The need to blog

This morning I feel the need to blog. If for no other reason than to write down what has actually consumed my time the past 2 and 1/2 weeks. I cannot believe it's almost July!

So I started potty training Natalie. I also started posting about that two weeks ago. That's about as far as we got with either one of those things. I have learned a few things though, and can confidently say I believe my daughter will be potty trained at some point - be it before or after baby :) For now I want to enjoy these days we have - just me and her. If she ends up potty trained, great. If she doesn't, we have a little time to work on it. That's how I feel about it today anyway.

I'm starting to plan Natalie's birthday party. I cannot believe she will be 2 in less than a month! I've been working on a photo album of the last year and it's just amazing the ways she has changed. She is talking nonstop these days and never ceases to amaze us with the things she says. One of her favorite lines is "so scary". This is said whenever something is noisy or she doesn't want to be left alone. The tone in which it is said is enough to melt your heart and make you laugh out loud. She also constantly asks for "a bit more" of things. I'm not sure where she picked this up, but I love it! It sounds so proper. She's a lot of fun and a good bit of work these days. She gave us a little drama with not staying in bed last week - she's starting to show her independence in many ways.

As for baby girl, she is growing well and enjoys doing aerobics (or something of that sort) when mommy is ready for a nap. I am getting so excited to meet this little girl. I think she has a name - you'll have to wait on that one though. I bought a new diaper bag today. That was one thing I really wanted. I couldn't resist stashing some newborn diapers in it first opportunity I got.

My mom, sisters, and I took a trip to Shepherdstown last Friday to celebrate my mom's birthday. It was a perfect day and such a great opportunity to spend some time together. Natalie and I went to Cowans Gap with Melanie and Amirah on Thursday. Natalie was not a big fan - she HATED the sand. I don't think we will try that again this summer. Saturday evening we had a picnic at Caledonia. That is one of my favorite summertime things.

Here are a few pictures to recap. I feel better to have documented some of my time :)

Natalie loves playing in the water and spending time with her Daddy!

My lovely Mom and sisters

Natalie all set for Cowans Gap

Me and baby girl at 25 weeks

A Peek at Vacation with the Lehmans!

We had such a great vacation with Hans' family last week. I was quite impressed with how well it went. I must say the thought of 7 kids in one house for one week made me a little nervous, but it was so much fun and we made a lot of great memories.

Starting with this because I just can't resist those pigtails or those cheeks!

Cousins! I really don't have any pictures of Natalie with her cousins because she won't stand still long enough.

The safari at Lake Tobias was a hit!

Natalie LOVED the petting zoo and the freedom outside of her stroller.

A walk at City Park

Worn out from a busy week

Baby Dolls

We lost Natalie's baby doll, somewhere, somehow several weeks ago - or months - I'm not even sure anymore, time is moving so quickly. I've been feeling really bad about it because she loves babies! Everywhere we go she finds babies, real and pretend. I want to nurture this interest because first of all it is such a beautiful, God-given instinct and secondly, she is having a baby sister in four months. So anyway, I looked everywhere for her baby and said a few prayers for it too.

Today I got out for a little while all by myself - bliss! Even had a little Starbucks treat. Randomly I decided to go into Goodwill, which I never do, but thought I might find some maternity clothes. No luck on that end. I walked to the back of the store and on the shelf was this beautiful, brand new doll. God's good like that.

Natalie is in love with this baby. She has rocked this baby, soothed this baby, fed this baby, loved this baby all day. Beautiful. I think it made both of our days.

So, the funny thing is I was packing for vacation with Hans' family this afternoon, and when I pulled out the suitcase I found Natalie's other baby inside. My mom said, "maybe she was just supposed to have a new one." I think she's right.

Irresistible!

There are so many things about this picture that I just love! The fact that it is finally warm enough to play outside in the pool, the ruffles on that swimsuit, the pure delight on that sweet face, and the sweet girl herself - irresistible!

New Bed

"New bed, new bed!" This is how Natalie proudly exclaims about her new sleeping arrangement. I thought we would wait another month or two to make the switch from her crib to a toddler bed, but she got so excited over the idea I thought we better take advantage of it.

We bought her a new blanket and sheets a couple of weeks ago, so the idea has been floating around. Then Tuesday night Hans took her mattress out of her crib and put it on the floor. "Natalie's new bed" she said right away and then pointing to the crib she said "baby." Well she got the idea.

So she slept on the mattress on the floor for two nights and did really well. Then last night we officially set up her new bed. She is one proud little girl. And I am one proud, but just a little bit sad Mommy.

Here she is helping me wash the bed. She was, of course, soaked until we were done. Don't worry Sabrina, it didn't desperately need washed, but it seemed like the right thing to do and it gave Natalie and I a fun project.

All set up - if only the lighting had been better and Natalie could have been still for 10 seconds - oh well.

And here she is, ready for her first night in her new bed - this breaks my heart just a little!

It's a girl!

Today's Favorite Memory

I love evenings where we are not in a rush and Hans and Natalie have time to play while I clean up after dinner. Tonight was one of those nights. At one point Hans was hiding from Natalie. She found him and then decided she was going to hide. I peeked into the living room to see her "hiding" in front of the toy box. The expectation on her little face was delightful. Hans and I couldn't help but to laugh.

My own relationship with my Dad has taught me so much about my heavenly Father, but watching my husband and my little girl brings a whole new perspective. I love it, and it challenges me - the joy I see in both of their faces as they play together, the pure trust that Natalie has in her Daddy, the awe he holds in her eyes, the patience Hans shows in teaching his little girl new things. I have so much to learn, and I am so blessed by these two delightful people and by my heavenly Daddy.