This weekend was a very big weekend for us. A little over a year ago, we promised Gabriel that we would take him to Discovery Cove to swim with dolphins if he saved up half of the ticket price. After a Christmas, birthday, and doing some work for family, Gabriel finally saved enough for half his ticket, his souvenirs, and dolphin pictures!
When you purchase Discovery Cove tickets, they "throw in" tickets to Sea World for 14 days. We planned to make a weekend of it and take Natalie to Sea World for her first trip. We had a wonderful time, Natalie loved Sea World, and it was definitely a memorable weekend for all!
After 2 and a half hours in the car with Natalie, this was a wonderful sight!
Gabriel and Natalie
Nathan and my dad rode Manta first- Nathan first row on the end, my dad was at the very back.
With a water table and little pool in the backyard, it seems everyday Natalie is getting her clothes wet. We just let her get in and change her clothes after since it usually doesn't last too long. On Saturday she really enjoyed playing in her pool. She especially loved the water hose! The weather is slowly cooling off, but I think we still have a couple more weeks of outside water play!
With the addition of the fence, playing outside is so much easier! For the most part Natalie really doesn't care that she is caged in. I think it's because we take her on both sides of the fence. However, it is nice to be able to turn our heads and not fear that she is about to slide into the pond!
Pointing to an "aga"- airplane.
She doesn't mind to be in, unless she's the only one!
Where has the last month gone? It seems like just days ago (6 to be exact) I was blogging about Natalie turning 15 months! :) Now I know I have been way behind on my blog so that has a little to do with it, but the last month has flown by. Starting work definitely put a damper on my blogging time. It was sink or swim for a while, but I think I've got my groove back. My priorities are family, eating, work (...most of the time), sleeping, and then blogging when I have time. Most nights I choose to go to sleep instead of blog. I am just that exhausted! Plenty has happened in the last month, I guess I just decided not to photograph much of it. With my phone memory full and a new camera, I have been a bit of a slacker. Enough of the excuses, Natalie is 16 months old!
I feel like I am going to have to start taking monthly notes to remember all of the huge milestones Natalie is achieving! Natalie is talking so much these days. She knows a lot of animals and animal sounds. She has added monkey and sheep sounds to her repertoire. Natalie also knows about every body part there is- belly button, eyes, nose, ears, mouth, hair, hands, toes, and even boobie. It was cute to begin with and is still quite comical until she tries to get you to show her one in public! I guess I could have called it something else, but Natalie is a very inquisitive little girl! We are now working on the harder ones like chin, knees, and elbows.
Natalie understands so much of what we say. Sometimes we forget that when we ask her to do something, even though she can't respond, she really does understand and often do what we ask. We have been practicing spelling her name with the many personalized items she owns. She knows that each letter is separate, and they all make a sound.
Natalie is so active. She loves to play outside, but it's been difficult between the hot weather and the rain! She loves to get on the trampoline and has learned how to jump. I know that sounds like an easy task, but she can get both feet off of the ground at the same time! That takes some serious coordination and balance.
Natalie loves getting blown away by the air conditioners!
Snugglin' her babies in their crib at Grandma's.
Our future ball player.
Natalie enjoying her first car wash!
It's a first- pink toes! Natalie was obsessed!
Waiting for Daddy to join her in the tent.
Trying to hit the tennis ball that is hanging so I know where to park in the garage! She is so creative.
Giving Daddy a hard time in the car after leaving Poppa's.
"Cheese!"
If standing in the chair is allowed, why not stand on the table??
Finding her belly button.
Bribing Natalie to sit in the chair with Baby.
"Look Mom, we can sit together!"
Giving Baby kisses.
Finding her nose.
Current likes: hot dogs, Marshmallow Mateys cereal, her tent, special park time with Daddy, Fresh Beat Band, giving Kitty treats, standing on anything and everything tall and dangerous, M&M's, FaceTime, Publix spinach artichoke dip, her baby, Goodnight Moon, and bath time.
Current dislikes: the car (I guess this is not current as much as continuing), sleeping in, hot food or the idea of hot food or anything hotter than room temperature, and being told no and actually listening to the no.
