ALICE LAUGHS!

Hey everyone! It's been a long time since we posted, but the most amazing thing happened........ Alice laughed! I know it is super early for her to be laughing (3 weeks, must mean she's a genius), but she did and here is the proof! We just happened to be taking pictures at that time and I was moving her legs up and down say "ding ding" and she found it hilarious. You can see the build up and then the pure laughter, it was so sweet!

See I wasn't lying! Other than her being the greatest baby ever born, things couldn't be more wonderful. We are looking forward to a cozy first Christmas and New Years together.  Of course it would be better with our friends and more family, but there is always next year. We will be thinking about all of you and hope you are as happy as we are!

Love

Nic, Natalie and Alice (5 weeks)

SHE'S FINALLY HERE!!!!!

I can't believe she finally made it!
She is the most beautiful, perfect, sweetest thing I have ever seen!
Maybe it is just all the crazy hormones I have, but I do get super teary thinking about how wonderful she is and how much I love her.
I love the way she breathes, moves her little hands and grabs our fingers, when she tries to open her eyes and her little eyebrows raise, when she gives a big stretch, and oh so many more.  (I totally started crying while writing this, because she is that amazing!)

So here is how we got her here:

I went to the doctor Wednesday, they suggested to take some castor oil to see if we could get labor started.
My sister Amber and I went and picked up a smaller bottle, so at first I only took 1 TB.  Nothing really happened and a couple hours later took another TB, well shortly after my contractions were about 5 minutes apart for a couple hours and they said to come into the hospital. After getting there and hooked up to monitor them, they said they were not strong enough to admit me, so we went for a walk to get them going again for 2 hours. After that they hooked me up again and still having regular contractions, but not strong enough so they sent us home.
Next morning didn't really feel anything, later that night 1 more TB, but still nothing. Nic's parents came in town, because we knew she was coming shortly, but sadly still nothing. They stayed for a couple days and I had minor symptoms, but still in early labor and no Alice.
Amber had to leave Monday morning at 6 am, so we all went to bed early around 9ish.  At 11:52 I woke up, because my dream told me to wake up. So I rolled over so oddly, Nic asked if everything is ok and all I felt/heard was a couple pops.  I was not sure if my water broke, but I was sure enough to call my midwife. She said she didn't think so, but just watch for other signs. I laid back down and got the urge to call my mom and tell her I think my water broke and I was on the phone with her and jumped up because it popped! Went all over the floor and shocked me so bad I was crying!
After 12 hours of hard labor, I wasn't dilating past 6 so they induced stronger contractions and was hoping Alice would drop a little more. She didn't and I didn't and her heart rate started to drop so I needed a C-section.
At 1:10 pm, Monday, November 14, 2011 the most beautiful girl in the world was born!

Words can not express what I feel today, how lucky I am for Nic and Alice. Life could not be any better right now, it is hard to imagine as she gets older how much better this gets!

Thanks for taking the time to watch Alice grow inside to now! We are going to always let you know about her, because she is too special not to share with you!

XOXO,
Natalie
Alice - 6 days

IT'S ALMOST TIME!!

I can't believe it! We went to see the midwife today and it looks like Alice should be here hopefully this week or the next!
I am dilated 1 1/2 cms......
She is around 8lbs.......
They have put me on evening primrose, to get things moving along hopefully this week!
We did have another sonogram and she was adorable, she was chewing on her foot!!!!!!

I just can't believe it is almost time! I have been waiting and bitching for it to come, and things are moving so fast now.
If I do not go into labor this week, they want to see what they can do next week to get her out.
So excited that our families are coming in town, I just want her to come when one of them is here.
My sister Amber is here on Monday and then my mom and stepdad will be here the week after, and Nic's parents will be here early December!

So much going on, emotions are wild with joy and fear. Will update as we find out!

XOXO
Natalie
37 weeks 5 days

New Pictures

Yay! She is almost here! Seriously just a few weeks away and hopefully Alice will pop out! I am so over being pregnant, I am just so big that breathing is hard!

I went to the doctor last week to check on her, and she is just great! Weighing around 6 lbs, so they think about 8- 8 1/2 at birth. They even thought about moving up my due date, but decided not to because she will be full term on the 27th, there was no need to.

Here are some of the latest pictures of the nursery and just some fun ones of the family

this was 2 weeks ago, so i have gotten WAY bigger

the boys going on a walk

bath time!

 olive

xoxo

Natalie

35 weeks 3 days

SHE'S A BIG ONE!

Sorry it has been so long since I have updated the blog!

New Alice info:
      We had what was supposed to be our last sonogram yesterday, but it looks like I will have to have one more before she is born. She is giant right now, measuring the the 86%, which means she is 5 lbs 5 oz. Normal babies at 33 weeks weigh just over 4 lbs, so she is measuring about mid 35 weeks.  So to be proactive about her weight, I will be taking the 3 hour sugar test and trying to cut out all sugar and white flour.  Some people know what the sugar test is, but in case you don't it tests you for gestational diabetes, which makes for larger birth weight.  My first test was normal, but because she is so big they want to double check.  As for my weight, I am on average, but could begin to get really high.  As of now, I have gained 33 lbs, when I came back from Texas I gained 7 lbs! So had to check myself the last 3 weeks and only gained 2 lbs, which is such a relief.
     All of that sounds serious, but nothing to worry about it just yet. I am choosing to look at this in a different way, that she will come early! Babies are full term at 37 weeks, which she will be on October 27. Here's to hoping to not being pregnant too long! We are both really healthy though, just a tiny pot hole!

I have taken pictures of the nursery completed with the beautiful new camera Billy and Val Mathis got us, but our iphoto won't let us download it! So we are checking on the problem to get them posted. It is beautiful though and so excited to bring her home and show her what we've put together.

With the due date drawing so close, I will make a better effort to update more!

XO
Natalie
33 weeks 0 days

THE CRIB IS IN!

We are back from Texas and can not thank everyone enough for the wonderful time and presents for Alice! I keep saying over and over how lucky she is, but again we are so grateful for all of your support and love!

So with all the new goodies we are having shipped from Texas, we are getting further along with her nursery.

The sheets are in and her crib is ready!!!

We got a few different fitted sheets from Target, 2 are floral and the other is striped. Her top sheet is actually the sheet that I had in my crib, that is embroidered with little ducks and blocks along the top, then we were given a beautiful vintage comforter with red polka dots on the back and nursery rhymes on the front. The stuffed animals were actually Nic's when he was a baby and then we LOVE aunt Jeanette's stole on the side of her crib! All of this makes for a beautiful crib for Alice!

Next is our changing table that is almost finished, really we are just going to get some baskets and hang a shelf above for extra storage. Also above the crib we will be hanging a series of photos, art, and shelves, will post pics after!

We are still waiting for our largest box from Dallas with the majority of stuff to arrive, but it will be here soon! Then the glider and rug should be in and then Alice is the final touch!

Again we had the best time in Texas seeing you guys and are sad it will be so long until we see you again, especially now that we had that earthquake on Tuesday and trying to get ready for the hurricane this weekend! If you are wondering, our apartment shook I thought I was having a dizzy spell, then I realized Max and Olive were holding on to the ground really low with all fours looking at me for help. So glad everyone is ok, and nothing fell!

XOXO

-Natalie

28 weeks 0 days

The start of the nursery..........

Hey everyone!

So now is the time to start getting our nursery ready! Nic took this last weekend to paint her walls a beautiful oyster color.  Martha Stewart is my idol and she makes a great line of paint called, "Precious Metals", which means you take a base color and add an iridescence to it. So we did a light blue with a silver to it, which it looks great with the new chandelier Nic put up! Modern to kind of off set the vintage crib.

The crib gets here Monday morning, which I can not wait to see what it will look like in her room! We also went to a flea market and picked up a changing table, which Nic painted white and we are looking at new hardware for! While we were there we picked Nic up a new desk which we are both very excited about. So it feels like things are rapidly moving forward.

Alice is growing so much and everyday is amazing to feel her movements. Being pregnant is incredible! It is starting to get more difficult sleeping, but other than that everything couldn't be moving any smoother! We do get to go to Texas next week, which we have been waiting for. Some very much needed family and friends time to get in, just not looking forward to the heat. They have been saying this is one of the hotter summers in NYC, but I don't think it is preparing us for was Texas will be like.

So here are some pictures of what we have done to the nursery so far...............
still a long way to go!

Changing table, pre-painting

first coat

some planters for her

the chandelier

Will update more when more comes in!

We love you guys!

-Natalie

24 weeks 6 days

TIME GOES BY SO FAST.......

Oh my! I know I am just past the halfway mark, but it is going quick! I look at all the pictures we have already be given of Alice, to see that she is a little lady. Such a beautiful one at that already, I can't wait to meet her! Nic and I talk about it all the time what she will look like........
We think/know dark curly hair, we are guessing she will have Nic's greenish-brown eyes, and who really knows what else! Super excited that she will be here sooner than later!

I went to the doctor this tuesday to do the sonogram that measured her organs and size.  She is already at a pound and growing rapidly every day. I just know how excited we are about coming to Dallas to see our family and friends, and I am especially excited to how big I will be.

I feel like I am big some days and then others not big enough, but I know to just wait.  I am sure there will be days when I am huge that I wish I was this size again. As for how I am feeling, well just great! I am in perfect health, getting all my extra vitamins and eating right and active. As for working, currently working a few days a week, but they are getting nervous about me being there. I work at a restaurant in Williamsburg, there I cut meat, so sometimes it is hot and the wait can be up to 2 hours, but usually around 1- 1 1/2 hours.  That means I am constantly working until we close, which makes time go by fast.
They would like to move me to an easier station, which is fine, just less hours, which means less money. Did any of you work in the later part of your pregnancies?

On another note, have you been to Baby Gap?! I couldn't believe how amazing the clothes were there! Nic and I went shopping for some maternity stuff and walked into the kids section and were blown away with the little jackets, sweaters, ruffled bloomers, and onesies! I think they are my favorite baby clothing store! 

That is what is new with us! Hope all is well in your life!

XOXO
-Natalie
22 weeks 1 day

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL CRIB!

A million plus thank you's, hugs, and kisses to Billy and Val Mathis! Alice is such a lucky little girl, to have such a loving family! We have ordered her crib thanks to them!
The original dream crib I wanted, is the one she gets!
This is the Adele crib from Restoration Hardware.....

Will look so beautiful and even better with her in it! Now just to find bedding and pillows........
So this means we are slowly piecing together her nursery, we are also currently in talks with my parents, Mary Thompson-Fox and David Jacocks about her glider.
This is what we like......
Dwellstudio, Savoy Glider in Ice Blue

Also her curtains.........
Vintage Floral Scarf Curtain, Urban Outfitters

and possible rug..........
Cowhide, IKEA

Anyways, the only thing that has been ordered is the crib, but hopefully soon so will all the others!

Also I am in maternity clothes! Mostly, pants with a really high band over my stomach and ruched tees.  Super exciting, plus she is kicking amazingly strong and I love it!

Let us know what you think of her nursery so far or if you have any other ideas!

XOXO
-Natalie
21 weeks 3 days

REGISTRY

Hey guys!
So we keep thinking about the best way to do the baby shower registry, and this is what we could think of;
posting it on here where we are registered and a few things that we couldn't put on a registry.

Also since we live in NYC and everyone knows how expensive checking bags on an airplane is, if it is at all possible to have it shipped to us (large items), but are understanding and extremely grateful for your gift if shipping just isn't in the cards. Again, we want this to be easy and fun so our registry is easy to order online from or find at regular stores.

If anyone is wondering what kind of theme we are doing for Alice, well here it is!
Her nursery colors are gold and opal/pearl, but lots of floral accents.
Nic is going to do some paintings and drawings for the walls, also we are looking for a really great piece of taxidermy and vintage maps.
As for bedding, I have picked out some vintage floral sheets and looking for some lace and ruffle pillows.
To me sounds great!
We did have some trouble with the crib we were going to order, it doubled in price! So that brings us back to square one on finding what we want.

OK, back to registry. I registered at Amazon.com under both of our names, or I think you can search for the grandparents names. This site already has our address for shipping!

We registered at a Brooklyn based baby store, minijakes.com

Here are some things we LOVE and were not able to be put on the list:

Footmuff for stroller:
http://www.juicycouture.com/girls/accessories/aox09543/footmuff-by-maclaren

Diaper Service:
Well trying to figure this one out, we are going to try cloth diapers, but all I can find is ones that use the old school cloths. We have found ones that we like that use liners.

I'm sure everyone is saying, "you can tell this is their first baby", because cloth diapers and glass bottles, and some of our other choices.  Well it is very true, but give us a break and just enjoy the stories as we go through it!

We are so excited that Alice has all of you in her life, that you get to be here in the beginning and to see her grow! I know she will love you all like we do!

See you soon!
-Natalie
21 weeks 0 days

Alice Update

Good Morning!

Well here is the latest on little Alice and us.

We are now past the 19 week mark, so almost halfway there!

She is kicking a lot, and so much fun as it is getting stronger.

Since we have found out that it's a girl I have been so excited to get going on her nursery.

We have decided on the Uptown Crib, and now looking at gliders and changing tables. Also we have picked out some floral curtains for her and now just looking for a great piece of faux taxidermy for one wall. I found a trio of felt ones by roost, but ever where I have looked they are sold out! Anyone know where else I can find them?

Well here is some update on me, I finally finished the filming for "Chopped" on Food Network on Wednesday! It will air sometime next year, I am in season 11 episode 6, so please stay tuned so you can watch! I can't tell you how it went, so you will just have to watch it when it airs! Alice was cheering me on the whole time by kicking in front of the judges, thanks Alice! 

Other than being tired from filming, I still am having a great pregnancy. 

As for Nic, he loves buying her little things, she already has tons of shoes! 

I know we are super excited about coming to visit Texas in August! Excited to show everyone how much she is growing, plus we miss our friends and family!

I guess that is all for now, I will try and post all the things we are buying for her room, to give an idea of what it is looking like.

XOXO,

-Natalie

19 weeks 1 day

Latest Pictures!!

Nic trying out how a baby carrier works!

The baby sling we actually got!

Testing out the baby sling with Olive. 

Look at that baby bump! At almost 18 weeks!

Right before we found out that we are having a girl!

Alice Porter Mathis, 18 weeks!