Best $15 I ever spent!

After 3 weeks of bliss with baby Natalie, something recently changed this fourth week of her life. She started crying--and for no apparent reason. Nearly every day this week, we've experienced some kind of tantrum with Natalie crying and we can't figure out why. She doesn't seem to be in pain, just tired and cranky. The many moms I've queried about this problem all say it's "normal" at this age. "Something neurological" is their only explanation. I'm no neurologist by any means, but it's so hard to see and hear your child crying and not know how to fix it.

So I decided I needed a bouncy seat. The name really explains it all, but it also has battery-powered vibration to soothe babies. Kind of an infant-sized massage chair. Not knowing if this magical chair would solve all our problems, I didn't want to shell out $100 bucks or more for a brand new one. So, I found one on Craig's List for $15 and promptly purchased it from the mom of a 2 year old who apparently loved it until she outgrew it.

Last night the cries started. I frantically searched for a size D battery and placed Natalie in her new "Flutter Chime" bouncy seat. It's really cute. It has chiming butterflies and a birdie for her to play with when her hand/eye coordination gets a little better. Apparently there is sound too, but I haven't replaced that battery just yet...

It had an amazing effect on her, instantly stifling her cries and relaxing her tight little body. Thank you Lord (and Fisher Price)!

Trip to Pendleton

Thursday Natalie and I made our first trip to Pendleton to visit with friends and family. Grandma Pat and Grandpa Ric knew we were coming, but remarkably, kept it a secret from everyone else. It was fun surprising everyone.

Thursday evening when we arrived, Uncle Peter met his niece for the first time. He seemed pretty impressed with her and he's not easily impressed usually! He was excited that her first ever concert attendance was one that he put on at Pendleton's hot spot, the Great Pacific. At GP, I hardly even saw Natalie, because most of the night she was either in her uncle's arms meeting his friends, or in one of her grandparents' arms meeting their friends. She seemed pretty content, even with the loud music (let's hope there isn't permanent damage) and what seemed like all of Pendleton was excited to meet the baby they'd heard so much about!

Later that evening, we visited Natalie's great grandparents. Grandma Vera and Grandpa Gurney were sure surprised to see her and enjoyed examining her long fingers and toes. The next day, we met at Great Uncle Dave's Chevron to meet the rest of the Walters gang, including Aunt Toni, Uncle Dave, cousin Clint, cousin Rod and the rest of the hard-working crew there.

Natalie enjoyed meeting lots of Grandma and Grandpa's friends including Bev and Dan (who had the magic touch with Natalie--she was always so relaxed and content in his arms!).

Overall, it was a very fun (but short!) visit to mommy's hometown. Grandma and Grandpa were sure sad to see her leave and on more than one occasion, I was asked "why don't you guys just move to Pendleton?".

Daddy was sure glad to see us when we got home Saturday night. Natalie was a super traveler and can't wait to go back to P-Town in early October.

From the river to a field of dreams...

Today was a very fun day! We took baby Natalie on her first picnic by the Deschutes River at Shevlin Park. She really enjoyed the soothing sounds of the water and hanging out in nature. But by early afternoon the temp had reached the low 90s and we had enough of that!





This evening Jeramy's softball team played a triple header to win the division championship title! Four grueling hours of softball really paid off and Natalie and I cheered them on the entire time (well, actually, Natalie mostly slept during the games, but she was still Daddy's good luck charm). It was a long season but it was great to see the guys go all the way! Congrats Team Kekumbus!

All in all, it was a fun and busy day. Tomorrow (well, actually later today as it's after 1 am as I type this!), Natalie and I are headed to Pendleton to introduce her to her great grandma and grandpa Walters and her uncle Peter.

Until next time...

Love,
Val, Jeramy and Natalie

Special visits from friends...

This week was sure a fun one. Many, many friends stopped by to meet Natalie for the first time: The Valenti family, Susan and Marcia, Colette and Chloe, Angie, Jenni and Stella, Debbie and Gracie, Chablis and Bethany. What a fun week!

Our friend Susan brought a very special gift for Natalie. A very talented and creative quilter, Susan designed a one-of-a-kind quilt just for Natalie. It's a very whimsical design featuring pinwheel flowers and bold, bright colors that Natalie just loves.

Thank you, Susan for such a special gift--we will treasure it always!!!

Another fun visit this week was when baby Stella came to visit. Stella's mom Jenni and I worked together and had a fun time being pregnant together. The girls are only 2 days apart in age and soon they will be fast friends. Here's a cute picture of Natalie and Stella hanging out in Natalie's crib.

Yesterday, Natalie got to meet mommy's little Sis through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Bethany, 9, had the magic touch with Natalie--she was so cozy in Bethany's arms that she slept right through the entire visit! That was okay with Bethany though. She really liked examining all of Natalie's tiny features. Bethany even brought Natalie some new clothes that she picked out just for her! I think I have a future babysitter lined up...

Social duties do tend to make a girl tired. I snapped this shot of Natalie sleeping so peacefully, she looks like a little angel! (of course, she is!)

So, thank you to all the friends who have visited. We promise to be rested up next week for more fun visits from friends. We appreciate every one of you!

Love,
Natalie (and Val)

Pictures, pictures and more pictures!

Now that Grandma and Grandpa Walters have left, we're going to have to dust off our camera and keep up with the pictures of Natalie's daily life. In the meantime, here are some snap shots of the last week or so...

Natalie getting ready to go out and enjoy the sunshine (too bad these don't fit quite yet!)

Natalie with her great great grand aunt Julie!

Natalie meets Grandpa Walters for the first time... It was love at first sight!

Natalie's first bath at home--and guess what? She liked it!

Natalie and Mom sitting on the front porch...

She looks like a little island girl, don't you think?

Our family!


Our little Nat-Bug

The best (early) birthday present!

Well, Saturday finally ushered me into my 30s. But with Natalie, I was distracted enough that I didn't have time to feel depressed about getting older. She really has been the best early birthday present I could ever hope for.

It was a pretty low key affair. In the morning, Auntie Romy visited and brought beautiful flowers for Natalie and all sorts of presents. It was really fun to see her. Then Natalie's Great Great Grand Aunt Julie arrived from Portland with a fabulous cake and all the makings for a birthday party. Next, Grandma and Grandpa Yost arrived with the three doggies in tow (Toby loved that!). And of course, Grandma and Grandpa Walters had been here almost all week. We dined at the Pine Tavern and opened gifts at home. The good thing about turning 30 is the jewelry! I received beautiful peridot earrings, a ruby and diamond ring (to remind me of Natalie's birth month), and a sterling "V" charm from Tiffany's that is engraved with "Happy 30th". And I was spoiled with many other gifts, as was Natalie. She also got a little blue box from Tiffany's... A silver spoon engraved with her name and birthdate. Pretty special indeed.

After the hooplah of the day, Mom, Julie, Natalie and I stayed up and played "Crap on Your Neighbor" til the wee hours of the morning. Julie beat us, but I feel a rematch coming up real soon!

All in all, it was a wonderful birthday surrounded by many loved ones. And I am glad to be 30. It's a very fun time in life and I woudn't trade it for the world!

I'll post more pics soon!!!

Val