Natalie Iris.

"Natalie is 2 years & 7.5 months. She loves Taylor Swift and the Berenstain Bears books. She dances with every inch of her body and has an imaginary friend. She insists on painted toenails and carrying a purse, blanket, and doll everywhere she goes. Her hair is easily 100 different shades of brown and her legs are constantly covered in bruises and scrapes. She calls everything she loves "special" and flails her limbs constantly in her sleep. Her favorite color is pink and her favorite food is cheese. She insists on wearing boy underpants (the characters are so much cooler) and loves to snuggle at night by wrapping both arms tightly around my neck." 

 

 

 

 

The above quote is from Natalie's mother's blog. Hilary and I met in grad-school and the insta-connection has maintained even through her move, with her family, to Maine. Hilary and Mike are a fabulous duo that I am thankful for and their bundle of joy, Natalie Iris, who I can so lovingly call my god-daughter. She is bright, adventurous, curious and full of love. Their family is caring, health conscious, intelligent and every time I visit I can't remember not laughing until I cry. They are the types of people that when they ask how you are, they actually care about your response and fully intend to listen, true friends.

 

I am equally thankful that Hilary takes time out of her fun-filled life to update the interweb about Natalie, a virtual baby-book! Uploading recent pictures and stories make me feel present in this sweet girl's life despite the distance. I average about 2 visits a year and while I feel it's never enough, I am grateful for having the time to visit at all.

This gratitude post has layers. Bing, bang, boom!