The things we do for beauty!

Ok...So I feel like an abusive parent when I see these pics, but honestly she cried for like 2 minutes and was fine. The pediatrician was awesome and did such a good job. I got my ears pierced when I was 2 months old and I have never had a problem with them, they have never been infected, never closed up and i've always had them so I never played with or pulled them out at a little girl. Bindi also got her 2nd set of shots done. Brandon held her for the shots and I held her for the ear piercing so neither of us are guilt free. But I am putting this last picture up so you can see that she is perfectly fine and peacefully sleeping (that pic was taken right after we got home, she crashed hard and so did mommy.) I love my little girl and I would do anything for her. She is such a joy to have in our lives!

Father's Day

My dad is the best! I love watching how excited he gets when he sees Bindi. I also love to hear him as he walks around with her explain things like... "do you see that ceiling fan, yup when grandpa was little he liked that too, thats pretty neat to look at isn't it?" My dad has always been there when I've needed him. I am so thankful to have such a loving, caring and supportive dad and now I am so thankful to have such a loving, caring and supportive grandpa for our little girl! I love you dad!

My husband is also the best. Brandon has always been a great husband, he takes such good care of me and we always have fun together. He may have the worst jokes ever...but its cute that he thinks there funny. But, watching how much love he has for his daughter puts my husband into a whole other category! He is an amazing daddy. I love the way he sings to her when he is rocking her and even just the way he looks at her, it melts my heart. I loved my husband before Bindi came into our lives, but that love has only gotten stronger since our little girl has come into our lives.

Yucky!

So, as some of you may know I had some problems with my chest. Soon after I had Bindi I found a lump in my right breast a little bigger than a golf ball (it was huge) after being sent to get an ultrasound I was then sent to a breast cancer specialist. I was terrified because my grandma had breast cancer. My first visit with the specialist the Dr. stuck a seringe into the lump and extracted a fluid (which was way gross and hurt)Then they had me come back in 3 days to see if it had gone down in size and also to get the results from the culture they sent out. The culture came back...and great news I dont have cancer! However, I had a huge abcess that was filled with bacteria and had to be surically removed. So the Dr. told me I had to come back the next day and have it removed. It was very scary and the hole is huge, they didn't stitch it shut because with infections you have to make sure all of the infection and bacteria is gone. So sadly my mom has to take out the packing every morning and clean it out and re-pack it the hole is the size of a 50 cent piece and you can actually look into it (way gross) it hurts pretty dang bad, but I just have to be thankful that it wasn't anything more serious. Brandon has been great at making sure I get lots of sleep. He took this picture the other day when I was in a loratab induced sleep. This was the only way Bindi would go to sleep...isnt she cute!!

Gatewood Photography

All about my sweet husband

All about my sweet Husband...

1. What is his name? Brandon Loring Gatewood ( he hates his middle name lol)
2. Who eats more? Brandon...especially sweets

3. Who said I love you first? Brandon did. He told me he needed to talk to me and that he was going to take me to the olive Garden...I thought he was going to break up with me. He started stabbing at his salad and studdering and then said it. It was very cute.
4. Who is taller? Brandon
5. Who is smarter? Brandon by a landslide!!!
6. Who is more sensitive? That would be me.
7. Who does the laundry? Me! Brandon is not allowed to touch the laundry due to he leaves stuff in his pockets like pens and they explode!
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Brandon does.
9. Who pays the bills? Me! and the sad thing is I love it
10. Who cooks more? Me again, Brandon can make fried rice and thats about it.
11. What meals do you cook together? We don't cook together he gets in my way
12. Who is more stubborn? Me by a landslide!!!
13. Who is the first to admit they're wrong? It really depends, we both don't hold back admitting when we are wrong.
14. Who has more siblings? Brandon
15. Who wears the pants in the family? Brandon thinks he does...but its me!
16. What do you like to do together? We like to watch movies together, eating is also one of our favorites! We havent done it in a while but we love to go hiking up at Mt. Charelston.
17. Who eats more sweets? BRANDON! Give him a box of twinkies or licorice and its gone in one sitting.
18. Guilty pleasures? Dorky World Of Warcraft, Kickboxing, Candy, XBOX, and shooting.
19. How did you meet? We met at Rcwilley. I was a customer service associate and he was a sales associate. I was bored at the window one night and he turned a tv toward the window so I had something to watch.
20. Who asked who out first? Brandon asked me. He new of my love for Photography so he got a camera and took me to The Wax Museum and we had to take turns doing geeky things, then we developed them and went to dinner at Applebees and laughed at all of the gay pictures.
21. Who kissed who first? Brandon went in for a hug and I thought he was going for a kiss so it was a mess lol but he says I did.
22. Who proposed? Brandon
23. His best features? His eyes, his smile, I also like that he is fit, my favorite are his arm muscles.
24. What is his greatest quality? Brandon has a ton of great qualities! He is so sweet and caring. He is a great dad and a devoted husband. He is really smart and works really hard to support our family and also goes to school. He also knows like the stupidest facts and has an amzing memory. I love my husband and appreciate all he does for our little family.
I tag.... Sammy, Becca, and Tavia

Our sweet little girl is 1 month old.

Could you say no to this face? Well Brandon can't. I always thought that I would be the one that would jump to my feet at every little noise that our baby would make, but oddly enough it is Brandon that panics at every sqeak, cough, and cry. Its very cute to see how concerned he is, but it worries me to think that she may have him more wrapped around his finger than I do lol.

Bindi and I decided it was time to take a trip to the scrapbook store. (The first of many for Bindi, despite what Brandon says) So I got her all dressed and ready for her big day. She left the sunglasses on all the way there! She is such a sweet little girl!!

When it rains...it pours

Ok so a lot has been going on and I think I have been holding it all in...so I am just going to express some feelings I have been having. We went to Bindi's pediatrician the other day and he said she had a heart murmur and that we would need to go and get an ultrasound done to make sure that she doesn't have a hole in her heart. I also had a Dr.'s appt and was told I needed to go and have an ultrasound done on my chest. I scheduled our ultrasounds for the same day and luckily it was Brandon's day off ( I needed some support). My appointment was first and let me just say it was really scary, we wont have the results for a few more days, but it really makes you stop to think about where you are in life and all that you have. While the lady was doing my ultrasound my mind was literally racing. I am so thankful for my husband and my beautiful daughter, I truly appreciate prayer, I am thankful for a roof over my head and for my family. Trust me I don't have enough time to write of all the things that were speeding through my head. We then headed off to Bindi's ultrasound at the children's heart center. Dr Lewis came in and did her ultrasound...she was very brave. He showed us that her pulmanary valve ( the main valve) was very tight and wasn't allowing blood to pass through very easily. At this point all we can do is wait. He told us that sometimes it will correct itself and other times it does not. So, we go back in 3 months to have another ultrasound done to see if it has corrected itself..if so great, if it gets worse she may have to have a ballon placed to help open the valve. He said that he does not expect it to get worse. Once we were done with her appointment we headed home. So now for both of us we just have to sit and see what happens. I am sure in the end that everything will turn out fine, but sometimes its hard not to just think of the worse case scenario. ( I know I look like crap int his pic, but you try scheduling two appointments in one day and driving in a hot car and not looking like crap lol)

Bindi's Best Friend

Charlotte and Bindi were really tired out from a day of eating and pooping so they decided to have a nap together.

Her favorite toy!

I know she is only 3 weeks old but she loves to stare at this peacock! We think its funny because its bigger than she is. I named him percivile.

Bindi & Preslee's first adventure.

Bindi and I were tired of being cooped up in the house so Tavia and Preslee had the great idea to get out and take a quick trip to time square. It was so cute to watch how interested Preslee was in her future "best friend" Bindi had a great time ( even though she slept through most of it.)

Sometimes you just gotta laugh!

So Brandon and I decided to give Bindi a bath Saturday night after we got home from our mother's day dinner. I just wanted to get her cleaned and then go to bed so I didn't let Brandon change out of his work clothes. Brandon decided he would undress her completely and THEN carry her to the bathroom...I knew he was taking a risk, but I said nothing. Moments later I hear my husband break out into a laugh and then he came running out into the hallway... Bindi had peed all over Daddy. Brandon literally had a handful of pee! I was laughing so hard and all I could do was smile, laugh and use the opportunity as not only a learning experience, but a photo opp. LOL I do have to say no one else could pee on Daddy and get away with it.

Our Family!

For mother's day we all went out to eat on Saturday. It was so fun to get everybody together and celebrate. It was both Tavia and I's first mother's day. Every one at Pfchangs kept saying, "oh my gosh your baby is soooo tiny." I wanted to tell them all, "duh she is still suppose to be in me." ( seeings as her due sate was not until May 16th.) But anyway enough with the rant. I had a great mother's day and Bindi, Charlotte, Penny and Brandon got me all sorts of bath stuff, and even a bath pillow. I was also told that Daddy would do all the night feedings with Bindi that night. Its so cute to watch my husband with our little girl, his eyes just light up when he has her. I am so grateful to be the mother to such a beautiful little girl and I can't wait to watch her grow! Happy mother's day everyone!

Bindi's first bath!

Bindi had her first bath today. At first I thought she liked it, but as you can see...she did not. You would think with her being so tiny that this would be a one person job, but the assistance of both daddy and grandma was needed.

My beautiful angel

It was a sad day!

So on Saturday Brandon, Bindi and I had to go to Lab Corp to get blood work done to check Bindi's jaundice levels checked. So we get up early so that we can just get it over with and come home. We got there and the least I can say is that those places are filled with disease! Finally they called Bindi's name and we went back. This lady walks into the room and she is just a big, huge scary woman (luckily Bindi was sleeping) she gets her little tourture device ( the razor blade) and cuts Bindi's heel. Bindi was such a trooper she squeaked a little and then went back to sleep. The lady drew 2 viles of blood and then told us we were good to go. She then told us we could come back in an hour and they would tell us the results. So Brandon and I went and got breakfast and waited in the car. When Brandon went back in the lady at the front told us, " no your Dr. gets the results in a hour and calls you." So finally we get home give Bindi a little sponge bath ( to get all the disease off of her from that filthy office) we get into bed and just as we close our eyes my cell phone rings. It was that huge mammoth of a woman calling. She said, " Hi, I need you guys to come back, I did the blood test wrong and the Dr. is really mad and wants me to fix it." I instantly said, "Wait a minute...you did it wrong, what do you mean." She then replied that she had d one it wrong and that she had gone home for the day and they had called her at home and wanted her to call the parents and have them come back. I started crying knowing that my little girl was going to have to go through it all over because some dumb lady couldn't freaking do her job correctly. So we drove all way back down there. The lady's supervisor was there and she knew we were mad the minute we walked into the room. She told us she was really sorry and that the lady needed to fix her mistake. We walked back there once again with our little girl and laid her down on the table the lady once again waddled in and sliced her foot. She then said " Tracy its not bleeding very well." When Tracy walked in she said, "Well, did you put the heat pad on it before you cut her." Mammoth lady replied, "no, ,her foot was already kinda warm." So they had to cut her tiny foot AGAIN! I cried more than Bindi.

Thank goodness for my husband

So we have been home for a couple of days and I have to say its been nice. I just have to express my appreciation for the wonderful husband that I have. He has been absolutely amazing! He gets up with her at night and changes and feeds her and I love just sitting and listening him talk to her. The other night I heard him promising her that he will always be there for her and to provide for her. I knew I loved my husband before, but watching him with our little girl almost brings me to tears. The love I have for our little family is beyond anything I thought I could feel. Bindi is sleeping great we have to wake her up to feed her! We went to the Dr. the other day and they said she only weighs 4lbs 15 ounces. They said to try to feed her every 2 hours. So we have been trying our hardest, but the little thing just wants to sleep...and who can blame her? We also have to lay her in the sun 3 times a day for 20 minutes to help her jondice. We have to go back on Monday to check her weight and we are just hoping that our little girl will have packed on some weight. Brandon will be going back to work on wednsday or Thursady and I have to say I am not looking forward to it... who will be at my every call and who will go up and down the stairs every 2 minutes when I decide I need something else. Well sorry for rambling, but I just needed to express my gratitude for my wonderful husand

Bindi and I are home and doing very well. Bindy had a small bit of jondice, but has an appointment to get her levels checked today so I just hope that all goes well. I am so happy to be home and I am just now realizing how blessed our little family truly is. My dad had one of the nurses that helped during my labor come up and ask him if he had any clue how lucky I was? The nurse told my dad that she has been doing this for 30 years and she has never seen a ruptured placenta as bad as mine. She said that normally when a placenta ruptures its really bad news for the infant. She could not believe that Bindi came out and didn't have to go to the NICU. I remember after Bindi was born hearing someone say, " get the NICU down here." I was really worried, but my mom said that when they came in they suctioned her out and then said, :this baby is fine, there is no need for her to go to the NICU." I was sitting last night in bed talking to my husband about the whole experience and he said at some point during labor the Dr. had looked at him and said, "dad this isn't normal." Brandon said he was worried I had heard that and was going to panic. I just started crying and told him that during labor I heard absolutely nothing. I know that someone was standing over my sholder protecting me and comforting me. I am so greatful to be home with our healthy baby girland I am thankful for my wonderful husband who was there by my side to coach me through this experience and help me through me recovery.

Saturday monring I woke up and told Brandon I wasn't feeling very well. Brandon suggested we call the Dr., but me being stubborn told him I was fine and didn't want to be one of those pregnant women who cried wolf. I was having contractions and they all seemed to be 2 to 3 minutes apart, but still I was not convinced. I took a shower and in between contractions did my hair and makeup. Finally Brandon called my Dr. and they told me to get to the hospital. Once we got to the hospital I was doubled over in pain and my water had broke. Little did we know that my placenta had actually ruptured. We got to the hospital at 11:30 and by 2:50 she was born. Bindi came out in about 3 pushes. When she came out the nurses called the NICU to check her out due to how small she was and the amount of blood I had lost. She truly is a miracle baby! I am so greatful for all of the onderful Dr.s and nurses who knew what they were doing and took such great care of me and my little girl. I am also greatful that I have a wonderful husband who was there to calm me through a tramatic experience.

Bindi is Here!

Bindi Lyn Gatewood was born on April 26th 2008 at 2:50 pm. She weighed 5lbs 9 ounces and was 18.5 inches.

Holy Tummy!

So I am 8 months pregnant and feeling it. Brandon and I are so excited for our little girl to come. She is very active and likes to kick me in the ribs. Brandon thinks this means that she is going to be a kick boxer, but I tell him that they are the kicks of a ballerina. I am totally nesting and have folded and re- arranged all of her clothes a billion times. Sometimes I purposely knock things over just so I can pick them up. I am totally excited to read books to our little Bindi, and I have started a library for her already of all of my old favorite books. I didn't know I was this big until I looked at these pictures lol.