Yes, Natalia is officially conscious of what birthdays are. Thanks to everyone who came to the birthday party-we actually took some of the gifts and hid them away to do a "slow release" over the next few months. The party was pretty intense-the hall where the party took place was quite enthralling-although it was a bit exhausting for some of the adults :)

Natalia's baptism

Sorry for the long time break, for anyone who might have been following updates eagerly.........

Natalia's baptism party took place a few days after her birthday. (Her cousin Kylie was also baptized that day.) We celebrated her baptism and her birthday together- what a coup! As you might imagine, Natalia got ants in her pants about halfway through the church ceremony and wanted to sit on the altar steps rather than with us. At several points, she would stand up, as if she was going to walk onto the altar, then sit back down after seeing us look stricken.