Singing along

I am late to praise that Natalie has been feeling better this week. Good enough to go to BSF on Thursday, and good enough for a new activity. We haven't done any Kindermusik or gymnastics since December, so it is about time for something else. Natalie loves to sing. She sings everything from "Pop Goes the Weasel" to songs that she hears on movies. And, she is singing some BSF hymns too, as well as "Jesus loves me." With all this singing interest, I took her to Preschool choir and Mission Friends at our church on Wednesday night. Being the hovering parent I am, I had to stay with her during the time to make sure she was enjoying it and also doing the things she needed to do to participate. I did at least sit in the back most of the time. It was a good thing I did stay because 3 of the workers disappeared, leaving me with the songleader and about 20 kids. I tried to help with keeping the other ones from getting too rowdy until the workers returned. But, Natalie really liked it. She sang, did the motions. The only thing she didn't do was color her picture during Mission Friends (not been coloring during Sunday School either, must be a phase). And, she sang on the way home. And, sang during bathtime. Still singing after bedtime for about an hour! I think we have found a new activity for now!

Not feeling well

After weeks & weeks of being blessed with great health, it is tough to think of Natalie as being sick today. After church, we noticed she had a runny nose. But, she was bouncing around and didn't act sick. But, in the middle of her nap today, she was crying. I took her temperature and it was about 100. So, little girl is still sleeping and hopefully will feel better soon. Any prayers would be appreciated!!

Okay, now I'm confused...

Today at church, some of the ladies asked Natalie what was in Mommy's tummy (okay, so I am showing quite a bit!). And, Natalie obliged and said, "A baby" with a smile. So, they asked her what she wanted, a brother or a sister. She said without hestiation, "A sister." So, now I'm confused. It was brother last week, sister this week...what does that mean? We're still on the countdown to the ultrasound, so it's getting more and more curious. Hopefully, Natalie doesn't think there are going to be several choices!

Jump Jump

Today, Natalie went to another birthday party, this time held in a local jump place for the kids. They had a good time there, and it was a good time for the parents to socialize while they were jumping around.

Waiting to get in...Here's Trey, Carson (the birthday girl!), Maggie, Mary Katherine, and Natalie

Natalie jumping in the bouncer
Time to climb, loving this!!

Time to slide, let's do it again, Daddy! See Woody up there on the top. He had to help her and some of the other kids up over one slipperly area.

Natalie thought she would like this rock climbing, but she didn't like it too much once she was up on the wall by herself! A little too high I guess! So, we came back down.

Happy Birthday, Carson! We enjoyed your party! Thanks, Jim & Kristi!

Wake up prayer

Natalie usually prays for us at mealtimes. It is a special time that we cherish. Usually it is very short & sweet, but she has been adding more into prayers lately. She usually does pray for her grandparents and others that she cares about as well. Sometimes, she thanks God for activities she does during the day.

Yesterday, I'll just list some things that were going on. I was not feeling well, maybe trying to get a sinus infection. I didn't sleep as well the night before. Natalie wasn't really interested in getting ready to go to church for the meeting. The meeting was kind of discouraging that day because of a few factors. On top of that, Natalie was in this new phase of crying every time something did not go her way. To put it mildly, I was a little overwhelmed with the circumstances. So, as I am trying to as quickly as possible prepare lunch for the 3 of us while waiting for Woody to come home, I am not being as cheerful as normal. And, I was a little self-pity mode too. So, Natalie asked me, "Mommy, are you happy?" I told her, "No, honey, Mommy isn't too happy today." Woody had some things going on that were making the circumstances seem bigger than they were. So, Natalie prayed for lunch. Along with "Thank you God for the food" came "And make Mommy and Daddy happy." I started tearing up and seeing that God uses even the little ones to make us see how much He cares about us. And, how can I have big circumstances that are bigger than my big loving God? How much I need to show the joy I have in salvation as well as count my blessings. And, Natalie, you are one major blessing!

Hmmmmm

Update: tonight at dinner, Natalie prayed her usual prayer, adding on quite a bit, plus a prayer for "baby brother." (Not butter this time!) Well, now we're really curious as to whether she knows something we don't know as of yet!

Cookout and Party

We had a little cookout with Natalie last night to have her have the experience of enjoying cooking in the great outdoors. We didn't go any further than the back yard, though! Natalie enjoyed throwing sticks into the fire. That occupied her for quite a while!

Throwing sticks is hard work...need a break!

We went today to a fun birthday party for Emma. Happy 3rd birthday, Emma! We had fun there with the kids. Of course, what was the most fun for Natalie? Playing with other people's toys! Here's Natalie in her little pink polka dotted "party dress" from her grandparents.

I want to stay with the toys!

And, she loved the cake and ice cream too! Here she is as close to the cake as she can get! We had a fun time with everyone! Thanks, Jo Ellen & Kiley!

With...Jelly?

Yes, I am catching up on blogging for a while. I thought this was funny, so I would share it.
Woody let Natalie know that Mommy's tummy was expanding due to a baby in there. She seems to enjoy the idea that Mommy has a baby in her tummy. Now, she points and my tummy and kind of giggles, "Baby." She thinks she can touch the baby by touching my belly button, I think!
So, Woody asked her whether she would like a brother or a sister. At first she said, "Sister." Then, she had a thoughtful look on her face. "No, brother...with toast." So, she really meant butter! She really loves toast, butter, and jelly, so I guess that is what she wants to have!
Well, we'll see the ultrasound in a couple of weeks. We'll know at that time!

Valentines Day Memories

After a week of heavy traveling for me (5 states within 5 days is a bunch for me, although I know a lot of people do a lot more), it was the last thing I wanted to do to wait 2 hours for food in a crowded restaurant. And, being pregnant, waiting isn't something I like doing for food anyway! Woody isn't much on crowds and waiting either. So, we decided we wanted to do something different this year.
Grandpa came up for a "date" with Natalie while we went out. They had a great time. We had them a little special meal prepared to make it easier. Grandpa also brought his dog, Henry, to socialize with Rosco while he was here.
Woody & I ended up remembering a spot that we had gone to a few times that was far away from anyone. Woody packed up all the food and gear that we needed. We went to our special spot and Woody started a fire. It was nice and warm quickly as there was no wind. It was a nice clear night. And, Woody grilled two steaks on the fire while we enjoyed the quiet and peaceful night. Woody even set up a little table with a tablecloth and candles. So, we ate by candlelight under the stars. Then, we sat by the fire and quietly talked together while looking at the stars. It was a nice memory! Thanks, Woody!! I love you!

More Snow

We went to see Mimi after she had shoulder surgery this week. It was a quick trip--down one night and back the next afternoon! And, we were surprised when we awoke and found that it was snowing! The last few times it has snowed before Natalie woke up, so this was a neat experience for Natalie. The only bad thing was that it did not stay on the ground, so we could not make a snowman this time. But, she enjoyed walking in the snow as well as riding her tricycle in the snow.

Video for Natalie

I made this video for Natalie since I won't be around for a few days. I will miss her! And, of course, Woody too!!

Bits and Pieces

We have had a pretty busy week this week. We went on Monday to a friend's house for our accountability group. There are 4 of us ladies (out of 6) who are pregnant. Here's a picture by due date left to right.

It was also a time for a small baby shower for Mamie. Natalie & Lillah both were excited about the present opening. Of course, here is one shot where Natalie ran away with one of the presents!

We also went to Emma's new house. We had a good time there with Jo Ellen, Emma, and Meredith. Natalie had a great time with all the toys. It seems always better to play with someone else's toys! Of course, I didn't take a camera (bad Mommy!). One of the last things we did was play Play Dough. Unfortunately, there was Play Dough everywhere when we left! Natalie was kind of like a tornado, going from one activity to the other while Emma patiently watched. Emma is more orderly and structured. So, we came back home and had to play with our Play Dough to remember the time. Emma wasn't feeling good today when I talked with her Mommy. We hope you feel better, Emma! We had fun with you Wednesday!

Here's Natalie with her new buddy. Woody has come to live at our house (from Toy Story). Woody has not been separated from Natalie all day since she received him! It is not a good picture because she didn't want to have one!

Natalie's Favorites Part 2

Today we went and took a picture for the Pirates escapade memory! She fits right in on the set, don't you think!? She could be the Princess in the movie!

I wanted to update her favorites too:

Favorite color : pink, she always asks for it in her clothes lately

Favorite movie : Still Toy Story 1 & 2, but she did watch Swiss Family Robinson for a solid week. She liked the Donald Duck cartoon at the first best.

Favorite word : treat. She thinks she needs a treat for every good thing! Favorite treats are chocolate M&Ms and pink starbursts.

Favorite song : She sings the ABC song quite frequently.

Favorite food : This one is tough since she shifts quite a bit. She always eats strawberries. She really likes scrambled eggs too.

Favorite activity : seeing people. Either at the house, going to church, going to visit in the hospital. The best thing is people!

Favorite store : right now Food Lion since they have the toy cart that she can push around. She does pretty well steering it right now. She'll put a few extra items in there when you aren't looking, though!

Favorite outfit : "party dress" or any kind of skirt/dress. It is a struggle to get her to wear pants!

Favorite saying : As she leaves, she asks, "See me again?" which means that she wants to see that person again soon!

Favorite thing : Hugs! We love to hug!

I think this is all the favorites I can think of now!