Natalie's Book

One of my July goals was to catch up on Natalie's scrapbook.  With August beginning tomorrow (whoa!!) I have been working frantically on my digital pages over the last week or so.  I'm all caught up (with the exception of some swimming pictures I took last weekend)!  Here they are!
(Warning: there are A LOT!)

 
 

Hooray!  Now, I didn't get to her traditional scrapbook of her professional photos...but hey, baby steps, right?  I'm proud of what I got done!

Dwindling Summer

The countdown is on.  I have only a couple of precious weeks left at home with my little girl....then our summer will be over.

It has been such a special summer for me.  For once, I didn't fill my days away from school with tutoring kiddos, lesson planning, or overhauling my classroom library.  I didn't take classes, tackle my large stack of papers to file, or learn new technology strategies to implement while teaching.  Even though I get my summers "off", I usually spend a large portion of my break working....thinking....planning. 

Not this summer.  This summer, it was for us.  For my baby girl and me.

I never want to forget these incredible months at home with her.  Exhausting and frustrating at times, yes.  But it was hands down the best summer of my life.

We didn't go on vacation or spend hot days by the pool.  We didn't chase down the ice cream truck (well, maybe once...) or go boating or play at the park.  But in the absence of these classic summer traditions, we found new ones.

Snuggling every morning in the earliest rays of sunshine.
Sitting outside on hot nights, when that stifling night air was all that would calm a fussing baby.
Countless hours spent in the rocking chair in her room, singing lullabies and cuddling close.
Laying on the floor, side by side, exploring and playing.  Reading books.  Singing songs.  Shaking toys and holding stuffed animals.
Watching her change and grow - starting as a tiny helpless babe, and then emerging with more personality, more independence, and more beauty each and every week. 
She has learned to smile, laugh, roll, recognize voices and faces, yell, control her wobbly head, sit up in her exersaucer/high chair/jumper, bounce, reach, and grasp.  A true testament to just how amazing babies are.  I am constantly in awe of how fast she learns and changes.  It's incredible.

Yes, this summer has been different.  Different and wonderful.  And now each future summer will be sweeter and more special and full of memories waiting to be created.  Best of all, it will be all ours. 

Until next summer, sweet girl....

Weekend Randoms.

Not much happening around here this weekend....

Just the usual cute baby stuff:

Yes, Daddy put the onesie on her head.  Yes, I took a ridiculous number of pictures.  No, we don't have anything better to do on a Saturday morning.  I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

I got away for a little while today to try on bridesmaid dresses with the girls.  Mark's brother is getting married this fall, and we're both thrilled to be a part of the wedding.  Thrilled about this post-baby body in a bridesmaid dress??  Notsomuch.  But so happy for Nick & Brandi!  The best part was coming home after 5 hours away.  I'm not usually away from Natalie for that long....she was in her exersaucer when I got home.  When I walked in, she smiled, laughed, giggled, bounced, and squealed!  Cutest. Thing. Ever.  Man, did that make my whole day.  I think the only thing that will get me through the day when school starts is knowing that that sweet little happy baby is waiting for me when the work day is over.

Bedtime tonight was a struggle.  You see, I've gotten into this not-so-good habit of rocking Natalie before naptimes and bed.  It's not so much that she needs to be rocked, it's more that I enjoy the quiet snuggle time together.  So, in MY need to have sweet snuggly rocking time with my baby -- I've created a rockabye baby addict.  She now won't go down for bed unless she's rocked.  As in rocked until she's completely asleep.  Also, if she doesn't take a little 30 minute evening nap, she's a fussy mess by bedtime.  If she does take her evening catnap, she has a hard time settling down before nine o'clock.  Oh, the mysteries of babies and motherhood.  Most of the time, I feel like I'm just trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing.  And just when I figure something out, there's a new hurdle to tackle.  I have a feeling this is just the beginning... :)

The best thing about bedtime?  Bathtime comes first... :)

The girl loves her rubber ducky.

The momma loves the girl.

Hope you're having a great weekend -- and staying cool!