17 Months!

September 21st

 

 

Natalie Grace is 17 months! She is learning and growing so much these days. I think it's just a matter of time before she outsmarts us all!

 

She still loves to read but rarely sits still long enough to finish an entire book. She really only has one speed, and that is run. She is into everything and loves to do anything naughty! She is talking so much and is starting to repeat more and more words. We have finally gotten her to say please, but she thinks if she says it she gets whatever she wants...which for the most part is true! It is just too darn cute to ignore. Poppa taught her Row, Row, Row Your Boat, and now she loves to sing it! Natalie is so full of funny facial expressions and loves to be a goof in front of the camera. She loves saying cheese and always wants me to flip my camera around on my phone so she can see herself.

Showing off her cuteness.

The beginning of her "shocked" expression.

 

Listening to music on the phone. She loves the headphones!

 

 

 

Natalie's favorite show is The Fresh Beat Band. She loves to sing and dance along. Even though it's not a cartoon, this show can hold her attention more than any other! The show is a little goofy, but we can't help but smile when we watch her drop everything and run to watch a FBB music video that she hears. She loves to dance on her platform- the coffee table.

 

 

 

Now that Natalie is back with Poppa everyday, Natalie and Nathan have the opportunity to go to the park on their way home. Natalie loves her park time with Daddy and is becoming such a master on all of the equipment!

 

 

Since Nathan is at school a couple of times a week, Natalie and I stay up late to wait for him on school nights. I let her sit in the trunk of my car one time to wait and now she thinks we have to do it every time! It is part of our routine. :) She loves to go out front and wait on "Dada". Plus she loves to look for airplanes and the moon.

 

Say cheese for Dada!

 

 

 

Our sweet girl taking her monthly picture. It's getting more and more difficult each month!

 

Birthday Fun

September 15th

 

 

On Saturday we went and celebrated Laura's 25th birthday. Laura is Nathan's youngest cousin. This Red Solo Cup themed birthday has been in the works since at least April! We all had a great evening full of yummy food, great family, and Gator football! We stayed as late as we could before evening fussiness set in, but we still had to leave at half time. We had a wonderful time!

Our sweet girl giving the kitty a treat.

Hannah and Hadley

Natalie trying to lead Natalie around.

 

Some of the Red Solo Cup themed decorations

 

Natalie looking at Grammo's camera.

Watching the Gator game.

Laura's cake

Me and the birthday girl

 

 

Sea World Part 2

September 8th

 

 

We went back down to Orlando for a second week in a row since our tickets to Sea World were still good. We also had tickets to Aquatica. Nathan and I decided to take Natalie to Aquatica that morning and then head over to Sea World. Natalie loved Aquatica! She had so much fun in the kiddie area. It was like she was practicing everything she does at the park with Nathan, but there was water too. We were also able to take Natalie on the lazy river and to the wave pool. She loved the waves and started giggling when they began. It was hilarious!

After Aquatica we met Kristy, Sarah, and Patrick at Sea World. We rode the kiddie rides, walked through the Arctic animal exhibit, and saw the dolphins and sting rays. I left my camera in the car, but Kristy took some great pictures of Natalie to complete our Sea World adventures!

Natalie riding Shamu!

Giving Shamu kisses!

Feeling the ice wall by the beluga whales.

Natalie with cousins Sarah and Patrick.

After touching a sting ray and it practically jumping out of the water, Natalie really wanted to touch another!


After Sea World, we headed to Kristy's for some delicious homemade pizza! We all had a great time eating and hanging out! This gave Uncle Thomas a chance to see Natalie and take some great pictures!

 

Discovery Cove!

September 2nd

 

 

After a very long day at Sea World, we were ready for our relaxing day at Discovery Cove. This was something Gabriel has been waiting for for years, and we started planning this trip in April. By the time the weekend came, I think we were all super excited! Our day began with an early check-in, where we found out our dolphin swim would be at 9:30. This gave us time to get our locker, put on our gear, and enjoy a wonderful breakfast buffet!

 

Although we paid a pretty penny to get in, Nathan and I like to think the park didn't make that much money off of us since we ate a ton throughout the day! Between the breakfast and lunch buffets and unlimited snacks and drinks, we were very happy and full! It was honestly so cool to be able to walk up to a snack stand and just grab a hot pretzel, frozen lemonade, ice cream sandwich, beer, or whatever we wanted! We all took advantage of the snacks and stopped about every time we passed a stand.

 

Our dolphin swim was amazing...and freezing! The water was about 68 degrees or so and by the end of it, Gabriel's lips and fingers were literally turning blue. We had a wonderful trainer who made the experience fun and memorable. Our dolphin's name was Dexter, and he was very playful. We all had the chance to pet him, shake his flipper, give him hugs and kisses, and of course ride him back to shore. It was a once in a lifetime experience and something that I'm so glad we got to experience with Gabriel. He has dreamed of this since he was about four, and it finally became a reality.

 

Gabriel was so excited to finally be at Discovery Cove!

Gabriel kissing on Dexter.

 

The Grand Reef where we swam with the rays and tropical fish.

This water was pretty cold too at about 72 degrees or so.