We took Natalie to Somerset Mall in Michigan yesterday thinking maybe we could get a picture with Santa...but apparently we needed a reservation because at 10AM they said there were no open spots! Luckily they have little "windows" all decorated around the mall and she was perfectly content to look at those instead. She especially loved the big furry dog...or "gog" as she calls them!
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Here is a quick update on Natalie and what she has been up to...She got lots of great toys for her first birthday and one of her favorites is her activity table. She loves that she can press any button and it plays a song. Jack and I have gone to bed every night with them playing over and over in our heads! She also loves her riding toys. Especially in the kitchen where she zooms back and forth across the floor. And in more exciting news she is starting to take more steps so she finally appears to be on her way to walking. The most she has taken at once is 14 from the table to the couch. It was very exciting! We came to Michigan this past weekend and will be here for a week to spend the holidays with my family. Luckily Natalie was exactly 20 lbs at her one year checkup so she was able to ride in her big girl car seat. She sleeps like a dream in it and it made the ride much more enjoyable for us!
It is hard to believe that it's been a whole year since Natalie was born. I still remember the feeling of excitement (and surprise) when the doctor exclaimed "It's a Girl!" She has definitely developed a personality of her own and while we do refer to her as our little diva quite frequently, she is more often than not pure sunshine and no matter how bad a day we have she can always make us smile in an instant. We had a wonderful time celebrating her birthday over the weekend in Chicago with our families (we missed you Aunt Stacey) and thank everybody for being there. And Natalie especially says thank you for all the wonderful presents! Can't wait to see what the next year brings... 
Whenever Natalie gets bored eating she starts playing with her hair. The combo of bananas and cheese and other things sticky always leave her with such interesting hairstyles. Today it reminded me of the scene in There's Something About Mary. Good thing it was a rainy day and I don't plan on taking her out in public!I know I probably shouldn't encourage Natalie to feed her dogs while she is eating but it's so funny to listen to her laugh hysterically when Dorie (aka "Frank") takes the Cheerios out of her hand. I'll just have to watch her when she gets older than she isn't throwing all of her veggies under the table to the dogs!
Natalie had a great time as Strawberry Shortcake for Halloween. We took her trick or treating with her friends Reese the Duck and Lilly the Princess. The weather was beautiful which made the night even more enjoyable. Special thanks to my mom for making Natalie's costume. She was definitely the belle of the Halloween ball!
Look what I got!! Time to make some very important calls...
Let's see...what was that number again...oh yeah, 1-800-GRANDMA
HELLO?? I'm talking really loud but I can't hear anything!! 
Maybe I'm holding it upside down...this isn't how mom usually holds it...
Let's just turn you around Mr Phone...
And presto! Now I can hear! What's that you say grandma? You're coming to play with me soon? Can't wait!! :)
Check out Natalie in her tutu and new silver ballet slippers...all part of my plan to make her a prima ballerina!
