Dinner Date

Natalie just went out on her first dinner date. We took her to my old stomping grounds -- the Sunshine Factory. And of course her debut was a hit. People were swarming our table, and she put on a show, opening her eyes and looking around, even smiling a bit. She also had a nice time in her crib today. We're trying to ween her from her carseat, a long process. But she's getting more and more used to it -- I think. Granted she won't sleep for 6 hours like she will in her carseat.

So far so good

Our little family survived the first half week with mom going back to work. I'm exhausted when I get home, all I want to do is nap, but Natalie calls. =) We tried taking a family picture last night, but they're not the best, so we're going to try again soon. As soon as we all (including our doggie) look perfect (never happen) I'll put it on here. Thanks to grandma Linda for watching Natalie all day -- it's a big help. I think she smiles at grandma more than Daddy or me. She has one more week with Grandma Linda before she spends a week with Grandma Lee -- she's going to be so spoiled! And then a month at home with Daddy!
The kids I have at school are pretty fun -- I haven't had any problems yet. It's nice to be back in the classroom -- although there are times I get a glance of my picture of Natalie and wish I was at home. I always wonder what she's doing, then I remember, she's probably just sleeping! =)

Back to the grind

Well, I'm writing this from my desk at wonderful Kennedy High School. I would have posted yesterday on my first day back, but really, it was a long day and I didn't feel like it! =) Yesterday I ran around school like a chicken with my head cut off all day because everytime I went to get something done, someone would stop me in the hall to ask about Natalie, so of course I had to brag about my little genius baby! Today has gone a little smoother. But I swear she gained an entire pound when I was gone yesterday, she looked SO BIG! She's starting to smile a lot more, which is really fun. Hopefully soon I can capture it on film. I'll just make sure I have the camera ready when I make all those silly noises you make at babies.

Favre = Loser

It's the proud papa here, treading lightly into the blogosphere to let everyone know that Natalie G was very pleased to see the Packers go down in defeat on Sunday.

The Robbinsdale Gustafsons visited the 'Tonka Gusties yesterday and enjoyed some pizza while checking out Uncle Carl's sweet new wheels (Honda Accord), Grandpa Craig's new TV (Panasonic plasma bigscreen), Grandma Linda's new furniture (recliner & couch) and hearing about Aunt Ki-Ki's stingy new landlord (Turn up the heat, would ya!). We also inspected the first batch of Carl's yet-to-be-named home-brewed beer. Though we're several weeks from the initial tasting, the brewmaster reports the first batch will be full-bodied and have a strong wheat taste (no doubt last year's journey to Germany has influenced his actions as a beer artist).

Natalie watched most of the fourth quarter (and all of overtime) of the choke-artist Packers, who fell to the NY Giants in overtime. Though we weren't watching on the HD TV, the upstairs (analog) TV provided plenty of evidence that the Pack still suck. As a new father, I'm encouraged to see that our daughter won't have to deal with a Green Bay Super Bowl appearance during her first winter. Hopefully this develops into a trend for the next few decades.

Today wasn't as eventful, though my better half and Yours Truly took turns on the YMCA Relay (mom goes swimming, then to Cub before "handing off" the Dodge to me for my trek to the 'Y'). Natalie also got a brief visit from Grandpa Kent, who happened to be in the neighborhood on business and was eager-as-ever to hold his favorite grandkid.

Unless tomorrow happens to be MLK Day again, I'm pretty sure I need to go into work. Mom also will be heading to JFK High briefly; She's planning on crashing a meeting or two for a cameo with her soon-to-be six-week-old -- how exciting!

That's it for now. I hope all is well with you and yours, and that your world continues to be one where Favre can't get the job done.

It went smoothly!

Well, grandma and grandpa survived, and said they had fun! Joey and I had a good night as a childless couple. We went out for dinner, and I promptly called afterward to see if she was okay. (Of course she was!) And then we saw No Country for Old Men -- good movie, pretty messed up, but good. And like the party animals we are, we were in bed before 11. =) Can't say the same for grandma and grandpa, apparently she was a little fussy and didn't do much sleeping. Hee hee hee. Check out the slideshow for more photos of the big night.

Big Day

So Natalie had to go to the doctor with mommy this morning because world class babysitter Emilia is under the weather. We're hoping she's feeling better today though! I got a clean bill of health, so that's good. Also, Natalie will spend the night with grandma and grandpa Heaner tonight. They're brave souls. Natalie hasn't been sleeping well the last two nights, but they're not backing out. So Joe and I are going to go to dinner and a movie (if we can stay up that late) and sleep a full night's sleep. We're pretty excited -- but I must admit, I'm pretty nervous about leaving Natalie, I'm afraid I'll freak out at about 2 a.m. looking for her because I can't hear her breathing. =) So wish Grandma and Grandpa luck!

Sleep is good

I don't know if it was an anniversary present to her parents but Natalie slept a whopping six hours straight last night. Maybe it was because she was so fussy all evening and she was tired of that -- who knows. Either way, it was a nice break for mom and dad. I do have to admit, it made me panic a little when I woke up those six hours later, wondering if we fed her and I just forgot.
Sarah

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog. We are actually creating this on our second wedding anniversary, big excitement! Well, we have a month old baby at home, so this is excitement! We've set up this blog for our friends around the country, not to mention my brother and sister-in-law who picked up and moved to Seattle. This way they can always know what we're up to -- well, mainly what Natalie is up to.
Hope you enjoy
Sarah