Playin' Opossum

My little Natalee takes an evening nap. Sometimes she really gets into it and we have to wake her up to put on jammies and have her last feeding of the light. She's so funny & sleepy when we do this...she drifts in and out of sleep and looks like she's playing opossum!
This video is after she's had her clothes changed and finished her yummies...she's ready for bedtime & will sack out as soon as I put her in her cradle and sleep until 6 or 7 in the morning, but I wanted to tape this so I'll always remember how I love to watch her when she's so sleepily snuggly & sweet!

5 minutes after I shut the camera off and snuggled her up she was down for the night and in her cradle sawing logs!

FOR SALE!

1 white Chevy Blazer

It's time for a mini-van, baby! We're (hopefully) moving up (or at least over) in the world of vehicles. We're officially looking for a van & ready to sell the blazer. It's been a good vehicle for us...we driven it lots and had minimal problems with it, but we just don't need it anymore. It doesn't have any more cargo room than a van and we'd like to take our Lumina down to our secondary car and have a van for our primary wheels. We thought about parking the blazer in case we'd ever need a back up vehicle but very rarely anymore do we have to drive separate cars so if we can sell it we're ready. It's a little sad parting with an old friend...I don't drive my "first" car anymore but she still runs...my dad uses her frequently (man, she was a trusty dame). However, I'm excited for the extra space and ease that a minivan has to offer.

So...here's hoping!

A Thousand Words Thursday

Mike & I are dabbling more & more in photography. We bought a couple of backdrops and a couple of continuous umbrella lights. Anyhow, my poor baby is my nearest and dearest subject. This is the last picture I took of her the night I took the other bonnet pictures (linked it here if anyone wants to check them out).
It seems to say, "I quit! Do what you want, Mama; I give up!!"
Love you baby girl...thank you for your patience!!!

so big!

A little video of Natalee's new found joy in her hanging gym. She's starting to realize she can reach out and make those toys move!! She gets very excited and gets her legs a'goin like she's riding a bicycle. I apologize in advance for my videography...I always think I'm holding steady until I watch the video later & realize that it's so shaky you might throw up! Of course, once I shut the camera off she really went to town...cooing & smacking those toys like there's no tomorrow! She must be camera shy...my bashful daughter!

one for the memory books

AHHHH...
what a nice, relaxing, fun night we had tonight.

My mom called this afternoon and invited us out for supper. We usually go out for Sunday lunch but the weather was crummy so we got together tonight since it's been a couple of weeks since we've all been together. Anyways...we had a YU-U-UMMY supper. Fried chicken, mashed taters, white gravy, corn, green beans (just realizing that I don't think the green beans ever got passed to me), cole slaw...mmmm! After dinner we tried the chocolate cake in a mug...it was okay...not as delightful as I'd hoped (sorry Corin/Stacey) but satisfied my chocolate craving.

The 'boys' and kids watched a movie while we gals cleaned up supper. Natalee took a snooze in the chair with Papa that looked something like this (I took this a week ago Sunday...he's gonna spoil that girl but I'm told that's what Papas do!).
Then the sistas, mom and I sat down to play Catch Phrase (Mike wandered in to listen to all the commotion). WHAT A HOOT! My baby sister used words like crustacean...Andrea guessed things like astronaut (when the right answer was Muslim...she might have been a little off)...and my mom got Fred Astaire right when all I said was "I think he's a singer...or maybe a dancer." Oh...you had to be there, & I'm glad I was! It's one of those nights that was unplanned, simple, and that you remember forever & ever.

(Lauren, what was the one you didn't get when I drew the box on the table and told Andrea you were in it and she'd have to work hard to get you out of it?...my memory stinks!!)

A Special Gift...

I am just a little hankie, as square as can be;
But with a stitch or two, they've made a bonnet out of me.
I'll be worn home from the hospital,
And on special days,
And then I'll be carefully pressed and neatly packed away.
Then on the Wedding, I have been told,
Every well dressed Bride must have something old.
So what would be more fitting than to find Little Old Me?
A few stitches snipped and a
Wedding Handkerchief I Will Be!
And if per chance, it is a boy, someday he still will wed,
So to his Bride he can present the "Magic Handkerchief" once
worn upon his head.

Love Aunt Andrea * "Nannie"

Natalee Cynthia, Mommy hopes you know how truly blessed you are to have so many people who love you THIS much...

Better?

Is the 2nd one better than the first one?

I Got Nothin'

I've got lots of thoughts floating around in my head & lots of new pictures on my computer, but I'm in a funk...so maybe later.

I'll leave you with this pic, which I think should be captioned:
"A Case of Too Many Pictures"
...this is the last one I took after a photo shoot we did Thursday night (the same night as the purple blanket picture). She was in 7th heaven sleeping with only a dipey on, so I let her...
PS Can you tell how much she loves me? It's written all over her face......

Purple or Black?

Looking for your opinion...which do you like? Or suggestions for a different color vignette?
I usually don't edit too much...I kinda like photos 'raw', but this is the one from below & I wanted to get the ties from the blanket out as much as I could.
The black just seems really dark to me, the purple is fun but I'm just not sure! I tried white but it didn't do much...didn't hide the ties. Open to suggestions!

Busy Day!

Whew! We had a busy day today...Natalee & I decided that the weather was too beautiful to stay inside and do stinky 'ole laundry so we bundled up and took a stroller walk/ride.

We stopped off at the courthouse and then went around to the library to pick out some free reading for me, and as we were headed back home we stopped in at the Parts Store to see Uncle Pat & Aunt Joanna. Then we came home and Miss Natalee had some muncha muncha & then took a snooze while Mike & I had some supper. Mike left to go to CPR training so I decided to get out the lights and take some pictures of Natalee. I'm not going to show you any of them except 1...the first one I took while I was just checking the settings on the camera is pretty sweet. I'm going to work on cropping it in and taking away the edges of the blanket, but her sweet smile is just priceless. She just likes to be naked...silly lady!

A Thousand Words Thursday

Natalee's daddy took this picture. Isn't she lovely? Don't you want to just squish those cheeks up and kiss her all over? Sigh...I'm in love with this little lady!

Interview With God

Worth the time to watch it...

Interview with God

a good visit

I'm a little behind because we've had such a busy week. Yesterday I worked on getting Lollipop Lion lessons done for the next several weeks and then we made a Wal-Mart trip to get the supplies I'll be needing & some new BPA free bottles for Natalee since we're switching to 100% formula (it seemed that no matter what I ate something always gave her a bellyache...she's doing great on her soy).

Monday my mom snuck us in the back door at the Nursing Home so we could go directly to Mike's grandma Betty's room and visit. Betty was sooo excited to see us, and even though I was a little nervous about the germs I'm glad we went. Visits like the one we had will live in my memory forever. Natalee was an excellent baby...Betty fed her a bottle and snuggled her for over an hour and a half, and she was tickled pink to do so. Lucille also came up the hall and said howdy as well as another "grandma" who was there. I imagine that sitting in a Nursing Home, especially when you are a go-getter like some of those ladies, gets a little monotonous day after day, so I'm glad we were able to help break that up.

More news & pictures later...I've got to get going so I can be ready for Sonlight tonight!

friends

Friends,
We have a sister down. And when a sister is down it is our duty to lift her up. She's asked for help. I encourage you to go leave her a comment...pray for her as you comment or leave your prayer as her comment. Someday it'll be us asking for help and she's the kinda gal that will be there.
Love you, Bree, and you are a good mommy...even good mommies have rough patches & realizing it is more than many people do!

http://breeshaw.blogspot.com/2009/01/am-i-bad-mommy.html

Shonya

I do not have your e-mail address so here is your public response. If the link isn't working for anyone else go to www.spiritfm.org & click on MO Biggest Baby Shower. It'll give you all the info.
Pretty much it's a 'shower' or donation drive for the Lifeline Pregnancy Center in Kville for women who have chosen life over abortion but are struggling to make it on their own, or for other women who are in tough spots.

And I do think I'd like to try the carrier. I always thought it would be handy to have one for when we're shopping and she's sick of being in her carseat or stroller but it's so hard to carry her & efficiently shop (and she's no lightweight!). And, no, I don't have one so thanks for asking!

new family picture

Dad took this picture for us on Sunday. He took 2 and in the first one Natalee is making a really cute face but of course her dad has his eyes closed! grrr, but this one is still pretty good. At least she's looking at the camera.

baby shower

It's MO's biggest baby shower...

This week our pastor spoke about controversial issues...one of those being abortion. If I woulda been thinking I would have had this put in the bulletin because it's very fitting, but since I didn't I'm inviting you to participate via my blog. I'm going down to Kirksville Friday for an eye appointment and would be happy to drop off for you when I drop my items off...just holler if you need me to take something down for you!

Remember?

Remember when I bought these? I was soo excited. Sometimes I still can't believe she's actually here! Her 0-3 clothes are getting too short in the arms and legs & even though her 3-6 are still too big I'd rather her wear too big than too small!

lots of smiles

I just love you...
I love you when you grin.
I love you when you cry.
I love to snuggle you up.
I love to tickle you all over.
I love your tiny nose, your sweet cheeks and your pudgy-ness.
You make me happier than I've ever been!

keeping you safe...

peanut butter recall...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28695782/?GT1=43001

I Told My Daughter

I told my daughter she must stay awake and eat a good meal. No more of this nursing for 2 minutes and falling asleep and being done only to wake up in 30 minutes and want to do it all over again. We agreed and I proceeded to feed her. Two minutes later she was sound asleep. I tickled her toes, I rubbed her nose. Nothing. So, I sat her up and said, "Natalee Cynthia, you need to get up and eat right now!"
She gave me this face:
Oh, daughter...you are so ornery.

(and no, I never did get her to wake up...she sleeps like her mommy...very soundly!)

Wanty

Let me be clear...I am not a fashionable person. I don't know fashion, I don't understand it. I don't get why my clothes from Junior High aren't still 'cool' and I don't get why the word 'cool' isn't 'cool' anymore. Oh sure, I can be dressed cutely if I go shopping with my sisters and they pick out my clothes. Otherwise, rest assured that it's going to be solid colors that don't require a lot of effort and that I can't mess up.
However, I have this urge to dress my baby cutely. I don't want her to be fashion illiterate like her mommy (insert my sisters' input into this).
I love these...I've stumbled across them a couple of times and I just think they'd be darling, especially with a jean jumper or jean skirt (on the legs, not the arms). So, fashionistas, give me your input. Worth the money? (oh, don't tell me I can make them out of grown-up socks...I've seen those websites & you all know I don't own a sewing machine...I wish I could sew but I just don't know how). Cute? Will she only be able to wear them with one outfit or can we mix it up? Do they serve a purpose or are they purely decorative? How do you know what size? or are they 1 size fits all? Do I buy stripes, solids, pinks, purples? Can we find some that are cute for $7, instead of the more expensive $12 or $20 ones (oh, did I men?

AHHH...maybe God shoulda given me a boy! No, no...I love her...I can conquer this fashion thing. I mean, I have Emma's hand-me-downs, so we know that Natalee won't be totally out of style. Okay, desperately seeking your opinion..., but I mean, look at these chunky legs in these thingys...aren't they darling?

Dice Divas

Well, I decided to not steal the Bunco hostesses wind & post the pictures of our super fun night before she does. But I will brag that I AM THE BUNCO BABE! More about that tomorrow! Stay in & stay warm...another no school day for Schuyler & Scotland on account of the super cold wind chill!

A Thousand Words Thursday

Working on those neck muscles with some tummy time...this picture seems to scream
"I'm a BIG GIRL. Look Mommy, I did it!"
Slight smile, eyes right on me...oh, I love this girl more everyday!

need your help

Okay, I got these really cute frames when I had my baby shower:I need to know--am I supposed to put adult pictures of Mike and I, baby pictures of us, or pictures of us each with Natalee? I see that this example has the mom & dad alone...just wondering what YOU would do. I know...totally overanalyzing this!

I Was Ready

I got everything ready for Sonlight tonight. Totally prepared. Notes ready for the leaders....theme nights ready for the kids. Thought I had everything ironed out. Get up this a.m. and look at the forecast...supposed to be -25 degrees wind chill tonight. Get a couple of calls from parents/leaders wondering if it's smart to get these kids out. My mind is screaming, "nope" but I'm wondering how the rest of the parents will react. I try to call my second in command but can't find her. I call Mr. Husband...he asks if I'd want my kid out in this. Again, NOPE. He calls Mr. Church Board President. Cancel it. I'm in complete agreement, just thinking, isn't that how it always goes when you're prepared?
...and I'd even lined out another loud & bossy person to help dismiss the kiddos...better luck next week. For now, stay in, stay bundled, stay warm!!!

cribs

I know 2 posts within minutes of each other, but I was scanning my e-mail and saw this national recall that I thought was worth passing along. I sign-up for the automated CPSC recall e-mails and this one is a biggie.

The recall is for cribs. Like all recalls, it only affects cribs made in a certain time span for this particular brand, but this time span is 8 years! So, click here if you have a wee one in a crib or are storing a crib that you think you may use again someday (or give away) and check yours against the recall. The few minutes is worth it for your baby's (or someone else's) safety!

almost pulled an Andrea

It goes like this...

I've been sick. I often put my baby's pacis in my mouth (the backs of course), but near my germ-breather nonetheless.

SOOO...
Mike comes home.
He's playing with Natalee.
I seize opportunity to collect all pacis in the house, minus one that has just been sterilized (if you know Andrea's history you can see where this is going).
Fill saucepan with water.
Insert 6 pacis & paci covers.
Turn stove on 8 (between med & high)...look at the clock...remind self to come back in about 10 minutes.
Mike goes upstairs to use facility (sorry Mike).
I take all tags off of 3-6 mo. clothes so they can be washed.
Natalee starts crying.
Change diaper.
Mike comes down & leaves for meeting at the church.
Rock baby.
Put baby to sleep.
Lay baby down.
Gather laundry basket of 3-6 mo. clothes.
Head downstairs to put clothes in washer, via the route through the kitchen.
Wonder what that noise is?
Realize noise is saucepan full of pacis, minus 1 that's in Natalee's mouth.
Drop basket.
Mutter "crap" under my breath (because no one's around to hear me anyways).
Yank saucepan off stove.
Reach in to pull out pacis.
Burn fingers.
Mutter "crap" again.
Pull tongs out of drawer (why am I in a hurry now?).
Remove pacis & paci covers from the 1/4" or less of water that is left in the saucepan.
Thank my lucky stars I did not start a fire or ruin the pacis.
Write '9Volt batteries' on my shopping list so I can get my smoke detectors up and running!
End Story.

Moral of Story: ALWAYS SET YOUR TIMER!

**For those of you who don't know Andrea's history...she accidentally left a pot of nipples and pacis on the stove boiling & went to bed when Colby was a baby. Needless to say, she didn't save hers...her kitchen caught on fire!**

I have a touch of a bug today. Bleck!...I finally got out of my jammies...transferred into sweatpants! Hopefully it will be short lived. Got some toast down & my girl seems to be feeling okay. Hopefully she won't get it.

my little soy baby

Natalee had her first soy bottle today. We waited anxiously to see how it would settle with her and she did great! She sucked it down, burped like a champ and felt great afterwards! Thank you, Lord for a problem solved!!!

Daddy's laughing because she kept making mmmmm noises. She musta been hungry. She does that sometimes when she's nursing...it makes me feel really good about myself--like I slaved all day & made a delicious meal!

The happy after effect of the soy. It made kinda stinky breath but we'll take it!

do ya know anybody...

...who uses Enfamil w/Lipil or Similac Advanced formula? I have several sample cans and on the go packets of each that we got in the mail. With the price of formula I refuse to throw them away...surely someone out there needs them!

ding, ding, ding...we have a winner!

And that winner is MOMMY! Went to the doctor this morning for Natalee's 1 month check-up and he told me that I was right on the money with Natalee's milk intolerance. We don't know right now if it's an allergy (likely not b/c her reaction wasn't too severe), a lactose intolerance, or simply a tummy that can't break down milk proteins but whichever it is she can't have milk right now. We will be introducing soy formula soon and I will start adding some small dairy products back into my diet to see if she can tolerate them. Right now we're going to try regular ProSobee formula...if we have trouble with that, Dr. Davis recommended that we try Carnation GoodStart Soy because it tends to be easier to digest.

Dr. Davis made me feel really good about following my mommy instincts. He told me I did exactly what he would have told me to do and that HE had a baby who was nursed who had a milk intolerance and his wife gave up dairy. He kept his face pretty stoic when I told him that the nurse practitioner dismissed my concerns and had me put rice in her bottle...it wouldn't have been professional for him to dog her so I didn't push the issue but I made very sure that he knew what we were told. I hope he talks to her about her diagnosis of my Natalee.

Miss Natalee weighed in today at 10 pounds 13 ounces and is 21 1/2 inches long. So, month 1 is gone and we've successfully won our first health issue... next month is vaccine month...lots of thinking and discussing for Mike and I to do before then.
I have to thank Jeanne Harding for guarding me with information and support as we faced this milk ordeal...I'm not sure that I would have been brave enough to go with my gut without all the info you gave me.

1 month old

I blinked and my baby turned 1 month old! I can't believe how the time has flown. In one way, I can't remember a time without her...in another it seems like I just brought her home. This month has held lots of 'firsts' for Natalee...just getting adjusted to life is a whole new experience for her. We've journeyed our way through her first traumatic health ordeal (okay, it was only traumatic for mommy) and she's back to her sweet grunty self as a milk free baby. We've loved every minute of loving her (does that make sense?) and look forward to what God has in store for her future. She's just a sweetheart...she makes every morning a little brighter. I've noticed that even Mike and I have more patience and love for one another now that we have this little sugar reminding us about what's really important in life. So, here's to you, Elle girl!

We LOVE YOU!
(make sure you scroll to the bottom of the post or you'll miss the video!)

Look at that 100% natural grin...What a big girl!

Couldn't think of what else to measure her with every month so I used a feather boa...it's folded in half right now so I'll have to remember to do that next month!

She loves her baby doll that Grandma Cindy & Papa Curtis got her. Every morning when we wake up, I lay Natalee in Mike & I's bed and put Scout next to her while I get ready. They talk and grunt at each other and usually when I go back, Scout is on the other side of Natalee's body.

Sometimes Natalee takes advantage of Scouts inability to move!

This is more to kinda show you my hair...not great but you get the idea.

I think Natalee & Scout kinda have the same facial expression here!

all done

I'm all done picking on my husband for not noticing my hair. Thanks for being the brunt of the joke for the last couple of days, Mikey. I love you for the things you do notice and of course the wonderful care you give us!
LOVE YOU!

new hair

I went to Bloomfield today and had my hair cut...scratch that, hair chopped off. I love Tiffany, my hair-doer lady, because this is how our conversation goes:

Tiffany: "So what are we doing today?"
Me: "I don't have a plan...I want something that is easy and shorter that I don't have to 'fix' everyday."
Tiffany: "OK, how short can I go?"
Me: "Prolly about chin length in the front."
Tiffany: "OK" (snip, snip, snip)

45 minutes later I'm shampooed, approximately 6" are gone from the shortest layer and 3-4" from the longest, I've been blow dried, and I'm styled!

She's a miracle worker...I love that I can go to someone that I completely trust to just give me a whole new look.

Sooooo, I didn't tell my hubby I was going to get a new do...he comes home and notices I have on 'real' clothes (AKA not sweatpants) and says, "Ya'll been somewhere?"
I wait...he'll notice, I think....just gotta wait for it to register.

About an hour and a half later I finally tell him. Yeah...I know what ya'll are thinking, but rest assured that the man noticed that I pulled the car up in the driveway a foot more than normal! Mercy, mercy...

Thousand Word Thursday

I can't remember how to get the button for A Thousand Word Thursday (figured it out...thanks Andrea) on here but here are my adorable pictures of my sweet girl. For those of you who aren't regular visitors of my site...we've had a rough couple of days and haven't seen this sweet smile for awhile. I think I've narrowed it down to the fact that my baby can't digest milk...I've taken it out of my diet and taken her off formula and my smiley baby is back! She's just over 4 weeks and I'm so glad she's feeling better!

Like I could pick just one!

lest I forget...

To my Natalee...

I should be in bed, but I had to tumble down the stairs, boot my computer back up, and record this, lest I forget it's sweetness someday.
Tonight, as I sorted and stashed away totes of maternity clothes (yay for Mommy) you slept upstairs in your cradle. You began your grunting and cooing, signaling me for what I thought was your feeding time. I finished with the shirt I was folding and scooped you out of your cradle, kissed your cheeks, changed your diaper and sat down to nurse. After a couple of minutes it was clear to me that you'd fooled me...you weren't really hungry, just up for a cuddle and not interested in eating. I tried to wake you up, thinking if you ate now we'd both get a good few hours of sleep. You would not have it. I tickled you, rubbed your head, stroked your cheek and moved you about. Nope...you fooled me sweet girl, so I gave up.
Since I already had you in my arms, I kept you there, as you slept, snuggling you for my benefit more than yours. I watched your sweet face as dreams flitted beneath your eyelids, smiles lifted your rosebud mouth, and baby giggles floated from within. I'll never know what you were dreaming, dear one, but I know that, long after you were sound asleep I sat there holding you. Even when you began to squim, signaling to me that you'd rather be laid down, I held you tight, watching you. Of all the moments I've recorded on camera I wish this was one of them, but perhaps what makes it so special is that it will forever have to be a memory picture...the way you'd grin...half-way, then a whole big smile...a pure smile--not just the fake mouth open ones you give me when you're awake, but a real sweet toothless smile. And your giggle, as pure as a tiny breeze floating by. Whatever you were dreaming, baby girl, thank you for sharing it with me. May all your dreams be just as sweet, now and forever, and may I never forget this special moment.

Love,
Mommy

armed with a plan

I AM NOT INSANE. Mommy instinct is worth something and after all of your comments confirming that I'm not crazy and a very sweet message in my Facebook inbox from a well respected former teacher, now friend of mine, I know that breastfed babies can have a milk problem. Perhaps it's not an "allergy" but she could be having a problem digesting milk products, specifically cow's milk which seems to be the most common problem in infants.

So, I'm armed with a plan! After, of course, talking to my sounding board this morning (my mommy), I've decided that until Monday I am taking her off of formula, off of rice, and solely back to nursing. I'm going to cut out all dairy in my diet. If I get my happy baby back then I know I'm on to something. If not, I can eliminate this area all together. Perhaps she's just colicky but my mommy radar says her tummy hurts her. I didn't have milk all day yesterday--I did have a little cheese with supper--but we had a much better night last night than the one before.
We hadn't been giving her much formula...one bottle a day is all and it was just to start getting her used to it so she didn't get constipated when she got a little more at the sitter's house, so cutting it out for a few days won't be hard. And she'll be much happier...she does not care for her bottle. I don't know if it's the formula, the rice, or the bottle itself (poor baby has had so much thrown at her the last few days), but she won't mind cutting it out at all!
Here's hoping!

Hopefully she'll be feeling cheery this afternoon and I can snap a few new pictures for you all!

fusspot, take 2

First of all...a big thanks to all who commented on my last post and made me feel like less of a mommy failure. Your kind words buoyed me as I cried my way through the say with my, once again, fussy baby.
I finally got to looking at the "big picture"--beyond just the crying--and called the doctor to run a few things by him. She's had very loose diapers (isn't that the nice way of putting it?), her head is absolutely full of junk (I'm afraid to leave the house without the blue suctiony thing they give you at the hospital), she's extremely gassy and often her little tummy is very hard making me think she's bloated, increased spit-up and vomiting, and a couple of other things. My head was leaning towards milk allergy...not sure what made me think that but I suggested it to him and he agreed he wanted her seen. He didn't have any appts. available so we had to see the nurse practitioner.
She did not agree with my mommy diagnosis...instead told me to continue using saline in her nose and suctioning it out, use gas drops (like we hadn't been doing that), keep her upright for awhile after she eats, and add a little rice cereal to her bottles when we give her a bottle. My heart lurched a little at rice cereal...she's only 4 weeks old, but we decided to try it for the rest of this week. I have an appt. for her on Monday for her 1 mo. check-up with the doctor and if things haven't improved I'll want some better answers.
The nurse practitioner told me that it's highly unlikely she has a milk allergy because she's breastfed...highly unlikely and absolutely unheard of are 2 different things. I could be way off...heck, I hope I am...but so far today none of the advice given has helped. I know cures don't happen in hours so I'll give it some time but I hope she's feeling back to her old self soon. I feel so bad for her. Andrea was over this afternoon and even she saw how Natalee wants to be cheery and she tries to coo and grunt, but she just can't stand it and she kicks her little legs rigid and acts like she's just not settled.

Pray for our night tonight...last night was rough for Mommy and Natalee. She was up several times and unsettled, as she has been during the day. I'm feeling very worn down and oh so glad that we don't have to go anywhere tomorrow and can nap together. Don't be surprised if my phone is off if you try to call...especially if tonight is like last night.

A brief moment of happiness yesterday. It didn't last long...(see below).

This face (and worse) are what I've seen the last couple of days.
Poor sugar, but oh how I love her!

fusspot

I've bragged about what a great baby I have. Today I had a taste of fussy baby...I did not care for it. Poor girl acts like she's half starved, wanting to eat every hour. She barely slept all day and had tiny little circles under her eyes. By the time her dad got home we both looked like we'd been through war. We had this kind of evening yesterday, too, although she did sleep well through the night. I finally made the decision that she's not getting full. I don't know why she's not, but it's apparent from the hourly feedings that she's hungry. It's not just every hour she suggests that she could use a snack with a little grunt...it's every hour screaming, rooting, gnawing hunger. Maybe I'm way off base, but I decided to try a couple of ounces of formula...her dad fed them to her and she gulped them down like she hadn't eaten all day. Poor dolly. She's finally sleeping well for the first time today and I'm feeling like a heel for apparently starving her all day. I always let her nurse until she's through...I don't know what's up. Hopefully we'll get it worked through the next couple of days so that we can have some happier days and I can have my lovey, happy baby back.

kinda neat

Just saw this on the news and thought it was kind of neat. A woman delivered twins...one born on Dec. 31st at 11:51 and the second born on Jan. 1st at 12:17. These boys, although twins, will have separate birthdays...and not just the day, but the month and year! Both are healthy, which of course is the main concern...just thought it was kind of neat!

http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=241865

http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/04/twins-born-on-different-days-months-and-years/

it's been awhile

It's been awhile since I've just blogged...no pictures, just words about life and what's shaking. I know, ya'll are headed for the red 'x' in the corner because who in their right mind would want to read a post about my life when I have a new baby to post pictures of? 'x' if you must, but today I just need to decompress.

We are settling into quite the little family life. Being a mama is everything I dreamed it would be and so much more. I think the more you want a baby--the more you pray about it, the longer it takes--perhaps the more you appreciate it when you get it. I love little Natalee with everything I am...I didn't even know about this type of love until she was born. I thought I could love no child more than Colby and Emma...and as much as I love them, I love my daughter even fiercer. Perhaps it's not more/less love...perhaps it's the type of love. I love Colby & Emma freely, with little responsibility attached, but loving Natalee is a whole new world. It's responsibility...thinking about what the future holds for this little person and how the decisions Mike and I make now are part of what shape that future. It's heavy...but wonderful.

I was looking with Andrea at Colby's calendar of firsts...you know the type...where you put a sticker or write down when one of their firsts occurred (first cereal, first cold, etc.). She had the sticker on his that said "recognizes Mommy," and I asked her how she knew he recognized her. She replied that she just knew. "You can tell," she said. A few minutes later I leaned over Natalee, who was laying on Emma's bed playing with Lauren and Colby and said something to her. Her little eyes brightened and she turned her head. "See?" Andrea said to me..."She recognizes you." My heart flip-flopped as I realized fully the love and dependence and faith and trust this little girl puts in her mama. What a blessed job I have! Thanks, Andrea, for pointing out to me that my baby knows exactly who her mama is...that even though she'll have deep, loving relationships with other family--like you've allowed us to have with your kids--that she'll always know who her mommy is.

Naughty Natalee

This is what Natalee does when she thinks no one is watching...yup, she's sucking her thumb (under the disguise of playing with Lucky Ducky)! No matter what we do she just sometimes can't help herself! I love this picture...even her eyes seem to say "ornery!"


PS Be sure to check out Mike's blog...he posted pictures of her snuggling with her froggy toy...I was going to post them but he's starting to get growly at me because I get to the pictures before he does. He thought he got the stroller ride up before me and was sadly mistaken :( ...poor guy. I was under strict instructions that "he got to blog those first!" Guess I'll have to learn to share the glory of our sweet girl with her daddy!

is that...

a smile? i think it is!

hic, hic, hic...

A little video of some hiccups and some froggy loving. It's shaky because I was on my elbows and she kept moving...it also ends abruptly because I have to use the little digital camera to do videos and the batteries died on me. Despite that...enjoy! Gotta remember how much I love these sweet grunts and little hiccups because some day she'll be a sassy teenager!

feast your eyes...

...on these! a few pictures from the shoot we did on monday!