And So It Begins...

Natalie recieved her first Valentine's from a boy!

It was from a cute little boy in her nursery class.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Where We've Been A Lot Lately

The last two weeks we have been spending a lot of time in a certain place...the bathroom. Don't you?!? Well, we do because Natalie is being potty trained. She has been doing remarkably well with only a few accidents! She was so excited to get princess panties and Minnie panties. She will wear them occasionally, but at times still prefers to wear her diapers. That is okay with me for now because at least she is still telling us when she needs to go to the bathroom (even in the middle of the night).

We sit and read a lot of books and play dolls/princesses while we are there too.

She runs around the house a lot like this (just so you know if you ever come over).

Wahoo to Natalie being potty trained!

Disney Cruise

We were able to go on our Lewis Reunion Disney Cruise to the Mexican Riviera last week.  Talk about a lot of fun!  It was the best being able to see Natalie's excitement over the characters, princesses, the boat, and everything in general.

We flew to L.A. and Natalie enjoyed her first airplane ride.

Disney Wonder (our cruise boat)

Meeting some Disney characters

Walked around Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Having a chocolate induced happiness/coma from Mickey Mouse ice cream bars and all the food

Enjoyed Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Played on Lover's Beach and Divorce Beach in Cabo

It was a fun trip filled with lots of good memories and time spent with family!

Smart

Yesterday while Natalie was "helping" me sweep the house, this was the following conversation:

Natalie:  "You use the blue broom, I use the yellow broom."
Me:  "Yes, that's right.  You are so smart!  How did you get so smart?"
Natalie:  "Um...from Walmart."

Guess you can tell where we go often and do our shopping!  It just made me laugh!

Feelings

There are days that I

Cry tears of sorrow

Have fury of anger

Wonder why with frustration

Feel broken as a woman

All because of one thing...

Infertility

Then there is a little Natalie girl who gives

A huge smile
A bear hug
A big kiss
And a simple "I love you"

This buoys and lifts up my heart

Makes my soul glad

All because....

She calls me Mommy!

New Transition

About two weeks ago, Natalie figured out how to climb out (and also back into) of her crib. Afraid that she would hurt herself by falling, we made the transition to the big girl bed. It was nice having her contained in the crib while we could, but we knew that this day would eventually come.

The first night was HORRIBLE!!! But since then she has done very well and loves her new bed.

Can you see the little girl in that big bed?

Good night! Sweet dreams!

All Things Halloween

Carving the pumpkins.

(She didn't like touching the pumpkin guts at first.)

Our little red riding hood

Out trunk-or-treating and trick-or-treating with some cousins.