Oh such a busy weekend!

After my day of doing almost nothing on Saturday, I switched into high gear for the rest of the weekend. Hopefully I'll have time in the next couple of days to sort through the pics and blog everything. Here's a quick recap: My dad and step-mom drove in Saturday evening, and we were able to spend a little while with them. For whatever bizarre reason Natalie had trouble going to sleep (I think she could sense the excitement!) which threw us all off a little -- she's had quite a routine for several weeks. Then Sunday morning we had Natalie baptized at the church before heading to my grandmother's house for some food and family time. That evening we went swimming at Nana and Popo's hotel (indoor!) pool. Oh, my water girls! They both went to bed pretty late and slept in a little today. We took a quick trip to Old Town Spring this morning, then tried to rest a little this afternoon before stuffing ourselves at Chuy's for dinner! I have some of the pics from my step-mom's (new, beautiful, fancy) camera, I'm hoping she'll send me the rest soon! My mom's friend David also took a bunch of pictures of the baptism with his (big, beautiful, fancy) camera and I'm looking forward to getting those soon as well! I have enough pics so far to paint a decent picture of the weekend. I've got to get cracking at work tomorrow, but maybe they'll be a little time for picture fun, too.

Almost nothing.

That's what I've done today -- almost nothing. I just looked at the clock and realized it was after 2:00! The day has flown by, and we've been sooooo lazy. We're doing a family thing after Natalie's baptism tomorrow (11:00 in the Sanctuary), so I do need to get to the store for some goodies. I keep waiting for a little break in the rain. I probably shouldn't hold my breath, right?

So far the weather has caused some other problems for us this weekend. Poor Kathryn spent like 9 hours at the airport in Oklahoma trying to get in on a buddy pass. The flights were full, but there was still a possibility she could make it on. Unfortunately bad weather in Houston and Dallas meant that the 1:00 flight was cancelled (at 2:30!) so we knew there was no way she'd make it in when all the regular passengers had to be reassigned. So she headed home and will hopefully be able to come for a weekend in May. :(

My dad and step-mom are driving south as we speak. Prayers for them! They called a couple of hours ago just south of Dallas. So far they'd had no major trouble, just spots of bad weather. I think the worst is yet to come for them!

My mom is currently sitting on an empty plane in McAllen, waiting to come back to Houston. We're hopeful that she'll not only make it in but be able to stay put once she gets here. She's supposed to have tomorrow off to attend Natalie's baptism.

So far our family has only encountered small difficulties, of which I am very thankful. We're all still safe, and we even have power! This storm is pretty nasty, and there are areas getting it much worse than us.

More comparison shots

I bought this outfit at Walmart for Joanna because it had a giraffe on it and I thought it was precious! I put it on her ALL the time -- it was so easy and comfy, and I thought the colors looked good on her. How excited was I to put it on Natalie this morning! Anyway, here is Natalie this morning at 3 months and 1 week old. Below her is Joanna at 8 months old!! So that's 5 months difference, and the outfit pretty much fits the same. I can't get Natalie into the positions Joanna was in for the pics because she's lacking... um... head control, the ability to stand, and control over her arms and legs. Whoa.

I don't think she'll eat prunes.

Isn't she cute? You can't see it very well, but this is one of Natalie's new rompers -- I LOVE IT! It's cute and yellow, and Joanna didn't wear it first. :) Not that Natalie cares about getting hand-me-downs at this stage in her life. I was at Babies R Us the other day and I saw this. Isn't it beautiful? I have a shirt that matches it! I'm so glad Joanna started this whole giraffe trend. :)
This is why I did not buy it. :( Oh, well. I gotta have something to lust after. :)
This is why I had to go to the store today: These are suggestions from the doctor. Miralax and prunes. Poor Joanna. She does not like the prunes (I knew she wouldn't), even though I played them up. I called them treats; I let her hold the wrapper; I told her one of her favorite people likes to eat them as a snack. Nope. She did take a couple little bites (almost half a prune). I don't think I'll ever get anymore down her though.
While I was there, I picked up this stuff for FREE with my coupons. Yum.

Joanna's still carrying around what's left of the prune. You s'pose any nutritional value can be absorbed through her fingers?

A little late...

So, I've had this pile of thank you notes in progress for a couple of months now. I managed to get them done yesterday. Except for a few stamps, they're ready to go. So, sorry it's taken me so long to write THANK YOU to everybody who's given Natalie and Joanna gifts this year!

A Trip Down Memory Lane...

Today Natalie and I had a couple of hours to ourselves after I finished up with work and Joanna was still at school. We both had a snack, then settled down to the task of switching out 3 month clothes for 6 month clothes. It was very fun; Natalie liked being in the fashion show. :)

Now, I know Joanna was small... or I thought I knew. She was really really small.

An illustration:

This is Natalie today, 3 months old: This is Joanna, 5 1/2 months old.
I think the suit fit better on Natalie at a younger age. That's no big deal, right? Only a couple months difference in their age.

Check this out:
This is Natalie today, 3 months old:
This is Joanna, Christmas of 2007. 10 freakin' months old!!!
Now, Natalie had a little room to grow in it today, and that was probably one of the last times Joanna wore it before it got too short. But still -- whoa.

Easter Sunday at Uncle Mark's

After church we went to Uncle Mark's house for some time with family. There was an Easter basket full of goodies there for Joanna! Also, she got to hunt real dyed eggs! Of course she tried to open the first one, but she caught on when it didn't work.

Placing an egg in her basket: She has always loved this mirror wall at Uncle Mark's.
Found more eggs.

The week just caught up with me. Although this flash did wake me up -- thanks hon.

This one's for Kurt:

Joanna on the coffee table checking out her sister below:

What fun!

Cake for Daddy!

Back at home. I wasn't the only one who was pooped. She fell asleep in the amount of time it took me to go into the kitchen and make her a grilled cheese, which I had to eat. :)

Hope everyone's Easter was wonderful. If it wasn't, consider spending it with us next year. :)

We love you!