We used to post here? I know it’s been a loooong time, but I plan on spending my maternity leave playing catch-up with the blog. There will a series of “better late than never” posts being published for the next week or so. Exciting, no? C’mon, admit it, you missed this blog!!
Here are pictures (and a video!!) of Natalie’s 3rd birthday, celebrating family-style!
Natalie helping decorate the cupcakes (and enjoying the icing!):

All dressed and ready for her tiger friends to arrive:

Natalie and her friends get to work making holiday picture frames:

Time to sing and eat tiger cupcakes!

Clara gives baby sister Katie a kiss:

Auntie Jodi miraculously gets 6 toddlers to pose for a picture!

Daddy and Natalie relax after the party is over (Natalie decorated her forehead with stickers!):


As I looked through the last year’s worth of pictures to create the slideshow below, I felt sad because I’ve been so behind on blogging. It’s been a year of maturing, learning, and taking on new challenges. I’m working on a wordier post to articulate all those changes, but for now, the year in pictures will have to suffice. It’s hard to believe that Natalie was born 3 years ago already! How time flies!
Enjoy!
Natalie Ages Two – Three from nataliecaroline on Vimeo.
Natalie had her 2 year well-visit with Dr. Stephen on Friday. It felt strange to go from visits every 3 months to only every 6 months. We found out that Natalie is now:
26.5 pounds (50th percentile)
35.5 inches (90th percentile)
Amazingly, she did not cry, fuss, or even whine over getting her finger pricked or getting a shot!! Definitely a first.
Some new things since the last update:
Natalie learned the days of the week and months of the year.
She knows her last name, and that our first names are Amy and Chris.
Natalie has memorized nearly all of her books and likes to read to her dolls and stuffed animals.
Our favorite phrases this month:
“I better hurry!!!” (As she’s running to get somewhere.)
“Mommy, can I have more things to do, please?” (Completely unprompted. Isn’t two-years-old too young to be bored?)
“I feel the better now” (After putting ice on a wound.)
We had a polar bear party to celebrate Natalie’s 2nd birthday. Natalie very emphatically told us that she wanted “no cake! just ice cream!” at her party, so we served ice cream and cookies. And we decided to let 6 two-year-olds paint cookies with frosting. There were no tears! And no messes! The kids actually painted and put sprinkles on cookies for about 45 minutes! We thought we might be asking for trouble giving a bunch of toddlers a paint brush and a palate full of frosting, but it went great. Natalie and her friends had a great time, which was the best part of the party.
Here is the big two-year-old gearing up for the party in her made-by-mom birthday shirt:
