Giggle Girls

Early Morning Masterpiece

Kylee skipped her nap yesterday and went to bed early last night. She woke up at 5:00am this morning bright eyed, bushy tailed, and apparently feeling artistic. I tried getting her back to sleep, but she insisted on finger painting. I was too exhausted to deal with a fit (which I'm sure would have ensued if I had said "no") or to think of a clever way to distract to her. So, I got out the paint and let her go to town. When she finished, she ran into the office and got her journal and a few markers. She drew a picture in her journal, and for the first time, she gave her drawing a title. I'm sure you can guess what she drew....bugs! After she painted a few more pictures, I was able to convince her to come lay down with me (5am is waaay to early for me). I'm not sure who fell asleep first. Daddy was quite amused when he got home from work and found us both conked out, covered in finger paint.

Words

I think I have officially lost track of Kylee's 'new word' list. She's been saying quite a few lately and by the time she's said it enough times that I'm sure actually knows it (and I'm not just imagining it), she says something new, and I loose track. Some of the newest words and phrases that I think of are hug, cupcake, hungry, paint, go, Emma, come on, and bad dog (I'm a little embarrassed about that one....the dogs keep getting out).

Pictures!

I just updated Kylee's photo album.... amandapuccino.myphotoalbum.com

Kylee, M.D.

Last night I left my computer cord on the table. Kylee kept pointing to it and trying to get me to give to her. When I refused, she started patting her chest and saying "boom boom, boom boom" (heart sound). She then insistently pointed back at the cord. I probably shouldn't have let her play with a cord, but out of overwhelming curiosity, I gave it to her. She held one end up near her ear, held the other to my chest, and again said "boom boom, boom boom!" She was using it as a stethoscope! It's been 2 weeks since she's been to the doctor. So, I'm surprised she even remembers what a stethoscope is.
This evening I found my stethoscope (actually... Aunt Michelle's) in the office and gave it to her to play with. She immediately put it around her neck and held the end up to my chest.

After she played for awhile and checked every one's heart, she found a place to hang up the stethoscope.

She both amazes me and cracks me up every day. I have a great time just sitting back watching her play and seeing what she comes up with (like using a cord as a stethoscope or a plastic fork to "fix" her car).

Off Road

Kylee got an awesome early Easter present from grandma - a pink and purple power wheels ATV! Fun!

Having a Blast with her BFF

Charli and her family went out of town for Spring Break. So, Monday night at gymnastics was the first time we got to see them in over a week. Kylee and Charli were so excited to see each other again. They kept yelling each other's name, and Charli would periodically run over and give Kylee a hug. So cute!
Tuesday night grandma came over and put together Kylee's playhouse for her. Yesterday morning Charli came over to help her try it out. I was a little nervous about them sharing a small space, but they had a blast. They even took turns ringing the doorbell!

After they played for a bit, we all went to my favorite place - Nations of Fun. We had so much fun that we're all going again this Friday.

Last night Kylee and I went over the Charli's house for the first time. Charli seemed super excited to have us there, and we were equally as excited to be there. Charli's dad showed me how to brush Kylee's teeth the right way (He's a dentist). Then the girls played while he fielded all my dental questions. Very helpful and very fun!

Cuddle Bug

Kylee is still as ornery as ever, but her sweet side is really starting to shine too. The last couple weeks she has been super cuddly and extra generous with her kisses (and she's not even sick!). She's been initiating kisses and gives mommy and daddy lots of kisses throughout the day. I just melt when she does that! She also kisses the babies in her books and blows kisses to the birds outside.

The other day (I think it was Friday), she gave me a dandelion she found in the backyard. A couple days later, she picked a purple flower from grandma's flower bed and gave it to me!

UPDATE (March 29):
One of Kylee's newest words is "hug". This morning when she woke up, the first thing she said (after her good morning "boo!") was "hug!". She then gave me the best bear hug ever.

Phrase 2

At the end of gymnastics class, all the kids lay on their tummies in a circle and pat the floor while the teachers go around the circle saying "Bye bye (kids name)". At the end they say "see you next week". Kylee looooooves this! In fact, she walks around the house banging on things saying "bye bye". She even grabs my hand and pats it on things when she wants me to chant the song. She's done this since about the 2nd time she went to Tumble Time. Yesterday (Friday) when she was in her high chair she started banging her hands on her tray and said "Bye bye see you". At first I thought maybe I was just imagining her saying the last part, but she did again several times later!

Last night we were looking for her water cup. Kylee spotted it before I did and shouted "There is!" I'm so excited about her progressing speech/language skills (I guess there is still a little bit of speechie left in me. haha)

This morning after Kylee woke up she walked up to my bed, where Robert was still sleeping, and kept saying "Daddy". I told her "daddy is still asleep", and she put her finger on her mouth and said "shhhh"

Other new words: choo choo (train), all done

My Lovebug's Bug Love

Last week when Kylee and I were going for a walk, a ladybug landed on her stroller. The ladybug walked up and down her arm and all around her tummy before finally flying off. Kylee thought it was hilarious and has been on a serious bug hunt ever since. Anytime she sees anything tiny and out of place, she assumes its a bug. For example, there is a dark speck on the wall in the hallway that Kylee is convinced is a bug. Every time she walks by that spot she exclaims "bug!" Then waives and says "hi".

Ever since the ladybug incident, Kylee has had quite the affinity for bugs. She found my bug finger puppets (in my preschool themes therapy materials) and has started carrying them around (unlike most finger puppets these are big enough not to be a choking hazard).

A couple days ago, Kylee found an ant on the front porch. She was very excited and kept trying to get me to pick it up for her. I started explaining to her that kind of bug bites and told her it is called an ant. She got the most annoyed look on her face. Then looked straight in my eye and exclaimed "No! BUUUG!" and pointed back at the bug. I'm pretty sure she was thinking "No crazy lady! That's not Aunt Michelle! That's a bug!" (She says "aunt" for Aunt Michelle). It was so cute/funny!

Anyways, I think Kylee might love bugs a little too much. Here she is trying to kiss the above mentioned ant...

Pictures!

My friend, Rikki, gave me this idea awhile back, and I finally got pics uploaded.....you can view Kylee's photo albums at http://amandapuccino.myphotoalbum.com. I'm going to try to update it at least once or twice a month (like I did with her babysite).

And for her Next Trick...

A few days ago, Kylee discovered that she can walk backwards. She is super proud of herself for learning this new trick! She has also figured out how to spin and walk on her tip toes. She loves to spin in circles between the table and coffee table (not sure why that seems to be the designated spinning spot).

Monday night, she hopped! She loves to "jump", but until now, she's never actually gotten any air (she just bounces up and down). She still can't consistently get off the ground, but shes been enthusiastically practicing her jumps, and every now and then, she actually gets a little air.

"Hi Daddy!"

Several days ago (I think it was Friday), Kylee said "Hi daddy!" when Robert walked in the room. She's been able to say both "Hi" and "daddy" for quite some time, but this time she actually combined the 2 to make a phrase!! She has used a 2 word greeting quite a few times since ("Hi aunt!", "Hi bug", etc). She has also been combining words and signs. For example, last night Rocky was scratching at the back door. Kylee looked at me, said "help" and signed "outside" (I usually say something like "Lets go help Rocky. He needs to go outside").
Kylee has also been doing a lot of repeating lately. She'll point or look at something/someone, and then look at me. When I name the object (or person) for her, she looks at my mouth so intently that her eyes almost cross (especially if its a new name or something we don't see or talk about much), and then she tries her best to repeat the word. She has repeated TONS of words (I only list the words that I've heard say at least a few times on her own).


New words: go, pop, pumpkin, Ethan, llama (This one is not new, but I left it off her big list)

Visiting the Doc

Yesterday Kylee wasn't quite herself. Last night she couldn't seem to get comfortable enough to sleep, and this morning her temperature was a little elevated. So, I decided to take her to the doctor. Sure enough, Otitis Media has struck again. :( The doctor said everything else looks and sounds good. He prescribed some antibiotics, assured me she isn't contagious, and gave us the go ahead for attending the birthday party tomorrow. I don't usually like to give her antibiotics for ear infections, but since her left eardrum is already bulging, I'm going to give it her. Even though she's not contagious, we are going to skip the wedding today in order to get some much needed rest. She is napping now. As soon as I finish my sandwich, I'm going to join her.

P.S. Dr. Stillick was the on call doc today. I really liked him (even better than her usual doctor) and totally recommend him if anyone is looking for a pediatrician.

Bathtub Art

This evening Kylee played with bathtub finger paint. First I showed her how to smear it around with her fingers. Then I showed her how to use a paint brush.

When she was finished with her masterpiece, I turned on the water and the paint became bubble bath. Super fun!

Nations of Fun

A couple weeks ago we made some new friends at Nations of Fun. Wednesday we met them there again. As usual, we had a blast! This was our 3rd time there, and Kylee is becoming quite the pro. She can climb all the way up on her own, and even goes down the slide, which is pretty big, all by herself (see picture below...the black dot at the top of the middle slide is her). She is much faster than I am at navigating the tunnels. She knows that and thinks its hilarious.

On the way home, I finally remembered to switch out the CDs so that she could listen to "Old McDonald Had A Farm" (one of her favorite songs). We haven't heard it in awhile, and she was very excited to hear it. She repeated the animal sounds and sang the "EIEI" part every time, but never said "O". When the song was over, she fell asleep.

New Favorite Song

This evening while Robert was channel surfing, he happened to pause on the theme song of Two and Half Men. The song immediately caught Kylee's attention. She ran up to the tv and started bouncing (dancing) and giggling, and she spent the rest of the night singing "men, men, men" over and over. The funny thing is she actually does a pretty good job of keeping the tune.

Other new things she has been saying the past few days include: arm, uncle, bug, bed, thank you, penny (she calls all coins "penny"...well more like "be be"), and Mia (Kylee's friend from playgroup....apparently Kylee is her #1 fan). She's also started saying "meow" for cats and "hiss" for snakes. Speaking of sounds, I noticed I accidentally left off a few on her baby book list last week: Santa ("ho, ho, ho"), wind (blows), and "weee".

Last Tuesday

Earlier this week I left the baby gate open when I left the room to go potty. When I returned, this is what I found:

Kylee had decided to give herself a sponge bath in the dog's water bowl. Yuck! She was smiling so big and having so much fun. All I could do was laugh and grab the camera. After that I gave her a real bath.

At the Hospital with Daddy

Today Robert underwent his first major medical procedure (kidney stone extraction). Kylee and I stayed with him at the hospital from 8:30 to 11:45. She did great! She was completely fascinated by the nurses taking daddy's temp and blood pressure. She greeted each one with a big smile and a friendly "hi". Then watched intently as the nurse took daddy's vitals. She even learned what sound daddy's heart makes (if you ask her she pats her chest and say "bumbum bumbum"). She eventually got antsy. So, my sister walked her down to cafeteria to get a snack. When she returned, daddy had his IV in. She must have thought the IV bag looked like a punching bag, because she kept pointing to it and saying "hi-yah" (she wanted to kick it). Once they took Robert back to start the procedure, I took Kylee and Michelle back to the house. Kylee fell asleep just as I pulled on to my street and ended up sleeping the entire 3 1/2 hours I was gone! She woke up literally 1 minute after I walked back in the door. Talk about perfect timing! She never even knew I was gone. :)

Since the weather was so nice (91 degrees!) when Kylee woke up, we set up the water table that Aunt Michelle got her for her birthday.

In other news... Kylee said a new word yesterday: "owl". Its soooo funny watching her say it, because she tucks her top lip under and stretches her nose out (its hard to describe... I'll try to get a pic). She also blew her first bubble and got her shoe on all by herself (although it fell off about a second later)!

Baby Book Stuff

One of the main purposes of this blog is to compensate for my failure to keep up with Kylee's written baby book as well as I should. I have a milestone sticker calendar that I did an OK job keeping up with at least for most of her first year, but now that her first year is over.... its down to just this blog. So, I've decided to periodically (havent decided how often) do a baby book style documentation of her milestones, skills, and favorite things. On that note...

Favorite Nursery Rhymes: Jack Be Nimble and Baa Baa Black Sheep

Favorite Songs: The Elephant Show song, If You're Happy and You Know It, The Bye Bye song from gymnastics class

Favorite Toys: Slide, Ride on alphabet train, rocking dog, baby doll, balls, Cozy coupe, wallet

Favorite Books: Where Is Baby's Belly Button?, Hands Toes Fingers Nose, Hand Hand Fingers Thumb, Brown Bear Brown Bear

Favorite Things to Do: run/be chased (especially by daddy), bounce a ball, play outside with Rocky, put pennies in her piggy bank, check the mail, show off her belly button, watch the birds

Favorite foods: pizza and pasta

Words She Can Say: hi, bye, mama, daddy, grandma, aunt, ball, baby, banana, Elmo, hippo, cookie, apple, mail, moon, help (sounds like "up"), more, eat, hot, bread, ice, eye, nose, no-no, night night, bubble, lamp, belly button (sounds like "ba la baba"), crunchie (sounds like "gun ga"), ET, pizza, bird, boot, Charli (sounds like "ka ka"), Lily ("Lila"), dum dum (she gets one every week at the end of gymnastics)

Other Things She Says: uh-oh, yum, brrr (as in "brr its cold"), hi-yahh (she says this anytime she kicks or when she sees a punching bag), boo!

Signs: baby, bubble, duck, bird, cat, dog, fish, frog, more, milk, water, done, outside, eat, jump, swing, thank you (this one is new.... and she only does it when she REALLY means it)

Animal Sounds She Makes: dog (pants), bird, monkey, elephant (attempts to trumpet), chicken, cow, sheep, duck, rabbit (says "hop hop"), horse, tiger (growls....learned this from Charli), alligator (claps hands and makes biting noise) , turkey

Other things she makes sound effects for: clocks, Elmo ("la, la, la")

Body parts she can find: eyes, ears, mouth, nose, head, hair, teeth, tongue, hand, fingers, leg, foot, toes, tummy, belly button

Staying Busy, Having Fun

Thursday night we got some depressing news regarding some unfortunate things to come this week. So, this weekend I've been trying to keep busy and have as much fun as possible. Friday morning we met our friend, Nicolette, and her playgroup at Nations of Fun. We bad a blast! Nations of Fun is the new pizza place in town. It has arcade games, a mini carousel, and a GINORMOUS indoor play structure (similar to the one at McDonalds but WAY bigger and cleaner). I climbed inside with Kylee and Clarissa, and we had the best time chasing each other through the tunnels. At the top of the structure, there is a maze of mini punching bags. Kylee immediately recognized them as such. She ran up to each one, smiled, kicked the bag, and screamed "Hi-yaahh!" It was so cute/funny! She is definitely daddy's little girl!
When we got home, her week squeaks (shoes that squeak when you walk) were there. When she woke up from nap (she fell asleep on the way home from the pizza place), I put them on her. She LOVES them! She spent forever running, bouncing, and spinning around the living room - giggling the whole time!
This morning (Saturday), Robert and I took Kylee to K-Mart in search of an easel. Kylee had a blast squeaking around the toy aisles in her new shoes. We didn't find an easel, but we did come home with new sippy cups, some finger paint, a dress to match Kylee's new shoes, and a stroller for her baby doll. Kylee fell asleep in the car on the way home (woo-hoo!).
When she woke up from her nap, we went to the mall with grandma. We both had a good time. I got a double fudge cookie and some much needed retail therapy. Kylee got 2 new outfits for herself, and one for her friend Meadow whose birthday party is coming up in a couple weeks.
Right now I am updating this post from bed, which I can now do, because Robert surprised me with a new mini laptop! yay for surprises!!