LinvilleUSA.com

A few weeks ago, Natalie upgraded to a Big Girl bed. We wanted to give her enough time to transition from the crib before Pinto moved into the crib. Since we already had a double bed (on which Jordan and I both slept for our 1st 3 years of marriage) and wanted to keep it for when guests come, Natalie really got a big girl bed!

You may not be able to tell from the picture, but the sheets and comforter have flowers, butterflies, hearts and owls. She doesn’t actually like sleeping with her sheets – just the same purple butterfly blanket that she had while in her crib. So, I use that as a good excuse never to make her bed.

Her first night in her big girl bed was quite eventful. She had a bad cold and there was a terrible windstorm outside. She woke up screaming around 12:30 p.m. I tried unsuccessfully to get her back to sleep and then traded out with Jordan, as Natalie’s bed didn’t have the 5 pillows that Pinto usually requires for comfortable sleeping. Jordan slept with her the rest of the night. The next morning, Natalie was still very proud that she slept in her big girl bed all night. I’m not sure it quite counts as sleeping in your big girl bed if your dad is with you for half of the night, but I was relieved she was happy to try it again the next night!

So, 2-3 weeks in, she’s settled in! It’s always a surprise to see which animals or toys are in her bed in the morning (we often forget about what is in there, as many are props during storytime.) Two days ago, I found her Valentine’s Day balloon. Today, after nap, I found Baby Ellie, Horton the Elephant and a book.

Jordan made an awesome calendar for our parents for Christmas. Each month includes the highlights from the prior year, around the same time of the year! Here are some of our March favorites!

n
Who am I? Why, the Cat in the Hat, of course!!!

Photo credit: Poppy!

Grandma brought Natalie a belated Valentines Day present last weekend.  This was our view of Natalie for much of Saturday….

Dry, Dry… Dora Dry.  Boots dry too.  (Her little Dora and Boots figurines are under the umbrella with her)

As you may know, we live near a college campus.  Even 20-year-old guys cannot help but smile when they see a cute 2-year-old walking down the sidewalk in an umbrella.  I don’t mind that now, but they better watch out when she’s 16…..

Come on, Gpa.  Come on, Gpa.  Let’s go to the park!

We heard a lot of “Come on, Gpa” over the weekend.  Natalie always is sure to include Grandpa, even if he preferred to take a break in the living room.  Luckily, she usually has a ton of energy so can run the tea cup or whatever else over to him. And, luckily, Grandma is usually within a foot of Natalie so she has plenty of adult attention.  We’re ready for G&G to come back shortly after Pinto is born to provide more of that 1-on-1 (or 4-on-1, as was the case this weekend) attention to the Big Sister!  13 days until my due date!

Natalie and I decided we should visit Daddy downtown at work before the official arrival of Pinto.  She was very excited to leave school early to take bus 22 (her favorite # – twice!) downtown to Daddy’s really tall building.  She asked him nicely, “Will you buy us lunch Daddy?”  He was only too happy to take us out!

Daddy also walked us to the train station – well, rather, he held Natalie’s hand, as the two of them asked me to chase them!  With a stroller and an extra 35 lbs holding me back, it wasn’t much of a contest.

Right before nap, Natalie asked me, “Sing Mommy” (a standard).  But, then she went on to tell me all sorts of things, like “look” and my eyes being opened.  At one point, I asked her, “Natalie, are you listening?”  And she said, “No.”  I love the unadulterated honesty of a 2-year-old.  She proceeded to listen after that though!

Thanks for a great lunch date, Daddy!

A really fun and silly morning!!!

Natalie LOVES the Clifford Valentine’s Day book that her Grandma got her last year.  In the book, Clifford is a little puppy who makes messy valentines and accidentally goes down the mail chute at the post office.  (Natalie can read about 1/3 of the book herself, we’ve read it so much.)  This morning, and I asked Natalie if it was her first valentine’s day, like Clifford’s.  She said ‘yes’!  I’m glad that this one is memorable for her – though all 3 with Natalie have been memorable for me!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Last night, during tubby time, Jordan asked Natalie: “Who is your Valentine?”  Natalie responded “Mommy!”  Then, he asked if he could be my Valentine too… Natalie didn’t want to share, but I think they finally agreed that I could have 2 valentines (maybe 2.5 – meaning Pinto, not Baby Ellie who is in the picture below)!  I feel very lucky to have these 2 as my valentines!

Hope your Valentine’s Day is equally sweet!

The Children’s Museum at Navy Pier provided a lot of great fun for us in January – I think we were there 3 weekends in a row.  Once with Grandma, Grandpa and Daddy (unf, Mommy was home sick with a 24-hr bug – thank goodness for extra adults on hand!)

Grandma and Grandpa, isn't this place stupendous?!?! (A word from Fancy Nancy!)

Grandma, I've been learning about fireman at school. They are our friends and here to help us! Don't be afraid of their big masks!

Another time with cousin Trevor and Aunt Becky (who made the trip just the two of them – something I haven’t been brave enough to do on my own!)

See, Mom... even with a 5 a.m. wake-up, I'm still super fun to play with all day and have a ton of energy! Let's go grocery shopping!

And another time on our own…

Aren't I the cutest snowman ever?

Natalie has been very into snowman lately – even though we haven’t had snow that really can be packed.  My grandmother gave Natalie a book, “Bear’s Very Snow Day,” before she passed away and Natalie LOVES to read it.  She calls it her snowman book.  She also knows that snowmen are “stuck” in the ground and likes to pretend to get “stuck” on sidewalk cracks too.  (She wiggles her hips from side to side and then jumps to get out – its adorable.)

Hey Little Couz... after this pic, let's be sure to jump in my crib!

Thanks for visiting Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Becky and Trevor!  We’re excited to have you come again soon!

Pinto’s 34-week appointment was very good.  Her/his head is in the right position and I’m measuring exactly where I should be (though, I’ve put on more weight already than I did my entire pregnancy with Natalie).  His/her heartbeat is 120 beats/min (a little on the low end of the range of 115-160).  We’re excited to meet him/her, though its amazing how unprepared we are.  I cannot find our baby car seat and we only have one gender neutral outfit.  If this kid is a boy, I hope he likes pink as much as Natalie likes blue!