Natalie Update

Natalie has really grown up in the last couple of months, and is continuing to make great progress! She now has her own room and transitioned great.....she enjoys her own space and likes to go "visiting" her brother and sister.

When she wakes up she often goes to her brother’s room and gives him a hug and signs, “I love you”, then she does the same with her sister, and finally to our room to tackle us in bed. Sometimes she will snuggle for a little while, but sooner or later her first request is for vitamins. She really likes her vitamins.

She is very smart and helpful. She understands the sequence of events, and tries to anticipate needs and help. When I get out of bed, she will go to the bathroom and bring me my bathrobe. If I am in the shower she will get a towel and place it by the shower door, and then go get clothes for me. If I get out a broom, she will get the dustpan and help as I sweep. She will ask to go outside, and then find my shoes and place them by the step, so I can sit down and put them on. If she is in the shower or tub with her brother, she will wash and scrub his hair. Usually after she helps she will smile, tilt her head to the side, and sign, “thank you”.

One of Natalie’s many favorite things to do is sit in her Mom’s closet or her Sister’s closet and try on all their clothes.

She loves school, loves, loves, loves school. On her daily updates, the teacher has circled "Happy" every day, except 1 day was "Silly".:) She is quite a favorite with her bus drivers and school staff - she loves to smile and blow kisses and generally wrap the world around her little finger.

Natalie physically is doing great. Since September she has grown 2 ½ inches. On all accounts she is very healthy. She did hurt her wrist. It’s a small fracture and she has a little cast, the fracture is not on the growth plate. It is amazing at the quantity of play time that she has not hurt herself sooner. Outside she enjoys pushing her little scooter around, or driving the toy golf cart or jeep. She still loves visiting with the neighbors and their dogs. She can run very fast, and is the fastest 3 year old that we have ever met.

We jokingly refer to Natalie and her brother as “the twins”, because they are very similar. They are both full of energy and love to play. They will roll on the floor tickling each other, and run around and chase each other outside. They will bounce with each other on the trampoline. All while giggling and laughing.

She likes to take us upstairs to the playroom and treat us to tea parties, and asks to read books every day. She has a special book all about "no, no" things and "yes, yes" things - and she now recognizes and points out both of those words when she sees them. She can also recognize her name and knows that "N" stands for Natalie! She is always pointing to pictures and telling everyone who is in the picture.

We’ve noticed that she remembers people and places very well. At friends homes she knows exactly where to go. When driving around town she will point to a street and sign the friend's name because she knows they live down that street. We will be driving and she will point which direction to go home. She has some little girls she loves to play with....her best little buddy is in the pictures with her. She's wearing a diaper in the photos, but is potty trained now and doing great! She takes herself to the bathroom and has the routine down. We are always amazed at how bright and intelligent she is. It's fun to watch.

She is signing complete sentences now - most of which start with "I want....":). She is VERY fast and has excellent coordination. She understands probably 90% of all verbal communication without signing. She is making more and more sounds everyday, and can now say "mama", "ball", "more", "la", and a bunch of other things that only we understand. We are very, very pleased with her progress, and her teachers say that she is doing great!

By all accounts, she is a happy, healthy little girl - and we love her to pieces.