Giving Thanks

We had a wonderful, low-key Thanksgiving this year. Since Norah was only a week and a half, I wasn't responsible for any cooking! I felt kinda lazy actually, but Benj's mom and grandma had it under control. Might I say this was one of the best-tasting meals I've ever had!

Grandma Mel always sets the table beautifully.

Everyone hard at work in the kitchen. I love how Grandpa is always in charge of carving the turkey.

We enjoyed chips and dip while we waiting for our meal.
So cute.

So thankful for our family (Norah was sleeping in the car seat and I didn't want to disturb her).

Logan didn't want anything at first, but once he tasted the rolls and turkey, he did great!

Norah being admired by her grandmas.Happy Thanksgiving!

Big Brother

I can speak for the whole family when I say we are all smitten by our sweet baby girl. Logan has taken to her really well. I was worried there would be jealousy or aggressive behavior, but he's really sweet to her.

Logan loves to hold Norah. This is the first time he got to hold her.

Pure love, right? He wanted to hold her without my help, but I always had my arm supporting her, just in case.

First kiss. We've taught him since to kiss her on her head instead of her lips. :)

The kids were having fun on the blanket the other day.

This is what happened when I told Logan to lay next to the baby. He didn't quite get it.

Norah let him know that she was NOT comfortable! :)

Tummy Time

This is Norah at 6 days old practicing her tummy time. She was pretty happy for the most part and is already a very strong girl. I didn't get any pictures of her holding her head up - I wasn't fast enough. However, when she's laying down her cheeks squish even more. I love those cheeks.

Norah's Birth Story

Introducing

Norah Jo Bradshaw

Born November 15th

11:06 pm

9 lbs 7 oz and 22 1/2 inches

Here's a good birth story for you.

I went in for a doctor's appointment on the morning of the 15th, my due date. I had been feeling stronger contractions the night before, so I was hopeful that I had progressed further. We had gone to the playground and I tried to run and play with Logan as much as I could to move this pregnancy along! Come to find out that I was dialated to a 2 and maybe 50% effaced. So, pretty much no progress. I left feeling very frustrated. I thought for sure I was close. Also, for those of you familiar with Logan's birth, it was not an easy labor and resulted in a c-section. My doctor was willing to wait another week, but if there was still no progress, I would have to have a c-section again. Not something that I really wanted, but willing to do to ensure the safe arrival of our baby girl.

Throughout the rest of the morning and early into the afternoon, those contractions started getting stronger and stronger. I started writing them down around 2:00 and tracked them for an hour. They averaged about 5 minutes apart. I tried to lay down (thinking there was no way this was real labor since I had just been checked by the doctor). I couldn't fall asleep because of the contractions and called Benj around 3:30 to come home. I remember saying, "Its probably not happening, but we better go just to be safe."

We arranged for Benj's mom to come get Logan and we got to the hospital around 5:30. I was close to a 4 and about 70% effaced. They told me this baby is coming tonight. Yay!

My doctor had just "left the house" so while we were waiting for him to come back, another doctor came in and broke my water. I decided to get the epidural shortly after since the contractions immediately started getting stronger.

They continued to check me every hour. We were always shocked to hear that I was a cm or 2 more dialated everytime. I progressed a lot faster than with Logan. Around 10:00 I was dialated to a 9 and the nurse told me she could feel her hair! At 10:45 I started pushing and about 20 mins later (20 loooong mins) Norah Jo made her debut.

I will never ever forget the doctor placing Norah on my chest immediately after she came, something I didn't get to experience with Logan. It was such a surreal, spiritual experience. She was perfect, warm and pink. Oh, and let her voice be heard. The sweetest sound ever. Benj and I immediately knew she had a good set of lungs. Benj cut the umbilical cord and I watched as she was cleaned up and tested. She seemed so small to me, but found out she weighed 9 1/2 lbs! We breed 'em big in the Bradshaw family.

Another precious moment was Benj's first time holding his baby girl. She immediately stopped crying and seemed to gaze right into his face. She knows her daddy. Brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it.

Norah got to meet her grandparents shortly after her arrival.

Then she got her bath and we settled in for night #1.

Logan got to meet his baby sister the next day. He wouldn't touch her, but he liked to look at her and point out her features. He was a bit distracted with all the cool stuff to touch in the hospital room.

Logan seemed to grow the night he was away from me. He is so big! I can't believe he was this small once. He really loves Norah and has handled the adjustment pretty well so far. He gets stir-crazy in our house so we've gone on drives and to the park so he can let out his energy.

Norah's great-grandparents stopped by too.

followed by a visit from Benj's sister and family when we got home.Logan's cousins kept him entertained. He loves them so much.

After a week of Norah being born, I feel like I can somewhat function again. We had a rough start to breastfeeding but it seems to get better by the day. Norah wasn't having many wet diapers and we were worried about her being dehydrated. A quick visit to the InstaCare reassured us that she was alright but definately needed to be fed every 2 hours. Now that a few days have gone by, she's much more alert and ready to tell us if she's hungry.

I love having 2 kids, but I don't know how you moms do it!

Then I remember all the little things. The little smiles, her sweet smell, her warm little cheeks. The way Logan kisses her head or sings us songs. Those things keep me going. I'm so grateful to be a mother. What better time to write this than on Thanksgiving. I feel very blessed.

Halloween 2011

I was so unmotivated this Halloween. I had in mind to make coordinating costumes for the whole family, but that did not happen. It was still a lot of fun - Logan got really into it this year and loved saying "Trick or treat!" and "Happy Halloweeeeen!".

Our festivities included trick or treating at daddy's work. Doesn't he make a dashing pirate?

Logan was literally being a monkey and wouldn't hold still for pictures.

Later that night we hung out with playgroup friends at the ward Trunk-or-Treat.


On Halloween day we went over to Dick's Market for another Trunk-or-Treat. I didn't notice til later that there was a nice smudge on the lens of my camera.

Award goes to Grandma B for getting Logan to smile AND look at the camera.

Of course cousins make it more fun (does the candycorn border help distract from the smudge?).

As far as baby girl coming, looks like its not happening any time soon. The last 3 weeks of appointments and no progress at all! I kinda forgot how uncomfortable the last few weeks are. Its good she wants to come on time and gain more baby chubbiness, but I can't wait to meet her and have her in my arms. To stop waddling and wear shoes other than flip flops. Officially I have 12 more days, so we'll see what happens until then.

PS - I promise to post some pictures of the nursery soon - its almost finished.

Fall in the Canyon

After seeing this view everyday walking out of my house, I knew we had to make a trip to the canyon to see some fall color . . .

We saw some pretty amazing color, but we were losing light fast.

Fall is my absolute favorite.
We joined the cousins in a hotdog/marshmallow roast, along with plenty of wagon rides.

Fall please stay a little longer!