Happy birthday Natalie!

 Our little girl is growing up!  Natalie turned one earlier this week and we had a small birthday party with a few family members and a surprise guest--Santa!  I was not in on the surprise and as we all know Natalie and Santa are not friends.  We were able to get a picture of the two cousins together on Santa's lap... maybe we can get a little better one in the future.

 Natalie was a fairly gracious host.  She devoured her cupcake but shared the others pretty well.  She seems to be mostly over her stranger danger phase (except Santa, sorry Big Guy) and was a friendly and happy little girl on her best behavior.  She liked the cards more than the presents but she got better by Christmas.

It's hard to believe that Natalie is already one, and at the same time it seems like a lifetime ago when it was just the two of us.  Every day she teaches me something new, every day she tests my patience, every day she expands my love.  It is so fun to see the world through her eyes and at the same time so frustrating for her not to be able to communicate what it is that is causing her distress.  Every new age and stage is my favorite, and I can't remember the previous steps.  Only forward.  I can't wait to see the little girl she will be in a few years, I'm a bit nervous to see what sort of teenager she will be, and as scary as it may seem I'm interested to meet the woman she will become.  Love you so much Doodlebug.  Thank you for making me your mommy.