Airplanes!

We went to the American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum to check out--well, you know, airplanes! It is a cool place to see an old retired, historic airplane (DC-3) and learn a little about the history and world of commercial aviation.

Before we toured through the museum, they were about to show a brief 15-minute documentary about AA's first flight, past and present, in their theater room. We have not taken Natalie to a public movie theater yet, so we did not know if she would freak out with the darkness, loud speakers, or the huge projector screen. However, once the film began she sat very still on my lap and watched the movie in its entirety. AMAZING!

Daddy and Natalie checking out a MD-80 ("Super 80") model airplane.

Here, Daddy shows Natalie a display that demonstrates how an aiplane propeller works. She really enjoyed pushing all kinds of buttons.

A retired DC-3 plane that you can tour inside. Although, it was small and cramped, it is hard to believe this plane few passengers on trans-continental flights. For example, the flight from Chicago to Los Angeles took over 7 hours!

Alain and Natalie checking out the forward compartment and cockpit.

Exiting the aircraft / Natalie christening the plane for good luck ;)

Of course, everywhere we go, Natalie has to have her "woobie" blanket...

Pictures with Mommy who is 8.5 months pregnant with Natalie's baby brother!

Following the penny down the coin funnel / More buttons to push that shows a cockpit view of a 757 aircraft.

Destination station. Natalie pushing buttons that highlights where AA flies all over the world. Natalie deciding where our family should go! Hopefully soon, we will be able to travel somewhere tropical with a nice beach :-) Ahhhh!

Overall, we had a great time at the museum. It is definitely a place worth checking out!

Natalie's 18 months checkup

Natalie is now 18 months old! Wow, a year and a half! I can't believe time has flown by. Thursday, Natalie had her routine checkup with her pediatrician and she did great. Her measurements were:

Weight: 23 lbs (25th percentile)

Height: 32.5 inches (75th percentile)
Head: 18.5 (90th percentile)

Overall, Natalie is healthy and an advanced talker for her age. Dr. T said Natalie's big head means she is smart :-) She can say many words, although she was a bit shy when we put her on the spot to speak in front of her doctor. She can identify and name a few basic colors, some numbers and alphabets, and of course, animals. She still loves to read her books!!! I think we can enroll Natalie in kindergarten now--HA!

After her checkup, Natalie received a Hepititis-A shot on her leg. She cried but recovered quick. Luckily, Daddy was there to help distract her from the pain.

Natalie playing with the magnet wall at the doctor's office.

Natalie's next checkup will be in 6 months, when she turns 2 years old! Oh my goodness! And her little brother is expected to arrive in less than 2 months!

Sleepy Heads

Once again, time change! It was that time where we had to "spring forward" an hour which meant lost sleep for us. I got up at 7am which is the time Natalie usually wakes up. I went to check on her, but she was still sleeping. After Natalie drank some milk in her sippy cup, she fell back to sleep in my arms. I put her down on our bed thinking she will wake up, but nope; she and Daddy were snoozing away. I was too awake by then, so I got up to make breakfast.

They slept for another hour!

Splish, Splash--Bubbles!

When Daddy helps out with Natalie's bathtime, it is all fun and games, water and bubbles everywhere. Natalie is definitely a water baby just like her Daddy ;)

"Mommy, look at my new hairdo!"

Fun day at the Galleria

Mommy took Natalie for some indoor fun at the Galleria mall. Up on the third floor by Nordstorm's, they have this big jungle/animal-themed play area for small kids. We went Friday morning and surprisingly, it was not busy, which was nice.

Natalie has not mastered in climbing yet. She watched a few kids climb and hop over the animals, rocks, riverbed, and bridge. She did finally manage to climb on top of the crocodile's back but Mommy was not quick with the camera. Oh well, next time.

Flash back! The first time I took Natalie to this play area was when she was 13 months old (Oct '08). Below are a few pictures from last year. Natalie was just crawling and cruising all over the place. Looking back, she was so little compared to now. Gosh, time has gone by fast!