My baby is 6 weeks!

Natalie Ann is 6weeks old today! I can't believe how big she is getting!

I took her in today for congestion. It's just that...possibly allergies. I'm going to cut out chocolate (for the most part) to see if that helps. It's a possible allergen.

Stats:
Weight: 11 lbs 3oz
Height: 22.75 inches (ALMOST 23)
Everything else other than her nose: PERFECT!

Well...she does have baby acne. Although they say its normal & Cole had it...I think it's something I'm eating...maybe chocolate???

SANTA!

This evening we went to see Santa at Mimi's Bank. Natalie was pretty calm about the whole thing. Something about Mimi (& Grandma) is calming to Natalie & she is always calm around them. Mimi & Cole waited in line with Natalie. Cole was a little scared of Santa, so Natalie got a little extra time with him. I hope she asked for some good presents! She thought he was cool!

natalie smiles!!

Colic???

Well...since the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Natalie has been a very fussy baby. It started suddenly and has stayed with her ever since. Usually she cries after eating, especially in the evenings. She sleeps pretty well at night...waking up only once or twice.

We've tried everything...swaddling, not swaddling, swinging, bouncing, singing, crying, burping, playing, silence, different beds, different positions...etc. Nothing ever works...EXCEPT putting her over your shoulder. That usually calms her down...but doesn't put her to sleep.

I have been extremely frustrated/worried with this. Finally I called the pediatrician in tears yesterday (a week & 2 days after the onset) & they told me to bring her in. Initially the Nurse Practitioner agreed it was colic. We discussed (well...I cried) different methods to get her to calm. I expressed my need to just know she was healthy. Turns out she weighs a whopping 10 lbs 6 oz!!! The NP listened to her heart, lungs & tummy...all checked out fine. Then she checked the ears. It appears that she has a double ear infection! Poor girl! I thought...YEAH...we can give her antibiotics & she will be fine! NOPE...apparently they don't like to give antibiotics to 4 week olds. SOOOO...we go back on Monday to check her out. They think its viral...we'll see!

Nurse orders were:
Mylecon gas drops 4 times a day
Gripe water drops 4 times a day
Tylenol if she is crying uncontrolably for the earache

I'm just happy to know that her vitals seem fine. To show us she really is ok...she slept 6 hours straight last night! 9:30-3:30! we needed that since we only got 2-3 hours of sleep the night before!!

I've been so bummed because its hard to enjoy a screaming baby. When I mean enjoy...I mean love on her & play. Today I got to!! She smiled a few times & has started cooing. I actually cried with pure joy! Maybe this is the start of things getting better. I sure hope this colic doesn't last for 3 months. This week & a half has been horrible!

Baptism

Natalie was baptized today! She was such a sweetie. We laugh because she is normally crying...all the time. Cole was a calm, quiet baby. Cole SCREAMED through his baptism. Natalie slept like an angel.

Her godparents are the same as big brother's...Uncle Jeff and Auntie Jessica. Deacon Art did the Baptism and as always, he did great! We are so lucky to have him at our church!

Natalie looked so beautiful in her christening gown. She also had cute little cross ruffle socks on and a new bracelet with a cross on it. Lovely girl!

This was such an important day for Justin and I. We look forward to raising her in Christ!!

First Dress!

I get bored, so I dressed Natalie up in her first dress. This dress is courtesy of my cousin Estrella. I don't know if you can see this Estrella (being in the Middle East and all...making us all proud), but if so THANK YOU! The dresses are PERFECT!

2 weeks old!

Natalie had her 2 week appointment today!

Weight: 8lbs 8oz (birthweight was 8lbs 3oz)
Height: 21.5inches

She was PERFECT (in the doctor's words!). Her heart & everything checked out fine. Dr. Peters told us that she can sleep as long as she wants at night. Sooo...last night she ate from about 8-9:30pm and slept from 11pm until 3:30am! Then we ate & slept until 7:30am. I can handle that! She got a little prick on her heel. Justin said she didn't cry as much as Cole...but I don't remember that!

Natalie's Baptism

Baptism Information!

When: Saturday, November 29
Time: 3:00pm
Where: Holy Family Catholic Church, Vernon, TX

Everyone is invited!

1 week old

I can't believe my tiny sweetie is already 1 week old! She is absolutely perfect! We had our doctor's appointment on Tuesday (her actual 1 week b-day). She weighed 7lbs 13 oz (gained 4 oz from when we left the hospital). We were told to wake her up at night & feed her (she was going 4-6 hours between feedings at night).

A few other things about Ms. Natalie Ann:

• She is a Momma's girl
• She loves to eat often DURING THE DAY
• I HAVE to wake her at night to feed her
• She loves watching/listening to big brother Cole play
• She HATES being swaddled during the day
• She has a dimple like Mommy, Daddy, and Cole on her chin
• She is so much smaller than Cole...only wears Newborn clothes and diapers
• She squeaks when she cries
• She has a "storkbite" birthmark on her forehead between her eyes that stands out when she cries.
• She HATES being wet or dirty
• When you change her diaper, she will dirty it within 10 minutes.
• She doesn't burp very easily
• She swallowed a lot of amniotic fluid and gagged on it for a good 5 days or so
• Pink and brown are her colors!
• Her eyes are greenish brown...not so much blue like brother's were.
• She sleeps in bed with Mommy for the last stretch of night (3-4am until 7 or 8ish)

Sigh...she is spoiled rotten and loved so much!

November 4th, 2008

Today was the day Natalie Ann entered the world!

Time: 5:56pm

Weight: 8lbs 3 oz

Height: 21.5 inches

I was induced at about 9am and labored for about 8 hours. I pushed for only 24 minutes! It was the most amazing thing to see her be born and have her on my chest. she instantly knew me. As soon as she heard my voice she calmed down and just looked at me. We sang, "Part of Your World" (from the Little Mermaid). I breastfed her within 15 minutes...what a champion eater also!!

Her hair is so long and dark! She looks so much like her big brother Cole...but extremely feminine! I'm so blessed to have this little girl! I just adore her!