2013 - Here's To Our Natalie

This post is somewhat unique to what we have posted previously. We have put together a special timeline from Mom and Dad to our baby girl, Natalie.


Natalie,

Since you were born, we have been taking notes of special things you have done that we don't want to forget. We have had the most fun watching you develop and grow into such a smart, energetic and engaging little one. Below is a sample of how nerdy your parents really are. We have put a spreadsheet together with dates of important milestones and notes of things we don't ever want to forget. 

You have brought much joy, laughter and silly times into our home. Nothing brightens our day more than to see your sweet face as we wake up and drift off to sleep. Our love for you is never ending and we look forward to 2014 as we celebrate your first year of life and many more to come. Hugs and kisses,  Mom & Dad

1-Feb	-	Welcome Baby Natalie Kate Garrison Born at 2:35pm, 7lb 4oz, 19.5" long
6-Feb	-	Your dad "bopped" you to sleep
7-Feb	-	You were wiggly all the time
15-Feb	-	Weigh 6lbs 14oz
26-Feb	-	You made it past your birth weight finally. 7lbs 7.7oz
1-Mar	-	Your sweet dimples were too cute
2-Mar	-	You made sweet noises while nursing
7-Mar	-	You fell asleep in my arms and smiled in your sleep
28-Mar	-	We started you in cloth diapers. Lots to learn from here on.
1-Apr	-	4 months old today 10 lbs 11 oz - 59 percentile, 22.5" long - 58 percentile, 39 cm head circumference
4-Apr	-	You were happy late at night and told your dad and I all kinds of stories through gooblugobble
4-Apr	-	I could tell you were going to cry and I could save you from it
4-Apr	-	First time you smiled at us Blurry, but this is the first smile
15-Apr	-	You wore all your hair off in a ring around your head
15-Apr	-	The chihuahuas always had to be by your side at all times
15-Apr	-	First bath in HR house together. You loved kicking.
15-Apr	-	You were easy to console and convince you that everything was okay
15-Apr	-	First time you felt stranger danger and you needed me. Mom felt special.
15-Apr	-	You stayed with your dad in the van and you cried a new cry and real tears. Broke our hearts.
1-May	-	Weighs over 12lbs. Sleeping in own bed, but Dad went to Japan, so you are now sleeping back in bed with Mom. Oops.
1-Jun	-	First giggle giggle at Thai house in Hood River Giggle Giggle
18-Jun	-	You learned to squawk on Tara's 30th bday at dinner. You were very proud.
4-Jul	-	Riding on Dads shoulders
4-Jul	-	Turning blonde recently
14-Jul	-	First bite of food: avocado
15-Jul	-	Started grabbing everything
15-Jul	-	Started to nom my shoulder when hungry and squawk
15-Jul	-	You'd scream in the car or van when in car seat
16-Jul	-	First learned to sit up alone
16-Jul	-	You started humming/talking while nursing and looking at Mom
5-Aug	-	We can no longer eat or drink without sharing with you
5-Aug	-	Your toothy grin melts hearts
5-Aug	-	You are reaching up and hanging by our neck
5-Aug	-	At bedtime you started nursing, quickly stop, roll over and snuggle Dad
5-Aug	-	When you eat, you slam your hands down on the food and your dad calls you Bam Bam
5-Aug	-	Air nursing continues. Sweet.
5-Aug	-	At around 7mo old you started pulling off while nursing, looking at me and smiling. Sweetest smile.
14-Aug	-	Two teeth popping through with little to no stereotypical teething issues. Happy as a clam.
14-Aug	-	Transitioning to alone in crib was easy for you, not momma.
14-Aug	-	You liked to nap one day, not the next. Dad called you No Nap Nattie.
14-Aug	-	On your first visit to the ocean, Labor Day, you slept through most all of it.
1-Sep	-	7mo old is clingy monkey month:) You are back in our bed with the crib attached.
5-Sep	-	Took first chariot trailer bike ride. Dad was very happy. So were you.
5-Oct	-	Three teeth poking through
11-Oct	-	You no longer approved puréed food
11-Oct	-	Your dad named Mom Mickey Moose
11-Oct	-	You make yummy sounds while feeding
13-Oct	-	Crawling like a wild baby started
15-Oct	-	We went to swim lessons for a month and you even go under water briefly. You love the lifeguard more than class.
15-Oct	-	At the grocery store we get lots of comments about how pretty you are. A lot! Too much. You are very engaging in people.
1-Dec	-	You have 4 top teeth, 2 bottom.
1-Dec	-	You say Dada a lot.
1-Dec	-	You are a graceful faller. Never a hard thump to the ground.
1-Dec	-	You push all objects as walkers. Especially your high chair.
10-Dec	-	You chipped your left big tooth. Likely chewing on keys.
10-Dec	-	Your dad is learning to roast coffee. We huddle around the pop cornmaker in evenings to make fresh coffee.
13-Dec	-	You still sleep with us. We love waking up to your happy face.
16-Dec	-	You are nearly impossible to change your pants. Always moving and wiggling.
16-Dec	-	You just started occasionally standing unassisted.
22-Dec	-	You grabbed dog food and Mom pulled it out of your mouth. So gross!
22-Dec	-	You stand by yourself, but as soon as you realize it, you sit
30-Dec	-	You took 5 steps today while brushing teeth

Four Fun Family Days

We had such a fun filled four days, that Natalie has lost her mind due to parental boredom. Not just a little bit sad that she had to leave fun grandparents, her good buddy cousin Brinley and awesome Aunts an Uncle's, she is devistated. 

We recognized this a month or so before Christmas when the Bone's visited. Natalie had an evening of random crying, body flopping, sad face baby. This time, it intensified. She tried to sleep away her sorrows, but rather awake hourly at night needing to nurse. Wow! Worst night of sleep ever. Including newborn baby Natalie.

I think we are in the clear day two. She is far more happy and no outburst of random sad crying.

We will continue to see our family, but it needs to be more often to soften the transition. Yikes! 

Up all night Nattie!

Christmas

Merry Christmas from our chaos to yours!

Christmas has come and gone and it flew by with a flash. Presents galore and sweet treats ta-boot  We started out by waking at 7:30am at Grandma and Grandpa Starnes house and opened gifts. Natalie was a hoot. She helped with opening her many, many, too many gifts, however, that only lasted a while. Aunt Whit had a special gift, a rocking horse, to surprise Natalie with. Let's just say she was surprised.

This cute horse doesn't look scary, does it?

She is still too scared of the cute horse and prefers that it stays in the corner and does not "clippidy-clop-clippidy-clop." She was showered with fun toys, educational toys, cute pj's and more. Her special gift from Santa (Grandparents) was a walker/rider toy. Lots of bells and whistles. Lots. Here is her giving it a test ride.

First test ride

 Bouncing back and forth between all of us she scooted to help "eat" all wrapping paper shreds.

Look what I found! Candy!

Minnie wagon with lots of goodies

Shake, rattle and roll

I think she likes it!

Does this train set come with ribbon? Then YES, I love it.

You signed my book? How thoughtful.

Mom is a bag lady

Everybody needs a tag

Grandpa/Grandma's pretty tree

Can I eat the tree Aunt Whit?

Shortly after we finished, it was clear she was wiped out, we headed into Roseburg to see Aunt Kimmie, Uncle Allen, cousin Brinley and Grandma (Tutu.)

More presents were there. Shocking. Santa found their house too. We opened slowly at first, but wore the little ones out. They finally took a snooze. During their awake time, they became good buddies. First it was Brinley that was so into Natalie. Natalie would crawl away with Brinley right behind her. Later, Natalie realized she was cool stuff. They began playing together. So cute! 

New toys? Naaah, we will play with all the old ones first.

The last and final gift was a doozy. There was a little assembly required, but the Dad's were able to complete the task rather quickly. Here it is!

Tutu was doing some major cheering! She wanted both to win the race of course. 

Brinley was making sure Natalie was good. Yep. Couldn't be happier.

Cool and calm as always, as she leans for a tight corner coming up.

Cutie pa-tootie

I love my new car Tutu!

Toot Toot!

Natalie is starting to stand alone and take some steps. As soon as she realizes she is nearly walking without support, she carefully drops to the ground and scoots away. There is a chance, she will soon walk. Not sure we are ready for it, but we will be ready to do some serious chasing soon.
Natalie also received a cool gift that the adults also enjoyed. Her very first business. A Sweet Shop. Grandpa and Grandma gave her this business to help start her college fund.

Aunt Whit was boring her. Maybe if she flopped on her back, she would stop. 

Dad took the first shift in the sweet shop to iron out the kinks.

Writing out her business plan on the wall.

"No Dad, more PINK!"

Such a good supervisor already.

I think Nat was going to attack Tutu any moment.

Grandparents are the best

Uncle Allen, Cousin Brinley and Aunt Kimmie looking great as always

Aunt Whit took a shift in it as well.

Christmas Eve with Aunt Kim, Brinley, Natalie and Mom

Is that a bushy beard with Nat and Mom? Yes. It very much is.

What a doll!

Nat attach

Thank you family and friends for such a wonderful first holiday with Natalie. We look forward to all the more magic throughout the year and many more Christmas' to follow. Cheer and Happy New Year.