Jan 1 ~ Happy 2005!  Craig, Nat, and I were invited over to Brian & Shawn Pierce's home to watch an Iowa football game.  There were lots of people and great food there!  Good thing there was plenty of food since we ended up spilling our entire crockpot of cocktail weenies in the van...oh well.  Natalie was pretty well-behaved most of the time, considering the fact that she is getting some of her back teeth in and kept us awake most of the previous night.  Not sure exactly how many teeth are making an appearance back there...she is not too willing to let us look and we sure don't want to make her any crankier than she already is!  Though we sure can imagine how much they must hurt!

 

Jan 3 ~ Craig had the day off today, so it was wonderful having him home. Yesterday he attended a LAN party at a friend's house, and today we are trying to do some cleaning around the house and some relaxing as well.

 

Jan 6 ~ Nat and I went to Sycamore Mall for lunch and shopping.  Natalie had her first peanut butter and jelly sandwich...the jelly served two purposes - a yummy bit of nourishment and a sticky hair product!  Sycamore Mall is by no means a crowded mall, so I let Natalie out of the stroller.  She held my hand and we walked up and down the mall aisles for awhile.  We stopped in a corner area of the mall and I let her run around...she was having an awesome time until she landed flat on her face and started wailing loudly.  It didn't seem like too hard of a fall until I picked her up and realized that her mouth was full of blood.  She had split her top lip open pretty bad. We were both pretty much in tears.  I calmed her down and got the blood to stop so that we could go home. 

 

Jan 9 ~ Craig and I wanted to give Grace Community Church here in North Liberty another shot, so we went there for Sunday service. We had been there at least once before, but that was years ago when we first moved to Iowa.  We have been going to Parkview in Iowa City...we like it there, but find it difficult to meet people because of the large size of the congregation.  We figured we'd try Grace since it is smaller and closer to our house.  Well, we are still not convinced that it is a better choice for us than Parkview...

 

Jan 12 ~ Natalie received a ball pit from her Uncle Mike for Christmas...so it finally got set up tonight.  Let me tell you...it is huge and takes up about a third of our main level living room area!  Natalie was reluctant to get inside at first, but Daddy got in with her and she was fine.  I wish I would have thought to get a picture of the two of them together!  Hopefully soon we'll have the opportunity to invite some of Natalie's buddies over to play in the pit...I think she would enjoy it more with a friend.

 

Jan 14 ~ Natalie and I had a mother/daughter day today.  We started with a big breakfast at McDonald's...it seems as if Nat has already learned that McDonald's is one of her fave places to eat...haha!  We spent some time at the mall play area before heading over to JCPenney for some shopping.  I was so happy that Natalie was such a good girl and let me try on a few items in the dressing room.  We finished our time out together with a carousel ride and then took our picture together in a photo booth...it was so cute!

              In the evening, Craig came home from work and we all went out to a fairly new restaurant in North Liberty called Eggy's on 965.  Although the food was good, the service was a little slow.  But we had a really nice time.

 

Jan 17 ~ I talked with my good friend, Sara Emberton, today on the phone.  Her 4 year old daughter, Corrin, had what doctors believe to be a seizure over the weekend.  Sara recapped the entire event for me and it was no doubt very scary for the whole family.  They are hoping that this is just a one-time occurance.  Corrin seems to be fine now...so if you could, just pray for her continued health.  Also, while on the subject of prayer...please pray for my brother who is in Afghanistan...I'm sure he is doing well, but I just haven't heard from him in a long time. 

 

Jan 18 ~ Poor Natalie did not have a good day today!  Late in the afternoon she was running in the living room, must have tripped over her own feet, and fell straight smack into the corner of a wall!  Right away a huge knot formed on her forehead and it was all blue and red.  I completely freaked out for a few moments while trying to calm her down and put ice on her "owie"...gee, I don't know if I'm ready for all these little childhood injuries...haha!  Fortunately for Nattie, I had just given her some Tylenol for teething pain about 20 minutes before her accident so it probably helped with some of her knot-on-the-head pain as well!  By evening her head looked alot better. 

             Natalie is sure changing day by day!  She is constantly getting into everything.  She has sort of started running now and trying to climb up onto all sorts of things...the toy chest, the coffee tables, the fireplace.  Her two favorite ways to get into trouble lately are by standing up on her riding toy and by pulling on the dogs' legs a little too hard.  I had to take the riding toy away for awhile yesterday because she refused to sit on it the correct way.  As for the dogs, they are learning to put up with things or to just walk away!  Other things Nat does that I don't think I've mentioned...every time she hears the DVD player turn on she waits to see if it's a DVD for her, she puts both hands straight up high in the air when we say "stretch", she is always bringing books over to me to read to her, she backs up into you if she'd like to sit on your lap, sometimes she says "wow" and "star", and if she hears a telephone ring (whether on tv, in the house, in a restaurant) she'll put her hand up to her ear and attempt to say "hello".

 

Jan 19 ~ Today was Hearts In Touch group...which I was really looking forward to since the group has been on a holiday break.  The pastor's wife spoke about different types of schooling...homeschool, private school, public school.  She has done all three with her children and had lots to say on the topic.  Afterwards, six of us ladies and our children went to lunch at Arby's.  It was me, Tina, Amy, Jen Anderson, and two other ladies (if my memory is correct they were Ann and Sally).  It was great to share in a little conversation, but I ended up having to leave early because Natalie was extremely tired and cranky.  It was fun while it lasted :)

 

Jan 21 ~ Mom & Dad Essington came to visit for the weekend! They were able to see how Natalie has grown and some of the work we've accomplished decorating and organizing the new house. They spoiled Nattie with many new gifts...some clothes, a new dress for Spring, and a new book. Grandpa E also put some bird feeders out in our backyard so Natalie and I can watch the birds eat during the day!

 

Jan 22 ~ Nattie's grandma and grandpa babysat while Craig and I spent the afternoon bowling in a tournament for Pearson (Craig's workplace). We were on a team with Daniela Williams and Pat Deming. None of us are the best of bowlers and we didn't win a thing, but it was a good time! Before bowling, Craig and I had lunch at a new place in North Liberty called Iguana's...really awesome Mexican place!

 

Jan 23 ~ Mom & Dad E, Craig, Nat, and I all went to church this morning over at Parkview. Natalie does extremely well in the nursery now...the staff hasn't had to call us back to get her in a long time! We all tried the Sunday brunch for the first time over at the Sheraton in Iowa City. I had heard that they have a chocolate fountain, so I was very eager to go! The food was pretty good, but unfortunately they did not have the fountain set up this particular Sunday...instead they were using it elsewhere in the hotel for a bridal show. Oh well...

 

Jan 24 ~ Natalie's grandma gave her a much-needed bath this morning, and then dressed her in her new Spring dress! It is nowhere near time for a sleeveless outfit, but grandma wanted to see how pretty she looked and take some pictures! She looked adorable! We watched a few birds having a snack in the newly-hung bird feeders outside, then it was time for Craig's parents to head back to Illinois. I think little Nattie wanted to go with them...I would let her, but am not yet ready to give up my sweet little baby for such an extended period of time! :)
            Craig, Nat, and I had dinner at the mall food court later that night. Then, Craig spent a little time with his daughter in the play area while I bought us all some new books at Barnes and Noble. Natalie had a wonderful time running around with her daddy and going down the slide. Before bedtime, I read her a new book that had little flaps to lift up. Every time we'd lift a flap, Nat would say "wow" in a surprised, hushed voice. It was very exciting. Another new thing she does is she puts her hand out a certain way and says "ah" in a certain tone of voice as if to say "all done" when the book has been closed.

 

Jan 25 ~ I started my temporary part-time job today babysitting for the Van Roekels/Burkes! Just to recap from a previous journal entry...it's most Tuesdays and Thursdays just till the end of this school year at the Van Roekel home for two 5 year old boys, Josh & Graham. For my first day, I think it went pretty well. I believe the most difficult part is going to be watching after Natalie as opposed to watching the boys...the boys are old enough to pretty much entertain themselves, but Natalie likes to be curious and get into things in the new environment. She tries to pull on all the window blinds, dumps all their CDs out of the rack, has learned how to open their china cabinet, and is always trying to climb their long staircase. Let's just say that on babysitting days I will be getting plenty of exercise!! The boys behaved pretty well...they had their squabbles, but they were good. Natalie really enjoys being around Josh (Tricia's boy). She already loves to hug and climb all over him. Tricia was kind enough to let me keep a playpen in her spareroom for Nattie to nap in, and she is also lending me a garage door opener and said I could park in the garage during the day.

 

Jan 26 ~ Tonight we had the Pierce and Davenport families over for pizza and dessert. Natalie got to play with Lucas Pierce (17 months old) and Olivia Davenport (almost 1). It was fun to watch them all play in the ball pit...Luke had the best time throwing all the balls around! We were able to catch up on some conversation while watching the children and the Iowa game on tv. Aaron checked out our basement to assess what it would take to do the electrical work to wire it for our future office area. Right now our computer is temporarily in the formal living room

 

Jan 27 ~ There is a family back in my hometown that could really use your prayers! The baby’s name is Henry and he is only a few weeks old. He was born with severe heart problems, has had surgery already, and keeps experiencing setbacks. The family is still holding strong to the Lord, but is very weary and needs all the prayers they can get. The parents are Matt and Summer Knobloch – they are young newlyweds and this is their first child – not to mention that Summer is still grieving the death of her only sister, Heidi (she just died less than a year ago). Here is the latest info from my hometown church if you’d like to read it. Oh, and don’t forget to hug your children tightly today…be thankful for their health and that you have the opportunity to be their parent! :0)

Link to Pastor Wingate's journal: http://www.calvarybaptistnormal.org/pastorw.asp

Link to pictures of baby Henry: http://www.calvarybaptistnormal.org/henryk.asp

 

Jan 28 ~ Craig and I took Natalie over to the Children's Museum for their monthly free family night. Nat wasn't old enough yet to participate in many things, but she still had an awesome time getting aquainted with the place. She enjoyed the fish and turtle tanks, the grocery store, and the small purple slide. There is also a physics room where she was thrilled to watch the older kids play the games. I was looking forward to showing her the water play area, but now they've turned it into a sand play area. Nat wasn't as interested in the sand as I think she would have been if it was still water.
            Natalie now knows how to point out four parts of her body...her tongue, her belly, her nose, and now her hair!

 

Jan 29 ~ Craig, Natalie, and I attended Olivia Davenport's first birthday party today!  They had it over at the North Ridge Park Pavillion.  In my opinion, it was a great place to have a party...plenty of room for all the kids to run around!  Many employees from Pearson were there so we got to hang around and talk with them.  The food was excellent, there was lots of cake from Yummy's Cakes, and Jenny had even set out some toys to keep the children occupied.  Olivia looked so darling in her dress and little boots!

 

Jan 30 ~ Today I sang in an audition for the music ministry at Parkview Church.  It had been a long time since I'd sang in front of anyone, so I'm not sure it was my best.  But I'm hoping they'll have a spot for me somewhere...

             Craig did a ton of work from home this weekend, and he also attended our subdivision's homeowners meeting this evening.

 

Jan 31 ~ Natalie and I met up with Paula Caylor & Madeline at the mall for dinner and playtime.  It was great talking with Paula...it's been awhile since we had last seen each other.  The girls are getting so big and were just running around all over the play area.  The girls ended the night by giving each other big hugs...it was too cute!