The prettiest elephant

Natalie enjoyed her first Halloween for about 5 minutes before passing out from all the excitement. (They were fresh out of donkey costumes...)

Lucky girl

My first week back to work went surprisingly well, I think. (I can't complain, I am only working 3.5 days/week until next July). Everyone has been really nice and supportive, and work actually feels like a day at the spa compared to the hard work of raising one demanding, yet completely adorable and mostly well-behaved baby girl. As you can see, Natalie is healthy, happy, and stronger than she was last week, when she wouldn't even tolerate the dreaded "tummy time" for more than 15 seconds. She's having fun with Daddy and getting lots of spoiling from Grandma at the moment, after several days of being spoiled by her fabulous Aunties from the UK. What a lucky girl!

Party over

"After 3 months of leisurely lunches, movies, and music classes with Mommy and my new baby friends, strolls in the park, hanging with my Grandma and Granny and shopping with my Aunties, the party is officially over for Mommy and just beginning for Daddy, who will be taking care of me when Mommy goes back to work tomorrow!"

A smile for mommy

(Thanks for the lovely frock, Granny!)

Funnin' in the pumpkin patch...

Gracias a los Vazquez for the adorable Halloween onesie!

Miss Fashionista

Natalie is being coy in her Catamini dress from Kate!



So sporty in her Patagonia down vest!

So punk rock!

Miss Natalie has cultivated a refined sense of style. Thanks to Linda M. for the fantastic onesie!

Ladies who lunch

Natalie and I attended a moms and babies luncheon yesterday, and I'm pleased to report that all went well. She was very well behaved, I was able to eat my lunch and listen to a very interesting and helpful lecture on sleep issues (hers, not mine!), and we even made a new friend! We already have plans to go for a walk tomorrow and to another luncheon next week. Because of my aforementioned social anxiety issues, I am so relieved to have met a new friend with a baby who lives nearby, and I was even able to briefly tell her about Julian without either of us getting all twitchy. At first I felt kind of silly signing up for every single class, group, and baby lunch I can find (not to mention feeling a little guilty about the money it costs), but having a structured environment in which to possibly meet other moms is really useful since it doesn't force me to get up the courage to chat someone up in the park or wherever else it is that moms hang out. I also find it helpful to observe how other moms do things. Helps with my anxiety about whether I'm "doing it right," or whether or not certain things are socially acceptable to do in public. (Wow, I'm coming off as way more neurotic than I really am--I swear!)