The little girl on the right is my niece, who turned 8 weeks old yesterday. She is the 6th grandchild on her mothers side, and the only cousin that my little daughter has left in the lower mainland. My brother with his four children moved to Williams Lake last year, while Uncle David & his three children live in Prince George.

Above are two pictures of my daughter. One of them was taken at Whytecliff Park, where her daddy scuba dives, and the other was taken in Science World at the water table. We also, thanks to her grandma, have membership passes to the aquarium, in Stanley Park.

Here is a quick overview of my life:

1970: Was born

1972: Moved to Germany

1972: Moved to Burnaby, BC

1976: Moved to Hobby Farm

1985: Moved to California

1986: Moved to Kitsilano

1988: Graduated from Prince of Wales

1991: Took Early Childhood Education

1992: Was married

1994: Visit Germany & Austria

1995: Moved to Sydney, Australia

1996: Stayed in Bury (near Manchester, UK) 3 weeks

1998: Did first tandem skydive

1999: Visited Truk Lagoon & Pohnpei

2000: Moved to downtown Vancouver

2001: Had baby girl

2002: Stayed overnight on a sailboat

2003: Started German Playgroup

2004: Direct Sales (Discovery Toys)
Toastmasters Club & hopefully a new German Childcare Facility.

Interesting Facts About Natalya:

1. She knows what a BCD is (Buoyancy Compensator Device)

2. She sleeps with a parachute under her crib

3. She started swimming lessons at six months old

5. She has eight cousins

6. She speaks German and English

7. She has two living "Ur-Oma's"

8. She loves singing, dancing ballet, swimming and gymnastics

9. Her name means "Born on Christmas Day"

10. She went to two auditions, but she didn't like it

Last week Baby Lilly Lisbeth went to the German Playgroup for the first time. Oma attended as a helper, and Natalya was very proud to show her around the main room at the Gordon Neighbourhood House. The Playgroup takes place on Tuesday mornings now, so Lilly can only attend every so often.

Natalya also attends the toddler child care room at First Baptist Church every Thursday, so Mama can take a parenting course and drink coffee with other moms.

On rainy days, Natalya attends the playgroups at the two local community centers or visits the main public library in Yaletown. They have a toddler play area, a playhouse, computers with children's stories and lots of fun activities for young children.