Our little Katie Bug is growing up so fast!
Miss Kaitlyn,
You are becoming more and more a little toddler everyday. Somedays, I think you turned two instead of one this past December. Uncle Jon has taken to calling you "Miss Grabby Hands" because you are in-to-everything! You are very curious and want to explore, touch, and sometimes taste whatever you can get you hands on. You are able to reach the counters now, so we have to be extra careful as to what is on the ledges. You are very good at reaching up for mom and dad's hairbrushes in the bathroom and opening the pen drawer to get out markers, pens and pencils. You are also experimenting with boundaries. Before, I could sternly tell you "no," and you would immediately stop doing what you were doing and take interest in something else. Now you keep reaching for whatever you aren't supposed to, and smile at me like "but I am so cute!!" It takes a lot more effort to redirect your attention and it usually involves tears and you hands flying up to your mouth. You have become very dramatic. I have NO idea where you get that from....(as Grandpa would say "the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree!")
With the bouts of drama and tears, we also have lots of happy, laughing and love. You are very affectionate and have been giving everyone lots of hugs, usually randomly when you want to and not when you are asked to. :o) You really don't give kisses, but if someone is persistent enough, you will turn your cheek to the side and allow him/her to kiss you on the cheek. You take such joy in playtime, and I love to hear you shrieking with happiness when you find something that amuses you. Your smile is so bright it lights up my day instantly, and I love to see the sparkle in your eyes. Uncle Jon has been teaching you how to dance, and poor girl, you love to show off your new moves. Maybe someone with some rhythm should teach you a thing or two. LOL! You also love to show your tummy, and occasionally will assist others with showing off their own tummy (usually daddy's)!!
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| Playing with your Sand and Water Play Table |
We have been feeding you more "big girl foods" these past few months and you now eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in between. We are not always successful at getting you to eat all of your meal, but you usually eat something each time. You have several snacks throughout the day and drink from a sippee cup very well (lots of water and a splash of juice). You do not like drinking milk from a sippee cup, but you are down to 3ish bottles a day, with the majority of milk right before you go to bed. That is going to be a hard bottle to get rid of, I imagine.
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| Feeding the Dolphins with Mommy at SeaWorld |
While you continue to sleep fairly well at night, we are having an awful time with naps. You do not like to lay down for naps, and we physically have to hold you down with us for 2-5 minutes until you fall asleep. Once you are down, you sleep 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Some days you don't want to nap at all, and we are lucky if you manage to take one 30 min nap. At Aunt Nomi's, you are such a good girl and go right to sleep in the pack and play all by yourself, so I hear. I have no earthly idea how Nomi does it, but I am now trying to get you to take naps in your crib by yourself. Hopefully by your 18 month update, you will be ready to transition to a toddler bed for naps and bedtime.
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| Your new water slide |
You are talking so much more!! You constantly babble and can now say several words:
Momma
Daddy
Baby
"Peas" for Please
"Bock" for Block
Bye
More
"Bi-an" for Brian, Nomi's boyfriend
Bubbles
Bottle
Budd-e!, Mom's Dog
Bella
"Pollo" for Apollo, Nomi's dog
"Ice Ceam," but only once for Papa and Jon
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| Katie and Grandpa |
Despite any of the challenges, we are loving this new stage in your life! You are so fun, interactive and bring us endless amounts of joy and more patience than we ever knew we had. We love you so much and are very excited to see how you change and grow this spring/summer.
Love,
Mommy
