Day 2 Good Sleep

Natalie did it again...she went to sleep around 9p and is still sleeping as I type at 9:22a!  I hear her stirring though :)

Sleeping Good Again...

I hope I don't jinx myself by blogging this, but last night Natalie slept from 8:45p and didn't wake up until I woke her up at 8:45am!  Woohoo!  I didn't sleep the greatest because I checked on her several times since the most recent trend had been for her to wake up for a midnight feeding and then sometimes again in the middle of the night. I didn't do anything different...she just slept!  I'm hoping she continues on this trend, but we'll see considering Bobby laid her down in her crib and she is still awake beating something against her crib. At least she's not crying and will hopefully play herself to sleep!

I have been completely exhausted lately after I come home from work!  All I want to do is take a nap, and the last couple of days, that is exactly what I have done! I skipped Zumba both days I try to attend...definitely not good for my figure!

Tonight we went shopping for the camping stuff we needed and I don't think I ever want to ask Bobby to go with me to the store ever again!  I much prefer fussy Natalie over him!  At least Natalie was good at the store! 

I am really looking forward to camping this weekend, this will be Natalie's first camping trip. We are going to camp at Turkey Run and it looks like it will be a BEAUTIFUL weekend!  Warm weather, no rain in the forecast, beautifully changing colored fall leaves, and fun family time with my side of the family!  I hope to take many pictures...so more to come on our upcoming camping trip this weekend!

Our Saturday

Today we hung out with James and Amanda during the day and headed to the Popcorn Festival in Brazil, IN. Bobby and I had been once before, but it had been 5 years since we have gone. This is a really small festival that gives out free popcorn, has food, rides, and bands playing. Nothing too extravagant, but something to do to get out of the house. It was a little chilly today, but a beautiful day with lots of sun!

Swinging

Happy girl...wearing Notre Dame underneath all the pink!

Natalie had fun swinging at the playground at the park and was good in her stroller during our short stay there.

Later on in the day, I took a nap, while everyone else played UNO and Natalie played. We played cards, had Rebekah and Eric join us while the ND vs. Purdue game was on until Natalie got too fussy for anyone to enjoy playing SPOONS. Natalie definitely did not like the excitement of us fighting for the spoons, so I forfeited and got her ready for bed and she finally ate her full bottle.

The big question today was what team was Natalie going to wear since I am the ND fan and Bobby is the Purdue fan and they were playing tonight?!

Well, of course she wore ND!  I got her dressed today, so I got to pick out her outfit:)  Good thing too because ND trampled Purdue (even though Bobby says they are going to have a comeback with 1 quarter to go and the score being 35-3 at the end of the 3rd quarter)!

Playdate with Gavin

Today, Natalie and I made the trip up to Indy to go see Cassie and Gavin for a little playdate. With I-70 being under construction...for 43 miles (who thought that was a good idea?!)...so we took US-40 which made our usual 1 1/2 hour trip into 2 hours! Natalie and Rusty were both good though!

Natalie very much enjoyed playing with Gavin's toys, but Gavin didn't enjoy playing with Natalie too much (maybe because a couple of months ago Natalie tried to gouge his eyes out! Maybe he was still holding a grudge...haha). As long as Gavin didn't think Natalie saw him, then he was fine, but as soon as they would make eye contact, he wanted his Mommy!  Poor little guy!  We even sat outside today...it was SO nice out!

Gavin doesn't know Natalie is behind him

Now he does!

Does this look familiar...haha!

At their first playdate over 3 months ago! 

Uh oh...they made eye contact :)

Gavin hiding from Natalie

I LOVE the grass and being outside

Happy Gavin

Best picture of the 4 of us after 6 attempts :)

After the trip to Cassie's, we headed to Target since we don't have one in Terre Haute and picked up a few things, then headed to Greenwood to Auntie Amanda's apartment to visit for a bit. Natalie was in a SUPER happy mood and loved playing with Petunia (Amanda's dog).

Go Irish!

Finally, a Notre Dame shirt that fits!  Gooooooo  Irish!

GO IRISH!

I have recently been picking up Natalie's toys from all over the living room floor and placing them under her exersaucer, which she has now figured out she can crawl underneath and play with them. I don't think she has really gotten down how to get out without getting frustrated, but it will come.

Escape Artist

"Escape Artist"...this is Natalie's new nickname at daycare!  Today, when I walked in to get Natalie, I proceeded back to the baby room where 2 other moms and 4 other babies/toddlers were to find the daycare provider that is mostly with Natalie was in the room with the kids that was barricaded by a low bookshelf in the doorway. The reason for this bookshelf being there...Natalie!  Haha! Natalie likes to explore and because she is the most mobile baby, she wants to crawl out to the big kids room to check out what is going on. I'm sure the toddlers escape too, but because they are older, I'm sure it's easier to get them to come back by just calling their names.

Also today at daycare, Natalie refused to take her bottle in the early afternoon (twice)!  She was out of her formula, so I brought a small container (same brand, slightly different mixture I guess) until I could go out and get a larger container to refill her stash at daycare. Luckily, she ate her solids well, and had some diluted juice because they didn't want her to get dehydrated. Then, right before I got there to pick up she finally drank 3 ounces of the new formula. When we got home, she ate the same formula just fine, so I think she was just being a "stinker" earlier in the day!

Trying to escape today at daycare must have worn the girl out :)...she got at quick 5 minute nap in before we arrived home.

So, tonight, Bobby was helping film at a local volleyball game that is a fundraiser for the NICU at the hospital, which means I am home alone with Natalie on the first day we are going to attempt to not allow her to take a nap in the evening. We are hoping this will help her sleeping habits and fussiness in the evenings. I did a really good job until 7p.

Fell asleep with Pooh (or Piglet)...Pooh dressed as Piglet :)

No evening naptime...FAIL!

Well, time to wake the baby up...20 minute nap won't do too much damage...I HOPE!!!!

Wearing Mommy and Daddy Out!

The last couple weeks have been pretty rough...sleepwise! Natalie tends to be in the routine that she is really good during the day by being happy and taking her naps easily. However, come nighttime, a H**L breaks loose and she is only happy if she is in a room that Mommy and Daddy are in. She typically will go to bed around 8 or 9 and lately has been getting up less than 2 hours later...super fussy!  She doesn't want to eat, sleep, be held...nothing!  It takes Mommy with Round 1, Daddy with Round 2, then Mommy again usually with the last round...Round 3.

Thankfully after Round 3, she stays asleep (or has been) until the morning when it's time to get up!

I am super tired this week...and no wonder why!  Tonight, when I went to Zumba, she slept after eating (which Bobby said she was fussy) around 6:30p and got woken up by Daddy at 8:30p. She got to stay up and play some while we had company over, but then got fussy while Skyping with my parents. I tried rocking her....she wanted none of that. Bobby tried walking around in her dark room with her...still wide awake. Then, Mommy took her back (Round 3) and I laid down in our bed and shushed her to sleep within 5 minutes (around 10:30p). I just pray she stays asleep because I have an early day tomorrow and I am already exhausted!

She can now hold her bottle (when she wants to), which is actually quite a big help in the mornings when I am trying to get her ready, as well as myself. I am able to multitask while she holds her bottle and eats, I can change her diaper, take off her sleeper, and dress her! Thanks for helping Mommy, Natalie! 

Her new favorite thing is to climb up on the ottoman to stand, then just stand for a tiny bit and plop down on her butt.  Then do the whole thing over again...multiple times!