Actual Birthday Party

On Natalie's actual birthday we hosted a small family party at our house.  We had roasted chicken, spaghetti squash, and salad followed by a yummy strawberry cake.

My parents took Natalie to the new natural history museum prior to her party and she really wanted this kitty to come home with her

After dinner we brought out the cake and Natalie couldn't help but take a lick of the frosting

We moved on to opening presents - first the non-exciting presents from mom and dad

She got a "learn to tie your shoes" kit and some clothes

Then she moved on to the present from Godfather - which was VERY exciting.  

Meet our new puppy, G.G.

The back story on this dog is this:  The night before her birthday, Natalie and I ran to Target to get birthday dinner and cake ingredients.  Well, as we were strolling through the isles she saw this dog and had her first in-store meltdown.  And she didn't hold back, there were tears, screaming, and begging me to go and buy her that puppy.  It was embarrassing.  Seriously, embarrassing.  I said "Natalie, stop crying, we don't cry in the store" which made her cry louder.  Well, we made it to the check out and she finally stopped crying when I explained that maybe Godfather would buy it for her birthday.  This is always my excuse when she wants something I won't buy for her - maybe Godfather will buy it. Well, Godfather stopped by that night and Natalie promptly asked him "Godfather, you buy me that puppy for my birthday?" He explained that he had already bought her a present...which prompted this tearful response: "he...said...he...already...buy...me...a...present."  

Well, leave it to Godfather to make a special trip to Target to buy her the puppy she desperately wanted.  That puppy is with her ALL THE TIME. He sleeps on the floor next to her bed in a make shift dog bed or in the bed with her and she is constantly asking everyone to pet her doggy.

Three Years Old

Three years ago today I was sitting in a hospital bed.  Three years ago today I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my baby girl.  Three years ago today we became so much more than just two people, we became a family.  Seems so cliche to say, but wow, the past three years have been the best and quickest of my life.

Until I was a mom, I didn't know how much you could truly love a child. The fact that I'm her mom and will forever be is one of the biggest privileges of my life. 

love you baby bug...

Florid-ahhh

Back in October (seriously, it's November already?), we turned a Florida work trip for me into a mini vacation.  My mom, Philip and I flew to Florida for my work conference and spent a few days at a resort.  

Philip at the hotel

  

First time Philip's toes touched the ocean

Enjoying the warm weather

First dip

Beer, ocean, sand, warm setting sun, what more can you ask for

view of one of the hotel pools

The last day of my work trip, Phil, Natalie and my dad left for Florida -supposed to get into Florida that afternoon.  Supposed to...  They got to Atlanta and Delta put them through quite the day.  One and off planes, terminal to terminal, delay after delay and finally a cancelled flight about 7 hours of crazy airport and airplane time.  Through it all, Natalie was probably the best behaved person on the flight.  Phil said that a lady sitting behind them on one of the stalled planes they were on demanded that a first class flight attendant give Natalie a bag of chips because she was doing so good. Once their flight had been cancelled, they got on the flight to Florida the following morning and headed to the Delta-provided hotel for the night.  Luckily Phil had packed an extra outfit for Natalie.  

Ready to go

Waiting for the plane

While all that was going on with them, my mom, Philip and I left the resort and headed for the house we had rented.   

I unpacked in the living room, because we were still unsure of where everyone would sleep

Pool and view from the backyard 

Dock in the backyard.  

That night, Godfather and Auntie left on the red-eye headed for Florida.  They had a layover in Atlanta and they had no idea that Phil, dad and Natalie hadn't made it to the house.  Next morning, Friday, Godfather and Auntie were waiting for the flight and were spotted by my dad who sent Natalie over to give Godfather a hug.  He describes it as standing there and all of a sudden he feels little arms wrap around him and he looks down to see Natalie's smiling face.  Pretty nice surprise.  They got to Florida that morning and we started to relax and enjoy the vacation.

Getting her hair fixed the morning in Atlanta (thank goodness for Auntie)

Natalie arrived and couldn't help but get right in the pool - clothes and all

While we were there, we did a lot of dock fishing {morning, noon and night}, ocean swimming, relaxing, exploring, birthday celebrating, and all around fun-time-having. 

A belated-birthday celebration

fishing

first catch

First catfish catch

this is the "kitty that swims" as Natalie says

dock diving

one of the biggest catches

a video version of dock diving

Godfather's puffer fish

warm ocean swimming

ice cream for the little girl, margaritas for everyone else

birds that visited every morning

beautiful sunset

"playing" in the backyard

sleeping baby and warm ocean

nap time

family ocean time

sunset time

Get your motor running

I grew up going tent camping, riding motorcycles and quads and loving it!  Last year, we took Natalie on her first camping trip and she loved it.  One thing we didn't take on that trip was the motorcycles, she was and is still a little young to ride.  However, a few weeks ago, my dad was getting ready to go on a quick camping trip with the motorcycles, so he had them all set on the tailor when we arrived for dinner.  As a special treat, he let Natalie go for a little "ride".  She got on, got to hold the handles and he even got the motor running so she could get the full experience.  

Born to ride!