Family Update!

Taking a nap

Hanging out under the Christmas tree-she's not sure what to think of it.

All bundled up for a walk

My Little Skittle is getting so big! She has tripled in size since birth- crazy for a baby who was considered "low birth weight!"

Dan has been a busy bee; he finished the den in our basement, it's so nice! We moved the office downstairs so baby girl could have a bedroom. He's also started taking classes through Colorado State University online. Between that & his job @ Federal Financial he's swamped!

I've been just enjoying kickin' it with my homegirl. I miss the adult interaction, but having this sweet little chub to hang out with is so great, I wouldn't trade it for a job any day!

Sorry this is a lame-o post, but here are some cute photos of Bridgette!

Baby Bridgette is Here!

(Well, she's been here for about a month now...)
I had my 40 week Dr's appointment on August 25th. Both the Dr. and I were very surprised that baby girl hadn't made her appearance yet. I hadn't gotten a full night's rest in weeks & felt like I was never going to actually have the baby. The Dr. walked in and started explaining the pro's & con's of labor induction-- I was sitting there like, where are we going with this? He then asked, "would you like to go ahead and be induced?" I thought that sounded like a peachy idea. He left the room for a minute, then walked back in & said, " you can go over to the hospital right now & they'll get you going. I'll be over around lunchtime to break your water." WHAT! I was so freaking nervous. I called Dan & told him to meet me at the hospital...
Labor was uneventful, except they had to issue the epidural twice (my epidural space is really tiny, apparently.) After being in "labor" for about 8 hours (totally numb, it was awesome)I pushed for an hour and 'ta da! She was 6 lbs 7 oz & 18 1/2 inches long (she was down to a tiny 5 lbs 14 oz by the time we went home.) The only problem was she had a really short umbilical cord. The nurse didn't realize this, and went to place the baby on my chest...SNAP! The cord split right down the middle- it scared all of us! My Dr. was a pro & clamped the cord almost as soon as it snapped. Bridgette was having trouble getting a good breath & had to be on oxygen for about 3 hours. She also lost some fluid in the umbilical cord snap & had to have an IV. I started crying when I saw her little body in the bassinet hooked up to a breathing machine with all the tubes.
The past month has really been a blur. My mom was here helping out as soon as we got home from the hospital. I had a few breakdowns (Dan is probably ready to leave me.) The next week Dan's mom was here to help. I would've gone crazy had it not been for these ladies! They're awesome!!!
Bridgette finally seems to be on a sort of schedule, even though I think she eats too much (but she's chunking out, which I love!!!)
She's soooo freaking cute & patient with her inexperienced mommy. She probably gets tired of me holding & kissing her, I just can't help it!
Dan's so great with her, I'm so lucky to have a baby daddy who likes being a baby daddy! He's also been so great to me, seriously, he's probably been on the brink of committing me a few times. I never fathomed the effect childbirth/ post pregnancy hormones, could have on my emotions. Crying for no reason (Lifetime network movies are NOT that moving & neither is Sesame Street.)

Anyways, let's be honest here- you don't care about all this crap. You just really want to see pictures... Here are a few.

Going on a walk - it was chilly outside!

Taking a nap with Daddy

Ticked off at her first bath

What she does half the time when she's with Daddy.

And after Daddy consoles her...


My favorite type of naps.


Her first few hours in the hospital... so sad : (

BABY SHOWER

This is Janell's little (and favorite) sister, Bonnie. Since she hasn't blogged since.... April, I asked if I could help out :) Janell is getting BIG with "Baby". She has been getting the house and baby's room ready. A few weeks ago our other sister, Anne, came out and helped sew some bedding and I'm sure it looks so cute! We had a baby shower for Janell this weekend and here are a few pics of the bash. Lots of friends and family came to spoil our Nell!

The diaper cake that Joanie made

The "aftermath"

This basket was Janell's as a baby, as were the dolls inside. Our mom made the blanket - very nice!

Janell's FAVORITE niece... My little Chloe :)

I guess it's about time

Every time I see a friend or family member, it's not "hey, how's it going" or "wow, it's been awhile." It's " YOU NEED TO UPDATE YOUR BLOG."

To be honest, there are only so many pictures I can post of Dan and myself before people start to think we're really narcissistic. So, I'll just do a quick rundown of stuff going on since Dec. 3rd, our last post.

1. We went to Colorado for Christmas, It was fun to hang out with the Williamson clan.

2. I decided I hate flying anywhere during the holidays.

3. Dan started finishing our basement, we decided the fireplace looked lonely down there.

4. The stock market tanked even more, so work has been super duper busy.

5. Construction on all roads leading out to Eagle Mtn. has commenced (YUK)

6. The Wal-Mart by our house is almost done (YAY)

7. Dan has to go to AZ to work for the summer : ( : ( That means I'm really sad. I've been clinging to him, he practically has to get a baby Bjorn for some help b/c I've been so clingy.

8. I've gotten 2 more nephews-- one just a few hours ago, as a matter of fact.

9. Dan let me turn our spare bedroom into a Nell Closet...so if we ever have house guests, they get to sleep in my closet. Lucky them!

10. A picture says a thousand words, or just two, but that's why I posted it, just in case you haven't read Joan's or Bonnie's blog or facebook, or our family website. We find out in a week if it's gonna be a Nood Bowl or a Nell Bell.... Oh- and this a me in about 3 months- not right now. I was trying the belly on for size.

So there ya go. Now when you see me, greet me properly!