Happy Early Birthday

Kaitlyn's first birthday came early yesterday when we gave her her Little People doll house and car. The picture if of her playing with them this morning in her pjs. For the sake of room I had put the toys on layaway and thought I would return the car when I went to pick them up. I think the car might just be her favorite right now. Of course it helps there are batteries in it (the house needs some) and she is able to have it make noises.

Some messes we ask for ourselves. I really don't like letting Kaitlyn feed herself, but I know she will need a bath afterwards. However I can't feed her until she gets married so I must let her learn. Just like Thanksgiving I put the food on her highchair tray and let her go at it. She finished off or wore (noodles in lap) all her spaghetti.

Dover Castle

Turned Off

Kaitlyn could be in the worst mood - complete with crying - until you point a camera at her. For some reason cameras or our camera has the magic touch to perk her right up.

Notice in the picture how her nose and eyes are red from crying, but she has a smile on her face. She was mad that I laid her in the basket and screamed until she was able to sit up. Once up she saw the camera and all tears stopped.

Sunday we took one of those rare pictures of Kaitlyn crying. She didn't care that we were taking her picture. Actually I think the camera made her cry all the more. I had put my scarf on her right after taking it off then handed the camera to Neal so we could get a picture. Like a switch she turned herself on and started smiling for the camera within a couple shots.

11 Months

My baby turned 11 months old yesterday. Who told her she could grow up? On Thanksgiving we let her feed herself for the first time really. Sure she has eaten bananas and toast on her on, but this was mashed potatoes and turkey. After a round of rock-paper-scissors Neal got the pleasure of washing the potatoes out of her hair and off her face and hands; She returned with a fresh diaper and clean clothes ready to tackle her next challenge... climbing the baby gate.

Of course climbing the gate is nothing new for her, but she did it differently this time. This of course was more for the sport then to actually get anywhere. We have learned baby gates are nothing more then an obstacle in her way keeping her from where she will eventually go. She knows she can go up the stairs if she wants to. She has actually gone over the gate and up the stairs twice. Maybe eight times she has gone over the gate (different location), onto the dog kennel, then spanned an 8" gap to climb onto the table. *sigh* When do they stop climbing?

Kids Like Being Late

While fighting to get out the door today I had this thought, "Why didn't someone tell me kids do everything they can to inhibit you from leaving when you should?" Why?! It's almost like she knows I'm trying to leave and a good poop will set us back enough that we will be late. If the diaper change is going to fast she will break out into head spins while I hold her ankles. If I'm putting a sock on one foot she pulls it off the other. Just when I had her completely ready to go (minus shoes) I run upstairs for a blanket just in case it is cold outside. I come down to find her grinning at me with her hair bow in her mouth and her hair standing straight up. By this point we are 15 minutes late in leaving so I didn't have time to re-fix her hair. I throw the bow in her bag, put her under my arm and decided to leave everything else behind until I get her in the car. It was then that it hit me... no one said leaving the house would take this much work. I'm not having to pack a big diaper bag. I'm not going to be gone long. I just need my child dressed, as well as myself, and on base in 10 minutes. I thought strapping her into the car seat and giving her a bottle was the perfect idea while I ran back for her bag, my purse and Neal's shoes. When I made it back out to the car her bottle was gone. I said, "Kaitlyn, where is your bottle." She just looked at me to see if this would be one more thing to keep us home longer. Maybe she likes to see the vain on the side of my head bulge. I quickly locate the bottle on the other side of the car and give it back to her. We somehow made it just in time for the Thanksgiving meal hosted at the fire department every year for the Civil Engineer Squadron.