Daddy Time

Nathan and Natalie love spending time together. They love to have "face time" as Nathan calls it. They face each other, talk, laugh, cuddle, and play with toys. Nathan is the reason Natalie has gotten so good at holding her toys. They have practiced a lot together! Natalie sure loves her daddy!

Three Months!

Julty 21st

At three months old, Natalie is changing daily! Now that she has mastered sucking on her fists, she has moved on to putting her toys in her mouth. She hasn't quite gotten the hang of it yet, but it won't be too much longer.

She has learned to open her fists more and loves to gently touch her fingertips together. My days of having my hair down are over. She loves to grab my hair and hasn't figured out how to let go! She also found her toes and loves to hold on to them.

Even though she rolled back to belly first, she hasn't repeated and has moved on to rolling over from her belly to her back. This is funny to her because she gets out of tummy time!

She is entirely too strong and loves to stand up, with help of course. She loves to be held and tries to climb up you while you are holding her. 

  

Pool Days

July 17th-20th

We spent a lot of time at my parent's pool this summer. Nathan and Gabriel were able to spend a lot of quality time together roughhousing and just being boys. Last week my sister, niece, and nephew were in town, and there was even more pool time! I decided to keep Natalie out of the pool because I discovered what appeared to be eczema on her elbows and thighs. After adding lotion to her bedtime routine it appears to just be dry skin, but my paranoid- neurotic- first time mom personality gets the best of me every time!



Battling at the pool




Backflips





Gabriel





My nephew Patrick

 

Sometimes All You Need is a Memory

July 20th

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I must admit, actually seeing is priceless.

Today, one day shy of 3 months, Natalie Grace Kendall rolled over for the first time. With my summer days limited, I have been thinking more and more about returning to work and leaving my sweet baby girl. I know I will miss many firsts, but this was something I did not want to miss! Natalie has been trying to roll over for a few days, and I have been ready and waiting with my camera in case it happened...except for today.

My sister, Kristy, is in town from Orlando and staying at my mom's house for the week. Gabriel, Natalie, and I went over today to swim and celebrate my nephew's 9th birthday. Nathan joined us after he got off work. Natalie was playing on the floor and doing what she does best- sucking on her fists. It looked like she was thinking about rolling over several times, but Kristy and I did not think to grab the camera. All of a sudden it happened...Natalie rolled to the right from her back to her belly. Kristy and I were so happy that we screamed in delight. This caused Natalie to immediately cry, and I picked her up before she even had the chance to lift her head after rolling. We of course tried to get her to do it again, but after the screaming she may be too traumatized to try for a few more days.

I am a little sad that I didn't catch it on film, but I know that I will never forget this "first". I also wish Nathan could have seen it. But I know that even if we miss her firsts, it will mean just as much when we see it for the first time ourselves.

Natalie is growing up too fast, and before we know it she will be walking. I have been blessed to have all summer with her and have cherished every minute. I have watched her grow from a not-so-small newborn to a baby that is developing the most sweet and loving personality. From first steps to her first kiss, I can't wait to see, experience, support, and love her through it all.  

No pictures for today, just a memory.

Natalie found her voice!

In the last couple of days, Natalie has really started talking! She has discovered squealing and enjoys seeing just how high her voice can go. She loves having conversations with us!

I can't believe how quickly she is growing. She is really starting to develop a personality!

4th of July Festivities

July 4th

We had a very busy and different 4th of July. Gabriel spent the holiday weekend with his mom for the first time in years. Although we missed him, we felt less guilty when we stayed in instead of watching the fireworks. Natalie is a little too young to enjoy the show and would hate the noise!

Natalie and I spent the morning at the O'Brien's house (Nathan's aunt and uncle). We were able to get all four great granddaughters (on Nathan's side of the family) together for their first picture!



April with her daughter Olivia, Jenn with her daughter Hadley, Katie with Jenn's other daughter Hannah, and me and Natalie!
April and Jenn are married to Nathan's cousins and Katie is Nathan's cousin.



Natalie and Olivia



After Nathan got off work, we spent the afternoon swimming and grilling out at my parent's house! What a great way to spend the 4th! We took so many pictures, I had a hard time picking my favorites- so enjoy!

Natalie in her red, white, and blue bathing suit!

Natalie and Grandma (my mom)

We've come up with some creative ways to make sure Natalie doesn't get any sun!



Enjoying each other while Natalie took a nap.





A Saturday at the Pool

July 2nd

With summer here and the weather as hot as it is, we spend almost every weekend at my parent's pool. This past weekend was no different, except Gabriel was at his mom's so it was just the three of us. Natalie loves the pool and will probably be swimming before she is walking!

My dad

The object of the game was to keep the ball in your arms and stay under water for as long as you can after jumping in. It is much harder than it looks. Nathan is by far the champ!

Natalie and Great Aunt Louise (visiting from WV)

A Week of Firsts

Last week was a week of firsts for Natalie (and me too)! She had her two month shots, sat in her Bumbo, and stayed with Nathan while I left her for the first time! Between the shots and being away from her, it was a stressful week...for me!

At Natalie's two month checkup we found out she is in the 95th percentile for height and weight at 13 pounds 4 ounces and almost 25 inches long! Her doctor said she is doing great! It would have been a great appointment if she didn't have to get 3 shots and drink some nasty medicine!! I think she handled it better than me! After she slept for the better part of 6 hours and woke up her regular self. 



Natalie is getting so good at sitting up in her Bumbo. Just like everything else, she is only happy for so long and then she is ready to move on! For those of you that are unfamiliar with a Bumbo, it's the pink seat she is in. It is made to help babies sit up!

Gabriel LOVES holding Natalie. He would do it all day if he could!

Gabriel and Natalie