Big Trucks, Yellow Belts and Birthdays!

On Thursday Natalie's school sponsored a big truck night. Natalie had been talking all day about going to see all the big trucks and was really excited - until we got there. Then, she didn't want to have anything to do with the big trucks. However, she was really excited when she found out that someone was handing out suckers. We found the sucker guy and there was a guy next to him handing out coloring books. He asked Natalie if she wanted one and she said, "Nope, sucker please." After that she was ready to go. So, we headed to Orange Leaf for some frozen yogurt. It was yummy!

Here are Natalie and Julia at big truck night. Natalie insisted on a hat because Julia had one, but Natalie's kept her head a little too warm!

Natalie putting our change in the ramp for the collection.

This is as close as she would stand to a big truck.

Natalie getting a sticker from a highway patrol man.

Friday was a hectic day too. I had to run to Babies R Us in the morning to get a new swing because the one Julia was sleeping in broke. After that I had an appointment with the lactation specialist to make sure that Julia was eating enough. She determined that she eats about an ounce a minute! What a chunky monkey! I was worried because she didn't nurse for very long, but eating like that I guess she doesn't have to! We met Jeff for lunch and then came home and tried to take naps, but neither girl was having it. I ended up with a terrible headache and was so glad to see Jeff walk though the door.

Saturday morning Jeff had a yellow belt test for his kickboxing class. Julia and I met Don there and we watched Jeff do intense cardio for about 2 hours. He was exhausted but passed his test. We were so proud!

Jeff getting his belt.

Jeff's kickboxing team.

Jeff and his dad, Don.

After Jeff's test we grabbed some lunch, picked Natalie up from Mi Mi's and headed home for naps. Once again, Natalie and Julia decided they had better things to do. So, we loaded up and headed over to Abbie's for her third birthday party.

Jeff and Julia at the party.

Jeff and his girls at the party. It was a Dora themed party, Natalie pronounces it "Dorka" and Carrie found the most perfect Dora party shirts for Natalie and Emily to wear.

Julia enjoying the party after she ate some rice cereal.

I also tried to give Julia another bottle and this time she tried to grab it herself. It was too funny. Look at those slender thighs she has! They are so cute.

Here is Jeff, the Bubbleman. Abbie's new soccer goal is in the background and yes, that is my kid hanging from it.

Natalie riding on Abbie's trike.

Natalie enjoying the cupcakes that Abbie's Ma Ma made.

Natalie taking a swing at the Dora pinata.

Collecting the loot!

Hmmm.....pretty sure there are some kids that left the party emotionally scarred after seeing their icon decapitated. Good thing Abbie's Ma Ma quickly hid the evidence.

Saturday was also my dad's birthday so the girls and I sent him this little video. Happy birthday Dad!

Forgot to mention...

In the post below I have a photo of the back of Julia's head. The poor girl has rubbed or lost all of her hair except for a small patch in the back. Yep, my baby has a mullet. I happen to think it is a pretty cute mullet and I am pretty sure she is all party - not just in the back!

We are eating and singing

Things around here have been pretty exciting. Julia quit sleeping earlier this week, waking up about every 45 minutes. It was maddening. So, on Tuesday I called the pediatrician and they suggested going ahead and starting her on rice cereal. I really wanted to wait until she was 6 months old and breastfed exclusively, but something had to give. So, for "lunch" on Tuesday I gave her some rice cereal for the first time. Below are some photos and video. She loved it. I even gave her more than they said to because she was doing so well. So, that night she slept from 9-6:45, I guess we were starving the poor girl!

I was watching this video with Jeff last night, and I was thinking that Natalie talks all the time, but hearing her in the background of this video confirmed it! That girl talks all day long!! She is so funny and was having a hard time understanding why Julia was now eating food when all she used to do was nurse. I tried explaining it, but I am not sure that she ever really got it. She did have to try the cereal and decided that her cereal is better.

So, Natalie has the last birthday out of all of her friends, and this year she is birthday crazy. Monday night we had to pretend that it was her birthday with a cake and a candle. It was too funny. She is obsessed with singing Happy Birthday, so here she is singing happy birthday with me. I hate to say it, but I am afraid she is tone deaf. It cracks me up. She has these pretend wooden cupcakes that have candles on them and we pretend to blow the candles out after we sing.

Julia can now blow spit bubbles. It is too funny, except that she drools everywhere! If I don't have a bib on her she can go through 2-3 outfits a day - easy! Here she is in her favorite seat, the Bumbo, blowing spit bubbles at me today. After I gave her rice cereal I decided to try her with a bottle one more time and to my surprise she took it without any fight! Yea! Maybe Mommy can get a night off!

We went to Caden's third birthday party and it was so much fun. Camryn, Caden's sister is 5 weeks younger than Julia and just like Julia is a chunky monkey. Here are some photos from the party.

Natalie and the girls.


Natalie enjoying a snow cone. They rented a snow cone maker and the kids loved it. It was a great idea on a hot August evening.

This is Leon, Caden and Camryn's dad. We worked at Cargill together.

One last story, when we put Natalie to bed she has requested us to sing, at the same time Twinkle, Twinkle and Row, Row, Your Boat. The other night she informed us that she didn't need us to sing to her and that she would turn out her light and turn her music on. So feeling sad and rejected Jeff and I left the room. A couple minutes later Natalie was yelling, "Cover me up!" Evidently, she still needs us to tuck her in. Sigh - they grow up way too fast.

Rolling right along...

The end of last week and this weekend have been full of surprises.

On Thursday we went out to Great Grandma's and PaPa's for lunch. I had made them bierocks to freeze so they could eat them when they needed a quick dinner. We spent about 3 hours just eating, talking and hanging out. It was nice to be able to see them, as their health has been failing over the past 6 months. Grandma called me on Saturday to say that they really liked them.

Great Grandma and Julia.


MiMi, Natalie and Pa Pa.


Natalie created a "swimming pool" on their patio...she played in it for at least an hour. Little kids are so funny.

Here are 4 generations of Ast women.

On Thursday I got the call that Natalie's new furniture was in, so that afternoon we skipped nap and moved everything out of her room in preparation for her new furniture that was going to be delivered on Friday. I love how she is holding her BaBa and her purse, ready to go.

I just love close up shots of my girls. When you can get their eyes like this, I really feel like you can see right into their souls. This is Natalie Thursday night after her bath.


So, here it is, the new room. Decor and furniture are done. Natalie loves it and I think it is pretty great too. Jeff and I had tons of fun taping off and painting the stripes, but I would say the end result is pretty cute and busy, just like our Natalie.





Julia had her four month appointment on Friday. She weighs 13 pounds 12 ounces and is 24.5 inches long - both in the 50% range. She also got shots on Friday. She hated the shots and was hard to calm down after, but she seemed to be doing better that afternoon and even rolled over for the first time. Video of her 3rd and 4th roll is below. That evening she started running a fever and had a bad night. Saturday was OK, but she was still running a fever, really cranky and just looked miserable. The spots where she got her shots look like bad mosquito bites. Today has proven to be a better day, her mood has improved and her fever is gone. I am even trying her in the pack-n-play for her afternoon nap instead of in her swing. So far so good! She has been waking up in the middle of the night talking, two and three times a night. While it is cute the first time, the second and third time can be a little much!! So, I am thinking she just might be outgrowing the swing. We shall see!

Tuesday

Today ended up being a good day, but we got off to a rough start. We showed up at the zoo for our bunny class and the instructor informed me that we couldn't attend the class with Julia because I didn't sign up for a siblings class. So, after telling her about the class all morning and getting her really excited. We had to turn around and leave. I felt so sorry for her. Emily and Abbie were gracious enough to offer take her in the class for me, but she wouldn't go. Poor thing. So, we decided to cut our losses and head to Mi Mi's. We had lunch there and then headed home for naps. Julia took a good nap, but Natalie had other ideas. Jeff came home from work early which was a nice surprise, we ate dinner and then headed outside to enjoy the cool weather before it heats back up. Julia didn't sleep good last night, woke up about every 2 hours talking. Not crying or needing anything, but talking. Both Jeff and I are exhausted! Natalie did learn how to ride her tricycle tonight - video below.

I think this is the best photo I have taken of the girls and I just had to share. I hadn't got the lotion off of Julia's face yet this morning so she looks like she is sweating and Natalie has ringworm on her face, but hey, beggars can't be choosy!


Here is a close up of poor Natalie's face! I am hoping the medicine makes it better soon.


So, tonight Jeff and Natalie went bike riding and for the first time ever, Natalie actually made her tricycle go! It was so exciting.


This is Julia watching Natalie and Daddy ride bikes. I think she is having to contain her excitement.

I can't resist a close up.


Here is a little clip from dinner at our house. I think we were on dessert.

Here is Natalie riding her tricycle for the first time. If you listen close you can hear her excitement. Too cute!

Fun at the Zoo

Because it was going to be a wonderful day today we decided to head to the zoo. It was such a good day and the girls were wonderful! We were there for about two hours and then headed home after stopping to pick up some lunch. Carrie and Emily came to eat with us and Emily and Abbie came over to play. It was a fun morning. After naps Natalie went to the doctor to check out a rash, which turned out to be ring worm, and I made bierocks to take to Grandma and Grandpa. After that we made dinner and had Joe, Carrie and Emily over for steaks. They were really yummy! Oh, Mi Mi stopped by and joined us for dinner too. It was a great evening. While Jeff had Natalie at the doctor he asked her to look at her leg, which she hurt Saturday night in a jumpy house at a birthday. She has been limping around on it a little and complaining about it, but there hasn't been any swelling or bruising. Anyway, the doc looks at it and determines that it is OK. So, Natalie gets down off the table and limps down the hall with the doc and Daddy looking at her in amazement. I think she is being a little dramatic, but I have no idea where she would have gotten that. Jeff had to take her to Target to get meds for her and she still limped around the store. Jeff said he got some looks!!

Mommy and Julia on the train at the zoo.


Carrie, Emily and Natalie on the train at the zoo. We had to ride because Emily LOVES the train.

Natalie and Julia hanging out in the stroller.

This Weekend

We were so busy this week and weekend attending birthday parties and get together's we barely had time to sit down! While it was crazy, it was also a lot of fun. We celebrated Jordan's fourth birthday on Wednesday, Braden's eighth birthday on Friday and Caden's third birthday on Saturday. We also met some of Jeff's family for lunch on Saturday. Sunday was spent outside since we had a little relief from the heat and doing laundry. It was a nice relaxing day. This week I hope the new furniture for the girl's room's comes in. I can't wait to get all that situated. It is going to be a nightmare to do, but will be wonderful when it is done. Julia has her 4 month appointment on Friday, I am dreading the shots, but last time she didn't have a reaction. We are attending a zoo class tomorrow about rabbits and plan to just walk around the zoo today. Should be a great morning for it.

Here Julia is just hanging out in her "taco".


On Thursday we put Julia in the tub with Natalie for the first time ever. I had bought this little seat thing for Julia, but it really didn't put her in the water and she was freezing, so we just ended up sitting her in the tub and holding her up. She thinks she can sit up anyways. She is always trying to sit up, in everything. It is too funny. It looks like she is doing crunches all the time.



On Saturday I had the girls dressed alike and once again tried to get a photo of the two of them. This time went a lot better than most. I think there are a couple of pretty cute ones.



Yes, the princess still lives at our house, here she is enjoying breakfast in bed this morning. Sigh....what a life. :)