Happy Birthday Katie

Katelyn

Age: 4

Personality:  Carefree, girly, defiant, hands on, quiet, impulsive, shy, moody, determined, imaginative

Favorites:
Food:  PB&J, strawberry oatmeal, corn on the cob, cucumbers, apples, pizza, chicken enchiladas, salad, crackers, chocolate milk, and chips
Songs: Kenny Chesney's "Young", My God is So Big, The B.I.B.L.E.
Books:  Barbie books, Dora the Explorer books, and Strawberry Shortcake books (notice the girly trend?)
TV Shows:  Curious George, Sid the Science Kid, My Friend Rabbit, Willa's Wildlife
Movies:  Meet the Robinsons, TinkerBell, Madagascar, Princess Stories, Ice Age Dawn of the Dinasaurs
Games:  Chutes and Ladders, puzzles, PBSkids.org games
Toys:  Polly Pockets, Barbies, dress up, blocks for building towers/homes for Polly Pockets or Barbies, stroller for playing house, coloring books, and playdoh
Activities w/Mommy:  baking, reading, cuddling while watching movies, dancing contests
Activities w/Daddy:  cooking, helping with building projects, exploring outside

You wanted tacos, chips, chicken, and water for your birthday dinner (interesting combo?)

Dear Katie,
This year has been a challenging, but fulfilling year with you.  We started off a little rocky with efforts of getting you potty trained.  I had hoped to have you potty trained before Andrew was born, but you wanted nothing to do with it.  No matter what the incentive I gave or item taken away, you didn't seem to care.  You truly are a determined little girl.  At times our personalities really clashed and I didn't know where I was going to get the ambition to start a new day with you.  But finally, you seemed to "hit rock bottom" so to speak with the potty training issue, and things started turning around.  I guess you really wanted to learn in your own time.

As you are getting older, your personality is certainly flourishing.  Along with being determined to do things however and whenever you please, you also have quite an imagination.  With Kyra being in school all day, I worried about how we would occupy the days.  But you sometimes go a couple hours making up songs, role playing with your barbies and polly pockets and toy animals.  I have to be careful to remember to set some time aside for you, otherwise I could easily forget you are in the other room.  I have enjoyed watching you build really detailed towers and rooms for your dolls.  They have been complete with kitchen and bathroom!  Your coloring skills have also greatly improved.  Although we are still working on the alphabet, you love to write random letters and pretend to write a story like your big sister.  But perhaps what I like to see best is how you interact with Daddy.  You love to work on projects with him.  The other day you were helping him work on the plumbing in the bathroom.  You were cutting the pipe and working with flux with a little guidance from dad.  You love a challenge, but you don't want any help.  You certainly want to do it your "own self."

Yes, Katie I love your spunky attitude.  You definitely march to the beat of your own drum.  You're a quirky, loveable little girl and we hope to discover many new wonderful qualities about you in your 4th year of life.  Lots of love,

Mommy and Daddy

You wanted a unicorn cake for your birthday, surprisingly it was about the easiest cake I've had to make so far!

Grandpa Bob gave you prunes for your birthday.  Never a dull moment with Grandpa Bob.  Maybe that's where you get some of your quirkiness from?  Not surprising was the fact that you liked the gift.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Amidst the craziness of trying to put up Christmas decorations with a rather fussy baby and two "getting eachother's goats" girls, I did manage to laugh at some of the cute things Katie said. Thank goodness for laughter.

While driving to the doctor alone with Katie:
Katie: Mom, I see a silent "E"!
(never mind that she still doesn't even know what an E looks like, I just like that she was able to find a silent one. Can you tell we have an older sibling in this household?)

While sitting at the dinner table:
Kyra: Katie, give this dolly to Andrew and see what he does.
Katie: Kyra, I can't do that. He's a boy baby. Boys don't like dolls. We'll have to give it to him when he's older and turns into a girl baby.
(I've got news for you sister...)

While brushing hair in the bathroom:
Mom: (Katie enters the room) Oh, baby...your outfit doesn't match, why don't you go back into your room and put on your green pants.
Katie: Momma, I don't want to. Then I'll look like a human!

If you'd like to read more tiny talk go over to Mary's.

Parmesan Anyone?

Here's what happens when a 3 year old is left to her own devices....a mountain of parmesan on her spaghetti!!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Our kids say the darndest things. Here are a couple of the cute things Katie said this week:

During prayer time:
Mom: Katie would you like to pray?
Katie: Can I say "Dear Lord Jesus?" (That's a recited prayer that she always resorts to. She's not one to pray impromptu.)
Mom: How about you just tell Jesus some of the things you are thankful for?
Katie: Okaaay. Dear Jesus, thank you for my family. Thank you toilet paper and the potty. And thank you my ducky. Amen.
(Seriously? The potty? She doesn't even like to use the potty. I just love young children's prayers.)

Trying to pick a game to play:
Mom: What game would you like to play?
Katie: Remembering.
(that would be Memory)

If you'd like to read more tiny talk, just visit Mary's.

And she's the big 3!

My youngest has now turned 3. It's hard to believe, since those 3 years have gone by so quickly. Katydid's birthday was Friday, the 1st day of spring (because I had a c-section, I thought that would be a nice day for her birthday...even though that day never tends to feel like spring yet). Anyway, we decided to have our own little family party on Friday, and celebrate with extended family on Sunday.

What a fun day. I asked her where she wanted to go for dinner, and she replied "to the grass." I guess I had to be more specific, so I said what restaurant would you like to eat at, and she replied "the Costco food court!" After that, I figured I'd better give her a few suggestions. We finally settled on a Mexican restaurant, which suited us fine since we love Mexican, and she loves the chip basket. After that, we headed to Playworld (a Chuck E Chee*se of sorts). The kids had fun playing on all the maze things while we got to sit and chat. Finally, we headed to Cold Stone Creamery. I tell you, it mind as well have been my birthday, because I think I had just about as much fun as the girls did.

The next day of course I was hit with an awful cold. I wasn't sure if we should still have her party on Sunday, but figured it was just family, I would be fine. I cleaned a little and prepared to make her birthday cake....a castle cake. I have spent the last couple years making the girls cakes, and Kyra gladly explained to her sister that I would make any cake she desired (thank you big sister). I'm just hoping the ideas for these cakes don't keep getting harder and harder. Fortunately, the castle cake wasn't the hardest, but it wasn't my best looking cake either. At 10pm that night, I finished the cake. The only problem was, that it was a little top heavy. So after finishing it, I couldn't move it. And because it was 3 tiers, I couldn't cover it either. The best I could do was drape a blanket in front of it, so she wouldn't see it the next day.

Sunday came, and my cold hit me like a sack of bricks. You know the kind of sinus headache that makes you feel like a truck ran into you? I debated again whether we should cancel the party, but we had to eat the cake (since it wasn't covered), and we couldn't move the party to my in-laws (because we couldn't move the cake!). On with the party it was! Fortunately, I have a husband who is quite handy in the kitchen. He took the girls to church, while I stayed home and prepped the turkey, and red potatoes. We pretty much had a Thanksgiving type meal going on, but that's my Katie! She's a meat and potatoes kind of girl. Plus the main item on her birthday menu was corn on the cob (I tell you, these girls are their father's girls through and through). The corn this season is nothing to write home about, but each girl still had two ears each!

Katie had a wonderful day. She has become so expressive this year. She opened up each present with such glee, and hugged all her aunts and uncles. And I made it through the day too. It was worth it to see such a happy birthday girl. And to think I can add making a turkey to my list of accomplishments now.

Florida Trip, part 1 (the plane ride)

We are fortunate enough to have traveled to the sunny state of Florida this past week. It's hard to believe we have done this 3 years in a row. Every year we plan on not going, resolving to save our money towards one thing or another, but every winter the blues set in and we get an itchin' to go. We are blessed to have friends that live there and in-laws that have a time share.

So, when January's sub degree weather took a toll on us, we decided we needed us a vacation. I also reasoned with myself that I probably wouldn't be going on vacation this summer with a new baby on hand, so we needed to go somewhere for some rejuvenation (why not somewhere warm?). The hubs work schedule is also going to be crazy busy this summer, and quite frankly already has been busy and he needed a break.

After finding a really cheap flight, we were set to go. I was glad that we were going to fly because quite frankly I didn't know how these achy pregnancy legs could handle 25 hours in the car. And the flights all in all went well, with of course only a few minor set backs. I was so worried Kyra wouldn't do well since she had just been diagnosed with an ear infection, but she did great. Katie however had a little trouble with the decline. It must have been a sight to see watching two parents sink down to this child's level and make goofy jaw dropping faces to get her to do the same (so her ears would pop).

Then on the way back toward home Katie pooped in her diaper just minutes before we were supposed to board on a lay over flight from Indianapolis to Chicago. Unfortunately, because we are in the midst of potty training and had exhausted our supply of diapers on the trip, I didn't have a single diaper. I quickly went to an airport kiosk, paid $6 for a two pack of diapers and boarded the plane with my poopy daughter. Then I looked at the package and realized they were a size 3, which wouldn't be too bad except for the fact that she wears a size 5! Oh well, I knew I could squeeze her in. I waited anxiously until we were high enough in the air so we could take her into the teeny stall, hoping that nobody could smell the stench that I smelled. Finally the stewardess said something about the lavatory, and I darted for the door. Only, when I reached the front, the stewardess said "what do you think you're doing? the seat belt light is still on. You can't come up front." I thought that our short jaunt up front seemed rather steep. I guess I would have to wait a few more minutes. Only that time never came. Because it was such a short flight, we basically barely got to maximum height before we had to come back down. So here I sat with a poopy daughter, and an overpriced pack of diapers that were the wrong size. That's life with a two year old! It was an adventure and always is. Oh, and by the way, when I finally did change her at the airport, her little deposit was about the size of a dime. Wow, that kid can pack a punch!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

In the past most of my funny quotes came from my oldest, Kyra. I tried to sneak in a few from Katie, but mostly they were just words she messed up. Lately, however that little girl has been cracking me up. Unfortunately, I haven't had my pen and paper at hand and have completely forgotten some of the things she's said. Here's a couple I remember....

While playing inside:
Katie: Where's Daddy?
Mom: He's at Uncle Mike's house.
Katie: I really want Daddy.
Mom: Sorry babe, he'll be back in a little while.
Katie: Can I have another Daddy?
(apparently only a daddy would do today, even if it meant any daddy!)

In the car after Christmas shopping:
Dad: Ho, Ho, H0 (he bellied out in a jovial voice)
Katie: Silly Daddy, you aren't Santa Claus! (long pause) I Santa Claus!
(well, she got one part right, but last I checked Santa wasn't a little blue eyed blond girl)

Potty Talk

Okay, close to a month ago we took away Katie's binki. Which, gladly she has finally gotten to the point where she doesn't ask for everyday and does fall asleep without it. And with that being accomplished, I knew the next task would be to start potty training, I just had no idea how soon.

Kyra was potty trained pretty close to her 3rd birthday, and even at that I was the one nagging her about it all the time. She was never interested in learning, thus the several months we tried were a struggle (along with many unnecessary accidents on the floor....because I was bound and determined to have her in underwear even though she wasn't ready). So, with all that struggle I vowed I would wait for Katie to show interest before I pushed her (as long as her interest didn't spike until age 4!). And up until this point she has shown no interest. We've put her on the potty chair a few times just for kicks, but she's such a wiggle worm that she wouldn't sit still (kicking her legs every which way and bending her knees so she could put her feet on the rim of the potty). I was beginning to think when we started the training, we would have to call her the whiz kid for fear the potty wouldn't make it in the toilet! I have also been concerned to start training with her because of constipation issues, wondering if that would make her more scared to go.

Nevertheless, something in her brain triggered today. It was the funniest conversation really. Her speech has never been too clear, so unless your her mama or daddy it's often hard to understand some of the things she's saying (even I can't understand some of the time). Here's how the afternoon went.

During lunch at the table:
Katie: I poopy mommy.
Mom: Okay, just a minute and I'll change your diaper.
Katie: No, I POOPY mommy!
Mom: I know Katie, I'll be there in one minute.
Katie: MOMMY, I AM P O O P I N G! (with accentuation on the "ing")
Mom: Oh, do you need to go potty?
Katie: Yes.
Mom: (rather surprised that she was able to distinguish between tenses, I swooped her up and put her on the potty chair).
Katie: Go away mommy.
Mom: Are you sure?
Katie: Yes.
Mom: (I came back 10 minutes later, of course checking on her periodically making sure she didn't walk away or have her legs wiggling all about leaving a mess). Are you all done?
Katie: Yes.
Mom: (I check the chair, half expecting nothing, and yet found she had pooped and peed in the potty chair!) Yay Katie! Good job. I'm so proud of you. We'll have to go get a treat (she was going to have a brownie for lunch anyway).

I know that conversation was maybe a bit graphic and disgusting for some, but I couldn't have been prouder. I don't know if this will keep up, but I was so impressed she figured to do this all on her own, and was so persistent to ignore my lack of understanding her comment. She's a character that one and a keeper too.

Binki Blues

Now that vacations are done, and we have the month of August relatively free any responsibilities (before school starts that is), I thought I should work on Katie a bit. Being now that she is 2 1/2 and still uses a pacifier to go to bed, sleeps in a crib, and hasn't started potty training, I thought I should work on one of those things. Although Kyra was in an adult sized bed when she was only 18 months, I still like the control of having the crazy one enclosed in her own quarters for the time being. And potty training, although feasible, seems like a bigger task then I'm willing to tackle (not to mention she has the con*stipation issues that might make the whole process harder - that's a whole other story). So, taking away the pacifier won the final verdict.

Taking away the binki with Kyra was a relatively easy task. She was exactly 2 years old, and we simply snipped a hole in it while she wasn't looking. She took one look at it, said it's broken, and wanted nothing more to do with it. She never cried over it or asked for another one. Easy peasy!

I've known from the start it wouldn't be that easy with Katie. For one, history is a good indicator. She had a difficult time transitioning from a bottle to a cup, and an even harder time from warm milk to cold (let's just say she boycotted fluids for 36 hours to the point of being limp!) This is a strong willed child, who doesn't give up without a fight. Anyway, unless I am willing to let her bring a binki to her first day of class, the time to take it away is now.

So, I took the same approach I took with Kyra. I cut a fine hole in the binki then put it back in her bed. When naptime arrived, she grabbed her binki and shoved it in her mouth. Of course something didn't feel right, so she looked at it strangely and gave it to me. "Oh sorry honey, it must be broken, do you want to throw it away?" Oddly, she said yes (aha my plan was going better than expected). Of course after she herself threw the binki away, she wanted "anoder." When I told her there wasn't any more, she wanted her's back from the trash. We battled back and forth, until she weepinly agreed to sleep with a stuffed piggy. Ten minutes later I heard screaming from her room, in which I came back to find all of her stuffed animals thrown out of her crib, and a red faced girl, screaming "NO PIGGY! BINKY!" After close to an hour, she finally went to bed.

I was so close to buying another binki, thinking I can't go through with this. My only hope was knowing this too shall pass. Of course today is day 4 of the journey, and she still went to bed crying. The crying is lessoning with each day, but I do hate to see a child cry to sleep. Thankfully Kyra was kind enough to share her favorite stuffed animal "doggy" (I know, we certainly are creative with names) to help her get to sleep. So, hopefully by the end of the week, she should be a pro at falling asleep on her own. And with that mastered, potty training should be a breeze!

Our Little One Eye Wonder

Our little Katydid was looking a bit like Quasimodo for the day. All from those stinking mosquitos! Both of our kids seem to be quite allergic to mosquito bites. Their bites have sometimes swelled up to the size of a golf ball! Although most bites have been on elbows and legs. So, when I put Katie to bed and saw that her eye was starting to swell, I felt so bad for her (but figured by morning it would look a lot better). Unfortunately by morning it looked a lot worse. Thank goodness for bene*dryl. The thing was, she didn't even seem to notice! I love how resilient kids are!

Friday's Foto - Catch of the Day

Katie - Spring 2008

KATIE


Age: 2

Personality: Whimsical, full throttle, expressive, guarded, defiant, fearless, sly, playful











Favorites

Food: Ham & Cheese Sandwich, CHIPS, French Fries, Carrots, Brocolli, Cereal, Bananas, Grapes, did I mention chips?
Songs: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Where is Thumbkin?, Jesus Loves Me, Baby Bumblebee, Pony Boy
Books: My Big Animal Book, Jamberry, Baby Cakes, Time for Bed
Movies: any Baby Einstein, Toddler Action Songs
TV Shows: Sesame Street
Games: Water WOW Doodle Book (painting), building towers w/legos or blocks, races with Kyra
Toys: Magna Doodle, Dolly, Stroller
Activities with Dad: riding on the 4 wheeler, playing at the park, reading
Activities with Mom: reading, cuddling

Katie,

You are a determined little girl, who constantly wants her way right NOW. But with that, comes lots of hugs and slobbery kisses. You still love to cuddle (and what Mom wouldn't eat that up). In the past week, it seems like your vocabulary has exploded. You are speaking more clearly, and using more sentences to describe what you want and what is going on. It is a joy to hear your little voice. You love your big sister (for the most part), and often copy things she does. You adore little babies, and stop people with strollers just so you can see their baby. You are fairly social (saying hi to almost any stranger), but guarded if someone comes too close to something you hold dear (ie: dolly, swing, book). You love animals, and make sure to pet and give Rudy (our dog) treats every day. Your blue eyes still capture our hearts, and we love you dearly. You are our dear Katydid.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

"Sending Out An S.O.S."

It was kind of an odd Mother's Day. I spent the last few days in Chicago. You could say the trip away was a little gift from my hubby. I was able to spend the day before Mother's Day with my Mom, and then planned to come home on Sunday so I could spend the special day with my hubby. You see, one of his gifts to me, were tickets to "The Police" concert. I was just a little excited, seeing as how "Sting" is one of my favorite singers. I know, I'm a lucky girl.

Anyway, the night before I left, Katie began to fuss and cough in her sleep. I woke up on Mother's Day only to find out she had a fever and seemed only to get worse. I quickly got in the van, and hoped for the best as I took the 3 1/2 hour trek home to Michigan. Fortunately she slept most of the way (something I was very thankful for, seeing as how she's not the best traveler and I was the lone caregiver in the car). I played out the rest of the day in my head. I would get home, eat lunch, unpack, shower, and prepare for the concert. Wouldn't it be nice if the scenes in our head matched reality? Riiigght. It went a little more like this:

1:00 PM Got home, hubby had made lunch, grocery shopped, and planted all my flower beds while I was gone as another Mother's Day gift (yeahh....he is good!).
1:20 PM Put a very cranky Katie on the couch to watch Baby Ein*stein, took her temperature, while she screamed her way through that- 103.3
1:30 PM Scarfed down lunch, while intermittenly going back and forth to bring drinks, binkies, blankies, etc. to a wimpery little girl.
2:00 PM Consulted the pediatrician as to what I should do, since she seemed short of breath. He said we should take her to a pediatric clinic that didn't open till 5pm (2 hours before our concert).
2:10 PM Contemplated what I should do, since our babysitter was both pregnant, and has a 17 month old. Figured we should give the kids to Grandma and Grandpa instead.
3:00 PM Took a shower, got ready, unpacked a little, sat a little in our new chairs that arrived while I was gone, packed kids pjs and snacks to go to G&G's.
4:30 PM Went to clinic, registered, and Katie vomits all over Dad (who by the way was dressed for the concert).
5:40 PM Doctor diagnosed her with Bronchitis and said she would be no longer contagious after Tuesday!
6:00 PM Made some phone calls to quick decide what to do (G&G don't need bronchitis). My hubs decides he'll stay home. I have to decide who to bring with me to the concert in the next 15 minutes. Two friends are 9 months pregnant, one works on the weekends, one lives 40 minutes away....there was only one friend left to ask (sorry Christy, almost called you). Fortunately, my brother in-law pulled through and said he'd be willing to deal with possible tossing of cookies, wheezing, and crankiness.
6:40 PM Went to 3 pharmacies to get antibiotics, they were all closed. We'll have to get it in the morning. Shot to fast food restaurant for Kyra, and headed out the door.
7:29 PM Arrived at the concert, with one minute to spare!!!!

How appropriate that the first song Sting sang was "Message in a Bottle" a.k.a - "SOS". I felt like I was the one in need of the S.O.S. But we made it. The concert was fabulous. I felt a little young in the crowd, after all I was really going to see Sting, not the whole band, but it was still fabulous. I felt quite guilty leaving our sick little one at home too, but what are you going to do? Sting/Katie/Sting/Katie. I think she forgave me today. And I had my day with her today filled with snuggles and hugs...a true mother's delight. Yes it was a memorable day.

Happy Birthday Katie

Dear Katie,

Two years ago today you entered into this world. I remember when I first found out I was pregnant with you. I was nervous and scared because I had a 10 month old and didn't think I was prepared yet to take care of 2 young children. I found out I was pregnant with you days before your Aunt Aub was married. I remember crying through her wedding, both at the joy of her getting married, and because of the emotions I was feeling from being pregnant. For the most part the pregnancy went smoothly, unlike your sister's. I thought for sure you were a boy because I gained very little, swelled very little, and felt quite good most of the time.

So, when March 20th came, we headed to the hospital (for a scheduled c-section) to finally meet you face to face. I chose to have you on the 20th because it is the first day of spring, and what better way for a fresh start, than to have a fresh start with a fresh new baby! The doctor's had a difficult time getting you out, because you were breached, so every time daddy asked what you were, they weren't sure. A short while later they announced we had another baby GIRL! Your daddy smiled with joy. Although I was wrong in predicting you were a boy, we couldn't have been happier. You were healthy, strong, and beautiful. What could be better than having 2 sister's close in age, that would hopefully become great friends someday.

Now you are two year's old, and full of life! You love playing with dolly's and stroll them all around the house, while covering them in blankets later on for naps. You love to put stickers all over the house, and let mom play seek the stickers! You are talking more and more every day, with your favorite phrases being, "look at me!" and "how about...these shoes (your always picking out new shoes to wear). You let your older sister boss you around for a little while (of course you let her know when you've had enough). You love to make goofy faces, and make your parents laugh. You are wistful and inquisitive. You are messy and carefree. You can be a little spitfire, which keeps us on our toes, but your smile always turns us to goo. We love you very much Katydid. Happy Birthday!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Can Anyone Say PICA?

You know it is never a good sign when your 3 1/2 year old runs into the kitchen saying, the 1 1/2 year old is into the markers again. Where she got the markers, who knows because we keep them in a drawer far from her reach (take that back, she probably got them from the 3 1/2 year old). Anyway, most people would be concerned about drawings on the carpet or scribbles on the wall. The only markers we have however are the Color Wonder markers, so I wasn't too concerned about preschool artwork. I was concerned about her oral fixation with anything that seems to fit in her mouth! Sure enough, I ran into the living room only to find 3 markers with their tops chomped off. Now this girl is almost 2 years old and knows she isn't supposed to eat markers. Fortunately she spit out the pieces when I asked. Do I have to put a pad lock on her mouth with the exception of meals? It's not like she is starving for food. This girl eats, I mean she really eats.

Alright, I hopped off of my soap box for now. Everyone is safely tucked in their beds for nap time. So for a couple hours I can rest assure that my children are safe and sound. That is of course unless I forgot to take the mini book out of her crib that she could get a taste for?!

Friday's Foto

Lately, the girls have been bonding more than ever. To hear them giggle in the other room together just melts my heart. Yes, I think these two are good buds.

Wordless Wednesday

My first attempt at pigtails with the hairless wonder! Needless to say, they're a little lopsided, because of the wiggly little peanut and the lack of long hair. It was fun while it lasted. Hubs called her BamBam.

Old Wives Tales

Well, apparently if I take the "binki" away from my daughter, she'll just find something else to put in her mouth, because that's what she did today. Yes, my daughter opened a forbidden drawer (we have many of those in our house - most of them now being locked, but for goodness sakes, I can't lock them ALL!), and found my husband's chewing gum. I politely told Katie to put it back and shut the drawer (a sensible mom would have just taken it away, but oh no - I like to trust the 1 1/2 year to be responsible on her own). Anyway, I walked away for a moment and came back to the kitchen to find that she had opened the pack of gum and had not chewed, but eaten 2/3rds of the package! AHH...7 years in her stomach, oh no! Surely she won't die, as the old wives tales go, from swallowing the package of gum (just kidding, come on give me more credit then that!).

Anyway, I highly doubted that the gum would rot in her stomach for that amount of time. For goodness sakes, even I know how strong the acids in our stomachs are, however I thought I would check the internet just to be sure. To my reassurance, there were many websites to assure me that my daughter would make it out okay. One website even said that it was safer to swallow gum then it was to chew gum. Anyway, here is a website to peruse, just for your delight.: http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/chewgum.asp

Now, back to keeping my daughter out of drawers. Do I have to put a padlock on everything? I'm running out of shelf space. Or better question yet, am I going to have to moniter Katie's diaper tonight for bottom bubbles?

Thoughtless Thursday

I told you we'd have trouble taking the binki away!

Katydid

I feel so often that I write about the cute things that my older daughter says or does, but the one who speaks clingon, melts my heart just as much:

Our little Katie - 18mo (aka: Katydid/Katydon't) brings us so much joy. She is one of few words, so when she actually started saying, "Peeeese!" last week while pointing to the refrigerator, it was so hard to say no, because she is actually using her words now. Our latest little one word wonder likes to yell "TADA!" when climbing on top of the tree stump at the mall. It gets me every time. So, imagine my distress as I come home from our mini vacation yesterday, only to find out that she couldn't talk. Yes, despite the few words she knows, it was saddening to see that she couldn't speak at all. Katydid has laryngitis. My sister in-law said she was pretty much mute the whole weekend. She was so excited to see us, yet could barely screech out a "mommy." It breaks your heart when you see them struggling so hard to swallow and whisper out a word. Thankfully, it doesn't seem to be bothering her too much today, as she is already getting a kick out of her high pitched, raspy voice. She says a word over and over again, only to look my way to see if she can get a reaction. She knows that even if she can't speak, she can always count on the hundred facial expressions she's always had to get her mama going. Yes, Katydid, you had us from the beginning.