Tonight #2 had band practice and I had an evening alone with Kate. Normally when this happens I am just sorta beat from the day and the evening is just an extension of a long day alone with her. But tonight was different. As the day turned to evening and we had a delicious dinner together, she got older. During the day today she was a baby who cried and clung to my legs, but tonight she was a big girl who stirred a spoon in a bowl and fed it to me and to her. We made slurping sounds together. We were silly. In the bathtub she actually took the balls and put them through the basketball hoop (a toy she's had since early Dec but hadn't figured out yet). We were listening to music and dancing when I laid her down to put on her PJ's. She said, "what's that?" and I said, "dance" and she said, "Dance! Dance dance dance dance!"

A fantastic new word to end the day.

Knee Deep

Kate has started to really be adventurous (exhausting) and fun (naughty) these days. And who can blame her - what could be better than swimming in fun toys?

Our Adoring Fans

I just found some photos on my camera from our MI trip and had to share these of Kate's adoring fans (cousins) on one of their many visits to Grandma's house to see us while we were home. Thank you for showing Kate so much love!!

Home Again, Home Again

Through snow storms and freeeeeezing cold temps Kate and I made it back to Boise this afternoon. We were scheduled to return yesterday; however, the Snow Dance that Grandma B did to keep the planes on the ground in MI worked. So instead of a late afternoon/evening return trip on Wednesday, it ended up being a wee-hour morning/afternoon trip today. Kate handled it well, I could have handled it better, and the person on the plane next to us was a hero. Kate is currently resting and I can't wait for Daddy to come home to see his big girl! I told him before we left that she wouldn't be different upon our return, but alas, I think that was a lie. She is more busy (hard headed and independent) than ever, and has all sorts of new words and expressions (mainly, "what's that?" x300 and "yeah" x250).

To all of you whom we were able to see in W Michigan, thank you for taking the time to visit with us! We had a wonderful time!! And a huge thanks to Grandma B, who washed bottles, sippy cups and onesies non-stop, who worked around our sleeping schedule and tip-toe naptime requirements, and who allowed us to invade her wonderful new home with toys and crumbs for an entire 2 weeks!! We love you!

A New Trick

Fun times at Grandma's

Auntie Lauda and Sydney visited us at Grandma's for a few days and Kate seemed delighted to have a playmate. They entertained each other, showed off for each other, and fought over toys with each other. It is always fun to see what fun things Sydney is doing in anticipation of what Kate will be up to in the coming months.

We thank them for packing up and coming to Michigan for a visit!!

Sledding at Grandma's

This video speaks for itself. Kate LOOOOOOOVED sledding and we had a grand time this afternoon while Grandma and Aunt Marilee watched from the window.

Home Sweet Michigan

We are in Michigan visiting Grandma, helping her get settled into her new home, and visiting with COUSINS! We're having some good times and I promised #2 I'd share video and photos, since he seems to be missing us a great deal. We love and miss you, #2! Oh - and please enjoy the photo of my black eye. Kate clocked me in the face with a plastic toy.

And Happy Birthday to BOTH of Kate's Grandma's this week!!
(This first item is a slideshow. Click on it to view)

Christmas Day 2007

Happy Holidays, from our home to yours!

The last week has provided a great deal of snow in our mountains. Today #2 and I decided it was time to introduce Kate to snow so we packed up the pink outerwear and headed to our favorite sledding spot in the foothills. When we arrived we were dismayed to see that there still wasn't enough snow to make it safe for sledding. Alas, we decided to walk around and play in what was available. As it turns out, Kate thought the snow was funny, but she especially likes swinging around like a monkey (regardless of snow or not). High points: ATD (#3) had the best time of all (as seen in the first photo) and Kate's face matched her snowsuit within minutes of our arrival.

Happy 1st Birthday, Kate!

What a week it has been! Grandma B just finished a week and 1/2 long visit and it seems as though we went non-stop the whole time she was here. A few of the things we did (or were done to us): each of us suffered from the flu over the course of her visit, we planned and executed a first birthday party extravaganza, we visited with Santa, we produced approximately 100 greeting cards, Grandma sewed a tutu (THANK YOU!), we ate good food, and we celebrated fun and exciting events with neighbors and friends... in summary, I'm tired! Although I am sad to see my mom leave, it will be good to return to our regular lives and start putting all of Kate's birthday gifts to good use. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us this week! For those of you far away, we look forward to celebrating many birthday's to come with you.

In the excitment of the week I didn't even notice that Kate started cutting her 1-year molars. Oops! Who knew they were so far back in there and so hard to see? Between the pain of cutting molars, the departure of Grandma and 3 shots at her 1-year doctor's appointment today, this is the definitive end of the birthday celebrations. What a wonderful milestone birthday! I can't wait to see what Kate's 2nd year will bring.

Enjoy the ridiculous amount of photos capturing our good times (and thank you to Katie, Julie and Kerry for taking so many)!

It's that Time of Year Again...

for KATE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!

Grandma Bylsma is in town for the big event and we've (I've) been enjoying the extra set of hands - especially since the flu took over the house this week (sorry Grandma!). Of course that means putting on a pretty dress and a trip to see Santa. Our birthday celebration with the neighborhood kids is scheduled for Sunday and I can't wait! Of course, pictures immediately following!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today we give thanks for all of the wonderful blessings in our life, and obviously, a big one this year is the addition of Kate to our family. This will officially be her last "first" holiday, which I can hardly believe is possible. So here is our baby, no longer a baby but a toddler, enjoying her first Day of Thanks.

How Are You?

This morning I realized that when I asked Kate, "how are you?" she actually answered me, over and over, with the same answer. I can't believe it, but this afternoon I caught it on tape. Here it is!

PS - Happy Birthday to Aunt Sheri and Brenna today!

Alphabet Pal Goes Away

A few months ago Brad and I decided it was time to purchase some educational toys to help stimulate Kate. Brad picked out Alphabet Pal (seen in this video), mainly because he quickly realized that using the phonics function of the toy, he could make it say dirty words. Recently during a playdate, the triplet's mom said, "doesn't that thing drive you crazy?" Well, when her kids played with it they dragged it across the tile and hardwood floors as fast as they could go, so the answer was yes. At that time, when Kate played with it she just pushed the buttons and made it sing the ABC's over and over. Well, this last weekend Kate figured out what Alphabet Pal's string was for. And so, for the health and safety of Annie The Dog, and for the sanity of #'s 1-2, Alphabet Pal may be finding a new home very soon... maybe Joey Cooper would like it!

Bath Time

I don't normally bring the camera into bath time, but lately we've had so much fun during this evening ritual, it seemed time to share it. Leading up to Day Light Savings, trying to keep Kate awake -and happy- later than usual, in addition to her recent distaste for afternoon naps, has led to rather noisy, sad, tired evenings. Bath time; however, is always fun.

Additionally, I continue to hear from our family and friends viewing the blog that Kate looks so much like Brad. I admit that from time to time I see it, but normally I think she just looks like herself with my same baby hair, skin and eye coloring. Well, I cannot deny these pictures look EXACTLY like Brad.

Enjoy!

Playground!

I tried to tell Kate to wait her turn and not to push or bite her friends on the playground, but she was just a terror...

Okay, none of that is true (someday soon I'm sure it will be), but Kate did recently try out the swings at a local playground and thought quite highly of them, so we headed back today with the camera. Enjoy - and turn the volume up so you can hear the giggles!