New Pics

Costume Time

So it was Abigails 1 year birthday on Saturday, and all the scarry monsters came out to play!

I think the pictures speak for themselves!

7 Weeks Old

Happy Birthday to Natalie! We are at 7 weeks old now, and doing great. She is changing every day! Every morning we find something new. She is keeping her eyes open, and starting to recognize us. She still has the giggles -- that makes Val start giggling. We are starting to see smiles a lot more, not just after a good poop either! She's holding her head up, and actually tracking objects. She goes through growth spurts, sometimes sleeping 3-4 hours, and then back to every two hours for feeding. Hey, its her world, we are just visiting! heheheheh

Grandpa and Grandma Daubert have been down for the last week, and I think Grandma has put her down twice...total..over 7 days...hehehehe. We have some great pictures of Natalie sleeping on Grandmas chest, with Grandma sleeping in the chair. Priceless!

Val is doing great, she's going to a fitness training class down at a local park called Shape, Rattles, and Stroll. All for Mommy's and babies, and the strollers. She's loving it!
My "vacation" ends on Monday...starting the new job as Art Director for Sony Games here in Austin. Not sure if everyone has heard, but I shut down the Animation Farm two months ago to focus more on Val and Natalie. I got a call from Sony later that month wanting to talk. So everything turned out great. I'm super excited about the studio, and I will be in charge of STAR WARS and DC Comics Online video games. Whoo hoo! Now I have a reason to wear my cape to work! hehehehe.

Here are some more great pics!

This one I call "Hey Dad, I pooped!"

And now notes from MOMMY!

We are so lucky to have had so much help in the past 7 weeks. My mom (Aba), Tia Cristy, Tia Meche and Mechita, Dad (Pepe), and now the Dauberts (Grandma and Grandpa) have all taken a turn in staying with us and lending their expertise. I never thought having so many people in the house all in a row would be so great! Everyone has pitched in and Mike and I are very thankful. We still don't sleep more than 2-3 hours straight, but we realize it could be worse. I don't know how people do it on their own! We love our little princess and it's all worth it to see her smile once in a while. She's the most awake in the middle of the day and she plays and looks at her mobile. Soon she will be in her big crib...maybe in two weeks or so...if Daddy lets her go so far that is. We'll let you know how it goes! :-)

Photo Op! Please, no flash!

WHOO HOO! Great news, Natalie has put on twice the amount of weight that the Doctor wanted! Had our second appointment this week, and all went great! Weight is good, and the Doc says Natalies POO is very impressive! hehehehehehe... Natalie has been eating really well, and giving us a bit of sleep. Last night she only woke twice, and gave us about 5 hours of sleep. Heck, we will take it when we can. I know that shes playing possum though, saving all her energy to test Daddys patients! hehehehe...but she just so dang cute!



Ok, so heres a couple poperatizi pics to hold everyone over for a while!
Darelene and Kevin stopped by with food too! Thank you everyone who has brought us food to keep us going! You have no idea how much that helps!

Sleep is so over rated!

Ok, the death march has stared. Thursday night we got about 1/2 hour sleep total, Friday was better, two hours tops...but last night was good. We got about 4 hours each. Not straight through, hour here, hour there. But we have great news, SHES EATING! ALOT! Nat latched on great with the help from Tia Cristy, and she fed for over 1 1/2 yesterday straight. Most she ever ate was maybe 15 minutes. But then she ate through the whole night. Have to get her schedule to where she eats during the day, and sleeps at night. But for now, we are just happy shes eating.

Val is doing great. Her belly is going down pretty quickly. Lilly has been a god send all week, taking care of us while we care for Natalie. We can not say thank you enough.

Tia Cristy and Tio Carlos came up for the weekend for a visit also, along with Danny and Saddy.

Well, cant be too creative and fun with the writing, too tired. But heres some more great pics!

Thank you also for everyone that keeps sending flowers after flowers after flowers! WOW!

Day four

Great news, Natalie is coming home tomorrow! Val and I are heading in to spend the night with her. She will be in our room all night, and if her blood count come back clean, my little angel gets to come home! WHOO HOOO!

ok, had to get some pics up of Grandma Lilly and Nat!

Happy 3rd Day Birthday Natalie!

Hello everyone! Things are going great down here. Little Natalie is doing great! She is still in the NICU, but Val has been breast feeding for the last two days! She has taken to the "boob" really well, just like her daddy..hehehehe! MICHAEL!!(As my mom would yell!)

Shes looking really good and pink. Here breathing is 100% better. We are hoping to take her off the O2 today, and start weening her off the IVs and Antibiotics. Sad news, we wont be able to take her home today. They will probably keep her for a couple more days. Val will be discharged, but we are trying to see if we can stay longer. Keeping our fingers crossed.

My greatest joy so far is singing to my little girl. Every morning we start with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and end with Over the Rainbow. She seems to love my voice, and love vals touch. The minute val snuggles up with her, she stop crying.

Heres a quick pick of her this morning. I know she may look a little chubby, but shes really small, only 18 inches. Dontcha just want to pinch those little cheeks! heheheh

I want to thank everyone for the flowers and gifts that were sent. Val room is covered in flowers, i think the last time I counted there were over 10 bouquets of flowers!! It smells really nice. Thank you also for everyones kind words. We love you all, and please keep us in your prayers. It makes it that much easier knowing that Natalie will be surrounded by such loving friends and family!

All our love you everyone!