Natalie's Big Day! :)

In honor of Natalie's 2nd birthday, I tried to select a few photos from her first 24 months of life.  As I was trying to narrow down the pics (yes...I really DID try), I decided that I should probably go ahead and apologize now for those of you who will be in attendance to watch her wedding slideshow.  Get comfy because it may run a bit long...  :)


HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, NATALIE GRACE! 

Text me!

 Artifact Picture #1

After suffering through the dark ages for many years, Jon and I have now joined the 21st century.  A few weeks ago, after my cell phone bit the dust (thank you, Natalie...really...thank you), we were forced to get new cell phones.  You know it's time to upgrade when all four of your children's grandparents have cooler phones than you do.  Anyway, we got touch screen phones (the low end...which are probably obsolete already in some people's worlds), and we've been enjoying them.  


 Artifact Picture #2

My sweet friend, Molly, who came to visit last week has been catching me up to speed and helping me with my texting abilities.  I'm still not super fast, and don't know all of the lingo yet, but you might say that I am addicted.  

btw u should txt me soon.  lol:)  ttyl

Farewell Pacifier...Maybe

Natalie likes her pacifier.  I like Natalie having her pacifier.  Seemed like a win-win situation...until last week.  We were at the dentist for SCOTT'S appointment, when the dental hygienist turns to Natalie and asks if she is a thumb sucker.  "No,"  I whispered, for fear that the dentist would hear, "she still takes a pacifier."  The dental hygienist said, "OH!  She should really stop that because it's starting to pull on her teeth."   Ugg. 

Scott really enjoyed his pacifier a little past age two.  After a teeth injury, the dentist told us that we should have him stop using it.   It wasn't as bad as we anticipated, and it seemed as if we could reason with Scott, blame it on the dentist, and he understood.  However, along with that, Scott gave up taking naps.  I'm not quite ready to go there with Natalie yet.  A no-nap Natalie?  That would make for one very long afternoon! 

I tried "reasoning" with Natalie as I had done with Scott, and I told her that in a few days we were going to get rid of her pacifier because the dentist said so.  She immediately began to meltdown and repeatedly said, "Pacifier!  Pacifier!  Pacifier!"  Oh dear...I don't think this is going to be quite as easy.  Wish us luck! 

It's an Update

I bought Scott a dust buster for an early birthday present.  I couldn't bring myself to give that to him for his actual birthday, but looking back, I think it would have been a great gift.  He loves using his real machine and has come up with many good places that need to be vacuumed.   I guess I've done a good job of leaving many "treasures" for him to find.  That's the kind of mom I am! :)   

 

 We caught Natalie looking at a book in the swing.  She seemed to be quite comfy.  

Scott made a pirate hat and was saying, "ARRRR!" all evening.

He knew he was supposed to close one eye, but this was pretty tricky for him.  

Buddies!  

 

I have heard a lot of good things about the Signing Time videos, so I'm not sure why I waited so long to introduce my kids to them.  We found one at the library and have greatly enjoyed it!  The kids picked up on the signs right away and have been using them.  I've requested more from the library and am looking forward to watching others.  They are signing picnic in the first picture.  I'm not sure what their next sign is, but it looks like they are pretty much on the same page.  

 

On the sign for "FAST" Natalie always feels the need to jump up and run a lap around the kitchen.  Instead of signing this word, she wants to demonstrate what fast really looks like.  

 

Pregnancy update:  All is much better now (hence the reason for another post).  The sickness wasn't THAT bad this time around, but it was there and now it's OVER! :)  I'm at 15 weeks now, and we should be able to find out the gender early next month.  This pregnancy is going to fly...

Pictures from the Week

Mental note for next year: Take the Easter pictures prior to church- BEFORE Natalie plays in the tunnel at church and naps on the way home and BEFORE Scott drinks three cups of water and is ready to run to the restroom

My parents had a fun egg hunt for the kiddos last evening. We are ALL enjoying the treats found inside of the eggs! :)

They also fed the fish- a regular activity when they visit Grandpa & Grandma. Natalie can do a great fish impression.

Finding eggs with Daddy at the church Easter egg hunt

Scott excited about the little chick that he found in one of his eggs at church

Getting ready to hunt eggs at Grandpa & Grandma's house

My before church attempts to get Natalie's picture in her Easter dress- What a stinker!


Her best shot was in a box.

Scott and I counting out 40 eggs!

Opening his loot at Grandpa & Grandma's

Family picture- If I look tired, it's because I am! :)


An early week trip to the zoo! Rhinos!!

Scott and Natalie at the playground

Scott- A couple of months away from 4 years old

Natalie- A little over one month away from turning 2 years old

Natalie trying to get a better look at the elephants-

When asked what their favorite animal was at the zoo, both kids said it was the train.

Inspired by the monkeys, the kids asked to wear the monkey costumes when we got home.

Summer Fun in March??? SURE!

Scott's been asking lots of questions about the new baby including, "When the baby spits up inside of you, is that what causes you to get sick?" He's definitely trying to process it all. His name suggestions so far have all been after Thomas trains. Percy? Gordon? Rosie? Edward?


Natalie has new words coming from her mouth everyday. "SURE!" is our favorite new word from her. She uses it instead of yes, so at times, it's quite funny. Her pronunciation of it ("shore") makes it even cuter.

Examples: Natalie, did you make this mess? "SURE!"
Natalie, did you hurt your toe? "SURE!"
Natalie, did you knock over Scott's tower? "SURE!"

She's not afraid to say "NO!" either and uses that word way too much. Sometimes we catch her singing, "No, no, no, noooo, nooo, no, no!" to herself. She's really likes the word. :) I guess it's no surprise that her 2 year old birthday is just around the corner.


Hot dog anyone? Pregnancy always make me like certain foods that I normally don't crave. In my pregnancy with Scott, I developed a love for STEAK! With Natalie, I savored the taste of cheese. With this one, I've been on a bit of a hot dog kick. In non pregnancy days, I normally find just the thought of sinking one's teeth into a big hunk of hot dog pretty disgusting. But, for some reason or another, when nothing else has been sounding good lately, a hot dog seems to be my go-to food. I've had hot dogs for breakfast, hot dogs as a bedtime snack, and even a couple of hot dogs in one day. This cannot be a good thing. In fact, I just read something last night about hot dogs not being safe during pregnancy. Oops. Sorry little one. I'll move onto something else now. Steak and cheese do sound mighty good anyway!

Finally, here's Jon climbing a tree "for the kids" of course.