4 Month Visit to the Doc

Our little princess is officially 12lbs 4oz, 24 inches long. She is only in the 12th percentile but she's doing great! Her and I ventured to the doc on our own after Trey got held up at work. I won't lie... I was a bit nervous about the shot portion. Our last visit didn't go so well... for me that is. The nurse came in with the shots and I stood in the hallway and tried not to cry too. Unfortunately this time I had to put on a brave face and hold her little hands while these crazy nurses stuck her over and over. One of the nurses had a hard time giving her the oral shot. After several failed attempts I grabbed the syringe and gave it to her myself. Natalee's patience was wearing thin and I wanted to get the heck out of there. Needless to say I think I'm more traumatized by these visits than she is.

Everything looked great. She was given the okay to start solids. We've begun giving her cereal two times a day. I'm pretty sure more ends up on her face, bib and hands than in her mouth. She's starting to understand how to swallow. Everyday she gets better and better. She definitely entertains us with her funny faces and messy cereal face.

She is developing a little personality. Earlier today I was talking to her aunt Amy and she got frustrated when I wasnt paying attention to her. I would look away and she would squeal so loud. I looked back at her and she would laugh. This seriously went on for about five minutes before I decided to get off the phone. I think she knew exactly what she was doing. She's also started grunting and squealing when you walk away from her crib. Once you peak your head back in her room she just laughs. I have a feeling we're going to have our hands full with this one. She's already figuring out how to get attention. What a mess, haha!!

Thanksgiving

Natalee's first Thanksgiving was wonderful. Trey and I both had 4 days off work and were able to have tons of family time. This year was very special to us. We are very thankful for our family and the time we have together. We are so blessed to have a healthy and happy baby. Bringing her into the world was very challenging mentally and physically. Everyday I have with her is a joy. I constantly find myself looking at her in amazement. She is truly our little miracle.

We spent Thanksgiving morning with my side of the family and then went over to Trey's sister's house. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day. Friday and Saturday we started decorating the house. I guess Natalee knew we were busy because she took a ton of long naps. We were able to get a lot done. She loves the Christmas lights and we have plenty of them! Today Lee came over and took our family pictures. Getting all of us to look at the camera at the same time was a bit challenging. Natalee was not a huge fan of the pictures today. We had an amazing Thanksgiving vacation. I dread going back to work tomorrow. I have a very busy week. I loved having my mornings with Nat. She is such a happy morning baby. She wakes up with the biggest smile on her face! I love it!!

She goes in for her 4 month well check up this week. I can't wait to see how much she has grown. The nights are also getting a lot better. Last night she went down around 9:00 and didn't wake up to eat until 8:00 this morning. Trey and I were only up a couple times throughout the night when she started to whine. I hope we've turned a corner. Getting sleep again is a dream come true! I forgot how much I love/need it.

Here are a few the pictures taken today...Enjoy!

Always has her fingers in the mouth

She was over it at this point!

Daddy I'm hungry!!

4 Months Came Quick!!!

Natalee just turned 4 months old!! I can't believe how time has flown by. She is doing great!! She is such a happy baby. This month she has started laughing out loud, becoming very vocal with the cooing, recognizing people, holding her head up, putting weight on her legs and growing like a weed. These are a few of her many developments. She also weighs about 12 pounds! She goes in for her 4 month well check up next week. We will probably be starting her on infant cereal at that point.

I'm back at work full time. Thankfully the transition hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Miranda (her nanny) has been such a blessing. She is so great with Natalee. I feel at ease knowing she's at home and in good hands. Natalee has really taken to her.

We took Natalee on her first road trip last weekend. She went to Nashville to celebrate Thanksgiving with the fam. She did great! I didn't know what to expect. Other than packing half of her possessions it was a stress free trip! She was definitely the center of attention! I think she loved every minute of it.

Natalee's Birthday slide show

Uncle Lee made a photo slide show of Natalee's birthday! I'm just now getting around to posting it. He did such a good job!!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=514277188821&subj=9412640

Halloween Festivities

It's been an eventful couple weeks! Natalee was Tigger for her first Halloween! I must say she was the cutest Tigger ever. She didn't last very long. She was asleep by 9:00. Trey and I had more fun than she did! We carved pumpkins and got to hand out candy to all the neighborhood kids. Natalee slept in her swing for most of the evening.

I went back to work this week :( It was so hard to leave her during the day. I got used to being at home with her during the day. I had her on such a great schedule. We were just getting into a great routine. I'm trying to make the best of the situation. Luckily I have a job that allows me to come home throughout the day most of the time. I like checking in on her. The girl that has been doing my hair for a couple years is actually watching her during the week. We are so lucky to have her taking care of Natalee. She's great with her. I don't worry as much knowing she's taken care of while I'm working. We have taken a couple walks around the neighborhood after work. She likes the baby bjorn but doesn't like to nap in it. I have to get around the neighborhood before she gets too tired. She enjoys being outside!

She's growing like a weed! This week she has discovered lovies. She likes to sleep with them near her face. I'm so paranoid that she will cover her little nose. I think she's going through a growth spurt. She has been cluster feeding this week. Her naps haven't been lasting as long and her sleep is sporadic throughout the night. I hope this doesn't last too long!

Here are a couple pictures from Halloween...

Little blue eyes

The cutest Tigger ever!

We're Back With Many Updates!!!

I have been terrible updating everyone on how little Natalee is doing! These past few months have been crazy. When we weren't busy taking care of the baby we were trying to catch up on sleep!! Luckily we are starting somewhat of a routine and settling into life as new parents!!

Natalee is officially 3 months old! She is growing like a weed. I can't believe how much she has changed. She is finally starting to sleep more through the night. Some nights are better than others. She really likes bath time so I've starting bathing her just before bedtime. Hopefully bath time followed by reading and snuggle time will help her calm down for the night. She loves to play when she's awake! Most of the time she's all smiles! We make the most ridiculous faces at her but she loves every minute of it! Her favorite toys are the hanging octopus and mirror above her play gym. She laughs at both of them many times throughout the day. She's also discovered the t.v. I'll let her watch a few cartoons during the day. She is also fascinated with sports! Lucky for us!! It's amazing to watch her new discoveries on a daily basis! Each day is a new and exciting adventure.

We took her to a pumpkin patch this week. She looked so cute with all the pumpkins and loved being outside. We don't get out much because of the swine flu scare. Her doc advised us to keep her away from large crowds until her immune system is more established. The poor child hasn't seen much more than our house.

Natalee is such a blessing to us! We cherish every minute with her (yes... even when she's screaming)!

Gram~ we finally updated the blog! Now you'll have something new to look at every day! I'm going to try to keep you updated!!! Love you~ L&T

Natalee's First Week Photos

Natalee is doing great! Our only dilemma is getting her to sleep at night. She seems to have her days and nights mixed up. If we get one hour of sleep at a time we're lucky! Our moms have been life savers. They have been rotating staying with us to help out during the week when Trey's at work. I never knew how much help I would need! Needless to say I'm sleep deprived and a bit delirious but it's worth every minute. I still can't believe she's finally here! She has started keeping her eyes open more often during the day. I find myself staring at her for hours. Her expressions are very entertaining! I can't wait to see what next week brings!

It Happened Two Weeks Ago

On Saturday, July 25th at 2:53 a.m. we welcomed Natalee Grace Mack to our family. She weighed 7 lbs 1.9 oz and was 18 3/4 inches long. She is absolutely perfect! We couldn't be happier and more thankful! What a blessing she is! It was a long journey to bring her into the world but worth every minute. I had no idea how much joy this little one would bring us. Hearing her let out that first cry was the most amazing sound I've ever heard. Trey and I could not be happier! We feel so lucky to have such a happy ending after a bumpy pregnancy!

It all started at 3:00 a.m. Friday morning. I began having contractions that were intense and close together. I kept track of each contraction throughout the morning. I realized it was time to call the doctor when I could no longer stand during the contractions. She told me to come in to be checked immediately. Trey got home for lunch around 2:00 p.m. and I informed him he wouldn't be going back to work. As we put our bags in the car and loaded the diaper bag reality began to set in. The next time we would pull into the driveway we would have a daughter.

The doctor checked me and informed me that I was 4cm dilated and 100 percent effaced. We had just bought ourselves a ticket to labor and delivery. In that moment in the doctors office Trey and felt so many emotions. We were like two kids on Christmas morning. We couldn't contain ourselves. That moment when we realized we were about to meet our daughter is a moment I'll always remember.

We were off to labor and delivery. I was admitted around 3:30 p.m. Things started moving rather quickly. I had my epidural by 5:00 p.m. There was no turning back at this point! I have to say I was feeling pretty good from the time I had my epidural until about 10:30 p.m. The nurse checked me and I was only 5 cm dilated. Half an hour later I started feeling a lot of pain. I told Trey I felt the urge to push and he needed to go find a nurse. She came back in and sure enough I was 10 cm dilated. Unfortunately the baby hadn't descended enough so I had to sit up in bed and endure 2 hours of strong contractions. I wasn't ready to start pushing until 1:00 a.m. By this point I was exhausted. I had been in labor almost 24 hours and hadn't eaten anything in 12 hours. I started to wonder if I had the strength to do what was necessary. It was the hardest most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life! Trey was absolutely amazing. There is no way I could have done it without his support and encouragement. At 2:53 a.m. after 2 hours of pushing we finally got to meet little Natalee! It was the most incredible moment of our life! What a miracle life is!

We are at home happy, healthy and a bit sleep deprived! We are loving every minute of this journey we have begun. Thank you to everyone who has kept us in your prayers over the last 9 months. Trey and I could never express how much this has meant to us! We will keep everyone updated on our angels progress! She has already changed so much!

Uncle Lee and Natalee

The Mack Family

First introduction to the other member of the fam

On her way home

Love at first sight

What a face!

She already has him wrapped around her finger

Sweet Girl

Welcome to the world