Cutie

 

 

I remember when my sisters and I were kids we would go through these obsessive phases where we loved one particular thing, and everything revolved around it for a while.  For me there were Mickey Mouse, frogs, and then anything sparkly.  Savannah had an awesome "Lil Homies" fetish, and Jo loved horses and Beauty and the Beast. 

We're suddenly getting into the beginning of those stages with Lyla.  Girlfriend definitely has some obsessions these days.  For example, she cannot get enough cuties...a habit I happily obliged until the diaper situation went really wrong.  We've since had to closely monitor that intake, which means keeping them completely out of sight or she will literally freak out and not eat anything else.

She's also learned how to make elephant, cow, and fish sounds, and therefore is completely infatuated with any and all of those animals.  She walks around all day making that cute little elephant sound and bringing books with elephants in them to us to read, pointing out each elephant and making her sound.  (Have I mentioned how freakin smart she is?!)

I am having so much fun watching this girl grow up.  How can every stage possibly be even better than the one before??

- K

Little Helper

Tonight this pantsless girl and I were working on laundry, and it was just the cutest thing watching her pick up a shirt and shake it out like I was, or take whatever I'd folded and set down and put it in a new place.  Every move was so deliberate and purposeful, I would have given anything to know what was going on in that little mind of hers. 

I love how seeing the fascination and wonder in her little face can bring such joy to such mundane chores.

- K

Love Letters: An Intro

So, I promise this is the last “introductory” post about the new series, but I finally came up with a name and wanted to give a little more background on what I hope it will be.

Growing up, my mom always said “you won’t know until you’re a mom”, and I kind of laughed it off the way you do with your mom and her sayings, but then I became a mom and suddenly I knew.  I had finally joined “the club” and could understand that love that is impossible to know until you feel it.  But then I started thinking about this series and motherhood in general, and I realized that while I may have joined the mom club, there are so many different kinds of moms that are experiencing things I may never experience - single moms, married moms, moms of many, moms of one, moms that could only become moms through adoption or surrogacy, and moms that chose to adopt in addition to the ones that came from their own bellies.  Moms that work full time or part time, or stay at home.  The list goes on and on.

Motherhood has surprised me in so many ways, but I realize that everyone’s experience is different.  We all have different stories, and struggles, and successes, and I think it would be kind of amazing to share those with each other.  So this series, “Love Letters”, will be just that – love letters to ourselves, our babies, our other wonderful mama friends…and don’t worry dads, you won’t be excluded since I’m sure Ryan will want to add his two cents, as he tends to do.

Anyways, I’m really looking forward to the series because I just love gushing about my baby, and hearing other moms do the same.  But I also like the idea of sharing our hopes and dreams and fears and struggles, and being comforted in the fact that others are going through similar things.

So, here’s to moms, dads, babies, and finally getting this thing going…this week…maybe.  ;)

- K

Swoon

It's hard to explain what this photo does to my heart.  To see that big, tough guy love his little girl so much.  It just makes me swoon. 

Photo creds to MJ Aguilera Photography, of course.

- K

Oh, Hey Snow

one year old!

yes, that snow bank IS as tall as that house

Anyone remember the beginning of winter when I was so excited to finally get our first snow?  I knew at the time that we had it coming, and I would probably regret the day I ever wanted it to snow.  And here we are.  It pretty much won't stop snowing, and it's always cold.  Always, always, always.  But instead of complain, I'm going to keep it positive:

Way to go, Minnesota.  A+ for consistency.

Anyways, L is a little obsessed with puppies these days.  She'd be content to stand at the front window all day long just to lookout for "puh-puh-puh"s.  Yesterday we'd both been inside all day, so after work I decided to bundle us up and head out in search of any and all puppies. 

We ended up at the neighborhood park, where I quickly realized there are no paths shoveled, and also that I did not wear foot-deep-snow-friendly shoes.  Needless to say, my ankles froze quickly and we did not last long at the park.

On the way home we finally met one pup.  The owner told Lyla, "her name is Cassie!"  I laughed and told him that was also my name, not thinking twice about it or being offended in the least.  The poor guy though, he was stumbling over himself with an apology, totally embarrassed about it.  I'm pretty sure I ruined his day, just by having the same name as his dog.  I felt a little guilty leaving, like maybe I should have stayed to make sure he was OK.  But, you know, frozen ankles.

All in all, I would say not my favorite outing, but we did find a puppy and that equals major success in Lyla's book.  Which is really all that matters in my book.

Oh, and that blue thing in L's hand?  A toothbrush.  She's also a little obsessed with dental hygiene.  Or maybe it's just the bubblegum flavored baby toothpaste?

- K

Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

I was starting to believe you when you said I already have too many toys...until mom took me to the toy section at Target.  I have three words for you: you. are. wrong.

So, for future reference, here's a list of things I need:

A puppy that barks
A puppy that you can take on walks
A puppy in a fancy carrier
A purse
A puzzle
An elephant
A guitar
A barrel of monkeys
Pretty much any of the pink things pictured above

mmkay, thanks.

xo

L

Chocoholic

Last week I had to go to Virginia for work.  The first time in more than 3 months that I've gone more than 2 waking hours without my sweet little girl.  So, in a way, I kind of like these quick trips - they allow me to get out and about and remember what my pre-baby life was like. 

HOWEVER, I do not like coming back after less than 3 days - 65 hours to be exact - and seeing HUGE changes in her.  I kid you not she had more hair, was walking LIKE A PRO, could finally do the arms in the air "so big" thing, AND would put her one little finger in the air when you ask her how old she is.  She also apparently became a chocoholic, the way she practically jumped out of my arms to get the chocolate chip bag when I opened the pantry.

Sorry to get all "capsy" on you, but seriously, not fair. 

Also, for the record, we have the absolute best nanny ever.  EVER.

Also, also for the record...she couldn't stop saying "mama" once I got home.  And that makes a girl feel gooood.

- K