Natalie is growing and growing every day!  Today she graduated from taking her baths in the sink to taking them in the regular bathtub.  We got her a little inflatable toddler tub that fits in our bathtub and feels more secure.  She is rolling and scooting all over the place, and she just babbles away!

 

June 8 ~ Natalie got to swim for the first time today in both an outdoor and indoor pool!  Since it was such hot weather, playgroup decided to meet at the outdoor pool in North Liberty.  The babies looked so cute in their little bathing suits!  Natalie had a fun time splashing around in the water with her girlfriends.  And I think all us moms found it kind of relaxing, too! 

In the evening, Craig and I took Natalie over to the Coralville Rec Center for her infant swimming class at the indoor pool.  First, the class started off playing with toys in the baby pool.  Then we all moved to the regular pool where we participated in songs with movements, "passing" the babies back and forth through the water, and fun with the floaties! 

 

June 10 ~ Natalie and I went over to the Coralville Public Library for Wee Read this morning!  We sat on the carpet and listened to a nice lady read 3 short books: one about a man and his cap collection, and two about monkeys.  We also sang a few songs with movements such as "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed".  Natalie was most interested in watching the older kids participate in the songs!

In the evening, Natalie had her 2nd infant swim session.  She got really excited when we walked into the pool area and saw the water and people!  Tonight was basically just spent having free-time in the pool and balancing on the cool little rafts they have there. 

Later in the night we left for another weekend in Illinois!

 

June 11 ~ Much of today was spent watching the funeral service for Ronald Reagan on tv.  We took Natalie over to her Grandpa Bair's house for a visit in the afternoon.  She had a good time playing with her grandpa and also taking a short nap on his couch :-)

 

June 12 ~ Craig and my dad played a round of golf in the sweltering heat, while Nat and I went over to her Great-Grandma and Grandpa Fleming's house to see some family.  Natalie kept laughing when great-grandma would try to take her stuffed elephant (aka: Ellie) away!  She was also given some banana to try, and it looked like she liked it.  Craig joined us after his game and we all hung around and talked for awhile.

Later that night I met Sara Emberton and baby Tyler at the mall.  To say the least, Tyler was not much in the mood for shopping with us gals!  We managed to do some speed shopping and gulp down an iced coffee.  Then we attempted to walk over to Applebee's for dessert...but that didn't last long either!  So Sara and I decided to try it again some other time...no biggie...life with children is so unpredictable..haha!

 

June 13 ~ Today was the babyshower for Sara and Tyler!  It was in Lexington at Sara's sister-in-law's (Niki) house.  What a great shower it was!  The food was excellent, Sara got a lot of really nice gifts, and the girls even got to do a craft.  We each designed our own square for a quilt that Niki is going to sew for Tyler. 

While I was at the shower, Craig and Nat were at the Luken Family Reunion at Miller Park.  Craig, Nat, and Craig's parents drove over together.  Natalie got to visit with her Great-Grandma Essington and many, many cousins!  By the time I made it over there, most of them were over at the zoo.  So I sat and talked with grandma until they came back.

 

June 15 ~ The day started off with playgroup meeting at Paula's house.  A new mom and daughter joined us today...Kelly Butcher and her 8 month old daughter, Kiley.  They are friends of Paula's and live right up the street.  After we gathered at the house we decided to take the strollers and head up to the park. 

Natalie had another swimming lesson tonight.  Natalie tried her underwater skills for the first time!  Well, I suppose not really "skills"...but we counted to 3, blew gently in her face, and then under she went.  She didn't swallow water or get angry.  Just a little surprised look on her face! 

 

June 17 ~ Natalie and I attended Wee Read again at the library today.  We were happy to see our girlfriends, Gina and baby Natalina, there!  The topic today was teddy bears. 

I took a few pictures of Craig and Natalie at swimming tonight.  Once again we practiced holding our breath underwater, and Natalie did a super job!  She also seems to be kicking her legs more which is neat. 

 

June 18 ~ Natalie and I got out of the house and went to the mall today.  We rode the carousel, did some people watching, and Nat had a snack over by the play area. 

 

June 20 ~ Happy First Father's Day to my wonderful hubby!!  Craig, Nat, and I went to Iowa River Power Company for brunch to celebrate daddy's day!  We had a nice time enjoying the food and the view.  Nat helped her daddy open his gift...a framed collage that included pictures of Craig with his daughter and Natalie's little handprint!  We were so happy that he liked it!

 

June 22 ~ Playgroup met today at the Iowa City Public Library.  We got to check out the children's room for the first time.  Natalie looked at one of the many board books they had there for the babies before our girlfriends arrived.  We all sat on the carpet and let the kids play for awhile before heading outside to take a stroll at the ped mall.  The babies are all growing up so fast!  2 of them have teeth already (Madeline & Madelyn), 2 are already starting to crawl (Madelyn & Natalina), one can already pull herself up (that would be "Super-Girl" Madelyn), and they all are just gabbing away with so much personality!

Swimming was fun tonight.  Craig took pictures and video taped while we participated in all the usual activities such as splashing, going underwater, kicking, and using the floaties. 

 

June 24 ~ Tonight was Natalie's last infant swimming class!  She knew exactly where she was when we walked into the swimming area.  Nattie received her very first certificate which is now proudly displayed on our refrigerator!

 

June 25 ~ Craig, Nat, and I took a last minute outing to downtown Iowa City for the Friday Night Concert Series.  We went to the ped mall to hear "The Rich Webster Band" play some 70's and 80's music.  The band was really pretty good...we should go down there more often.  We also met up with the Tunzi family while we were there.

 

June 27 ~ Happy 28th Birthday to Craig!!  Nat and I bought 4 new shirts for daddy for his birthday...unfortunately they didn't fit quite right, so all three of us spent some time at the mall exchanging them.  Oh...and I had attempted to make fried chicken for Craig the night before...now I know why people just go to KFC!  I totally burned the chicken to a crisp and there was oil everywhere!  Luckily "Chef Craig" bailed me out and it turned out tasting pretty darn good. : ) 

 

June 29 ~ Playgroup met at the Java House for coffee, and then we walked over to Willow Creek Park.  We all agreed that it felt so nice just to sit in the shade and relax while our daughters played!  None of us wanted to go back home to do chores and such!  Natalie had a good time with her buddies, but I'd dare say even a better time hoarding all their toys!  She has no problem taking a toy right from another friend's hand and then just piling them all up in front of her.  Needless to say, Natalie is now getting familiar with the word "share" when mommy sees her helping herself to anything and everything...haha!

The playgroup families decided to meet at The Vine for appetizers in the evening.  We had a great time eating wings, talking, and passing the babies back and forth across the table. 

 

June 30 ~ Natalie has found her tongue!!  Well, I'm sure she always knew it was there since two of her favorite activites are putting her fingers in her mouth and making spit bubbles. But today she kept sticking her tongue out as far as she could and would touch it and grin.  Once she found her tongue she wanted to touch mine as well.