Ocean City

We were lucky enough to enjoy Memorial Day weekend at the beach with Russel's family, who have been going every year since he was only 3 years old. It was Natalie's first time in a pool, first time on the sand and first time in a pack and play outside our own house (besides when she was 6 weeks old and not aware enough to know the difference). The pool and the sand went very well, the pack and play not so much. Overall we had a fun time!

At the beach:
(she really couldn't be bothered to look at the camera when there were so many things to play with and so much sand to try and eat)

The pool:

Lots of relaxing:

And a beautiful sunrise:
(these pictures were taken on the deck of our townhouse overlooking the bay)

25

Last Monday (the 16th) I turned 25! I had a great birthday complete with smiles and cuddles from Natalie, presents, cake, a delicious crepe brunch with friends and dinner out with Russel. It was a great day!

The girls (and most of the kids) after brunch at Sarah's house.
(Milu, Tiffany, Sarah, Nora, Me and Alia) Thanks everyone!

Before opening presents

Just after Natalie helped me blow out my birthday candles

Before leaving for our date. (We're holding an almost naked Natalie because she was about to take a bath!) And big thanks to my mother-in-law Shawnee for babysitting!

Outside Central, where we had dinner. The top picture on the post is inside the restaurant with my gigantic "Celebration Cake". It came out with a huge sparkler on the top and was sooo yummy! We had already eaten such a delicious meal that we couldn't finish the whole thing, though you can bet we tried!

Mother's Day

I loved celebrating my first Mother's Day with my sweet baby girl.

Great Falls

The weather was absolutely beautiful today so we decided to take full advantage of it with a hike at Great Falls National Park, which is only about 15 minutes from our house. Natalie loves to be outside and enjoyed taking in all the sights of the falls and the trail from her baby bjorn. It was a great family outing - hopefully we'll go again soon!

6 Month Photo

I didn't have a new 6-month-old picture of Natalie for her 6 month post, so I had to use Easter ones. I took this photo today and my friend Emily hooked me up with some Photoshop knowledge to make it even cuter. I think it's a perfect shot to celebrate half a year!

4 Month Pictures...Thanks Stephanie!

When Natalie was 4 months old, a wonderful friend in my ward offered to take some pictures of Natalie and I jumped at the chance. Natalie did really well and was so smiley; unfortunately a cold started kicking in that day and one of her eyes got progressively more red and watery as we were there. Even with the cold, I think the pictures turned out so cute.

Thanks to Stephanie for such a fun afternoon playing dress up with Natalie and taking pictures - I love them!

6 Months

6 months old? Really?! I can't believe she is half way to being a year old!
Natalie is 6 months old today and had her check-up yesterday. She is doing great! Currently she weighs 14 lbs 6 ounces (25th percentile) and is 27 1/4 inches long (99th percentile). Basically she's a little string bean! I was a little worried that she is not putting on weight as quickly as she is growing length-wise, but our pediatrician reassured me by saying that developmentally Natalie is right on track and is healthy by every other indicator. I guess we just have a tall, skinny girl on our hands!
Natalie is doing all kinds of fun things now and it is so exciting for me to watch her learn and develop new skills. She is sitting pretty well on her own and likes the vantage point this new position gives her. She is still putting everything in her mouth and has graduated from being interested in just her own toys to wanting everything else. She has learned how to open my desk drawer if she's sitting on my lap and immediately goes for the pens and scissors. Those things have since been moved so she can't get to them, but she still manages to find her way to a host of other things she shouldn't have, which then need to be taken away. It pretty much always ends in screaming, but usually it's just Natalie. :-)
And just to show that we celebrated, here are Russ and I with Natalie on Easter. Unfortunately none of the family pictures turned out. We're going to have to work on that...
Mostly I just love that I get to be Natalie's mommy. I think she is the cutest, sweetest little girl around and I feel so lucky that I get to spend all my days with her. She is a great little companion and we have so much fun together. Here's to 6 months down and a lifetime ahead! I love you Miss Natalie!