Natalie

My first time holding her.

Asleep in Daddy's truck.

She started walking at 10 months and was into everything!  Here she is emptying out my lid drawer.

For awhile Natalie never fell asleep in her bed.  We would find her asleep in random places all over her room.  Mostly she would fall asleep right by the door. 

Her first day of pre-school.  She was so ready and so excited. 

Easter 2012.  She looked so pretty.

I haven't been very good about keeping a journal of the things my kids are doing.  I have a notebook somewhere where I wrote down some things about Natalie and Kyler's first year.  When they crawled or when they walked and what their favorite things were.  I've written down nothing about Kory.  :(  So besides those few things, I've written down nothing about their milestones, or things they are doing.  Hopefully I can start that now. 
Natalie is a beautiful, smart, kind, almost 5 year old.  Her birthday is in a couple of weeks.  She is the "good kid" in our family.  She rarely gets into trouble and she is very good about listening to and obeying me and Rob.  She is a fabulous helper with Kory.  Without even having to ask her, she will play with him and entertain him.  Kory loves her.  I can tell by her interaction and creativity with him that she will be a great Mom someday.  She is also very good friends with Kyler and they play together all day long, almost always with no fighting.  She has been going to pre-school all year and loves it.  She has been learning alot and is definitely ready for Kindergarten.  She loves both sets of grandparents and is always asking to go over to their houses.  She still loves to cuddle, which I'm afraid will end soon.  Ever since the weather got warmer, I cannot keep that girl inside.  She wants to play ouside all day long, riding her bike and playing with her friends.  She changes her outfit at least 5 times a day.  She loves wearing different things.  She is so patient when I do her hair, and like I said, she is beautiful.  I did a little interview with her and here are her answers.

What is your favorite?
Food:  hotdogs (yes, without fail, she asks for a hotdog every day) 
Dessert:  Cookies
Color:  pink
Animal:  giraffe
Book:  Sesame Street book
T.V. show:  Dinosaur Train
Movie:  Tangled
Friend:  Megan
Toy:  There's a funny story that goes with this one.  During Family Night this week, we were playing "school" for the game.  Rob and Natalie were taking turns being the teacher.  When Rob was the teacher, he was asking Natalie what her favorite things were.  He said, "Natalie, what is your favorite toy?"  She thought for about 1 sec.  and then shouted at the top of her lungs, "Daddy!"  It's true, she loves playing with her Daddy.  They have a great, wild, LOUD time almost everynight.  Sometimes Rob is exhausted by how much she wants to play with him.  It's his own fault though, he's just so darn fun!  Everynight when he comes home from work Natalie says, "Daddy can I play with you?"  They have a special relationship. 
What is your favorite thing to do?  Ride the 4-wheeler with Daddy. 
If you could have anything in the world, what would you want?  Candy
What do you want to be when you grow up?  A mom

She is definitely growing up.  I can tell she's starting to watch me more, see what I'm doing, see how she should act as a girl.  Whenever I paint my fingernails, she wants me to paint her nails the same color.  She notices when we are both wearing skirts and says "Look Mom, we're matching!  Because you're a girl and I'm a girl."  She wants to help with the dishes and cooking.  She wants to wear make-up like me and loves wearing cute girly outfits.  She's so fun!  I'm so glad I have a daughter and I love her very much.