Natalie is 1 month old!

We're amazed that Natalie is already 1 month old! She's getting so big already. This past week we've noticed that she's started smiling in response to our smiles etc. and not just from gas. She has such a beautiful little smile! Here are a few photos that I captured of her for her "1-month" shot.

Emile's parents, Riet and Andre (Oma and Opa), were in town over the weekend and are staying till tomorrow. This was the first time Opa got to meet Natalie. Both Oma and Opa read her a few Dutch children's books over the weekend. She intently watched them while they did this. Hopefully with a lot of exposure to Dutch, she'll pick it up as a second language as time goes on.


While they were here, we went to the Capital Building in downtown Raleigh. It was my first time breastfeeding in public where I felt everyone could see me (of course, I had a cover over myself and Natalie). The only place available when she got hungry was a bench in the middle of the Capital Building right where everyone walked up the stairs -- it was a strange feeling.

On Friday, we finally (after 3 tries) got Natalie to take a bottle of expressed breast milk. We ended up switching bottles from the Advent to Platex Drop-Ins. Now Emile will get to spend some more bonding time with her while she feeds! And I'll get to leave the house occasionally -- to celebrate, I went out to get a well-needed pedicure on Saturday. Unfortunately, Natalie still had a hard time with me being gone for so long even after getting the bottle. But I'm sure she'll get more comfortable with me stepping out occasionally to run errands etc. as time goes on.

Here are some additional photos taken since Father's Day. Given how adorable she is, I don't believe our blog can have too many photos of her! :) Unfortunately this week, she's also started getting baby acne on her face but it's starting to look better already today. Hopefully it won't last too long.

Emile's First Father's Day!

It was a pretty low key day for us given that Natalie is still pretty young to go out for any long adventures. I made Emile a cake (Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake) and Natalie got him a grilling utensil set! Most of the day was spent lounging around and going to the grocery store.


I also took Natalie for her first walk around the neighborhood yesterday. She responded as expected -- slept!

A visit from my sister

This past weekend, my sister, Kendra and my nephew, Hayden came to visit Natalie. They stayed for a long weekend. Hayden has gotten to be such a little man! Natalie (and Emile and I) enjoyed having her Auntie Kendra and cousin Hayden here!

One week already!

We can't believe Natalie is already one week old today! Time is already going fast! She had her second follow-up weight check appointment today. Dr. Bernstein said she looks great -- she's almost all the way back up to her birth weight. She's now at 7 lbs. 7 oz. My breast feeding must be doing the trick. He doesn't need to see her back again now until her 1 month appointment.

Natalie had a lot of visitors this week. Below are some photos of her first week with us - there may be a lot! :).

Nana and Grandpa visted us in the hospital.

Natalie getting ready for her trip home -- in her cute little "going home" lamb outfit

Oma visited us at home the day after we got out of the hospital

We got a few photos of Natalie with her Grandpa, Nana and Oma.

Opa will be visiting later this month!

Natalie hanging out with Papa and Mommy.

Natalie tested out her bouncer and swing.

Natalie got her first bath at home.