Nate and Momma's 1st Picnic!

Nate and I had our 1st picnic yesterday and hung out in the warm sunshine... so nice.

Momma never stops taking pictures....
AAHHHH... this is the life...

Kisses are nice... (but she's still taking pictures...?)

At home - pre-nap before partying with Aunt Mary

Visit with Aunt Mary...

On Sunday Nate had a great visit with Aunt Mary.  Only 94 years between them!  Next year we will have a huge party to celebrate Aunt Mary's 95th and Nate's 1st birthdays.

July 21st - 4 Weeks Old - BIG DAY ALL AROUND!

Yesterday was a very eventful day. Most importantly, it marked Nate being 4 weeks old! How exciting. It was also the day Michael and I took him to get circumcised (I am SURE Nate would have preferred to spend the day doing something else but it was not done at birth and we figured better do it now rather than at 5 months or fifteen, right??)...
Before we leave, Michael aka Nate's Personal Papparazzi, asks, "Dolly, should we bring the camera?" to which I promptly reply, No, not appropriate.

So, I mentally prepare myself before we go and here’s the quick version…

Doctor’s office, nurse talking, “Mrs Thomas, you do not need to stay in the room, you can wait in the waiting room if you would prefer --- most people do – “

LT – “Thank you, Cathy, but there is no way I am leaving him. I will be fine, I will hold his hand, I just wont’ Look”

Cathy (nurse) –“OK, sure, whatever you are most comfortable with”

In room – Dr Burton working on Nate. Momma holding baby’s hand and talking to him to calm him, Michael holding Momma (to calm her)—room is small and crowded.

I am not looking but I know what’s happening and I guess through my peripheral-vision, I see the blood…

Next thing I know, my knees go weak, I starting sweating profusely, all the blood runs from my body – face as white as a sheet and my head gets dizzy …

Dr Burton says, “Michael, take the baby off the table” PUT LORI ON IT !!!!!!!!!!!

Momma just about passes out. Forced to stay there for 15 minutes on the baby table while nurses come in to see how MOMMY is doing - --Nevermind poor baby Nate who just had his very special area MAJORLY messed with (with just a little sugar-water as anesthesia!!)

DO YOU BEIEVE THIS?????? Can’t make it up (although the story is much better when MT tells it)… Meanwhile, my arm can be falling off and I can take it, my new baby has a procedure and I pass out. I guess I am really a Mommy now… Michael has been hysterically laughing for 24 hours - his only regret, not bringing the camera....

The 2nd part of the day was just as eventful and much more fun and exciting. Two of Michael's friends and co-workers, Liz and Amy, organized a Surprise-Baby Shower for Michael at work. He was completely surprised and thrilled!! (a fun party sure beats watching your son get worked on and your wife passing out!)... The party was amazing and besides being fun with decorations and cake and even a slide show, thanks to may of Michael's co-workers at Webloyalty, we received amazing and very generous gifts - everything from clothes to educational games and toys to cool gear to great books to my personal favorite, an ultimate, super-duper Running Stroller--- LOVE! Can't wait to use it! We already started using some of the much needed things last night and can't thank everyone enough for your kindness and generosity... More PICS to come (hint, hint Aunt Karen!)...

Day 2 ...more projects for Grandpa--

Grandpa's Pics...

Michael got home-kicked the party into high gear --let the celebration continue!

Grandma and Grandpa Come to Visit!!!

Nate, Momma and Daddy were so happy to have Grandma and Grandpa come visit for a few days!!  Nate and I spent day 1 hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa - So fun!  

Momma's still nesting --- Now Grandpa's workin' hard!  

Momma's crazy-nesting mode-Daddy's been busy!

Chillin' on a lazy Sat in New Mil...

          

We were so disappointed we did not make it to Rose and Mark's Annual 4th of July bash today but Michael and I have been in crazy-nesting mode and needed to stay home to get the nursery and house ready.  We are so excited for the family to meet Nate but I guess it will have to wait a little longer.  We picked a color for his room and started planning the decorations - so fun!!  Nate also had a bad rash on his face that looked totally gross and painful (although he didn't seem to mind it). Momma bear got freaked out so went to Dr Burton's Friday night.  Dr Burton, who is awesome and we LOVE him, said not to worry, its not an allergic reaction but baby acne.  Said it is very common, especially in boys and should clear up in a couple weeks (its already so much better).

We spent most of the day at home but did get to head into town for a nice long walk.  Proud-papa Thomas made sure to stop in to all our usual places that all know us well (from Kodi), the dry cleaners, the jewelers, the book store, the pet store, the coffee house and of course, Dolly's Liquor Store (they know us really well).  It was great.  Everyone was awesome and so happy for us.  Dolly's gave Nate a great stuffed animal from their Caboose-boutique and gave mom and dad a bottle of Champagne!  

July 9th - big day.

Michael and I went to meet Nate's birthmom today.  It was a very emotional day but we feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity.  Nate's birthmom is a beautiful, interesting and very sweet young woman.  While we could never imagine the grief she is going through, we do believe she was able to have some peace after our almost 3 hour meeting.  Nathaniel did great and he was the one ray of joy in the very heavy room that brought us all together and at times made us even laugh.  

After that exhausted and starving, Michael and I stopped at some roadside restaurant (AMERICANA at its best!)... OMG - he even wore a weird green hat and fit right in ...We were so happy to be heading to CT once again and home for good.

2 Weeks Old!! Clean Bill of Health!

Nate had his 2 week check up today and is doing great! He basically gained an ounce a day and is weighing in at 9lbs 2oz...Proud Papa took pics of everything (and everybody!) but I'll spare you all the pics of the check-in lady and random people in waiting room...I think they knew he is our 1st baby...

Momma cut my nails -- Daddy doesn't like to watch

I can't believe how fast Nathaniel's nails have grown (why can't mine do that??)... must be all the milk. It was scary cutting them but he was great and came out unscathed...Michael made sure to tell me that this would be a permanent job for Momma!
We had high hopes of getting out early to enjoy the beautiful weather but somehow we've found that by the time we are actually ready to meet the day, it was four o'clock--I guess some things have remained the same : ) ... we hung out on the patio instead and chilled. Meanwhile, back in CT, Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Karen had a very busy day heading up to our house and getting Nate's room and our house ready for his arrival. THANK YOU MOM, DAD AND KARINA!! It will be so nice when he can meet everyone and we can finally go home.

July 4th -More shopping? What about the fireworks?