A December Update

Below is the December update on Natalie, that we sent to the caregivers that brought her to the United States.

Natalie’s hair is now long enough to have pigtails, though she is quick to remove the rubber bands.  She was a cup cake fairy for Halloween, and had a hard time keeping the rubber bands in her hair, but she sure looked cute. Recently she has worn pigtails for almost the entire day which is a small miracle.

Natalie continues to love to walk outside and visit neighbors. She will sign to people that she knows well, “hello friend, I love you”. She continues to love dogs and will now pet them, and has even taken one for a walk. She is very loving and caring. She is quick to notice if anyone has a scratch or scrape then point and sign “hurt” and want to kiss it better.

Natalie is very physically strong, flexible, and has great balance and coordination. She can flex arm hang from a bar longer than most any girl her age or older. She can arch her back and bend backwards to a great degree, she can also almost squat while doing the splits. While an adult is laying on their back she can stand on their hands while she is bench pressed up and then she will balance standing on their hands, touch her toes and stand back up. She also loves to catch and throw balls. It is amazing that she can do all of this so well.

Natalie likes clothes; she will go from loving to dress up, with accessories including a purse to wanting to be half naked. One day while we were dressing her she jumped up and starting running around the house, wearing only red underwear. We laughed that she looked like a little Nacho Libre (movie with Jack Black).

Natalie is typical of a child her age in that she is curious about everything. She wants to know how everything operates. She likes to climb around in our cars and push every button. She likes to try every switch and button on every machine/appliance she can find. She recently likes unplugging and plugging in the lights on the small Christmas tree in the playroom.

We went to the zoo and she was delighted to see the animals, especially those that she knows the signs for. A pot belly pig oinked at her and she oiked right back. Her first verbal communication with an animal, it was hilarious. She was giddy to feed the goats, lamas, alpacas, and deer. She also tried to eat one of their food pellets.

We went camping and Natalie loved hiking around and sleeping in the tent. She naturally loves to explore so she was in her element. She woke up in the tent with a huge smile.

We have noticed that we barely watch TV, because we are always playing. Natalie loves playing with us and her siblings. Our son affectionately calls her, “baby” and is very protective of her. Our oldest daughter and Natalie are, “loving Sisters”, they continue to share a room and play well together. Natalie has made friends with our friend’s daughters and sons. She has her own friends and some appear to already be her best friends.

Natalie has worn her hearing aids a few times for almost half the day, including while in the car (would always want them off while in the car). She has made the sound “wa, wa” for “water” and she can imitate the play sound of car, “brrrrrrrrrrrr”

A few days ago she heard Jesus sung in a Christmas song and then unprompted looked up and made the sign for Jesus. This is the second word after Mama that she heard/recognized and signed without prompting.

Natalie continues to thrive.