Daddy's first conference

Last week we had a big milestone around here: Mike left to go to Toronto for a conference for a few days, leaving Natalie and me all alone. Except, of course, we weren't really all alone - our wonderful friends here dropped in on me every day. They provided actual conversation, held Natalie so I could take a shower, and brought delicious food. They were great, but I was very glad to see Mike when he returned!

Here's a shot of Mike giving his paper. Or something.Last week something also seemed a bit off with Natalie. When things didn't improve after a few days, I ended up taking her to the pediatrician while Mike was gone. Turns out something was wrong (score one for parental intuition) - nothing major, we've got medicine to fix it, and are on the road to recovery. But I did pass the time in the pediatrician's waiting room convincing myself that I was at that very minute catching swine flu from all the feverish kids. It's now several days later, and I'm not sick, so I guess I dodged that bullet. Anyway, that visit was my first solo outing with Natalie - let's hope the next one is for something a little more fun (and less likely to induce my paranoia!).

Also, Natalie is probably 10 pounds by now - she was 9 lbs, 14 oz last Thursday! We also think she might be smiling. I mean, she's definitely smiling - it's a lot less clear whether she's just coincidentally smiling or whether this is in response to us. A few times we think we've done things that made her smile, but maybe she was just going to smile anyway.....In terms of things that make me smile, I've gotten back in the garden. Most people here plant a new crop of veggies around now for a late fall harvest. I don't have the energy for that (although I would like to plant vetch in about six weeks or so in order to enrich the soil for next spring's plants). But I am making the most of the plants we do have - tomato and basil. Here's a shot of a Caprese-style salad I made:(See? I do believe in foods other than dessert. Although not very much....)

And here are some additional things to make you smile:And here's the whole album (which can also be found here):

Catching up

First, the long-awaited photos of the new dresser and the composter (it's up to you to figure out which is which. I believe in you!).There isn't really all that much to report - things kind of chug along here. Natalie has been sleeping in stretches that are a little longer, so we're approximating something like a semi-decent night of sleep every now and then. Unfortunately, she's also coupled this sleeping with a little increased fussiness, so we're all a little more exhausted when it comes time to sleep!

Last week we also hit the fancy grocery store again. Also, we upped the challenge by going to the Indian buffet beforehand. Natalie was awake at the restaurant, but as long as we jiggled her carseat, she was pretty chill.

I've also been doing a little baking. First, I made this fig tart.The tart was okay, if very fig-y. Thinking about it afterwards, I decided that it might have been improved had I a) served it with better yogurt or even with ice cream, and b) added some chocolate. That got me thinking that what I actually really wanted was a chocolate dessert (sometimes fruit just doesn't cut the mustard, you know?), so then I made a sour cream marble cake. No pictures of that, alas, as it was eaten up before I remembered to take a picture of it.

Last, I made this sour cream blueberry coffee cake (can you tell I had some sour cream that I needed to use?). This recipe is a total keeper! I made it on Friday night for some guests that were coming on Saturday afternoon. We sampled a bit of it when it came out of the oven - and then it was very hard to resist eating the rest before the company arrived!
Okay, we've reached the point in the blog post where you get what you really came for......

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the last few days:Here's the whole album (which can also be found here):

Weekend follow-up

Here are a few more pictures from the weekend.

These come from Aunt Jo, but I know there aren't that many that feature all of us, so I wanted to be sure to put these in a prominent place.These come from my very first outing alone with Natalie - I went to the 4th birthday party of a young friend of ours (Mickey Mouse theme, in case you needed to know). Being that it was my first event alone, I was a little stressed. However, the party was at their house, which is only 5 minutes from our house and featured a crowd of experienced and understanding mothers. And Natalie, again, slept the whole time.

Weekend guests

This weekend we were lucky enough to have a quick visit from frequent commenter (Mike's) Aunt Jo and her son, Zak.They came in on Friday morning and were toured around TCU before stopping at a local institution to pick up lunch. Then Mike brought them home to see the real Fort Worth attraction: Natalie. We spent a lot of the weekend just hanging out inside, hugging and holding Natalie. However, Natalie did have another outing: we went to the Paris coffeeshop for some serious Texas food. With four of us at the table, we finally tried one of their cinnamon rolls. Delicious! And Natalie was great: she mostly slept. We just parked her stroller beside the table a jiggled it occasionally. She didn't wake up for real until we left the restaurant. As it turns out, Natalie is NOT a fan of the heat. At all.

Aunt Jo got some serious grandma practice in - a good thing, too, since she is to become a grandmother sometime this fall. I think she'll be a hit!

Here are some recent Natalie shots (including one of Natalie making her favorite counter-culture gesture):
The complete album is here (and can also be found here):

Aunt Jo's pics are here. For the life of me, I could NOT figure out how to get these images on our blog - if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know - Jo's pictures are great!

This blog is pretty much all Natalie, all the time, but I also want to tell you about some other things going on in the house.

First, our garden has suffered from some neglect on our part and from some searing heat from the sun, but we are still getting some tomatoes, lots of chile peppers, and a TON of basil. I remember trying to grow basil in Seattle - I had, like, three anemic yellow leaves. I now have, literally, a tree of basil in the backyard. Also, yesterday at Costco I bought a fancy compost tumbler that was on deep discount. Of course, the tumbler in its box was so big that it wouldn't fit in my little Corolla. So we had to take it out of the box; during the five minutes it took to do this, the chocolate chips I'd bought totally melted. Ahh, Texas. Anyway, pictures of that are coming once Mike assembles it. (Also, I'm sure that this will just give our neighbor one MORE thing to complain about, but, whatever.)

Second, I finally have a dresser! My old Ikea dresser broke when we were still living in Seattle (and by "broke", I mean, held my clothes just fine, but refused to give them up when I wanted to wear them). So I had been using some rubbermaid bins. This was an okay solution - durable, and very easy to move, but lacking somewhat in the charm department. This is my new dresser. It isn't assembled yet, either - and there's no particular rush, I guess. But pictures of that are forthcoming, too.

You know, because pictures of a compost tumbler and dresser are what you're really after....

One month ago....

Our little girl was born!It's hard to believe she's one month old today. It all seems like a blur - something between just yesterday and fifty billion years ago. But maybe that's the sleeplessness talking.

In all seriousness, we aren't doing that bad, sleep-wise. Of course, we're not doing that great, either. Natalie can go about 3.5 hours without eating, so we usually go to sleep right after one feeding (and by "right after" I mean, after she's been fed, burped, and then held upright for 40 minutes to minimize the spitting up). Then we have one feeding in the middle of the night (after which Mike usually sits with her). And then we get up after the third feeding. So the nights are, um, short. And interrupted.

Natalie is also a "sleep squeaker" - so even when she's "asleep", she often makes little squeaks, squawks, and murmurs. These are actually super-adorable. Unless, you know, you're trying to sleep. Well, even then they are adorable, just a little loud....

Noise-wise, she's also a frequent hiccup-er. We've been assured this is totally normal, but, wow, I've never heard so many hiccups! (It was great last week after Mike's surgery when he had the hiccups as a side effect from the anesthesia, and Natalie had them from being, well, a baby - I felt totally surround by hiccup-ers!)

She's getting bigger - although, so far, we've only outgrown one sleeper suit. We've also outgrown the newborn diapers (those are up to 10lbs) in favor of the size one diapers (8 to 14lbs); we estimate that she's closing in on 9lbs. [Note - we are still planning on switching to cloth diapers - we're going to start trying some different approaches next week with the goal of totally transitioning in the next month or so. Today Mike put a clothesline up in our backyard so that we can air dry/sun bleach the diapers. Any guesses on how long it'll be until the psycho neighbor makes some comment about this???]

Natalie is also getting more alert - she has longer periods of alertness and seems more engaged with the world (meaning her fingers, the mobile on the swing, the shadows from the windowshades, etc.). We've also both had the distinct impression that she's been looking AT us, not just blankly staring in our direction. The other day Mike told her "look, there's mommy" and then held her in my direction. And then she turned toward me and made some sucking gestures with her mouth. So perhaps that's recognition. I'll take it.

We've seen her smile in her sleep, but we're still waiting on that social smile.

We're also doing better on liking the baths. I wouldn't say she loves them, but, well, there's less screaming, and she's quicker to console afterwards.

We wouldn't trade her for the world. We are more in love every day.

Mike just informed me that we have uploaded 553 pictures of Natalie since her birth. Bonus points if you've actually looked at all of them! (I'm thinking the grandparents and great-grandparents *might* be shoe-ins for this award).

Anyway, here are a few of my favorite recent pics:The entire album is below (and can also be found here):

More excitement

Here's a post with pictures, which, I gather, is the preferred kind of post. I get it.

Those of you who read the blog on its own page (not through the email digest or through a feed reader) will notice that I've added a spot on the sidebar detailing Natalie's stats. Our second data point comes from Natalie's visit to the pediatrician this week. She was a total rockstar! I had been unsure about how well she was eating, but it turns out she's doing quite well - in a little over three weeks she's gone from 6 pounds, 10 ounces to 8 pounds, 4 ounces (she also gained more than an inch in height/length). So we must be doing something right! I'll try to update that space each time we get more data.

I've also edited the "about us" paragraph to reflect Natalie's birth.

Blah, blah, blah. Blogging is soooo exciting.....

In real-life excitement, we had our first outing today. That is, the first time we left the house with Natalie to do something other than go to a medical appointment. We took Natalie out to lunch and then grocery shopping this afternoon. Really, we just went to the fancy-pants grocery store here in town and ate there before doing our shopping. We got a bit of late start, arriving to the store around 2; this was actually perfect as we missed both the lunch and pre-dinner crowds in the market. Natalie was a total gem - she slept the whole time in her car seat. We tossed a blanket over her seat to protect her from well-meaning (but germy) strangers. Miraculously, things went amazingly well. We had a nice lunch, we got all our shopping done, and Natalie didn't stir until we arrived back home. I tell you, I have this parenting thing NAILED. Nailed, I tell you. Ha. I cannot even explain how stressful it is to leave the house. I'm told this will get easier; someday I'll be ready to believe that.

Also, a little Mike update: he's doing great after his surgery. He was a little out of it on Wednesday afternoon, but was fine by the evening. He's been eating a lot of soups and smoothies, but hasn't needed any of the pain medication. On that note, we tried a new soup tonight, Gazpacho with goat cheese salsa (not exactly the recipe Mike used, but close). Totally a keeper!
And on the topic of pictures, here are a few of my favorite recent Natalie pictures (actually, I just realized that these were all taken today - funny how different she looks in each one!):Here's the whole album: (which can also be found here)

Merci buttercups

I've been absent from the blog for a few weeks - something about growing another human being, pushing said being out of my body, and then caring for said being. Makes for busy days, really.

Alas, no new Natalie pictures today since I try not to put personal pictures on my work's computer (which is the laptop I'm currently using). Eventually, I'll get a new computer of my own and then I'll go picture-crazy. I know there are new pictures to share, though, so watch this space....

I feel incredibly lucky that we've essentially had round-the-clock help for three weeks in the form of my mother, Mike's parents, and then Mike's sister. I can't thank them all enough for coming to help us! But all good things must come to an end: Last night was our first night alone just the three of us. We did okay. Natalie decided to have one of her very cute alert periods (where she waves her arms around and takes it all in) from 2am to 4am. So that was a little challenging, but at least she wasn't fussing. We're all a little zonked this morning, though.

Further complicating the zonked-ness is that Mike had some minor oral surgery this morning. He's back home now and resting comfortably. But this could make for some more challenges today and tonight.....

Definitely more alert

Today Bubbi and Gramps left, which was sad for all parties involved.


After dinner tonight Natalie was pretty unhappy. I swaddled her, which usually calms her down, but it did not seem to work, so we thought that she might need her pants changed. I took her out of her swaddle, and she just laid on the bed and very alertly checked out me, her aunt, and her mom. It was pretty cool.

Below are some pictures of Natalie's first few days (which can also be found here):

Our pictures

We have taken some really cute pictures in these last few weeks, and I have realized that, recently, the typical photo that we take has gone from something like this:


to something like this:
More recent photos of our new favorite subject can be found in the album below (and also here).

A few other pictures

Below are a few other pictures from Natalie's last few days (which can also be found here). While she has moved from sponge baths to tub baths, she is no more fond of the bathing enterprise (although apparently neither was her father).

Natalie Meets Bubbi and Gramps

On Sunday, my parents arrived, and we all had Indian food together, on my grandfather.

After dinner and a long nap, my parents finally decided that they were ready to see their grandchild. The pictures are below, and they can also be found here.

Natalie's First Power Failure

On Thursday at 4:45 am, the tornado alarm went off, and we retreated to the laundry room as we lost power. Natalie was totally uninterested in the storm, and slept through the whole thing on her mother's lap.

On Friday, Natalie had a few visitors -- Krista, the photographer who took those pictures of Kate and me, and her five and eight-year old children. The children were curious about Natalie, but I quickly realized that we do not have many items in this house that are interesting to children. Luckily, they found my copy of Nexus Ops, and that seemed to occupy them.

Although one astute observer has indicated that "in a matter of seven days you have taken more pictures of your daughter than have been taken of me in my 33,526 (adjusted for leap years)," below are a few more pictures of Natalie (which can also be found here).

Tuesday, Wednesday, Natalie Days

Natalie has continued to do well, and there is not too much new to report. I went to school today to run an errand, and my colleagues were extremely disappointed that I came alone.

Natalie has been receiving many lovely gifts, and thank you note will be forthcoming soon. Pictures from yesterday and today are below (and they can also be found here).

Another day of Natalie

Natalie seems to have cooled down our weather a bit in Fort Worth. It rained on her first two days, and it also started pouring today right after I finished mowing the lawn this morning (my first time mowing the lawn as a father -- it is so much better!).

Natalie continued her strenuous routine of sleeping, eating, with occasional bouts of wakeful curiosity and even more occasional bouts of tears. No visitors today, but it is possible that tomorrow Natalie will have her first visit to my university, because there is a fax that she needs to send.

Below are some pictures from today (which can also be found here).

The end of Natalie's First Week

Yesterday was a quiet Sunday for Natalie and her family, except for Natalie's morning bath (Natalie's feelings about baths have still not changed). She didn't have any visitors yesterday, except for our crazy neighbor, who came to complain that our bathroom light is on in the middle of the night. He was shocked to learn that we have a baby (he is not as much of a neighborhood gossip as he thinks he is!), and seemed a little sheepish when he realized why the light is on. But not too sheepish. The thing about "the psycho," as we call him, is that with any individual interaction, it is not clear that he is crazy. However, when you add all the interactions together, that is the only possible conclusion.

Now Natalie is sleeping, as her parents and grandma finish their lunch. Sunday's pictures are below (and they can also be found here).

On the Sixth Day of Natalie

Natalie had a nice sixth day. She was visited by her old friends David and Lucia, and by her new friends, the Cox family. Happily for Natalie's parents, both sets of guests came bearing outstanding homemade desserts -- a strawberry pie, and a peach cobbler. All of the guests were quite taken with her, although she slept through most of their visits.

The pictures of Natalie's sixth day are below (and they can also be found here).

Natalie's Fifth Day

On her fifth day, Natalie returned to the hospital so that they could make sure that she is getting enough food when she nurses (this was a previously scheduled, routine appointment). I went grocery shopping while Natalie was at the hospital, but according to her mother, Natalie ate so well that she could be the next Takeru Kobayashi.

Last night, we made Natalie her first shabbat dinner. I made some sole and quinoa, and Kate made a loaf of challah. Unfortunately, Natalie was not able to eat any of it, but she did seem a little bit interested in the food, prayers, and songs.

Here are pictures from her fifth day (which can also be found here):

The Fourth Day of Natalie

Today was Natalie's first full day at home. She spent most of the day sleeping and eating, with occasional breaks to look at things and/or cry. She is actually quite alert sometimes, and will occasionally stare at something or someone intently and adorably. The day ended with a visit with our friends Alex and Ariane, which she seemed to enjoy, and a bath. Unfortunately, her feelings about baths have not changed much since Monday.

Here is a slideshow of pictures from Day 4 (you can also find all of these pictures here):



Also, here are a few assorted Natalie pictures that I have just pulled from Kate's camera.

Natalie's Third Day

Today we were discharged from the hospital. Natalie had her first car ride, and her first view of our house and garden. She had a nap in her bassinet, and before falling asleep, she gazed at the mobile, following it as it turned. This surprised me a little, since it was probably about 18 inches away from her, and I thought that her field of vision was only about 8 inches.

Below is a slideshow of pictures from her third day, which you can also find here. I assume that we will keep writing daily blog posts until she is about 23 or so.

Natalie's Second Day

Natalie's second day went well. All of the doctors and nurses were impressed with her health, and she had a few visitors (a few of our friends). She passed her hearing test, but she still does not seem to understand much of what we say to her (in English or Japanese). She is wonderful.

Here is a slideshow of some of the highlights. You can also find the pictures here.

Natalie's First Day

Here is a slideshow of pictures from Natalie's first day (you can also see the pictures here).

NBS, Day 3

Natalie Beth resting after some serious eating.

A few pictures of our girl

Right now Natalie is off getting her vital signs checked. So far, the doctors and nurses have been very impressed with what they have seen -- she is a healthy baby girl!

Here are a few pictures of her with her parents:

Here is Natalie with her Grandma Pat:

And here is Natalie receiving her first bath. She did not enjoy the actual sponge bath part AT ALL. However, she didn't mind having her hair washed and brushed, or being rinsed off in the sink:

It's a girl!

Natalie Beth Strausz was born on 7/20/2009 at 12:03 pm, 6 lbs 10 oz. Her parents are so happy.

Professional Maternity Pictures, part II

We just got the rest of our maternity pictures in the mail today. Here's the album:

Baby Knitting

Babies mean knitting!

I wanted to share a picture of a very special hand-knit gift that Mike and I received on Friday: a knitted mobile from (my good Wellesley friend) Miso. I know a knitted mobile sounds odd - or at least certainly not as cool as it is - and I feel like this picture also doesn't capture the intricate and creative feat that this is, but here you go:Is that not awesome? And for the knitters out there, you'll note that the birds are made from that classic Japanese yarn, Noro, in homage to our time in Japan.

On the far more simplistic end of things, here's an in-progress shot of the blanket that I'm knitting:(Note that at my current rate of knitting things, this project will take me approximately ten times the amount of time it took Miso to knit the fancy mobile). My original plan was to make this in all different shades of green cotton yarn. Alas, I couldn't find enough shades of cheap green cotton yarn at the big-box craft store, so I had to branch out to other colors. I worry that the colors are a little boy-ish, but so it goes....