Catching Up

The weeks are busy and our weekends are getting even busier; kind of amazing for the amount of time I feel like we spend at home but somehow the days keep rolling and I keep feeling like I'm struggling to keep up.  Work has been out of control busy with trying to get our new software rolled out by the end of the week while pretty much flying solo.  Shaun's schedule is changing which means Kayla's daycare schedule is going to be changing.  That has me a little bit stressed out.  Add the fact that for the last week or so, Kayla has found 4:45 - 5:30 to be a more acceptable wake up window than 6 - 6:30 and I feel like I'm running on E. 

Wednesday of last week, Kayla had her hair trimmed for the first time.  Her bangs were just too long, so we asked Grandma to trim them up for us.  Much better!

We've had some great times though while the time flies by.  Last weekend we finally made the trek up to the Lititz Farmer's Market.  My dad and step mom came up to walk with us and we enjoyed a sunny Saturday together.  We shopped and went to the park and did a TON of walking.  It was great to watch Kayla climb and explore, and a perfect photo op. 

Later that day my mom came up to visit.  Kayla apparently had enough exercise because she all but darted out the door when Nana said "walk."

Sunday we had a relaxing day at home cheering for our favorite football teams and hanging out with friends. 

This weekend was another busy one.  Aunt Paula came home to visit and she and Nana came with us to visit the local Alpaca farm. 

Kayla didn't seem as interested in the animals as she was when we went to see them back in the spring.  She was far too busy running all over the yard and climbing everything in sight.  We left before we all got too much sun and came home for lunch.  Daddy was just getting home from work at the time Kayla woke from her nap, but by then she was in utter meltdown mode from being tired still.  She screamed for close to 90 minutes on and off, mostly on.  She was a total peach once we got her calmed down, but for a little bit it was damn near unbearable, and it derailed our plans to visit the Ephrata fair that evening. 

Today was much better.  She was up early again, but took a longer than usual afternoon nap, and we had zero fit pitching. 

I'm hoping to get to bed early tonight so tomorrow I am ready to dive headlong into one more week of hell before things slow down a little bit at work.  I hope.  I hope.  I hope. 

The Vocabulary Grows

In addition to the previously mentioned words, Kayla is now saying no, bubble, ball and more.  She only says "more" when we read her "What does baby say?" book.  I nearly fell on the floor when she did it for the first time yesterday.  Shaun was reading the book to her and when he said "what does baby say?" she said "more!" 

She's starting to use Mama more, but not Dada so much.  This morning she said it when Shaun came downstairs, so I think she's getting it.  Her most frequently used phrase is "na na" which in combination with some gesture seems to translate to "I want that."  She walks over to the fridge and smacks her lips when she wants a drink.  She's also learned to throw her hands up when one of us says "touchdown!"  It's so cute.

First Family Vacation

After a nice long weekend of family picnics and warm weather, Shaun, Kayla and I took off for a few days at the beach.  Tuesday morning we packed up our car and hit the road towards OCMD.  We stopped at the Gap Diner for breakfast and continued on South and East.  After a quick trip across the street for a baby flotation device and some adult beverages for our evening, we hit the indoor pool at the hotel.  I wish I had brought my camera down for that, because I've never seen Kayla smile so big as she did while floating around the pool in one of these:

After a while we headed back upstairs to get ready.  After showers, baths, blow-drying and dressing, we made our way to Phillip's for Shaun's favorite treat - the seafood buffet.  Once we'd eaten our fill, it was off to the boardwalk.

And I realized during this time that it was Kayla's 14 month day.  *sigh*  She is getting so big. 

So we walked and we enjoyed the evening breeze coming in off the ocean and were happy.  So happy that someone was completely exhausted by the time we got back.  Oh - and Kayla was pretty tired too. 

We settled into the room for the night, with her completely conked out.  That is, until the lovely hotel decided to give us a "welcome call" AT 8:30 PM - she was inconsolable for nearly an hour.  Thanks so much Holiday Inn...

Anyway - Wednesday got off to a great start.  We had an amazing breakfast at the Bayside Skillet, followed by some beach time while the sun was not too hot.  Kayla was very excited to play in the sand. 

Not so excited about the water...

But still liking the sand.

We did a little more pool time after the beach, followed by lunch and a family nap.  We had dinner out at BJ's on the Water, then Kayla and I did another walk on the boards.  Today we were up and at 'em early for the ride home, and we've been getting back into our routine.  I can't believe this mini-vacation is all but done already, but we have a lot to look forward to in the next few weeks. 

Clinging to summer

Fall is in the air, no doubt about it.  As we run full-speed towards Labor Day I wanted to take some time to enjoy what's left of summer.  Shaun went over to watch college ball with the boys, so Kayla and I took a walk around the neighborhood.  It wasn't a long one since it was so hot, and about half way through Kayla was attacked by a leaky sippy cup that ended with her being drenched in cold water.  We enjoyed the stroll though, and heaven knows I needed the exercise. 

It really was lovely, even though it's in the mid-90's and humid.  I'm really starting to look forward to our real "last blast" next week.  I just have to survive 1 more day of work and then it's a week off for the little family.  We're home for the weekend and then Tuesday morning we take off for Ocean City, MD for a few days.  We'll spend time on the sand and in the water and strolling the boards.  I'm really excited to have a few days away from the craziness that has been our daily lives lately. 

Kayla is doing well in the Fuzzy Bear room at daycare.  She sits down at the table and munches her waffle happily every morning when we arrive.  She waves goobye and I am left wondering where this sudden independent streak came from.  We haven't gotten any bad reports so far, so I'm assuming all is well during the day.  I hope that's truly the case, because we may have to up her to going 5 days a week in the near future. 

It's hard to believe she's nearly 14 months old already.  This time last year I was just getting ready to go back to work; now she's walking and talking and I still tear up a little bit when it comes time to go in the morning.  The more things change...

Doing it again

Two brags in one day... this can't be good for my karma, but I can't help it.  Today I was so thrilled to come  home from work and find this little beauty waiting for me in my mail box:

Some flavor of mother's jewelry had been on my list for some time.  I really wanted a ruby to wear for my little angel.  From seeing it on other blogs and even in a recent magazine, I'd been eyeing up the Dainty Drops necklace from The Vintage Pearl for what feels like years... I think it was probably only months, but still.  That's a long time to wait for something you really want.  I finally pulled the trigger a couple of weeks ago and it was totally worth the wait.  The second I put it on, it just felt right.  My only regret is not thinking to just add circles and/or stones for Shaun and myself while I was at it!  Perhaps in the not too distant future...

Already Harvard Bound

I know every parent on Earth thinks their kid is the smartest kid EVER... but I don't want to forget everything Kayla is doing, so here's my brag list. 

She knows "where her shoes go," and can point to her toes, ears and nose when asked.  She knows what a doggie says (though it sounds more like wuh wuh) and in addition to "cracker" she has picked up "baby" (when pointing to herself in a picture) and "duckie."  She babbles all the time and I'm always listening in for more words coming through. 

She's walking really well now, and loves to hold my hand and walk up the path at daycare.  Last weekend she started taking little steps sideways and backwards.  She's getting really quick at going up the stairs, and knows when we go up.  If I say anything about bed time, bath time or nap time, she scurries over and waits for me to move the gate so she can climb up.  She will normally run right into her room, pull some PJ's out of her dresser drawer, and run up and down the hallway with them.  Sometimes she will go straight into our room and bounce on the bed.  As soon as she hears the water in the tub though, that becomes the sole focus.  This girl still loves bath time! 

When in front of the mirror, she gives herself kisses when we tell her to; she's also giving us kisses when we ask again (she had been doing that but stopped for a while).  The other night Shaun had her in his arms and he told her "I love you" and she leaned in and gave him a kiss.  I nearly died of the sweetness of it all. 

The most recent thing has been trying to put her own socks on.  She used to just hold them up to her feet, but in the last few days she has started stretching the opening out the way I do when I put them on for her.  She's also recently started to feed herself with a fork and spoon.  It's a little messy but she gets the job done! 

Every day is an adventure seeing what else she's going to pick up or say or do.  I love it.  I didn't think I'd love anything as much as the cuddly newborn phase, but there is just nothing like coming in the door after work and hearing the squeal of joy just before she comes around the corner and runs into my arms.  What a great feeling.

First "official" word

At first we weren't sure, but yesterday and today confirmed it.  Every time we open up the pantry door, someone rushes over, lifts up her hands and says clear as day...

"Cracker!"

Not mama, not dada, but cracker.  That's my girl. 

Mommy's little nudger

The central incisors have finally broken the gumline - soon enough she won't have fangs any more. 

Is there a spot in the baby book?

I’m wondering where I put the keepsakes from “Baby’s first ER visit.”

Before I go any further, don’t worry – Kayla is fine.  But I absolutely had to record this one for posterity. 

 

Last night I took Kayla upstairs with me so I could try to get changed and ready to hang out for a little while before giving her a bath and putting her down for the night… after which I had tons of work to do (we’re getting ready to paint the living room).  I didn’t realize that my mug full of change was back down on my nightstand, and before I know it I am sweeping her mouth and getting two quarters out.  She didn’t seem too bothered at first but then she threw herself to the ground.  At first I thought tantrum, but when it continued downstairs I started to worry.  Normally Shaun’s Blackberry will solve any problem; not this time.  She screamed and writhed and arched her back… I didn’t know what to do. 

 

Assuming that she was in pain, I called the doctor first.  Since I couldn’t state with any degree of certainty that she didn’t swallow a coin, they said to take her straight to the ER.  So I packed up the diaper bag and off we went.  By the time we got to the hospital, she was calm.  She even smiled at me while I was getting her out of her seat. 

 

We got checked in pretty quickly.  A nurse brought us back to check her O2 stats and get some basic information.  Then we were shown to a room where we sat on the bed and I tried not to worry.  Within minutes we were back in X-ray.  Kayla actually laid pretty still for that ordeal.  I was surprised and pleased; as we were walking out, I heard “I don’t see anything.”  Reassuring, even though I knew we’d have to wait for a doctor to confirm.  We went back to our room and sat for a while before the doctor came and gave Kayla a quick exam.  He said she seemed OK, but he needed to look at the X-ray and then he’d be back with us.  So we sat.  And sat.  Kayla tossed my cell phone on the floor, sending the case in one direction and the battery in the other.  Twice.  I managed to keep her entertained until the doctor came back and said the X-ray was clean and that someone would be by with discharge instructions.  A nurse came by to check Kayla’s O2 stats again – she screamed bloody murder the entire time.  You could tell the poor guy was really uncomfortable dealing with a baby.  I felt bad for him; he took off running as soon as I could free my left hand to sign the discharge sheet. 

 

So I guess it was just a tantrum after all – I’m waiting to see what driving down to LGH for a little peace of mind is going to cost us.  I’m going to be sure to tuck that bill right into her baby book with her admission bracelet and the parking garage ticket with the date and time…

 

And the mug full of change is now up on top of a dresser, where it will stay. 

*sniff*

Shot July 27, 009... approximately a million years ago.