Last one

Last post tonight, I swear. Just wanted to post a picture of Natalie wearing a cute outfit that our friend Kevin gave her for her Christening. Thanks, Kevin!

Beach trip disaster

Our good friends, Rick and Todd, were in NC all the way from Reno today. They came to Wilmington to see Rick's cousin get married, so we figured we'd take a day trip down to our beach house to meet them. Bad idea. I had a gnawing feeling that it wasn't going to go well from the start (Natalie does NOT do well napping away from home), but kept my negative thoughts to myself as we set out early this morning. We timed the drive so that it coincided with Natalie's morning nap, we thought we were pretty slick. How wrong we were. She napped a grand total of 15 minutes during the 2 1/2 hour drive there. I thought that once we got to the condo and were ready for lunch she might nap in the stroller and planned on walking her to the restaurant. Only problem... we forgot the stroller. Good thing I remembered that as we were driving past a Wal-Mart. So $35 and one disassembled umbrella stroller later, we were ready for lunch. We plopped her in the stroller and headed out to the restaurant. How naive was I to think she would fall asleep amidst the new sights, sounds, smells and people. She was awake the entire lunch, and at this point it was about 2:00 p.m. which meant she had been awake about 7 hours. Not good. Poor little baby was beyond tired, once we got back to the condo we tried to get to her to nap in her travel crib. She cried so hard she made herself sick. She wouldn't stop! Finally I announced we HAD to leave, and so at 3:30 we were out the door on our way back home (she napped about 45 minutes in the car). Bummer. Natalie never made it to the ocean and never put on her bikini, I'm so depressed. At least we got one good picture out of this disastrous day. Thanks, Uncle Ricky!

A day in the life of NCB

Natalie was "talking" up a storm the other day and I thought it would be a good idea to catch her babbling on camera. Of course, she stopped the second the camera came out. Who'd have thought my child would be camera shy!?!? Go figure. Anyway, I thought those of you who aren't here to share in the daily happenings of Natalie might still enjoy! Please excuse the beginning of the second video. Natalie was a little, ahem, busy.

Picture Update

The Cake

Vanilla fondant over buttercream icing on top of white cake filled with raspberry mousse. For all of you that left the party before cake, thank you. More for me!

The Christening

I can't remember when my parents joined Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church, but I know it was when I was very young. Our church is known for having a beautiful choir (the NC Symphony accompanies them quite often, they even played the Trumpet Jubilee at my wedding), exceptionally moving sermons, large outreach programs and exquisite ceremonies. It's a large gothic style church with beautiful stained glass windows and incredibly ornate organ pipes that seem to reach Heaven. As a young girl I would sit down in church and open our program for the day hoping to see the large print that read: "Sacrament of Baptism". I loved it when babies were Christened. I loved the beautiful gowns, the smiles of all the parishioners and the sound of what I consider to be the most beautiful hymn ever sung... "O Loving Father". Even as a young girl that hymn made me cry; as the preacher walked the baby up and down the aisles of our church we would sing the short two verse hymn, and at the end the entire congregation would hum until he was finished introducing the baby to his or her new church family. I knew one day I would have a baby of my own, and I knew I would Christen her at TAPC.

That day was Sunday May 16, 2010. As we walked in the sanctuary I was reminiscent of my wedding day, I remembered walking down that very aisle to marry Chase, and now here we were over five years later, Christening our baby girl. It was even more special because the man that married us was able to Christen Natalie. We stood in front of the congregation during the ceremony, it was beyond moving. I don't think there was a dry eye from the first three pews where my family sat. I kept hearing blubbering sounds coming from Natalie's fan section! I held it together pretty well, standing up there in front of everyone, even when Donovan anointed her little head with the Christening water. And then came "O Loving Father", and I lost it. The only saving grace was that Natalie wouldn't let go of the pink Christening program and insisted on holding onto it through out the entire ceremony, which made me giggle.

It was perfect though, as I watched Donovan walk up and down the church aisles with Natalie, and watched everyone greet her with warm smiles as they sung my favorite hymn, I remembered myself as a little girl sitting there stretching my neck to see the little one. I was very proud and very happy, and as I looked at the people standing next to me (her Father and Godparents) and the three rows of people who love Natalie, I was thankful to God.

7 Months Old Today!

Where is this year going? We're over half way through Natalie's first year, and she's already showing so much independence and determination. A few weeks ago, out of no where, she went to bed without her paci. I stood outside her bedroom and waited for her to cry so I could run in there, paci in hand, and save her slumber. No need. She slept through the night! Ever since then she's wanted nothing to do with it! It wasn't gradual, it was all of a sudden... no more paci! I thought I would have to have the "no more paci" fight with her when she was at least two, but when Natalie wants to do something she just does it. She slept through the night with literally no coaching from me (I never used any of the miracle night training techniques), she eliminated her need for a paci and now she's starting to wean herself! Sigh. Out of nowhere we went from nursing 5 times a day to 3! She made up her mind and she's sticking to it. I want her to be independent, strong and capable. Looks like I might have my wish granted!

Natalie was baptized on Sunday (pictures to come as soon as we get them), she was beautiful!

Here's what's going on now that she's 7 months old:

*sits independently
*creeps
*can sit up if she really tries
*pulls up

Kim Crenshaw Rocks!

If anyone wants pictures taken of their families, go see Kim! She's absolutely amazing! Check out the new photos of Natalie:

www.kimcrenshaw.com
click on "galleries & info"
click on "proofing"
enter "Natalie" as password

Natalie Pulled Up!

I couldn't believe it! She's been able to stand up if I'm holding onto her for quite some time now, but yesterday she completely shocked me. I was laying on my side next to her while she was playing with her toys, she put her hands on my hips and ... up she went! It was a bit wobbly on the way up and definitely unsteady while she was standing, but my golly she did it! She hasn't mastered sitting up on her own or crawling yet, so this came as a total surprise to me. I've heard some babies skip crawling all together, I might be in trouble. So now the question is... how the heck do I lower her crib?

Vampira

SHE BIT ME! I've been prepared for this day ever since I saw the very first sliver or pearly white in her gums. In fact, I'm surprised it took this long. She held out for two months, but yesterday the temptation was too great. She bit down on me with all her might, and I yelped. Thinking that would scare her or hurt her feelings, I looked down at her ready to comfort her. No need, she thought this was absolutely hilarious. I thought maybe, even though she thought it was funny, my point might have gotten across to her. Nope. She promptly bit me again! This time I pulled her away and very sternly said "Natalie, NO!" to which I received the most pitiful little pout and whimper. I felt awful, I hurt her little feelings. It was the first time I've seen her cry for a reason other than necessity, like hunger, pain, sleepy or being dirty. But the good news is, there was no more biting... until later that day. The whole process repeated itself again! Little stinker! I was sure that one good experience with hurt feelings would cure her urge to bite, not my child. Now I'm afraid she's going to associate nursing with a negative experience because she gets yelled at every time! Last time we nursed it took her forever to latch on (we have NEVER had that problem, not even the first time!) and she kept look up at me with this concerned look on her face, as if she was expecting me to punish her. Mommy friends, I need you help!

Playtime with Natalie

Another Mother's Day Post

Mother's day was wonderful! Mom got me tickets to see Wicked, and it was fantastic! I read the book years ago and had always wanted to see the show, so as a special treat Mom surprised me with third row seats! It felt really nice to dress up and go do something "grown up", too. I left poor Chase with an incredibly cranky and teething baby girl all day, but he handled it like a pro! Apparently, he took Natalie shopping and she was a whirlwind on destruction. He said nothing within Natalie's reach was safe... she was ripping things from the shelves. That's how he picked out my Mother's Day card (yeah, be bought it the day of... so what?), she pulled it off the display and threw it. What a little devil, never in her young little life have I ever known her to be a brat! Maybe she knows she's got Daddy wrapped tightly around her little finger, and therefore pushes her limits? Whatever the case, she wouldn't even sit in the cart (which she usually LOVES), Chase had to carry her in one arm and push the cart with the other. I think the Wicked (Ha!) side of me was a little grateful he had to experience butt head Natalie, now he understands a little better what my life is like day in and day out... what perfect Mother's Day gift! Actually, nothing is a perfect as the gift he did give me. He went to a pottery place and had Natalie's handprints glazed on a mug for me, it was really sweet. It's a great way to remember my first Mother's Day and my tiny baby girl!

My First Mother's Day

Tomorrow is my very first Mother's Day! Chase gave me my present today, it's a mug with Natalie's handprints on it. I absolutely adore it, it's just so precious! So, in honor of my first Mother's Day, I thought I'd post some pictures (sparing you the details of my 21 hour labor.... you're welcome) of the day I became a mom. Otherwise known as the happiest day of my life. Please excuse my appearance, it was a rough day... to say the least. Feel free to laugh at how smily I am at the beginning in contrast to the pictures with Natalie. I do.

Ready, Set....

CRAWL! Well, almost. In the past few days Natalie has been trying her hardest to crawl. Poor thing, she's not very good at it. Bless her heart, she tries with all her might. It's actually really funny. She isn't quite strong enough yet to hold all of her body weight. If she's pushed up all the way with head up and arms straight, she can get one knee up (usually her left... I think she's going to be a lefty) and propels herself forward with just that one leg over and over again. She doesn't make it very far. I don't think she's figured out that if she switches legs, she might actually get it! Anyway, her other crawling attempt involves putting her face in the floor, inching her toes up to her chest so that her bottom sticks straight up in the air and then collapsing. She can usually gain a few inches this way. Either way, she's now able to make it pretty much anywhere in the house she wants. I wasn't ready for this yet!

After Natalie was born I remember feeling completely overwhelmed and out of control. I couldn't imagine how I would ever find the time to take out the trash, let alone shower! I didn't realize how EASY it was to have a newborn! Why didn't someone smack me? They sleep ALL the time. There were days where Natalie would sleep in her swing for hours and hours. I don't know where my mind was, or why I didn't take those opportunities to get things done. I guess I was just being stuck on the 3 hours a day Natalie was fussy. I remember thinking "when she can [insert milestone] it will get easier". I still think that way sometimes. It didn't don on me that when a new milestone is actually achieved it brings a whole new set of challenges along with it. Although I do believe that her newborn stage was a period of blissful ignorance for me, I do enjoy not having a child attached to my breast every other time I turn around. And even though I now realize that having a newborn isn't quite as difficult as I made it seem, I will never do it again. Let me repeat: I WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN!

Which leads me to how annoyed I am with some people. So many people tell me I'll change my mind, or that I'm going to want a sibling for Natalie, or they give me an obnoxious grin and I know they're thinking "Just you wait". Whatever. Not only was my pregnancy the most horrendously uncomfortable 37 weeks, one day and 21 hours of my life, but I'm not the type of person that can divide my attention very well. Ask Chase. He's been demoted, big time. Having said that, I would do it over and over again for Natalie. And only Natalie, no one else, second child included. I can't imagine ever saying to Natalie "I'm sorry Natalie, Mommy can't watch Barney with you. Baby Jerome [just kidding] needs his diaper changed". I am the only child of an only child, Chase has a half sister (by his father) years younger than him... so his Mom has an only child, several of my closest friends are only children; and we all turned out just fine. We're not selfish, we're not stuck up, we're not spoiled, and I'm pretty sure none of us feel any love lost over the fact that we have no siblings. In fact, I was talking to a friend, who is in the process of making her second child decision (you know who you are), about some research she has done. While I know there is positive and negatives to both sides, I like what the research says about only children. They're read to more, typically have higher IQ's, excel in school and develop more meaningful friendships. Why can't people just accept it when I say I simply do not want another one? Rather than giving me that knowing smirk that just makes me want to smack them silly, a simple "oh, OK" would suffice. I don't think I've ever responded with "You'll change your mind" (or something similar) to people who tell me they want more than one child. Why can't the same courtesy be extended to me? Is it really that far fetched to believe a husband and wife truly do not want more than one child? I hate being made to feel like I'm hurting Natalie by not providing her a sibling. I cannot tell you how many people I know that can't stand the sight of their siblings, so I just wont accept the "she has to have a sibling" argument anymore. Period. And I hate feeling like I have to justify our decision. We just don't want anymore. It always seems to be strangers or acquaintances that so freely offer their opinions, too. Why is that?

Disclaimer: Just because I feel this way doesn't mean I think my friends who have more than one child or want more than one are wrong. In no way do I disagree with having a larger family. Children are a blessing. I just know that it's not best option for our family. However, I think the Duggars are out of their ever loving minds.

Not quite sure how a post about Natalie almost crawling turned into a rant about happily having only one child, but it did. Sorry to take my frustrations out on all 4 of you that actually read my blog. I know you're good friends and good listeners, thanks for letting me vent.

Naked Time

Natalie is a drooler. There, I said it. She drools like no other child I've ever known, but that's OK... we love her despite the constantly wet chin, slimy clothes and small puddles she leaves all over the house. By the end of the day, after she's soaked through approximately 12 bibs, we sort of just give up and have "naked time". I should clarify: only Natalie has "naked time". What's the point? There's no need for Natalie to don a new bib or sparkly new outfit at 6 p.m. when she's an hour away from bed time. Here is a cute video and a few funny pictures of "naked time".

p.s. Notice how well she's sitting? She wobbles from time to time, but I think we can go ahead and declare this milestone ACHIEVED!

Oyster Fest

Every May the Junior League of Moore County hosts an Oyster Fest and the whole town comes out. There's good music, drinks, food, friends and of course, Oysters (yuck)! I never get to participate in the fun because I have to work the event, since I'm in the League. So, I trusted Chase with the camera and told him to get lots of good pictures of Natalie at her first Oyster Fest. Silly me. We ended up with two pictures and that's it. Albeit, they are very cute. The camera finally came out at the end of the evening when Natalie, exhausted from a day of fun, fell asleep while Mom was holding her.

Swinging Fools

Some more pictures of a fun park date with Natalie.

Sorry if the video gives you motions sickness!