The Medina Family: December 2013

Katie Bug,

My precious baby girl and ray of sunshine! Happy 4^th Birthday to you! The day that you have been talking about for nearly six months is finally here! You really are FOUR now, and it’s the day of your much anticipated Ariel Birthday! I hope that today is everything you always dreamed it would be and more.

Cruising in your Barbie ("Arby") Car, August 2013

Riding the Train at Landa Park, September 2013

Aunt Tara and Katie, September 5, 2013

You have been talking about this birthday for quite some time now, asking me “Am I four now? Am I four?” You are so excited to grow up and you like to point out grown up things vs. big girl things. For example, the other night you were sitting on the barstool at the kitchen island and asked me, “I am sitting in a grown up chair, right?” You also told me when you are big and are a grown up, you can clean and wash dishes. And were genuinely excited! Stay little while you can baby girl, you are growing up too fast!

Playdate with Abbey at La Cantera, September 2013

Forced to hold a Longhorn by Aunt EJ!, September 2013
(Actually she picked this out for Uncle Kevin's Birthday)

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, September 2013

You are quite the mother hen. You yell at Nathan when he gets into your stuff and you complain to us, “Nathan is not listening to me!” You are pretty bossy, but that is to be expected for a four year old. Of course, you are asking us, “why?” about everything under the sun. You are very curious and like to know how and why everything works the way it does. You love electronics, and are quick to figure out how to use almost all of them. You are even starting to trace letters on your Leap Pad!

Daddy and Katie, Halloween 2013

Making Pies for the Murray Thanksgiving, Novemeber 2013

Celebrating Caleb's 3rd Birthday at Peter Piper, November 24, 2013

You continue to enjoy swimming classes and are in PS3. I don’t think that you have very many skills until you are ready to graduate, either. Mamaw said at your make-up class last Sunday that all you need to master are your kicks! You are going to be a little mermaid this summer at the pool! You love riding all the rides at SeaWorld, and enjoy going to the park to play with your “friends.” You are more outgoing socially than you were this time last year, too. You make friends with almost everyone that you meet. You are also very sensitive though, and get your feelings hurt easily.

Thanksgiving at Mawmaw's House, November 28, 2013

Making Gingerbread houses, December 1, 2013

"Makeovers" with Charlie, December 2013

Your day to day routine is still pretty much the same as it was in August. You don’t want to take naps anymore though. It is very hit or miss whether or not you will take one. On a good day, I can get you to “take a rest” where you doze off for an hour or an hour and a half. It won’t be long and you won’t be napping at all. You still stay up until 9-10pm at night and sleep until 8-9am. Usually Nathan wakes you up early. You are wearing 5T clothing because you are so tall, and size 10/11 shoes. The 11’s are still too big, but you are growing into them. You are almost completely potty trained. You are no longer wearing pull ups at night, but occasionally you have accidents at night if you don’t potty prior to going to bed.

Frozen with Mommy and Mawmaw, December 2013

Katie's first Gingerbread House with Aunt Nomi, Mommy and Isabella, December 2013

My favorite time of the day is when I come home after a long day. You run to the door and throw your arms around me to tell me “MOMMY! You are home!” You even sit down with me and ask me “How your day at work? Your patients all better?” You are the sweetest, kindest, most caring, and loving daughter I ever could have hoped for. I really do love watching you grow up. Each stage and age is more exciting than the last. You are now at an age I can actually remember being, which excites and terrifies me simultaneously. I love to see how you think and what you like. I know that the things we are doing today are times you might reflect back on fondly in 20 years and that makes my heart soar. But the scary side is, you will remember these days when you grow up - What if I fail you? What if I make the wrong choices? I am more aware than ever how impressionable you are and how important it is to protect you and provide for you. My time with you is so precious to me and I relish in your hugs, kisses and affection.