The toast of the town

While we were in Williamsburg, Matilda didn't have any trouble making new friends!
First, there were Mr. and Mrs. Sheilds of Sheilds' tavern. Mrs. Sheilds was particularly fond of Matilda and was thrilled when we came back for a second dinner. Matilda was carried and danced and walked around the restaurant all through dinner giving Ed and I a chance to enjoy ourselves and eat slowly enough to taste our food.




There was also the book binder who wrote out Matilda's name in old-timey script for her with a quill pen.


And, of course, there were various other interpreters along our way from the plays we saw, to waitresses at lunch, and even people in the street declaring that she was the cutest baby *ever*! And who am I to disagree?

One person she didn't like--Mr. Jefferson. I suppose a bronze President isn't the friendliest looking thing in the world, but she got down-right scared!

Big Sister

Here are Matilda and Baby Chili going for a walk in Williamsburg. I can't believe I'm this big already, it's going so much faster this time.


We had another ultra sound yesterday. I am 13 weeks pregnant today, officially in our 4th month and 2nd trimester. Baby Chili looks perfect, maybe a little on the big side (surprise, surprise). Chili is over 3 inches long and weighs a bit more than an ounce. Baby can move about, is developing reflexes and cartlige is turning to bone now. All the major parts are there and Chili is focusing on growing now and getting big and chubby! Chili already has unique finger prints and can respond to pressure by moving around.
Here's the ultrasound image, the head is up towards the top left of the image, the body is oriented diagonally across the picture, looking up. It's fairly easy to make out the shape of the head and the round little belly at this point. There's also a blob by the face--that's Chili's little hand--right up by the face just like Matilda had hers at every ultrasound we ever took of her!


I'm still planning to keep Chili's gender a surprise (if I have the will power) but I think it will be fun to try out a bunch of old wives' tales about predicting gender, so if you want to make your prediction, or suggest a fun little test for us to try, please leave comments, I'll keep track of what we try and let you know what was right and what was wrong when Baby arrives in November!

We're back!

Miss Gustafson goes to Washington






And little brother or sister "Baby Chili" makes an appearance too!

Motoring and Mischief

It's been a while since I've posted a video, so now you get two!

Here's Matilda crawling for real:



And here she is using that new skill to get into trouble already!

Where'd She Go?

For months now Matilda has been getting on her hands and knees from sitting, but not doing anything from there. Then two weeks ago she started army crawling, just a few feet at a time.
On the 12th we found here here, under the couch!



On the 16th she took her first few crawling steps forward.

Now she's wherever she wants to be and I'm going to get worn out trying to keep up! Our girl is on the go!

Matilda vs. Blueberries

I don't know who won.

Here we go again

We're having another--due November 18th!

Florida, the final day

Our last day in Florida involved lots of sitting in the sun looking cute:



And of course more swimming!


We ended with a wonderful dinner at The Grill with the whole family. It was a really nice trip.

Florida, Day 6

On day 6 the guys got up really early to go fishing. Jim caught 2 baby hammerhead sharks (they tossed them back):



They saw dolphins:


The chef at one of the hotel restaurants turned Eric's catch into appetizers for the table:


Matilda approved (that's her MMMM! face)

Florida, Day 5

On day 5 everyone went to the Everglades for the day and Matilda and I hung out at the hotel.



My grandparents came to visit and took Ed and I out for a great dinner at a really charming French restaurant, which was delicious. As always, it was very nice to see them!
They even brought a bath book and swimming fish for Matilda--which she loves!

Florida, Day 4

On Day 4 Jim and Joanne arrived. We got Matilda dressed up to meet them--doesn't she look big!?


We kicked things off with Champagne


And watched another beautiful sunset on the beach

Florida, Day 3

Our third day involved plenty of fun at the beach--


Then Ed and I went out to a lovely dinner to celebrate the 6th anniversary of our first date--


While we were out to dinner, Kim and Eric watched Matilda for us. She behaved terribly and probably pushed back the arrival of her Gustafson cousins by a couple years! To be fair, she cut a new tooth while we were there--we just didn't know it. Sorry guys! And thanks again!

Florida, Day 2

Like every day, Matilda enjoyed plenty of play time and snuggles with Aunt Kim and Uncle Eric.



At lunch she stole the lemon off our drinks and went to town. She actually liked it! So strange. But, then again, I ate TONS of lemons while I was pregnant, so go figure!


She loved playing in the sand in her little shorts with her pail and shovel.


But her favorite thing, by far, was swimming in the big pool with Daddy. My little water baby!

Our trip to FL, Day 1

We left for Naples SUPER early in the morning on Friday, but Matilda was so good on the plane--here she is on her first plane ride. Our flight left before 7.


When we arrived she was quite content to play in the hotel room with the new toys the Ritz gave her (including that little turtle she's chewing on) and look pretty in her summer clothes.


The weather was beautiful so we took a walk outside. I think she forgot that things get green outdoors!



Then, of course, we did our first walk on the beach. Matilda loves the sand.


And we ended our first day watching a beautiful sunset from our balcony.

Checking out the world

Cheese

and Cheerios

Spring is comming!

The weather was gorgeous on Friday so we went out for a 4 1/2 mile walk in the sun by the river. A nice time was had by all and Matilda got a chance to try out her shades before we go to Florida.

Hahahaha!

For some reason she figured out that fit right about the same time we started feeding her and now we can bet on it at nearly every meal. I'm sure she'll LOVE this post when she's older.

Happy in the sun