Sunny Weekend

This weekend we were so lucky to finally see the sunshine! Eric took the opportunity to go fishing on Saturday so Kallie and I headed to Seattle to watch Sophia play lacrosse and have a play day with Grammy & Papa. We had a great time playing outside and enjoying the sunshine. Kallie loved swinging at the park with her cousins, scooting around on her push bike and throwing rocks in the garden (not sure grammy loved this) but we did it anyway :)

On Sunday we took a trip to Kelsey Creek Park. It was so much fun! There were so many animals to see . . . horses, cows, goats, sheep, chickens, bunnies and lots of ducks. I think Kallie was amazed by them all. She kept pointing to each animal and making the animal noise :) It was a great day and spending it together enjoying the sunshine made it even better.

Did I mention we also made a trip to Toys R Us, we didn't find what we were looking for but daddy decided Kallie needed her own personal swing (someone has daddy wrapped around her finger).

St. Patrick's Day Fun!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Today we woke up to some cold weather. Mixed snow and rain it really hard to get outside and play. We decided to head to the Children's Museum for a bit of fun. There are so many fun activities for the kids. Kallie loves drawing with the chalk, playing with all of the new toys, bouncing on the squishy dog and and just running around. We met the Minnaar family there so she got to play with Coop for a bit too.

Here are a few pictures from our morning adventure (umm we forgot to dress Kallie in green . . . but Eric did say since she really is Irish she doesn't have to wear green!)

Happy 19 Months!

Kallie-
You continue to amaze your daddy and I each day. I swear you are learning a handful of new words every time you come home from daycare. Some of your new favorite words are pig, cow, happy, swing, tree and of course your favorite word continues to be airplane. You are becoming your own little person you know exactly what you want and definitely let us know. If I pull out a shirt you don't want to wear you immediately say no-no-no while frantically shaking your head. The same goes for food although you like to throw your food across the room as you say no . . . Coho thinks it is pretty cool! Speaking of food your current favorites are pears, asparagus, mashed potatoes, tater tots, hot dogs (veggie or beef), oatmeal with raisins and applesauce.

You also love naming off everyone in your family as you point to each of us; mommy, daddy, coho and then you point to yourself smiling when we say Kallie! One highlight I can't forget to mention is that you were able to wear you first ponytail like a big girl versus on top of your head like you had in the past. You were so proud pointing to my ponytail and then pointing to yours. . . such a big moment for all girls :)

I love watching you discover new things. Lately you have been trying to walk up the stairs alone while holding the railing and doing the same thing on the climber at the playground. You always look back at me with a huge smile so proud of yourself.

The last 19 months have been life changing in the most amazing way possible. We brought you into the world knowing we would love you but we had no idea just how much! We love you baby girl...






And the ponytail!

The love for baby grows!

Kallie is still so in love with her baby daddy bought her. She wakes up every morning calling out for baby and goes to bed talking about her. She loves chasing Coho around the house with baby in her stroller laughing hysterically while Coho looks slightly terrified!

These three photos show you exactly how much Kallie loves her baby~

Kallie's first baby doll

I have been wanting to get Kallie her first baby doll for quite some time now but in typical Kristy fashion I could not decide which one. I even had one in my cart at Target at one point and put it back because I was not sure if it was the right one. Well the other night Eric and Kallie had a dinner date and daddy bought Kallie her first doll (or baby as Kallie calls her). What makes me laugh is that it is the same baby I had put back when we were at Target a few weeks ago, I guess it was meant to be.

As we suspected Kallie LOVES her baby. She carries her around the house saying "mine, mine, mine, baby, baby, baby". It is too cute!

Speical Moments

I knew taking Kallie's final bottle away at nighttime would be hard on her but I had no idea how emotional it would be for me . . .

I have know for months that Kallie does not technically need her night time bottle but for some reason it gave me comfort giving it to her anyway. It has been part of our routine for 18 months! I found it so upsetting to think about Kallie and I heading upstairs like we always do, putting on her night night suit (sleep sack)like we always do, snuggling in to the rocking chair like we always do and then what????? Our next step has always been Kallie drinks her bottle while I rock her and sing songs, the thought of taking that special moment away so upsetting to me. I know it sounds dramatic but that is truly how I felt about it.

On Monday night we headed upstairs w/ a sippy cup not a bottle. Kallie kept saying ba-ba, ba-ba? Instead of her ba-ba I handed her the sippy cup and it was at that moment when we started our new routine. We picked out a handful of books, snuggled into the rocking chair and started to read. Ever few pages Kallie would look at me and say ba-ba, but I would continue to read. After we read all 5 books (next time I am shooting for 3) we rocked and rocked and rocked and rocked! As we were rocking it hit me . . . I was the one who was upset that Kallie didn’t get a bottle any more. It was taking away MY special time with my baby girl, and I began to cry. I never realized how special that moment was until I took it away!

Tonight will be night 5 of no bottle and I think we have rounded the corner. She still cries when I leave the room but that has happened since she was a tiny baby. I am really happy that Kallie seems to like our new routine of reading books, rocking and singing songs.

I have decided that reading and rocking my baby girl can be my new special mommy daughter time and I LOVE IT!!!

Happy 18 Months

Wow 18 months have gone by so fast. I must admit I still think of you as my baby girl but the truth is you are officially a toddler and are turning into your own little person right before my eyes. You had your wellness child check up and the Dr. said you are doing great. You are 32.75 inches (74%) and 23lb 14oz (70%).

You are quite the little ham these days, always wanting to be the center of attention. You love going to daycare every morning and visiting with your friends. In fact, most day are you already playing before I even walk out the door. Although you are still so excited when I come pick you up every night. When I walk in the door you smile from ear to ear and run over to give me a big hug which continues to melts my heart every day.

When we get home at night you are our top priority. We make dinner, take a bath and then play or read books until bedtime. You generally chose books over toys and most nights you want us to read the same book over and over. Some of your favorites are; 5 Little Monkeys, Animal Book (you point and make animal sounds), I Love you Mommy/Daddy and of course colors!

You have become so vocal over the last few months trying to repeat words we say. Some of your favorites are hi, hello (while putting her fake cellphone to her head), bye, yuv (love) you, two, airplane and thank you.

Words cannot begin to explain the love we feel for you. You are one amazing little girl who continues to amaze us every day.

XOXOXO

Mommy & Daddy (Coho too)

Here are a few pictures from the last month!