Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving--a relaxing morning spent cooking a little, then in the afternoon we went to Matt's cousin's for dinner. We feasted, watched a movie, and feasted some more!

That night I braved the Pre-Black Friday craziness and hit up Toys R Us. I'm not sure it was worth it, but thanks to that trip and a couple online purchases I am done with the Christmas shopping for the girls in this family. 

{Last year I asked friends how they decided what to get their kids for Christmas. One friend said simply, "I take them to the store, and they show me what they like best." (Brilliantly simple, I think.) Another friend mentioned that they have a budget and a list of presents they'd like to get their kids, and they trim the list as needed.  I tried those two tactics this year, and I think it'll pan out well.}

These two pictures of Skylie and her second cousin were the only pictures I snapped on Thanksgiving!

*****

Our second annual trip to get a Christmas tree was a hit! Skylie has been excited to get a tree for weeks, and Friday Matt and I fulfilled her wish. On the way to the tree farm she seemed certain that it was was Christmas Day and Santa was bringing her lots of presents pronto. We're still working on helping her realize that Christmas is still a month away!

*****

Matt and I celebrate our seventh anniversary on Monday. Two great friends agreed to watch our kids Friday so we could spend the evening on Mass Ave.

First stop, Yats, a casual Cajun eatery that I fell in love with. Next,  The Flying Cupcake where we got--you guessed it--cupcakes. ComedySportz, a family-friendly improv comedy joint, was our final destination. It's rare that Matt and I get a night out like this, and it was absolutely a blast!

At dinner I pulled up "45 Questions to Ask During Speed Dating" on my phone. We laughed as we answered some of the questions.

"What are you most proud of?" Matt asked, and in jest I answered, "My whole life!" It didn't take me long to realize that I'm not proud of my entire life. That's the wrong word. On a slightly more serious note, I am truly humbled and thankful that I've had such a happy life. It's never been carefree or anywhere close to perfect, but in retrospect I cannot think of a time in my life that I haven't been blessed beyond measure.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kaitlyn at Sixteen Months

At sixteen months Kaitlyn is:

• Walking! She took her first steps on Wednesday, October 24 just two days shy of 15 months. Since then she's taken off! She walked her first couple of steps at a First Steps appointment with her physical therapist. Matt had bet me that she'd be walking by 15 months.  I lost the bet, but I'm glad he (and Kaitlyn) won.
• Talking--a little. She says, "What's dat?" while pointing at something about a million times each day. It is nothing short of adorable. "Uh-oh," "Mama," "Dada," and "Allo" (Hello) are occasionally said. Her first word, per say, was barking like a dog. "Uff, uff."
• She's quick to make her presence known, and isn't shy about letting you know what she wants.
• She has six teeth. She didn't get her first one until she turned one year old.
• Her hair is growing more quickly these days.
• She's been sick often, it seems. In the past three months she's had at least two ear infections, an upset stomach twice, fevers, and runny noses.
• She loves anything with buttons she can push, eating fruit and yogurt, taking baths, trying to color, going on slides, and attempting anything her big sister does.
• She is currently more likely to fold her arms for prayers than Skylie.
• Overall, she is easy to please, entertains herself well, and if she gets mad she'll forget about it quickly.
• She's a champ when I leave her in Child Watch at the gym, but once she woke up when a babysitter was here, and she completely freaked out and seemed inconsolable until her mama came back home.
• She likes drinking out of normal cups and using spoons to eat.
• She likes to take a quick nap mid-morning then an afternoon nap around 2 p.m. She's super flexible, though, which probably comes with the territory of being a second child.

Sixteen Month Letter To Kaitlyn

Dear Kaitlyn,

At sixteen months you're curiosity is growing. All day long you'll ask "What's dat?" and point at something. Just last week at church I was in the Primary room and heard a cute little voice in the hallway asking "What's dat? What's dat? What's dat?" Sure enough, it was you and your dad coming down the hallway. Dad likes to say that all the girls in this family have cute feminine voices.

You are patient, and tolerant, and are quick to laugh. You and Skylie like to play with each other a  bit. It's cute. You laugh while she pulls you around in a cardboard box, you cry when she picks you up, and you "squawk" in complaint if she snags your toy.

I still get compliments daily about those baby blue eyes, and now your wispy curls are turning heads, too.

You love sand! At the Children's Museum one month ago, the sand toys enthralled you nonstop.

When you began trying to say actual words a couple months ago, you'd get all excited and point at dogs then let out a  muffled "uff, uff." 

You also love your dad. When he gets home you make your way to him as quick as possible and bark out gibberish orders until he holds you.

Having you in our family is a joy, Kaitlyn, We love you!

Love,
Mom

Videos of Kaitlyn Walking

The first video is Kaitlyn taking steps on Friday, October 26--two days after she took her first steps.
This second video is her walking two weeks later on November 8.

Kaitlyn's Stats at Almost Sixteen Months:

Weight: 16 pounds,  4 ounces

Halloween 2012

Halloween was truly celebrated in style at our home this year. We attended Halloween parties at church, the YMCA, our neighborhood, playgroup, and the library. Overkill? Yes, but we loved it. We also played at an apple orchard and pumpkin patch, toured the Children's Museum's haunted house, carved pumpkins, attended a Halloween-themed birthday party, and of course went trick-or-treating.

Here's some pictures of our October.

Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Patch Playgroup

YMCA Halloween Party

Friday, October 19

 This is the first year I've been to a Halloween party hosted by the Y. It rocked! For $3 total the kids made four Halloween treats, played on giant bounce toys, watched a snake show, and played 20 or so carnival games.  Older kids went through a haunted house and others roasted s'mores and painted mini pumpkins outdoors. I was flying solo since Matt was on call, so I didn't dare hit up the outdoor events. Fire and paint with two small children didn't sound like a venture I wanted to take.

Cute Piglet got lots of compliments

So did her big sis, the frog. Skylie's friend, Rachel, offered it to Skylie in September. Skylie has insisted on wearing it at least three days a week since. I had envisioned Skylie dressed as a girly princess for Halloween, but no--not this year.

See how much she's loving this!

Kaitlyn had just tried to get into Sky's candy. Sky yanked it away and said, "No, Kaitlyn. That's my candy!" We battled that issue all evening. Another pumpkin for Kaitlyn's candy made the grocery list ASAP.

Meg's Birthday Party

Thursday, October 25

Children's Museum Haunted House

Thursday, October 25

Library Halloween Party

Saturday, October 27

Halloween Playgroup Party 

Tuesday, October 30

Twenty-five plus babies and preschoolers came to our home for playgroup and a potluck lunch. We played a couple games--Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin, Spider Spider Who's Got the Spider?, and Apple Tree Tricks. Skylie and Kaitlyn love these kids, and I love their mama's so it's a win-win all the way around.

Halloween Day

Wednesday, October 31

This is how my kids went to story time on Halloween. Skylie insisted on wearing both her frog and princess costumes with sunglasses to top it off.

Before going trick-or-treating I took the kids to the neighborhood Halloween party. We took a hay ride, played games, and downed hot dogs and candy. Below are a few pictures I snapped as we left to go trick-or-treating. Temperatures were cool, but after bundling up well nothing could stop these kids (and me) on a mission to get the goods.

Visiting Notre Dame for the BYU Game

Months ago a friend approached Matt with the suggestion of going with a few guys to the BYU vs. Notre Dame football game. Matt jumped at the idea and explained to me how being at Notre Dame for a football game is pretty much the coolest thing ever.

Soon it became a family affair, and on October 20 two of my girlfriends, their spouses, and Matt and myself were listening to the Rudy soundtrack and eating Anne's famous cookies on our three hour drive north to catch the  game.

David and Jenny, Matt's cousins, watched Skylie and Kaitlyn all day long. Bless them. Spending an entire day carefree with Matt seemed nothing short of wonderful.

First stop--an authentic Mexican place for lunch. Next we made our way to the campus, checked out  cool buildings, and listened to the Irish trumpets under the Golden Dome--an annual tradition at the school.

Here we are with Touchdown Jesus (or so it's called, I'm told) in the background.

The Rygg's, Ownby's, and Matt and I made our way to the stadium to find our seats--on the very back two rows! My brother, Lee, happened to be going to the game as well, and he sat only two rows in front of us! It was great to spend some time with him.

The game did indeed disappoint, but I'm glad it wasn't an embarrassing blowout for BYU.

We lucked out on the drive home and happened to stop at the best pizza place in town, according to locals.

Thanks Rygg's for hooking us up with alumni tickets, Ownby's for driving, and David and Jenny for watching our kids! Who's up for going next year?

Skylie's Third Birthday

Way back in August...

The kids and I flew home from Utah late the night before Skylie's birthday. Some may have liked a lazy day to recoup and unpack. But birthdays only come once a year, and this little lady had been anticipating her big day for months! We kept the day low-key, but tried to make it special for Sky.

First we girls headed to the Children's Museum to meet up with her cousin, Meg. Sky loves Meg, and the two get along like champs.

Check out Skylie's big eyes. She's started doing that for pictures, and it cracks me up.

We later opened presents with Daddy. These dress ups have been worn almost daily during the past two months.

 

In the evening we met up with friends at a nearby park to BBQ and play. Here's Skylie with some of her best buds, Kitty and Lillian. These three are doing a co-op preschool playgroup each Friday this year, and Skylie looks forward to their get-togethers all week.

Sky's other three-year-old buddy, Peach, did make an appearance at the party but snoozed in the stroller most of the night.

Sky seemed a bit off the entire day, and I wondered if all our travels had worn her out. That may have partially been the case, but the following day a fever hit and she became ill. Poor birthday girl.

Happy birthday, Kiddo. We love you!

*****

Today I'm thankful that all the girls in this house got a good nap in today. Skylie and Kaitlyn gave me a run for my money this morning--both awake for the day at about 5 a.m.. Sleep deprived children and mamas are never a good mix, you know. But afternoon naps worked wonders for us all.