Bring on the water

Hi everyone. We had another hot & humid weekend here. Yesterday Mom & I went to my swimming lesson. Then after we got home I had a super long nap- 3 hours! We all went out for Mexican food last night and I ate salsa. So far there have been no negative repercussions . . .

Today we went downtown to this interactive fountain. At first I was a little hesitant but then I loved running in it! I would have played there for hours, but they shut it down for a concert, so we'll have to go back soon.

I am talking more this week. My funniest thing is when I say "No, no, no" and shake my finger. I think I learned this from Mom & Dad talking to Lily! I also started saying this weird combination of words, which Mom finally figured out is a song called "Hot potato, hot potato." I sing something like "hopida dapida."

My new blog!

Now that I am 18 months old, it's time to keep up with the world's technological advancements, so I have gotten my own blog. This means I can just hop on the computer and bang out an update whenever I want. I will continue to post news and photos every weekend, but this way they are all saved in one place and you can even add comments if you wish-- it's interactive! Also, I can share photos without overloading your email accounts.

Race Recap

In case you missed the news, I had a big race this weekend. I was chosen to partipate in the Toddler Race during a minor league baseball game. When I arrived at the game I had to put on my racing uniform and they took my picture and got my stats for the jumbotron. I was "Red Baby." I got a peek at the competition at this point and wasn't too worried. Yellow Baby was only one and not as steady on her feet. Also I suspected her sandals might slow her down.

It was a hot day, but my conditioning with Dad paid off. He had me eat pasta the night before, so that I was carb-loaded for the race. At the middle of the fourth inning we had to go down to the dugout to await our turn. Unfortunately this ended up being the longest inning of the game--complete with a pitcher change. While we waited in the dugout I helped point out all the bubblegum wrappers littering the ground. "Uh-oh" I would say and point (repeatedly).

Then it was time for the big race. I was introduced to the crowd and ready to take off to meet Mom at the finish line. Yellow Baby had a big head start, but I quickly overtook her. When I saw Mommy clapping for me I started clapping for myself while I ran. Blue Baby never left the starting line, so after my victory lap yellow baby and I went back to get him. The race was so much fun!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, everyone. We've had a nice weekend. Swimming lessons started yesterday and we were glad we decided to do our lessons indoors at the Y this year since it was only 61 degrees yesterday morning! I still love the water and I did a good job putting my face in. The best part of the class is when we get to play with the balls (still my favorite word this week).

For Father's Day we made Dad breakfast and served him out on the deck with his newspaper. Then he got to choose his activities. He picked dog park, nap and watching golf (in that order). I love the dog park. There were three springer spaniels there this morning, so I felt right at home-- and of course there are lots of balls there. I got a little pool for the backyard and enjoyed that this afternoon. Then tonight we took Daddy out to dinner.

In other news from this week, I slept in the cot at school on Friday and did well. They had to sit with me and rub my back to keep me there, but they usually sit by my crib anyway since I am the last kid to go to sleep. I am in love with ketchup, which I call "Uppa." I like to dip everything in Uppa or sometimes just lick it off my fingers. My vocabulary includes Dada, Mama, Dog, Ball, Uh-oh, Uppa, Apple and Bye-bye. I will be one and a half on Tuesday and I have a doctor's appointment that morning, so we will see how big I have gotten and probably get a few shots.

Weekend in Cleveland

We just got back from our weekend in Cleveland. We were at a wedding for an old family friend of Mom's. The wedding was great-- well, okay, I didn't see much of the actual wedding. I started yelling "Ball!!!" during their wedding vows so Dad quickly took me out! The reception was a lot of fun. I ran all over and could not wait to dance. I danced with Grandpa a lot and then he set me loose and I danced up a storm. People started surrounding me and immitating my moves! I had so much fun, I stayed up until 11. I am still getting readjusted today . . .

Today we went to Great Grandma Dolak's house (GG). We had a nice visit. There is LOTS to investigate at GG's house. I even turned up some Easter eggs, which I was pretty excited about. We had a huge lunch and I ate some of GG's specialties. And it was so hot out that she didn't even give me a hard time about drinking cold milk!

I move from a crib to a cot this week at school, so that should be interesting. We'll let you know how that works out.

While Mom's Away the Baby Will Play

It's me Katie. Mom is in Florida with some of her friends. It has been just me and Dad since Thursday. I almost have him trained. I am exhausted as this weekend I have gone to the dog park, played on a trampoline, played basketball, hockey, golf and baseball (sometimes all at the same time) and I went on a water slide in the neighbors yard. At the dog park, I think I had more fun than Lily. I learned to play Frisbee. I now bring it back. I played on a trampoline with some balls. Everyone was surprised at how good my balance was although there were a couple of face plants. Today I played with all the sporting goods we have in the garage. I played with Dad's hockey stick although I think I shoot the other way. I played golf using both a putter and a wedge. As you can see in the pictures my grip needs some work but I think I will be formidable on the mini-putt tour in P.E.I. when I visit. Finally I played on a water slide. My neighbors made one in the backyard and I loved it. I think I am ready for a water park. I am going to bed. I am excited Mom is coming home tomorrow.

Brain Explosion

Hi everyone. We're busy enjoying our long Memorial Day weekend here in the States. I got a new bike (tricycle with a push handle) so we have been out for a number of bike rides around the neighborhood. I ate my first watermelon today and loved it! This afternoon we went to a concert by the Philharmonic in the park with a few friends. I was very good and enjoyed the picnic part. I also liked clapping for some of the patriotic songs and the loud booms of the canons. Tomorrow we are going to a cookout with some friends and might go swim in the morning.

My brain is exploding with new things and new words every day. I imitate a lot of things. In the morning while Mom is getting ready I play in my pack 'n play and put things in a bag and act like it is my purse. I also like to put on my winter hat. I think I look very fancy, but others might think I look a little like a bag lady!

Mom leaves Thursday to go to Florida with the ND girls for a few days, so Dad and I will be on our own for the weekend.

Miss Chatterbox

Hope everyone had a good week. I continue to amuse Mom & Dad with my sign language. Here I am doing the signs for quiet and sleepy. Isn't Mommy doing a good job with her sign language, too?

I have been saying more words this week. And I even said my first sentence when we left the house one morning-- "Bye, Dog." The other new words this week are ball and bubble. Mom was blowing bubbles for me in the yard yesterday and then put them
away. A little while later I said "Bubble?" and started looking for them in the bag. I also am working on saying "apple" when I see it in my word book.

Yesterday we had great weather and played outside a lot. Then it was my turn to pick the restaurant for dinner so I selected Red Robin because I love their french fries. You can see I am way too cool in my sunglasses!

Welcome to Toddlerville

Mom & Dad say I have had some toddler moments this week. I told you about my episode at the dinner table last Sunday and more and more I do not want to be restrained in my high chair or I insist on having my things at the table-- shoes, bear, etc. I haven't felt great this week, so we think that might be causing my occasional episodes. One day I was leaving school and I saw a denim jacket on a hook (not mine) and I was sure we needed to get it and got very upset about it. Later that night when we were playing I actually pouted and stomped my feet in frustration. I am feeling better now, and these moments have been more scarce this weekend, but we'll see.

We had a pretty quiet weekend. Mom had her fundraiser raffle for the Rotary Club on Friday which was a big success and now she has fewer evening meetings- yeah! Dad won a prize in the raffle- a suite at the minor league baseball game and he can have 18 people as his guests! Not sure if I will be one of them . . . Today Mom and I went to the mall and I bought a new bikini for summer. Can't wait to come swim in PEI. (still don't know when!)

One of my funniest things of the week has involved sign language. We just got this book that shows a kid doing the signs and pictures that help explain it (I am looking at it in the picture). I love looking at the book and when I see the signs I can imitate them- kind of. Mom & Dad's favorite is the sign for quiet, which as you might guess is holding your finger to your lips like you are saying "Shhhh." In my version of this sign I put my finger on the side of my nose and then 9 times out of 10 I end up picking my nose! So if you want to tell a deaf person to be quiet just pick your nose.

I ate my first dinner off a plate tonight. It went pretty well, but Lily ended up with spinach and not chicken so she was a little disappointed with the experiment.

Happy Mother's Day

Hi everyone. It's me, Katie. First I would like to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day. We've had a nice day. When I woke up I had a card for Mom waiting in my crib. Then we hurried and got ready so we could get to our favorite breakfast restaurant. We knew it would be crowded-- and we were right. I was very good considering that we had to wait 40 minutes, but once we ate I fell in love with pancakes and syrup!

When we got home we tried to take a nice mother/daughter photo, but I had run out of steam, so we never really got a good one, but we attached a silly one of us laughing. This afternoon, Mom and I played on a blanket in the yard while Daddy mowed. Every time he went by I got really excited and started shouting "DADA" (the third photo is of me watching him mow.) He said my cheerleading helped! I also waved to all the neighbors like usual whenever they came out of their houses.

Mom & Dad think I have become kind of quirky. Friday night I insisted on wearing a hat to bed. I pulled it out my drawer and then I wouldn't let anyone take it off. Tonight I HAD to have my teddy bear and sandals at the dinner table. I got very upset when Mom & Dad thought they didn't belong there. It ended up being an interesting dinner. I didn't want to eat. Or be in my chair. Or have my bib on. But once strawberry shortcake came on the scene I managed to eat a little and Lily cleaned up a good amount of steak and potatoes.

Happy May Day

Hi everyone. Can you believe a year ago today was my baptism? I guess it is my baptism-iversary. Today I went to something like a baptism for Mom's friend's twin babies. It was a cradle ceremony, which is an Indian tradition involving blessing the babies. The twins had beautiful outfits from India and Mom got to help bless them. I was very good there, but it was a lot of work to keep me entertained-- especially when things started a little late. The ceremony was at the grandparent's house and I was very busy running all over- I especially wanted to go in the wine cellar and their elevator. Luckily there was one room without any furniture and I ran from one side to the other enjoying the sound of my voice echoing. The first picture is of me ready to go to the party and the second one is of me playing in the empty room.

Picture #3 was of play time this afternoon. I have been enjoying going to the hall closet to pull out my coats and hats. I insisted on wearing my ND hat even though it doesn't fit anymore. Then I wanted my jacket on. Then I grabbed the diaper bag. I think I was suggesting that we go some place!

Aside from all this, I am busy making new sounds and chattering a lot. Sometimes it sounds Chinese and other times it sounds like whole English sentences- Mom swears I said "I love dessert" yesterday. We discovered tonight that the eighth tooth in the front is on its way. It's funny because I have had four on the top and three on the bottom for ages now. We've been wondering where this little guy was!

Who's Tired Today?

Hi everyone. I had a great weekend in Indy! Aunt Jen and Uncle Billy were excellent babysitters while Mom & Dad went to the wedding. I had a great time running around their house and playing with them-- and I really enjoyed climbing their stairs. I also had a nice visit with Grandma and Grandpa Dolak who also went to the wedding. By the time Mom and Dad got home this morning (they stayed at the hotel to really put the babysitters to the test), we were all a little tired and some of us may have been a little hungover.

Thanks again, Jen & Billy!

Frozen in Place (for once)

Hi everyone. It's me, Katie. We had another gorgeous weekend here and I spent a lot of time outside.

I have started giving good hugs, which everyone likes. I also like to lean my head against Daddy's shoulder, and then Mom and Dad say "Awww . . ." and I keep doing it for laughs!

Yesterday I put on my new spring sandals and I was so funny because I thought I could not walk in them. I stood in the hall and acted like my feet were glued to the floor (2nd picture). Later in the day Mom and I went to play outside and I didn't like the grass touching my feet either. Mom realized this was to her advantage because I stayed put on the blanket and we just played and played for two hours (none of the usual chasing!)

Last night we went out for Mexican food and I got to order my own dinner (rice and a quesadilla). I even ate a few tortilla chips and a tiny bit of salsa. I was funny because I saw the bus boy cleaning the next table and I kept waving at him and then I grabbed a napkin and started imitating him by wiping our table!

This will be a busy week for us. Daddy is traveling for a few days and then we go to Indy next weekend for a wedding. Look out Aunt Jen and Uncle Billy! (they are babysitting me for a whole day and night!)

Spring is Here

We've been busy enjoying the nice weather this week. I've been outside a lot. One night after school I played ball in the yard and visited with the neighbors. The three-year-old across the street came and played ball with me for a little bit. My first neighborhood friend!

Mom & I went to the park yesterday and Mom quickly realized the park is a three-person excursion because you can't be at the top of the slide and the bottom of the slide at the same time!

Today we broke out the shorts and took a family walk. I got tired and decided I didn't like my stroller anymore so Mom got a great workout carrying me the whole way home.

I can now reach the door handles and my new game is emptying the pantry. Yesterday I unloaded as much as I could and kept bringing it into the family room. The funniest part was how I kept looking at the pile of stuff (Goldfish crackers, protein bar, sprinkles) as if I was trying to figure out what I was missing for the "recipe." Looks like Mom will have to reorganize the pantry shelves because this new game will only be fun until I break a jar of pickles!

I am understanding more and more words. I walk around the house looking for "Dada" and say "Dada?" as I go from room to room. Today Daddy was mowing the lawn and I stood at the front window banging on it and yelling "DADA!!!" So I think that "Dad" is the first word I really understand. And "dog" seems to be next. We saw a dog on our walk this morning and I got very excited and said "Dah! Dah!" (which I actually say differently from Dada). Perhaps an "M" word will be next?

The Easter Egg Hunt Continues

Hi everyone. We enjoyed our first full week back to normal with all of us home. I went to the doctor for my 15 month check-up on Wednesday. I weigh around 24 lbs (give or take a pound since I wiggled the whole time) and am 31 inches tall. This is around 65-75 percentile, but my head remains at 95 percentile!

Yesterday we went shopping in Cincinnati and had lunch at PF Chang's. You can see my Chinese heritage came out when we were eating there!

I am still obsessed with my Easter eggs. Several times this week I have gone to the door with my Easter basket-- I am sure there must be more eggs out there in the yard. Today we went out in the sunshine (but only high 50's in temp) and played Easter egg hunt again. Then later we walked over to the park across the street to play. I liked the slides the best, but played on the swings and climbed around, too.

I have been saying "uh-oh" a lot the last few days and seem to be understanding more and more. Today I was ready for a snack so I just marched up to my high chair and tried to climb in. Mom & Dad say I just keep getting funnier!