Cherry Blossom Festival 2011

Natalie and I went down to the Jefferson Memorial/Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms with a friend and her son today. We thought the whole experience would take maybe two hours but it quickly turned into four and a half. It sure is crowded during the cherry blossom festival, but it is so beautiful I think it was worth it.

March

We have a had a great month! We kicked it off with Russel's birthday on the 6th and celebrated with a relaxed evening of fish tacos and presents. I think Russel was pretty lucky because he got to choose two birthday dinners, as we had another celebration a few nights later at his parent's house with all of his family. We had Thai chicken pasta and apple pie and ice cream for dessert. The best part was that Natalie got to help her Dad blow out the candles!


Russel and I also used his birthday as an excuse to go on a date! Russel's mom baby-sat for us and we went to a Celtic Woman concert at the Patriot Center at GMU. It was so fun to enjoy a night out!
The weather has been mostly beautiful this month (although as I type we are preparing for snow...) and Natalie and I have taken full advantage of it with her first trip to the park...
...and her first visit to the National Mall! Here we are on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial.
Lastly, I have been trying to get Natalie to roll over on camera for a few weeks now and I finally caught it. I saw her pull her arm underneath her and was able to grab the camera just in time!

4 Months

Natalie turned four months old last Thursday! I can't believe how fast time is flying. At four months, Natalie is...

- 13 pounds, 8 ounces – 60^th percentile

- 26 inches long – 99^th percentile

- Head circumference of 15 1/2 inches – 25^th percentile

- Falls asleep on her own in her crib for naps and bedtime. She goes to sleep at 8:30pm, has a dream feeding at 10pm and sleeps until 6:30am. We’re still working on a set nap schedule during the day.

- Sucks her thumb, but only the one on her right hand.

- Puts everything within in reach straight into her mouth.

- Still loves bath time and sometimes when nothing else will calm her down, we stick her in the bath and she’s a happy girl.

- Doesn’t like to be on her back as much anymore. She prefers to be sitting up so she has a better view of everything going on around her.

- Does little “sit-ups” where she lifts her head and shoulders off the floor

- “Talks” a lot more and has really begun to discover the strength of her lungs

- Is a total mama’s girl.

- Generally enjoys being in her car seat/stroller when we take walks.

- Is very social. She smiles at almost anyone who will look and smile at her.

- Has learned how to take her pacifier out of her mouth, but it still working on putting it back in.

- Rolled over from her stomach to her back for the first time on her four month birthday.