2.5

I turned 2.5 last week and as you can see my sense of style is really coming along! I got another new pair of sunglasses- they don't last long around me-- and like the others these can be worn right side up or "uppaside down."

We had a good weekend. Mom's friend Gretchen was visiting from Alaska (a former co-worker at the Red Cross) so she and her friends had lots of plans. We had dinner at our house on Saturday evening and I helped get things cleaned up. I even washed my kitchen so it was ready for company.

We got a new minivan this week and I love it- especially the magic door! We're busy getting ready for baby (6 weeks to go)-- and her name is "Purple" now, if you ask me.
We went over to a friend's house last night for a quick play date after dinner and a tramautic thing happened to me. I got six splinters in my hand. Let me tell you, it takes a lot of Clifford the Big Red Dog bandaids and ice to make that feel better.

Daddy's Day

First, let me give a shout out to all the fathers out there, especially my own! For Daddy's day we took him out to dinner Saturday night (left) to the restaurant of his choosing and thanks to the newly discovered wonder of chocolate milk, I was very well behaved. Sunday morning, Mom and I made Daddy breakfast (bluebirdie pancakes) and served him on the patio.

Now backing up a little, overall we had a pretty good week, with the exception of a glitch with selling our old house, but that may be resolved this week and hopefully the deal will go through. Aside from that, Dad went to South Bend Thursday through Saturday for his hockey reunion. Mom and I kept busy while he was gone.

I have a new favorite hobby in sidewalk chalk. It is also Mommy's favorite activity since she can sit in a chair on the patio and have both me and Lily happy and busy. It isn't neat, but it is fun! I got a new table for outside, complete with umbrella, which is very cool and we got it just in time since it was hot again this weekend. We played some soccer with Dad and you can see Lily and I were dragging from the heat!

I also started swimming lessons on Saturday morning. It was fun and I am getting really good. I blow bubbles and kick and love to jump in. The only thing I didn't like was the rescue dummy that I could see laying in the corner behind the big water slide. It was a life-sized man and I kept asking Mommy about him "Man sleeping?" And I didn't quite get her explanations that he was like a big doll.

Some other stories from this week . . . I have a new expression. If I make a not-so-polite noise, I now exclaim: "I Beeped!" (this is new from exclaiming "Katie's bum loud") Mom and Dad think it's hilarious, but don't know where it came from. I remain interested in trying to ride Lily like a horse. Lily is not so interested in this game, but is nice about it and just tries to get up and leave . . . I also told Mommy that I had a little black shirt and she had a white shirt-- a big white shirt, but it was big because of my baby sister . . . If you ask me what time it is I will tell you two minutes. It is the only time-related answer I know since Daddy will send me in from grilling territory to tell Mommy "Two minutes."

On the Fence

For those of you waiting to see my professional photos from last week, here is one that we scanned. I look like an agreeable 2.5 year old in this photo, don't I?

Well before I talk all about myself, let me fill you in on a few pieces of news. First, we sold our old house. Yeah! Daddy is thrilled that he will only have to maintain one lawn now! And in new house news, we finally got our fence installed. Lily and I were excited to explore the far reaches of our yard and Mom and Dad like having us both contained! Of course it rained most of the weekend, so we didn't get to play outside much, but when we did, I got to wear my boots.

Mom and Dad had their big black-tie affair on Saturday night and they looked very dressy when they left. Their photo was taken there, so we'll post it on the blog when we receive it. They had fun and I kindly slept in until 7:40 so they could catch up on a little extra sleep.
Despite the rain, we had a few excursions over the weekend. I spent Saturday morning with Dad going to some of our favorite places: Daddy's work (there is candy there); the grocery store (there are samples there, like apple slices, donuts, cheese and bread); and the library, which I pronounce "Lie-birdie." Also, FYI, strawberries are "strawbirdies" and blueberries are "bluebirdies."

On Sunday we tried to go to the park, but everything was too wet, except the balance beam (which is really just walking around the perimeter) and one swing was dry-ish but Daddy made me push him on the swing, instead of the other way around.

We ordered the bedding for my big girl room this week and Mom is planning for how Daddy will paint it. Perhaps this is how he will celebrate Father's Day?!?!?

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

For weeks now Mommy and I have been singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at bedtime, but we didn't know I would get to sing it publicly! We went to a baseball game today and we saw my old babysitter and she invited me up on the dugout to sing it during the seventh inning stretch. Under the pressure I didn't sing much, but I did clap loudly when we were done. I liked being at the baseball game, but my wiggles got the best of me and I kept Daddy on his toes!

We had my 2.5 year-old pictures taken this weekend. I was very wiggly there too and only smiled when I was being devilish and saying "no!" We will be sending photos out soon and Mom will put some up her for all to see.

Perhaps the highlight of the weekend (said sarcastically) was our trip to find a formal dress for Mommy. She and Daddy are going to a fancy party next weekend for Daddy's work and let me tell you it is quite a challenge to find a formal maternity dress on short notice. We finally found one at a wedding shop, but not before I wreaked havoc on the store and all the ladies shopping there.

Poppy came down to visit this week and he and Daddy went to the Memorial golf tournament. They had fun, despite the heat. I was sad to see Poppy go home and put his placemat back on the table after he left and Mommy had put it away. And I kept asking where Grandma was. They told me she had to work (only five more days until retirement now, so none of us feel to badly about that!) , but I didn't really get it.

Otherwise, I have been busy being busy. I have been wearing my dog boots a lot and I think they look terrific with shorts. We are in the process of starting to get my big girl room ready, but Mom is torn between two bedding sets and I like them both--and have picked both when given the option. We think Daddy likes one better because it would probably mean that the room would stay white (no painting for him!) so he is not bringing an unbiased opinion to the decision.

Summertime

We're ready for summer here! We enjoyed our three day weekend at home doing summery things and the weather was definitely summery at 90 degrees!

I ate my first popsicles, which I HAD to have after seeing all the bright colors in the package. We went swimming and I really enjoyed jumping in to the big pool and "plashing" Mommy and Daddy. We ate hamburgers and corn on the cob. And you might be able to tell that I got some new sunglasses, which were worn almost everywhere we went.

Today we went to a new park to play and had a picnic lunch (or a paddywhack, as I called it, since we've been singing the "knick knack paddy whack" song). You can probably tell I had lots of fun there. You also can probably see that I have two newly skinned knees . . . looks like we will need a lot of bandaids this summer!

In other news, I named my baby sister this weekend. I told Dad her name was Blue and then later I asked Mommy if I could see Blue. Mom & Dad weren't sure whether this name would make the final cut . . .

We are supposed to get our fence late this week or early next week, so that will be nice for Mom & Dad-- they won't have to chase Lily and me into the neighbors' yards when we get an itch for freedom!

The Negotiator

I'll admit it. It is not easy to get me to do things these days. Mom says she feels like she's working with the UAW. Everything from my potty treats ("No, two jelly beans," I say. "Green and purple.") to how many more times down the slide before we leave the park to how many books I get to take into my crib. This must be why they call it the terrible twos, although I am far from terrible!

We had a good weekend and we got the most of the daylight hours since I was up by 6:30 a.m. both days. On Saturday we all got up and got ready, had breakfast and Mom and I headed out to get my hair cut and run to the grocery store. As we were pulling out of the driveway Mom realized it was only 8:14 and the hair place wouldn't even be open yet!

My haircut went well and I got both a sucker (because it was the only way to get me to stay still to have my bangs cut) and a purple balloon, which I have carried around quite a bit the last few days.

Saturday we went to a wedding. I was my usual busy self at church. I had a babysitter for the reception part even though I was invited. Mom and Dad enjoyed themselves and I got to see my old babysitter who worked at my old school.

Sunday we went out to breakfast and after focusing mostly on sausage and eggs realized how yummy pancakes are and how wonderfully sticky syrup is. Our new house is close to our favorite breakfast restaurant so I bet we'll be going back a lot.

I was big on taking my baby for a walk this weekend. She made several trips to the park (and a few trips down the slide) in her stroller. I would pack up her diaper bag and had to have a blanket and then I would say "Bye. See ya!" and head to the front door.

We're looking forward to the long holiday weekend and hope to have some summery weather!

Baby sister update: she is moving a lot, but I don't really have the patience to keep my hand still while I wait for her to move. Mom was to the doctor last week and all was well with the latest blood tests (all clear on gestational diabetes) and everything else. Mom's weight gain has almost caught up to where she was with me at this time (she had been quite a bit lower) so I think the unlimited ice cream may be coming to an end at our house . . .

Mommy's Day

Happy Mommy's Day to all the Moms! My first gift to Mommy was that I slept in until after 8 for the first time in a long time. Unfortunatley she woke up at 7 anyway! So once I got up Daddy and I made breakfast for Mom. I helped mix the eggs and I buttered the toast between seizing the opportunity to eat the butter.

After I did these jobs Dad realized it might be easier if Mommy and I went and watched Elmo so he could finish up without all the distractions! I am getting used to Mommy's bump and now I snuggle into it when before I just got annoyed that it was taking up my space.

We got Mommy flowers (pink roses at my request) and I made her a flower pot at school (also with pink flowers) which I was very excited to give her.

My favorite thing to do today has been to clean my table. I use Lily's squirt bottle with water and scrub and scrub. Mom & Dad are trying to figure out how to really put this skill to work! We've had a nice day and made it out for a quick walk between all the rain. The park is still too wet to play, but I ask about it everyday anyway!


I had a good week at school and talk about playing on the "big outside" (the big playground, as opposed to the small one). I make lots of fun things and I love taking my lunch.

If you ask me what my full name is, I might tell you it's "Katie Katherine." We had a sleep breakthrough this week thanks to Dad. Mom was out one evening and Dad put me to bed and let me read my books in my crib and I didn't cry at all and just sat there and read until I fell asleep. We had tried this before at naptime, but it just resulted in me throwing all the books out of the crib and then wanting someone to come pick them up. It's funny because Mom & Dad can hear me "reading" to myself, often repeating things from when we read the books earlier.

Home Alone

Come on! Did you really believe I was home alone? No, this was our first weekend without company in a long time. And boy did Mom and Dad miss having the extra entertainment for me!

We had a good week and continue to make progress on getting the house in order. Mom was happy because she and Dad finally hung up this shelf thing and they didn't even say any bad words while trying to get it up. I just sat in my seat, ate raisins and watched.

In addition to my swingset and the park, we continue to find fun things to do at our new house. Sometimes I get to take a bath in Mommy and Daddy's big bath tub. When the cars are out of the garage I get to play basketball, which I wanted to play all weekend. It's the Hoosier in me (referring to the state, not my allegiance to IU). On Sunday at 7 a.m. I was up and asking to play!

We enjoyed the nice weather this weekend and I was outside a lot. I did some fingerpainting and would alternate between asking for a towel to wipe my hands after each color and then just wiping it on my clothes or in my hair. Thankfully, they were washable paints!

I am still having a little trouble settling down to naps and sleep. Today I never did have a nap. And then Daddy and I went on an errand in the late afternoon and I fell asleep in the car. He even carried me into the house and I was still asleep, so we both had a little rest. Daddy told Mom that I needed a little noise to sleep and could she put on the hockey game?

We ended our weekend with a yummy dinner and an ice cream cone, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I am doing well at school and every night I ask if I can go back to the "new school" tomorrow. My new funny thing to say is "Oh my gosh," which I say with a pause before each word and usually shout it out at a funny time like when I am looking at a book by myself and see an animal that I like or when my legos fall over. Mom and Dad say I turn into more and more of a little person every day!

Settling In

We are making some good progress on getting settled in and the boxes are dwindling. According to Mom's nerdy clipboard with the list of all the boxes, there are less than 20 to unpack (and now that we have a basement some of those items may never see the light of day again!)

Poppy and Boppy (or Grandma Boppy as I now call her) were here this weekend. They got a ton of projects done for us and we had a fun visit. They babysat me while Mom and Dad were at the Rotary fundraiser that Mom co-chairs. And guess what! Daddy won half of the grand prize at the reverse raffle (he and another guy formed an alliance and agreed to split if either of them won). What a great time for that to happen! It will pay for some of our new fence!

My first week at the new school was good. There were some tears the first few mornings, but I am settling in and the teachers said they couldn't believe how well I was adjusting. I get to take my lunch in a little lunch bag and I love to unpack it on the way to school and put it on the shelf myself when we get there. I am a big fan of the big playground and tell Mommy "I played on the big outside." Every day when we leave school I ask if I can come back to the new school, so I must like it.

As for today, I am just coming off my junk food high from our trip to the circus. I was entranced by all there was to watch and also made time for a few treats since we were there at dinner-time (nachos, hot dog and dip 'n dots ice cream to be exact). I was very excited about the elephants and enjoyed the acrobats and the tigers. I danced some and clapped along. By the end, I had kind of run out of steam, so I wasn't very into the trapeze, but I had a fun time. When we got home and Mommy asked what I remembered about the circus I said "the floor was dirty" (because I kept wanting to sit down on the floor instead of my seat and since it was covered with sticky dip 'n dots Mom wouldn't let me). Mom had to laugh that after all of that, that was what I remembered!

The Big Move

Well, we got all moved in to the new house on Friday and are feeling somewhat settled in. I love playing outside in my new yard and the neighbor girl has been over to swing on my swingset.

Last week I visited my new school twice-- once with Dad and once with Mom and I enjoyed it a lot and have been asking when I could go to the new school. I am a little ahead of the rest of my new class, so the teachers think I will probably move up soon.

Mom spent all day Thursday packing and as soon as I came home from school I started pulling things back out. I like having my things in place! She also went to the doctor that day and I should tell you that everything is good with my baby sister.

The big truck arrived on Friday morning (an hour earlier than scheduled, much to Mom's dismay!) Luckily we were all up and dressed! I had my breakfast and went to school for the last day there. We took cupcakes so I could have a little goodbye party, but as much as I have loved my school I didn't seem to be upset about my last day. Several teachers were very sad to see us go, but I just said "Bubbye. I go to new school."

Then when Mom picked me up we drove to the new house and all of our things had moved there. I ran all over the place and then we ate pizza. After all that work I had to sit down and relax in the big red chair! Right now I am sleeping in what will be the baby's room (until I move to my big girl bed). Mom had it all set up like my old room with everything in the same places. When I went to bed I started noticing what wasn't excatly the same. My night light wasn't in the same place and I showed Mommy where it should go. I mean does it really matter that there isn't an outlet there? Then when we were reading I noticed that the basket of blankets next to my bed wasn't there. And when I was in my crib I saw that there was no basket on the dresser to hold the wipes and diapers. I battled through these adversities and am happy that things are more in order now.

Aunt Jen and Uncle Buddy came to visit on Saturday and helped us a lot (mostly playing with me so they could get other jobs done). We had a good visit around putting them to work! Lily came home from five nights at camp and got moved in. She is doing pretty well, too, but we don't have a fence up yet, so we have to take her out when she wants to go. It's a little annoying!

I have fallen twice in the driveway and have two skinned knees, but I didn't cry and Uncle Buddy got them cleaned up for me. You can probably see my Clifford band-aids in the last photo.

I am adjusting pretty well, but it is a lot for a little girl like me to process. I get a little clingy at nap time and bed time and ask for lots of "Daddy Big Hugs" and "Mommy Big Hugs" Yesterday I discovered one of my old pacifiers (which I never used as a baby) and wanted to have it with me for my nap. Fortunately, I lost it (seriously Mom & Dad did not hide it) so hopefully I will forget about it soon. We will post some photos of the new house once more boxes are out of the way.

"Happy Easters!"

That's what I said when I woke up today. I was very excited about the day and my Grampy and Grammy L. were here from Canada to celebrate the day with us.

On Saturday we dyed Easter eggs. Mom thought this would be a fun project, but in the end it only took about five minutes. I just kept plunking them in the cups then grabbing them out. No wire dippy thing for me. And my hands were green and yellow for a while afterwards. I really wanted to play with my eggs and rearrange them. When you're two it's hard to remember what fragile means!

Today we woke up and put on our Easter clothes and went to our new church. I was pretty well-behaved and loved the children's choir and wanted to clap for them. The only incident was when I dropped my sandal in an unreachable place under the pew in front fo us and the people next to us had to send their little boy under to retrieve it while I shouted "My shoe! My shoe!!!!"

When we got home from church Grammy and Grampy came over for brunch and the Easter bunny had arrived with my basket. I was very excited to look at everything and am a big fan of jelly beans. As usual, I unpacked the basket and then reloaded it a couple of times and carried it around a little. It was really wet out so I didn't get to do an Easter egg hunt, but we might do one next week.
After naps for everyone, we went to our friend's (Joy and Chris) house for Easter dinner and had a wonderful time. I got another Easter basket from Auntie Joy and was pretty good throughout dinner. My two favorite dishes were cucumber salad and butter. After I decided to try to pull the table cloth off, Grampy took me outside to walk around the yard and see the fish in the pond. We spent quite a bit of time together outside from that point on and I showed him how to blow bubbles.

It was a great Easter and a great visit with my grandparents. I have actually renamed them-- I call Grammy Grandma now and Grampy Baa Baa (as in Baa Baa Black Sheep, I guess).

We move this week and I will visit my new school twice before we move, so I will probably have a lot to report next time.


Happy Easters!