Monday, September 30, 2013

InstaMonday #45


Yesterday we all headed to church for the primary program.
We put band aids on Collin's fingertips to keep him from picking his nose on the stage.
Worked like a charm.



It's been kind of chilly here. Had to bust out the cozy baby clothes and Pendleton blankets.


And cozy booties.


Lydia had her school photos taken.


My mom pulled out this photo of me at the same age to prove that, 
yes, Lydia does look like our side of the family.


I discovered that going through the car wash with my two oldest and a sleeping baby isn't a good idea. 


I also found that my baby and dad have the same beautiful hair style.

And that you don't need cable when you have Puppet American Idol!


Having a sister in law with mad cooking skills is pretty great. 



And its fun to have someone to yard sale with.

What do you think of my new thrifted acquisition? Yay or ney?


Lydia rushes home everyday from school for a little baby time.


Wouldn't you?

Guess what? We've been in Boise three years now! 
We love it here!


Especially our little neighborhood. 
Just look at the cuties that frequent out backyard.

Yep, Colin is wearing pajama pants, his sister's sweater and a tie.
Since having the baby, the kids have had to learn to fend for themselves.

I call that good parenting, 
(i.e. survival mode parenting)



Have had a few bouts with the baby blues. They suck. 
On the last one, Shane made me a spot of of tea, and when I noticed that all the things on the tray had been gifts from him, it cheered me right up. 


Cuddling with Ellie helps too.

Have a great week!

Follow me on instagram @natssentiments

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Sunday Pumpkin Waffles


It's a cold Autumn Sunday and that calls for everything comfort food.

On the menu today: Bev's Macaroni and cheese (I made with it with whole wheat noodles and I think it was even better.) Served it with roasted acorn squash and broccoli.

Tonight's Sunday treat is Pumpkin snickerdoodles  - Also called Pumpkin Doodle Cookies. 



This morning was Shane's morning to sleep in, so I busted out the waffle iron. This recipe is based on a Deals to Meals recipe, with a few changes to make it a little more to my liking.

Pumpkin Waffles

Beat together:

3 eggs
16 oz canned pumpkin
¾ c. vegetable oil or Applesauce
½ c. milk
Add:

2 ½ c. flour
1 2/3 c. sugar
1 ½ t. baking soda
1 ¼ t. salt
2 t. Pumpkin Pie Spice

Beat all ingredients together. Spray waffle iron with oil or butter. 
Pour about of 3/4 cups into waffle maker. 

I serve with maple syrup, cinnamon whipped cream, bananas and nutella.

Makes about 9 waffles. I couldn't eat a full waffle. They are very filling.

Enjoy!


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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Elise's Newborn Photos with Amanda Andrews Photography

YAY!!!!!! I'm ridiculously excited to share Elise's newborn photos with you! I asked around to friends and did research on who did the best Boise newborn photography, and Amanda Andrews Photography was hands down the favorite. 


Amanda scheduled to see Elise when she was 8 days old. Often she does it sooner, but I needed a little time since I had a c-section. I was amazed at the Amanda Andrews Photography studio. Amanda is a natural light photographer, using the most incredible windows for her lighting. She keeps the newborns nice and toasty wearing nothing but their birthday suits. She seems to have the magic touch to return these babies to a cozy slumber to capture the perfect shot. Want to see for yourself? Check out the Amanda Andrew Photography Blog! Warning you, you might be there awhile. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever. You'll see Amanda also does Boise Maternity Photography and older babies. 



My mom and I had the best time watching Amanda work. It was like watching a sculpture carefully position each little foot and finger into the perfect position. 

This was the first time we got out of the house after the baby was born. I think my mom had a bit of cabin fever, so she had a ball.

 I couldn't guess how many headbands, hats, bonnets, blankets and photo props she has available. It's like someone bought every thing "baby" themed on Etsy and Potterybarn and put it on display for your choosing. You can imagine I was in awe.

Want to see the results???














Could you just die?! 

Which one is your favorite? I need to pick just one to frame for the nursery.

Thank you thank you thank you to Amanda Andrews Photography! Amanda, you are amazing! Do you do family photos?......

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Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Elise's Blessing Day and Recovery Update

Ok. I've got a couple minutes so I better take advantage. I have tons of things I want to blog about, but I seem to be a little busy these days. Actually, a lot busy. And EXHAUSTED. Even though this is my third time having a newborn, I forgot how profound the exhaustion would be. The worst is watching my day winding down and knowing there will be no restorative rest. 

My mom says to enjoy those tender moments at night alone with the baby. And I do, for the most part. But sometimes her little cries to eat at 3am kind of make me want to cry too.

Elise is such a good baby. She still wakes up to eat far more than I'd like, but she is sweet and mild. She is very easy to calm. I believe at this stage newborns know better than anyone when they should eat and when they want to sleep. I don't schedule my newborns. I let her guide me.

As for my recovery, I'm doing great. My incision and the bleed there is almost completely healed. My hand has regained usage and I've regained feeling in my bladder. Unless I really over do it, I don't need pain meds. I'm hoping that by October I'll feel like myself again.

My mom isn't here to take care of me anymore, so I better pull on my big girl panties and get back to work.

(And big girl panties are all that fit, so hopefully soon I can head back to the gym.)

In other news....


Sunday was Elise's blessing day! She's a month old already.
She is such a doll. 

In the Mormon church we don't baptize babies. We wait until at least 8 years old. 
But we do bless our babies at church or at home with a blessing from a Priesthood holder. 



It's a special day and we were so happy to have my parents and Shane's sister and family join us.


My kids! 



Our first photo with our entire family. Ah. Love.

Will try to get back to the blog when I can. I have so much to post! But for now, I'm still instagraming @natssentiments.

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Winner!

 The winner of the Toy Nanny from 2 Red Hens Studio is Sarah of Dandelions and Daffodils. Congrats!! Email me and I will get you your prize.

Monday, September 9, 2013

InstaMonday #44 - Life Since Baby



A lot has happened in the three weeks since baby Elise has come into our family. 
I discovered this "just born" photo on Shane's phone. I didn't even know that the nurse took it.
Such a sweet moment.



The hospital stay wasn't fun. 
But I was just so grateful I had a beautiful healthy little girl. 


Three days old.
"Wow! The view from Grandma's shoulder is amazing!"


"THIS is the family I was sent to?"


Little make shift changing area in my bedroom.


Lots of gifts for baby.




Even a personalized Pot Pie!


Gifts to cheer me in my recovery.

"Natalie, Just wanted to send you some treats to eat, to help you get better. Maybe practice using your hand by putting a cookie in your mouth over and over. Before you know it, you'll have your hand function back! 
Love Lisa."

Thanks Lisa! My hand function is back. Pretty sure it's because of your cookies!!!



We were so happy to have our family all together finally.


Shane feels it's very important to spend quality time with each child.




Shane always take care of the first bath. It wasn't Ellie's favorite thing.


She woke up with distrust the next morning.


Oh, I do have other kids. 

Collin started pre-school!


Let's celebrate with cupcakes!


I had a birthday. Let's celebrate with cake!


Boise Art at the Park. I went too! 


Of course, none of this would be possible without the help of my mom.
She's saved me.

(That's a balloon sword Lydia is carrying. Just to clarify.)


This is our last baby. I have my family.
It's amazing.

Photos via instagram @natssentiments
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