Slippin' and Slidin'

Natasha's new adventure as a toddler... this is how she prefers to get around (thanks to daddy).

Enjoy!

Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday to our Sweet Natasha!

1 Years Old... so big!

Natasha was a bit wary of the balloons

Our happy little birthday girl, even with a runny nose

(doctor confirmed that she is getting not one, not two,

not three, but four of her top teeth in... yikes, our poor baby)

Birthday girl and daddy

Cooper didn't want to miss out on all the fun

Playing with Uncle Matty

So festive!

It's cupcake time!

(she is also keeping an eye on the balloons)

The BIG 1

Mommy and Natasha

YAY... a family picture!

Helping Natasha blow out the candle.

"So, what do I do with this?"

Our princess... wants to be fed!

"Yummy"

"Hey, what about me?"

Cooper helping with the presents

The stare down

Best buddies

Wow, a whole year has flown by and we now have a toddler (although she will always be my baby). Natasha had a great 1st Birthday and a very nice sugar high that kept her up until almost 10pm last night. She was having such a good time with family (especially Cooper), that I didn't want her to miss out on all the fun by putting her to bed early. The day started with her 12 month check-up and unfortunately 3 shots. She was a trooper though and only cried for a little bit. Before the dreaded needles, she was all smiles and entertaining us with her throwing skills. Natasha has hit all her developmental milestones for 12 months, except for clapping. But, the doctor counted high 5's and tapping two objects together to make noise... yay!

Here are her stats:

Weight - 22 lbs. 10 oz. (70th percentile)

Length - 29 2/3" (75th percentile)

Head Circumference - 45.5 cm (65% percentile)

Overall - Perfectly Proportionate!

After her appointment, Natasha got to spend some quality time with Grandma Lou, while I went to pick up the goodies for the party. Later in the day our family came over for pizza and cupcakes to celebrate the big occasion. Natasha had a great time with Cooper and he was so good with her... giving her many kisses. And like I mentioned above, she enjoyed her birthday cupcake a lot... maybe too much!

One year ago, 10 inches shorter and 15 lbs. lighter, our precious baby, Natasha entered our world. We have had so much fun getting to know our little girl... her smiles, her giggles and her little quirks. We have watched her track our faces with those beautiful brown eyes; grab our finger with those chubby little hands; lift her head off of our chests; roll over from tummy to back and then eventually back to tummy; rock back and forth on all fours waiting for her to crawl at 8 months, when actually she waited until 9 months to move forward; pull herself up and not know how to sit back down; and take her first itty bitty steps towards me without holding onto to anything. And lets not forget her constant blabbering... our little chatterbox. All this in one year! What will she accomplish in her second year of life? We can't wait to find out!

Thank you to all our family and friends who read our blog and enjoy watching Natasha grow as much as we do!

Green Thumb

"I like dirt"

Our little Green Thumb - Natasha helped daddy

plant some cucumbers, cilantro and banana peppers this
past weekend. She loves being outside in the grass
and obviously the dirt too!

We definitely don't have a girly girl on our hands

Exploring the texture and eventually the taste of dirt

"I'll take that, daddy"

Balancing all by herself... just waiting

for her to take her first steps

Such a cutie pie

Natasha knows the importance of stretching and staying hydrated

Watching Baby Signing Time... she can sign "more" and "milk."

It is the cutest thing to see! She also has a couple of other signs

but I haven't figured out the meaning of those yet.

11 Months!

Who's 11 months old?




Natasha is 11 months old!

She loves to garden

At Seaport Village in San Diego

Before dinner

Out to breakfast

Exploring the sand

Swinging

Time to slide

Mommy and me at Balboa Park

Natasha is 11 months old and she is moving all over the place. I can't believe that we might have a walker by her 1st birthday later this month! So, what's new with Natasha? Well, she is a busy little bee that loves the outdoors. She likes to play in the sand at the park and help mommy and daddy garden... it's all about different textures with our little one. Natasha also likes to help put away the dishes from the dishwasher (especially the spoons). She is curious about everything and "asks" what things are by pointing her chubby little finger at things. Her words include, "dada," "mama," and "duck." She has only said "duck" a couple of times. Usually in the bath tub with her rubber duckies, but she did say it while feeding ducks at a pond.

Last week we were in San Diego for a few days while Zac had a work conference to attend. Natasha and I decided to tag along and explore the city. We spent our days in the sun walking around Seaport Village and Balboa Park. It was a great little getaway and Natasha did great being away from home. She is quite the little traveler and will be visiting her 3rd state (Minnesota) in April.

Have a great weekend!