Natalie's Photos, Family Visit and 2 Mo. Appointment

Last Thursday, I got to see Natalie's newborn photos taken by Lisa at Real Life Images Photography (http://www.rliphotography.com/). They turned out wonderfully! She did a great job of capturing Natalie at 6 weeks old. Natalie looks adorable in all the photos. As part of our package, we got to choose six photos to get blown up to 16x20, 8x10 and 5x7s. We chose numbers 009, 016, 025, 033, 047 and 048. Let me know if you're interested in purchasing any photos of Natalie! You can click on the photo below to make it bigger to view Natalie's shots.

My parents came to visit over the weekend. It had been two months since they last saw Natalie (the week she was born). They were pretty surprised at how much she has grown and what a little personality she has now! Natalie enjoyed spending time with her Nana and Grandpa.

Emile and my Dad went fishing on Falls Lake at Beaver Dam. Mom, Natalie and I went down to visit them before lunch. We didn't stay long -- it was super hot out.


On Monday, Natalie and I took my parents to Raleigh to tour the Capital Building. They weren't able to walk into the rotunda or see the Governor's office because the Governor was expected back at the building any minute -- those areas were restricted for the day.

My mom brought the dress we had given them over Christmas as our way of telling them we were having a girl. We tried it on Natalie -- it was a little tight now given that it's a newborn size and she's in 0-3 month sizes now. But it was cute to see it on her for a few minutes.

My parents also watched her on Saturday night so Emile and I could go out together. We went to dinner and a movie (Dark Knight -- awesome movie). We had a great time but about half way through the moving I started getting anxious to get home to be with Natalie. I knew she was being cared for but I just had an overwhelming feeling to be at home with her. This was the first time both Emile and I were away from her for so long (5 hours). I hadn't expected to have this feeling -- the whole car ride home I felt nauseous and very anxious! It was such a relief to be with her when we got there. I didn't want to put her down for bed. This definitely confirms my fears that I wouldn't have done well be gone for an entire weekend at the end of August for the two weddings we were going to go to. She's still so young and I would have been a basket case.

Natalie had her 2 month doctor's appointment yesterday. Poor girl -- she had four vaccination shots! She cried so hard and turned really red. It was heart breaking. I snuggled with her for a long time after. She slept most of the day. Dr. Hewett said she's doing really well. She's up to 11 lbs. 4 oz. (55th percentile) and 22" long (30th percentile). The doctor reassured me that the amount in which she can lift her head when on her tummy and what I thought was the start of a flat spot is nothing to worry about. She's right where she should be for a 2 month old and doesn't have a flat spot that would be of a concern to him. We have increased the amount of time she spends on her tummy this last week and I think it's starting to pay off. Yesterday before her appointment, I noticed she is starting to lift her head briefly so her chin is off the floor. The doctor also confirmed that her umbilical cord hernia is normal and should fix itself over the next year. He did state that she should be taking about 4 oz. of breast milk from a bottle -- right now, we can usually only get her to take 2-2.5 oz. I'm hoping she starts taking more once she's more used to it.

We have noticed that Natalie has found her "voice" as of last Thursday. Now instead of just a few coos here and there, she babbles on for quite awhile. It's adorable! I think she's going to be a big talker like her mom!