Happy Birthday, Husband

Officially mid thirties, & not to shabby.
Clocking in an average of 80-90+ hour workweeks, we planned this  day much in advance to just take it off.  Off from work, off from life, even off from not-so-little Natalie.  Ended up watching deadpool, an older movie  since the fan favorite big new release of batman vs superman is this coming weekend.  We really basked in the reclining chairs and food service.  Then had a legit sushi lunch on Sawtelle.  It almost felt like my birthday, cuz I ended up napping right past Natalie's pickup & the birthday boy ran around finishing up some errands.

As simple as it was, it might have just been one of the best little celebrations.  I mean, a baby holding balloons just can't be beat

50 weeks

Her favorite words just might be a tie between
Uh oh, coupled with dropping a toy
And Nono

Chatty, completely mobile, and had become quite an Eater.  Of course udon noodles, but really upping the avocado game

Mission impossible: sleeping

First two months, feeding every 2 hours so that meant.. Yea..

At 3 months, We tried to instill some sleep patterns but she was so accustomed to wake ups, it really didn't happen 

Natalie has 4 month sleep regression

All 5 month was teething

Day before 6 month appt her bottom 2 broke through

And then 6-9 month was being sick nonstop!! 

Then 9-10 month sleep regression, not as bad but she would sleep crawl etc

Just turned 11 months & we got hit with daylight savings change. Ugh 

And yea.. Never got a break

49 weeks

I work this weekend but so excited to have a family lunch date at our favorite udon shop on Sunday

Natalie's favorite food is absolutely udon noddles. She gets excited even seeing a photo of udon! 

11 months

Today, is Natalie's last month before entering toddlerhood.  She spent the entire day with me, & currently sleeping on my belly.

It also happens to be my boss' last day at work so I swung by (with Natalie) to say goodbye.  She's been someone quite special to me, always giving me opportunities (pediatric satellite, piloting the clinical pharmacist in emergency department, medication reconciliation, reasmission project, transitional/ discharge.. Wow, just listing it clearly reminds me of how I've been really able to have a fulfilling career underneath her) & really scheduled me so I can enjoy my personal life.  She's more than a boss, I'd say an older sister

So it's quite bittersweet

Natalie has a great time visiting & getting an outpouring of love by everyone.  Unfortunately, the drive home was brutal. With the rain starting & being Friday, it took 50 minutes and she cried the e tire drive.

Once I parked the car, I held her until she was no longer sobbing, bundled her into my ring sling (using the tail to shield her from the rain) and within 3 minutes at home, she was fast asleep

Happy 11 my little love

Sick baby

I thought we were out of the nonstop runny nose & fevers

Apparently it's back, & poor baby is sick with the C-cold. Congestion & cough

She's staying home from school since Saturday, weekends with parents then Monday with grandparents & today with me. Last night was horrid, but managed to have Natalie sleep almost non stop

The coughs have been strong that she would poop a nugget or two each time

& nap times are trough. Just took me an hour to get her asleep, wrapped too 

Hope this is over before we know it 

48 weeks

And now she's standing!

And significantly better & much more interested at taking solids.