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.
My sister, Kristy, and the kids came in town for a week towards the end of summer. We were able to hang out, swim, celebrate Patrick's birthday, and the kids and Grandma went to see "Brave". I took very few pictures (hardly any actually), but Kristy did get a couple of Natalie playing peek-a-boo with me and just being a cutie. They are definitely too cute not to post!
Look at that tan!
Hanging out on her bench.
The one picture I did manage to take was of the super cute cupcakes Kristy made for Patrick's family cookout birthday dinner. They looked just like tiny hamburgers!
Yes, you read that correctly. 15 months and it's hard to believe. What's even worse is I'm still a month behind!! I guess when it comes down to it, I'd rather be spending time with my sweet girl instead of spending time away from her taking pictures or blogging about it!
Natalie Grace is such an amazing girl. She has got to be the cutest, sweetest, and smartest child on the planet! And no, I am not biased :) Our genius is into everything. She knows all about animals and animal sounds. She first learned to moo like a cow from watching PBS. Every summer morning and weekend, we watch PBS Kids. There are several regular commercials and one is for Chick-Fil-A. Natalie always runs to the TV as soon as she hears it, and it didn't take long before she started mooing like a cow. She also knows what a lion, dog, frog, and chicken say! We practice using her books, in the tub with her bath toys, and using a Fisher Price App on my phone!
Natalie also really loves her baby. She is so adorable when she says baby. We ask her to say it all of the time because she says it with such ease and it seems like she is saying it like "Duh, don't you know how to say it!" She is starting to enjoy snuggling all of her stuffies, but she must have her baby when it's time for bed!
Natalie and Baby sharing a meal.
Natalie snuggling with her stuffies. Why does she love to sit in the car seat when it's not in the car?
Natalie enjoying a lollipop after Gabriel got a haircut.
Natalie screaming to say "Look at me, I'm on the coffee table!"
Natalie has learned to complete the phrase, "ready, set, go" by inserting the go. I guess I say it every once in a while and one day she just finished it for me!
Another month gone! Our little girl is growing up too fast!
Did I really just have to type out the word July? It's been over two weeks since my last blog, and I am still a month and a half behind! I'm drowning here! My mission is to catch up. I don't know how long it will take me, but challenge accepted! This seems fitting-
After winding down from our vacation, we decided to spend the afternoon with Poppa. Grandma was already on another vacation so we went over after Nathan got off work. It was a good day with yummy lunch, swimming, and relaxing!
My little love muffin snugglin' up with her babies on the bench.
Our vacation ended with David and Mary Beth's wedding. My Saturday was spent getting my hair and make up done, supporting the bride, and stealing a few minutes with my sweet girl. The guys spent one last day at the beach area.
The wedding was at the Big Canoe Chapel, and the reception was right down the road at The Chimneys. Both the wedding and reception were wonderful! The night was spent enjoying delicious food, hanging out with great friends, and dancing the night away...especially Natalie! The dance floor was set up outside, and Natalie danced more than anyone there! As soon as a song started playing she would stop in her tracks and start dancing. It was precious. We all had a great time together, and I'm so happy I was able to share in Mary Beth's special day.
The bride and groom.
Dad and mom with the grands.
The groom's cake.
The cake.
Their wishing tree.
Nathan and Gabriel playing an intense game of checkers.
Daddy and Natalie
Me and MB
Dancing the night away.
Practicing all of her moves.
Only babies on the dance floor!
Gabriel and Natalie
Gabriel dancing with Mary Beth
Mom and Dad
The final farewell to Mr, and Mrs. Pate!
Our vacation was wonderful. I'm so happy this wedding brought us to such a gorgeous location! Congratulations David and Mary Beth!
