At last, the delightful birthday gift (Mini) from Jason, Katie and Bailey has come into his own at the Team Gootch headquarters. Kate finally likes him for what he was intended. At first she just liked petting him, eventually she enjoyed listening to his whinnying and clopping from afar (and dancing to the clomp), but finally she likes to ride him, whinnying and all. She can even - sometimes - get up there by herself. Also enjoy this display of some new tricks (for your information, the bee says, "zzzzzz," the cow says, "mmmmm" and the dog pants). This video may be perceived as a little long, but there is a treat for you at the end. Hugs.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Mischievous Mouse
There is no doubt that things are rapidly changing around our house. With the recent posts you've seen new hair styles and heard about new words and activities. Today; however, Kate took it to a whole new level. She has an infatuation with bottles and tubes of personal care products (lotions, soaps, hair gel). One morning, as we both were stumbling over her in the bathroom, #2 suggested that we give her some empty bottles with which to play. They hold her attention for a few minutes each day. Success!
Today she caught on to the fact that #3 needs a bath. Kate took an "empty" bottle of body wash and poured the last remains over ATD's back, rubbing it into a nice lather. Oh - and by the way - the carpet and the wall got a little shampoo while she was at it. And it begins... the craziness I only read about on other people's blogs.
How many more days until Grandma gets here?? 28!
Today she caught on to the fact that #3 needs a bath. Kate took an "empty" bottle of body wash and poured the last remains over ATD's back, rubbing it into a nice lather. Oh - and by the way - the carpet and the wall got a little shampoo while she was at it. And it begins... the craziness I only read about on other people's blogs.
How many more days until Grandma gets here?? 28!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Kate's Biggest Fan
Some of you out there enjoy this effort at blogging, some of you probably think I'm on the nutso side of things. At first I created this so that everyone (Grandmas!) far away could see what Kate was up to (and I needed an outlet for all of the pictures that I take), but let's be clear... now I do it for her biggest fan of all - herself.
This video was taken while watching the post, "Elmo and my Other Monster." If only all of us loved ourselves this much, the world would be a better place.
This video was taken while watching the post, "Elmo and my Other Monster." If only all of us loved ourselves this much, the world would be a better place.
Kate on the Town - without Mom
Last week Kerry watched Kate for the morning due to our terrific sitter being unavailable. Our friend Bailey joined us for the day due to no school that day. The Joey Cooper family and the Triplet family joined them at the park for some good times - and both of them shared their photos with us. Thank you!
(from left to right: Courto, Joey, Kate, Bailey, McPhee, Leona. Narration by the Triplet's Mom, Julie)
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Elmo and my Other Monster
Who knew that buying a little stuffed Elmo would bring on visions of the Terrible Two's? Today I finally found a little, plain, cheap, stuffed Elmo. Every time we're at a store with toys I look to see what Elmo's are available and almost always Elmo has some sort of gimmick. He might be wearing a diaper, or holding a pizza, or his limbs stretch in every direction, or his body is rock solid (why would that be appealing?). Today we found a $5 Elmo with no gimmicks. Kate fell in love the instant she saw him on the shelf. I handed him over to her (she ahh'd with delight), as well as Cookie Monster (another ahh); however, when I started to take them away she easily let go of CM and clung to Elmo. The cashier had to scan Elmo's tag while he remained in Kate's grasp. On the way home she chit-chatted to him almost all the way. She ended the car ride by saying, "E, E, E, E, E, E" in the softest, most loving manner. She came in the house holding Elmo by his giant eyeballs and showed him to ATD, then carried him around until nap time. After her nap we ordered a pizza and she carried him around until it was delivered. When I put on her bib for dinner she held out her 1 free arm to be picked up and placed in her highchair, but she clung to Elmo with the other. I pried him away and sat him on the table, facing her. She SCREAMED as though someone had placed her on an open flame. I placed him in a chair as though he were going to eat with us. She SCREEEAMED. I gave in. Elmo sat in the highchair with her and she carefully placed a piece of sausage in his mouth saying, "mmmmm!" (see video). It sat there the length of dinner. Apparently he didn't care for it. When bath time came I knew we were going to have a fight. OF COURSE she felt that he needed to go in the tub with her. I fought this one, much to her (tantrum) dismay. I sat on him so she couldn't see him and eventually she calmed down. He is now hidden away and am debating about whether or not he comes out tomorrow. I mean, when I go off to work in the morning is it really fair to make the sitter fight these battles? If I were her, I would say no (but not to my face). So, for now, I think Elmo is going into hibernation. I'm sure he'll emerge soon enough, but maybe only for special occasions. Special Occasion Elmo. They haven't thought of that one yet, have they?
XOXO
One more new thing - that quite possibly is the BEST new thing Kate will ever do, and that is kisses. Real, normal people kisses, on purpose (versus those sloppy, open mouthed baby kisses that were still pretty great). There are even lots of little smooching noises and laughter after the kiss is complete. For a while I was the recipient of these delights, but recently she saves them only for #2. As you might imagine, he is in love with these kisses, and I am jealous.
The Latest and Greatest
Life is getting very fun at the teamgootch household. Kate has changed so much lately that watching her development is entertaining, to say the least. Of course, by "entertaining" I mean to say that it makes my heart swell with love and pride and admiration on a moment-to-moment basis.
Detailed here is what we've been up to:
-Kate has officially grown enough hair for pigtails. It is a dream come true (for me). Thankfully I had Kerry (Nanny McPhee) watch Kate on Friday while I worked and she tried it for the first time. Now I can't stop.
-Friday our friend Bailey (see "Katie and Family" link on left) came and spent the day with us since she didn't have school. It was super fun to have her hang out with us. When she arrived at our house Kate had just woken up and was obviously excited to have an audience for dancing and showing off. Kate liked having Bailey here as much as Bailey liked being here. THANKS FOR COMING, BAILEY!
-Kate has all of a sudden started using sign language. I've been encouraging her to do so for some time, but admittedly, not with 100% consistancy. About a week and 1/2 ago she just started busting it out! It is so nice that (in some situations) she can answer my questions or communicate what it is that she wants (versus grunting like an animal). She currently signs the following: more, eat, drink, all done, and please.
-Kate has started using a lot of new words, but even just a few new words seems like a lot in comparison to the 4 or so she had before. She now says: Annie, ball, coat, cool, go and "E-I-E-I-O". Momma and Dadda have sort of fallen off the list lately...
-Kate and I started swimming lessons this week. It is a month-long class, one morning per week. Kate (I) loved it - especially since the morning started with me NOT dropping her off in the daycare at the YMCA. Then we went to the locker room, which had fun drains on which she could stomp her feet. Next we had the pleasure of going through the showers (a requirement for getting in the pool). Kate's never been in the shower (and hardly has even seen one - by design, since I think once she understands we have them at our house she won't want a bath anymore) and squeeled with delight when the water came shooting out at us. Then we got in the warm pool and she laughed and squeeled through the entire lesson. Until, the part came when I was to lay her back, cradle her and look up at the ceiling while singing "Twinkle Twinkle" at which point the excitment got the best of her and she started falling asleep. Yes, in the pool. After the lesson I took her into the wadding pool, which is filled with small children, balls and a fun dragon slide. It is so shallow that she can stand on her own and the water comes up to her chest. Even though her teeth were chattering and she had goosebumps, she was so excited she could hardly stand it. Back in the locker room she discovered the best time to wander away from me was while I was dripping wet and trying to change out of my suit and into clothes. I'll have to figure out something better for next week, as she OF COURSE headed off to an open toilet to see what that was like (as if she doesn't already know from the countless times she has stuck her hand in one of ours). Needless to say, she fell asleep in the car on the way home. I don't know who had more fun...
-When asked Kate proudly points to the following body parts, followed by excited clapping: foot, leg, belly, hand, lips, nose, ear and hair. Sometimes we get lucky with eyes and arm. Oddly, when I hold her coat up and ask for her arm she sticks it right out, but when asked to locate it she tends to point at her ear and then claps. I join her.
Detailed here is what we've been up to:
-Kate has officially grown enough hair for pigtails. It is a dream come true (for me). Thankfully I had Kerry (Nanny McPhee) watch Kate on Friday while I worked and she tried it for the first time. Now I can't stop.
-Friday our friend Bailey (see "Katie and Family" link on left) came and spent the day with us since she didn't have school. It was super fun to have her hang out with us. When she arrived at our house Kate had just woken up and was obviously excited to have an audience for dancing and showing off. Kate liked having Bailey here as much as Bailey liked being here. THANKS FOR COMING, BAILEY!
-Kate has all of a sudden started using sign language. I've been encouraging her to do so for some time, but admittedly, not with 100% consistancy. About a week and 1/2 ago she just started busting it out! It is so nice that (in some situations) she can answer my questions or communicate what it is that she wants (versus grunting like an animal). She currently signs the following: more, eat, drink, all done, and please.
-Kate has started using a lot of new words, but even just a few new words seems like a lot in comparison to the 4 or so she had before. She now says: Annie, ball, coat, cool, go and "E-I-E-I-O". Momma and Dadda have sort of fallen off the list lately...
-Kate and I started swimming lessons this week. It is a month-long class, one morning per week. Kate (I) loved it - especially since the morning started with me NOT dropping her off in the daycare at the YMCA. Then we went to the locker room, which had fun drains on which she could stomp her feet. Next we had the pleasure of going through the showers (a requirement for getting in the pool). Kate's never been in the shower (and hardly has even seen one - by design, since I think once she understands we have them at our house she won't want a bath anymore) and squeeled with delight when the water came shooting out at us. Then we got in the warm pool and she laughed and squeeled through the entire lesson. Until, the part came when I was to lay her back, cradle her and look up at the ceiling while singing "Twinkle Twinkle" at which point the excitment got the best of her and she started falling asleep. Yes, in the pool. After the lesson I took her into the wadding pool, which is filled with small children, balls and a fun dragon slide. It is so shallow that she can stand on her own and the water comes up to her chest. Even though her teeth were chattering and she had goosebumps, she was so excited she could hardly stand it. Back in the locker room she discovered the best time to wander away from me was while I was dripping wet and trying to change out of my suit and into clothes. I'll have to figure out something better for next week, as she OF COURSE headed off to an open toilet to see what that was like (as if she doesn't already know from the countless times she has stuck her hand in one of ours). Needless to say, she fell asleep in the car on the way home. I don't know who had more fun...
-When asked Kate proudly points to the following body parts, followed by excited clapping: foot, leg, belly, hand, lips, nose, ear and hair. Sometimes we get lucky with eyes and arm. Oddly, when I hold her coat up and ask for her arm she sticks it right out, but when asked to locate it she tends to point at her ear and then claps. I join her.
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