Splish Splash!

Remember back to Natalie's first bath in China, and how she was scared and cried? Well, not anymore. Natalie LOVES the water. Bathtime is always a highlight in her day. She eagerly stands beside the tub, holding onto the side, watching as the tub fills. Her little body bouncing in anticipation. You can see from the photo below that we have some fun while she bathes as well...

Tonight I wasn't sure who was going to be more soaked at the end of bath time due to her 'splish-splashing' around! And it's also her tradition to take one of her cups for the tub back to the changing table for getting dressed - there's just something about cups.

Natalie also loves to play in her little pool she got as a birthday gift. With the few warm days recently we've had a chance to fill up her inflatable pool and dress her up in one of her many adorable bathing suits, and her floppy sun hat for a dip. She just sits there splashing, smiling, and laughing. Then she crawls over to me, takes a break, and goes back for more.

She likes to splash the water on her face, then lick it off!

In the pool and poolside! 6/7/09

Natalie has been doing very well over the last few weeks. She started daycare and has acclimated very well. She's sometimes a little sad at drop off, but we're assured she is happy while we're gone. Oh, and there's nothing better than that big smile you get with her outstetched arms when you pick her up at the end of the day. It makes you forget any of the days worries.

Natalie playing with all those fun things on a changing table after her first day at day care - 5/19/09.

We finally celebrated Natalie's birthday with family on Saturday, 5/24/09. We wanted to wait for Amanda to be home for our family to be complete. Some aunts, uncles, and cousins came and her friend Lily with her parents John and Beth were there to help us celebrate. The day was a bit cooler than we would have liked, but it worked out well. We had cake and ice cream on the deck and Natalie enjoyed that tremendously!

Natalie with cousins Anna, Annabelle, Joey, and Julie.

A few milestones:


First word - Saturday, June 6th 'Bye-bye' said to Nana while waving. Although her version is so cute because it's like the Back Street Boys song - 'bye-bye-bye'


More teeth - 2 more, now she has 2 on top and 2 on bottom and her smile is changing!


Stair climbing - she's a pro, she made it up 5 stairs before I realized where she was, the gates are up!


First Parade - Memorial Day Parade. She's very patriotic!


First babysitters - Kelsey and Amanda. Kelsey back in April while I ran an errand, and Amanda in May while we were at the PTSM Graduation Banquet.


Looking forward to many more 'firsts'! Alicia