Happy Birthday to Me

I had a great first birthday party today! I wish you all could have been there.

I woke up from my nap and put on my party clothes and was very happy until the birthday hats came out. Then I adjusted to my hat and was all smiles for awhile. When we went to do the cake I got a little overwhelmed and shed some tears, but boy did the cake and ice cream cheer me up! I shoveled in (literally) two small pieces of cake and LOVED it. Unfortunately my first party outfit took a beating-- the velvet pants had cake mashed into them when Mom removed the high chair tray. Luckily I had another outfit I wanted to wear.

Thank you for all of the nice gifts everyone brought and sent. I hardly know where to begin playing or what to wear next. Aunt Suzie, I particularly liked the giant legos!

New Picture

We had a busy weekend and hardly had time to take any pictures. Today I went to have my professional photos done for my one-year old picture (and Christmas). I am sending a preview of the funny one. You can see all of my little teeth, including #7 which is just coming in on the bottom.

I am walking like crazy- from one side of the room to the other and keeping Mom & Dad very busy! I also am saying more things that sound like words and looked right at Dad and said "Dada" this morning.

We are all looking forward to seeing many of you next weekend for my birthday party, and will miss everybody who can't come. We will send some pictures of course!

A Little Under the Weather

Hi everyone. I have been a little sick the last few days, so I wasn't able to send my usual Sunday report. Mom & Dad thought I was better this morning and then when we were on Step 6 of the 7 steps of our morning routine, I puked all over Mom. Unfortunately, we were both already dressed for the day. Aside from the puking this morning, I have been pretty close to my normal, energetic self and I have developed an addiction to grape pedialyte.

Mom stayed home with me this morning and Daddy came home at lunch. Aside from playing with my socks, I also wedged my bum into my hippo walking toy and kind of got stuck. I tried to play it cool by looking nonchalant and patting my knees with my hands, but I think Mom was on to me! Hopefully I can go back to school tomorrow.

Turkey Day

I am not going to lie. I may be a little less skinny today than when I went to South Bend. I had a delicious turkey dinner and loved every bite of it. I even ate pumpkin pie with whipped cream! The next night we had lasagna for dinner and I was very lady-like since we ate in the dining room!

I had a great visit with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Jenny, Uncle Billy and Great Grandma Dolak. Everyone else, I wish we could have seen you too even though we are little behind on our Thanksgiving by your standards.

I played hard all weekend and Mom and Dad were glad to have the extra hands to help contain me.

One of the highlights was when Grandpa Dolak taught me to dance.

11 months old

I am 11-months old today!!! Boy this year is flying by!

Dad and Mom took me swimming today and I kicked my legs a lot and really tried to swim-- I have my own technique kind of like a worm where I crunch up then push my arms and legs out at the same time.

We are busy getting ready for American Thanksgiving and will be going to Grandma and Grandpa Dolak's from Wednesday night until Sunday morning. I am very excited about the visit and this thing called pumpkin pie!

P.S. In case Daddy forgets to tell you, he got a call this week and he is going to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in late January. I am really proud of him!

Pizza and Pancakes

Hi everyone. I am busy working on my walking. I take about three or four steps and then fall. My teachers at school said I easily figure new things out and am ahead for my age.

I am doing great with eating grown-up food. We had pizza night last night and I loved that stuff! Today I got to eat my first pancakes and sausage at the charity pancake breakfast Mom chaired. Dad and I went early before the crowd hit and got to talk to everyone and hear how cute I am. The sausage was delicious and I am sure the pancakes would have been even better if Dad had let me have syrup. When Mom got home from volunteering all day, Lily and I kicked our feet up and relaxed on the couch with her.

We're looking forward to a quiet week now that Mom's fundraiser is over. But we're working on planning another event-- my first birthday party!

First Step!

Hi. It's me, Katie. I took my first step yesterday! I walked one and a half steps on my own from Mom to Dad (and then fell over, of course). I get up and down very well, and often bend over or squat to get something and then stand back up (see photo). I am also working on some more teeth. Mom and Dad think they see one or two coming in on the bottom and maybe one more on top. Then I will really be able to dig into my birthday cake! And Grandpa, unlike my baptism cake, I will eat some of this one!

We had a nice weekend. Mom had a board meeting/retreat all Saturday morning, so Dad and I got to resume our Dady Daycare antics. We all went out to dinner last night. Luckily the waitress thought I was cute enough that she didn't mind the Cheerios scattered all over her section! Today we went to the outlet mall. Grampie, we said hello to Tommy Hilfiger for you. I also played in the yard a bit and tried to eat the leaves.

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween. What a fun holiday! I put on my peapod suit and went visiting with the neighbors. My favorite treat was a bag of Cheetos that I crinkled and rattled the whole evening. Daddy has been training me all week to play up my lack of control when grasping objects so that I always grab two. He also held up the candies that he and mom like best so that I could recognize them if given a choice! After the trick or treating, the neighbors had a bonfire in the cul de sac and we sat outside for a while until it was time for me to go to bed. Then Lily babysat while Mom & Dad had the monitor outside.

I am busy walking with my toy- I push it from one side of the room to the other. When I hit the wall I sit down and play until someone turns it around. I have been standing up a lot. I will be sitting in the middle of the floor and just stand up by myself and then sit back down.

P.S. I attached a picture of our family of jack o'lanterns. I am the one on the left.

Mom Came Home to Us

Good news. Mom came home from Chicago today. She arrived to find me and Dad watching football together in our ball caps. Daddy did a great job taking care of me (and Lily) even after his first week at his new job.

I am standing by myself longer and longer these days. At school on Friday my teachers were impressed because I had a toy in each hand and just stood up without putting my hands down and then stood there for 10 seconds and then sat back down.

I also continue to eat more and more big people food. My first attempt at spaghetti is shown below. Mom was pretty glad she had changed me into an older sweatshirt!

Feeding Self

The weekend went by very quickly. We went to gymboree class yesterday. I moved up to the next class because I got too antsy with some of the "babyish" things and wanted to be more active. After watching some of the big kids who could walk I stood for about 15 seconds on my own (but not walking yet).

Last night I had a babysitter so Mom and Dad could go out to dinner and a movie. And then today Mommy volunteered at a pumpkin festival for charity. I was supposed to go too, but it was too cold and windy so I stayed with Dad to help him get ready for his first day at work. I go back to school full-time this week. Mommy leaves Thursday night for a weekend in Chicago with her Notre Dame friends, so Dad and I will resume Daddy Daycare next weekend!

The Great Pumpkin Patch

I am busy getting ready for my first Halloween. We went to the pumpkin patch today to pick our pumpkins. I liked the really big ones and riding in the wagon with the pumpkins.

This week I stood on my own for the first time for a few seconds. I also started eating a lot of table food, instead of that mushy stuff. Lily loves this new stage!!! She is constantly stalking around my highchair. I am taking more steps holding on to things. Today I pushed the laundry basket across the room, so Mom and Dad got me a new toy that I can walk behind and push.

I also had my picture taken at the mall yesterday. One of them is of me in my Halloween costume (a peapod) and the other in my ND cheerleading uniform. I also am sending a copy of my school picture. The envelopes are ready to mail, so you should get the pictures soon.

Gym Class

Let's see. What do I have to report this week? I waved for the first time one morning this week. I also am getting good at eating Cheerios. I used to just dump them on the floor or on my lap, but now I really eat them.

I started gym classes on Saturday and had a wonderful time climbing and singing and playing. I was a little frustrated with the parts where we were supposed to lay on our backs while our parents sang to us. I kept trying to flip over and crawl away. Either I wanted to get to the playing part or maybe it was Mom & Dad's singing! I loved it when we played with the parachute. Except for when the parents were making it spin around and I accidentally sat on another girl's head!

Besides class, I am busy chasing Lily and pulling myself up on everything. I have also been having a terrific time playing in the bathtub. Mom is usually soaked by the time I am done banging my cups around.

Black Goat of the Sheep

Hi guys. It's me, Katie. I have had a pretty busy week.

Friday was my nine-month check-up at the doctor. I now weigh 20 lbs 14 oz (around 85th percentile) and am 28 3/4" long (90th percentile). My head continues to lead the way at "greater than 97th percentile." The doctor said I am doing great and that I am very advanced in my mobility. She was very impressed with my transitioning-- I think that's how I go from crawling to sitting to standing to sitting to crawling . . .

I also had school pictures on Friday. We will send some as soon as we get them. It was a pumpkin and leaf motif, so my new fall boots should look great in the photo!

Today was Mom's company picnic. It was held at this big farm and I got to go on a hayride and play in a petting zoo. I thought the goats were funny- especially the one named Mortimer. I also liked patting the miniature donkey. I wasn't big enough for the pony ride this year, but I am working on it for next year.
P.S. The title is a reference to Unlce Dave's famous comment that he made to Mom the first time she met him. He had had a few "sippy cups" and he told her that he was "the black goat of the sheep."

Let's Go Irish

Hi, it's me, Notre Dame's littlest cheerleader. I had a great time tailgating in South Bend this weekend and Grandma and Grandpa did a good job of babysitting me during the game. Mom's high school friends threw a big tailgate and I got to play with some of the other little ones while Mommy drank beer and Daddy ate chicken. On Sunday we went over to campus to shop in the bookstore and I got a new ND hat.

My top two teeth are just about ready to come through. Maybe they will get here before my class picture on Friday!

Beach Bum

I just got back from a weekend at Lake Michigan at Johnny and Suzie's cottage. Mom, Dad, Jamma and I drove up on Friday night and arrived at 11 pm in time for a cocktail/bottle. I LOVED the beach. I played with all the toys and crawled in the sand (chasing Daddy around the beach). As you can see, I have turned into a regular beach bum!

I had a terrific time in the water (even though it was a little chilly). I squealed with delight every time we went in. Grandma and Grandpa D. came for a visit on Sunday and got to see me in action.

My other big news this week was learning how to clap. By the end of the weekend I could do patty cake!

That's all for this week. Off to South Bend for the Notre Dame vs. Michigan football game next weekend. Go Irish!!!

The Reverse Dave

Hi everyone. I got a second tooth this week-- that brings the count to two-- both on the bottom. Dad calls it the "Reverse Dave" (since Uncle Dave doesn't have his front teeth). There is also a speck of white on the top, so I think #3 is on the way. Grandpa Norm said I am ready for a steak.

I had a nice day today. We went to the park and I played in the kiddie swing for the first time and Lily ran free on the tennis courts.

Jamma comes on Thursday and then we head to Lake Michigan for the Labor Day weekend. I am looking forward to some R&R!

8 months!

Hi, it's me. Now that I am eight months old I still sleep funny (with my bum up in the air).

I still think my dad is hilarious.

And, I love to watch the Olympics-- as long as I get the remote. I am rooting for both Americans and Canadians. Last night I saw a Canadian girl crying after her last dive- did you see that Grampie L.?

My First Tooth

Hi everyone. I got my first tooth on Friday. Mom & Dad thought they could feel it Thursday night and on Friday evening the very top of it was visibile (bottom right). Luckily, I wasn't very cranky about it, but I do have a little cold, so I wasn't as cheerful as usual.

I am busy pulling up wherever I can. Just this morning I figured out how to stand up in my crib. Dad walked in and I was just standing there waiting for him! You can tell I am pretty pleased with my cleverness.

This will be a busy week for me because I am going to school every day while Daddy runs the hockey camp.

Back from Indy

Hi everyone. We just returned from a fun weekend in Indianapolis celebrating Grandma & Grandpa Dolak's 35th wedding anniversary.

The big news is that I learned to read. As you can see, I helped Aunt Jen with the big words. I also had a fun time playing with my Uncle Billy!

I pulled myself up to stand on Sunday, so I am sure there are many great adventures ahead for me.

I am done with swimming lessons for the summer- Saturday was supposed to be the last one, but it was too cold (54 degrees)! I made a lot of progress this summer though.

Can't Sit Still

Hi everyone. It's hard to sit still long enough to even type this, but I am willing to try. I am a busy little girl these days. This week I figured out how to sit up from laying down, so now when Mom & Dad come to get me up in the morning they might find me sitting up playing in my crib! I am crawling all over the place and especially like to chase after Lily. You can see I am trying to touch Lily's paw in the second picture. In the third picture I somehow sat up and ended up halfway under my crib.

We've been outside a lot this week enjoying my new jogging stroller (not that anyone has been jogging behind it!) but its nice to go through the grass at the park.

I had a babysitter last night while Mom & Dad when out for their anniversary (#6!) and next weekend I am off to Indianapolis to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa Dolak's 35th wedding anniversary!