The fact that Kate now has a "bike" - and a helmet (more for when she comes along in the Burley on my bike than on hers, but STILL!) - is shocking AND delightful. The weather outside is also delightful - or at least it has been this week, and what is more fun than to head outside in the late afternoon for a little "bike" ride/scoot?

Yes, I realize that it isn't really a bike, but the truth is that it is oh-so-very close and it seems surreal that Kate might actually be old enough for whatever this is. I don't mean to be dramatic, but how quickly time is flying! As Grandma S pointed out this week, it was a year ago that she was here visiting us and Kate was content to sleep in her arms. THOSE days are over. Content is a word that went flying out the door ages ago.

So as we battle the crud (cold) that Kate and all of her neighborhood friends have, we also find some time to get outside and explore this new mode of transportation. Good, good times.

Slacker Mom

I've had a couple of complaints regarding a lack of new posts and I just want a moment to support my case for being a slacker-blogging-mom. As most of you know, I've gone back to the real (working) world, albeit part-time. I don't know why I haven't gotten back into a routine, but since this interruption, I haven't quite been able to figure out a schedule. I remember the ship my mother ran back in the day, and I strive to be so orderly; however, it just doesn't seem to be working out for me. Additionally, #2 got me a super fun little video camera (a Small Wonder) for Christmas, but as I told him the other day, my video editing software is "holding me back." As soon as these glitches are addressed, you will all be awed and delighted - I'm sure - by the onslaught of updates from Team Gootch.

In the meanwhile, please know that Kate still likes to talk on the phone (and anything that resembles a phone), she still has nearly white hair, and she is still covered with bruises.

She is saying things here and there, but her current favorite is, "WHOOOOOOOA!" - right before she throws something (usually food) on the ground. I figure it is good that at least she knows what MY reaction is going to be. This last weekend we took her to Bogus Basin and she rode up a ski lift and down the bunny hill in the backpack. She quite liked it, as did #2.

She is a big fan of music, books and playing outside, and she likes long walks on the beach...

Stay tuned. I'll post some sugar soon!

Accidents = Blood = Red = Valentine's Day

A lot of changes have happened around here lately. I went back to work, Kate has a new sitter, we ended morning naps and we got rid of bottles (those are for babies, anyway). A week ago we took Kate sledding and she had a grand time. Of course, with sledding comes sledding accidents. Kate took a header right into the snow, cutting her up a little. She recovered very well, hopped back on the sled and went on to enjoy a lunch of cheese quesadillas.

Yesterday she decided to dive off an arm chair,... into an end table. I got a call at work from the sitter which included the word, "gash" so needless to say I came home to see the damage. These photos were taken after nap time, when the swelling had gone down, but the cut combined with a goose egg and bruising made for quite the sight as I walked through the door.

Snow Days

It has been snowing and snowing and snowing! Very unusual for us in B-Towne. Okay so it snows, but it never stays long enough to bother with shoveling. This week; however, the snow is out of pocket. We've been mostly house bound and going a little stir crazy and we aren't the only ones. The other night we went over to hang out with the triplets for a while. The kids were all playing with these little boxes and they even got one out for Kate. Sam kept trying to get her to play with the parachute too by offering her a corner saying "Here, Here!" She sure loves to hang out with the big kids!