Strike a Pose!

Cadence and I had fun the other day posing for the camera.  Here are a couple of shots of us!

Finally some time to blog.

I am so sorry to our blog fans who have been checking in frequently to the site and finding no updates. I finally have a bit of down time on my hands to fill everyone in on how we have been. Becoming a mom has been an absolutely amazing experience, and I am finally feeling like I have regained a bit of sanity. Cameron and I are doing great and are working on getting a routine down with Cadence. I am currently staying at home and plan to return to work in May. Cameron began the MBA program at Saint Mary's this January, so he is very busy with work, school and being a dad. Cadence is eating, sleeping and pooping like a champ. Cam and I decided to use a cloth diaper service, and we are very happy with this choice. So far we have avoided diaper rash (probably just jinxed myself), but have been faced with several diaper explosions...haha...these are always a treat to change.

Cadence is now 7 weeks old. It is crazy how much she changes each and every day. Today I measured her and she is now 24 inches long...she has grown a whole 4 inches since birth! Weight wise, we are a little unsure, but when we last checked (a week ago) she was 10.5 lbs. She is very active and cooing a lot. I love it when she laughs, even if it is not at my jokes or funny voices. She loves to go on to ichat and visit with her Aunt Wendy! Below are some of my favorite pictures of Cadence as we round out 2 months!

This was today, we took a quick trip to Paris to visit the Eiffel Tower!

Happy 1st Valentine's Day Cadence! Cadence spent Valentine's Day hanging with her buddy Wolfe Walsh. Do I sense a little romance here....could be.

Ok mom, I'll give you a partial smile, then will you stop taking pictures of me?

I looooooooove bath time.

It is hard to believe that Cadence is only 6 weeks here! I posed her perfectly in the pillows, but she did the rest.

Working on strengthening my neck.

Chillin.....

Hi I'm Cadence!

What a crack up.....

HOLLA!!!!!!!!!!

Cadence continues to make me laugh each and every day.  I guess that is good for the abs since I am still not allowed to do any heavy activity or working-out until I get the A-OK from my doc which is usually after 6 weeks.  I am starting to see more of Cameron's features in her now, where as when she was born she looked a lot like me.  I have also noticed that her hair is getting a little lighter and her belly a bit more swollen.  This is a great thing because it means she is putting on weight and eating well.  I am hoping that this means she will start sleeping through the night.  Check out these recent pictures of Cadence...I mean what a face!

I've got personality!

Cadence is now almost 14 days old and I have collected several pictures throughout the last couple of weeks to share.  I can tell that Cadence already has a ton of personality and is constantly making me laugh with some of her facial expressions and body language.  It is amazing how strong she already is and how much she likes to move her hands all about.  Today we had our first appointment with the pediatrician and she also mentioned the strength that Cadence had.  She said that overall Cadence looked like a very healthy baby, great weight gain (she is back to her birth weight) and good movement and activity.  She is also extremely alert and is very talkative.........I wonder where she gets that from.

My little Alfalfa

Sleepy head

Pick me, I know the answer!

Ear Muffs

I want you!

Auntie Wendy and CQ

Grandma Bonner and Cadence.  Check out the bow.

Power to the people.

I love pink.  Can you tell?

..........and I turned 31.

So on top of the excitement of Cadence Quinn, I also turned 31!  Due to all the festivities of the previous week, Cam and I decided to celebrate my birthday with the family, and in a mellow fashion.  We had a delicious dinner, some great wine and champagne to bring in the new year! Good thing we did decide to go mellow too, because I ended up falling asleep at 9:30pm and had to be woken up at 11:55 for my birthday cake!  Cheers to 2009.

Yay Happy 31st Birthday to me!  I am soooo tired.

Weeeeeeeeeee!  This changing table is fun!

Wow, what a crazy night.  Time for bed. 

We became parents..........

Cameron, Julie and Cadence Watts

Well everyone, thank you so much for your patience over the last couple weeks.  As many of you know by now on Christmas Eve we welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world.  Cadence Quinn Watts was born on December 24th at 2:03pm at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara.  Cadence weighed 7lbs 15oz and was 20 inches long.  Mom was in labor for about 15 hours (give or take) and pushed for about 45 minutes.  I really have to thank my team who helped me get through what I know was the hardest thing I will ever have to do....labor!  By my side were Cameron, my mom and sister, and they were all so amazing.  The three of them together kept me focused, energized and gave me the encouragement I needed to get passed those big contractions and the pushing.  I have to give immense credit to my nurse Suki, who was not only a great coach, but through the whole labor, made sure that I was comfortable and somewhat pain-free :) As the exhaustion kicked in she really kept me going .  It also helped to know that the rest of the family (dad Bonner and the Watts clan) were in the waiting room, cheering me on, awaiting the arrival of our little peanut.  

The entire experience has been one, that for me has been unexplainable.   From the pain of labor and delivery (ask Cam the contractions were unbearable) to the miracle of welcoming this new bundle of joy into the world.....I just can't put into words the feeling and excitement that we have for our new baby girl.  What a true Christmas and Hanukkah gift we have received, and we look forward to a great 2009!  Here are some pictures of little Cadence Quinn....I apologize now for getting so carried away, we just can't help but brag about her!

I am here!  

The moment they handed Cadence to me.  It was unbelievable.  

Proud Parents!  

We can't believe she is ours.  

This is the amazing Suki.  Cadence seems to like baths.

I am happy to be out and in the real world.  

Look at all my hair!  I love being clean.

Me and mom.

Yawn.  I love to be swaddled. Dad turned out to be the best swaddler.

We still can't believe that she is ours.  We love her so much.

You would look like this too after no sleep in the hospital and hours of labor.  One word--delirious.  

My sister Wendy and I.  Wendy was one of the awesome coaches I had along side of me during delivery.  She really helped me to stay focused and calm!

The happy family with the new addition.