Christmas

Natasha thoroughly enjoyed her first Christmas morning by sleeping through the whole thing. I think that was her present to mommy since it's a been a few long nights.

Christmas Stocking

Surrounded by presents

A new Cow Puppet

Relaxing after all the excitement

RI Grandpa

Well, Natasha did fairly well on her first plane ride, although we had a seat free for the car seat, and she slept for half of the five hour flight. The second flight wasn't so good, but that was mostly Delta and JFK airport's fault. They never announced our flight and she was starving. We asked and were told they weren't boarding yet, but asked 15 minutes later, and found out it was almost ready to take off, and there were hundreds of people crowded around one gate that had 5 or 6 simultaneous flights leaving from it. And of course Delta didn't get our luggage on board, but it got delivered the next day.
So, we did arrive safely and tired in Rhode Island. Natasha is much loved by all her family, but now is being doted on by her family from the east.

Hanging out with Grandpa Demars in Rhode Island.

Misc Pictures

Pictures....

Our neighbor Natasha holding Natasha.

Reach for the sky.

A true fan already.

Yes, that is a large hairy arm growing out of the back of her head, but apparently she can sleep right through it.

First Full Bath

First full bath, meaning her belly button thing fell off and we no longer have to do sponge baths. She was great and didn't cry at all. But, right when we put her in the little bit of water she arched her back and lifted herself up out of the water. It was just adorable. But, then she settled in and was great.

Great Picture

Here's a great picture.

Sunday Night

Natasha has been a bit fussy for 2 days. Colic or something, but we really don't know.

Here's a picture anyway. I think her face is starting to round out a bit. :)

Updates

A couple of people have asked if there's a way to be notified of updates. You can use an RSS feed reader to read the latest ones. (I use reader.google.com) or if you send me an email I'll send out emails when I do updates. Email me at Brian (at) Barlowfam (dotcom) and asked to be added to my BarlowBabyBlog Update list.

Daddy

Well Natasha already loves her Daddy, and here's proof.

Sleeping Beauties

Smiling for Daddy

Cuddling with Daddy

Missing...

I had to take a quick overnight trip for business. I missed my little sweetie tons. The joke is that I would sleep better without the nightly interruptions, but on the contrary I slept much worse. I was lonely without my girls. It's continually amazing how much the little bundle has changed our lives and brought so much joy.

Having children is such an interesting experience. It's very overwhelming. Overwhelming joy
and excitement for a little one, and overwhelming responsibility of raising and teaching the little one. What's been great is that everyone is so excited for us. Most people have kids of their own, and what we are going through is old hat for them, and yet they are still so excited for us. I realized that it gives everyone the chance to remember the emotions they first had as they watch us experience them for the first time.
Everyone has been so supportive. Our parents have spoiled us and many friends have helped out in many different ways. It's impossible to thank them all, but this week Alyson had a good friend Norma come by. She found out the things we were still missing and brought us an armload of gifts. We were very grateful and it was a big help. Many others have helped us so much and we are just brimming with gratitude.
Thanks All.
more pictures to come, once I get home.

2nd week doctor visit

Natasha had her second week doctor's visit. Everything seems to be going well.

Here's a picture of mom comforting her after all the blood letting.

Family Picture

Family Picture maybe for Christmas cards or something...

Bathtime

Bathtime complete with head massage.

Smiley

Chillin in the Billibed. Her count went down enough that she no longer has to be in the bed. We are pretty happy about that, because it seriously limited our cuddling time.

"Enough with the millions of pictures Daddy!"

She is really starting to smile pretty just this morning.

My skills of holding with one hand, and taking a picture with the other hand have to be admired for those last 3.

Update

Natasha's bilirubin count is slowly going down, so hopefully not too much longer in the light bed. She has been pretty good about it, but it's just heartbreaking to not be able to hold and cuddle her. She's eating great, and we still just love her to death.

Nobody's Perfect

Well, since Natasha was just about perfect they had to go searching for problems. It seems she has a high bilirubin count, which is common. But, lucky her she gets to sleep in a glowing blue bed now!

With Flash which hid the glow...

Without flash. Yes, the neon glow is from the lights below her, and no she is not pleased Daddy is taking a picture.

Pictures

Mommy loves Baby

Eyes

Diapers

Many of you may be happy to know that I am now changing lots of diapers.
Grandma Demars is here now and we had a relaxing Sunday being the first full day home with the little one. She is adorable still, sleeps lots, and is beginning to open and show off her beautiful eyes.

Home

Natasha is now home with us. Being brand new parents is a nerve wracking experience. I'm sure much has been written of the responsibilities of parenthood, but the reality hits hard, especially with a helpless newborn. She is just the sweetest, cutest thing, but we feel keenly the greater responsibility and pray to be equal to the task. Now we feel the pressures of protecting her physical well-being because she is so helpless, but how much more important will it be to protect her social, mental, and emotional health. Most importantly will be her spiritual health.

Here's a picture of her sleeping at home with a variety of colors and stripes. :)

First Ride

All packed up for the first ride in a car. It's amazing how much better of driver I am when I've got this new little bundle of love in the back seat.

Happy or Gas?

More Second Day

More pictures from the 2nd day, since I'm such a proud papa. (which one nurse kept calling me and it sounded very strange.) She is absolutely adorable. From what I hear tell, newborns don't do anything but eat, sleep and poop. So far, I've only been seeing the sleeping part. I got to feed her some formula which was great fun, but she hasn't really gotten the hang of the eating part, which means we are safe from too much of the pooping part. (for now...)

Second Day Picture

What a cutie!

Second day

Everything is going great the second day. More pictures to come, so keep checking back. Natasha seems healthy. She has a healthy cry, and I (Daddy) changed my first diaper this morning. And the fun begins...

First Post - First Baby

Natasha Paige Barlow was born November 16th, 2006 at 4:26 P.M after just a few hours of labor. She weighed in at 8 pounds 1 ounce and 20 inches.
First pictures..