Natalie at 4 years old

Natalie at 4 years old...my neighbor Stephanie, took these randomly after an afternoon at the pumpkin patch. Natalie had changed her clothes and had run over to ring the doorbell of Matt and Austin. Steph grabbed her camera and I got an email.

I looked at them and shuffled them away. They weren't a significant time, or day or outfit, or any other special occasion. Just a weekend in her life of being 4.

I since looked at them and examined them and finally found what Stephanie saw. A PERFECT example of Natalie at 4. These shots show exactly what Natalie would love to do everyday of her life. Wear princess shirts, have her face painted, show off her "I did it myself haircut" and bug the neighborhood kids "to get out here and play!" I love Natalie at 4, I love having a 4 year old.

Ben and I were pretty weirded out by imagining ourselves as a parent of a 4 year old. No longer a baby, or toddler, but a 4 year old kid. Wow, that sounded weird. Well, here we are and it is pretty cool. You can really enjoy spending time with a four old.

Natalie LOVES life and I love that about her because I LOVE life and she has to get that from me. She has a great sense of humor, she is creative and spunky (I wish I could get Punky Brewster on DVD). She loves food, and treats, and rides, and shopping, and traveling, and her family and friends. She loves swimming, and gymnastics, dance and singing. She is an awesome kid! I have to admit I have had my struggles as a parent, figuring out that I can't "turn her into" the perfect child. Well, after 4 years of being a mom, she is the perfect child! She is Natalie, and I hope this world is ready for her! I love you sweetie, keep throwing me the challenges, because slowly but surly you are turning me into a pretty good mom!