These Days...

Natalie is 2.5 months shy of turning three and is a delightful little girl. Natalie is very active (always running/jumping/kicking) and contrary to her mother's genes is very coordinated! She is great at sports and shows no fear! It makes for action packed days but her sweet personality and tender heart are the perfect compliment to her busy little body. Action shots :)Natalie is a good big sister who watches out for her brother. She will let me know if Stratton needs something or gets an "ouwy." When she isn't running at 100 miles per hour, Natalie loves loves loves watching TV. Her favorite shows are the Wiggles, Barney and Sesame Street. She is learning new songs from church and nursery rhymes all the time. The favorites lately are:
*"Pop Goes the Wiesel"
*"Open The Eyes of My Heart" (she loves the part that says "holy, holy, holy...I want to see You... but she pronounces it "howey, howey, howey
*"Twinkle Twinkle"
*"Amen...Praise the Lord"
The list goes on...we were reading the story of Zaccheus in her toddler Bible the other day and she started singing "Zaccheus was a wee little man..." She knew the song! How fun!
The biggest ritual around our house right now is bedtime stories. Ever since my Grandma told Natalie the Gingerbread Man Story a few months ago, she has requested that I tell it to her EVERY night. Added on to the nighttime stories are David and Goliath and a made up story about Mickey and Minnie Mouse growing carrots! She soaks every detail up like a sponge and actually pretends to make the gingerbread cookie dough as I tell about the grandmother in the story mixing the ingredients, makes believe that she is watering a tiny seed in the ground and then pulls out and eats a big carrot, and really pretends to gather 5 stones and then put one in an imaginary slingshot to hit Goliath. After she throws the imaginary stone she hits her forehead and falls back in her bed to reenact Goliath getting struck down! Oh the drama!
Natalie communicates very well and can say almost anything she wants. Lately some of the fun things she has been saying are:
-"Help YOU please" (She means to say "Help ME please")...she is working on it and getting better!
-"No thank you please"
-"Maramafa" (Maranatha)
-"No, MY do it" (yes, that one is still happening...)
-"Its okay buddy!" (To her brother when he is sad)
-Counting: Nat can count to 20 and sing her ABC's very well. She is even starting to identify some letters and numbers
-"Bye Mommy (or Daddy)...See ya later!"
-"Hi Wes" (Yes, she thinks it is fun to call her daddy by his FIRST name!)
-"Merimeph" (When askes what mommy's name is...aka Meredith)
-"Brudder" (Brother)
-"I two" (I'm two [years old])