Green Froggy, You're the One!

Title sung to the tune of Sesame Street's "Rubber Ducky!" Kate doesn't have one, so we must alter the words a bit.

My First Big Girl Bath!

Yay (she can say this!)

Momma, you've been holding out on me! This is so much more fun!

Daddy, I'm embarrassed. (She DOES call Josh da-dee -- really cute!)

Delayed Discovery

In the days of my picture taking yore, where the joy of discovery (did I take a good one?) was delayed until a roll is finished USED to make me a bit shutter happy. I would click happily through 24 pictures just to get to the end result. Then came digital. Shutter happiness with a film camera is NOTHING compared to shutter happiness on a digital. It doesn't cost more money to take 20 pictures or 200 pictures -- so gang ho! Now, of course, going from digital to film has made my perspective change a bit. I don't take ten shots, I try to choose my moments. Sometimes, this means I'm more antsy to get the pictures developed, but it usually takes longer to finish the roll of film. 36 pictures later. . . this is what I discovered!

More Elisha Winn!

Downsteers, hear de biolin, Auntie Liz?

As both Jen and I have pointed out many times, Kate and Lydia love to play together. It may be a bit unusual for a 10 mo. old and a 2+ yr old to enjoy doing the same things, but I think I'll give credit to Lydia, here. She loves to interact with everyone, babies included. Right now, she's doing a good bit of mothering Kate. Frequently heard during play: "Kate, don't bodder dat." "Don't touch, Kate." The concept of sharing is difficult. Lydia loves it when Kate shares with her, but has a more difficult time respecting the toys that Kate has picked out to play for herself. Of course, then there are the times when those girls just look at each other and crack up. Probably their favorite thing to do together is play with Jen's big, red exercise ball. Both of them stand next to it and bang away, as though they are playing drums. Lydia gets especially hysterical, and Kate LOVES the sounds and action of doing the same thing as big cousin.

This is an example of the girl's "sharing." Kate's toy, Lydia playing, Kate watching! There are variations on this involving grabbing, whining, lectures on sharing, smiles, and giggles.

Kate's talkin' (anytime Kate makes a sound!)

Come thou fount of evwy bwessing. .


The girls got their jam-jams on and looked so cute, we had to capture the moment.

I hold 'ee, Katie-boo-boo!

The girls with all of their favorite things: Pup, Jeremy Monkey, and pink bankie!

Time for bed, little mouse, little mouse.

Baby Lauren Olivia

Oh my goodness! Look at big sis!

Friends, Cousins, Puppies . . .

There are TWO new posts. I know, when it rains, it pours.

Two weekends ago, we went to the Elisha Winn Festival. It was small, but cute. On our tour of the old plantation house, we met someone weaving corn-cob seats for these cute chairs. Of course, Lydia & Pup had to try them out. Lydia even got a bit possessive of the chair. When we exited the home, we saw someone else sitting in the chair. She took some restraining to stop her from kicking out the friendly adult from "her" cute red chair.

Auntie Lizzy, it's a cheer (chair)!

My life is so cushy!

Where there are three (or more) gathered together for a picture, there will be no moment when all three are a) looking at the camera or b) smiling at the same time!

10 Months

Mom, I know I'm cute, but do you HAVE to keep taking pictures of me?

I can hardly believe that my darling little girl is already ten months! The day crept up on me, but we did manage to acknowledge it before light completely faded. In fact, we took Kate out to Johnny Carinos, so mom & dad could have a pretty good Italian feast. We've reinstated "Date Night" with a slight change to the name. It's now "Family Date Night." We can still get in a good bit of talking & catching up since Kate can only distract us by tossing her food on the floor or grabbing the hair behind her right ear & making it stick straight out with gook on it. When SHE starts talking, date night as catch up night might altogether disappear.

Two funny things from last week. Found: little girl inside of end table, crying because she couldn't climb out. Unfortunately, I chose to save my child from distress instead of capturing the moment. Too bad for you. Found that afternoon: little girl hiding in the dark dining room NOT answering mamma, scooping out dirt from mom's potted plant onto the floor (and maybe a bit into her mouth). Once again, I chose to intervene immediately instead of walking back to my room & grabbing the image for everyone's enjoyment. Besides, I had already made TWO rounds of the entire upstairs without laying eyes on her. I was beginning to wonder if I had any large gaping holes in my house that she could have fallen into.

Latest tricks. Two new games. The "I Have a Question" Game. Dad instituted this game, I believe. It starts with Dad or Kate raising one of their arms HIGH into the air. Then everyone else in the room is compelled to do the same. Once everyone has done it, the arms can go down, until Kate starts the round all over again. The cutest part is that if she doesn't perceive 100% participation, she'll lift her hand HIGHER. Second game is sticking out her tongue & touching it with her index finger. I think she's just a ham and will do anything for a laugh. Clapping, LOTS of verbal play, definite use of the word "mama" are all routine now.

I've been learning a lot at GCA, but I still have LOTS of questions.

My favorite part of the day is when Josh comes home. As soon as Kate hears the garage door, she gets very quiet and starts to "listen" for sounds of daddy coming home. When the footsteps sound on the stairs, her hands start flapping and she gets soo excited that her papa has come home! She jumps into his arms as soon as he is visible, and rests her head on his shoulder for a little hug. This scene just melts a mother's heart, I tell 'ya.

Kate is the squirmiest baby on the changing table. The fact that she looks happy in this picture is a mere ploy for the camera.

My shirt says "I love Daddy." I do LOVE him.

Peek-a-boo! I see you!

Vote, please

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

I just need some opinions:
1, 2 or 3?

Playdates

Oh, the joy of playdates! Although, for mixed groups like ours where the children have such different ages, they perhaps require a bit more oversight by the mommies than say, a group of 5 year olds playing together, but they are sooo much fun! And, for our Mother's Bible Study turned PlayDate, we had some great babysitters! Kate tends to get run over a bit, but she still manages to have a good time. She's old enough that the girls want to play with her, but a little bit too small to defend herself when the loving gets too strong.

Look at all those girls surrounding Clayton! He does not know that he has it so good!

So serious. I think we must have just told them that their favorite stuffed animals had to go! Really, I think the babysitters were doing a crazy dance behind the camera. Instead of inspiring gleeful, smiling faces, they inspired quizzical, "What the hey are you doing????" Our kids are so sophisticated.

This is my playset. Welcome.

He loves me, he loves me not. (Or, it could have been, Itsy Bitsy Spider.)

This pictures is actually upside down, but I figured you guys might have trouble turning your monitors upside down, so I did it for 'ya.

Is it over? I can't see! Oh, my eyes are closed.

Clayton is such a good natured fella. He's going to grow up surrounded by a bevy of girls. The only other boy at our playgroup was too shy to come outside, so he really had it made.


The following week, Jen and I went for a walk in the neighborhood. It was during the day, the sun was out, and the mild hills in their subdivision seemed like mountains. Especially while pushing a double stroller. Lydia & Kate have a great time riding together. Lydia wants to take off her shoes, because Kate doesn't have any on. Then, she wants to lay her seat back, because Katie-boo is taking a little nap on her side.


Lydia is getting to be so brave. Of course, it helped that Pup was being brave, too. She tried to swing while holding Pup, which of course was completely inadvisable!

Look at me, Auntie Liz!

Kate loved going down the slide. This was our very first time at a playground, and boy did she enjoy it. Since then, we've been back to their playground once and she's started enjoying the church playground when we're there during the week. The students LOVE taking her out and about during lunch time.

Wait, Auntie Liz, I'm not ready!!!

We tried every slide. This is the longest, "fastest" slide. Notice that Pup is by her side. He gives her strength.