Baby Girl is Here....Tatum Rose Mullins

Erik, Natalie, and Tatum at Memorial NICU

Dad and Tatum just getting home

Dad and Tatum

Sleeping Tatum

Tatum's first bath

Erik and I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for your love and support as we welcome our baby girl, Tatum Rose Mullins, into our lives. She was born on her due date, May 30th at 9:02 pm and weighed 8 lbs. 6 ounces and was 20" long. She has a full head of light brown hair with blonde roots (maybe a potential childhood blondie like her father?), big blue eyes, dainty fingers and toes, puckered lips, broad shoulders (definitely a Rose girl) and my dimple chin. Many say she looks like me and many say just like Erik...but we like to think of it as the perfect combination of the two of us put together!

As I am sure many of you have heard, it was a bit of a rough labor and delivery that ended in an emergency c-section. Erik and I were so fortunate to have both of our families there for support considering that Tatum had a pin size hole in one of her lungs and meconium respiration. Unfortunately, Petalum Hospital is not set up and capable of handling newborn illnesses; therefore, she and Erik were emergency ambulanced to Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa while I stayed behind to recover after the surgery. As a brand new mother (or mother of any kind in fact)--Words cannot describe how difficult it was for me to be away from Tatum and Erik for any length of time; therefore, I proved to the nurses at Petaluma that I am a fast healer and they let me join Tatum at Memorial Hospital early Sunday morning--maybe a tad bit too early but a mom has to do what a mom has to do. I got to stay with her in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit all Sunday and Monday until she was cleared of all infections and the small puncture in her lung was 100% healed. The poor baby had already been through more than anyone can imagine so I was very relieved when Erik got to bring home both of us on Monday evening, June 1st. We were overjoyed to finally have our little family at home and healthy.

So now we have a wonderful and amazingly easy week old baby girl to love and spoil! Of course, we are a bit sleepy and doing our absolute best to figure out a "schedule" if that is even at all possible to do ! We have had many wonderful visitors and welcome anyone who would like to come and take a peek at our new love bug! She loves to be awake and starring at her adoring parents, but at the same time loves to fall asleep our on chests or in her new pram from my mom and dad...she is already very chic baby! Erik is off for three weeks so we are happy to have this time together and can't wait until we feel confident enough to take her on outings such as Sonoma Farmers Market and various summer events and parties! She has been on several walks and falls asleep immediately in anything that moves (ha ha...just like her mom and I am very proud)!

I can hear her starting to awaken so we must go and tend to the little angel! Again, thank you so much for your sweet thoughts, calls, cards, and gifts! We love you all!

Getting Too Exciting!

Cheers to week #38! Getting so close and it is getting way too exciting! As you can image, the questions and thoughts I have about even the smallest details of giving birth and finally holding our new baby are rushing through my head at all times and I can't wait for the day to get here! Thank you for sharing this experience with me!

For those of you who couldn't believe I am still working...well...great news...tomorrow, Friday, May 16th, is officially my last day at International Quarters! Time for some rest and relaxation before the little one gets here! My ankles are swollen and back is sore so I felt like it was finally time to start resting my huge feet, catch up on things around the house, and enjoying this gorgeous Summer weather (today it is 101 degrees outside...wow!)

I am going to the doctor every wednesday and things are going perfectly! I am dilated, effaced, and the baby is getting ready for arrival! Our bag is packed, baby gear organized in the nursery, and car seats in both cars! Ready!

I had another beautiful baby shower given at Julie and John Shirley's amazing home in Sonoma! It was perfect and a great time was had by all! Thank you to all of you who were there to celebrate and thank you for all the fabulous gifts! We are going to have one very stylish baby! Especially in the 2008 Inglesina Pram that mom and dad gave us and Baby Trend stroller/car seat system as a gift from Erik's parents! Now I will have to get ready for alot of walking and running once we are settled into the new baby lifestyle!

Below are some photos from the shower and the newest picture of the proud big cousin to be, Blake who is getting so big and super handsome! He is ready to be a big cousin even if he doesn't quite understand why his Aunt Nat's belly is so huge! Can't wait to have both the little ones cruising around and entertaining the family!

Cake by Alexis Baking Company

Flowes by Anne Appleman

Cute Girls

My girls...mom and Taylor

The hostesses...Judy, Dede, and Julie

Me and my Allie

Blake enjoying Tuesday night Farmer's Market

Okay...time to get serious!

Amy Farr, me, and Julie Garcia (all due within 2 weeks of eachother)

The Shower Hostesses and Best Friends- Lola Andres and Amanda Frank
Feeling the little one with big kicks

Adorable Gift Baskets and Diaper Cake Decor
The Shower Brunch
Petaluma Sweethearts- Angie Garcia and Gina Gibbs
Julie Garcia and Amy Farr
Ice Cream Cake and baby stories

I am so sorry it has been so long! I promise to start getting serious now that it is down to the wire and I am 36 weeks pregnant! Yes...only weeks to go before the much anticipated baby gets here!

To recap everything that has been happening I will start by staying that I am getting bigger by the minute! However, I must admit that the weight gain has been easily manageable and I am actually quite surprised that I haven't had all the "cravings" that family/friends swore I would have. Don't get me wrong...I love a huge piece of cheesecake from time to time (thank you Erik!), but for the most part I stick to sandwiches, fruit, Thai food and salads. My huge belly may tell a different story, but I have been very pleased to feel so great throughout this whole experience. Not to mention the fact that I do still have a belly button...I know it is hard to believe...but I do!

This baby is a wild one! Constantly moving from about 9:00 am to about 11:00 am and then again mid afternoon. We end the day with lots of movement right after I eat dinner. This is my favorite because Erik gets to sit with me and we watch as Baby T gets comfy. It is truly a one of a kind experience. Talk about making you smile! Another favorite past time is sitting in the nursery- daydreaming, organizing, and reorganizing all the decor, toys, tiny clothes, etc. I have caught Erik doing the same thing, but don't tell him I told you :)!

We are ready! Well...almost ready...but will for sure be prepared after our Baby Shower on May 10th! I also had a Baby Shower on March 19th that Lola and Amanda threw for me (pictures above) and I can't believe how wonderful my girlfriends are and how supportive and excited everyone is for Erik and I. Can't wait to return the favor when they have babies themselves! Overall we feel like we have done just about as much as we can to prepare ourselves! We have finished the newborn care class, extensive labor class (we actually knew two of the other couples surprisingly, and the breastfeeding class! So much information to soak up for what is yet to come and we feel as prepared as we will ever be!

I am now going to see Dr. Spivak once a week...typically on Wednesday mornings...and every appointment is even more exciting than the one before. This past appointment was the first set of measurements and it looks like Baby T will be arriving earlier than expected although it is always unknown of course. I am dilated almost 2cm and 45% effaced. The body is turned in the perfect position and definitely getting cozy in my pelvic bone. I apologize if that is a bit to graphic, but it is very exciting and I feel like sharing even the smallest details. I laugh because everything feels like it is dropping so much that it makes me walk like a "bow legged cowboy" (a bit of Texan coming out of me).. but it is true! Other than that I feel lucky that I have had minimal swelling and am still wearing both wedding bands, although I realize that may change very quickly! I just can't believe that within the next few weeks we will be proud parents...I feel inspired to pack for the hospital this weekend!

Other than baby joy there have been so many wonderful events. Apryl and Keith had their baby girl, Beya. Devon and Cody Gonzales had their baby boy, Dylan. Julie and Alfred are only moments away from the arrival of their baby girl, Ava. AND...Erik's cousin, Jennifer, just got married this past Saturday in Fresno. We loved the wedding and are so happy for Jen and Jerry! So much to celebrate and so many babies to get my hands on!

Everyone in my family is fabulous, enjoying the start of a warm summer, loving Farmer's Market is Sonoma every Tuesday night, and excited for Taylor's upcoming trip to London for the summer. Blake is loving pre-school when the other children aren't contaminating him with their shared colds. Erik's entire family is constantly in celebration mode since it has been a year of weddings and babies. Its been wonderful!

Erik and Scott in Fresno

At Jennifer's Wedding

Jennifer and Jerry

36 weeks pregnant!

Less than 100 days to go!!!!

What a busy couple of weeks! Time flies by when you are having fun preparing for baby, focusing on the last couple of projects at work, planning baby showers, and spending time with my family as we discuss the possibility of my parents starting a restaurant in Sonoma. There is so much to do!

I feel great! Back pain is still coming on strong from time to time, but at least I have energy and motivation to keep a busy schedule. The baby is doing so well and getting much bigger...2 lbs now and approximately 14-15 inches long from head to toe. It is so amazing how much he or she moves around and is really starting to have a daily schedule. I have so much fun feeling it move around and I am sure cars around me get a kick out of me talking and singing to the baby on my commute to the office each morning. I can't help it! It is crazy that in 98 days from today we will be the proud parents of a little one and how incredibly fast it has gone by!

So many babies on the way! The baby showers have begun for all of my pregnant girlfriends and I look forward to the baby shower that Lola and Amanda are having for me with all my girlfriends on April 19, 2008 and then another shower on May 10th for my family and close family friends at the Shirley Residence in Sonoma. We are working on registering for baby gear from BabiesRUs and Target- both of which have it all!!!! A couple of weeks ago I went to a shower for one of the softball wives, Apryl, who is having a little girl on March 16th! It was such a gorgeous day and we had the best time! Plus, we were married within two weeks of eachother so we laugh at what a busy year it has been for the both of us. She is the best!

Erik and I had a wonderful anniversary marking the day we met and laugh at how much has happend over the past three years. I am so thankful of how supporting and loving he is and how he is always full of romantic suprises. For our anniversary he suprised me with a dinner in Larkspur at The Melting Pot and we both loved the food and atmosphere...such a great suprise! We also picked up all the baby furniture we had ordered and it came at the perfect time! Erik has already put it all together and our baby linens should arrive by this wednesday! I am thrilled with my design for the nursery and can't wait to find out if I will be adding blues or pinks when the time comes!

Below are the photos of Erik putting the furniture together and our night at the Melting Pot! We will be spending next weekend down south in San Luis Obispo for mom's birthday. Erik, myself, Luke, mom, Taylor, and Jake will be going down to stay at my dad's home by his winery! It is supposed to rain but we will have a great time celebrating! I am really looking forward to it!

Erik and Kevan busy with the furniture! Doesn't look like much now but I look forward to the final outcome!

Time is flying by!

Been a couple of very busy weeks! My birthday celebration was wonderful. Dad made us all dinner on the 10th and then we all went shopping and had lunch in Walnut Creek on January 12th. I received/purchased baby furniture and maternity wear so I am very happy about my gifts! Erik ordered our new gorgeous baby furniture (see below) that arrives in March...we hope! He has also finished painting and is now working on putting up all the trim. A very big job to say the least, but it is so wonderful to see all the different phases. That baby closet is getting very full and needs some serious organizing! My girlfriends, Lola and Amanda, are planning a shower on April 19th for all our girlfriends and then Julie Shirley (a dear friend of the family's) is having a shower for Erik and I on May 10th for family and friends. Looking forward to celebrating!

The biggest news lately is that my mom and dad sold their home in Glen Ellen! Of course, it is bitter sweet, but we are very excited that they have now rented an adorable home in downtown Sonoma (just blocks off the square) until they purchase a new home. It is going to be so much fun to be able to walk down to the square for shopping, drinks, and lunches once our child arrives. Really looking forward to it and my parents and thrilled!

The sex of Baby Mullins remains a huge mystery; however, congratulations to Summer who is having a little girl, Natalie who is having a little boy, Carey who is having a little girl, Julie who is having a little girl, April who is having a little girl, and Amy Farr who is having a little boy! Wow! Not only are all the celebreties having babies...but so are many of my girlfriends! This is going to be fun!

A preview of our baby furniture...

Pictures (clockwise): My mom and I, Erik and I, Dad during the countdown celebration (his birthday celebration), and Taylor with Erik in their party hats!

Now at 20 weeks! Half way until Baby is here and we could not be more excited! I am not even sure that excited is the word for how wonderful this whole thing has been. I can't seem to come up with the perfect word for it! I truly feel wonderful, but yes...I have definitely had my moments that were not so beautiful! The spontaneous back pain and now feeling my stomach muscles stretching are not at all perks of expecting a child! Thank goodness for a fabulous and patient husband and family to make it all that much easier.

We had a wonderful Christmas in Austin! Lots of TexMex, shopping, golfing, and friends. Erik had a fabulous time and can now understand why Texas is such a special place to me. We also had a wonderful New Year's and celebrated my dad's 48th birthday with friends and family....couldn't have been better.

This past weekend we purchased our baby furniture and finalized the colors for the room. Erik couldn't resist getting the painting done. Now we just need to purchase the trim, linens, and decor then wait 8 to 12 weeks for the furniture to get here. The good thing is that we still have plenty of time! Erik had found the baby furniture store just when I thought I had been everywhere in Sonoma and Marin Counties to find the perfect baby gear. He is officially my new personal baby shopper since he has fantastic taste!

Now for the most exciting part!

We had our huge ultrasound this morning and can proudly announce that everything looks perfect. The baby is approximately 10 1/4 inches long and weights just about 10 ounces. Right on schedule. All tests came back beautifully and from what we could see on the tv monitor...this baby cannot sit still for one second! It moved and squirmed around during the entire appointment. So funny and bizarre that I have yet to feel its movement, but I do understand that I will be feeling it all very soon. It is very amazing how you can see its little fingers moving and legs kicking around. It is all becoming VERY real and VERY sweet and wonderful.

So...more important, fabulous news! My parents just sold their home in Glen Ellen and are now moving into the town of Sonoma with smiles from ear to ear. For quite some time they have wanted to be closer to town and now they get the opportunity to build or remodel another fabulous house. It has created so much excitement in our family! On Erik's side of the family we are so excited to hear that our cousin Jennifer Peterson is now engaged and planning a 2008 wedding! We all got the opportunity to see the happy couple at Thanksgiving and we could not be more excited for another wedding celebration. I cannot wait to hear all the proposal and planning details having just gone through it all myself. Yet again...2008 will be another fantastic year for the Rose/Mullins families.

Pictures (Clockwise): The Rose Family at home in Glen Ellen, Erik and Natalie, Jake and Taylor, Nat and Mom, Julie and John Shirley

The above pictures are of my parent's annual christmas party for family friends at home in Glen Ellen on Friday, December 14th. The party definitely put all of us in the mood for Christmas and my dad made an incredible dinner as always. The girls and dad then went on a shopping trip to San Francisco on Saturday and had a cookie decorating party on Sunday. Very festive weekend. Pictures of all the guys and girls in their ugly christmas sweaters coming soon!

Baby Update:

So...today I experienced a "first" since becoming pregnant. Today was the first time that a perfect stranger actually asked me when my baby was due because she could tell I was expecting. Maybe it was also because I was wearing a form fitting black dress, but for some reason I was both taken back (good thing for her that I WAS expecting :) ) and excited all at the same time. I must have gotten a little bigger over night...finally!

Great news: Our friends April and Keith have just found out that they are expecting a little girl. And....my dear friend from childhood in Texas, Zach Holtzman, has just found out that he and his wife are expecting their second son. Our "Baby T" already has so many friends to look forward to. Congrats to all the parents to be!