basically count baby kicks and need to get 10 in 2 hours. Well I am convinced we have the most chill baby ever, and I thought it would be a problem. After telling this to the Dr she checked the heartbeat and stared to smile because you could hear all these kicks that I am not feeling, so maybe she is not as chill as I thought.
The kicks that I am feeling have been much stronger. I keep thinking back to people telling me that kicks and baby movement feel like butterfly wings, fish tails, and popcorn popping. HMMM OKAY....how come nobody ever added but when you get farther along it feels like sharp jabs, punches, being rolled between a pasta machine and that at times these movements will stop you in your tracks. I guess there are lots of secrets of pregnancy that they let you discover on your own.

Catching Up

Well it has been a very busy few weeks at school. There was an outbreak of Fifth's Disease at school which has resulted in me being moved out of my building and away from the students who have been exposed. It has been hard getting my job done but the principal has been very accommodating.

Craig worked very hard getting the closet ready for the baby and we put in some of the clothes we had bought/received and it looked like this:

Thursday was a big day for us and Baby. We had a work shower at school. It was early because many people had today as their last day. Craig was the sweetest and came by the shower on his way to a conference call. He stayed, opened a few gifts, and loaded the heavy things in the car. What I quickly learned is that women love to buy baby girls clothes. We got a few things off the registry but mostly clothes. You can see how generous my co-workers are:



Craig and I got home totally overwhelmed with all her gifts. Then we got a call saying we won a $100 Home Depot gift card. Later that night while sitting on the couch for the first time at 28W6D Craig finally felt Baby move. How lucky are we? I finally put all the clothes in her closet and the semi-empty closet now looks like this:



Craig had described my baby bump as being adorably noticeable. I thought this was cute so I caved and let him take a photo which I promised to post. I promised this even though it was taken 5 minutes before bedtime after a really hot day and I did not feel adorably noticeable at all. Noticeable-Yes Adorable-No.