Feb 16th ~ We attended our Lamaze reunion at Mercy Hospital! It was a really great night. We shared
our birthing experience with the new class and got to hear the other couples speak. Natalie was, of course, the oldest
baby there and also the biggest. We were the only c-section in our group. After the stories were told, we got
to talk with the other couples. Some of us mothers are starting a playgroup next month...so exciting! We'll also
have families to trade babysitting with...so that will really be a wonderful thing!
Feb 17th ~ We went over to Jenny and Aaron Davenport's house to see their newborn daughter, Olivia. Hiede
and Cassenda were there along with the Pierce family and their 6 month old son, Lucas. It was a really good time...we
had pizza and let the little ones "play".
Feb 18th ~ Our family had a little "date night". We went to Cedar Rapids to pick up Natalie's 3 month pictures.
Then we ran some errands and had a nice dinner at The Outback Steakhouse. YUM!
Feb 24th ~ Natalie had her 4 month checkup with Dr. Michelle Miller. She is growing like a weed, and
the doctor is very pleased! She now weighs 15 1/2 pounds and is 25 1/4 inches long! This puts her in the 90% of
babies her age. She got 4 shots in her thighs and did not like it one bit...she is a wailer! Craig's parents came
into town that night to visit. They took us out to Red Lobster, and we had a great meal!
Feb 25th ~ In the afternoon, Natalie and I went with her Grandma and Grandpa Essington to the mall for lunch,
ice-cream, and a stroll. Later that night the grandparents watched over Natalie while Craig and I went to the Iowa/Illinois
basketball game and then out to dinner. Thanks Mom & Dad for everything! :)
Feb 27th ~ Natalie tried her first spoonfuls of rice cereal at dinner tonight! She doesn't seem to like
it much, but we'll keep trying! My friends, Jessica Winner and Dawn Barth, came out from Illinois to spend the weekend!
Feb 28th ~ Saturday morning I took Jess and Dawn to a women's conference at our church. It was called "Falling
In Love With Jesus", and the speaker was author Dee Brestin. You can visit her website at
http://www.deebrestin.com.
This was the first conference I've ever been to, and I had a wonderful time! Afterwards, us gals went to the mall
to do some shopping. Later that night Craig made us a great dinner and we watched the 80's movie "St. Elmo's Fire"...love
that movie! :0)
Feb 29th ~ Jessica, Dawn, Craig, Natalie, and I all went out for champagne brunch. We went to Iowa River
Power Restaurant. We had a great view of the river and had some really good food! If any of you ever visit Iowa
City...remind us to take you there...it's wonderful!
