Getting big!

Natalie is getting so big!  I have noticed in the last couple of days how filled out she is getting.  And longer too I think.  We are doing great with her -- in a good routine of feeding and finally feeling really comfortable with her.  I sometimes wonder what in the world I did with my time before she came along!  Tomorrow the girls are coming to visit for a few days and I am  SO excited.  I know Natalie will love meeting them and Mommy and Daddy will really love the extra 8 hands!  

Eat, Sleep, Poo, Repeat

Derek is a pro at playing PS3 and holding 

Natalie!

A little half-smile

I think Derek and I are getting into a little bit of routine!  And it only took us 2 weeks!  Natalie eats about every 3 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night (but only because we wake her up to eat!)....I think she could easily sleep in a 5 hour stretch if we let her.  She is already growing and looking more like her Daddy every day in my opinion!  

Recent Outings

Natalie sleeping at Max & Erma's

Aunt Kristen and Natalie

Natalie sleeping in her bed

Courtnie enjoying her outing @ OUTBACK

FINALLY A MARGARITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ready to head out on our first family outing

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Recently Courtnie and I have felt comfortable enough to take Natalie out on the town a bit.  A couple days ago we went to OUTBACK and had dinner.  She slept through the whole thing.  Nobody bothered us and the food was great. It sure was great to finally get out, more so for Courtnie  b/c she can't drive yet so she can't get out on her own.  Yesterday we also took a short excursion.  We went to a local shopping center here called Crestview Hills.  Courtnie got a pedicure done while Natalie and I strolled up and down the street. After a while she(Natalie) and I went into Border's Books and I read her a few books.  She slept through most of story time but I think she liked it.  We have also had a recent round of company come over which was awesome.  Aunt Kristen,  Aunt Lori,  Aunt Becca, and Dave all came to visit.  Aunt Kristen said she does not hold Infants but by the end of the night she could not resist. I posted the picture to prove that as well as some others.  

P.S.

Natalie's cord/bellybutton thing finally fell off. Thank goodness.  That thing was gross......

Mommy Post #5

I can't believe Natalie is over a week old!  She is growing like a weed already!  We took her to the pediatrician yesterday and she is doing great.  She left the hospital weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces and was up to 7 pounds 11 ounces after being home for just 5 days!  Our little girl sure does like to eat!  Mom and Dad left yesterday, which was a little scary, but we are doing just fine on our own.  We might even take Natalie out in the stroller a little bit today.  I am feeling better every day and I think my incision is healing well.  Of course I'm still a little sore, but nothing like it was last week!  Last night Natalie slept really well.  She didn't want to go to sleep until about 1 am, but she slept from 1-5, had a bottle, and then slept again from 5:30 until we woke her up at 9 for another bottle!  No matter how much she sleeps at night, I just don't feel really rested when I wake up!  I guess my body just needs more time to recover and get back to normal!

Mommy Post #4

Well, we've been home for a couple of days now and Natalie has done so well!  Last night she even had a 4-hour sleeping stretch between feedings!  She really only wakes up at night to eat and then doesn't have much trouble falling back asleep.  Derek and I are really lucky so far to have such a chilled out baby.  She definitely has her daddy's personality!  We are able to sleep 3-4 hours at night so far, so that's not bad at all!  

Natalie goes to the pediatrician tomorrow morning for her first visit.  It will be interesting getting everything ready and out of the door by 8 am!  I am scheduled for a doctor's appointment on Monday (23rd) so the doc can check my incision.  Other than that, we really have no plans!  I think mom and I may get out today to get a pedicure or something while my dad and Derek watch her.  I need a small trip out into the real world!   Then I think Derek and my dad may go golfing this afternoon.

Mom and Dad are leaving tomorrow morning after Natalie's doctor's appointment.  It will be sad to see them go, but Derek and I are confident we can handle her on our own now!  We will have about 10 days to ourselves and then more company!  Susan, Leigh, Laury, and Allison are headed up at the end of the month to meet Natalie and hang out.  I am really excited!

Daddy Post #5b Video of Natalie's Hicups

Daddy Post #5

Here are a few new pics ..All is still going great...

Father's Day

Today I woke up and realized that today was my first Father's day. I can't tell you how special it was for my FATHER to be here with me on my 1st.  My dad is my HERO.  His example of what a Man of God is and the  loving, supporting, and caring father he has always been is one of the greatest blessings that I have ever received.  I just pray that I will be the kind of Father to Natalie that My DAD was and is to me.  So to all you 1st time or 100th time dad's out there, I hope your father's day was as special as mine was this year.

DG

Daddy Post #4

Here are some pics and a movie clip of Natalie and Courtnie

Natalie watching ESPN Making her father proud

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Pump You Up!!!!!

LULU and Natalie
Natalie and Mommy Resting

 

June 14th in the Morning.  Everybody is just resting

Mommy Post #3

It is 5 am and Natalie has finally pooped!  We put her in the nursery for the night, but I ended up calling the nurse at 4:30 am for some pain meds (oh yeah) and she happily reported to me while she was in here that Natalie pooped twice since midnight.  Guess that formula really helped things along!  So we should definitely be going home today (Saturday) at some point.  I decided that Natalie is very stubborn sometimes -- wonder who she gets that from?  Haha.  Hopefully I'll be able to get another hour of sleep here before they bring her back to me.  I was just too excited about the poop news to go back to sleep immediately.  Is it sad that my biggest excitement these days involves baby poop?  Hmmm.... I am still feeling pretty good, but as my good surgery drugs continue to finally wear off, the soreness of major abdominal surgery is starting to appear!  I am realizing how much help I'm gonna need when I get home!

Mommy Post #2

Mommy, Daddy, and Natalie are doing great!  Mommy and daddy are a little tired (OK, a LOT tired), so we are going to take advantage of the nursery tonite!   We got about 4 hours of sleep last night, which was more than the 1 hour I got the night before!  Needless to say we felt a lot better today than yesterday, but are still in need of some sleep.  We SHOULD be going home tomorrow as long as Natalie decides to poop for us.  She still hasn't pooped and the doctors won't let her go home until she does.  Hopefully tonite's the night and the formula she will get in the nursery will help her along in that area.  Everything is going well -- she is perfectly healthy and getting cuter every second.  I think I get my staples out tomorrow before I go home (all 15 of them, yuck), but I'm not totally sure.  Hopefully we'll get out of here by tomorrow afternoon and can enjoy Father's Day at home.  But unless she poops, we are stuck here until Sunday :(  Sorry, no new pictures from this post, but some will come soon!

Mommy Post #1

Hi Everyone

Long time no post for me, but I've been a little busy!  Just wanted to let y'all know everything is going well with Natalie.  Derek and I are getting used to her and she is getting used to us I think!  It is still very surreal that she is ours, but I know we will eventually get used to the idea!  I am doing well -- no more IVs and catheters and moving around pretty well (just really slowly!).  I just wanted to post a link to the Christ Hospital website that shows some new pictures of Natalie today! I think Derek referenced this in the previous post.......  Enjoy!  

Natalie Graves

Daddy Post #3...... A Little Bit of Everything

More relatives from the great state of Louisiana arrived to see us (Natalie) today.  My mother and father ( Poppy and Nanny) , Aunt Crissey, Cousin Sadey, & Courtnie's dad ( Big daddy)....  It was so fun to watch all their reactions.  The crying, laughing, comparing of features, and kissing of heads.  It was very heartwarming.

 I posted a few pics of the goings on... Also  earlier tonight Courtnie got all but 1  of her wires and hoses disconnected.  The other comes out in about an hour from now.  She has been feeling so much better since then.  Oh also Natalie got her first official pictures made today. I the DAD dressed her all by myself for these pics.  Thank You very Much! I will have a web address for yall to visit in later post to see them.  That will take about a week or two. Last but not least I did sneak Courtnie in some BIG BOY to eat tonight.  She loves her a Philly Chicken Sandwich.  So do I YUM-O! ( She cuts the peppers though!!!  Almost Ruins it!!!)  I digress......

Other than that, its all quiet on the home front.......Natalie is such a sweet baby , so calm  and so chill.  I don't care if it does not last it sure is awesome right now.  She is the best baby in the world, no comparison....

DG

 

Who's Your Daddy #2......Settling In Part 2

Well all is great in Natalie Land.  She is such the sleeper right now. Well take that while we can.As far as feedings go  she has fed like 5 times and the nurses told us 1 or 2 is good at this point.  Quite the eater but hey she was doomed by genetics.  The staff Pediatrician came in and gave her a full exam just while ago.  Proud to report a clean bill of health for the baby girl.  Momma is doing great also.  She is up and around more than any nurse thought she would be at this point.  She is already on solid foods and all her wires and hoses come out today.  My parents and Mr. Richard arrive today.  Courtnie and I can't wait.  Here are a few more pics for your viewing pleasure.....Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers....

DG

P.S.  the pic of just her feet is the Baby-Low-Jack system they have here..HA HA

WHOS YOUR DADDY POST # 1

Here are a few pics of Natalie and her parents...........





She's here!  I can't beleive it!   It was scary for a second when they whisked us away to get a C-Section real quick.  All went well by the grace of GOD though.  Praise be to him.  I now have a beautiful baby girl!  Mommy is doing AWESOME too! Courtnie was so INSPIRING through all this.  I am the luckiest guy in the WORLD!  .  I will post more pics later this morning. I am sure you are all reading this in the AM anyway...Thanks for all your prayers...We love you all

DG

Derek's Post # 9..........More Juice but no help

Courtnie is still hanging in there great .......She had to get her nurses to up the juice on the Epidural and the Pitocin Drip.  Now she is feeling much better.  BUT Natalie's heart rate is high so the DR has decided to do a C-Section.  Pray for Courtnie and the baby.  This will be my last post for a while

Derek's Post # 8................. Holding Station

  Courtnie and the baby are both doing great.  Mrs. Elizabeth and I have eaten our dinner and are hanging out with Courtnie.  There are a few things going on not previously mentioned....

1) Station is still in the MINUS...meaning she is not dropping like she should. If Courtnie dilates all the way that means the baby might be too big to come out of the CANAL. The only way to then safely deliver the baby would be C-Section.  

2) To counter act all of the above the doctor just came and started her on a Pitocin Drip.  This should intensify the contractions and hopefully push Natalie to a Positive Station.

Keep Courtnie in your prayers....She really doesn't wanna have a C-Section but knows it might happen.

Derek's Post # 7 .....Broken Water

As previously stated, the doctor was suppose to come in and break Courtnie's water for her but Courtnie's water just broke all by itself.  She has been very proactive  in this process up to this point.  Going into labor on her own and now water breaking own its own.  She was happy that it happened without help.  And at her request, there will be no pictures of the broken water....

DG

Derek Post #6........".Hello my name is Ron and I will be shoving a SPEAR into your wife's back"

Epidural is in!  I almost passed out during the installation. I had to leave the room twice..  No joke.  I now get why GOD created women to bare children b/c I am a big fat WUSS and so are you other GUYS don't even try to tell me different.....Anyway...Courtnie was a CHAMP all the way through it, she is now Numb and trying to get some sleep.  The doctor will be in soon to break her WATER....She is now about 4 to 5 cm dia and almost completely effaced.  She  is doing so GREAT, you guys don't know how proud I am of her!  

DG

Derek Post #5....Settling In

All is progressing nicely....The Epidural is coming soon....We walked around awhile and she is being such a trooper through all these contractions.  She truly is My Hero!!  

Derek Post #4....She's in LABOR

COURTNIE has been feeling pain all morning so we came in to get her checked.  She was 3cm dia. & 90% effaced.  We are now all checked in the hospital room.  She has an IV in and she is about to get up and do a little walking.  Also, the DR. has already came by and said all looks great and we should have a baby some time TONIGHT!! BOO YAH!!!

Derek's Post#3 ...It has begun( We Think?)

Contractions for Courtnie began at 5Am this morning.  We think its the real deal.  Currently they are 8-10 minutes apart.  Ruston has been brought to the Kennel for the time being and We are all packed and ready to go to the Hospital when they get about 3-5 minutes apart....More info to follow..

DG

Derek's Post#2-Harder than it seems or is it just me?

Not much to report on yet......BUT

I did manage after many struggles, cuts, bruises, and curse words get the "infant carrier" (car-seat) installed yesterday.  So I guess legally we can drive her home now.  If she'd only just come!

Derek's Post.....

Hello All! Following J. Nida's lead I will attempt to keep everyone updated during the process of  the birth of Natalie.  Not much to update now. Courtnie has a doctor's appointment on June 10th(D-Day).  If nothing happens between now and then, hopefully they will give us some good options.  In the meantime pray that she comes soon, Courtnie is starting to get a little( alot really) miserable.

DG

Contractions Contractions!

Hi Everyone

For the past 3 days I have had a lot of contractions!  They are not regular and not too intense (but are getting more intense each day!), so no rushing off to the hospital or anything.  The doctor says they need to be 5 minutes apart for at least an hour to come in...

They come and go throughout the day, but tend to slack off when I lay down or take a bath, which means it's not "real labor".  Hmmm.   I am really hoping Natalie decides to come out this weekend cause I really don't wanna go back to work Monday!  

Hopefully these contractions will strengthen and get into a regular pattern!  Until then, I am doing last-minute things with mom just to make sure we are ready.  Today we are gonna go shopping a little and try and walk this baby out!  I've tried several home remedies and I will keep on doing them (long walks, spicy food, pressure points), so maybe all this will help things along!

39 Week Appointment and just a little progress...

Yesterday me, mom, and Derek went to the doctor for my 39 week visit. It seems I have a made a LITTLE progress since last appointment, but not too much. I am still not even 1 cm dilated, but I am 50% effaced, which is a measurement of how much my cervix is thinning out. Apparently you have to be effaced a little before you can dilate. Now that I am effacing, hopefully the dilation will follow soon! My blood pressure was great (120/78) and I had gained only a pound in a week and a half, which was normal.

Natalie is doing great -- just running out of room! I am posting an eviction notice for her by this weekend (my goal is to have her out by Saturday)! I am really enjoying my time with mom and all of the cleaning and cooking she's been doing for us. I am getting spoiled for sure!

My next appoinment is next week on my due date (Tuesday), and if I'm dilated more, then they may consider induction at some point after my due date. We'll see!