Wednesdays & Funny Things Heard Around Our House

For her birthday, we enrolled Natalie in a gymnastics class at the Y.  We thought that it would be a great way for her to burn off some steam from being cooped up because of cold, that it could be a day for Nat and I to hang out without brother Ben, and that she could get some socialization with kids her own age.  Check.  Check.  And check.

To be truthful, I wasn't sure how much content there would be in a class for 2-4 year olds (and is it just me or is that a BIG range at that age?).  But the instructor is a sweet college age girl and does a wonderful job with the 6 crazy toddlers she has on her hands.  She has different stations around the gym and the kids move from area to area and take turns doing the skill at each station: walking on the beam, stepping over blocks on the beam, swinging on rings, somersaults, handstands against the wall.  Beginner stuff, but actual gymnastics nonetheless. Nat was so shy at first and stayed close to me for nearly the whole first class.  But three classes in and she's a model student.  She has even bonded with (no surprise here) the biggest kid in her class.  She's the youngest and smallest.

We are also loving our Wednesdays together.  Ben goes to Aunt Beth's to play for a couple of hours while mama and Nat go to gymnastics, then to lunch, and usual run and errand or two before heading home.  She's such a funny kid, with so much to say.  It's been really nice to focus just on her, because honestly it's easy to overlook all the cool stuff she's doing lately because Ben requires so much time and attention.

Speaking of Ben...

Ben's trying really hard to roll over all of a sudden.  I have been giving him little pep talks, because immobile Ben is a sitting duck on days when Jack is here.  He has to dodge both Jack and Nat, and that's not easy to do when you're defenseless!  

Natalie is talking in multiple sentences now.  She's "reading" books to herself and to Minnie (speaking of Minnie, check out her sporting her Minnie night gown!), and she's coming up with some real gems that I'll casually overhear:

"Jack Hamburger"  Tuesday she was referring to Jack as Jack Hamburger.  I'm guessing she's heard me call him by his full name and Hamburger is how she remembered it sounding!  

"I'm so gorgeous."  She was walking around saying this to herself and to any of her toys that would listen!

"Oh!  Nat Nat made a piggy in church."  That was actually said in church after she did, in fact, burp.  Lovely.

"Nat Nat is a girl and Ben is a baby."  I've been trying to teach her the boys versus girls concept....

our mama and Nat dates always include cookies...obviously!

Ben: 3 Months

Who can believe it?  Ben...3 months old already!

As you already know, Ben is laughing and smiling.  He's interacting with people and his toys more and more.  Today he was playing on the floor and arching his back to one side.  Not rolling, but acting like he might think about trying soon!

Here are some pictures from his day...

one week

one month

two months

three months!

I just love his sweet smile

he has so many expressions all of a sudden

Ben was sporting his IU shirt because Eric and I went on a date to Bloomington last night for the IU-Wisconsin basketball game.  The fact that Ben had one of the poopiest diapers I have ever seen, resulting in poop up his back and out both leg holes maybe should have been foreshadowing...

We had a visitor on Ben's 3-month birthday--Jack!

(it is IMPOSSIBLE to get 3 kids this age to all look at the camera at once)

And, for the occasion, Natalie and I baked a pan of brownies to be enjoyed by everyone except Ben!  

Nat, as usual, was in charge of decorations.  She chose blue frosting and blue sugar sprinkles and stars.  

What's so Funny?

Is there anything sweeter than the first sounds of a baby laughing?  Ben has been all smiles for a few weeks, cooing and talking to his toys and to anyone who smiles back at him.  Finally tonight, he was so excited and found me really hilarious.

If you're from Indiana, you have probably never questioned what a Hoosier is.  You love basketball, and unless you favor a certain school up north that we don't care to mention in our house (ahem, Purdue), you proudly sport red and white candy striped pants on game days.  Ben, who is tipping the scales at 14 lbs 8 oz (84th percentile for weight and 85th for height), found this IU chant to be so funny.  I like to think it's because he is proud of his Indiana roots and knows that if he keeps up his current size, he'll be a future IU power forward recruit.  

Natalie Turns Two

Better late than never, eh?

Here are a few pictures from Natalie's birthday.  The hard thing about hosting a party is that it doesn't leave much time for picture-taking.  I did have some volunteers taking pictures this year...here are a few shots from the day:

I'm 2!!

Natalie just loves this Minnie Mouse.  She puts a diaper on her, gives her a bottle, and tucks her in at night.  I could watch her take care of Minnie for hours.  

in her party clothes

Skyping with Nana and Papa before the party

I slaved over this cake and all the little cupcakes.  

Someday she'll appreciate it much more...

"happy birthday, dear Natalie...

...happy birthday to you!"

Nat and Great Aunt Ali

(I would love to remember what was going on in this picture!)

Aunt Beth & Jack

Nat & Abby

Ben & Aunt Beth

I hope they always love each other this much

I love that she looks a little "hungover" from her party.

She finally put on the tutu when the spotlight was off.

Despite the cold and snow, and the day being sandwiched between two big holidays, we had a wonderful party and Natalie had so much fun.  Big thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate our girl's day.

Farewell, Old Friend

Some days are easy, and some are plain hard.  Today was a hard day.  Many of you know Cici.  Some of you know that for awhile she's not been herself.  And finally, today came and a decision had to be made.  

In two months, Cici would have been twelve.  I can still remember picking her up from the pet store that many years ago, bringing her home and then devising a way to sneak her into dorm rooms and apartments.  She was my family when my family was so many miles away at home and I knew not a soul in Boston.  

Cici was a true cat.  She mostly liked to keep to herself, and she liked few people on this earth.  She preferred a dark, quiet place to sleep over affection on most days.  And yet she was there for me through so many years of my life filled with all the things that one expects over a decade.  She weathered moves to apartment after apartment, across the country and back.  She tolerated the addition of a husband, then a dog, and two babies into my life.  

The funniest thing about Cici is that despite all her trying, she was eventually won over by a very small little girl.  Cici loved Natalie almost as much as Natalie loved her.  And though I'm heartbroken that my long-time friend is gone, a friend I've known longer than my husband and children combined, I'm more sad that tomorrow and the next day Natalie is going to wonder where her dear friend has gone.  

Where Cici is now, I'm not sure.  I know she's not suffering or hurting anymore.  The pain left is ours, and time will heal us.  In the meantime, we will miss you, Old Friend, and we'll think of you often.

Snow Day

zoooooom!

Nat and Nana 

I just love the expression on both their faces.

In addition to a Christmas celebration, family visits, and a Rose Bowl party, we managed to fit in some sled riding during our visit to Wisconsin this past week.  It was Nat's first time really playing in the snow, and her first time on a sled.  She was a little timid at first, then there was no stopping her!

trudging back up the hill

getting ready for another run

time out for some shoveling

sometimes the best way to the top is on all fours

our daredevil's first solo run down the hill

she is totally fearless

with Papa

here I go!

taking a rest on her sled

There are still plenty of pictures from Christmas and Natalie's birthday coming.  These were just too fun not to share first.  

Both our kids are completely wiped out after two long weeks of celebrating and our trip North.  Tomorrow they both go to the doctor for well-checks.  I'm anxious to see where they both match up on their growth charts.  Ben is enormous and Natalie is still so tall it seems.  Speaking of Ben...he is presently asleep in his own room for the first time.  I, for one, am looking forward to (hopefully) a more restful sleep without him snoring right next to the bed!