Two Months

Today Natalie is two months old!  Where did the time go?!

We celebrated by going to the pediatrician for a check up and vaccinations.  Not quite the way most of us would choose to celebrate a milestone, eh?  We got a great report!  And, we both liked this doctor a lot better.  Whew.  Nat weighs 12 pounds 6 ounces and is now 23 inches long!  She is growing like a weed, and is in the 75th percentile for both height and weight.  She also got 3 shots and one oral vaccine.  Poor lamb.  She did about as well as one would expect for getting jabbed 3 times, but ended up with 2 pretty awesome band-aids.

To make sure we stayed on schedule with our photo project, we took the shots before we left....enjoy!

This is where we started...

All 12 pounds of me!

Sporting a girly headband from Grandma K.

Dozing a little before heading out the door

Love the pink corduroy jumper!

Dinner Mission: Fried Chicken, Status: Fail

Within a family, there are roles that we happen into.  No matter how hard we try, we may never be able to remove ourselves from those roles.  For example, in my family, I was the awful cook.  There were a few kitchen mishaps when I was younger (a particular episode involving a meringue pie comes to mind as being especially bad) that have led to years of ridicule and hilarity about my inability to cook.  My sister is the bad driver, and my brother, well....hmm...we used to dress him in girl clothes!

Ten years later I still receive jabs about my cooking skills, despite having worked hard to make the kitchen safe from my wrath.  For some reason, perfecting fried chicken has eluded me.  There are so many people who make such good fried chicken that it is a challenge anyway, but my problem is usually not the taste, it is a whole host of other problems.  And, tonight was no exception:

She thought the whole ordeal was very amusing

Not only did I completely destroy lots of perfectly good chicken, I also made a giant mess of our kitchen.  The breading was good (we may have tasted some of the non-burned pieces, and will probably both be sick with botulism, or whatever you it is that you get from uncooked chicken...), but burned and the chicken remained uncooked inside.  Was the oil too hot??

So, the chicken got tossed and we ate the rest of the dinner without it.  Luckily, we also had on hand leftover brats, so were able to quickly cook those.

To top off the whole night, I broke a dinner plate trying to clean up.  Drat.

I am open to suggestions, kitchen experts!

Another Friday Night

Despite having received a better offer, we opted to stay in tonight and make a quiet evening of it.  I headed out for weekend provisions: calzones for tonight, ice cream, breakfast fixins for the next 2 mornings, whiskey, and milk.  I got home in just enough time to eat and then give Natalie her bath.  Things were moving along just as I had planned.  And then....

...As I was getting Natalie dressed, Bernie came in from outside.  All week I have been mentally planning to give him a bath this weekend, but tonight he smelled awful.  I had to push him away he smelled so bad!  Eric noticed it too.  Feeling badly about himself, or maybe smelling himself, he got up to go away, and I noticed a brown smudge on the floor!  Oh.  Crap.  Literally.

Eric grabbed him and threw him outside and then scrubbed the carpet while I tended to Natalie.  Once she was dressed and settled, but still not in bed, we devised a plan to address Bernie.  Awhile back (as in three years ago when we first got Bernie and I had aspirations of grooming him myself) I had purchased a "do-it-yourself" dog grooming kit.  As Bernie grew and his intestinal issues proved they were here to stay even if my grooming skills never fully developed, we held on to the clippers.  The downside to Bernie's hair is that when he is in desperate need of a haircut, he sometimes gets poo caught in his fur....(still with me??)  In any case, tonight he had diarrhea and it created quite a mess on his rear end.  Eric hoisted him onto the kitchen table while I wiped him off and shaved off the hair to keep future movements from getting hung up.

Normally this is just an unpleasant task that we have come to accept as part of owning Bernie.  Tonight though.  Whew was the smell just awful.  Eric almost threw up holding him, and I in turn almost threw up watching Eric almost throw up.  It was entertaining, I'm sure.  Bernie always looks so ashamed while the whole procedure takes place, too.  I mean, really, how embarrassing.  There isn't much he can do about it, and there we are carrying on and gagging.

So, after he was shaved, I marched him upstairs to the bathtub.  After a lengthy and thorough bath, he was blow dried.  There is something about being clean that makes Bernie crazy.  He runs and runs and runs through the house.  If you recall, this all started when Natalie had just gotten out of her bath and we were trying to wind her down for the night.  Luckily, none of the excitement disturbed her.

Finally, the night concluded by me scrubbing the kitchen table and wiping up the upstairs bathroom, then picking up from Nat's bath and the aftermath of our rushed dinner.  So much for a quiet, relaxing evening....

8 Weeks, Belated

Tuesday, Natalie turned 8 weeks old.  Her two month picture will be taken on 2/28, so stay tuned for that.  We had a busy day Tuesday, and didn't get around to taking photos, but here are some from today:

The day started off a little rough...

...but got much better after a morning nap (and a new outfit)

I can smile on command now--my favorite word to hear is "dada"

Pretty lady watching mom do chores

Very curious about the camera

She LOVES her hippo, Harriet

She is very vocal, and likes to sing to Harriet, while batting at her crinkly yellow tutu

Tummy time

I gave up, but found my thumb

Still loves watching the ceiling fans

Bernie is on task, watching the baby

Reflection

Trying hard to roll over

My attempt at creative shots

Love this one

We bundled up and walked around the yard

Day One

Today was the first official day of stay-at-home mom.  This is what we did:

Up at 6:00.

Ate every 2 hours (Natalie, not me), sang songs, fought with new insurance company over premiums, Skyped with Grandma P. in Florida, changed a hundred diapers, washed a sink full of bottles (twice), changed the sheets in the guest bedroom, vacuumed the upstairs, cleaned the upstairs bathroom, had playtime on the floor, put away 2 laundry baskets full of clothes, read a story, made dinner, took a bath (and Mom got a shower!!), scheduled a hair appointment, and straightened up the nursery.

Whew.

And, as the last task of the day, one load of laundry (see above re: changing one hundred diapers).

Bring on day two.  And simply because this is one of the funniest and cutest pictures:

Race-y Momma

Natalie and I have made every effort to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather we've been having.  To take full advantage of the beautiful day yesterday, we called Aunt Beth, and the three of us headed to the park for a walk.  We made use of the new jogging stroller and walked the 8 mile paved trail....in 2 hours!

Natalie enjoyed the fresh air

With aspirations of returning to pre-pregnancy running shape, I have decided to start training for the Flying Pig.  Ok...the Flying Pig Half Marathon.  As much as I would like to avenge my performance at last year's marathon, I have not run a single step in 10 months, so the half seems to be a much more manageable goal.  Today was day one of training.  4 miles accomplished in 42 minutes.  Not bad at all, considering (see above re: not running in 10 months).

Hopefully the weather will hold out and Nat and I can do most of the runs together, her enjoying the ride and me doing all the work, of course.  We are entering a 10K walk in March, too.  Maybe she'll end up with the running bug like her mama.  Ultimately, I hope to find the time to train for a fall marathon.  One day at a time though.

And, finally, as promised...adorable video of Natalie trying to figure out how to suck her thumb (or any of her other fingers!):

What a Difference a Week Makes

Well, more than a week, but check out bath-time fun now!

After 6 hours of uploading, I have given up on an adorable video of Natalie trying to figure out how to get her thumb in her mouth....Will try again later.

Out and About

Finally the weather is warming up!  Yesterday the temperature reached 50 degrees, and Natalie and I did not miss a beat.  We packed up and headed to the park for a stroll outside!  Natalie snoozed the entire time, but I think the fresh air wore her out, because she slept all night for the third night in a row.

By the end of this week, temperatures are expected to be 60 degrees.  I have a feeling we aren't done with the cold just yet, but this break is very much welcomed.

Here is Natalie bundled up and ready to venture out:

Asleep before we even got out the door

Thanks for walking with us, Aunt Beth!  Can't wait for dad to install that walking trail around the compound!

Sleep All Night Experiment

Natalie has been sleeping in a pack n play in our bedroom.  Her particular pack n play came with a really awesome additional feature called "newborn napper."  It was a cozy, fleece bassinet that elevated her head a little, and kept her nice and snug and right at eye level when we were in bed.  In 6.5 weeks, she has outgrown her "napper" and sadly it was time for her to upgrade to something more size appropriate.  I am not quite ready for her to graduate to her crib upstairs, although I think the time is quickly approaching only because she is doing so well.

Last night we dismantled the napper and set up the bassinet feature of the pack n play (and to think, I almost didn't want a pack n play....to any new moms or moms thinking they may not want one, I highly recommend it!).  She was upgraded from warm swaddle, which she has been fighting out of for several weeks now anyway, to bright pink sleep sack (thanks Em and Om!).  Also on the agenda for last night, let her sleep as long as she wants rather than wake her up every 3 hours to eat as I have diligently been doing since we brought her home on instruction of the hospital and the crazy baby doctor numero uno.  Natalie rarely skips a meal if she is hungry, and is more than capable of letting us know during the day when it's time for her to eat.  The child's stomach came equipped with a stopwatch, I'm almost positive!

So, last night, she had a bath and bottle, and was in bed like clockwork at 9:15, sound asleep.  She looked so grown up, I have to admit.  While I had a proud mama feeling, it is also sort of sad to watch them grow up...

Anyway, she slept with hardly a peep until 4:45am!  She had a diaper change and a bottle, and was fairly wide awake, but still had heavy eyelids.  I pumped while she played on the floor for a few minutes, then we went to her nursery and I rocked her back to sleep.  She was back in bed by 5:45am, and is presently still sleeping soundly.  I did just check on her though, and she has moved 90 degrees in the bed!  I'm not sure what she was doing, but she has been on the go for the past 3 hours, although still asleep.

Still too good to be true?  I think yes.  I'll keep my enthusiasm under wraps until we get a few nights in a row of such fantastic results!

In the meantime, check out the video of Miss Nat playing on the floor.  The hippo, Harriet, was a Valentine's Day gift from her awesome parents:

Working Mom Blues

Yesterday I went back to work.  I went back because Eric and I decided that it was important to us that Natalie be raised by us, and not put into daycare.  There is nothing wrong with daycare, only we just felt that if we could make it work for one of us to stay home with Natalie, then that is what we would do.  So, back to work I went, and promptly put in my two weeks notice.

I have to admit, it is a little bittersweet.  I did go to college for 6 years, and do find meaning in getting up and going to work each day.  But, the past 6 weeks at home has completely changed my perspective.  There is more meaning in being with Natalie every day, watching her grow, teaching her all about everything I know, and just simply being with her, than there will ever be in going to work.  I do miss the adult interaction, but that will come as Natalie engages more, and certainly as we can get out of the house more.

So, I have 8 more days left at the office, then I will be a "stay at home mom."  I am trying to get going doing some work from home, so I won't be permanently out of the workforce per se.  I have lots of big plans though for me and Miss Natalie....

Until next Friday, I am officially operating on auto pilot.  Fatigue at every turn!  Thank goodness for moms (or grandmas?) who will be casting a watchful eye on our house for the 2 weeks I am gone.

Pictures might be scarce for a few, but I promise no shortage once I'm back at home full-time!  And, I cannot wait to post another bath video.  Baths have gone from terrifying endeavors to big time fun!

Prettiest Girl I Know

Yesterday we had another very special visitor, all the way from Florida!  One of my college roommates, Stephanie, is in town to visit her own family, and made a stop by our house on her way from the airport.  We were so happy to see her.  She even brought presents for Natalie.  Even though the clothes are "3 months" some fit her already.

Check out the prettiest, most stylish baby I know:

Is it normal for babies to dress better than their moms??

Ice, Ice Baby

Yesterday, Natalie turned 5 weeks old.  The weather forecast was pretty glum, and it turned out that we got all that they predicted.  Sleet and freezing rain started in the late morning and continued into last evening.  It's hard to tell exactly what the total ended up being, but some places got 3/4 of an inch of ice by the time the storm passed.

At 8:00pm, our electric flickered, then went out.  And stayed out.  We bundled Natalie up, stashed a few of her warmest articles of clothing near her crib, and went to bed hoping that we would wake up with lights.  Around 1:00am, the lights came back on!  Not a minute too soon, either, because the temperature in the house had already dropped to 63 degrees.  Brr...

Today we have snow flurries and 45 mph winds.  I braved the cold for about 3 minutes to snap some photos of the ice, and of course of Natalie playing happily inside.  In the heat!

I probably should have taken this guy in before winter hit, but now he's frozen to the porch...

Bernie's path from the back door to the yard, preserved in ice

clay pot could not withstand the elements

Fire pit

grass in the backyard

Ice coated the east side of the porch railings

Landscaping

The backyard looks more like a skating rink these days

Floor time, checking out Minnie Mouse (a gift from Grandpa P.)

The ceiling fans look like giant mobiles

I just ate and am so happy!

So much to check out....

...I love it!

Whoa, what's that?!

I really get my arms and legs into playtime now

One of these days, I'll discover those big hands belong to me!

Looking at the bright red horse hanging from my bouncer

I'm getting so big!

Wide awake for several hours at a time now

We're thinking of all of the readers who have been getting much worse weather than us....hope you are all doing okay in the blizzard conditions and feet of snow you're buried under.  We heard the Groundhog didn't see his shadow, so here's hoping for an early spring!