Our Day at the Zoo

We took Corinne to the Cincinnati Zoo this afternoon and had a fun time visiting the birds, lions, bears, sheep, goats, and rhinos. (Apparently all of Cincinnati was there, as well!) The highlight might have been the train ride (see bottom picture), though it was a bit windy as we zipped over the pond. We're not sure how much of our day Corinne actually took in, but regardless it was great to be outside together as a family. We're looking forward to visiting the zoo a lot this summer when the weather is warmer!

Thank You, Dr. Brown

Some of you may have heard that Corinne recently started to refuse a bottle after we (unintentionally) let too much time go by without giving her one. In our defense, I had assumed it was like riding a bike...once you learn it, you've got it, and can pick it up again at any time. Well, apparently I was wrong. My mom found out the hard way that Corinne hadn't had a bottle in a while when Brett and I were out one night...so Brett and I vowed to "reteach" Corinne all over again by trying for the next five days to feed her with a bottle, once per day. Again, she refused with much crying and screaming (do you know how hard that is to watch and listen to? SO hard!) So, I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that the bottle would not ever be an option, and thereby tried to tell myself that it wouldn't be so bad. But, thankfully, last week I was at a friend's baby shower telling this very story when two people suggested I try the bottle brand "Dr. Brown's". Honestly, I didn't believe it would make a difference so I put off buying one. Then on a whim I picked up a Dr. Brown's bottle this week at Target and when my mom was visiting one afternoon she tried it out on Corinne. To my shock and sheer joy Corinne took the bottle without even a peep--no crying, no fussing. Not only that, but she took a good amount and fell asleep in my mom's arms when she was done! We couldn't believe it, so we tried again the next evening when Brett got home from work. Corinne took the bottle again, no problem! I am happy to report that we haven't had a bottle problem since, and I feel so much relief. Praise the Lord and thank you, Dr. Brown! Way to go, Corinne! (Such simple pleasures, I know:)

Bath & the Bouncy Seat

BATH...

A few weeks ago Corinne graduated from taking a bath in our upstairs bathroom sink to this handly little blue bathtub. She likes taking baths and is quite good while we bathe her...until the bath is over. Then there is some crying, I think because she is cold. We try to minimize that as best we can by wrapping her up immediately, but it doesn't always negate the crying. We've had a few times, though, recently where she didn't get upset at all! And, look at that belly:)

BOUNCY SEAT...

Corinne fell asleep in her bouncy seat on Monday while I was making dinner. It had been a long day since that was the day we went to visit my class at school. Her naps were a little off that day, but once she had that pacifier she went to sleep right there in the kitchen...arms up, of course!

**Again I used the red-eye reduction mode on our camera AND I used the photo shop program on our computer to try and get those red eyes to go away...no dice.

Back To School

Today I took Corinne to Maddux so my class could meet her! They had lots of questions about her sleeping and eating habits, and were very amused by the bubbles she was blowing and the resulting drool on her chin. Corinne and I sat and answered their questions as best we could and I got to hear a little bit about what the class is up to, too. We were also interviewed by some of the boys in my class for the newspaper they are working on. Corinne didn't quite know what to make of all the faces huddled around her, but she was great the entire time.

My friend, mentor, and long-term sub, Jan, is pictured holding Corinne in some of the above pictures. Jan is an amazing teacher and I'm SO thankful that she is the one taking over for me while I'm gone. She and my partner, Cara, make a great team!! It's nice to know the class is in great hands.

It was a little strange to drive into the Maddux parking lot, and to walk in through the front doors. In some ways it feels like a lifetime ago that I was there. But in other ways it was as if I never left. This would have been my first day back, had I not taken the rest of the year off. And I have to say, I cannot imagine leaving Corinne. I'm incredibly thankful to be able to be at home with her so that I can watch her grow!

It's Been Exactly Three Months...

...since Corinne was born! And we love her more every day. She is really into observing people's faces, shadows, light, and Lilly. She loves to sit at the dinner table on our lap while we eat so she can see what's going on and be part of the conversation--and she has lots to say! Her "talking" is just the neatest, sweetest sound. Also, to report back from her two month post, her bedtime has been successfully moved earlier, and her best nap of the day, and most consistent, is her morning nap. (However, as she has grown smarter and wiser she has now become very stubborn in the "bottle" department...we recently discovered that she refuses to take a bottle anymore:)

We love you, Corinne, and can't imagine life without you. You are growing so fast!!

Family Time on Easter

We enjoyed Easter dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Schatz's house and Corinne was so good the entire evening--even with all the new faces (there were many other guests) and lots of commotion (ie. basketball games on TV to yell at, kids playing, and many adult conversations taking place).

**yes, we do know how to use the red-eye function on our camera, however Corinne's eyes keep getting lighter and lighter blue and it doesn't seem to do the job!

Corinne at 12 Weeks

Cute as ever, even when she's sleepy...

Wiggle Worm

This is how I found Corinne this morning at 7:30 am when I went in to wake her up for the day! Significant because she was put to bed in the center of the crib (where the yellow burp cloth lies). Hmm...she must have wiggled there in her sleep. Quite a feat for being all swaddled up!

(And if you enlarge the photo, you will see what appears to be the sweetest smile on her face!)

Just Because She's So Cute At 11 Weeks!

Aunt Marcey

Aunt Marcey is in town for most of this week (Tues-Sunday) for work, but she took the day off on Wednesday to spend with Corinne and I! What a fun time we had, too. And, I think Corinne impressed Aunt Marcey with how much she can do these days! Thanks to Grandma Schatz spending some much desired time with Corinne (it had been a few weeks!), Marce and I got to go out for lunch together which was nice. When we returned, we got plenty of playtime with Corinne and even went on a walk outside--thank goodness the weather is getting warmer!! It was a great day, and I'm so glad Marcey chose to spend the day with us. Corinne is SO loved!

This Saturday will be Corinne's debut with the extended family on my mom's side! Some family from out of town (my aunt and cousin) are flying in and there is a big family get together that we'll attend. Stay tuned in case we get some good photo opportunities!