Just Something I Wrote...

As I hold your fuzzy panda pj clad self while you lightly snore in my ear, I think to myself- it is going too fast! I cherish every moment I have with you, yet it doesn't seem like enough! My love for you is so overwhelming, so intense, that no matter how much I enjoy every giggle, every tickle, each and every buggy-eyed silly face- I still feel like I am not cherishing you and your life enough. Am I going to remember the way you say oranges? Am I going to remember feeling your hands searching for my sleeve? Am I going to recall seeing your eyes light up with anticipation before my fingers reach your tummy? Am I going to ever taste a goldfish cracker the way that it tasted as you gently shared with me? I pray that I can and I pray that you will always know the love I have for every single second with you in my world. You are the most beautiful, sweet, caring little girl and I will never stop thanking God for allowing me to have you as my daughter. I love you, Natalie Lynai

Finally A Happy Girl!

After almost 2 months (!), Natalie finally allows us to have happy drop offs at day care! After a long time of screaming and crying with every single drop off, every single morning, Joel and I were so excited to see smiles and get kisses and happy waves goodbye! (Note- She loves day care and her friends, she just hated drop off!)
It makes it so much easier to start the work day! Here are two pictures from St. Patrick's Day when I was dropping off my happy lil girl!

First Day at the Park in 2011

The weather was beautiful this weekend, so Natalie and I went to the park for the first time this season. She had a great time! She loved going through the playground and then going to swing for approximately 2 minutes before wanting to go back to the playground and start over. Two cute things that Natalie said there: (which I know that I have been horrible about blogging and there are so many other cute stories that I could tell...I promise to try to do better!)
- two boys climbed onto the playground set that we were playing on. Natalie asks, "Who's dat?" I said "Those are boys." Natalie said, "Oooooooh, booooys!" We are going to be in trouble!

- Natalie has been in a stage where she apologizes to everything, even for things that she didn't do! (if you run into the table and say ow, she says "Sorry mommy!") She was climbing on the equipment and accidentally hit her head on a bar (not hard). She said, "Oops! Sorry Natalie!"

After the park, we went to McDonald's for a special dinner. Natalie loves to hear that she can eat "Chicken n fries!" I actually order the apples with her meal and then order a small fry to share with her. She really watches to make sure that we share them equally too!

It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Tuck!

I have been meaning to blog about this for the longest time. Natalie has had this nightly ritual since I can remember. Every night (and other times if she is sick, tired, or just wanting comfort) she wants to put her arm up my shirt sleeve. Sometimes she wants both arms up both sleeves. It is the sweetest, cutest, oddest thing! I used to call it tucking in, but lately I have shortened it to "tuck" which is what Natalie now calls it.
Tonight I had on a sleeveless shirt for the first time since last year. It was time for Natalie to go to sleep. She begins to snuggle in and realizes that there are no sleeves. She kind of pulls on my shirt in a few spots before saying, "It don't work!" I asked her if she wanted me to "fix" my shirt and she said, "Fix? Ok!" So I went and put on a shirt that had sleeves. Here are pictures of the happy girl sleeping after she could "tuck".

Where is the time going?

It's hard to believe that a month has passed since we last posted. I sit here and wonder where that month has gone, and find it hard to believe you are almost 2 and a half years old. Every single day I look at you and marvel at how quickly you learn, adapt and grow on a daily basis. I can see changes in you that are profound, and some that are easy to miss if not paying attention. I am amazed at how brilliant you are, how quickly you learn complex tasks, how bright your eyes are as you watch my lips enunciate words so that you may repeat them more precisely. Most of all, I am proud of you for the sweetness that shines through in your words and your actions. For each unprovoked hug, for each heart-melting smile, for every "thank you" and "welcome" that comes so naturally to you, for every "sorry, daddy" that you utter when you needn't. I know in my heart you are a good person and I pray every day that God gives us the wisdom, knowledge and ability necessary to continue to guide you and direct you in ways that grow your sweet spirit. I love you, Natalie. Thank you for being the light of my life, and for making my heart swell with love and pride each and every day.