Mar 2 ~ Today's speaker at Hearts In Touch was Jill Savage!  She is executive director of the organization Hearts At Home which is home-based in Normal, Illinois (our home town!).  The topic was "Is There Really Sex After Kids?"...an issue most of us gals seemed excited about. :)  She spoke about everything from inhibitors of intimacy to how to build up intimacy.  A large part of what was said had to deal with learning to take more time out for yourselves as a couple.  Ashley and I spoke briefly after the meeting about trading babysitting with each other so we can go on dates with our husbands.  We are planning to try this come April after we've had more time to discuss it. 

            After moms group I headed home so Craig, Nattie, and I could hit the road to Peoria, Illinois.  JOSH GROBAN CONCERT!!  The drive to Peoria was really great...Natalie slept almost the whole way there. We met Craig's parents at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie where we performed "the exchange"...haha!...they took Natalie and our crazy rat terrier dogs back to Normal with them for the evening.  Then Craig and I drove over to Northwoods Mall to do a little shopping and have some coffee, back to Grand Prairie to try out all the gadgets at Sharper Image, and finally to Johnny's Italian Steakhouse for dinner.  Soon it was time to get on over to the Peoria Civic Center for the concert!  We had really awesome seats and the place was pretty well packed.  The opening performer was a jazz trumpet player, Chris Botti.  We had never heard his music before...he was really good!  Hearing Josh Groban live was so completely awesome!  His voice is just amazing...especially when combined with the other musicians on the tour.  He has this girl, Lucia Micarelli, who is just an incredible violinist.  I enjoyed every single song - but my favorite three were probably "Alla Luce Dal Sole", "Remember When It Rained", and "Mi Morena".  Craig had a great time as well...I had promised him beforehand that I would try and refrain from shrieking like a little schoolgirl during the concert...haha!  We had a wonderful date night together. We enjoyed good food, great music, and we even shared a long conversation about what we'd like to see happen for our family within the next few years.  We drove over to Craig's parents' house after the concert to spend the night and left the next afternoon. 

 

Mar 6 ~ Worship choir sang at church again today.  I was slightly concerned about remembering the music since I missed the last rehearsal, but all was okay.  Okay until our monitor with the words went blank during the last service...at least I wasn't the only one just humming along with a cheesy smile on my face!  Luckily it came back on after only a line or two...phew! 

             The weather was so beautiful and warm during the afternoon!  We decided to take Natalie out in her red wagon for a trip to Dairy Queen.  She loved feeling the wind in her hair and did a super job sitting still in the seat.  In other Nattie news: She is obsessed with a little clip they play on the Disney Channel called "Go Baby".  She squeals when it comes on and says "go baby!". It can also be seen on the web at http://disney.go.com/disneychannel/playhouse/gobaby/index.html.

She also looooves the Sesame Street 25th Anniversary DVD and a collection of DVDs by BabyFaith.  Her current favorite song is "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"...she'll even try to sing it once in awhile. 

 

Mar 7 ~ I am sad to have to say that baby Henry Knobloch passed away tonight.  The decision to take him off life support happened at 8pm.  Craig and I aren't really close with Summer and Matt, but have ties with their family through church back in our hometown.  We have been following the story of their struggles through the church website and just can't even begin to imagine their pain.  But we are glad that they hold a strong faith and that they have God, friends, and family by their side through it all. Many, many people were praying for God to perform a miracle on this little boy...it is hard to understand why The Lord answers some prayers and not others...but the only real thing we need to understand is that God is God and He has a reason and a plan for everything.  Thanks to everyone who prayed for little Henry...please continue your prayers for the Knobloch and McLaughlin families.

 

Mar 8 ~ After a long day of babysitting, I came home to $20 cash in my mailbox!  I had sampled and surveyed a product for a research company and that was my payment...it was really very easy.  So I took Craig and Nat out for chicken wing night at The Vine...yum! 

 

Mar 9 ~ Craig took Bailey and Brigit for a vet appointment today.  The vet told him that our dogs were gaining too much weight...probably true since they eat everything that Natalie tosses to the floor and they don't get much exercise lately without a fence surrounding the yard.  Hopefully that will change a bit come spring/summer time.

             

Mar 10 ~ The weather was terrible out this morning on the way to Tricia's house.  By the time Nat and I arrived there I was freaking out, because we almost got hit head-on by another van!  The other van started skidding, which turned into more like bouncing (and nearly flipping over) down the road, and finally it ditched inches before hitting us. Luckily it never did flip.  My heart was just racing!  I was going to pull over and make sure they were alright, but someone else beat me to it so I let them handle it...which was probably for the best since I don't carry a cell phone and I also had Nattie in the car with me.

             Babysitting went by in flash today.  The boys had gymnastics, so I dropped them off there while Nat and I went to find her some shoes and socks for Easter.  Got all the way back to the house from gymnastics to realize that Graham had left his sweatshirt at the gym...so we went all the way back for that.  It was funny listening to the boys talk in the backseat of the van. They kept asking me questions like "Jenny, how come my friend has lost a tooth already and I haven't?"  and "Jenny, I know Santa Claus isn't real but what about the Tooth Fairy?" and "Jenny, why does Natalie always turn the tv set on and off?".  It was quite amusing!

 

Mar 11 ~ Natalie and I visited the folks at Oaknoll Retirement again today!  It had been awhile since we'd last been there, so I dressed Nat up in a cute little outfit and we headed over.  Steffany Kroeger and son Gabriel were also there from our Hearts In Touch small group...so it was cool getting to know them more!  Natalie did a super job approaching some of the residents, though she was a tad scared to sit in any laps this time around.  There is a gentleman there...I think his name is Bob...he doesn't speak or move very well, but always tries his hardest to connect with the kids when we're there.  Natalie just kept smiling at him, and we talked about how he kind of looked like Great-Grandpa Clarence :)

             My dad came out from Illinois to visit us today!  He was only able to stay for a few hours, but he got to see the new house and his granddaughter!  Dad was real excited to see a bald eagle as he drove into North Liberty...there are a few here and it is such a sight to see them flying and landing!  Dad, Natalie, and I met Craig for a late lunch/early dinner at Okoboji Grill.  Grandpa tried to teach Nattie how to play the harmonica and how to say "Paw-Paw" (grandpa).  Later at the house, it was great to see Natalie and my dad play and tickle and wrestle around...they don't get to see each other very often.

            Craig gave Natalie her bath tonight...that girl loves her baths!  Now she says "ba-ba" for bath. 

 

Mar 13 ~ Natalie did an excellent job at the church nursery this morning...she didn't even need her pacifier!  We are starting to wean out the pacifier more and more...right now she is mostly just using it during naps and bedtime.  Craig took us to Culver's for lunch where Natalie actually used a straw the correct way for the first time! 

             Most of our weekend was spent just relaxing which was nice.  Craig also did a bunch of wiring work in the basement to get it ready for a home office area.  I am so proud of his eagerness and his lack of apprehension when it comes to doing things around the house!

 

Mar 14 ~ Playgroup moms and daughters met at Bennigan's for dinner and then play time at the mall play area.  It is always an event to have 3 moms and 3 baby girls eat dinner at the same table!  Lots of crayons and sippy cups thrown on the floor, but it was still a fun time.  At one point Natalie started doing a little high-pitched holler in the restaurant and her friend, Madeline, decided that it would be entertaining to join in!  Gee, it seems like not so long ago when all the babies were so tiny and quiet...now it's a whole new world! :)

 

Mar 16 ~ Nattie and I ran some errands today.  She noticed a bunch of birds hanging outside the Walgreens, so we stopped to watch them.  Well, a few minutes wasn't near enough time for Natalie...she cried like her heart was breaking as we entered the store.  I kept trying to reassure her that we'd see the birds again on the way out, but that didn't calm her.  So I quickly looked for what I needed and we headed back outside to see those birds!

 

Mar 17 ~ Today I took Natalie, Josh, and Graham over to the mall play area for a bit.  They all did really well.  Natalie kept approaching other mothers there with her arms stretched up high in hopes that they would pick her up.  Sometimes I think it's great that she's so trusting and friendly...other times it makes me fearful.

              Natalie learned a new body part - her belly button.  It is so cute...she calls it her "beep"...because of course we all know that's the sound a belly button makes when you poke it...haha!  Some of her favorite activities lately are climbing onto the fireplace ledge (she is really testing my patience), watching videos of Elmo or The Big Comfy Couch, and trying as hard as she can to pick the dogs up off the ground.  And her absolute favorite activity lately is "Let's see how many snacks I can fit in my mouth at once!"...how many raisins? how many goldfish crackers?

 

Mar 19 ~ Craig and I took Natalie over to the mall to get her picture taken with the Easter bunnies!  They had the real live bunnies again this year.  After we had some lunch, we strolled down only to discover that the bunnies were also on their lunch break!  Natalie was very emotional and upset to leave her furry friends, but we did come back later to take that picture!

 

Mar 21 ~ Tina Scandrett from Hearts In Touch had our small group (and kids) over to her house for coffee this morning.  Amy and I ended up being the only ones to show, but it still was a wonderful time.  We talked about our families, our children, and shared ideas of topics we'd like to suggest for upcoming Hearts In Touch meetings.  It's always nice to be invited into someone else's home...it kind of gives you a better sense of who they are...which reminds me that I need to think about having some of our friends over sometime soon.

 

Mar 23 ~ Nat and I ran an errand over at Hills Bank today.  They had some cute little baby chicks in their lobby!  Natalie thought they were just so neat!

 

Mar 24 ~ Josh and Graham were on Spring Break today, so I didn't have to babysit.  That worked out well since Natalie had a cold and wasn't feeling well.  Poor little Nattie was also playing behind the patio curtain today and must have walked into the wood door frame (as far as I could tell) which resulted in a pretty nasty scratch down her cheek.  I am calling it her "Easter scratch" since I am guessing it won't be healed by Easter Sunday.

 

Mar 25 ~ Mom and Dad Essington came out to visit for Easter weekend!  We all went over to the mall to the Children's Museum and to ride the carousel.

 

Mar 26 ~ Natalie received a really nice Easter basket from her grandma and grandpa!  It was full of lots of little stuffed animals, a pinwheel, a bunny musical toy, and plastic eggs filled with candy.  Nat tried a marshmallow peep for the first time!  Grandma and Grandpa also spoiled her with some new books and wooden puzzles. 

              Tonight I had choir rehearsal and soundcheck for the Easter service.  It can make you anxious trying to work out the final details, but it always seems to come together and we all have a fun time!  While I was gone, Craig and his dad put up the first stud wall in the basement.  Craig decided not too long ago that he was ready to start finishing our basement now.  The plans are for basically three additional rooms...an office area, a storage area, and the third room eventually becoming a fourth bedroom.  I am so excited!

 

Mar 27 ~ Happy Easter!!  I was up at 5:30 this morning to get dressed and head over to the church to sing in four services.  Even though it was very early, everyone was so excited to be singing and was cheery and brightly dressed...we were told to wear pastels or jewel tones...later I heard that some people in the congregation commented that choir looked like a carton of Easter eggs up there on the risers...haha!  The music turned out really well and upbeat!  Craig and his parents got Natalie dressed in her white eyelet dress w/ pastel flowers on the collar, white lacey socks, and white sandals.  Nattie is not a little girl who likes to wear hats, so it was a challenge to keep her Easter hat on long enough for a couple pictures.  She did really well in the nursery during the third service, and then she got to hear the choir sing during the fourth service.  After church, we all went to brunch at the Sheraton.  Natalie had a great time running up and down the halls, but was very fussy and tired during meal time.  After a much needed nap, Nat was finally able to look through the basket that the Easter Bunny had left for her!  She got a new BabyFaith DVD, a book about Easter, some sidewalk chalk, and a bunny figurine to put on her bookshelf. 

 

Mar 28 ~ Grandma and Grandpa went with Natalie for a walk outside before having to leave to go back to Illinois.  I brought Nat over to the pediatrician's office since she still wasn't feeling well and had been having trouble sleeping for the past four nights.  We weren't able to get her an appointment with her regular doctor, but did see Dr. Stacey Granner at the Iowa City office instead.  She said Nattie's ears and lungs looked good...that her throat was a bit red, but nothing to be concerned about.  She just suggested that we keep her away from other kids for a couple more days (which means no babysitting tomorrow) and to let her rest.  It had been awhile since Natalie had been weighed...she now weighs a whopping 27.5 pounds!

                 In other Natalie news: Nat learned how to go down the stairs on her own over the weekend...she slides down on her bottom!  Her newest words are "uh-oh" and "duh" (duck).  She is the fastest chocolate-milk-drinker alive...we usually allow chocolate milk when we go out to a restaurant.  She is fascinated with watching the water go down the drain after her bath.  She currently wears a toddler size 5-1/2 shoe (which is hard to find) and wears size 18-24 month in clothing.  Some of her favorite foods are chicken nuggets, frozen waffles& pancakes, Gerber fruitsnacks, macaroni and cheese, mandarin oranges, bananas, Cheerios, strawberries, pudding, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and pizza.  And of course most things taste better with "dippers" such as ketchup and ranch dressing!

 

Mar 30 ~ It was raining and hailing pretty heavily outside this afternoon.  The loud noises woke Natalie up from her nap...she was very scared and called out for me to get her from her crib.  But soon she was having a good time sitting next to the patio screen door just watching the rain and playing with her toys!

 

 

 

 

 

       ~ Please click here to be directed back to our main page! ~