Happy Birthday, Natalie!

I love birthdays. There's nothing like having a day all about you. I think everyone deserves that once a year. So, I plan to make them kind of a big deal for my kids. Not lavish, just special.

This birthday was a fun one with Natalie. Her first birthday was exciting for me, but she didn't know it was exciting for her. This year she knew what it was to have a party, and presents, and balloons, and cake, and friends and she was ready! So fun.

I wanted to do something special on the day of her birthday too. We decided to head to Windy Knoll for ice cream cones. Well, we got there too late. After I got over my disappointment and regained some perspective (I'm once again going to blame my lack of composure on being pregnant; that excuse is going to run out before too long!) we headed to Arby's for some milkshakes and had a grand time.

Happy birthday, sweet girl. I love you!

Baby Prayers

"Thank you for park, ice cream, cars, people, Mammy's house...."

I love these little prayers. I imagine the delight God feels as his little child delights in the life He has given her. And I'm reminded that I must delight too. We are so blessed.

Fun in the Sun!

Natalie and I have been enjoying these hot, summer days. Well, that's not quite true. Actually there is very little about this heat that I've been enjoying. I usually do not mind heat quite so much, so I'm going to chalk it up to this pregnancy thing. However, we have been enjoying these summer days and some good quality time together. Here's the little diva who will never pose for the camera, so I'm stuck with the picture with her tongue hanging out - oh well, you take what you can get.

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!