By Myself

I can't believe how fast Kylee is growing up. She's starting to do more and more on her own. A few days ago she told me she wanted a snack. Before I could make it to the kitchen she took a banana off the counter, peeled it all on her own, put the peal in the trash, and went on her way. Now whenever she wants a banana, she insists that she "do it by myself".

She has also learned how to open the refrigerator on her own. This new skill can get very annoying. It's not so bad when she decides to help herself to a piece of cheese, but when she climbs up to reach the eggs or pulls out the milk and attempts to pour it by herself - it can be very frustrating. Another frustrating new development is her desire to dress herself. She often insists on putting her clothes on all by herself. Unfortunately she is still pretty far being able to preform this task successfully. She inevitably gets super frustrated and throws a fit.

Kylee and Charli

Last Tuesday Charli hung out with us while her mom was in class. Kylee and Charli played, and played, and played, and giggled, and giggled, and giggled. The girls played cooperatively, shared, and giggled for nearly 4 hours! It was amazing (and quite hilarious).

playing their favorite game: "I'm gonna get you!"

hide and seek ( a new favorite)

Eating spaghetti with no hands. They thought that was absolutely hilarious.

Ring around the Rosies

Gifts Galore

It took awhile to convince her, but I think Kylee finally believes me that not every day is her birthday. Its easy to see why she thought that though. Between her actual birthday, 2 birthday parties, and straggler gifts from friends and family that couldn't make it to her parties, Kylee got gifts almost every day for nearly 2 weeks.

Here are some pictures of Kylee enjoying a few of her birthday gifts.

super excited about Toodee and Brobee being in the tub with her (gift from Ethan & Jack)

Princess Kylee (wand & tiara from Nathaniel)

painting on her easel for the 1st time (gift from grandma)

using her new paintbrush from Carrie

dancing to the CD Rikki made & watching herself on the dance cam (Xmas gift from Aunt Michelle & Uncle Steven)

Party! Party!

Thursday 9 of Kylee's friends came over for a Yo Gabba Gabba dancey dance party to celebrate her birthday. We didn't do any organized party games or activities. Instead I played a few mixed CDs with Yo Gabba Gabba songs and other toddler friendly dance music and hooked up Kylee's dance cam so that the kids could see themselves dance on TV. We also brought her slide inside and set up a small ball pit in her room. Having all her friends here at once made Kylee a little shy, but she seemed to have a good time.

Yo Gabba Boom Box cake

Yo Gabba Gabba Character cupcakes

goody bags

personalized party favor cups

toddler lunch buffet

Kylee's friends watching themselves dance

the beautiful birthday girl

Thanks to Rikki and Traci for the CDs, to grandma for the birthday dress and decorations, and to Vickie for the awesome cake and cupcakes!

Happy Birthday Kyleebug!

Sunday we celebrated Kylee's birthday with family. Aprill and baby Dylan came down from Moore to spend the day with us. Vickie and her sister made Kylee an awesome birthday cake, and several family members joined us for cake and ice cream.

wearing her birthday outfit from grandma

grandma and Kylee

making funny faces

Dylan and Kylee

She was so excited about holding him! She kept telling grandma to go away.

awesome cake by Auntie Vickie

her new obsession, chocolate ice cream

opening presents

playing pet parlor with Aunt Michelle & Auntie Vickie

blow drying her hair

sharing daddy with Dylan

She got a step2 art easel from grandma; Little People pet parlor, crayola wonder finger paint, and a Dr. Seuss book and stuffed animal from Aunt Michelle and Adam, cake and a glow stick from Vickie, board books and music cds from Aunt Patty and Uncle Mike, full length mirror and a doll high chair from Aprill, and a shirt and pair of jeans from grandpa.

Terrific Two!!

I can't believe Kylee is 2!! I thought her first year went by fast, but this year really flew! Unfortunately, Kylee's 2nd birthday wasn't the best day of the year for her. She had severe infections in both ears. She was, in the doctors words, "absolutely miserable" and had to get 2 shots!

Since Kylee wasn't feeling well, we spent most of her birthday and the several days following it being lazy at home. I felt bad that she wasn't feeling well but enjoyed spending some relaxing quality time with her. Between spouts of crying and fussiness, she was extra sweet. She was super cuddly and lovey dovey all week and would randomly walk up to me and tell me "Mommy I love you too!" Hearing that has to be the best thing ever! There's no doubt that she can be a handful and there are times she makes me want to pull my hair out, but those times are far out numbered by how often she makes me feel so full of pride and love that I could burst.

On the 2nd Day of Christmas...

Due to the blizzard, Santa delivered Kylee's presents a day late. Kylee didn't mind, and it was actually kind of nice to have Christmas spread out. When she woke up we opened her stocking in her room and talked about Santa while we waited for daddy to wake up. On our way to the living room, she excitedly talked about seeing what Santa brought. When we walked in and she saw her kitchen she gasped and exclaimed "Thank you daddy!" Go figure. She loves the kitchen and spent quite awhile playing with it before we could convince her to open anything else. We stayed in our pajamas all day and had a wonderful, relaxing day spending time together and playing with her new toys.