Our Sweet little Family

We just love out little Natalie! She has been such a perfect baby! Today we had her 7-14 day check up! Our pediatrician is so great, she is so down to earth, and easy.. which we like. She said we are perfect parents and are doing a great job! It's a relief. When we left the hospital Natalie had lost 13oz but is now up 7oz, she's almost to her birth weight which makes me happy... that means she is eating well and will continue to gain weight as she should! She is a good little eater, I really enjoy the time I get with her nursing, it's such an intimate beautiful time. I love being a mother, Daniel loves being a father.. we just love our sweet little family!

The arrival of our sweet baby Natalie

I just wanted to share the adventure we had bringing our little Natalie into the world. Every second was well worth it.

At noon on the 28th of March my water broke while squatting to pick up something from the ground in the bathroom (good thing I was in the bathroom) I thought I had might of you know... but Daniels mom reassured me that that was my water. I called Daniel to let him know.. he was at work but not to rush home since I wasn't having any contractions. I called the Dr. and they said to come in about 4 hours. So I went for a walk around the neighborhood with the in in laws. When Daniel got home we just watched a movie waiting till my contractions kicked in. I started to get a bit uncomfortable around 2 and by 4 the contractions started to get stronger (about 7 minutes apart). Daniel's mom suggested we wait till they were about 5 minutes apart lasting 60 seconds. By 6pm they did. We started getting ready to leave when all of the sudden i literally hit the floor, I had a contraction that was so intense I couldn't even stand... I knew this was it and our baby would be here soon.

I had several contractions in the car on the way to the hospital, they were getting stronger and stronger. On the way to the 6th floor of the hospital I was hit with another one.. I didn't think I would be able to get off. I couldn't believe how fast they were coming, I barely had time to breathe between each one. We were immediately admitted and set up into our room. They hooked me up. My contractions were 1-3 minutes apart. I was in so much pain. They checked me and I was dilated to a 3.. with in a half hour I was a 5... I was desperate for relief I couldn't handle it. They administered the epidural.. it didn't work! Thank goodness I had a little bit of time so they could redo it. It worked... I was dilated to an 8.. we had been there an hour. I was progressing so fast that the first epidural wasn't able to keep up... The epidural was amazing.. how people have natural births just seems crazy to me! We had friends and family waiting in the waiting room so we had just a bit of time till I was ready to start pushing, so they let my entourage in! Everything was going so fast at first, I was glad to have the relief so I could pull it together and enjoy the last little bit before our baby came. It was so nice to have visitors supporting us they were all so anxious and excited.

It was now time to start pushing. I pushed for over an hour, and although the baby dropped and was right there, she was so posterior there wasn't a whole lot of progression. They had me turn to my side (which didn't settle with my stomach).. I got to rest for a bit to see if they could get the baby to turn. I then proceeded to push for another hour and a half... no change, the baby would creep, but then would go back up.. she wasn't going to come out that way. After 3 hours of pushing the doctor came in the room and said you could keep trying to push for another couple of hours and see if she'll turn, or we could have her out in 20 minutes via cesarean.. I was so exhausted I knew I could push anymore. We all knew the c-section was the best resort.

I was scared and nervous.. I had never had surgery before. I didn't know what to expect considering all I imagined was having a normal birth. They suited Daniel up... and off we went into the surgical room. It was bright, cold and very sterile! The anesthesiologist was there ready to drug me up! I was given all sorts of good stuff so I was completely numb. I was shaking so hard, my teeth were chattering. It was such a surreal experience. I turned to Daniel at one point to ask what was going on.. he lied and said that they were just getting things ready (when really they had already made the incision and were working there way thru) I asked again a few minutes later and he said we were going to have a baby and minute. With in seconds I heard the most beautiful sound. Our baby's first cry. Tears streamed down my face. It was incredible. I saw our beautiful baby girl healthy and strong! They got her cleaned up and swaddled and placed in Daniels arms... I was still so shaky I couldn't hold her. She was beautiful.

We went back to the room were the gave her her first bath. It was such a fun moment. She was fussy up until the nurse placed a warm washcloth on her head... she immediately stopped crying and fell asleep. The nurse said that that was the cutest bath she's ever given. Friends and family left, and I got a moment to myself where I got to nurse her for the first time. It was so natural, she latched right on and we had the special moment together.

This little baby girl is such a blessing to Daniel and I. Daniel took such care of her for those few days in the hospital. He cradled her, snuggled her, and is such a pro at swaddling her. She is so lucky to have such a wonderful Dad who loves her so much. I have enjoyed my time with her, I love changing her, nursing her, and singing while snuggling her. She looks in our eyes.. she know who we are, she chose us to be her parents. We are so excited to have her in our lives.. we have already become so much closer these past few days. We love our little Natalie!

Natalie Parker Garrity! March 29, 2010 3:07am. 7lbs 15oz 20in long

Our Beautiful baby girls has arrived! Little Natalie Parker Garrity is truely a gift. We are so blessed to have this amazing little precious baby. We anxiously waited for arrival and couldn't be more happy to have her. She is such a good baby. We all woke up this morning (our first time home) at 8:30am. I don't think it can get any more perfect than that. I will follow with the birth story later. It was a very intense but beautiful experience. We love our little Natalie so much!

UGH!

I know I've sounded so chipper and happy that I've had such an easy pregnancy.. but I did jinx my self just a little bit. I'm 9 days till my due date, and I'm miserable!!! I had to stop working a week earlier than planned due to horrible contractions, which led to a nasty shot, and an overnighter at the hospital. I thought we were sooooo having our baby that night, but unfortunately the shot put an end to the contractions it knocked both me and the baby out for about 18 hours... I don't feel like i've totally come out of it. Great news though is the baby is doing so well. When the doctor came in to check on us, she said the nurses were all admiring how cute our baby is. She was so squirmy and rolling all over the place, and to top it off had the set of the hiccups.. it was as if they had never experienced this before. It was comforting to know she is doing so well. I'm assuming that's why she is still in my tummy... even though she's out of room, she seems to be fine in keeping herself entertained.

I know with first pregnancies the anxiety of wondering when it will happen is torture, but it's worse being told you are in early labor and then having it cut off! I know I will miss feeling the baby move and having this time all to myself. I'm not looking forward to how fast little newborns grow. Reading Brianna's blog makes me appreciate these last days with her even more.. however, I am so ready for our little girl to arrive. I know Daniel is at the edge of his seat! I'm sad however because each day she's in my tummy gives me one less day before I go back to work... so I try to make that a point every time I have our little chats with the baby. Daniel will be home with the baby while I'm at work which is so great, and I'm only working a few days a week, but I already dread the day I have to go back.

So everyone cross your fingers and pray for us that our little Natalie will make a safe healthy entrance to the world!!! We are so excited to be parents and progress together as a family!

38 weeks!!

Time is flying! I can't believe we only have 2 more weeks till our little Natalie will be here! I don't think we could be more prepared for her arrival. We have everything we need for her to come home.

Crazy me is working all next week. I pulled a 10.5 hour day on thursday... I don't know where I have the energy to get thru the long hours of standing, but I have to say it has made time go by so much faster. When I'm home I find ways to keep busy.. Daniel caught me today on all fours wiping down the base boards with clorox wipes. I'm sure he thinks I've totally lost it, but i want my nest to be immaculate for our sweet Newborn. I do have a confession! It's Zelda.. the dog! I've always been an animal person, but the dog, me, and the arrival of a new baby are not a mixing well. I constantly tell her that she's ruining my life, which is awful... the thing is she's creating more work for me. I've used everything from febreeze, to glade plug ins, candles, room sprays, carpet deodorizer, I even bought a bissell shampooer to help with the hair, and the dog smell. You would think my house smells so fresh and clean but it smells like febreeze and dog. I'm sure pregnancy hormones amplifies everything more than necessary... but I just can't get over it! I need help! The plus side to Zelda is she is a very sweet and very obedient dog, she's been around children, and if Daniel ever wrestles with her she never opens her mouth. If I could just get over my phobia and stop obsessing... I need my baby to come so I can forget about the dog and focus on being a good mom!

Moving on... The baby is doing so well! She actually dropped into the birth canal 2 weeks ago and I am starting to slowly dilate! So hopefully not to much longer. She is super active and we get a set of the hiccups at least once a day. I asked the doctor if I was going to have a 10lb baby.. he laughed and said "No, I don't think so" I hope he's right!! I have no fear of delivering I've seen every type of delivery possible.. as horrible and ugly delivering a baby can be, I see what miracles come of it... so I can't be afraid. We will keep everyone posted!!

Free time!

I now don't work Wednesday's anymore! So I had some free time to work on the baby's room. My sisters, and sister-in laws all seem to be so crafty... I feel like I lack in that department.. If I can cut hair I should be able to cut fabric and make fabulous things, but I struggle in the creativity department.. I took a chance, and I thought I did a pretty good job!

I really don't have a specific theme for the baby's room. I did do a little shabby chic piece with a mirror that I had and wasn't using... I love it! I also painted letters 'NATALIE' and did a few shelves, but they aren't done yet. I'll post the final results when we finish the room! I also made headbands for the baby, I still need more practice, I ended up with a lot of mistakes which was a bummer cause I wasted really cute ribbon :( I had fun, my back hurts a little, but it was worth it!

My bun is almost done!

I've finally reached 36 weeks... I couldn't imagine being this pregnant. I imagined pregnancy a lot worse than this, so for all of those who dread carrying a baby for 9 full months, there's nothing to it... it's pretty easy. I have worked standing on my feet for 10 hours a day, although I do have vericose veins, i have no swelling, no back pain, and no stretch marks! I can even still wear my wedding ring! My trick is tons and tons of water.... I'm talking about a gallon a day. I do get tired and I know the extra weight is straining on the rest of my body, but as long as I get a good nights sleep, I'm good to go. I'm sure now that I've written this these next few weeks are going to be terribly difficult, and I'll be 2 weeks late.....

My wonderful work thu me an amazing baby shower this past weekend. I am so lucky to work with such incredibly talented people. They spoiled our little baby!! We got everything from blankets, to lotion, to even a pair of heels for my little princess, all the way up to the jogging stroller we wanted! We are so excited!
We appreciate everyone so much... we wouldn't have been able to have the things we have if it wasn't for our great friends and family! We are blessed.