Busy baby!

 Sorry we've been missing from the blog.  We've been really busy!  Between work, taking care of the baby, and household chores, it seems that there are barely enough hours in the day to get the things that need to be done done, much less allowing time for the things that we want to get done.  I'll see if I can remember what we've been up to.

The first weekend after I went back to work was a wash.  Natalie picked up a runny nose and cough at daycare which Friday night worsened to vomiting.  Baby's first sickness.  Luckily it was only a 24 hour bug; she never had a fever and wasn't overly fussy, but we did have several stomach-emptying vomiting events.  We both needed a bath by the end of the weekend.  By Sunday she was better, but we were still pretty worn down and cautious.  Luckily she recovered well (though it didn't help our weight check Monday morning) and has been healthy ever since.

 Later that week, after we felt that we were no longer contagious, we had my friend Jane and her baby Robin over to play.  Robin is three weeks older than Natalie and hadn't really had much experience with other babies yet, so she was really enamored with Natalie.  It was cute, actually.  Jane and Robin are here for the month visiting from Japan.  Hopefully we'll see them a few more times this month before they go home.

Also that week I had a Broadway show, Jekyll and Hyde, and my boss organized a group outing.  I was a little sad to be leaving Natalie home both Thursday and Friday nights after not seeing her all day because of work, but I was really glad I went to the hockey group outing.  Rick and I used a gift certificate and went on a date and at the hockey game I got to get to know some of my newer coworkers a little better.  There were two new ladies that started in November so I hadn't had much time to get to know them so it was nice.  I was really glad that we went.  We're pretty spoiled; both great grandma and a close friend are more than willing to babysit at any time.  In fact, my grandma is always telling us that we need to go on more dates!

Natalie and her cousin Kendall

 Last weekend was Natalie's cousin Kendall's baptism back in my hometown.  We hadn't been home in a month or so and it was amazing how much easier travelling with a 2-month-old was compared to travelling with a 1-month-old.  Not that she was that much different, but we were much more experienced!  It was a nice weekend with lots of family.  I wasn't sure what to dress Natalie in, but settled on her Easter dress.  Yes, I know she wore it before Easter, but let's be honest: now she'll get 2 wears out of it before she grows out of it.  Plus it is so darn cute!  Both girls were angels in church and well-behaved all weekend.  It's funny to go home where I find myself wondering who has my baby; where is she?  I haven't seen her since the last feeding!  It's nice and weird at the same time.

Natalie and Daddy

 This past week has been a little slower speed.  Monday night Jane and Robin came to visit again and my sister and Kendall came over as well.  Three babies born within three weeks of each other.  The girls didn't interact very much (blame opposite feeding and sleeping patterns), but we did get together for a photo!

 Thursday Rick's parents came to visit.  We went out to eat for Rick's birthday (which is today) and otherwise just hung around the house enjoying family time with Natalie.  They left this morning and we're recuperating from the excitement; the dog, baby, and I all had a pretty good nap today.  I'm not ready for tomorrow to be a work day.  Back into the routine.  Happy birthday, Rick!

Baby's first cowboy boots!

St. Patrick's Day leggings

Japanese sleeper