Jun 15, 2008

It must be...



...Gifts wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper with masking tape, cliche *pink* flower cupcake cake, 1 birthday candle and 3 huge dining room candles lit on said cake, no invitations sent out for the party that still isn't planned...it must be some body's birthday!



I guess it goes without saying that I am the worlds least organized Mom. Laine sure let me off the hook this year and acted as if it was the best birthday yet. My little girl is 4! I think we are finally past the terrible 2's and the horrific 3's, Laine has really turned the corner and is back to her sweet, sweet self {usually}.



She is so talented. I have always had a secret dream of some one thinking I am a really good singer and paying my voice a compliment. It still hasn't happened, and I'm starting to loose hope. But I don't think Laine will have the same problem. She has now moved on from mere harmonizing to every song she knows how to sing {her repertoire is quite large} and has now been reworking some of the melodies to her favorites, such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. She really amazes me!
She has a thirst for knowledge and loves to learn. She can already write her name unassisted. She knows all of her letters and colors and numbers, she is just like a sponge!

Though it appears that the worst of her OCD phase is over, there are still some remnants left. She still has to hear "Good Girl Laine" after going potty and "Laine's tired" after she yawns and reminds us to say it. She thinks she owns the number three "Mom, there's my 3!" and always has to be given 3 of everything -I suspect it will be 4 of everything as of today...

She always has to make herself into the characters she sees in books or pictures. And if she can fit all 4 of us in the story, so much the better. For example, she got a birthday card from Ben's Grandma Riley. It had a bear, a kitty, and a bunny having tea. She decided Gabe was the bear, she was the bunny, and I was the kitty. I saw her looking at the card and pointing saying, "There I am, having tea, I wanted to wear piggy tails in my hair and that's my birday cake..." {the bunny had pigtails and was eating cupcakes}. There is a book that my Grandparents gave her for Christmas called "Bunny Christmas". Since it is a story about 2 parent bunnies, and a daughter and son bunny, she just thinks it's perfect. Every time we read it she says "There's you Mom! That's you and that's me" as she points to the big fat Mom bunny bending over putting cookies in the oven with her big FAT bunny butt is wagging in the air...wow, thanks Laine, I'm soooo flattered!

Tonite she blew out her candles and made a wish, in the sweetest little four-year-old voice she whispered "I wish I want some ice cream". She LOVES treats {like me}. She also told me that she wants her bear to turn 4 too. {yeah, she started sleeping with this bear that my Grandma gave her last year. Strange that she is all of the sudden so attached to something!}


It has been a wonderful, challenging, stressful, beautiful, exciting 4 years. And I'm so glad to have you for my little girl and I can't wait for all of the girly adventures we will continue to have! I love you Laine, Happy Birthday! This is your life...






TV junkie from day 1





Cutest little bunny! Baby's first Halloween




I always loved this picture. Laine's 3 month pics...




Laine was born in Korea on the exact same day as Maya, my friend Stacey Gibby Lau's daughter. For Oremites who care, yes, Stace is Matt and Katie Gibby's sister and sister in law to Haley Kocherhans. We were all living in Korea at the time. Aren't they so cute in their little pig tails?! Happy Birthday Maya!



Laine at our favorite park in Taiwan 1 1/2 years old







Lantern Festival, Taiwan some time in '06? Ponchos were in style if that is any hint.


Great Wall with Daddy -May '06




Laine's face says it all. New brother, first day home






Gabe's Blessing Day. She changed her mind and decided he wasn't so bad after-all {sort-of}



Laine's 2 year old pictures... at age 2 1/2. She is ready to start in the field of journalism



Laine opening her presents tonite. It looks pretty weak, but that's only because we didn't get a pic of her new bike. She also got a digital camera {it probably came too late to save ours from her wrath, which was the original reason for buying the gift} and of course the Grandmas and Grandpas sent some love her way. Grams Riley made her some *cute* aprons and oven mits, pics to come. Gaengy and Pop Pop sent a goodie bag of treats, and some spending cash. They also sent a Dora cape for Laine and a Nacho Libre cape for Gabe, again, pics to come


Happy Birthday!


And Happy Father's Day to all of you Dads out there! Especially my two Dads, the Kev and the Big Al. Since it is not Father's Day here, Ben will have to wait until Aussie FD in September


11 comments:

Laura said...

New bike!!?!! I smell bike park. We must go-- and I'm not even scared to drive there!
I love that 2.5 yr. old picture-- teeny tiny Barbara Walters?

Andrea said...

Those are some cute pictures! I love the big candles and think I might use them for the next birthday around here.

Kristine L. said...

I love the big candles. Tell the little munchkin Happy Birthday from her Aunt Teen and more importantly, Uncle Jordan!

The Andersen's said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIANE! I love the huge candles and the presents wrapped in christmas paper with masking tape! you are so funny!

Gaengy said...

Such a cute post...walking down memory lane. So many fun adventures already. It was so fun to talk to Laine the other day on skype. She is growing up fast. Loved the big candles and the flower cake!! You are not disorganized just creative!!!

Kate said...

That is so cute! I love my little Laine! And even though you are a really disorganized Mom at times you sure are a fun one. I loved going down memory lane too (no pun intended ha ha ha ha) It's fun to see her growing up. I remember that couch potatoe picture, still makes me laugh. And the journalist...hilarious! Love ya little Laine!

Nicole said...

Happy Birthday, Laine! Is she really 4? I love ALL of those pictures! Very entertaining:)

erin said...

natalie, i'd love to exchange stories sometime and hear how the past decade or so has treated you and what has taken your cute family all over the globe... you guys make us look like total weenies! erinburton@gmail.com.

happy birthday cute little girl!

Brett & Dyana Valdez said...

Wow, the kids are growing up pretty fast. Seems like things are going well across the big pond. Be sure to let us know when you come to visit for a while. We still need to get with Taylor and have a little Aggie party that fell through before you guys left.

Stacey Lau said...

Happy Birthday Laine! She is so adorable. I still remember you carrying her around in a pack on the streets of Korea. She's grown up so much. She's so pretty, just like her mama. Love the dining candles in the cupcake....classic. The truth is, she is so lucky to have you as a mom. You are the coolest, most fun mom anyone could ever ask for.

Nicole said...

Sorry we didn't call. I even remembered it was her birthday but I haven't had any time to call when you guys are awake, and I don't think you want me calling you in the middle of the night! Happy birthday Laine. Such a sweet post, she is such a pretty girl and so unique. Give her a kiss and a squeeze from me.

 
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