12 Months

Here is an update for Natalie at 1 year!  (Sorry I missed the 11 month post - been so busy!)

• Points and says "mooa" for more
• Plays peek-a-boo and patty cake
• Had a chemical burn from Pampers Cruisers and switched to Huggies diapers
• Got roseola! She had a few days of fever and at the end of the illness, a rash popped up on her head and spread down her body over a few days
• Squats when she does her "business"
• First two teeth starting to come in the week of her birthday! (on the bottom)
• When she's tired, she'll grab mom's wrist and pull it towards her face..She'll then plant her cheek in the palm of mom's hand and close her eyes. So sweet.
• Pediatrician thinks she may be lactose intolerant. We will reintroduce dairy one product at a time to see.
• Had to stop bottle-feeding cold turkey a week before her birthday.  She didn't even miss it!
• Says "mama" and "uh oh" clear as day.  She likes to pick something up and throw it on the ground and say "uh oh".
• Her hair is getting longer in the front (almost getting in her eyes)
• Weight 18 lbs (7th percentile) and was 28 inches long (30th percentile) at her 12 month appointment. She got shots including the chicken pox vaccine and flu shot.
• Is becoming very affectionate and likes to back up to your lap so she can sit.
• Loves juice! Cannot pry the cup from her fingers or mouth until it is drained!
• Likes to hold and "throw" Bella's tennis ball.
• Can dance dance dance :)
• Does not like to get her hands dirty as indicated by her 1st birthday party (barely touched the cake)..
• Very clingy to mama
• When playing with her toy phone, she babbles now instead of saying "hi"..she will also babble like she's singing when mama sings
• Likes to hold two or more pacifiers swap them

13 Months

My baby is officially a toddler! She is growing so fast and is such a smart little girl.  Here are her updates:

Words she can say: ball,  hi, mama, dada, nana, pop, dog ("gog"), woof, more, hello, this, uh oh, no, book, one, two, three, thank you

10 Months Old

Look what Natalie can now do:

• Walk a good distance (20-30 steps)
• Wave and say "iiii" - especially likes to do this at the grocery store
• Now in size 4 diapers
• Moved from Cinnabars (infant) room to Cruisers (toddler) room at daycare b/c she's so mobile!
• Does NOT like laying on the changing table - screams and tries to roll over on to all fours
• Mostly on table food now with a few bottles a day
• Beginning to open/close cabinets 
• Has a sharp eye - will focus on the tiniest thing.
• Can say "mama"!

9 Months

By 9 months old, Natalie:

• Likes sleeping on her tummy now
• Started clapping and saying "aaayyyyy" (while Mama says yay)
• Crawls (with a hop - Mom says she crawls with a gimpy leg)
• Walks all the time holding on to mommy and daddy's hands
• Took a few steps on her own on two different occasions (once at home and once at daycare)!
• Moved up to size 3 diapers
• Went from 3-6/6 month clothes to 6-9/9 month clothes
• Started eating yogurt, cheerios, frozen yogurt, shredded cheddar cheese, bananas ("mmmmm"), tomatoes, mashed potatoes
• Transitioned from the bumbo to highchair - she was becoming so active Mommy was afraid she'd topple over in the bumbo! Plus, it was getting harder to take her out of it - her thighs would get stuck :)
• Can stand on her own (for over a minute!)
• Pulls herself up
• Sat up and stood up in the crib for the first time (2 consecutive nights).. We had daddy lower the crib mattress to the lowest setting :)
• Mama asks if she wants more and she looks at the bottle and pulls it to her mouth
• Laughs when she gets close to Rudy's wagging tail (and again when she pulls it :)

8 Months

Here's what Natalie has learned to do between 7-8 months of age:

• Says "dadadada", "yayayaya", "bababa"
• Eats puffs
• Goes on walks in the umbrella stroller, and also sitting in the full-size stroller w/o the carseat
• Can sit in the seat of the shopping cart now (YAY!)
• Now sits in the restaurant high chair instead of her infant car seat
• Can pull herself up to a standing position (when holding our two index fingers only)
• Is very ticklish - on her feet, neck, belly, and back
• No longer uses her bouncy chair
• Cries when we lay her on the changing table - she would much rather sit or stand
• Teething! Pulling at the ear, fussy - particularly in the evenings, chews on EVERYTHING
• Has gone down to 3-4 bottles a day and eats 3 solid meals a day. Cereal with 1/2 jar of fruit for breakfast, a jar of babyfood for lunch (fruit, veggies, or meal), and jar of meat + jar of veggies. 
• Loves drinking water from her sippy cup. Throws back her head and chugs. Daddy says bottoms up!
• Loves her jumperoo and exersaucer!
• Is a rolly polly..will cross the room by rolling over and over.
• Will walk across the room while holding onto our hands
• Has become a pro at putting her pacifier in her mouth
• Does not like car rides
• Is the only baby in  her class who gets visibly excited when Mommy comes to pick her up :)
• Sleeps through the night - hurray!

7 Months Old

Look what Natalie can do now:

• Puts her pacifier in her mouth (still a beginner at this)
• You know how horses blow through their lips (some people call it raspberries)? When we do this, Natalie will mimic this.
• Makes an "ooooo" or "whhhooo" sound while furrowing her brows (sometimes closing her eyes), and pursing her lips
• Sits up on her own for 20+ minutes
• Rolls from her tummy to back
• Rolls from back to tummy on left side now
• Pulls her legs in (while on her tummy) and puts her butt in the air like she wants to crawl
• Makes a happy sound ("hmmm") in between bits of baby food letting me know she wants more
• Grabs the dogs' fur and giggles when they give her a kiss
• Gives open mouth kisses to momma
• Loves bumping foreheads - makes her crack up

6 Months!

Happy 1/2 Birthday, Natalie!  I can't believe we are here already.  My little munchkin is growing up so fast - though she's staying as small as she possibly can for me! She was in the 10th percentile at her 6 month well checkup - 14 lbs and 24.5 inches.  The nurse said her gums are swollen so she is likely teething.  For the past several days Natalie has been grabbing both ears.  The nurse had checked both ears and they are fine. She said that it is just another indicator she is teething.  We are following the doctor's guidance on feeding.  Natalie is now having lunch and dinner (a meat and fruit/veggie baby food) with bottles in between.  This weekend I will introduce breakfast too (cereal).  I meant to do that last weekend but it's been so hectic around the house.  Natalie's first reaction to chicken, ham, and beef was this hilarious expression that screamed "gross!".  But, funny enough, after the first bite she opens her mouth waiting for more!  Sometimes I'm not fast enough.  She's a great eater!  She can now have a little water after she eats - so I've just invested in a sippy cup for 6 month olds.  We'll see if she can use it!

Here is what Natalie can do now:

• Rolls from back to belly (yay!) - on right side only
• Sits up unassisted for a minute or two
• Grabs my drinking glass - have had a few close calls!
• Eating baby food at daycare now (with bottles also)
• Puts her feet in her mouth
• Laugh is evolving - more frequent and hearty
• Loves her exersaucer - can push the buttons to hear the sounds
• Will look up at me or daddy during the bedtime story and smile when we emphasize a part (and also tries to put the book in her mouth)
• Got to go swimming in the pool for the first time over Memorial Day weekend! Was very serious most of the time, but caught her kicking her legs underwater and cooing a few times.  The first moment we got into the water she looked like she was about to cry, but held back (such a brave little girl :)
• Cooing is sounding a little different - "la, ga" occasionally
• Likes to play with the velcro on her diaper
• Still has this cute expression where she purses her lips and frowns when she finds something fascinating (like a feather)
• Likes peek-a-boo
• Can transfer a rattle to the other hand

5 Months Old

 

Now look what Natalie can do at 5 months!

• Holds/plays with her feet when laying down
• Is ticklish and gives us a half squeal/giggle when we tickle her belly and armpits
• Starts to use her ab muscles to try and sit up when in the bouncer or being held cradle style
• When laying down, she lifts her butt and uses her feet to scoot backwards
• Is SO close to rolling from her back to tummy (twists but never fully rolls)
• Eats 1/2 jar of baby food a night, or rice cereal.  Has had peas, green beans, carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes.  Her favorite is sweet potatoes and cereal!
• Now has about 5-6 bottle feedings a day with 5-6 oz each time, and lately, 8 oz at the bedtime feeding!
• Has an intense interest in the dogs - especially Rudy
• Starting to fight naptime (uh oh)
• Can now get very mad (and thus very red in the face)
• Has different smiles - a very sweet small smile, a sneaky smile with the nose scrunched up, and a huge grin (gums and all)
• Is the strongest baby her age in her class and is the only one who can stand (assisted of course)
• Puts everything in her mouth - including the carseat seatbelts (Teething?)

Bronchiolitis

Poor Natalie has been sick now for two weeks.  It started as a rattling in her chest every time she breathed.  So we took her to the doctor and she said that it's probably a cold or allergies.  Ironically, she also mentioned that a lot of babies have been coming in with bronchitis.  The rattling continued and almost a week later she got her first fever.  I got the call from daycare, and luckily, Jeff was able to take her in to the doctor again that day.

This time, she said that Natalie had a bacterial infection and prescribed her antibiotics.  The fever continued for 3 more days and broke the day before her baptism.  She had developed this horrible cough and was still wheezing.  By day 12, she still had the cough though she was starting to perk up a little more.  Took her in a third time and insisted on seeing the doctor this time (had seen the nurse practioner the past twot imes).  He diagnosed her with bronchiolitis and gave her a shot of steroids to help with her breathing.  He said that bronchiolitis is a bit more severe than bronchitis as it is deeper in the lungs and is a term for bronchitis that is reserved for infants.  Natalie's wheezing improved remarkably the night she had the shot and even started cooing more the next day.

She is still cooing more, but is now wheezing again.  The cough is still there and the doctor warned me that it would stick around for a few more weeks.  I was concerned about the wheezing though (since I have asthma and all the talk about RSV) so I emailed the doctor today.  He said the wheezing can come back at any time over the next several weeks to even a few months from now!  Yikes!!  I certainly hope it's not going to be that long!  My poor baby.

There are certain things I can keep an eye out for (per webmd) should she need to go to the hospital.  Please pray that she heal soon!

St. Paddy's Day

I love this photo that her daycare took!  She is about 3.5 months old here.  She looks so much like her daddy!

1st Easter

We had a great Easter!  Got all dressed up and went to Church.  Natalie took about a 3 hour nap in the afternoon, and afterwards we went walking in the park :)  Perfect weather too!

4 Month Update

Check out what Natalie can do at 4 months old!

• Laughs out loud (though not a belly aching laugh quite yet)
• Squeals when mom or dad picks her up from daycare
• Coos
• Rolls over from tummy to back
• Smiles constantly and now smiles at her stuffed animals when they "talk" to her
• Good at tummy time! She can't seem to close her mouth - always hanging open when on her tummy :)
• Holds her head up very well. Still bobbles a bit when tired though!
• Starting to grasp objects, like rattles and stuffed animals
• Sleeps through the night (usually 8-10 hrs)
• Starting to become more of a wiggle worm!
• Mimics sounds that mommy and daddy make
• Most always has her hand in her mouth. Anything she can hold goes there too!
• Has developed quite a personality: serious, but gives us plenty of smiles (laughs are still rare)..She cries now in the middle of a bottle (while being patted for a burp) - she wants to let momma know she is not done!

Natalie's Birth Story

Natalie Ann Thompson was born on Wednesday, November 25th (the day before Thanksgiving) at 10:58 p.m. She weighed 6 lbs 14 ounces and was 20 inches long. Our little girl arrived two weeks early! That morning I went to my 38 week appointment and I was excited to see if I had progressed any more. Jeff and I got to the doctor's office and I stepped on the scale...I gained 4 pounds since my appointment the week before..ugh. I gave my urine sample to the nurse, who tested it like any other appointment. Except this time,I noticed she tested it twice. She remarked that I had some protein in my urine. She then checked my blood pressure and it was much higher than normal at about 146/92. The nurse said she would be right back with the doctor and that she would check for induction. My head just about spun 360 degrees at that one. Induction?!

The doc came in and said that with the weight gain, swelling, protein in my urine, and high blood pressure, I was developing preclampsia and that I had one of two options. I could go straight home from this appointment and remain on bed rest for the next week..Or, we could deliver this baby today. At 38 weeks, the baby was fully developed and he said that leaving little Natalie in the womb another week or two would not provide much benefit. He asked what I wanted to do, and I said I would follow his recommendation. On a side note, the next day was Thanksgiving and he was going to be on a plane out of town. So, there was some urgency on his part too!

The nurse called the hospital to make sure there was an opening for an induction that day. She came back and said they were waiting for me at the hospital and they would like to start the induction immediately. The nurse told me to go straight to the hospital..I could not even go home to pick up my hospital bag (which luckily I had started packing the weekend before). The whole time the doc was discussing my options of bedrest/induction my adrenaline was pumping and I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I was having a baby today! Jeff's eyes were as big as saucers this whole time and he was just jumping at the bit, he was so excited. He told me later on that if I had decided to take the bed rest, he was going to urge me to take the other option and deliver! We were both so ready to meet our little girl! So, Jeff and I left the doctor's office. He had to run by work to pick up his computer and then to the house to get my hospital bag, boppy, etc. Meanwhile, I drove to the hospital a whole bag of emotions - scared out of my mind of the unknown and pure excitement of meeting Natalie. I called my mom as I was getting into my car and announced that they were inducing me that day. She asked me if I was serious about three times! LOL. She was off work that week, so she was able to pack up and drive down to Oklahoma! I then talked to Jeff's mom, Nita, who happened to be in town for Thanksgiving. She was so excited!

That drive to the hospital was surreal..well really the whole experience was so surreal! Here I was in my work clothes, with a brand new hair cut I had gotten the night before, driving to the hospital instead of work! I had gotten pretty uncomfortable at this stage of the pregnancy and had told my coworker, Robin, several times - wouldn't it be cool to go to my doctor's appointment and have the doctor announce I would be having my baby that day? Surprise!

The weather could not have been more perfect - sunny and not a cloud in the sky. I talked to my step-mom, Shannon, and she was ecstatic - they would be heading up from Texas that afternoon. I got to the hospital and my cell phone was ringing off the hook. I checked in and got into my hospital gown. They started the pitocen at about 11:00 or so. Jeff got there shortly after. He was a bit frazzled by this point. I, was strangely calm. It was sinking in what was about to happen. At about 1pm, they broke my water. That was a strange experience! By about 3pm, I was about 3 or 4 cm and the contractions were getting pretty intense. They gave me the epidural at this point. Getting the epidural was really no big deal, and made the rest of labor a breeze! I got nauseous at times and had the shakes, but did not feel any pain. I got very sleepy and dozed much of the afternoon and evening. I think Mom arrived at about 6:30 or so and Dad, Shannon, and Zach arrived shortly after. At about 9:30, I told the nurse I suddenly felt this pressure really low. She checked me and told me I was at 10cm and I would start start pushing soon. She called the doctor, and at about 10:00pm I started pushing. Jeff held my hand and held up our favorite sonogram picture of Natalie for me to focus on. I pushed and Natalie kept turning sunny side up, and then face down, and then sunny side up again. I pushed for an hour and was afraid I would have to have a c-section. Towards the end, the doctor said he could see her hair and that it looked brown. Doc was so serious and I kept watching his face as I pushed for any indication that she was almost here. Finally, at 10:58 pm, Natalie was born and Jeff looked at her with tears in his eyes. She was so quiet and did not make a sound. I was so happy that she was finally here as they placed her on my chest. As I looked at her for the first time, my heart swelled to a size I never thought possible. She looked so much like her daddy, the love of my life! They then took Natalie and placed her on the heater table. She started crying then. I started to talk to her and she stopped crying. She did the same when Jeff talked to her. So amazing that she recognized our voices!

I was exhausted and hungrier than I had ever been in my life. I remember that roast beef sandwich that the hospital served me being the best I had ever had. Family came in to visit for awhile and hold her. Then everyone left and after about an hour or two, the nurse helped me out of bed to see if I could walk. At about 3am, we packed up all of our things and they wheeled me to the recovery room in a wheel chair. Natalie went to the nursery and they would bring her in every few hours to feed (which she took to like a champ by the way). She was checked out by a visiting pediatrician and had her hearing test. She passed the hearing test. We were told that she probably had a blocked tear duct on her left eye and that we may have to wait it out for a year to see if it goes away. Long story short, the tear duct issue resolved on its own (thank God!) and she is a perfectly healthy baby girl!

Thanksgiving Day...

About 8 Weeks Old