Three Weeks

My baby girl is already 3 weeks old! Remembering back to my births with Abi and Brady, the first two weeks are the toughest while everyone recovers, adjusts to their new reality and life resumes to some sense of normalcy. Overall, everyone is adjusting great.  Natalie is the perfect mix between Abi and Brady - she is easy going like Abi and a cuddler like Brady.  She is very sweet and gets more than her share of hugs and kisses - I have a feeling that this is going to be one spoiled girl! Just in the last week, she has become more alert, opening her eyes more and starting to make facial expressions. Her "witching hour" is generally from 11 pm to midnight each night when she is usually awake and crying, but once she falls asleep, she wakes up every 3 hours to eat until her normal wake up time at 9 am. During the day her favorite thing is to be held but she is also fond of the swing (which Abi basically lived in during her first 6 months of life). Given how fast the first three weeks have flown by, I am doing my best to remember and cherish all these newborn moments because soon enough I know she'll be all grown up and I'll be wondering what happened to my baby girl.

Abi LOVES being a big sister again.  I often find her sitting patiently next to Natalie, waiting for her to wake up and open her eyes so she can "play" with her. It's fun to watch her take on this motherly role.  The other day she told me that she "just can't keep her hands off Natalie" - she loves to rub her head, talk to her and show her things. Brady, on the hand, doesn't show too much interest. His behavior at times is a little less than desirable but I guess that is to be expected. At least he hasn't regressed on the potty training front, and for this I am extremely grateful! Oddly enough, this is opposite of how they acted when I was pregnant. Abi wanted nothing to do with me (or Natalie) when I was pregnant - she didn't want to feel the baby move or even talk about it. Brady was very curious about the baby in my tummy and would constantly ask me what Natalie was doing.

Natalie's Arrival

My original due date was October 8th however when I had ultrasound in mid-September, we made a decision to move up my delivery date based on her size.  Based on the measurements, she was projected to be approximately 10 pounds if we waited until her actual due date. We made the decision to move forward with a Cesarean Section on October 1st.  Natalie, however, had a different plan...

Looking back, it is not surprising that I went into labor a few days early. In the 24 hours leading up to Natalie's birth (on September 29th), I took a "stroll" through Ikea so we could pick up a few last minute things for the kid's rooms, attended Abi's soccer game, changed the sheets on the kid's bunk beds (which is enough alone to put someone into labor), ran errands and had our friends over for dinner. Actually, we never made it through dinner because before dinner was served, my water broke and we headed to the hospital.  Within 2 hours, our little Natalie was born weighing 8 pounds 11 ounces and 20.5 inches.

First Moments

 

First Bath

All tuckered out after a rough night of being pricked and poked!

The next day, the kids and Arizona Grandma & Grandpa came by the hospital to meet Natalie...

After Brady met Natalie for the first time, he turned to me and said "Did your tummy go KABOOM and then she came out?"

On day 2, we finally got released from the hospital and headed for home...

Someone is not happy about being strapped in the carseat!

When we arrived at home, we celebrated Natalie's birthday - complete with cupcakes and presents! As we were celebrating, Natalie started crying. Brady looked up and said, "Is she going to stay here all night?" :)

B's Gift for Natalie

Abi's Gift for Natalie

A few cute pictures from the last few weeks...

Abi thought Natalie should nap with Rapunzel

My 3 Favorite People

My Big Helper

Natalie figured out how to suck her thumb and use the pacifier. We'll see which one sticks around!

This post would not be complete without a few thank you's. We are very blessed to have such gracious friends and family! A big thanks to Jami and Colin for helping - and educating :) - us when my water broke and we had to unexpectedly head to the hospital.  Thanks to our parents for all their help around the house and the many trips back and forth to school to pick up or drop off the kids. We also wanted to thank all of our friends and family for the overwhelming generosity - we appreciate everything you have done for Josh and I and the kids!

Welcome Miss Natalie Marie

On September 29, we welcomed Natalie Marie to our family.  She was born a few days earlier than expected, via cesarean section, at 9:17 pm.  She weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 20.5 inches long.  Our little pumpkin is healthy and happy!

Brady's First Days of Preschool

Before Brady's first day of preschool, we attended a Meet & Greet so he could meet his new teacher and preschool buddies.  I definitely don't need to worry about separation anxiety with him!  He headed right for the trucks as soon as we walked in the room and didn't give me a second look.

Brady's best friend, Chase is in his class so he felt right at home.

Brady Introducing Himself to the Class

After the teacher had asked each student to stand and wave (including Brady), she asked the class if she had missed anyone.  Brady immediately raised his hand and told the teacher that he did not get a turn.  He then proceeded to stand up and wave at everyone again! 

Brady's First Day of Preschool

Headed into school...

Morning Check-In

A bit of arts & crafts before he got distracted by the train table. 

The little rock stars had an awesome first day!

Abi's First Day of First Grade

Our Big First Grader

Waiting in line for the bell to ring...

Farms and Fairs

To celebrate the end of summer, we spent a day at Remlinger's Farm. The kids had a great time riding horses, going on a train ride, feeding the animals and playing on the tractors and farm equipment. 

Over the Labor Day weekend, we headed to the state fair.  Brady was in heaven with all the cars and tractors!

He LOVED watching the car races!

The kid's favorite part of the day...the rides!

 

 

Abi took her motorcycle riding to a whole new level of seriousness! :)

I love Brady's expression in this picture!

Someone was tired after a day at the fair...poor kiddo couldn't even finish his snack.

Brady's Big Boy Bed

With the anticipation of the new baby, we moved Brady into Abi's room and got the kids a bunk bed.  The decorating and organization of their shared room is still a work in progress but we decided to move Brady in so we could get them used to the idea and allow them to work out some of their excitement before sleep became an important factor with the start of school.

Very excited about his new bed (and sharing his room with Sissy)!

As you can see from the change in pajamas, these pictures were taken over the course of two days.  The excitement proved to be a bit too much for Brady to handle the first night and after multiple warnings, he ended up back in his crib :(

The second night ended much better!