Fussy Pants

The above picture is from Easter. I could have taken one today, but to be honest, she was super fussy all day and no one wants to see a picture of that. My first day of spring break was filled with all the scenes you see in movies and on TV of parents doing silly things to stop their fussy babies from crying. I was dancing, singing, swinging her around, lifting her in the air, sitting with her, rocking with her, obviously feeding her. Man I'm exhausted. I don't know if it was the 8 INCHES OF SNOW we're getting today or if she missed daycare, or maybe she knew daddy was going to be out in the snow on his way home, but man alive, she hasn't stopped yelling at me all day! Maybe she really is starting to teethe. I have no idea! Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
She had a busy weekend though, going to the ER with mommy and daddy early Saturday morning, where I found out I have a gallstone, interesting and may need surgery, that's yet to be seen. Then Sunday we all (Jojo included) went on a big walk outside when it was about 50 degrees! So she has been outside at least once before this huge snowstorm hit. Wish me luck with her tomorrow!

Fashion Diva

Apparently people read this blog, and some are getting annoyed that it hasn't been updated in a while. So for my broken track star who is recovering from surgery, here goes ...
Natalie decided she wanted to pick out her outfit today. No, she didn't say "That one mommy," instead she puked all over the one daddy put her in late last night, then peed all over the replacement to that one, then pooped on the third one. The one we got her in this morning before heading to daycare seemed to do the trick. Maybe she's practicing for a runway show? Or maybe a Broadway show where she has a lot of wardrobe changes? Oh ... I know ... she's going to be performing at the Grammys someday and needed practice. The bottom line is she looks cute in anything! =)
One more day of work, then a track meet tonight and then it's Natalie and mommy for over a week! YEAH!

Growing up

Natalie's tummy time is paying off. She's just itching to crawl! This picture is pretty good, but she can lift her head even more than this, we just haven't been able to capture it on film. I had the day off with her today, it was so much fun! We did a lot of tummy time and a lot of spinning in her chair -- her favorite pasttime. I can't wait until next Friday when I'm home for 10 whole days!

Visits

Great grandma came to visit on Tuesday. Natalie showed her what a good girl she is.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Natalie is changing right before our eyes, it's amazing. Yesterday we upped her ounces per bottle to 5! And we started in on bigger bottles so she'll be able to get more food, it's pretty fun. AND last night, I put her down at 1:30 a.m. after a feeding and when I went to get her at 7:30, she was totally flipped around. She was still on her back, but her head was at the opposite end of the crib than where it started. Time to make sure that crib is empty. It was so big at first that about a third of it is used for storing extra blankets, not anymore! I have no idea how she did it, but she's moving around her crib. She's starting to giggle a little more too.

Anyone?

Anyone want a dog? Joey brought Natalie home today to the garbage all over the kitchen floor and a corner of our rug chewed OFF!

Showing off

Natalie had a great week at daycare. Every day, both dropping her off and picking her up, Katie and Kari -- her providers -- raved about how good of a baby she is. By Friday when I dropped her off, all the kids were eagerly awaiting her arrival and were lined up at the door when I was walking up. The bad news is she got mommy's cold. I think we keep trading colds. She had it first, then I got it, and now she has it back. I don't think she'll have to call in for a sub and take a sick day like mom did last week, but she's struggling to keep her nose clean. She hates the suction nose sucker, so she's trying to sneeze it out all on her own.
Kate watched Natalie last night so Joe and I could hit the town. And hit the town we did! Kate fronted us some dinner money so we ventured to The Oceanaire Seafood Room downtown. Man alive that place is awesome! I had jumbo scallops and Joey had marlin. It was fun to pretend we have money. Then we went to Triple Espresso -- very funny! I highly recommend it, they're closing in April so get in and see it. It's funny. Kate had a blast with Natalie, it was the first time she got to spend time with her for more than a few minutes at a time and Natalie was snuggly and cute the whole time we've heard. Gene and Ev stopped by to rave over Natalie too. She has many fans!
Hopefully Natalie can get over this cold quickly and get back to her smiley, cooing self. OH I almost forgot! She LAUGHED on Friday. Neither of us have heard her laugh yet, and I was swinging her around in her chair and she started to laugh! It was so cute! I jumped on the phone and called grandpa and grandma really quick and I think grandpa Kent heard it, but she was busy eating her fist by the time grandma got on the phone. Once that starts, it's hard to distract her from it.
Alright, enough of proud mommy rambling ... Later.

We (I) Survived!

Today was Natalie's first day at daycare. The tears over this started last night -- mine, not hers. I got her all packed up and we were actually early today! I was doing fine until Kari -- our daycare provider -- asked me how I was -- more tears, mine not Natalie's. Right away this morning Natalie showed off her smile and all the kids were interested in the "new kid." I only called once today, and of course she was fine. When I picked her up, I was told over and over again how easy she is to take care of and how she's such a happy baby. We all knew that though! I'm glad she had a good day, but more glad that she's in my arms as I type this.

Just Hangin'

Natalie and I are having a quiet night in while Joey went out to the U2 movie with his sibs. I was really excited to spend time with her, but after about an hour of hangin' with just mom, she ate and passed out in a food coma. The cool thing is, tonight is the third night in a row she's slept in her room! She has finally graduated to the big girl crib. I have to admit, I really miss having her sleep right next to me. I have to get over it, she's getting older! =)

Dog Gone

The Erickson Girls stopped by this afternoon but I wasn't a very good host.

Jo-jo left the back yard, as he does on occasion. But this is the first time it took me more than 30 seconds to find him. After a lengthy tour of Robbinsdale with my windows down (and a call to the city), I finally found Jo-jo. He was about 1 block away and seemed excited to see his master.

We had a little talk about staying in the back yard, so hopefully he opts to do so in the future.

Tears and no tears

We took Natalie to the doctor today because her eye is all gooped up with crustiness, yes, that's the technical term for her condition. Apparently, her tear duct is still blocked, which is what the diagnosis of her crustiness was when she was just a baby (2 weeks old). Now the big girl (near 3 MONTHS old) is still having problems with the duct not draining into the nose, which is supposed to happen. It's the dry air that's causing swelling in her nose thus preventing the draining. A whole bunch of words meaning, don't worry, it will go away as soon as the dry air pushes its way out of here. So don't worry if you catch goopiness in the pics, we just need a humid rainy month and she'll be fine!
Natalie also took her first trip to the airport today with daddy. They dropped Grandma Linda off for her trip to Texas (lucky lady!). Father and daughter are enjoying the precious few days they have left together during the days. Daddy goes back to work on Monday, so you may get a tear-filled post from me on Natalie's first day of daycare.
Later!

Getting "Tired"

Natalie had an exciting day. Not only did she get to see service technicians install new tires on the Ford, but she also got to swing by the post office with me (and she really was thrilled by the experiences).

It must have been exhausting too, because Natalie has been drinking like a sailor this afternoon. She still isn't able to do a push-up for me, but she is mastering the art of kicking her legs violently (which is nice).

Natalie is relaxing now in the living room and seems to enjoy listening to the Twins game on the radio (which is good, since she doesn't really have a choice). The nearly-three-month-old and her father are excited to see Mom, who should be home soon.

Adios.

Date Night

Grandma and Grandpa Heaner babysat Natalie tonight so Mommy and Daddy could go out on the town. As one of my students said, we went on "The best date EVER!" We saw "Juno" then went to the Olive Garden. Apparently to a 17-year-old girl, that's the best date possible. It was fun. Natalie entertained grandma and grandpa with her smiling and cooing. She did miss her swing, so grandma and grandpa propped her up in their recliner where she conked right out after a few rocks. Grandpa was shocked at how much bigger she is. She is getting chubby cheeks and a little double chin, just like mommy. It was nice to get away and be a couple on the town, but we were both very ready to see little Natalie when we were on our way to pick her up.
Tomorrow daddy is going to help Uncle Carl brew some homemade beer and mom is going to spend some much needed one-on-one time with her daughter. The whole working mom thing is starting to get to me. And with track starting a week from Monday, I'll see even less of her. I can't wait until summer! Ta ta for now.