Almost 2

I don't know how long mom and dad will continue the "almost" birthdays for me... I guess as long as people are around for Christmas and not my birthday.  Last year it was here in California since Nana and Gabby (then Gammy) were in town for Christmas.  This year, it was in Texas with a whole lot more family!  We had mom, dad, brother, Nana, Grandpa Kris, Grandpa, Granny Chris, GG, Papa, Great Aunt Amy, Great Uncle Harlan, and cousin Adam.  Gabby and Uncle Jack were supposed to come but they couldn't make it... I missed them but the show must go on right?  We had it at McDonald's where I could eat frafries with cupo, a hambagaga, and a giant cookie!  We even had boons!

I had so much fun opening my presents... a jack in the box, stickers, a super cool book about animals, and a Dora tent (to name a few).

But, I think my favorite part was the cookie!  I've never seen a chocolate chip cookie that big!  Awesome!  And it had a monkey on it!  I love monkeys.  Nana even picked up cool animal plates for us to eat off of.  What an animal-tastic party!

Here we are blowing out the candle after everyone sang to me!  Mom trusted me a little too much last year but I was good with it this year, even tried to blow it out myself! (but I think mom got to it before I did.)

 And, here I am enjoying that great cookie!

 Playing on the playground!

 Even Tyler had fun with Nana (after he woke up from his nap).

Eventually it was time to go home and take a nap (which you know I wasn't happy about) but the fun had to end some time. 



Thanks everyone for coming to celebrate my birthday (whatever that is!) and for all the presents!  I'm loving all of it!

~Kayla~

Out on the farm

Guess what!  I don't really like farm animals, or any other animal, in real life. I like to look at them, to see them in books, but I don't really like to be anywhere near them.  So, why my mom continues to try to make me be around them is beyond me.  A few weeks ago she drug me and Tylo to Amy's Farm as a field trip for my playgroup. 

Oh she thought I'd have all kinds of fun playing with the animals... she was wrong!  Well, sorta.  I did like being there with all my friends, and looking at the animals

but she kept asking me if I wanted to pet this giant cow and I kept telling her no, and she kept asking.  As if I was going to change my mind.  I wouldn't dare change MY mind! 

We did see a lot of animals - horses, cows, chickens, pigs, ducks, sheep, and goats. 

They put us in a cage with some of those goats like they like to do - I didn't leave mom's side but I didn't cry this time. 

I think this is the 4th time in 4 months mom has thrown me in with the goats!  Will she ever listen?  I don't like goats! 

Some of the other kids got to milk a cow but mom didn't even ask if I wanted to do that.  I guess she just knew I wasn't having any of it! 

Oh, and there are A LOT of flies at the farm!  They covered the stroller (maybe mom should clean it once in a while!) and i kept trying to get them off but they kept coming back.  Go away flies! 

Tyler wasn't feeling good so he slept most of the time but I had fun running around, playing in the mud puddles, and looking at everything. 

I don't know if we'll go back though - it smelled!  Maybe when I like animals more mommy will buy some clothespins to put on our noses and we'll try it again.  Until then I'll stick with my books and pictures of animals. 

Double Stamp Wednesdays

Who doesn't love getting free stuff... especially while you eat stuff!  Apparently mommy does.  One of the local frozen yogurt places has these card things that they stamp twice when we go get frozen yogurt on Wednesdays and after a couple Wednesdays mommy does the happy dance.  I think that means we ate enough yogurt to get free yogurt.  While I don't care about this, she certainly does.  So, I oblige by going to get "i to" (my word for ice cream) most Wednesdays (as long as I don't have a late nap).

I don't always pay attention to my food (and I think she steals my "i to" while I'm not looking!

But I like to share with her anyway.

Sometimes I make a mess, but at least I clean it up!

I sure do love my "i to"!

I'm the Big Sister

It's been a few months now since Tylo came to live with us and I thought I would tell you just what I think about that. 

 Mostly I'm interested in him, in this weird little thing that suddenly appeared one day.  I mean, I haven't always liked him because he certainly does take attention away from me sometimes but I'm getting used to it him.

Mostly I just like to help him and mommy.  I like to push him in the swing, even when it swings back and knocks me down. 

I like to get his diapers for mommy... but just to show I'm not 100% on board with this little one, I put it on his face. 

I also like to hand him toys... or ya know... play with him like he's my toy.

Sometimes I like to try to pick Tylo up - Mommy does it so why can't I?  The other day when he was getting read to drink some milk I thought I'd be helpful and hand him to Mommy.  Mommy didn't think that was a good idea yet - said he's too big for me but he seems pretty small.  Whatev.

Sometimes I like to have mommy sit him down next to me.

I even insist that he sits in my lap sometimes!

When mommy or daddy reads me a book, I sometimes like to make sure he sees the pictures in the books.  Wouldn't want him to feel left out.

 You've all seen how good I am about giving him kisses but sometimes I like to give him a good squeeze hug.  I secretly just like to slobber on him or see just how hard I can squeeze!

When Tylo started to smile I tried to make him laugh - he's not there yet.  But it was fun to tickle him to make him try.

 Recently mommy and daddy brought down a piece of paper with a bunch of black things on it and said that Tylo likes to look at it.  I don't know why.  I  mean, it's pretty, but it's certainly not as colorful as my pictures!  I should show him my pictures!

But if he likes it, I'll show it to him.

I'm very aware of when he wakes up and cries while I'm trying not to take my afternoon nap - I tell mommy, from my crib, that he's awake.  And if he's just fallen asleep I tell mommy "shhhh, the baby."  I'm not always quiet myself when he's sleeping because that's hard to do, but I try.

Mom thought it'd be a good idea for me to show him how to lay down on the blankets one day but to me that translates to - I must always lay down on the blanket first and if mom tries to lay him down first, or by himself, I make sure she knows that I don't appreciate that!

I've tried to help her put him to sleep by rocking his cradle.  I don't think mommy thought that was very helpful since I'm such a good rocker.  I was doing it just like mommy and rocking with all my might.  What's wrong with that?

Whenever I wake up, or we go somewhere without him, I ask where he's at.  I must know - I'm his keeper - I need to know where he is at all times. 

I guess he's okay to have around.  At first I was a little jealous of him, but when I saw that he doesn't do much I realized that mommy, daddy, and I can still have fun.  But I like to help him try to play with us sometimes.  I give him rattles since he seems to like them, but I know he can't grab them yet so I try really hard to get them in his hand... not always possible. 

I wonder if he'll ever be able to play with me.  I hope so!  I do like being his big sister... for now.

Happy Father's Day, Dada!

Dada!  Today was your first real Father's Day - one where I could actually participate.  :-)  Isn't that what it's about - me??? 

I really enjoyed helping mama make your breakfast - whip cream and fruit - what could be better??? 

I have no idea what I got you - something to put your weights on apparently. 

But I did have fun making the mold of my hand for you - mommy made me do it 18 times to get a really good impression and it still turned out a little funky.  But it's the thought that counts right? 

But really the best part of the day was playing - that's the best part of every day but today I got to play with you.  We played outside and we played tickle monster.  You make me laugh, dada! 

In the sporting goods store, when I tried to knock down the stack of bicycle helmets, I thought it was funny that you saved me from them but you didn't laugh so much.  Good thing I could entertain myself getting in and out of the model stroller and trying on my own hats and helmets - you took a long time to decide on one.  I just go by looks - if it's pink I like it.  :-) 

I'm so lucky to have you for a dada - you're the best!

Whew! What a weekend!

Well, mom decided she needed to keep the April fun going this weekend with a trip to the Upland Lemon Festival, to a couple bike shops, and to the park for a day of fun!

Daddy's in the market for a road bicycle so we hit up the bike shop after my nap on Saturday.  I had a lot of fun running around in there playing with foam rollers while daddy looked at the bikes.  He made me a little nervous when he rode around the parking lot - I thought he was going to leave me but mommy kept telling me he was coming back.  And, you know what, he did.  Yay! 

Then we hit up the Upland Lemon Festival with Cooper!  Oh, Dave and Alicia were there too.  I ran around in the streets while mommy chased me ... ran into a lot of people... chased dogs... banged on some drums... and had loads of fun.  Mommy even let me have a soft pretzel and some garlic fries for dinner!  There must not have been anything else on the planet to eat!  Last year there was an elephant we could ride at the festival but this year all they had was a petting zoo, so mom tells me, but we never went over there.  Mom was pretty bummed she didn't get to put me and dad on the elephant - maybe next year.  After all her chasing mom was pretty exhausted... just prep for our little jaunt down to San Diego in a few weeks where we hope to go to Sea World or Legoland. 

Sunday daddy checked out some more bikes but I was asleep - mommy drove me around to keep me asleep.  And when I woke up we were at a park!  Yay!  I love parks!  We went down there for daddy's Cowboy's booster club bbq and baseball game (yes, a bunch of football fans got together to play baseball.).  This time mom wasn't quite so exhausted because she wasn't trying to keep me out from under other people's feet.  I got to run around the park, play with another little girl, and watch daddy play baseball and flag football.  I was even nice enough to let another couple ladies hold me to give mom a little break.  I had so much fun I passed out in the car on the way home.  Such a weekend - I just couldn't keep my eyes open any more!  I think I need a break from my weekend!  And so does mommy!  She goes back to court tomorrow - maybe she'll get to take a nap at lunch. 

Be sure to check out the rest of the pictures on picasa.

Kayla

Think, think, think

Hey there!  You guys miss me?  It's been a while.  Mom says we haven't been doing much that's fun lately because it was rainy outside and she had a sinus infection and blah blah blah.  I've been having fun!  Even though yesterday was the first time I got to play outside for a while, and chose to spend that time sitting playing in the sand, I've been very busy.... thinking and learning.  For example, when mommy says "Can you get me the Moo Ba La La La book" I go to my drawer and pick it out of the 80 million books in there.  Of course sometimes I get confused and don't remember where my drawer is or what a book is, but most of the time I get it right.  And then we clap and say Yay!  Then we read!  I L-O-V-E reading!  Sometimes I just love handing mommy the book, sit in her lap, then when she opens it up I close it, get up, and go get another one.  That's a fun game too! 

Know what else?  I know what they mean when they say "let's go upstairs" or "let's go brush your teeth" - I get up from whatever toy or book I'm completely engrossed in, and go to the edge of the stairs.  They tend to leave the gate up now b/c whenever I can I make a dash for the stairs and am already on like the 3rd step before they get to me!  But, anyway, I go stand by the stairs and get ready to go up.  Aren't I adorable???

I've also learned the sign for more - it's clapping!  Yea, I'm a little confused, but it seems to work for now.  Whenever I want more food, I clap.  And they give me more!  Whenever I want different food, I clap.  Then they tell me I have food and sometimes I throw it, but sometimes I just deal with it and eat what's there.  Whenever I want to play more of a game, I clap, and off we go again.  It's fun clapping.  But I'm not so sure it's more fun than say, screaming!  I still do a lot of that. 

Hmmm... I think that's about it.  Oh, I've decided I don't like chicken.  Mommy and Daddy eat a lot of chicken and I throw it on the floor.  Pasta, grapes, cheese, peaches, bananas... those are all way better than chicken.  They've been giving me ham and turkey if I don't like the chicken - that stuff is yummy!  I tried to eat an apple yesterday at the grocery store- I took a few bites but it was too hard to eat so I just dropped it through the hole in the grocery cart.  That's fun too - screaming to hold something, tasting it, then dropping it over the side or front of the cart.  I'm sure mommy loves that game too!  Although, I did hear her tell daddy she wanted to go grocery shopping alone next week!  We'll see about that!

Okay, well, it's almost time for mommy to get up so I better go get back in bed so she can "wake" me up.  It's a lot of fun around here - can't wait to see GG and Grandpa Bob next weekend and show off all my skills!

Kayla

P.S. Mom wanted me to tell you that last night (3/15/10) I voluntarily walked over to my drawer, took out my changing mat, laid down on it, and lifted up my butt to show her that I was ready to have my diaper changed.  She said it wasn't time - just because she had just changed a dirty diaper 30 minutes before- so I got up and went on about my business.  We'll see if I do that again!  She had her one shot and she missed it!  ha ha ha!

Girls Day!

While daddy was gone today we had a great girls day!  Mommy got me up and we got to play for a little while, even took me outside to play with the wind chimes, before we went to SS.  And, we were early so I got to swings before being strapped into the stroller.  Cooper wasn't there today, but JT and Zoe were.  Zoe even shared her chocolate goldfish with me!  Mommy said I can't sit next to Zoe anymore while they are working out.  Don't know what the big deal is - it's just chocolate!  :-)  We played for a little while afterwards and I chased Zoe around the playground and we went down the slide lots together.  I'm so glad I can play with the big kids now that I can walk.  So much cooler than crawling! 

Um, okay, so after that we went home and had lunch.  I didn't want to eat the turkey and rice she had for me so I got cheese and a fruit strip instead!  That's probably why I only slept for 30 minutes instead of my usual 2 hour nap.  That, or I was just super excited to get back to things.  After I got up we went to the mall!  Yay for malls on girls days!  There were so many people there for me to watch.  We went there so mommy could get her free pretzel from Auntie Annie's that she of course shared with me.  Then she found out The Gap was having a baby sale so she got me some stuff for summer at 40% off!  Yay for free pretzels and sales on girls day!  She also found Carters was having a sale too but she refrained from more shopping.  Since the mall was so crowded we ducked into Bed Bath and Beyond so I could get out and walk around without so many people.  I had a blast pushing the stroller and pulling things off the shelves. 

From February

From February

Afterwards we went to Rainforest Cafe to watch the fishes swim around.  They have super cool fish there! 

From February

We had another lunch of mac and cheese - mommy sat me on the table like she did at Baskin Robbins which I love and every few minutes I felt the need to put my cheesy hands all over her!  I'm sure she loved it!  Who doesn't like being cheesy???   Oh, that's when she nicknamed me turtle because when I sit in my car seat I'm constantly straining my neck to see so my head keeps going up and down like turtles heads.  She's funny.  I'm not a turtle! 

After 3 hours at the mall mommy took us home at which time I became the energizer bunny.  We went to get the mail and along the way I picked up leaves, rocks, berries... anything I could find.  I walked around the dining room table about 16 times, took out a bunch of toys and books, and all the bowls out of the cabinet, anything I could do to stay awake!  Finally I got a bath (you can see that I really needed one!)

From February

and my nightly book reading and called it a night at 7pm, an hour early since I didn't have much of a nap.  I can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store!

Kayla

Exciting February

Hey, guys!

It's only February 14th and already we've had quite an exciting February. I have discovered that walking is way cooler than crawling. I don't like to crawl at all anymore. Even if I only need to move a couple feet I get up, even if it takes me a minute, I get myself right on up and on my feet. My favorite path is to walk around the dining room table - I could do that all day I think. I fall A LOT - every few steps - but I keep trying. Mommy and daddy are sure that I fall 500 times a day. It's a wonder I don't have a black and blue bottom - maybe the diaper has lots of padding.

Let's see, what else? Oh, last weekend we found out that I'm getting a little brother! That's right. Gotta me a new toy to play with come July. I think it's pretty nifty! I hope he knows that my toys are mine and I don't like to share! :)

From February

And, finally, we got to go to the beach today, Valentine's Day! Yay! It was so warm today that we went down to Laguna Beach with our friends Alicia, David, and Cooper. We had so much fun playing in the sand, eating sandy crackers/crunchies, and playing in the water. I walked mommy and daddy down to the water where we got our feet and legs wet when the waves came in. I thought it was hilarious! Who cares if it's only February and the water is cold, I loved it!

From February

Next weekend Daddy is going to San Jose to go to the Bay Area Sports Spectacular where he can get up close and personal with some Cowboy Hall of Famers so mom and I will have to find something to do all day on Saturday, and probably Sunday since it's a 4am - 11pm trip on Saturday and I bet dad sleeps for part of Sunday. We shall see how the rest of the month shapes up.

Talk to you later!

Kayla