Natalie has one year.

Literally translated from Spanish, "Natalie has one year" is how our Bolivian friends would say she is one today! If we were in La Paz, we would be throwing a big party, inviting every small child we see on the street, hiring a clown, serving hot dogs and smashing Natty's face in a cake...although I'd like to leave that particular tradition out of my own birthday celebrations. Since we are not there, we are having a more low-key day. I woke Natty up with "Happy Birthday" while she stared at me from her crib, enjoyed her last nursing session, and then opened birthday presents on the bed with Daddy. She enjoyed looking at the new stuff- almost completely handed down from other friends (who needs new?) and helping me unwrap the special monkey we bought for our own precious monkey. I read my first journal entry after she was born, highlighting the ups and downs of labor, my first thoughts as I held her, and the beginnings of a lot of doubts and joy too. I gave her banana- fitting for a monkey and also her favorite fruit- and we played on the floor with new toys. I'll be making a cake this weekend when our parents come in to celebrate, so today, we'll go to Krispy Kreme for Natty to be introduced to the soft, flaky manna that is a Hot Donut Now...it's a bit of a celebration for Mom too. Then, Scotty has surprised me by making arrangements for us to go out on our first date in a long time for dinner- sans Natty!

This last year has been indescribable. So, instead, I'll describe my baby girl. She is full of wonder and constant observation of everything and everyone around her. You can see in her eyes as she carefully watches your mouth and your movements that she is tucking it all away to be

reproduced by herself in the near future. She is not quick to giggle but will often give a very satisfied grin when she sees her parents or a toy that she is particularly attached to. Her daddy can get some "chortles", as he calls them, out of her and her whole face lights up. She is laid back and flexible during long car trips and time zone changes and loves to watch other kids play. She is sweet and sometimes shy and will wave and say "ba ba" to almost anything- including the toys she throws from her car seat. She has taught us a new level of love and a new recognition of our desperate need to depend on the Lord for wisdom an

d patience. She is so much more than we prayed for. Happy Birthday, Natalie!