First Bath!

I wanted to share one of my favorite pictures from my entire stay at the hospital before I tell you all about James and his first bath.


And now, for the first bath....

See? Happy baby while you pour water on his belly.


Stop to take a picture of happy baby? See? Crying baby.


Video of crying baby! Yay! FYI: Bryan says he was crying because we were bathing him with a pink washcloth. Do you notice in the video that Daddy is the one handling the pink cloth?


Content baby wrapped in a towel (which included a secure diaper to keep him from "springing a leak".)


He survived his first bath!

Food for Thought: Are you Guilty?

So as a mom and a blogger, there are certain blogs I pretty much frequent on a regular basis. One of them I became connected to through an online message board I am a member of. It's called Working Moms Against Guilt (or WMAG for short).

They have posted several interesting blogs in the past, including some of my favorites like on Tuesdays where they do quick and easy recipes focused on busy working moms who want healthy meals for their families. Anyway, I've gotten behind recently in my reading over at WMAG because of an *ahem* new member to our home who requires lots of time and attention. And snuggles. And kisses. I digress....

They recently posted a blog entitled Why Guilt for Liking Work? where each of the four contributors to the blog gave her own personal take on why moms sometimes feel guilty for enjoying the time they spend at work (away from their children).

I remember when Gracie was born and I went back to work, how conflicted I was. On the one hand it was extremely nice to go back to adult conversations that didn't involve coo-ing, drool, and stinky diapers. On the other, I missed my baby. At the same time, it was like while I was gone from work everybody had a big party I wasn't invited to. I just felt so out of place and so confused, I think that is the point when all that "post-partum depression" stuff really took it's toll on me.

There are days, even before I went on maternity leave with James, that I hate working. I wish we had the financial stability for me to be a stay at home mom (sometimes). And then often times I wonder if we were in a situation and I could stay at home full-time, would I really want to? There are days when I'm exhausted from work and the last thing I want to do is get down on the same level as my children and play. And other times when I've had a bad day at work or whatever, that little silly smile can make my whole day even better.

I do agree with Tela, in that typically my eight hour shift at work each day makes me appreciate so much more the time I do have at home with my children. I'm sure once I go back to work in October, I'll start to feel that way even more. I'm not knocking the stay at home moms at all, because I'm sure (even staying at home) their workload is just as demanding - schedules, naps, house cleaning, errands, etc.

I guess either way sometimes it's hard to find a balance. I know a lot of stay at home moms who get flack because they don't "do" anything except sit at home and watch TV all day. Knowing the handful of SAHMs I do, I can tell you firsthand THAT is very far from the truth.

So if you work or you stay at home with the kids, what is your take? Share your thoughts with me....I'd love to hear them.

New Look! New Header! Same link...

Hey guys!

It's just me, popping in to share our new look with you. Okay, so "Nelson: Party of Four" is not the most original of blog names but it makes me happy. And I'm leaving the blog URL the same because so many people know it, and it's in my email address too. They'll still get to our blog, now it's just going to be more family based and not all about the Princess. LoL!

Anyway, an update on the newest member of our family: breastfeeding almost went out the window! But after several kind words of advice and some help from good friends, I have been given a Medela double Pump in Style on loan. I've only nursed a few times, but James is thriving and doing well with both formula and breastmilk. He's getting more breastmilk than formula and loving it all!

He has been unusually awake/alert the last few days, and I'm shocked to think that this Monday he'll be three weeks old. Where did the time go? Normally bedtime is between 11-12 and he'll sleep until about 4:30 and bottle/nurse, then back to sleep until around 8-9. He's a good baby, just like his big sister was!

His little umbilical cord stump fell off sometime yesterday morning (and must be hiding in the mess that is our bedroom right now) so he had his first official bath last night. He cried the entire time, and Bryan said it's because I was bathing him with a pink rag. In an attempt to show me how he felt about the pink rag, my little man "sprung a leak" and tried to soak his Mama. I move too fast for him!

FYI if you care: I am back in pre-pregnancy jeans and have lost almost all of the 30+ pounds I gained during pregnancy! Can I get a "WOO HOO!"

I'll be sure to post some newer pictures of Little Man and the Princess as soon as humanly possible.

Baby James

Want to see the most beautiful baby in the world?

Click HERE!

Introducing James Edward Nelson!!

This is Amy checking in to announce the arrival of James Edward Nelson. He was born this morning, August 10th, at 7:51. He weighed 8lbs. 8oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. Both he and Miranda are doing great, and Bryan and Gracie are thrilled with their new addition! Congratulations to the Nelson family!

Just minutes old!

His lungs were definitely working!

Bryan watching them weigh James

Father and Son!

Those cheeks are so pinchable!

James' first bath!

I'm not liking this!!!

Rub a dub dub, it's James in the tub!

So sweet and squeaky clean!

Miranda should be heading home on Thursday, but please just continue to keep her and the new baby in your prayers!

70 Questions

I was tagged by Amy, and because I don't want to be nagged, tortured, and judged for the rest of eternity - I'm doing this stinkin' survey.

1. The phone rings. Who do you want it to be? Amy says that I nag her, but she nags just as good as me - sometimes better! Bryan doesn't usually call me from work, so if not Amy it would be my sisters or my mom.

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? Sometimes. Not always.

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? I talk and listen. I can multi-task!

4. Do you take compliments well? I don't think I do.

5. Do you play Sudoku? Ew. No.

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? If there is plenty of music to listen to and food to ration out. Sure!

7. What is your favorite number? Right now, it is 20 because that is the number of days I have left to carry this bowling ball around!

8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? Yes, Girl Scout camp and camping with family.

9. What was your favorite game as a kid? Uno with my cousins

10. Would you slow dance with someone that you knew was married? It depends

11. What is the best/worst movie you have ever seen? I am very much a movie fanatic, so I've seen my fair share of bad ones. But there have also been some good ones! Too many to name.

12. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? I think I could date someone, but I don't know about making a lifelong commitment with someone who had different beliefs.

13. Do you like to pursue or be pursued? Amy calls me a lot. Does that count as pursuing someone in a non-romantic way? She only calls because she'd be lost without me.

14. Use three words to describe yourself? sarcastic, caring, PREGNANT!

15. Do any songs make you cry? Right now? I can cry at a TV commercial.

16. Are you continuing your education? nope

17. Do you know how to shoot a gun? No. I don't want to know how.

18. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed? If Bryan and the kids are already out, photo albums.

19. How often do you read books? I'm hoping to read a few more while out on maternity leave! (Foolish, I know)

20. Do you think more about the past, present or future? I think about the future.

21. What is your favorite children's book? Goodnight Moon

22.What color are your eyes? Brown

23. How tall are you? 5'9-10''

24. Where is your dream house located? I don't have one.

25. If you had to be an animal, what would you be? A hippo. I feel like one today.

26. What is your favorite type of food? This week, french fries. A couple of weeks ago, it was Moe's. Surveys should not be given to pregnant women.

27. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth? yes

28. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden? A few weeks ago. Bryan and I went for lunch when he was off on a Tuesday (it doesn't happen often that we're both off the same day).

29. Where was the furthest place you traveled today? To Karen's house to clean

30. Any weird habits? If I drink soda from a can, I swish it in my mouth before I swallow it. Bryan pointed this out years ago.

31. Worst food you ever ate? a pig ear sandwich. DON'T ask.

32. Do you like mustard? sometimes.

33. Do you prefer to sleep or eat? Both

34. Do you look like your mom or dad? Most people say my mom, but if you've seen my dad - I am the spitting image of him.

35. How long does it take you in the shower? 10-15 minutes

36. Can you do the splits? No.

37. What movie do you want to see right now? The Ugly Truth

38. What was the last movie you saw in the theater? My Sister's Keeper

39. Worst song on the radio right now? I hate mainstream radio - same garbage over and over.

40. Do you think The Grudge was scary?I haven't seen it.

41. Do you have a tattoo? I have four that I regret.

42. Do you own a camera phone? Yes

43. What is your favorite color? pink

44. Was your mom a cheerleader? Yes she was.

45. What's the last letter of your middle name? H

46. How many letters in your entire name? 18

47. How many hours of sleep do you get a night? Between just being uncomfortable and getting up to pee every other hour, not enough. I almost crashed at 7:30 last night.

48. Do you like care bears? sure

49. What do you buy at the movies? Popcorn and a drink

50. Do you know how to play poker? nope

51. Do you wear your seat belt? always

52. What do you wear to sleep? these baggy black capri pants and some kind of t-shirt

53. Anything big ever happen in your hometown? Parts of Big Fish (?) were filmed in Wetumpka. Nothing in Millbrook though.

54. How many meals do you eat a day? usually 3.

55. Is your tongue pierced? no.

56. Do you always read MySpace bulletins? I don't use myspace anymore.

57. Best place you've ever visited? Florida. I love it.

58. Do you like funny or serious people better? funny people.

59. Ever been to L.A.? Yes I have! Not as "Hollywood" as I expected!

60. Did you eat a cookie today? no. I have some though.

61. Do you use cuss words in other languages? No. I don't know very many anyway.

62. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads? I pay for it through iTunes.

63. Do you hate chocolate? I love chocolate.

64. What do you and your parents fight about the most? My dad and I don't have a relationship. My mom and I fight over silly things, mostly. Nothing major.

65. Are you a gullible person? I don't think so.

66. Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy? nope. I have a husband and 1.5 children.

67. If you could have any job (assuming you have the skills) what would it be? an advertising exec. I like coming up with jingles. It's a secret passion I've had since high school.

68. Are you easy to get along with? I think so.

69. What is your favorite time of day? When I get to pick Gracie up from school.

70. If you could do anything by yourself for a day what would it be? I would get a massage, get a pedicure, and curl up on the beach with a good book.

36 Weeks

Wow. I can't believe it's been almost a month since I posted last. I apologize. For those of you who come to my blog frequently, you probably already know why I haven't blogged - this pregnancy is kicking my butt! I don't remember having this much pain/discomfort toward the end of my pregnancy with Gracie. On top of that, I'm not sleeping well either - which is not a good sign! I should be loading up on sleep to prepare myself for when Baby James finally gets here. Apparently, he has other ideas. And so does my bladder!

I start my leave from work on August 3rd, which I am very excited about. I'm just tired and exhausted and wondering if I can make it the next two weeks. I think I can. Right?

My baby shower is this Sunday at church, and I'm VERY excited. We've been members of this church since April 2006, and while I've been to a few baby showers and bridal showers I've never had one myself. This will probably be my only baby shower, but I'm still excited. I'm excited to have the room ready when we get to bring my little man home. I'm excited about seeing who he looks like - Bryan or me. A lot of people go back and forth about who Gracie resembles more. I don't really pay much attention - I think she's a good combination of both of us.

I guess the exhaustion is causing my post to be kind of scattered and pretty random. Please keep me in your prayers. I plan on breast feeding exclusively when James comes (I breast and formula fed Gracie - breast feeding only lasted a month). I am hopeful that this attempt will turn out better, but also terrified about not taking a certain prescription medication that helps with a chronic stomach problem I have. So these last few weeks (while I'm still on the medication) I'm loading up on foods I enjoy that I know I won't be allowed when I'm breast feeding. It's very nerve wracking for me, but I am hopeful.

Now I'm off to be nosy and see if anybody bought anything else from my Target registry. Then it's an early bedtime for me!