Thursdays and Fridays with Natalie

When I was pregnant with Natalie, I had a hard time deciding what I would do career-wise once she was born. I knew that there was absolutely no way I could continue working 54+ hour weeks during tax season (January through mid-April) because even normal 40 hour weeks seemed unappealing if there was going to be a baby at home to rock. But I also didn't like the idea of quitting my job because, despite the long hours, I had a great job - fun coworkers, varied experiences, advancement opportunities, nice benefits, and flexibility. I had just started to really make friends and excel at work, and on top of that, I had just become licensed as a CPA. Quitting when everything was starting to go so well didn't feel right.

I decided that working three days a week would be just about perfect, but I was pretty sure that my boss wasn't going to go for it. I knew of a few women at work who worked reduced schedules, but they had been there a lot longer than I had, and their schedules weren't nearly as reduced as the schedule I was hoping to work. Some worked 40 hours a week all year instead of working more during tax season, and some got off at 3:30 instead of 5:00 or 6:00. None were being stay-at-home moms for half of the week like I was hoping to do. Much to my surprise, my boss agreed to my proposed schedule. His only concern was that he wanted to make sure I continued to develop my career and advance even though I'd be working less. Fine by me! I had no intention of becoming stagnant in my career, and I was happy to hear that he felt the same way.

So here it is a Thursday during tax season, and I'm rocking my baby. I work Mondays through Wednesdays, and I stay home with Natalie on Thursdays and Fridays. Natalie plays with Aunt Lacy and Cousin Mary while I'm at work. Here they are having a tea party.

This work arrangement is working really well for us so far. I feel like I get the best of both worlds. Of course I miss Natalie while I'm at work, but it makes our time together that much more fun. Thursdays and Fridays ("girls' days") are absolutely my favorite weekdays, so when I saw this onesie at Target, I had to buy it.

 

Maybe I'll get a matching pink t-shirt that says "I <3 girls' days with Natalie." Too much? 

4 Months

Four months already? Where has the time gone? Sometimes it feels like Natalie just came yesterday, and other times it seems like she's been here forever.

In Natalie's fourth month she:

• developed a great love for the fake orchid in the living room and the black and white Scentsy in the bathroom. Her face lights up every time she sees them. She's still holding out hope that one day they will start talking back to her. 
• started rolling from her back to her tummy. Now she can roll all ways which is both exciting and scary. Our days with an immobile girl are long gone. Bring on the baby gate.
• giggled for the first time. She must already think that we're dull and boring though because, so far, giggles are hard to earn.
• plays peek-a-boo. Or at least humors her dorky parents with a smile.
• still lets me put bows in her hair. I realize that these days may be limited, but I'm sure hoping they aren't. 
• weighs 15 pounds, 4 ounces and is 25.8 inches long (85th and 95th percentiles, respectively, in case you were wondering. I know you weren't. Only parents and grandparents get excited about percentiles).
• wrapped us around her little finger even more tightly than before.

Platt's Birthday

Natalie is quite the party girl. Today she went to cousin Platt's second birthday party, and she loved watching all of the big kids play. Platt's mama went all out with the Elmo theme, and Natalie even got an Elmo treat bag like the big kids.We only ended up with this cell phone picture because we were too busy partying to get a very good picture. These two are going to be trouble once Natalie gets a little older!

Snow Day

Natalie begged us to let her play in the snow today. She just couldn't wait to look triple her actual size by donning her snow suit. And because Natalie has yet to not get her way, play in the snow we did.

Go Cats!

Natalie is all ready for the big KU vs. K-State game tonight.

Actually Mommy and Daddy are all ready for the big game. Natalie will (hopefully) be sleeping.

Before My Very Eyes

I have heard people say that you can literally watch a baby grow and that they grow "before your very eyes." I absolutely think that Natalie is growing quickly, but I thought it was a bit of a stretch to say that I could actually see her growing - until today.

This morning we were playing with one of her rattles. She loved watching it, but she could only hold it if I gave it to her. She couldn't reach out and grab it.

Then this evening I put her on her play mat where I expected her to stare at the dangling toys and occasionally hit them with her flailing arms like she usually does. Instead of watching her flail, tonight I watched her purposefully reach her little hand out and grab the frog!

Curious to know if I was really seeing what I thought I was seeing, I brought out the rattle that she had just stared at this morning. This time, a few hours later, instead of staring she reached out and grabbed it.

I guess they're right. Babies really do grow before your very eyes.

Paparazzi

We've been following Natalie around with our new fancy camera in her face today. She leads a rough life.

3 Months

Today Natalie is really three months and some change, but close enough.

At three months old Natalie:

• weighs around 14 pounds
• constantly chews on her hands
• rolls from her tummy to her back
• has an ever-growing bald spot on the back of her head
• blows lots of bubbles
• has the sweetest little personality
• talks and talks and talks

Natalie the Shopper

Natalie is a girl after my own heart. She is quite the little shopper. My mom and I have taken her on a few short shopping trips, and she's always been a really good girl. She likes girl time just as much as her mama and grandma do - at least for now. Today she got to ride propped up in the Target cart, and she loved it!

Growing Up

When Natalie was brand new, taking a shower - and everything else for that matter - was quite the production. I wanted to be able to hear her and get to her quickly if needed, so she spent my shower time in the portable crib in the bathroom with me. I had to time my showers just right so that maybe she wouldn't need me for those few minutes. She was happiest first thing in the morning and right after eating, so that's when I showered. I would "set the mood" by turning on the bathroom vent fan and only one light. The sound of the fan soothed her, and I know I wouldn't want to look up at multiple glaring bathroom lights, so I figured Natalie wouldn't either. Once the mood was set and I made sure that she had a firm hold on her binky, I would sprint to the shower in hopes that I could get done before she started crying. She would occasionally be content the whole time, but I usually had to get out of the shower and replace her binky or roll her crib back and forth or pick her up or all three. One time she actually fell asleep while I was showering, and it was so miraculous that I had to take a picture:

Fast forward to today. I still bring her with me just in case something were to happen, but that's about the only similarity. There is no mood lighting, no noise from the fan, no replacing her binky over and over and over. I don't even feel like I have to hurry to get out in world record time. Natalie is content to play and kick in her bouncy seat (actually it's Cousin Platt's bouncy seat - thanks Platt!). I always peek out to check on her at least once because I'm paranoid. This is what I saw today: 

Okay, so this photo was staged. I don't really take a camera with me in the shower. This really is what she looked like though.

My baby is growing up.