The perfect day!

Today was one of those days I wish could go on forever - it was perfect from beginning to end.  It was a day full of snuggles, laughs, artwork, sliding at the park, taking dolly for a walk, pizza night and it ended with more snuggles. 

Being a working mom makes the weekend even more meaningful.  It is a balance between getting the everyday chores done that I can't get done during the week (laundry, grocery shopping, walking the dog etc) and spending the quality time with Kallie that she deserves.  Some weekends I get it right and other weekend end up being so rushed I can't enjoy it. 

Well this weekend was perfect!  I took the time to enjoy every moment with my baby girl - everything else can wait!  I love you Kallie Elizabeth Bates.

Winter Beach Day

Today was a crisp but rain free winter day.  Eric decided to take Kallie to the lake to feed the ducks.  After putting her hat and rain boots on she was ready to go.  Although I was not there it is pretty obvious when looking at the pictures that she had a great morning with her daddy!!!  The last picture is my favorite . . . she is already taking after her daddy :)

 

Happy 2.5 Baby Girl

Kallie,
Today you turn 2.5 and I can hardly believe it. I feels like just yesterday when we brought you home for the first time yet I can't seem to remember what life was like without you (nor do i want to). You have brought a love to my life that I didn't even know was possible.

I have loved watching you grow from a baby to a toddler and not from a toddler to a "big girl" as you like to say. You have such a fun personality. You love playing make-believe but always making sure we are close just in case you imagination runs a bit too wild. You love reading book after book after book - some of your current favorites are Fred and Ted, Rudolph, Frog and Toad and The Potty Book.. Your favorite toys at the moment are your dolly-house, school busy with people and using all of your kitchen bowls etc to make us a picnic. You also LOVE to sing . . . If you aren't telling us a story you are singing, you favorites are Rudolph, Rain drops on Roses and Hush little Baby. I absolutely love listening to your little voice - it is too cute.

I have been keeping a list of things you love to do so I thought I would share a few:

*You love your pink rain-boots - in fact, we can't get you to wear anything else
*You love watching TV on the weekends when you wake up - you usually chose Rudolph (yes it is Feb), Thomas the Train or Sesame street *You started wearing big girl panties on January 1st and have only had one accident (it has been a month)
*Speaking of going potty you say "I need privacy and cover your head with the shower curtain when you go #2 (HA)
*Your favorite buddies are Blueberry (the blue beanie baby) and lion - they come to daycare ever day and you snuggle with them every night
*You love taking care of baby dolls - you feed them, take them for walks around our neighborhood and even put them to sleep (you will be a good big sister one day)
*You love going to school - when I ask you if you had a good day at school you shout YES every time
*You love any kind of art project but painting and coloring seem to be your favorites at the moment

I have also been keeping a list of funny things you say (yes i will read this list at your wedding):

*There's a deer coming
*Daddy and I are going to take a helicopter to Africa to visit Cooper (he was visiting family and you missed him)
*Daddy's privacy hurts
*Walk away and I need space mommy
*My favorite to date was when we were walking into daycare and the halls were packed, you said in you not so quiet voice "Mommy I want a baby sister"

As you can see you are quite the character and we wouldn't want it any other way. No matter if you are 2.5, 25 or 55 you will always be my baby girl . . . I love you to the moon and back!
Love Mommy

January Fun

Kallie has been a busy bee in January. We have spent many weekend mornings at her new favorite spot Wiggle Works. She loves running around jumping, bouncing, building towers with huge legos and just playing! We also had a slumber party at Grammy and Papa's when Eric was out of town. Grammy took us to the Everett Children's Museum which was a huge hit.

Here are a few pictures from our adventures. . .

Happy New Year

Wow another year – where did it go? I have so many things to be thankful for it is hard to put into words.

I am most thankful for my loving family. I cannot imagine my life without them and I feel truly blessed each and ever day knowing that I have their support not matter what the situation might be. Eric is best friend and soul-mate and Kallie is the love of my life. The two of them fill my heart with love and laughter and I feel so lucky that God chose the three of us to go on life’s journey together. I cannot imagine going on this journey with anyone else.

I love you both more than words . . . and I am excited to see what’s next in 2013!

This New Years we decided to take a trip to the mountains to do a little sledding as a family. Kallie and Coho love the snow so it was fun for the whole family . . . until of course I slipped and broke my wrist. I am probably the only 37 year old in a cast. Minus the fall we had a great time.

These are a few pictures from our New Year's Eve . . . You can't beat a family dance party~