“Natalie the Magnificent”

For Thanksgiving we traveled to Durham, North Carolina to visit with my oldest son JJ, his wife Angela and their daughter Natalie. I had not seen Natalie since last Easter and couldn’t wait to see how much she had grown. The day after Thanksgiving was her second birthday and she was very excited about all the festivities.

When we drove up to their house on Thursday afternoon she was out in the yard with her parents. As soon as we got out of the car she came running, yelling “Nana!” and “Pooh!” It has been said “she had me at hello” well in this case she had me at “Pooh!”

She is the most beautiful child. She has almond shaped brown eyes, a tiny nose and a mouth that is always smiling. She also has beautiful hair that wisps around her face. Am I proud of her – oh yes.

When we asked her how old she was going to be on her birthday she replied “Two!” She tried to show us with fingers but couldn’t get one hand of fingers to work right. So she allowed us to show her how to hold up her two index fingers. That did the trick.

During the three days we were there her temperament never changed. She was in a good mood from start to finish. She woke up happy, went down for her nap happy, and played all afternoon happy. Her parents are strict about her schedule but that is a lot like her father was raised. We believed that schedules and boundaries make a child feel safe and secure. She certainly seems to be adjusting to her schedule but then the rules are balanced with a lot of hugs and kisses.

One of her gifts for her birthday was a book. It was a special book in that it allowed my wife and me to tape reading it to her. I read one page and Terry the next, and so on. I had never seen a book that did this but Terry, my wife, found it at a Hallmark store. It was a fantastic gift and Natalie seemed to love it.

It is amazing to me to see what fascinates a two year old little girl. One of her favorite things is helping to cook. While we were there JJ made pancakes for breakfast and Natalie helped. She didn’t do a lot but it was enough to make her feel important. She loved when we bragged on the pancakes and said how special they were because she had helped with them.

She has her own apron and a place in her playroom where she has a toy stove and lots of pots and pans. You can hear her in there talking away as she cooks one meal after another. Move over Paula Dean, Natalie needs her own TV show.

Whenever you tell Natalie you love her she always responds with “I love you too.” That is the greatest feeling in the world. To think that this beautiful looking and acting baby girl loves you is enough to get you through anything.

I know everyone thinks their grandchildren hung the moon, and we are sure Natalie did. But more than that, she is magnificent. She has her Pooh in the palm of her hand and I plan to stay there for quite some time.
 

 

 

 

 

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

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