8 days a week

It's hard to believe that our little Natalie is 8 days old today! It's been a pretty big week for us, as you might well imagine. :) I can't believe that just a week ago I was still pregnant, timing contractions and wishing wishing wishing for our baby to finally arrive. Here I am less than 24 hours before Natalie was born:



....and here I am one week post-partum, slowly starting to regain my own body:

My recovery has gone well, I am feeling stronger by the day and my ability to do simple everyday tasks continues to grow. The hardest part has been to remember to pace myself and not push too hard; too many times up and down the stairs, or lifting Natalie's car seat out of the Jeep, and I'm exhausted and sore for the rest of the day. Luckily Mikey has prided himself on monitoring my discomfort and activity and insists that I rest, even when I would rather be proving how capable I am.

Natalie's first week of life has had lots of major milestones, including:

- 2 trips to restaurants

- 2 doctor's appointments (where her health was called "perfect")

- 78 diaper changes

- an average of 6 - 7 hours of sleep each night, spread out over 2 - 3 hour intervals

- 115 feedings

- an initial weight loss of 5 ounces during her first 3 days of life...

- ...followed by a weight gain of 1 pound by her one week check-up (bringing her weight up to 9 lbs 6 oz)
- 4 bedtime stories with her dad, including the one shown below

- meeting all 6 of her grandparents (check out how excited they all are!)

Grandma and Grandpa Cherry

Nana...

...& Poppy

G-Ma and G-Pa McCormack

- her first walk, on a beautiful sunny day along the boardwalk

- a billion sleepy smiles that we keep trying to catch on camera... this one takes the cake!

Each day brings something new, and I love it! Natalie has already changed so much, and it's only been a week. Mike and I are both so excited to see what comes next!