11 months!

Mike and I were talking last night and couldn't decide if it feels like two months or two years since we brought Natalie home. Some days it feels like she is getting so big so fast and changing so much even daily. Just look at her! Isn't she the sassiest, stylin'est kid you've ever seen? She is the best dressed Harper in Jenks, America. She got several fun toys for Christmas that were perfect for her age and stage. Things she can open and close, stack and knock over, things that play music....who am I kidding. EVERYTHING plays music! Here was a pretty perfect Sunday morning: coffee and cookbook for mom, toys for Nat. She has four (4!) teeth, two snaggles on bottom and two big ole toofs on top---and she isn't afraid to use them. My shoulder and Mike's arms have the fang marks to prove it! She has also developed a goofy crooked sideways grin which means, "I don't want to be doing this right now but I'll grin at you if you'll just back away slowly and put that camera down."

Just days before the BIGGEST SNOWSTORM EVER was a perfect 70 degree day. We took Natalie to the park for the first time. She didn't love it. The swing was "meh."

So we took in some rays instead. Maybe the park will sound more fun when we can run around proper. She is crawling backwards at full speed but still no effort to go forward. She can hold on to things and is trying to scoot along things like coffee tables and foot stools but no real interest in in walking. Hey, more exercise for mom and dad!

Her first birthday is at the end of February. Crazy! And for those wondering just what to get her--- think CHEAP! Her current favorite activities include shaking a pop bottle full of confetti and dried beans and pushing around ice cubes.

I've already gotten all blubbery going through photos for a special one year old post later this month so I'll leave you with this sweet photo of the day we got to take her home in April 2010. We had to stuff her car seat with blankets she was so tiny!

And here she is today, such a big girl with her buddy, dad.

10 months!

9 months!

I have been a very bad blogger this fall but I assure you that little Miss Natalie Claire is doing fantastic! She had her nine month appointment in November weighing in at 16.5 pounds and was 24 inches long (I think. I'm bad with all these numbers). Still petite but growing great! The doctor was very happy with her. She has her first tooth, is sitting up on her own and is just minutes away from crawling. For now she scoots backwards in a circle. Ha!

Here she is celebrating my birthday.

This month Natalie and I went to the Jenks Christmas parade. We saw floats, horses, cheerleaders...she really liked the cheerleaders. Maybe this will be Natalie one day?

She hasn't sat on Santa's lap but she did see him in the parade. She wasn't too impressed. Neither was the kid who fell asleep next to him apparently!

I asked a stranger to take our picture. He took about five and yet....these were the best shots.

At least you can tell we are both there!? We also visited Philbrook Museum's annual Festival of the Trees and Garden Glow. Here we are looking at the crazy decorated Christmas trees.

And the lit garden. It was a warm night and we had fun walking around.

We also had family photos made. Here is just a sample.

She will be a year old before we know it (WHAAA!!!!) We couldn't love this sweet girl more. Here is her signature sleeping move--hands thrown behind her head. Love her!

The amazing NATALIE!

Look! What's that!? It's the amazing Natalie!

Watch as she pushes, squirms and attempts to crawl!




And what's this there!? Is that an annoyingly happy sunshine? Watch as Natalie shows that sun who's boss. Has she been defeated!? No, that's just her fake roll away! Now she's back to claim victory over the sunshine!

She's cute, she's cuddly, and she can squeeeeeeal much, much louder than you.



She's the AMAZING Natalie!!!

8 months is here

today is it....natalie claire starts month number 8! she is growing and changing every day as any visitor will tell you. when people haven't seen her in a while they are very surprised. she is so sturdy, getting lots of chub, and her personality keeps getting sweeter and sweeter.



at school, the teachers say she is one of the most verbal chatting with her friends. in fact, they said when the smaller babies don't answer her back she gets a little miffed. she likes to mimic going and forth "talking." she has started a high pitched squeal that's very cute. she also thinks blowing raspberries is pretty funny. me and mike have had to change shirts (hers and ours) more than once lately from all the slobbery fun!



she smiles all the time, wakes up happy, and is content to play by herself these days. of course she loves mom or dad to lay with her and "talk" while she kicks and plays. but she has also mastered rolling....barrel rolling! so while we have to watch her very close, she can also roll to reach toys, watch mom cook or see who's winning when dad is watching a game on tv.



we also have started solid foods adding a new fruit or veggie every 3 or 4 days. likes: prunes, apples, zucchini. kind of likes: avocado, banana hates: PEAS. we've also been working with a sippy cup. she can get it to her mouth...tipping it to drink is harder. she's getting there!





it isn't all easy of course. she has reached a new pitch of crying i like to call "blood curdling." she has learned that crying while screaming "MAAAA MAAA" gets things done more quickly. she is fighting bed time more and more. but despite all the hard moments there are so many happy ones.

best dressed baby

we think natalie is pretty great, but did you know she was also voted "cutest sleeper"? well...she doesn't always sleep when we'd like...but at least she is stylish when she does!

7 months!

our baby girl is 7 months old this month! we love watching her change and becoming more of her own little person each day.
fall means football around our house and natalie and mike are football watching buddies!

She started eating cereal last month. MOST of it make it in her mouth. ha! next week we start veggies!

mimi and pops came to town and brought natalie a fun new toy! so many colors and thing to play with!
she's still tiny (but getting heavy. almost 15 pounds!) one day soon her feet will hit the floor. THEN what will we do!? the chase will begin!

so much fun!

she is a very happy baby always smiling (unless she's hungry). she chatters often and is currently very good at 'B' sounds, blowing raspberries and squealing!