Today, Lil' C is Four Months Old

I smile, laugh, and roll over.

I like my swing, light up toys, and the taste of Ritz crackers that my big sis sneaks me ;)

Lil' C is Three Months Old

First Day of Preschool

No tears!  Impossible, right?  Big Sis was ready to go at 7:30 - an hour earlier than we needed to leave AND she dressed herself!  Wonder how often that will happen on future school days.

 Here are some of K's reflections on the school day:

They don't have princesses there.

Some of the boys were not listening and they bumped me.

We read a book about a lion and a tiger that got married and had a baby and a mean uncle.  (Is that The Lion King?)

The boys were running in the class.  (Did I mention there are only three girls in the class?)


K helped me write the photo captions below.

I'm ready to go!

I want to go to school.

Look at C's big mouth.

Look how much Lil Sis has grown.  She's outgrowing her stroller!  Heehee :).

Lil' C is Two Months Old

Grandmoochie and Big K celebrate with dancing....

...and high kicks!

Lil' C using the powers of her cuteness!

Festivities last through the evening with a family movie night.  Who's excited to watch Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue?!

Quotes and Quips #5

For the last several days Katie has repeated, "Mom, you're the best!"  Of course, I think this is fabulous.  Today, however, she has modified the refrain to, "Mom, you're not the shyest."  True, but is it as flattering?

Just a Trim

Katie got her first haircut today.  Goodbye lil' baby ringlets.  She wasn't too sure about the water spray.

But once she saw her reflection she decided this wasn't so bad.  Ms. S was super nice to cut Katie's hair at the big girl salon.  I got my hair cut too, but no pictures.  I'm not as cute.

Ms. S is laughing because Katie is mesmerized by her new do and won't look away from the mirror to let me get a good picture.

The glamorous "after shot" of the Oh So Drastic makeover.  Katie is pleased with the result and I think she looks less unkempt.  So it was a successful salon visit.

Pregnostic (33 weeks)

Oops - I missed a week of pregnancy.  Somehow week 32 just flew by without my even noticing.  Perhaps I was distracted watching Jon move every item in our home to the garage for our new flooring to be installed.  How great was the timing of this project?!  Just one glance at my bulging belly and Jon knew I wouldn't/shouldn't be doing any heavy lifting.  If you heard about my attempt to move the fence, well, that was an emergency, and I wasn't successful anyway!

Hello, Baby Bundt bulge!  I've read you should get professional maternity photos taken in the 7th month when the bump is present, but still cute.  I think I've missed that window!!

We forgot fun props this time.  Jon suggested the wind could act as a point of interest.  So interesting that it blew our new tree and old fence down.

Just a little jealous of the flat stomach on this guy.  After dusting and moving every piece of furniture back into the house, Jon went on a much deserved guy's (air conditioned cabin) camping trip.  And he didn't get shot!

Baby Bundt is now the size of a honeydew melon.  It's weird though, that melon doesn't feel like it weighs 30 lbs.

This Season's Color

The color for spring is lively lilac, at least at our house.  Katie rang in the first official day of spring with an outdoor pedi and mani.  I wish I could reach my own feet as easily as I can reach hers and I'd have lively lilac piggies too.  Jon has one toe, and I do mean toe, painted in an effort to support K's creative endeavors.  Such a good dad!

Big Sis Practice

Kennedy is staying with us today.  Katie loves practicing being the big sister.  So far, she helped fasten a diaper, put a bib on, and fed Ken some yogurt.  Not exactly like it will be with a newborn that NEVER LEAVES, but good practice for me and Kate.

Click here to see the big sis in action.

Boo-Hoo Ballet

You may recall that #3 on K's wish list to Santa was for leotards, ballet shoes, and to go to ballet school.  Santa totally came through.  Kate loves her leotards.  She loves her ballet shoes.  And she NEVER wants to go to ballet school again.

Smiling before class, when she still believed her teacher would be a mouse.  Thank you very much, Angelina Ballerina, for that false expectation!

 I now know that the hands clasped in front of her chest means:  I am frozen and when I thaw out it will be with a rush of tears. 

 Where is my mom?  Out in the hall?  That's about 10 feet away!  Too far!   MOMMY!

 Intent little face as she listens to my pep talk.

 Hey, I'm a pretty good pep talker or K-T just really wants to touch the barre.  After all she has been practicing on the handicap rail in every bathroom stall we enter for months now.

K's teacher (who is not a mouse, but is redeemed somewhat for having Rapunzel like hair) gives everyone a glitter sticker for doing such a great job.

Mom and Dad only paid for FIVE more classes.

Christmas Bath

Abbey gets a bath as often as she smells like Noah's Ark.  She is careful to deodorize weekly with her Bath Junkie perfume spray, so I won't tell you how long it takes for her to reach the ark stench.  This is Kate's first time to help Daddy with the task.  I am sure the lil' helper made Abbey feel completely at ease ;).

Abbey is getting her Christmas gift tonight.  A new bed.  Yea!  It feels like a new start.

Quotes and Quips #4 and Call Ripley's

Daddy helped K with her morning routine, so I could stay in bed for a few more minutes today. Here is a snippet from their conversation.

Daddy: I've got to go to work soon.

Katie: At the zoo?

Heeheehee. I guess Dad's descriptions of work are making an interesting impression on K-T.

Look what she chose to wear today! I can't believe it's not a dress!

Costume #3 - Trick or Treating

Katie's friend Kennedy invited her to go trick or treating in her neighborhood. Before venturing out they watched and learned from Toodee, of Yo Gabba Gabba! fame, that eating too much candy will make you sick. Katie tells us, "I want to get sick."



Two Cool Cats!



This was Katie's first time to go trick or treating. She has been asking us about how it works for a few weeks now. She LOVED it! I am starting to suspect that my shy girl is not really a shy girl after all. Halloween totally brought her out of her shell. I adore this lady for handing out Goldfish crackers instead of candy.



See! No shyness! No trepidation! She's going for it! She's a trick or treat master!

The Sweet Life

Katie is living the sweet life, at least for the weekend. She is allowed to choose her own outfit for a Saturday morning pancake breakfast outing.



Then on Sunday, she is served breakfast in bed. Just so happens to be Mom and Dad's bed that is now covered in bran muffin crumbs.

The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm

On Saturday evening, I told Katie that she could wear her candy corn dress to the pumpkin patch the next day. I forgot to mention to her that she would be wearing it to church first. She was more than a little upset with me when she found out that detail. But as you can see in the picture, all was well again by the time we arrived in pumpkinland.

Look, Piglet, I can do it too!

How much does Daddy love Katie?

This picture is going on my list of all time favs. Love the belly peeking out while she swipes a pumpkin. Good thing I forced her to wear the leggings!!!

Is she making eyes at him? A few friends from church met us at the farm. This little guy was showing off his muscles. She knows this little boy well enough, but insisted on calling him "Him".

Quotes and Quips #2

Jon told Katie to put shoes on so they could kick the ball around the yard last night. She chose these:

Katie: Mom, do you like my puffy shoes?

Me: Yes.

Katie: Do you want to pet them?

Can I get a "Yea, Fall is Here" cheer?

Quotes and Quips #1

Me: Let's get ready to go to the library.

Katie: Who be there?

Me: Lots of kids and the librarian.

Katie: Who is Library Ann?

Move Over June Cleaver

there's a new mop in town!