4 Month Check-Up

Today Natalie went in for her 4 month check-up. I can't believe how quickly time is flying by! It seems like just yesterday she was born. Anyway, her stats are:

Weight: 13 lbs 4 oz (50th percentile)
Length: 24 1/2 inches (75th percentile)
Head Circumference: 16.3 inches (50th percentile)

So, basically in the last 2 months Natalie has only grown about a half an inch, put on 2 lbs, and her head has grown 1 inch in diameter. I would have thought that there would have been more progress considering the little rolls on her thighs and how some outfits are getting too small in length. Either way, she is still perfect!P.S. She did much better this time with the oral immunization than last time! And she only cried for less than a minute with the two shots.

Introducing...

Our newest little nephewSimon J. Lewis
12/8/09
10:41 pm
7.8 lbs
19 inches

Congrats to Tyler and Lisa!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was wonderful...yummy food and wonderful company! Natalie had fun entertaining everyone there. Here is Natalie and Grandma Lewis plotting and planning a Black Friday shopping trip. And Natalie was looking at all the toys she wants for Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Struggling Journey

As Thanksgiving approaches, I think about last year and where I was at. It was right after Thanksgiving that we found out that we were expecting. I almost did a post last year at this time about the struggles we were going through, but I hesitated. But now I feel that I should write that post that should have been done a year ago.

I feel that in the LDS society there is a topic that is taboo...infertility. It seems that it is suppose to be that all one needed to do was look at her husband and she would immediately get pregnant. Dealing with infertility is something that I would never wish upon anyone! Infertility sucks!

Physically the 2 1/2 years before finally getting pregnant were grueling. My poor body was shoved full of hormones, poked and prodded, and examined thoroughly. Going to the doctor's on average 3-4 times a month was normal. I joked during this time that with all the money that we were putting into me with co-payments, cost of drugs and procedures that I was a Ferrari car monthly payment.

Emotionally, infertility was the worst! The emotional roller coaster was amplified by the hormone drugs. I have never been so depressed in my life! Then there were the comments by others that hurt that were not intended to because they were unaware of what we were going through. It seemed that everywhere I looked everyone was getting pregnant, including some of my teenage clients I was working with. It took everything I had to slap on a happy face and go to all the baby showers during those years. Even holidays hurt to deal with....and let's not talk about how badly Mother's Day hurt!

Last year I found this song on the internet that deeply touched me and I felt that it was "my song" as I dealt with infertility because I would have done anything to be a mother. I would watch it over and over. I still cry when I watch the music video. This slide show was also brought to my attention and it touched my heart as well.

I married an amazing man who emotionally held me up for those years. He seriously deserves a trophy or a direct pass to heaven! Lately I have found myself staring at our precious little girl and I cannot help but cry happy tears and have extreme love for this little one who Heavenly Father has entrusted us with. I know many people, some loved and close to me and others who are acquaintances, who are struggling with infertility. My heart and prayers go out to those struggling with infertility and my arms are always open for a hug and a shoulder to cry on!

First Time In Snow

On Saturday we had a snow storm. And of course I couldn't resist getting Natalie's first picture in the snow later that evening.

Can you see her first and little attempt at making snow angels?

One cute little snow baby!

The End After 5 Years

Today was a day that has been anticipated and looked forward to for a long time...but I never anticipated the emotions I experienced. Today was the last day of my DCFS career.Last week I cried as I went to work and left my baby at home. Today I wasn't prepared for the tears that came as I was driving home from work and from my identity as a DCFS caseworker. I have worked with various kids and families...some that I loved and enjoyed and some not so much. But the tears today were not for those kids or families...it was for my amazing coworkers.

I don't think that I will be able to hear, see, or experience things that won't remind me of those amazing coworkers...such as hear a U2 song or eat cheesecake; see a New York license plate or listen to Evanescence; see a picture of a camel or Celtic dancers; see a Pepsi with Lime or a can of pineapple; see an old Crown Vic police car or see a security officer; or see an office that is decorated like Martha Stewart or a smorgasbord of food.

Each of my coworkers have touched my life and helped me be able to be a better caseworker. Thank you for a wonderful 5 years...I couldn't have lasted so long without you!

Happy Halloween!

What I've Missed Most

This is what I've missed most this week while being at work....

the first morning smiles after waking up.

Thanks to Grandma Lewis for watching Natalie this week!

Natalie sure has loved spending the time with you!

The Dreaded Day

Today was the day that I've been dreading for the last 3 months...going back to work. I technically didn't have to come back to work to give my two weeks notice and work those two weeks, but we didn't want to give the insurance company any reason to deny paying for Natalie's birth.

I only cried for about 10 minutes during my drive to work. I thought that I had it under control, but then I saw a billboard with a kid on it and I lost it again. I then got it back together and walked into work...then cried a bit when my coworker saw me and asked me how I was.

All today I've thought about Natalie, missed Natalie, and ached to have her in my arms. I know that she is in excellent care at home with my mother for this week. And I know that Grandma Lewis is loving being able to watch Natalie.

This cartoon says exactly how I've felt all day at work today...

So far at this point it looks like I might only need someone to watch her through next Monday and then I can bring her in to work on Tuesday next week and then I'm done working...for my paid job that is...but my job of being a mother will be full time all the time!

2 Month Check-Up

Natalie had her 2 month check-up today (even though she is almost 11 weeks old). I gave her some Children's Tylenol prior to her appointment and she wasn't too sure about what I was giving her. Natalie's current stats are:

Weight: 11 lbs 1 oz (75th percentile)
Length: 24 inches (95th percentile)

Then came the shots...not fun for her or for her mother!

Natalie wasn't too fond of the oral immunization and threw some of it up on the way home. After getting home and calling the doctor about it, she then choose to share with me her dislike of the oral immunization.Both her and I were covered in her throw-up and we both had to completely change our clothes. Natalie looked and acted much more like herself once she had thrown it all up. Luckily the doctor's office said that she got what she needed from the oral immunization by it being in her for at least 5 minutes and so there was no need to worry about it.

Blessing Natalie

On Sunday we blessed Natalie. It was a wonderful day with nice weather, loving family and friends!

Our precious little girl!

Nap Time

The other day I put Natalie down for a nap.

After 20 minutes, this is what I found...

Silly little girl!

New Enemy

On Friday, Natalie and I met Mike for lunch at Carl's Jr.

I had a yummy Bacon Guacamole Burger. I thought that the sauce on it was a bit spicy, but didn't think much about it since nothing I have eaten so far has seemed to effect Natalie.

Then comes Saturday evening....

I was changing Natalie and as I was wiping her, she screamed like she's never screamed before. Looking a little closer I noticed that her entire little bum was bright red. Natalie's first diaper rash. Poor little girl! So for the next little while we are washing the alcohol out of the wet-wipes and using Desitin until it is healed.

Natalie's new enemy.....Carl's Jr. Bacon Guacamole Burger.

Question...

Does this diaper make my butt look big?

Say Cheese!

We went and had Natalie's pictures taken when she was 11 days old.

*I know that everything lately is all about Natalie, but she is the fun and excitement in our lives.*

Two week check-up

Yesterday little miss Natalie had her two week check-up. She now weighs 8 lbs 2 1/2 oz and is 21 3/4 inches long. For those that don't remember what she was at birth you can check here. She did well at the doctor appointment and didn't even cry when they poked her heel for the blood sample.This last weekend Natalie also found her voice. She is starting to coo and also crying when she's hungry or wants to be cuddled. Natalie loves being cuddled up against your chest.By looking at her face and double chin, I would think that I am doing pretty good at my new job. Our little girl is starting to grow up!

New Job and Loving It!

Since coming home with Natalie, we just can't seem to get enough of our cute little girl. It has been such a huge adjustment for me not going in to work and staying home in my pjs basically all day. I have to admit that I love my new job! And I find myself just sitting and staring at my little girl in awe of how cute and how much of a miracle she is. I can sit and look at her all day long and enjoy the cute little smiles that she gives.

Natalie loves to roll onto her side to sleep if she is not bundled up.

We too are adjusting to being new parents and not getting all the sleep that we used to get. But Natalie sure loves her daddy-daughter time when Mike gets home from work!

Natalie Eva

So, little miss Natalie Eva was born on Saturday August 1, 2009 at 3:48 a.m. She came in weighing 7 lbs 4 oz and 19 inches long.

On Friday Mike and I went and rented some movies from Redbox and stopped at Cafe Rio to pick up dinner for a little date night at home. When we pulled into the garage and as Mike was opening my car door my water broke at 6:45 pm. We put the food in the fridge and went to the hospital. I ended up getting my epidural at 11:30 p.m. I was started Pitocin at 2:30 a.m. to help finish effacing. At 3 o'clock in the morning I was ready to push. After about 15-20 pushes they called my doctor. We had to wait about 25 minutes for him to get there. Then 2 1/2 pushes later little miss Natalie came into the world letting everyone know that she had a good set of lungs. She also has a lot more hair than we thought she would and also found out that by adding a little bit of water that it goes curly.We came home on Monday at noon and are enjoying every minute of her!

Still here

This morning I got into work a little late. I guess that caused my coworkers some concern that the baby had decided to come. Well, that's not the case...it's just the case that the baby loves to use my bladder as a pillow at nights and so I'm up almost every hour going to the bathroom. So when it comes to waking up in the morning, I am still tired.

I found this cartoon and found it fitting on how I have been feeling this week.

I am still here and baby still hasn't come...but we are anxiously waiting!

Some people!

A little over a month and a half ago we finally planted grass in our yard. It has been fun to finally see some green growing in our yard that isn't just weeds (even though we have that still mixed in with the lawn).

But this last Thursday our poor little lawn had some major trauma happen to it. Our neighbor was getting his truck towed because of mechanical problems. And for some reason the tow truck driver drove all up our lawn. He claims that he was hurrying to get out of the way of a car coming down the street. Because of it being a big heavy tow truck it left track marks about 6-8 inches deep. Needless to say that we weren't too happy, plus the truck also dripped a good size oil puddle on our driveway as well. The towing coming did come back after Mike called and complained and they filled the track with topsoil.

Poor grass!

Some people...what were they thinking...or not thinking!

Rock-A-Bye Baby

Yesterday we were able to pick up the La-Z Boy chair that we bought last week for the baby's room. I love it and am looking forward to rocking my sweet little girl to sleep in it!

(Due to our computer crashing a few weeks ago, you get the picture off the website instead of what it looks like in the baby's room.)

We are still waiting for the crib to come that we ordered back on April 11th. At least we will be using a bassinet for the first little while, so maybe the crib will be here by the time we need it.

Wonderful Weekend in Moab

This last weekend we were able to spend it in Moab with my family. Friday night when we got there we celebrated my dad's birthday.

Happy Birthday Dad!Then on Saturday everyone went off jeeping while I planned to spend a relaxing day shopping and reading a book. Well...plans ended up changing. Not even an hour into jeeping my parents' friend's jeep broke down. Their back axle broke and they spent the rest of the day going back and forth going into town to get parts to fix it. So, the other women from our group stayed in town while the men fixed it.Instead of being all alone, I was able to have my mother and sister-in-law around the rest of the day. I did go shopping with my mother and then all of us girls sat lounging around reading books. Although the weekend didn't go as planned, it was still a nice and much needed vacation.

Maddie turns 1

Yesterday we celebrated our niece's, Maddie, first birthday with a yummy BBQ.

Then came the fun of her eating her cake.But that wasn't enough...She wanted the entire cake up to her face.Happy Birthday Maddie!

We bought a Jeep

So, the other week we ended up making a purchase that we love. I'm happy to say that we now are the proud owners of a Jeep!...Jeep stroller that is. We had heard about this really good deal from our sister-in-law and so Mike went out and bought it while I was still at work. We got the last one at Sears that was on sale. Mike and I have been joking about how unfair it is that we buy our baby a Jeep to "drive" before we buy one for ourselves. According to the specs on a website it claims to fit certain baby car seats. So, we are now on the quest to see if it will work for the car seat we want.

Not quite the type of Jeep for jeeping in Moab on the trails, but it's still cute!

Amazing Jon Schmidt

Love this song combination of Love Story by Taylor Swift and Viva La Vida by Coldpay! Love, love, love it!!! Thanks to Kyle and Amanda sharing it! I love the piano and Jon Schmidt is an amazing pianist. This weekend I was able to get my grandpa's piano and am so excited to have a piano of my own to play. Maybe some day I will be able to play as wonderful as Jon and also maybe one day when I grow up I will have a grand (or baby grand) piano...until then the piano I have for now will be just fine.

Easter

Last weekend we had a fun and enjoyable weekend. On Saturday we had a mini family reunion at my parents house because of relatives being in town from out of state. It was fun visiting and seeing extended family! We had a little Easter egg hunt out in the yard for the little kids.Then on Easter Sunday we had my family members over for a yummy dinner and games.

Happy Belated Easter to everyone!