We passed the two week mark!

Eric and I survived the first two weeks of parenthood! Natalie has been pretty easy on us. I'm sure she'll turn up the volume soon ;) We got a good amount of sleep last night which is nice....and yesterday was her two week birthday! I can't believe how fast she is growing! She's changed so much since the day she was born....but still so beautiful :)
Sadly, Eric went back to work today :( I think he had a hard time leaving, and I tried to pretend like I wasn't sad, but it was hard to watch him leave. Luckily he has a short week and will hopefully be coming home early to spend some extra time with us.

I guess life can get pretty stressful when you have a newborn, but it's also so awesome to be a mom....so I think it balances it all out. I'm starting to get back into my home routine and doing what I can when my little one naps. I still feel sorry for our four dogs because they aren't getting as much attention as the poor things should...but we are trying.

I'm so happy to see Natalie wake up and look around....and she is making more noises and faces. I can't wait until she starts smiling! :)

take care,
Lori

I never imagined how wonderful it would be.....

......to be a mom. I guess specifically Natalie's mom. She is the most precious gift I have ever received and I am so inspired by every moment I spend with her. I miss her when she's asleep! :) Silly, I know...but I love looking into those ginormous, beautiful eyes. :) Eric and I are so in love that it keeps us going even throughout our sleep deprivation which pretty much began with my very first contraction. Everything we went through is so worth all the joy she's brought into our lives. She completes our family and I don't even remember what emotions were like before she was born.

We went for her check up today and she has put on some weight and grown half an inch since leaving the hospital. 6lbs 11oz (almost back to her birth weight) and 20 inches. She's still so tiny but growing like a weed. :)

Hope you all enjoy the slide show of pics we have, we will add more to it as soon as Eric downloads them all.....we already have HUNDREDS of pictures :)

Take care!
Lori

She's finally HERE!!! 6lbs 13.5oz and 19.5 inches long!

Well, today is Natalie's due date, BUT she came into the world 3 days early! :)
Natalie Michelle Yandle was born on Wednesday, July 9th, at 3:05am! Yes.... A M!
My labor started at approximately 1:45am on July 8th. My contractions only got to about 10 minutes apart and were bearable but I called the doctor and they asked me to come in early that afternoon. I went in at 2pm and I was 4cm and almost completely effaced and my blood pressure was up a little, so they decided to admit me to the hospital. I was admitted at 4:00pm on Tuesday and was fine up until I got a horrifying contraction so they hooked me up with my epidural. AHHHH... :) I was SO exhausted by the time she was born, which was basically 25 hours of labor on hardly any sleep and being that Natalie and I were struggling to get her out it was difficult on me. When she finally started to crown, I put everything I had into it and out she finally came! :) TMI for some of you I know ;-) but I am so happy that she is healthy and came out SO beautiful. Everyone thought she was so gorgeous and I was happy she didn't look like a lizard :)

She and I are recovering well thanks to Daddy's help! He has been my rock and support throughout it all and I couldn't have done it without him. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing husband. :) He is so in love with his little girl and we feel so complete having her in our lives.

Our "fur babies" are adjusting well and are very inquisitive. But they are being very sweet so far :)

Natalie, you are the LOVE of our lives and we are over the moon with happiness about your arrival. You are such a wonderful baby and I can't wait to watch you grow and learn and see who you become. Daddy and I love you more than you know, but we will make sure to show you that love every day of your life!!

It could happen at any time!

Hello all! I had my 38 week appt yesterday and looks like things are under way! I'm very excited and I almost didn't want to post this for fear of jinxing it. Hopefully I don't. Per the ultrasound we had yesterday Miss Natalie is estimated to weigh about 7.2lbs! :) We got to see her face (fairly well) with the 4D image and she has the cutest little chipmunk cheeks you have ever seen! :) She also has her daddy's lips....SO cute :) She was practicing her breathing and sticking her tongue out...so it was fun to watch. Everything looks great with her.
I'm hoping that she comes this week, even though I have under 2 weeks to go. I'm SO ready.

How fun it would be to have a 4th of July baby! We will keep you all posted.

take care,
Lori and Eric