Cold cereal, anyone?

What is it about having a newborn that makes me revert to my college days nutrition-wise? Yesterday for breakfast I ate two muffins (they were on their last day and I just couldn't eat one and not the other--you understand), for lunch a granola bar followed by some leftover lasagna a few hours later, and for dinner a bowl of rice crispies. The cereal, incidentally, was the only thing I sat down to eat, and even then I had a baby bouncing on my knee. At 9pm I finally cooked the chicken I meant to cook for dinner but couldn't because I had a sleeping child attached to me. We'll be eating the chicken tonight on salad. Hey--that means that at least one meal today I'll get both protein AND a green vegetable. Score. I already blew it for breakfast today--rice crispies are GOOD!

Two Weeks of Natalie

What a week. Ella's on Day 5 of a bout of croup, so I've spent 5 days trying to keep her on the couch, breathing away from Natalie. She has consumed an untold number of Popsicles and watched just about every movie in our collection at least once. For three days straight we watched first the original Parent Trap, followed by the 90's Parent Trap. On Day 4 I declared a moratorium on all things Parent Trap, because I would like to continue liking both movies.

I've had some complaints that I am not keeping the Natalie pics coming fast enough, so here are a few new ones to satisfy your appetites.

My friend Kendra sent me a Moby Wrap as a baby gift, and I LOVE it! It's super comfy to wear and Natalie loves riding around in it.

More Moby. (Greg brought me the flowers in the background. Thoughtful Daddy!)

Uncle Jake and Auntie Lora sent Natalie this cute outfit from Life Is Good--it says "Sweet Pea". It came with the tiniest fuzzy socks ever.

Check out the double chin! Natalie had her 2 week check-up last Friday and we learned that in two weeks she has gained 1lb 4oz and grown an inch! My friend Mandi swears that fat babies are happy babies. We're working on it!

Hey, Baby!

Well, we made it through yesterday. It was, without a doubt, the hardest day of my life. I'm still recovering, actually. We have gotten to know Shelby well through email and phone calls over the past months, and then spent a lot of time with her and her family at the hospital. Although she knew what she wanted for her baby, it was very, very hard for her to sign the placement papers and then say goodbye (for now--we'll be seeing her soon). I ached for her--we cried and cried together. We love her so much and are simply amazed by her courage and strength. Natalie looks so much like her and constantly reminds us of her first mother's pure love for her. We are so grateful not only for this little miracle child who has come to us, but also for Shelby and her family who have come into our lives. We look forward to spending time and having fun with them in all the years to come.

Baby Natalie, or "Peanut" as we've been calling her (you don't last long in this family without a series of nicknames), is a doll. She is beautiful, with long fingers and toes, perfect skin, and the most marvelous dimple! I never thought I'd have a baby with a dimple! She sucks down the formula like you wouldn't believe, but unless she's hungry, she is very content. Ella can't get enough of her. She's very gentle while holding her, and always wants to stroke her or nuzzle her with her nose. Her big sister instinct kicked in immediately, and we love all of her reactions.

Thank you so much for being with us through this adoption. So, so many beloved friends and family members have been praying for us and for Shelby through these past months, and I assure you that we have felt the power of your prayers through some very difficult moments. We feel very loved. Thank you so much.

Welcome Home Natalie!

Thank you to everyone for your prayers.

We arrived home with Natalie on Sunday evening at around 8:15pm. It was time for a feeding, so Big Sister Ella welcomed her home by serving up 2 ounces of Similac's finest.

Ella couldn't stop saying, "She's so cute!" She is very proud to be a big sister.

More Natalie!

We've been asked for some more pictures.
Here is one with a giant bow that someone gave to Shelby.


And here she is checking us out.

Natalie is doing really well. We just left the hospital and she was really happy and content. We were there for a while and helped Shelby feed her. Then Natalie just hung out and stretched and made faces. The only crying we've heard so far was in the recovery room just after delivery. She is doing great!

Natalie Lynn!

Natalie Lynn has arrived!

July 10, 2008
11:24 am
7 lbs 6 ounces
20.47 inches long