Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

Despite having mastered a cup the better part of 2 months ago, Natalie has been content to allow us to give her a bottle. Partly, this has been a little frustrating because (1) I know she can do it herself, and (2) she's usually way too busy to stop and eat, so giving her a bottle is more like serving as a refueling station.

But within the last couple of days, Natalie has decided that she can give herself a bottle. This is the result:

I have to say, as much as I was looking forward to this day, it is yet another sign that our baby isn't much of a baby anymore, and that is a little sad. But, seriously, how hilarious is that?

11 Months

Today, Natalie turned 11 months old.  I have to admit, I am a little sad that these monthly birthday celebrations are coming to an end very soon.  Where on earth did the last 11 months go?  

Shall we review?

1 week

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

Once again, Natalie declined a smile for the camera...

Time out for some reading

Cheese!!!

Natalie can point at her mouth and her nose

Natalie does some reviewing of her own, 

here she points out a picture of herself at about 2 weeks old.

Check out those teeth!

She found a picture of some familiar faces

11 months old and "so big"

rolling around on the couch pillows

Natalie is everywhere and into everything.  She loves to quiz me throughout the day by pointing at everything she can see and asking, "Dat?"  Her personality is really starting to come through, a total ham at times, but also very serious and focused.  Too soon to tell who she takes after?  Any thoughts?

Bushel of Fun

Despite cooler nights, days continue to be nice, and we continue to take advantage by soaking up every single fading ray we can...

But first, I had to wrangle Nat after a diaper change to put her pants back on!

And to save reading for when it got dark...

Excellent walking form

She got busted sneaking around the couch

And, finally, we made it out!

Uh, Natalie?

Now a pro at walking through the tall grass in her sneakers

Trying to figure out how to pick up that big pumpkin

Mama!

Found a stray dandelion

You never know when you might need to tote something in your pail

Nice weather aside, Natalie is still fighting an ear infection, and pretty awful diarrhea and horrendous diaper rash on top of that.  Today was the last day of her 3rd antibiotic, and we have fingers triple crossed around here that this one did the trick.  Diaper rash is now on the run, thanks to an anti-fungal cream.  We've been at this over a month, so I think it's high time the poor kid catches a break, don't you?

Besides, it's getting to be holiday time!  We have our first of two Thanksgiving dinners this weekend.  Yum!

Books are Fun, Too!

Sometimes I feel like such an old grump, and I have a sneaking suspicion that it's only going to get worse over the next few years. I am old school, and probably always will be. I know, I know, technology is here to make our lives, easier, right? I guess. But I can just as quickly jot a note and carry that in my pocket as I can set up some kind of list on my phone and carry that around, then hope that it reminds me like it's supposed to. OR, I can just use my brain!

Pardon my soapbox for just a minute.

Part of what is wrong with this world is people having it way too easy. Technology has made things so easy for us that we are just too dumb for our own good. Maybe Natalie will ultimately be worse off for my lack of exposing her to every new technology on the block, or maybe she'll be the smartest kid on the planet? Don't get me wrong, because I love my iPhone, but come on Apple! Now we don't even have to actually use buttons on the phone? All we have to do is talk to it, and the phone does the work for us? Does this remind anybody else of WALL-E? I want to be the one still running around like a loon when the rest of society is being carted on floating chairs.

Ok.

So back to my point. As long as I'm around, Natalie will have books, and very, very limited contact with TV, computers, cell phones, iPads, iPods, and anything else weird and tech-y. I know that some day it will be inevitable, but why can't kids be kids?

Besides, she LOVES books:

See Mom. See Mom run.

Whoa.  When did it all of a sudden get to be November 10th?  I've clearly neglected the blog and updates for the better part of two weeks, so here goes.

We are still fighting an ear infection.  Rather, Natalie is still fighting it.  The first course of antibiotics did nada.  Last Friday, we went back to the doctor as a routine follow up after round one.  She was prescribed a second antibiotic.  By Saturday afternoon, she had the most horrendous diarrhea.  Naturally, the pediatrician's office was closed, so I used my mom gut and stopped the med (thanks for the nurse consult, Mom!).  Monday, Natalie started a third antibiotic.

One of the side effects of antibiotic #3 is red stool.  Oh, and diaper rash.  Check.  Check, check.  Suffice it to say, I will be glad when one of these darn meds does the trick and she can be done with the whole mess.

On a lighter note, I wrapped up my racing season on Saturday by finishing the Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon, in personal record time, I might add (1:54:04).  Two of my biggest fans, Eric and Natalie, came to cheer me on despite the frosty (34 degrees) conditions at the start...

yep, still freezing at the finish!

Better pictures, soon!