Life Lately + 17 Months

Wow, it's been awhile since I've popped in here to blog! Truth is I unexpectedly felt like taking break from blogging, so I did. It wasn't planned and nothing major or crazy has been going on, I just didn't wanna blog, so I didn't.

We've have been out and about, enjoying the beautiful weather and really taking in the new season.

We are outside at least four hours everyday. We take long walks and just try to find something new and interesting to do. A different playground to go to, a pond to feed ducks, anything to keep entertained.

I've also started cooking more and doing meal plans for dinner, and I've really been enjoying that. It's kinda fun and I love being in control of what my family eats.

I'm making some playground acquaintances for myself and have met a few new neighbors who seem really nice. Natalie really isn't into playing with kids her age yet (she loves kids who are older than her though) but it's nice to make small talk with a few people who are friendly. 

Everything is good and there's so much more to look forward to too!

This is by far the busiest time of the year for us. Mothers Day is in a week, then our wedding anniversary is two weeks after that, then my birthday two weeks after our anniversary, then Fathers Day four days after my birthday, then Matt's birthday a week after Fathers Day, not to mention other family members birthdays in between those dates! I'll be really busy and broke soon. 

Oh, and Natalie is also 17 months today! (I've really got to stop counting months and just say she's a year and a half.)

I was going to write a post entirely about what's new with her, because I felt like there were a bajillion things to say but now that I sit and try to think of something of course nothing comes to mind.

I can say our spring wasn't off to that pleasant of a start. She had a nasty stomach bug that lasted five days or so and after the illness passed, the crankiness in her lingered. I was so afraid we were entering the terrible twos.

Thankfully that has been over for a couple of weeks now and she has been (almost) all smiles! She either has a bit of a cold now or just allergies, but her nose has been runny and she has her moments of freaking out when she doesn't get her way (her way is to constantly be outside, she'll stand by the door and cry if we don't take her).

She's less of a picky eater now, thank goodness. Her favorite vegetables are mushrooms, broccoli, and cucumbers. She'll try just about anything but the best way to get her to eat something is to lead by example. If she sees her older cousins nibbling on something she immediately wants what they have. It got her to try red peppers!

She is finally warming up to strangers and other family members besides Matt's parents. She'll hug and high five just about anyone we ask her to. I look forward to the point where she's comfortable enough to hang around my parents or sisters without Matt or myself there.

So that's that! I am sure after I post this I'll think of some more things.

Here are some recent photos of the babe:

Doesn't like sand in her sandals.

Make a wish. 

She found  something interesting.  

Sunshine in her face.

Petals from a neighbors tree. 

Playing with grass and dirt makes her happy. 

Crossing the bridge at the playground like a big girl.

Quack, quack. 

Boot wearers.