Nat's first haircut

Yes, Natalie is almost 4 and we haven't cut her hair yet.  It's not that I'm too sentimental to take her - it just never really needed it (and still didn't).  But after Katie got her haircut a few weeks ago, she asked to get it cut.  However, then when I offered to take her, she said no.

After being sick and stuck inside on the couch all weekend with a stuffy head cold, mommy was hopeful that she'd be able to go to school today.  But alas, this morning she still had a low fever so she had to stay home.  So in an effort to get out of the house for a little while and do something kind of fun, mommy suggested that we go get a haircut and a donut.

She was quiet, cooperative, cautious and very curious.

 

The very nice lady didn't cut off much - mainly just trimmed up the bottom.  This is the after shot, complete with a lollipop tightly in hand.

And after this, she picked out the biggest pink frosted donut with sprinkles she could find.

House full of girls

In a house full of girls, it is important that everyone knows how to braid hair.  Even you, daddy.

After bath Natalie wanted her hair braided.  But mommy was busy with Eloise.  So daddy says he can help but then asks Natalie how to braid.  In a very matter of fact way, Natalie says, "Dad you need three pieces of hair.  Then you twist and twist and twist.  Got it?"

Daddy kept brushing and brushing and brushing the hair.  Natalie was getting impatient and it was clear that he was stalling.

After a few more helpful verbal instructions from mommy, he did gave it a whirl...

That's a perfect first braid!!!  Good job, daddy.  We'll take turns doing this for the next 7 years or so.

2-months, already?!?

"Being the 3rd kid is tough.  I heard someone say that mom and dad used to come into my sister's room on her monthly birthdays and sing to her.  Now I'm lucky if they even remember that it's my monthly birthday - I practically have to REMIND them to take my picture.  And there's certainly no singing.  Sheesh.

Over the past month I have been working very hard trying to put on some weight.  Mommy says I'm a super lazy eater and she's been working hard to help keep me awake when I eat - which means I now have to eat my meals while wearing only my diaper.  And then she tickles me when I start to fall asleep.  How humiliating!

At my two month checkup, the doctor said I weighed 10 pounds 1.5 ounces (on a totally empty belly) and measured 22.5 inches long/tall.  By comparison, Natalie measured in at 12 pounds 5 ounces and 23.5 inches.  No wonder she had thigh wrinkles and I don't (yet).  As you can see from the photos below, some of my 3-month old jammies are getting to be too short when I stretch my legs all the way out.  The special spot on my head is just my spot.  The doctor said that will continue to grow and change but should disappear by the time I'm ready to start kindergarten.  But mom says that I'm beautiful - spot or no spot."

Eloise and George: January 18, 2015

"Mom and dad both agree that I'm quite a bit more fussy than my sister.  Mom thinks it's because 1) Natalie was fatter and happier and 2) Natalie didn't have to adjust to anyone else's schedule the way I do.  For instance, sometimes my breakfast or 2nd lunch gets pretty rushed because mommy is trying to hurry me up so she can take Natalie to school or pick her up from school. 

I've learned to make funny expressions with my face and this seems to entertain mom and dad.  I've even learned to use my voice a little to make happy noises instead of just screaming and crying."

"Mommy went back to work last week - a little earlier than she hoped - but she was able to negotiate a deal with her boss and will be working at home part-time.  There's no room for me in the baby room at Natalie's school until summer, so, as part of the deal I am allowed to go into the office with mommy once a week or so while she picks-up/drops-off papers and chats with anyone about work-stuff.  Her boss said he's happy to have me in the office but that my job is to help boost morale in the office.  Mommy suggested that he put me on the payroll...

I have a hard time not spitting up some of my food after I eat, so I really don't like to lay flat... ever.  That's why I'm a little crabby in these birthday photos.  I prefer to sleep in my baby "rocketship" because that keeps me swaddled nicely and allows me to sleep at a slight incline.  Speaking of sleep, mom says I'm doing very well with sleeping at night.  I routinely sleep 5-6 hours at a time but the past few nights I've done 7-9 hours at a time.  It's tough being me, I'm telling you."

"That's enough about me for now.  It's time for me to blast-off in my baby rocketship to Napland!"



A link to Natalie's 2-month birthday photo-shoot:
http://suburbanhayes.blogspot.com/2011/07/belated-2-month-birthday.html

Life is tough

With all the people in the house, it's tough being Gus...

Mommy has started taking him for walks with Eloise in the stroller.  If she can go before the elementary school bus drops kids off in the afternoon, she even takes a tennis ball and goes over to the park to let him play fetch.  Sadly, Gus will only fetch the ball 8-10 times before he decides it's more fun to lay in the grass in the shade.

But hey, at least he fetches.

New classroom

Natalie and a few of her classmates were selected to move from the 3-year old room up into the mixed 3/4-year old room at her school.  She was very excited to make the move.  She even got some brand new SPARKLY shoes to wear on the first day!

She's ready to take on the world - or maybe just a different classroom with more boys than girls.

Her first day was uneventful and while she says she misses some of her old friends and her old teachers, she seems to be adjusting quite well to the change.

Homemade pizza Sunday

It started as a way to use some leftover pizza dough and turned into an effort to help encourage two kids get along and learn their way around the kitchen. It was fairly successful at both.  So now it may have evolved into a new family tradition... Homemade Pizza Sunday.

Daddy-daughter-doggie-dominoes

Who wants to play dominoes??

New breadmakers

Scott got a bread maker for Christmas and he's been busy testing out new bread recipes all the time.  The girls love to help make and eat his experimental loaves.

Making oatmeal bread.  Oh wait, no buttermilk?  How about oatmeal stout instead?!?!?

Happy New Year!!!

There was no ski trip this year, so we celebrated a low-key New Years at home with Auntie.  Mommy thought ahead and got party hats and noise makers.  Those two things make everything more fun!

Daddy wanted to go to a friend's party for a while and was looking for volunteers.  As soon as he said "party"... Natalie ran into her room and changed into her party dress.  So off they went!

After the party, there were fancy (plastic) glasses and sparkling cranberry juice toasts for the girls, although it turns out that Natalie still hates anything with bubbles.  So she drank water out of her fancy glass all night.

And the rest of the night was spent playing Farkle.