Big Girl in a Big Bed

She did it! We decided to give the big girl bed another try and Natalie loved it. I was given the advice to talk about it A LOT to her and I have been for about a month now. Apparently, it worked. Probably my favorite thing about this whole transition is how truly proud Nate is of his daughter. We HAD to go get ice cream to celebrate and the whole way there and back, Daddy must've said "big girl bed" at least a dozen times. What will he do the first time she swims all the way across the pool by herself or even crazier, shoots a hole-in-one?! He is such a great Daddy. I love that guy, and sometimes it just must be blogged about. 

First morning after her big first night.

To be such a Big Girl, she sure looks tiny in there.

Girls Gone Wild

We went to Crown Center today to watch Olivia sing and to eat at Fritz's. Natalie LOVED the train that brings out the food and could hardly eat because it was so entertaining. They also have a bunch of cute little playhouses outside that the girls ran in and out of, since the sun the was shining. 

All was fine and dandy, (well, except that sweet Isabel's mean old mommy is making her potty train and she'd had a little accident right before we were getting back in the car) until about 30 seconds before we should've been in the car. The girls found some huge mud puddles to play in, so they were both soaked in a matter of seconds. Natalie apparently didn't want Isabel to have to be naked in the car alone. We stripped them both down to their diapers, strapped them into their seats and being the great mommies that we were, photographed them.

If only she'd be 20 months old for more than a month...

Afternoon Tea Time

Natalie's favorite place at Granny K and Grandaddy's was the porch. There's a little water fountain out there that looks like a pail pouring water into a bucket. We knew she loved putting her bath boats in the fountain to float, but it turns out she also loved getting her tea cups out of the bath tub and taking them to the porch for her own little tea party. I probably should've stopped her immediately, but some moments are meant to be filmed. I love the way she does a little taste test, then dumps the rest out. 

She and the space all around her were soaked and she didn't mind at all. Potty training is sure to be a treat for a Mommy whose child doesn't mind being wet.

Last Beach Day...

for a while

Hangin with the big girls, packing sand.

Little surfer girl.

"More water Daddy."

Playing with Uncle Mark

Lovin the warmer water in the tide pools.

First boat ride of the season. When we stopped, she got pretty upset and repeated, "Go boat, go" over and over. I just love tiny little life vests.

No Rules, Just Grandparents.

Natalie spent 2 nights and 2 days with just her grandparents while Mommy and Daddy went on a little trip by themselves. We're pretty sure we weren't missed.

Playing at McDonalds. Just went there to play and get an apple pie.

Breakfast on another occasion. Syrup and all (Mommy usually skips the syrup).

Costco Pizza and shopping.
Getting rocked completely to sleep is quite a treat for this baby.

A bag of chips and a Coke on the beach. Now we're really not missing Mommy or Daddy.

Okay, so at least there are a few rules. We still have to share.

Grandaddy and Natalie

We were in NC for about 20 minutes when Grandad found something that needed to be modified for Natalie Glenn. He got out his trusty tools and together they set to work on their first "project" of this trip.

Natalie helps. Somehow there's always a very important job just for her.

Testing out the new handle to the back porch. Only she could make sure it was a good fit.
In and out she has gone for hours on end. Grandaddy always comes up with the greatest ideas.

Some other projects they've completed: refilling and refilling and refilling the bird feeders, getting the mail, spreading mulch, grilling, repositioning the garden flags, etc...

More Pics of Pickin
She really did try to pick the berries, but they were just too hard to get off the vine. And since they're just so tasty, she decided eating them was a better idea. Shoulda weighed her before they let her in....

I promise the sky in this next picture is not photoshopped in any way. Just another day in paradise...a.k.a. the South, :)

Our dirty little berry picker.

In Honor of Earth Day
We're enjoying another trip out to Wilmington to visit Mommy's family. The weather is outstanding and for some reason, there seems to be more nature here than there is in Kansas City. Natalie is enjoying every minute of being outside. Here are a few pics from her excursions.

Baby Ducks

Nature walk around the lake

Feeding the ducks (and pesky seagulls)

Filling the bird feeders

Beach time

Cleaning sand from between the toes

Picking strawberries

Cruisin with Great Granny
Natalie loved going for a spin with her Great Granny Dell, and Granny seemed to enjoy showing Natalie around every inch of the nursing home.

She quickly became the nursing home's favorite visitor of the day, giving and receiving blown kisses, and waving at everyone she saw. Mommy shouldn't have been so suprised to hear people saying, "Bye Natalie" as we walked out of the building when it was time to go. Babies are a blessing....to everyone.

Kisses for Granny Dell.

Natalie 20 months old, Granny 90 years old.

Save the Earthworms

Daddy taught Natalie how to save earthworms. It sure helps to make the most of rainy days when a dozen worms appear in our driveway and she gets to go on the great mission of saving them. 

Mommy only wonders, is their anything dirtier than an earthworm? Honestly? Thank goodness for antibacterial soap and a toddler who loves to wash her hands even more than she loves pinching up worms.

Easter Sunday

It was the best Easter I can remember. Nate and I were part of a really cool ministry our church did, called cardboard testimonies. We got to share a little bit about how our relationship with Christ got us through the hard time we had of trying to get pregnant with Natalie.  Having her and my pregnant belly on the stage with us made it all that much more meaningful. I think they're gonna make a youtube link, so I'll be sure to post it later. The service was awesome and hopefully many will place their faith in Christ from the testimonies they saw and the message that was shared during the service. I love getting to be a part of our church. Now on to the pics of Natalie, which are the rest of the reason our day was so fun. 

Natalie and Isabel in their Easter Sunday Best. 

Yes, this picture was taken yesterday, and not uploaded from 1932.

Some of Natalie's friends in the nursery. It's so fun to watch them all grow.

Natalie helping the teacher during their sunday school lesson.

More of the "helping" I was talking about.

I am starting to get a little bit concerned about what kindergarten will be like for her once she realizes she is not the only child in the room. Maybe a baby brother will help with that.

Natalie and Ethan, planning their escape.

No fun Easter lunch photos, since we went out to eat for the first time on Easter ever. Don't worry, we had the ham and deviled eggs for dinner. Natalie and Mommy napped while Daddy watched the Masters, so everyone was happy. Then Natalie discovered more hidden eggs and her basket. 

The bunny brought her a tiny tea set... 

"lipstick"...

a broom and dustpan to help Mom clean, candy and toothpaste. 

She loved the toothpaste because it had Thomas the train on the box. Best we can figure is the Bunny knows how he keeps those 2 huge front teeth all white and shiny and he wanted to share the info with our daughter. Thanks, Bunny.