Fish & Flowers

Yesterday I took Kaylee to the local aquarium to see the octopus and other local marine life. They have a little tank that kids can put their hands in and feel the starfish, anemones, shells, etc. Kaylee took absolutely no notice of the little critters in there, she only wanted to splash around in the water. Soon she discovered the water tasted salty and that seemed to be immensely cool, so we had to say goodbye to the fish.

Outside is a boardwalk-like complex of different offices, flower beds with Japanese maples, and plenty of benches. It seemed like a great setting for a photo shoot. If only the sun wasn't so bright and my camera so slow.

We came across some vending machines where she found a neat place to store her water cup. I snapped a bunch of pictures and when we got home, I noticed one where she was checking the machine for forgotten change. Jeff says that it really shows her Dutch side! :)

This morning we went to Michaels and found a large tablet of scratch paper and some jumbo crayons for a dollar. Kaylee made her first bit of artwork in greens, oranges, and red. I think she had more fun tapping the crayons than actually coloring. I tried to point out to her that she was making marks on the paper, but I don't think it registered. Oh well. She was living in the moment and experiencing the crayons in a way most people don't take the time to do.

This afternoon we're going to go back and try the Children's Museum again. Now that she can actually walk she might have more fun.

"Oooooh!"

"Yeah!"

"Wow!"

"Mmmm.... Salty!"

"Is that my shadow I see?"

"Anything in here?"

"Oh cool, they've got my favorite!"

"Dad must have a lot of fun at work all day when he's got these great toys to play with!"

"I'm tired. Driver, take me home!"

The Fair

Kaylee and I went around to all the barns at the fair. We got to see horses and ponies, cows, goats, sheep, and chickens. I was hoping to find the pig barn, but either they didn't have it or I didn't look hard enough. Kaylee really liked the animals. She always wants to touch them, until they put their noses right in her face, then she shies away. She seemed delighted when I showed her the cows and said "mooooo" along with the sign for "cow". She also seemed to love the roosters. I'd say "cock-a-doodle-doo!" and then one of the roosters would answer.

I was really good and had a low carb chicken wrap sandwich for lunch... but I just had to get a funnel cake before leaving! Kaylee and I went to town on it. I think I'll be full for a week!

What's Cookin?

Kaylee got a kitchen set for her first birthday. She really loves to play with the pots and pans! Here's a picture of her holding the phone that comes with it.

She's been doing so many cute things lately (of course)!

She's got the little princess wave down pat. She waves at passing cars mostly. Just one hand up and a little turn of the wrist - it's so cute. When I sing to her and when she hears music that she likes, she puts both arms in the air and waves her hands. We're not sure if this is her form of dancing or not.

She loves to give kisses and hugs. The kisses are pretty sloppy though - she sticks her tongue way out. She also likes to blow raspberries on my stomach and explore my bellybutton. It gets me laughing so hard!

She got a new dolly for her birthday and she likes to pretend to feed her. We also pretend to eat whatever Kaylee happened to cook up in her kitchen. She thinks it's pretty funny when we smack our lips like we're eating. She just throws her head back and laughs.

When Kaylee gets up from her nap, I'm taking her to the NW Washington Fair up in Lynden. We'll go look at the animals and see if there are any rides we can go on together. Hopefully I'll get some good pictures to post.

One Year Old!

Happy Birthday Kaylee!

Kaylee took it pretty easy today on her birthday. She had a couple good naps interrupted by a trip to the local pool. She really loves playing in the water. More and more she wants to swim off on her own.

Kaylee's friends Matthew and Emily came over to celebrate her birthday. We had pizza for dinner, opened some gifts, and ate some cupcakes! The kitchen toys were a big hit with all the kids.

Big strides

Ok, not so much strides as a lot of waddling back and forth. Kaylee started walking a little over a week ago. She still falls a lot but a little less each day. Unfortunately she did a face plant on the coffee table the other morning and got a nice bruise on her cheek, just in time for her 1 year pictures! I guess I'll hold off a week or so before getting them done.

She's one tough little kid though. She's taken some hard falls, and sure she cries, but then she moves on and gets right back to whatever she was doing. She's also been teething in silence. I was really surprised the other day to find her first tooth has poked through. She never even put up a fuss! Maybe some of her symptoms were covered by the fact that she's been dealing with a cold.

Anyway...big strides - she's walking now and got a tooth for her first birthday. I suppose soon she will be graduating from college, getting married and having babies of her own! Oh no, it's all happening too fast!

I'll get some birthday pictures posted here next week...

Other stuff

Before we left MN we also went to the zoo. I just have to include my favorite all time picture of Jeff being attacked by a beaver...

Kaylee has been growing by leaps and bounds these last couple weeks since we've been back. We got her a walker toy since she had so much fun with one up at Itasca. However in the last couple days, she's really started to walk on her own. Two days ago was the first time she struck out on her own, not walking towards someone who will catch her when she gets there. Today she was able to walk from our family room, through the kitchen, and into our living room.

I heard a few qualified "momma"s comming from Kaylee, but they're few and far between. She's been really chatty though. Her newest thing is to go "wow-wow-wow-wow-wow...". It's also cute the way she sucks on her upper lip.

I really thought I felt a tooth coming the other day, but now the bump is gone. I was hoping she'd get a tooth for her birthday.

I took Kaylee to the pool a couple days ago and she just loved it! There is a kid pool that goes from 0 to 3.5 feet deep. She thinks she can crawl right in and keep crawling even though the water gets up over her head. When I carry her out in deeper water, she tries to kick away from me and stike out on her own. She had a lot of fun with those rubber beach balls though. That kept her rooted to one spot for a little while. Eventually we had to go, and it was not easy getting her out of there. She cried and kept reaching back towards the pool.

Yesterday we went to Boulevard Park and she "one-fingered" walked barefoot in the grass, stalking a black bird. Eventually she let go and crab-crawled with her but up in the air. It was so funny. It was hard getting her away from that grass too - it's so fun to pull, you know.

Alright, Kaylee is up from her nap now, so that's all for now...

One more picture to embarass Jeff...

m-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i

An apology to all those out there who have been eagerly awaiting an update on our recent trip to Itasca Stake Park, headwaters of the Mississippi. It's been busy around here. Kaylee is doing so many wonderful, adorable things, it's hard to keep up!

But first, our trip. It was a lot of fun, we had great weather - but then most of the people reading this were there so you know already. Kaylee did really well at the cabin, sleeping in a pack-n-play. She would wake up early in the morning and I'd take her down to the lodge where I could sit and drink some coffee in front of the fireplace and Kaylee could have fun playing on the oversized whicker furniture. She soon made a new friend. Dominic, who turned 1 during our stay, was also an early riser and his grandpa seemed to have the same idea as me. Dominic, who is reported to be extremely outgoing and the life of the party would always get quiet and shy around Kaylee. Could there be some chemistry there? Just kidding! He is certainly a cutie. His family goes to Itasca every year and us mom's exchanged emails so if we're ever there at the same time again, we can meet up.

Well, I plan to attach some pictures, but I haven't asked permission from my family members to put their picture on the site here, so I will just include those of our immediate family... with one exception that just has to go on there... yeah, I'm talking about you Tom... Timmy... Jimmy... Frakiye!! Have another pot of coffee!

Kaylee and "Shut-eyed Suzie" taking a snooze

Obviously not a morning person, here!

Kaylee at the Lodge

On a three hour tour...

Swimming - Kaylee loves the water! (and the rocks - yum!!)

Kaylee's getting ready to nap while M&D go on a 17 mile bikeride!