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!

Jump Around

It's been a busy week for me. I have definitely made my official first crawl. Mom was playing ball with me on Friday and I took off after it. It's been constant motion ever since. I notice something I want and I am off to get it--including Lily. Luckily she likes playing with me and is gentle when I am around. I tried out my jumper today. I loved it, but Lily was a little suspicious of the whole thing. She would bark and I would look at her, laugh and bounce more.

I am seven months old now. I have added ba-ba to my vocabulary (no mama yet). I pay close attention when Mom & Dad are singing or talking to me and listen a little longer during story time before I try to eat the book.

Ball, Cleveland and Bananas

Hi guys. Katie here. I was off to Cleveland this weekend for another adventure. I met my Great Grandmother. The Dolaks may enjoy the fact that there is a picture of Mom with Great Grandma Nowakowski sitting in the same green chair that we are sitting in about 29 years ago. I got to play with my ball (something that is hard to do at home because of Lily's interest in the ball) and Great Grandma gave Mom & Dad lots of advice- like the cold milk was going to give me lung problems and that I should have some water because I looked thirsty.

Today I got my first real food- bananas. They were so slippery that I had a hard time picking them up, but when I got them to my mouth I really liked them. Thankfully, it was bath night so we washed the banana mush out of my hair. Bananas taste a little better than "green sh*t" (which is what Grampy said my baby food looked like).

Back in the USA!

We're back! What an adventure I had!

PEI was terrific. I received 4,327 kisses while I was there and loved every minute of it. While I was away my hair got longer, I got bigger and I am definitely on the verge of crawling-- right now I get up on all fours and rock back and forth.

There were many great highlights of the trip, and I am working on my Ofoto album, but for the time being I am including a photo of me enjoying the beach and one of me celebrating Canada Day.

We had a LONG journey home-- a nine hour delay in Toronto (most if it spent in dinky terminal E if anyone is familiar). I was a trooper, though. The airport staff said I was the "star of the show" because I was so good and didn't cry once the whole time we were waiting. Mom and Dad didn't cry either. We finally arrived home just before 1 a.m. Obviously we missed the traditional Fourth of July celebration, but we were able to see about 300 different fireworks shows from the air as we flew over Cleveland and on south-- it was very neat.

Jamma, Grampie & Grammy Pammy, thanks for everything! David, Rachelle, Bates, Suzie and Shane, I had fun seeing you. Hello to James when he arrives home today. Fellow Americans, I miss you and am looking forward to a visit soon.

Growing Like a Weed

I went to the doctor today and here are my new statistics:
length: 27 3/8" (95th percentile)
weight: 18 lbs. 3 oz (90th percentile)
head: 97th percentile

They said I am doing well with growing and motor skills-- especially the sitting up part. I am on the mend from my ear infection and got all of my shots so that they will let me into Canada. Ate some sweet potatoes tonight. Lily helped feed me, too. She is getting ready for camp tomorrow.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day. I had a busy day. Uncle Dave, Aunt Rachelle and Bates came over for brunch then I went to have my six-month old portrait taken. Mom will send you an email with the proofs soon.

I turn 6-months old tomorrow and have my check-up at the pediatrician on Tuesday. Then on Thursday, off to Canada!

P.S. I like carrots.

Green Beans

Guess what?!?! I ate my first real food yesterday- green beans. I really liked them. They made my boring old cereal taste pretty plain.

Dad is still working on his science experiment-- when white stuff goes in green stuff comes out . . . so what happens when green goes in?

This photo is from Memorial Day, so I pulled out my patriotic shirt and tried out my new baby Keds sneakers. The second is from yesterday. Jen & Billy, this is the "Spit Happens" shirt that Elissa and Thad gave us (Jamie dressed her).

Aside from trying to be fashionable, I am rolling over like crazy. This seemed cool to Mom & Dad last weekend, but now that I do it in my crib they have to keep rescuing me when I get on my stomach and can't get turned back.