Natalie Facts

5 things about Natalie:

1. Suddenly she tries to repeat every word we say, if she is in the mood that is. New words include: Princess, money, read that, drink, ide (outside), and Care Bears...

2. She loves olives.

3. She likes to play in the dirt always. She is constantly wanting to go outside and get dirty.

4. Every night when Ryland falls asleep, Natalie and Champ usually hang out in the living room. Most nights Natalie tries to run down the hallway to where Ryland is sleeping and laugh at the side of her bed. Luckily, she has never woken her up.

5. Natalie loves books, maybe it's because she has been reading them with us since she was just a few days old. She will sit and look at all the pages pointing out what she sees. Her favorite book topics include: babies, babies and more babies. Oh and doggies and kitties too!


Here are just some pictures of the girls this past week :)

Kindergarten

Ryland made it the whole way through kindergarten jumpstart without any tears. I've been nervous for years about school because Ryland hasn't had much experience being away from mom and dad, but low and behold, she loves it! She is even sad that real school doesn't start until next week. On the way to school on morning, I told her that she would probably go on a field trip one day and that mom or dad could go with. She said "well, I'll probably be with my friends on the bus and there won't be any room for you guys". Apparently, she is having a good time being more independent . We are so proud of her!

School

Summer is coming to an end quickly. Ryland is headed to Kindergarten in less than a month. I cannot understand that time has gone by so quickly. Wasn't she just born? Aside from missing her while she is at school, I know someone who might miss her more...Natalie. These girls spend a lot of time together, and I know that having Ryland to follow around the house is one of Natalie's favorite things. Luckily, we live so close that we plan on walking her to and from school, which will be nice for all of us! She also gets home pretty early so we will still have lots of time to play together.




















Natalie is now almost 16 months old. Here is a list of words she says (usually placed in between big long sentences of what sounds like German)

Doggie, dada, mama, nurse, Natalie, Ryland, bread, shoes, water, Butah, Peeto (peekaboo), night, up, ami (help me), hi, bye, baby, and the list goes on and on...she says more words each day.

Summer time

Life has been busy. These girls have been having so much fun this summer so far. We've been to Seattle to visit a new baby, gone swimming, played at parks, went on bike rides, and spent lots of time playing in our very own yard. Natalie wants to go outside all the time. Anytime she sees anyone opening the back door she races to it in hopes that she too will get to go play.

Aside from loving the outdoors, Natalie also loves babies. She has watched Ryland play with baby dolls tons of times, so she knows just how to feed them, wrap them up with a blanket, and carry them around. She is always pointing out real babies when we are out and about, even ones that are older than her :)


The Cook girls in the kitchen...


Here are the girls in one of many matching outfits. They sure are cute if you ask me.


Here's a picture of Natalie's curls after a bath. These curls really suit her personality I think. She's adventurous, silly and goofy.


Oh, and she's a trouble maker too, as you can see...


Ryland is constantly saying "mom, Natalie's going into the bathroom!", "mom, Natalie's climbing the stool!", "Natalie's playing with toilet paper!"....the list goes on and on. Ryland is my little reporter.

Cheese!

Natalie was holding my phone last night while it was on the camera. She could see herself and started saying "cheese! Cheese!". She gets so proud of herself for knowing how to say new words. Her words so far are:

Cheese, doggie, hi, eye, bye, moo, mama, dads, "whatsthat", "whatsthis", poop, happy, and she tries to say Ryland. Her vocabulary is quickly expanding!!

Ryland the Photographer

The other day Ryland had my phone and was snapping pictures all around the house. She loves taking pictures and we usually get a few pretty good ones from her. It's always cute to see her perspective of things. The other day proved to be no exception, when I scrolled through the pictures I came across this...




Yep! Looks like Ryland is already trying to get her sister in trouble. Natalie was apparently coloring on the table (which did not surprise me in the least). Pretty funny that before telling us, Ryland thought she better snap a photo. Natalie the trouble maker and Ryland the reporter :) Love my girls!

Doggy!

Natalie is obsessed with dogs. Constantly pointing out every dog she sees. We love her little voice, so cute.