Jansen meets Natalie

Here are some fun videos of Jansen interacting with Natalie not long after meeting her for the first time (this morning). As you can see, he seems to like her so far! Or at least doesn't really mind sharing his parents. The keen observer of the first video (Nate and Jansen doing the monkey song) will notice a little yawn and two sneezes from Natalie. There are some more pictures on dropshots, so check those out. One or more of Natalie's grandma's just LOVES the back of little babies' necks ;) so we took a couple shots showing Natalie's.


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Happy Birth-Day, Natalie!

So, the big news!!!! Our new little sweetie, Natalie Jessica Nye, was born today just after 5 pm at the Ohio State University Medical Center, and weighed in at 9 lbs, 2 oz. Big girl! (i.e. poor Jessica!!) What a beauty of a girl, if I do say so myself! She must've gotten her good looks from me, because her mommy still has hers!! (sorry, that's a really old joke but I like it) Natalie is doing very, very well--it just seemed like she was SO ready to get out into the real world. Jessica is doing great also, at least as good as you can expect after giving birth! Some minor tearing was all. She only had to push for like 10 or 15 minutes--but let me tell ya (no wait, better let Jessica tell ya), it was a GRUELING 15 minutes. Those epidurals are fabulous, but they can't block out ALL the pain and discomfort. So Jessica is still with Natalie at the hospital, of course, and Jansen and I will be joining them first thing in the morning. So enjoy the pictures below...but there are a lot more on dropshots. Just click on the "Dropshots: Pictures" link to the right. More to come tomorrow and after, so stay tuned. We love you all!

Life is Beautiful

Wow. I know this movie is like 10 years old, but like a lot of things (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, etc.) I am way behind and just saw it the other night. Nate and I rented it...he has wanted me to see it for a long time. It's the most touching story of an Italian Jew who is taken to a concentration camp with his 6 year old son. When his wife finds out where they have been taken, she begs to go also and is permitted to do so. In order to keep his son's spirits up, the father does everything you can possibly think of to convince the 6 year old that the whole thing is a game/contest to win a tank. He tells him whoever gets the most points wins, and you lose points for complaining about hunger, letting the guards see you, etc. They are separated from the mother during all their time at the camp. This is a clip when the father takes a risky chance to express his love to his wife and let her hear her son's voice. It totally made me cry. It was so sweet/sad.

If you haven't seen this, you must! And if it's been awhile, it's worth seeing again. It was a great reminder of the power of humor and love as we attempt to deal with adversity. Such a wonderful movie!

Our First and Last Dates!

Nate and I squeezed in one last date last night before the baby comes. It almost didn't happen though...right before we were about to leave the tornado sirens went off. I thought it was just an ambulance or something because the skies were clear and blue and there was absolutely no wind. But sure enough a few minutes later the sky darkened and the wind and rain kicked in. We just hung out at our house and watched the news while things progressed and eventually petered out. (Thank goodness! I hate those tornado warnings!) So we headed out on our date---after MUCH indecision and some changes of plan because of the tornado hullabaloo, we went downtown and walked through an area called Short North that has lots of little galleries, shops, and restaurants. We stopped at Schakolad, a small chocolate factory/store and indulged in some good chocolate. For me? A key lime truffle and a dark chocolate covered caramel. For Nate? A chocolate covered pear, pineapple, and orange (yuck, yuck, and yuck!), an amaretto truffle, and a dark chocolate truffle. AND we stopped for ice cream at Emack and Bolio's which was YUMMY. It just may be a while before get out on a date again so I wanted to post a picture of our very first date and of our last date (just kidding)....for a few months anyway! I think Nate has lost weight. And as for me, well, I've gained a few pounds.

Adventures in Babysitting

We babysat last night for some friends of ours and it was another hot day so we got out the sprinkler and some makeshift swimming pools to cool off. I think this is the first time we've really "used" our yard and it was so much fun. I'm already thinking how great a yard full of snow will be so that we can build snow forts! (But please Winter, don't come for awhile. I really struggled with you when you were here last.) Here's Jansen in his "swimming pool."

Nate and I are amazed at how brave Lincoln is. Jansen would never do this.

And Jansen's favorite part: ON YOUR MARK, GET SET...

GO!!!

And You Thought YOU Felt Bloated

Okay. There have been several of you requesting a picture of me pregnant. Most likely for your own cruel enjoyment. I was very, very close to not posting this picture, but I have to admit that I understand your curiosity and don't plan to remain this size much longer so I am going ahead with it. Here I am---in all my huge 39 weeks of glory. I purposely chose the not-so-flattering, form fitting shirt so that you could all clearly see the belly. Now let's move on to cuter things...

Jansen loves to have bubbles at bath time. He always asks for "a lot of bubbles." He also loves to get a handful and then have me blow them on his face. I don't know if it's because I am pregnant or what but this always gets me out of breath after a few times!

We didn't want to leave out alligator and grasshopper. (Unfortunately, Jansen currently leaves out the "gr" in grasshopper.)

A Wet Hat

This morning I was working on something in the living room while Jansen ate breakfast. He was kind of talking to himself (or trying to talk to his mom) and when I finally processed what he was saying and looked up I just laughed. He had been calling out, "Wet hat!" and had put his mostly but not completely empty cereal bowl on his head. You can kind of see some of the milk dripping down his chest. He sure makes life fun!

What Jansen's Been Up To

Jansen loved helping us make some peanut butter cookies this afternoon. He kept saying, "Yummy cookie!" and was really patient while they baked.

Jansen also got a special surprise in the mail a few days ago. Grandpa sent him a really cool airplane! It's the kind that you can shoot off of a gun type thing and it really goes flying. In fact, Nate accidentally shot it onto our roof. Jansen was really upset about it, and after we finally got it down he wouldn't let Nate get anywhere near it (his airplane). It was really funny.

All this romping around without a shirt is starting to become a problem. Jansen has started getting upset when we put a shirt on him and he grabs at it and says, "shirt off." A few other funny things...he keeps saying "woops" whenever he drops something or sees something fall. It's so cute. And he has picked up the phrase "bless you" only he thinks you're supposed to use it for coughing, sneezing, burping, etc. Most of the time he says it to himself after he coughs.

Made Me Laugh

There aren't many things I enjoy more than laughing or finding something I think is really funny. My cousin sent me these and I just really enjoyed them so I thought I'd share.

Have you seen the deer heads on the walls of bars, the ones wearing party hats, sunglasses and streamers? I feel sorry for them because obviously they were at a party having a good time…
Ellen DeGeneres

Did you know babies are nauseated by the smell of a clean shirt?
Jeff Foxworthy

I constantly walk into a room and I don’t remember why. But for some reason, I think there’s going to be a clue in the fridge.
Caroline Rhea

First the doctor told me the good news, I was going to have a disease named after me.
Steve martin

At what age do you tell a highway it’s adopted? I think around seven because that’s when they start wondering, hey I don’t look like the Kiwanis Club.
Zack Galifianakis

When I was in London, I went to buy some chocolate. The cashier was like, “That will be ten pounds,” I’m like, “Rub it in, why don’t you?”
Carol Leifer

About a month ago, I got a cactus. And a week later, it died. I got really depressed because it was like, DANG, I am less nurturing than a desert.
Demetri Martin

I will clean house when Sears makes vacuum you can ride on.
Roseanne Barr

How many people here have telekinetic powers? Raise my hand.
Emo Philips

Lightning!

The story I'm about to share is embarrassing to say the least. But I have a sense of humor and hopefully you do too. So last night a little after 3 in the morning we had a big thunderstorm: lots of wind, rain, lightning, etc. I was having a hard time sleeping through it because 1. I was a little nervous being home alone...Nate had recently left for work and 2. I was pretty consumed with the idea of going into labor soon. (This story has not helped my anxieties. I don't think Jansen would be much help...) To pass some sleepless time I was on Nate's laptop looking at various things and came across the American Pregnancy Association's Signs of Labor. As I glanced down at number one and saw "Lightning" I could not believe my eyes. I thought to myself, lightning is a sign of labor! And we are having a huge lightning storm outside! Now this is where my foolishness stops and I laugh out loud at myself because I realize it says "lightening" (which is when the baby drops deeper into your pelvis) not "lightning." This all happened in a matter of seconds and mind you it was 3 in the morning. So take it easy on me as you think to yourself HOW DUMB I AM!!! But I had to share it.

Updates

I went to the doctor today and I am 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced. It's hard to really say what that means though...could be tonight...could be in a couple weeks. My doc said we could schedule a time next week to induce me, but I am opting to just let this play itself out. (Assuming I don't get too overdue or something!) I figure Natalie just wants her hair and nails to be little longer for her debut and first photo. Can you blame her? We ARE going to name her Natalie for sure, but are still very undecided on a middle name. So if you want to put in your two cents you better hurry.
Jansen has been sick...I'm glad we're getting that over with before the baby comes. I took him to the doctor yesterday with suspicions of an ear infection and was right. Hopefully he'll be happier and in less pain in the next day or two. He has been such a crab and hard to communicate with. Again, can you blame him though?
And last, but certainly not least, meet the love of my life:

Okay, so these two are the loves of my life:

But I am definitely loving this recliner we got. It's an EARLY Christmas present to ourselves. So if I put any pictures up or talk about anything else in the next few months that I claim is also an early Christmas present, feel free to call me on it and we'll return whatever it is. It's going to be so nice to have with a new baby. And it's already helping me improve my scripture study! ;)

Pink Trucks Are For Sissies!

A few days ago Jansen suddenly started laughing out loud in his highchair saying, "Pink truck! Pink truck!" He had a tone to his voice like, "Who would own a pink truck? I mean, can you imagine? A pink truck?!" We got him on tape saying it, but I think he is well aware of what we are doing and that we think it's funny because he got a little too into it. But you'll get the idea.

From Nate: I am proud to say that it was Jansen's own innate sense of coolness that told him that pink trucks are NOT acceptable. We did not teach him that--he came up with this little gig entirely on his own!! (we just "egged him on" so we could get it on film!)

A Worry Wart

"Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere." (I would love to attribute this to someone, but it appears that there are like 30 different people who supposedly said it first.)

I just don't know if I'm ready to have another child. And here's why: I worry WAY too much. (Thanks a lot mom and grandma and anyone else in my family who has hereditarily contributed to this!) With each child I have I am creating another little someone that I love so much I can hardly stand it...and I will constantly worry about their health, happiness, etc. And then those little someones create more someones and I love those ones too and it just keeps going and going!!! Do I sound crazy yet? This trying not to worry thing is something I have been working on for awhile now and am thrilled to say I am getting a lot better. Most of all, I am learning to have more faith. And besides, isn't it just the best feeling in the world to love someone so much it hurts?

Some Family Pictures

In June, while we were in Idaho with Nate's mom's side of the family, we took these family pictures. Now that our scanner, internet, computer, etc. are all up and running again I wanted to share them! It was really hard to get all the toddlers to cooperate but this shot sure turned out good. At least they are all facing forward right?

Dishwashers

Two quick things to share involving dishwashers:

First, a friend of mine recently described humidity the best way ever. It's like living in a dishwasher. Yes, Leisy, it is. That rush of hot, wet air that used to fog up my glasses whenever I opened the dishwasher is now the sensation that greets me when I open the front door.

Second, there was this little tiny spider crawling in the dishwasher this evening as I finished loading it. I had a little debate in my head as to how I should kill it. (Mostly between squishing it with a paper towel or just closing the dishwasher and starting it.) And then I imagined what it would be like to be locked in a dishwasher and all the scariness that would go on with hot water and forks and Velveeta cheese remnants. So I just squished it with the paper towel. How's that for an exciting story in a blog? Hah hah...

So Sweet

I remember the first few nights we had Jansen home from the hospital...all night I wondered if he was still breathing and I just kept checking on him. I obviously don't worry like that anymore, but I do still go in his room every night before I go to sleep just look at him. I love it. Nate came home from a particularly long, frustrating day at work yesterday and after being upstairs for a few minutes came back down and apologized because he thought he woke Jansen up. We could hear Jansen babbling through the monitor...some nights he takes a long time to fall asleep. (He's happy in there, mom, I promise!) It seems like he is learning so many new words and word combinations and he likes to practice them in bed at night. Anyway, Nate told me he had opened Jansen's door because he just wanted to look at him...he said it makes him feel better (after a long day). I thought that was so cute and I totally agree with him. When I watch Jansen sleeping he looks so sweet and peaceful...it reminds me to be patient with him throughout the next day. One of my favorite parts of the day is going to get him in the morning because he usually sits up in his crib and says, "Mama! Mama back!" I'm so lucky to have him.

Just a Cute Smile...

My Blackberry Boy

Ever since I heard about the berry picking out here I have wanted to go...and so Friday we did! It was a hot muggy morning but we had a great time with a bunch of girls from church and their kids. I was surprised at how much Jansen loved the blackberries and was worried we were going to have to leave the patches because he was eating so many! But he slowed down and had fun just hanging out with the other kids. No big plans for my blackberries...we'll probably just snack on them or put them on vanilla ice cream.

Jansen the Doula

They say a labor coach is patient and flexible. Gentle and strong. Responsive and able to lead. The labor coach is not there to force or demand anything of the mother, but to serve the needs of the mother as she labors. So, naturally, we thought of Jansen in our search for one. I bring you...Jansen the doula:

By the way, before you all start sending me recommendations and resumes, I'm not really looking for a labor coach. :)

36 weeks

I'm 36 weeks today! This is significant to me because I had Jansen at 36 weeks...just woke up in the morning and my water had broken! So of course I've had this week in the back of my mind the whole pregnancy...all the while knowing I should NOT plan on always having 36 week pregnancies. I am embarking on a whole new phase of pregnancy. One that I fortunately did not have to experience last time.

This last month of pregnancy started out beautifully in the middle of last night with HEARTBURN. That is what I have self-diagnosed myself with anyway. I had that yucky yucky feeling that my food was coming back up my throat and just staying there...like I was right on the verge of throwing up. Luckily it helped quite a bit to prop myself up and wait patiently to fall back asleep.

I had an appointment today and that went well and was pretty much uneventful. Still measuring right on and her heart beat sounds great. As the nurse was leaving the room after taking my blood pressure and stuff she turns around and says, "By the way, you gained 4 pounds." So I said, "By the way THIS!" and threw a magazine at her. Well maybe I didn't do that...but I do know very well where those pounds came from. It's all the mint patties I keep swallowing whole. So anyway, I go back in one week and will continue to do that until I have her. By the way, my curling iron burn is healing nicely and was so happy to hear that the doctor that checked me today basically did the same thing when she was pregnant. Thank goodness I am not the only one!

BOOTS!

Some of you may remember my very first blog about Jansen's love for his snow boots. Well he still loves them...the problem is they don't fit anymore. So I have hid them away in his closet. But his Grandma sent him some new boots today and he was so excited! A little bit ago Nate told him, "Grandma is sending you some boots," and for the past few days he keeps saying, "Grandma...boot!" At night before he would go to bed and in the morning when he would wake up he would say it. So it was no surprise that he wanted to put them on as soon as he saw them...

And it took some work to get him to understand that we weren't going to wear them when we went to play in the water. It's so fun to see him get excited and obsessed about the funniest things!