Lots to catch up on

I know, I know. I haven't posted in a week and a half! We have been enjoying company and galavanting around the country and world. Nick had a good and safe trip to Guatemala (but I'll let him tell you all about that). He made it home late Saturday night. Natalie and I got home with JeJe yesterday evening after a whirl-wind trip to Texas. I AM EXHAUSTED! After two plane rides, two 3 1/2 hour car rides, sleeping in 3 different places, we are trying to get back into some sort of schedule and routine. Through it all, however, Natalie did amazing! She was a real trooper and let all those new people just love on her and tote her around. We made sure that mommy was close by and held her lots as well. :)
My cousin's wedding was just gorgeous, and she was (as expected) a stunning bride. Everything went very smoothly from what I could tell, and it seemed like everyone had a great time. The reception was at a country club in College Station (The Merimont, I think), and it was just about the swankiest place I have ever been in. I'm surprised they let such simple folk as myself set foot in the place! :)
Gary and Nadine got off after spending a couple days up at the Marriott Sawgrass Resort and Spa near St. Augistine for their 30th wedding anniversary that was this past November. Thanks again for everything! We enjoyed having you down.
Now my mamma is here to help for the next few weeks. We are lovin' all the family time!
Boy, oh Boy, has Natalie been a changin' since I posted last. We survived our first double ear infection, and popped 3 new teeth (all on top) in the same week. Considering all that, she did very well. She learned how to say "mama" a couple weeks ago, and she has been a chatty Cathy ever since. Man, does she have lots to tell us! She already scoots around quite a bit and spins on her belly, but we think any day now she is going to be officially on the move. I really don't think we know what is coming. She is going to be into everything, I just know it! She is SO inquisitive and curious as it is.
Her diet is expanding slowly but surly. Here's what's in her diet at 7 1/2 months:
Carrots, Green Beans, Peas, Squash (yellow), Sweet Potatoes, Mango, Applesauce, Yogurt, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, water, and "the leche".
I tried peaches last week, but she did not like them, and the last time I gave her avocado, she didn't like it either. I'll keep trying, though. Maybe she'll like peaches next week.:)
Here are some updated pictures from the last couple of weeks:
Nana, Grandpa, and Nancy visit:



Natalie trys out her new car seat - we're going to install these babies soon! She's just about grown out of her other. This one will hopefully be in use for a while. Nick did a great job researching. It is AWESOME. The straps are SUPER easy to adjust. Love it!


Trip to Dallas:
My Grammie and my JeJe



The Wedding:
Me and my Grammie

Cousin Jennifer

2nd Cousin David (Davey)

Natalie meet the beautiful bride, Lindsay.

My pretty new dress - thanks aunt LaLa!

Four generations and my sister!

The Logster

Sisters

Groom's Cake (I'm surprised College Station even allowed this cake in their town!)It was a cheese cake,and it was amazing!

Bride's Cake

Justin and Lindsay's first dance

Grammie gives some advice to the bride. Listen up Lindsay!

At 89 she's still got the moves. :)

5 of the 6 sisters and their mommy

Father - Daughter dance

BEAUTIFUL mother of the bride and Miss Natalie Shea

Other pics from Texas:
Saying bye bye to Grammie

Shannon, Erin, and Natalie

Erin and Natalie

Natalie is going to be an animal lover. She loves our cats, and had a blast with Jennifer, Michael, and JoJo's dogs:


Auntie Jo and us

Aunt Courtney

Though the trip was great, these last pictures sum up the adventure to Texas:

Welcome Nana and Aunt Nancy!

Nadine (Nick's mom) and her sister Nancy are here visiting us this week! We are excited to have company. Unfortunately, Miss Natalie has been running a fever for the past two days, so it will be off to the doctor tomorrow. :( I hope she gets to feeling better soon. Despite her being under the weather, she is still a relatively happy baby.
GUESS WHAT!!!! She started to say MaMa this week! I was so excited and she is so cute. She has been a chatty Cathy ever since last Thursday. :)
Also, this weekend we sold our couch and our old T.V. That'll help pay for our brand new catalytic converter. Yippie. The Camero IS fixed now, though, and for that I am thankful.
We have been taking some fun pictures of Natalie Shea. So without further a do:

Daddy and Natalie checking out the back yard. She LOVES to be outside. If she's fussy, take her outside, and in about 5 seconds she's happy again.



Here's her crazy hair after taking off her head band one day. I told her to stick out her tongue for daddy, and she did! This picture just makes me laugh out loud. :)



Lovin' that sippy.


One night (after a massivly poopie diaper) it was only about 20 minutes until her bath time, so I just strapped on a cloth diaper. How adorable she was! She was hamming it up and has started to sometimes put her hands behind her head.





Natalie now fits into her Concordia T-Shirt. Represent. It says "Product of Concordia Alumni". :) She is already getting into some of her 12 month clothes. She came out long and she continues to be long! And just look at her palm that block. She uses those long fingers to grab and play with her blocks.





Finally, the battle of the remote. Daddy is being given a run for his money. Go Natalie Go!

Poor Little Booger

Just when we thought Natalie was feeling better, we had puke fest 2009. It was horrible. She threw up about 4 times last night. I'm not sure what brought it on completely, but our best guess is that all her drainage caught up with her. She has been sleeping and sleeping and sleeping today. I laid her down for a real nap at 2:30, and at present (4:45) she is still out. Now, for a lot of babies, this isn't unusual, but for Natalie, who most of the time only takes 30-45min naps, it is.
I sure hope all of this sleep is going to help her. I guess the up side is that I got to squeeze in a nap this afternoon, too - a rarity. I probably should have been (an should be now) cleaning something, but I just can't make myself. :) If anything, I have a hankerin' for some oatmeal cookies that I'm thinking of making. I have raisins and craisins and almonds that I think will be good additions. Mmmmmmmm....
Nick is gone all day long on a team building day for his mission trip teams. They are participating in a high ropes course and then having dinner. I hope to see him around 9. This Friday Nana Nadine is coming in LATE, but we are really excited for her to come and visit us. Nick is gearing up for his madness. The week his mom is here, he has VBS, and the Saturday after VBS (the very next day!) he is leaving for Guatemala. Our summer will definitely be action and family packed, and we are thankful!
Here are some fun pictures from the week. They are just totally her. We really captured some of her regular expressions.




Nick thought it was just too funny when we gave Natalie her medicine and made me take a picture. We think she looks like the joker. :)

Lastly, we had to post these next couple for Grana Sue and Great PawPaw Ray. Eatin' peas in her Tech bib! She LOVES peas.


Everyone have a great week!