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Natalie is 7 months!  I’m writing as she’s already down for her first nap of the day (reliably, 2 hours after she’s woken up – without so much as a yawn.)  I’ve been resisting saying it, but time really does fly by.  She continues to turn into a little girl, instead of a baby.  She is the best, and we are so fortunate to have her in our lives!

Sitting up in this chair is a piece of cake. Hey, cake - when do I get to try that stuff?

Weight/Height: No update here, but definitely above 20 lbs.  I call her “dense”.  She’s hard to hold for long periods of time!  She usually wears 12 mo clothes, though she can fit in 9 mo and her swimsuit is an 18-month one.

Developmental Milestones:  This girl is nearly on the move!  She started sitting up nearly a month ago, which makes things so much easier.  On Thurs 7/14, she had her first rollover – from her tummy, over her left shoulder and onto her back.  No other directions yet, unless assisted.  (Nana, Pop, Mammaw and Pappaw saw this first – they were watching her while I was downtown for the day.) 

Shh - I'm concentrating

Almost there!

She also got in her bottom front two teeth just in late June.  She can also push down the toys on the pop-up toy, which is cool! 

Foods: As the pictures show, this girl likes to eat!  She has been very good about trying new foods.  Even if a new food makes her shudder, she eagerly goes back for another bit.  In (approximate order), we’ve tried: rice cereal, sweet potatoes, oat cereal, barley cereal, green beans, prunes (we were going to wait on fruits, but she was extremely constipated), green peas, yellow squash (HOMEMADE – yes, finally!).  I’ve also let her munch on a big chunk of lettuce, but its only b/c its not going anywhere and she sees me eating that alot.

Favorite Activities:  Bath time (splish splash!). Playing in the water or sand.  Swinging at the park. 

Mammaw, am I wearing you out?!? May I recommend 3 naps a day? It really helps keep you full of energy for all these play times!

Her bouncey gym.  Walking (with assistance). 

Nana's got my back!

Bouncing (with assistance).  Smiling.  Brushing teeth.

Practicing good oral hygiene is delicious! My toothpaste is fruit-flavored! Have you brushed and flossed your teeth yet today?

Watching other people, esp. older kids and pretty girls.  Playing silly games with Daddy and laughing hysterically. 

(Giggle, giggle, giggle... way more giggles with Daddy than with Mommy!)

Singing silly songs, esp. Pumpkin, Pumpkin.  Hanging out with Friends – especially with her shirt off. (Jordan’s hypothesis is that she gets so excited, that she gets too warm.)

Molly, aren't daddy's the best?!?! I hear these dads are really good at "Cups" too!

For the record, that is (flip) cups the drinking game, not the stacking cups that Molly and Natalie each have.  (Jordan, Jeff, Megan and I all went to ND together.)

Unique Traits: She is totally into crinkling up her nose, which is so adorable.  I’ve also neglected to blog about her strawberry patch on her wrist.  Although its been slightly increasing in size and color intensity since birth, it should disappear by the time she is 2 or 5 (the docs have told me both).

I love staring at my colorful strawberry mark - its an accessory, like my arm bracelets!

Happy 7 Months, Natalie!  We love you so much and are so thankful for the joy you bring to so many people – us most of all!

Yeah - 7 mo! I hope my 7th month is just as fun as the first six!

How else would she keep in touch with all her peeps?  Most importantly, the grandmothers…

Hey Dad, its Nana. She's going to come over tonight to play tonight, while you and Mom go out for your anniversary dinner!

Mom, Grandma just texted me - she got a life jacket for me for up nort' next week! Yeah!

Little Natalie is definitely not as little as she used to be.  Not only are her 20 lbs. testing the durability of her favorite swing, but her squirmy curiousity has led us to pack up her swing.  (And, the fact that we’re showing the condo, as we’re trying to sell, and Jordan really wants it packed up).  Here are comparisons…

Hehe... its time to play!

Here I am at approx. 2 mo! This used to be one of my fav places to sleep!

Its 7:15 p.m. and my mom says I'm supposed to be sleeping right now! Yeah right, Mom.

This swing is heaven – I highly recommend it to any new moms (Graco Sweet Peace Soother Swing, Cuddly Bear).  Natalie spent many hours sleeping, being soothed, looking outside the window, playing “I’ve got your (fill in the body part), singing and listening to music in this swing.  Thanks again to the Coders (Dina’s cousins) for loaning it to us!

On Wednesday, Natalie and I ventured downtown to see Daddy for lunch.  Not only did we get to see Daddy mid-day (HUGE bonus, as Jordan has been working a lot lately!), but it was Natalie’s first train ride and first time in downtown Chicago. 

We made many friends along the way – some young girls who were headed to Navy Pier with their Daddy, a mom whose kids were grown, some pretty tough looking guys at the gyro store who were all smiles and helped us navigate the crowded store.   However, surprisingly, not everyone is that helpful to a mom and a baby in a stroller, which is pretty sad.

Yeah, Daddy, give me that french fry!!! (Note, he didn't really)

Door-to-door, the trip was 3.5 hours.  Natalie was EXHAUSTED and didn’t sleep at any point during the outing.  When we got home, she crashed for nearly 2 hours – only to wake up to eat (b/c, of course, she was starving – I never feed that kid!) and then fall asleep while eating.  She was ready to go back to bed for the night, about 1.5 hours later (only 5:30!)… but I tried to keep her up for 2 hours (at least until 6 p.m.!)   I made the mistake of trying to feed her (barley and oat cereal – yum) during this tired period… she was trying so hard to eat (opening up her mouth wide), but everything was just spit back out.  Too much energy to swallow.  Sweet girl.

Natalie has been really moving her arms a lot lately…kind of like Bam Bam Flintstone. Quite vigorously. And this evolved into the really cute game where she pulls a blanket off her head.

Footage below

The best way to beat this summer heat is to swim – A LOT!

Last week, Molly kindly invited us over for a swim date in her super cool mushroom-shaped swimming pool….

Mom, I LOVE Molly's pool. Can we get one?

Natalie had such a good time, splashing the water, chewing on the plastic mushrooms and laughing with Molly.  Even though we don’t have any outdoor space at our condo, I considered how we could possibly get a pool.  I came up with: 1) Use the hose outside our condo and play on the sidewalk, 2) Fill it up in our kitchen (many of you know a story where I did just that when baby-sitting my younger cousins, Rachel and Brett – and finally told my Aunt Lisa about it 10+ years later!!), or 3) Use it up north on vaca!  I’m not sure about #1 and #2, but #3 is certain – thanks, Grandma!

This weekend, Natalie and I hit up the beach -twice (once joined by Dad).

Mom, why is this sand so different from the sand at the park? Good thing I'm wearing a diaper - otherwise, it would hurt my bum?

Finally, on Monday, our friends let us use their pool – Natalie had a great time being tossed in the air, playing peek-a-boo under the water (don’t worry – Jordan or I are the ones who went under the water), and floating around.  (After all, its a lot of work to carry around 20+ lbs!)

Ah! A kids pool, a lake and now this!?! Being a kid is AWESOME!

Hi, this is Grandma Julie, I am the guest blogger this week. My daughter, Becky, is helping me write this because I am not that tech savvy. Last week Dave and I met Jordan, Natalie and Erin in Knoxville, TN. We spent 2 days at the Buckberry Lodge in the Smokey Mountains where Erin and Jordan honeymooned almost six years ago.

Here is a picture of us hiking in the Smokey Mountains, it was not only our first time, but Natalie’s as well.

I'm in the stroller! Its hard to see me in this picture, but I made the hike, just like everyone else. I'm a big girl!

Natalie also loved playing a game on the swing, where I would cover her up with a blanket and say, “Where’s Natalie?”  She has just started flailing her arms, so she was able to pull down the blanket and then have a huge grin on her face.  This game seems to be an off-shoot of the laundry game Erin wrote about a few posts ago.

Why wouldn't a girl have 2 dresses to wear to a wedding? I liked my first one, but this halter dress is so breathable and colorful. Thanks, Nana! We are going to be shopping buds!

Dave and I were in charge of Natalie during the wedding. We went inside Nana and Pop’s house during Mammaw’s speech because Natalie was trying to talk too. Inside was cousin Carlie. Carlie tried to hide the rattle from Natalie but Natalie didn’t even notice.  

On Saturday evening, Dave, Natalie and I watched from “our” front porch as wedding guests hopped on the trolley for the reception.  We also had tubby time, read her new book from Nana, ate a little and sang a few familiar songs.  Natalie didn’t want to be left alone when it was time to go to bed because she was not used to her parents not being there, so I held her until she fell asleep.  She’s sooo cuddly.  Grandpa Dave was a little busy too keeping an eyeout for the trolley to return because it had scrapped cousin Ali’s van a few hours before.  (Hopefully, everything works out with this – so sorry Ali!!!)

What a wonderful time we had.  It was very nice as well to get to know Jordan’s family and friends better too.  And, congratulations to Jira and Alex!  Thanks for inviting us to celebrate with you.  I told (Great) Grandpa and Grandma Linville when we left….  “see you at the next wedding”!!!

*This is Erin – here are two pics from Alex and Jira’s weddings – one in Thailand in March 2010 (which Jordan and I were able to attend!) and the last one in Asheville in June 2011.  (Earlier this year, I asked Alex which anniversary Jira wanted to celebrate and he said all of them – including the one last Dec., which was just at the courthouse, since you have to be married within so many days of arriving to the States!  Smart lady!  Good luck w/ 3 anniversaries, Alex!)

Alex & Jira's first wedding in Thailand - March 2010

The Western Wedding! Congrats, Alex and Jira!

Two weekends ago, the Smith Family kindly invited us over for a Father’s Day BBQ at their lovely home.  (A grill and backyard?!?!  Jordan was in heaven!)  Natalie loved hanging out with Stella, age 3.5, and Ruby, age 6 mo (born the day before Natalie – in the same hospital!).  Clearly, Natalie felt very comfortable with these long-time friends, so comfortable in fact, that she ditched her cute dress…. 

Hahaha - really, we HAVE to get together more often. 6 mo is way to long to go without seeing you. Also, Mom, when can I get a big sister? Stella is awesome!

Stella was very generous with her kisses and talked so sweetly to Natalie.  Ruby shared her toys very well. 

Ruby, look over there.... see that cool toy? Never mind me over here in one of your favs....

Marla, Stella’s and Ruby’s mom, who has a self-described “shopping addiction” writes a fun, kids’ fashion and other stuff blog, http://keepingupwithstella.blogspot.com/.  Even though reading this blog highlights exactly how non-fashionable I (and by default, Natalie) can be, its a fun read with super cute pics and ideas.  You should check it out!

My youngest sister, Leah, is in Prince George, Canada, studying environmental science.  I posted this cute picture of Natalie on facebook….

Its okay, Mom. Don't be worried. I'll lead the way.

and Leah wrote, “I see Natalie is falling into her auntie’s stream ecology footsteps!”  Since stream ecologists (never knew that was a profession!) are likely good at math and science, and great people to go on a trip with, I could support this.  As long as it doesn’t mean Natalie follows her auntie (and her boyfriend) up to Canada!   We’re trying to get them back here!

In other cute Natalie news, she may have discovered her feet and hands today.  I saw her staring at them for brief moments.  She also was so excited to have my sing her favorite pumpkin song (thanks again Megan and Molly B!), that she tipped over.  So adorable.

Now, for parental advice… Natalie seems to have a case of “oh my gosh, my mom left the room, I’m going to freak out”.  You might call this stranger anxiety, but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t like to be by others, rather she just always wants to be able to see me.  Advice, please?!?!

I cannot believe our little Natalie is 6 months old!  (Actually, she “turned” 6 mo last Sun, June 19 – Father’s Day!)  This has been the best 1/2 year ever.  What has this cute little girl been up to?

Oh (Hoosier) daddy... you're such a riot! Happy Father's Day to me too!

Weight / Height. At her 6 mo appt (which was actually 1.5 weeks early), Natalie measured 25 inches (33rd percentile) and 19 lbs, 5 oz (97th+ percentile).  Yes, it seems that the doctor’s office doesn’t differentiate after 97th percentile… needless to say, this little girl is a bit out of proportion.  Her propensity for extreme chub comes from her Daddy… (For comparison, at 6 months, I was 17 lbs, 11.5 oz and 25.75 inches.  Jordan was 21.5 lbs and 27 inches.  In pounds per inch, Jordan takes the cake, with 0.796 lbs per inch, whereas Natalie is a “light” 0.77 lbs/inch.) The doctor said that starting to eat other foods might help her slim down a bit.  Rice cereal, anyone?!?

My Pop calls me Chubby Lumpkins. Is it because of my four fat rolls on my arms? I like to call it accessorizing - these are bracelets!

Developmental Milestones: Natalie still cannot roll over, which the doctor said is likely due to her “Buddha Belly”.   However, she is very good at sitting and can do so for minutes at a time.    She can pass a toy from one hand to the next.  She can inch along on her tummy, though progress here as been slow since she recently doesn’t like spending much time on her belly – I think b/c she’s frustrated.  We just started trying food.  We started with rice cereal, which I cooked wrong, so no wonder she didn’t like it.  Today we tried sweet potatoes, which was much more popular, though still resulted in a face that says “this is sour”.  We noticed teething on Monday and two little buds are popping up.

Mom, is rice cereal supposed to be crunchy? My friends tell me its supposed to be creamy.

This spoon tastes A LOT better than that cereal. (and, feels awfully nice on my teething gums!)

She is starting to be more aware of being around strangers – or, at the very least, really wanting her mom or dad around.  Tonight, my parents had her outside and she would check out the tree and then look at me to make sure I was still there.  “Tree, mom, tree, mom, tree, mom.”   So sweet!  She also does the cutest little shimmy shake when something exciting happens.  That can be seeing someone she likes, hearing the song that her octopus plays, or….just waking up!  And, she loves playing with her tongue (I know my sister Becky is going to LOVE this photo….)

Look at my cool new trick! Can you curl your tongue up too?

Favorite Activities: 1) Standing, especially Standing and Dancing.  2) The Sophie, Be Quiet Game with Dad.  3) Singing silly songs (especially Pumpkin, Pumpkin).  4) Putting anything and everything in her mouth.  5) Drooling.  6) Watching other people, particularly older kids.  7) Playing in her bouncy gym.  8) Listening to music on the Octopus.  9) Playing “near, far” which means someone goes far away, says “far” and runs up to say “near”.  (Then, repeat 30 times.)  10) Doing “exercises” with mommy, like having her belly on my shins when I do crunches.

This is a love kiss - I promise. Its only polite to let those you love know how much you love them by chewing on them.

Favorite Places to Go: 1) Mass at Sheil.  Natalie is quite the church flirt.  She loves smiling at all people and especially loves the constant flow of new faces in the communion line.  The other day at mass, she looked at three brothers, between the ages of 3 and 8, for honestly, 10 min.  Her daddy told her that she would need to learn to be a little more coy when she was older.  2) Raymond Park, across the street from our house.  With a swing, slide and many friends to watch, what’s not to love?!?  3) Library.  Once again, a great place to watch other kids!  As for the enjoying cuddling and reading, we’re still working on that.  She hasn’t been very into it this past month.  4) Any of our friends’ houses.  We love to see our friends’ toys and see how they play with them.

Hey Luke, if I let you play with my block, can I come over and swim in your pool? sounds like a fair trade to me!