Our trip to the "quarium"

Last weekend we went "across the lake" to the aquarium...or "quarium" as the kids call it. We never go over there for much other than to go visit Steven's dad but it was fun trip all around! We went with Ava and Katelynn and Donnie and Lisa came along with us! We also went with Steven's Dad, Stepmom, and step-nephew Ty. I was very excited because I knew the girls would LOVE IT! Especially Ava. We had Ava in the car with us and it was almost like a glimpse into the future when we have another child. I kept asking her if Natalie was sleeping and she would say "noooo" One time she said "nnooo...yea"! and then proceeded to tell me "Natty sleepin!! NATTY SLEEPIN!!! NANNY NATTY SLEEPIN" All I could do was laugh because if she was sleeping she probably wasn't anymore. Ava and I also had a discussion about the dolphins in the lake. I asked her if she could see them and she said no. I told her they must be taking a nap. All of a sudden she starts yelling! Nanny I see dolphins! I see them sleeping! Man I wish I had the imagination of a 2 year old! She also busted out with "I see a boat!" I leaned over to Steven and said...do you see a boat? There was no boat...but whatever! She is my Ava Lou and you just have to accept the craziness!

Anyway, once we got there I kept telling Steven....don't be disappointed if Natalie doesn't "get" this whole experience....this whole trip was his idea so Natalie could see the Aquarium....at 8 month old...but ok whatever! Apparently all he wanted her to see was the glass tunnel in the beginning...$18 a piece for the tunnel in the beginning.....sigh....thats my husband! We had a great time though and Natalie seemed to be paying attention somewhat! The only issue we had was the gift shop....kids and gift shops don't mix when there is no plan to buy $12-5 inch around- glitter balls! Sorry KK! We made it out alive and were no worse for the wear! I would have pictures but they are on my camera....in my purse....at home...and I am at work! I do have one that I will steal from Ashlyn...who stole it from me.....

Lisa, Ava, KK, Ty, and Natalie in the middle....chillaxing!

Dang it!

I was gonna write a blog but I ran out of time....maybe tomrrow *sigh*

7 Months

Oh My Natty!

It seems like every time I turn around I am writing another blog entry because you are another month older! I call you a big girl at least once a day.....even though I know you are still a baby! You are sitting up by yourself, pulling up on your bed and anything/anyone else that will let you! I am just going to go ahead and say you are crawling because I think you move faster on your belly! You look like a little lizard but thats ok because you can get ANYWHERE you set your mind to.....and you usually do it with gusto and determination. You keep trying to stand up....I don't know if you are trying to copy Delaney who just stands up in the middle of the floor or what but its cute to see you make a teepee with your little butt! You are officially in the big bathtub now. You love the little rubber ducky who you try to consume each time you get a hold of him! You are constantly smiling and "talking" and smiling some more! You do really well in your pack and play or on the floor playing. You can even put yourself to sleep...which I thought would never happen!!!! I am starting to miss tiny baby days a little bit....not the sleeplessness and the screaming...but the little times when it was just you and me and you wanted me to hold you! I know that its all about independance and I don't want you hanging on my leg for the rest of your life BUT I know you will want me to hold you sometimes and I will just savor those moments then! OH and the cutest thing is that you are reaching for people! Even though I know its just so someone will lift you up so you can see....its still cute. Except at dinner the other night when I was trying to hurry up and finish and you kept holding your arms up to me with the pitiful little face :( . It broke my heart but it was ok because you lived!!!!Anyway I know things are just going to get better as you understand more and more. Hurry and grow up but stay little forever!

Love,

Mama Sitting like a big girl!

Crawling by the river


Finally fell asleep by herself!

Loves this toy!

Loving her some Pita Bread

Sneak Peak

A sneak peak at Nat's pictures

Happy 4th of July!

This past weekend was looongg with no rest...of course! Nanna and Papa came to visit for the weekend and they barely put you down....shock! Most of the family came over to our house for a BBQ and it was SO hot because everyone kept going in and out of the house, letting the cold air out...grrr! Natalie had a great day though playing with her cousins Delaney and Jayden, and of course Ava, KK, and Lisa (Aunt not cousin). Natalie had a festive 4-H of July outfit from Nanna and Auntie Caca. Everyone loved the Tutu that I made for Natalie....I am going to get her 6 month pictures taken in it since it came out so well! After everyone left we went to Mandeville to watch the fireworks on the lakefront. They were pretty far away but you go the gist without having to pay :) On Sunday everyone went home and we had a day to just hang out with the three of us. It was so nice just to lay around on the bed playing with Natalie and watching her wiggle her little butt all around trying to crawl! I can't wait for vacation! It can't come soon enough for me!

In my festive outfit!

I needed a bath after Nanna tried to feed me cheetos

Passed out after all the excitement

Sleepy girl ready to move!

The End!

6 months

Natalie,

You have been 6 months for about a week now and I am just now writing your 6 month update! I have been so busy lately that I feel like I don't get to see you! You are such a big girl now....or so it seems! You are so close to crawling I just want to pick you up and do it for you! At your 6 month check up you weighed a staggering 16lbs 7.5 oz! I was shocked! But I don't know why I was surprised because people can just look at you and tell you have grown so much! You are still working on those teeth and it is very frustrating for me because there is very little I can do for you! You have two fully grown in and you are getting a few more. You can also sit up pretty well now. You can't get up there by yourself but you can stay seated for a good minute or until you decide you need that toy....over there. You are so much fun now with your smiley face and your squeals of joy!! You love wal-mart....its something about the lights that gets you everytime! Not to mention that it takes an hour and a half in there because people keep stopping me to look at you and try to get you to smile....and of course....you won't.....Oh well! Just another way that you are Steven Jr.....well I guess you are Steven III since your daddy is like your PawPaw Paul!

We are going on our first long trip to go visit the Gillett family in a couple of weeks and I am hoping that you will be a good girl and make it the whole way without a meltdown....we will see. Oh and you don't like carrots....at all!

Love,

Mama

Natty in the Tutu I made her :)

4-H Camp and Remotes

I feel like a lazy mommy because I haven't posted in a while! Things have been really busy around here getting ready for 4-H Camp and 4-H U. I will be so glad when the month of June is gone! Natalie is eating so much more! I am still worried she is getting too much baby food and not enough formula but she is growing out of diapers and clothes so I assume that she is growing enough! She is moving up to size 3 diapers and is already in some 6-9 month clothes! Amazing!

I had to leave her for the first time last week. It was HARD. Mama kept her while I was at 4-H camp and I didn't get to see her for the whole week! I was so happy to see her on Friday! I leave for 4-H U aka Short Course next week. Steven is going to be on his own so I am little worried but he should do fine.

Natalie's new thing is electronics. She throws a fit if I won't give her the remote and/or my cell phone. She is also so much more wiggly and active! She flipped herself right out of her Bumbo yesterday and smacked her head on the book she was holding. Thankfully I was right there to catch her before she fell out comepletely! She is in love with toys which could be anything from the expensive toys Steven has to have for her or just simply playing with the diaper while I am getting ready to change her! She is so delightful! I know that is a cheesy old lady word but that is just about the only word I can think of to describe it!

She is also laughing out loud like everything is hilarious! She grabbed for a chocolate cupcake the other day (and almost succeeded) and the only way I could think of the get the icing off of her had was to lick it off....well apparently that was the funniest thing ever! She belly laughed! HARD! It was the greatest sound in the world!



My work load has been heavy lately and I can't wait until this month is over and I get some down time! July means slowing down and vacation for me. I also want to take a trip to Biloxi soon even though its kind of gross! But we don't get to go to Florida this year so its the best I get!

I also lost my paternal grandfather this Sunday. I have been very down about it because I am not going to be able go get up to St. Louis for the services. Between work and not wanting to take Natalie on a 12 hour trip by myself, I just can't swing it. Luckily my family understand and we are going to have a little service in July when we are able to get up there. I will miss him a lot. I think I am the most upset because Natalie won't be able to meet either one of my grandfathers. Mama says that we will just have to keep his memory with her by telling her stories and showing her pictures. I know that this is all a part of life but its still hard.

Well now that I have spilled my guts for now I will let you get back to your life!

Natalie's first trip to Camp Grant Walker

Smiley Becnel!


Mugging for the Camera

Going for the foot

Wearing her bikini bottoms on her head!