Stuff Kate Says...

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* I pulled my hair down from its ponytail, and it looked a mess. Kate looked disapprovingly at me and said, "Hairbrush, Mommy!" and went to get it for me.

* She sings the clean up song ("keem up, keem up, ev-body do share") when picking up Play-Doh toys or crayons.

* Yesterday she backed away from Kirby with her hands pulled in close to her and said "Kirby, wash hands" because a few days ago she heard my mom tell Kirby she wouldn't pet her because she'd just washed her hands. Monkey see, monkey do!

* She ran up to me, hugged me, and said, "Best friend!" Melt my heart.

* Kate loves to hum Beethoven's Symphony #5 she learned from Little Einsteins. She calls it the "giant's song" and sings "fee fi fo fum" to the tune, just like in the show. We currently have Symphony #5 on repeat in the car, and when Kate hears those 4 notes, she gives a squeal and says, "AHHH! A giant!!"

* She sings the tune of the Blue Danube waltz and dances in circles to it. (Also learned from Little Einsteins. Can you tell she loves that show??)

* She still asks "What is it?" a lot, and sometimes she'll follow with "I don't know what it is." She says it very deliberately so that she doesn't miss any of those little words.

* I don't know how we've avoided this word for so long, but Kate is now very into the word "MY..." and fill in the blank behind it. Since we got home she's been showing a little jealousy towards Caroline, and is very frustrated when Caroline touches her toys (even when she's not playing with them). Mommy is also not to be shared.

* Kate has an incredible sense of direction, and when I've turned a direction she doesn't like, she says, "No...home!" or "No...fries!" to indicate where she'd like to go instead.

* She dresses up in her tiara and necklaces and says, "Hi, Princess!" when she comes out to show off.

I caught this video of Kate talking to herself in her crib before I went up to get her a few mornings ago. She had just thrown a little stuffed mouse over the side of the crib, and she was talking to it. I translate a few things, and Caroline plays a little background music on the LeapFrog table behind me.




Here are some pictures of Princess Kate (who likes to put on her tiara backwards) dancing to the Blue Danube Waltz.







baby callie @ one month old

Our LifeGroup is made up of 11 families now, and we recently hit a baby boom of four new babies all born within a month of each other. They brought our kid-count for the group to 22 (all four years and under, by the way). Meet Callie, one of these new additions!

Typically newborn photos are best taken when the baby is less than 10 days old. Callie was born right before Christmas, though, and things were a little busy during that window! I finally made it over there when she was one month old. It took a little patience, but with the sound machine going and a space heater nearby, she drifted off and let me position her for the shots. Because she wasn't in a super-deep sleep, I hesitated to do move her too much or mess with wrapping her or pulling headbands on and off. She was a champ, though, and I was able to get several sweet shots. Here are the few I've finished so far!









Caroline is 8 months old

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*I have abandoned the foot picture header for your monthly posts. You're just way too squirmy now! I could barely get you to stay on the chair for your monkey picture. You dove over the arm and I barely caught you. I'm going to need an assistant from now on. Also, you usually wear a white onesie with the month sticker, but I couldn't find the 8! 

Dear Caroline,
You are 8 months old today, precious girl! You're supposed to be the baby, but you're getting really big, really fast. We are shocked with each new milestone you master because we still see you as our bitty baby. SLOW DOWN, okay?? Here's what you're up to...

* When we're eating, you watch every bite. It's clear you wish you had what we're having!

* You started feeding yourself puffs, and you like them A LOT.

* Although you were already on the move, you are officially crawling on all fours. You're not super speedy yet, so that's nice! You crawl straight for the fireplace screen, Kirby, Kate's toys, and computer cords. You get redirected about a million times a day.

* I couldn't believe this when it first happened, but you're already waving. I started waving to you when you were in your high chair, and you started waving right back. At first I thought it might be a fluke, but you kept doing it.

* Another shocker was when you played peekaboo with me. I was showing you how to hide your face with a blanket, and pretty soon we were taking turns peekabooing!

* You REALLY want to be standing and walking. You try to push up off the ground to a standing position. Of course it doesn't work, but you try so hard!

* You're pulling up, and your legs are getting stronger each time you do it. We had to lower your crib mattress since you can now stand in your crib. Aren't you too young for this??

* I love how when I walk you upstairs, you know you're about to take a nap, so you start sucking your thumb or finger. You are usually a great napper (as long as we keep to your schedule).

* You're always moving. Even in your highchair you're kicking a leg or flailing your arms. Like your sister, you're not turning out to be much of a cuddler; you won't be still for 2 seconds together. Too much to see and explore right now, I guess!

* We're still having bottle issues. Big time. You typically drink about 15ish ounces per day, and you're supposed to be in the 24-32 ounce range. I took you to see your doctor today just for peace of mind that you don't have ear infections or any other physical reason you're not eating. You don't. You just think you're a big girl already, and you're feeling very done with bottles. (I have to literally pin you down to try and get you to drink anything.) I have no idea how you're as big as you are. It's a huge mystery to me!

I'm leaving soon to meet Daddy in France for a European getaway. Your grandparents are going to take good care of you, I know, but I'm still sad to leave you and Kate. At the rate you're going, you'll be walking by the time I get home. You're going to change so much in a week!

Love,
Mama and Daddy


Stats:
weight: 20 pounds, 12 ounces (official)
length: oops; will add later
clothes: 6-12 months
diaper size: size 4
sleep: 7pm-7am
naps: 8:30am-10, 12pm-2, and sometimes 4-5
feedings: 7am, 11, 3pm, 6:30 (very inconsistent on how much you'll take per bottle); 2-3 solid food feedings

friday phone dump 1.27.12

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I know I'm posting this a day late, but I'm going to date it for yesterday anyways.


feeding herself puffs | dandelion macro (w/ magnet lens Keaton got me) | slide
watching for horses, cows, and camels on our drive to school | window light | asleep | allergy skin test - not so good
cuddling after skin test | staying entertained for 4.5 hours at the allergist with stickers, | books, | watching movies,
and eating fake ice cream cones (ironic!) | hint of a rainbow | first PB&J - turned out it didn't sit so well on the tummy :( | new t-ball set

Okay... this one's just so cool, I need to show it bigger...
IMG_5691

iPhone | Instagram

Missing Caroline?

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A certain sister has been hogging the blog lately with all her birthday business! Caroline deserves a little blog time, too, so I snapped some pictures of her to share. She's changing so fast these days. I go to get her from a nap, and I feel like she looks different just from when I put her down!

And although she's been mobile for a while now (rolling, sliding, scootching, slithering), Caroline is now crawling on all fours. She was going for Kate's necklaces, and Kate said, "Oh, no! Caroline's crawling!" That about sums it up. :)






During the little photo shoot, Kate asked to get on the bed too, and Caroline just died laughing at her big sister and kept lunging for her. Kate quickly wanted down again.

friday phone dump 1.20.12

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photo editing | bouncing | flying | birthday princess
balloons | clouds | first time in a restaurant highchair | well-behaved | caroline & mommy
all hands on deck at bath time | cuddling w/ blankie and doggie after blood draw (for allergy levels) | yummy toes | fell in drum | pouting
big girl | peek-a-boo | dirty face | Daddy's home! | Kate & Daddy
caroline at the wheel | watching Tangled | copy cat | Vegan chocolate pudding | asleep

iPhone | Instagram

Kate's Farm-themed 2nd Birthday Party (Part 2: The Party Girl)

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Link to Part 1 (decorations)

Kate sure enjoyed being the center of attention during her farm birthday party! She played with the balloons and with the new stick pony she named "Pony Max." She kept pointing at the colorful "cupkates," but due to her allergy, she had her own vegan chocolate cake. She didn't mind one bit. (Helps that she's never had the real thing, I guess.) She did mind when Caroline kept trying to grab for it, though!

Next she opened presents and excitedly exclaimed, "A BOX!" after ripping the paper off each one. :) Kate received a dress up set from her aunt/uncle/cousins which was a huge hit! She was so proud of her pretty princess accessories.

I found the girls' party clothes at Old Navy. I thought Caroline's little red gingham dress perfectly fit our farm themed party, and I was sad they didn't have them large enough for Kate too. The little cherry top with jeans was darling on her, though.

I know I'm going overboard on the pictures, but it's really hard to narrow it down when they're of your own kid! :) My personal fave is the one of Nick blowing out Kate's candles. I love how she's looking up at him!

partygirl storybd



And if this wasn't enough pictures for you, there are more...