Easter Eggs and Brilliant Ideas

I have some new pictures to share, but I feel as though they need a bit of explanation, or narration, as they are viewed, so here is how the story goes:

As per our tradition on the 23rd of every month, I went to retrieve the camera to take a progression picture of Kaelyn on the day she turns another month old. This used to be a pretty simple affair, as Kaelyn could not really participate, so the first few months were of Kaelyn posed in a chair. Around month 7, when she began to do silly things, we got the clever idea to start mixing it up a bit. So we did some in her toys, some of her standing in the crib, etc.

Then came the 10th month. As my kind husband was getting the Easter decorations out of the garage, he thought that maybe it would be a good idea to take this month's picture of Kaelyn with some of the Easter decor. It is also important to note that he delivered this pearl of wisdom as he was on his way out the door for work, and this being my day off, maybe I could tackle it.

So, I half-heartedly schlepped some of the bunnies outside, put them in the grass, set Kaelyn down, and threw some Easter eggs on her. Perfect. Mission accomplished. All I need to do is turn on the camera and snap a quick picture. How hard could that be?



Attempt #1... Kaelyn is eating a cracker while I get the decorations set up, so all I need to do is remove the cracker from her hand, and snap a picture.




Attempt #2...Without the cracker to distract her, Kaelyn finds something else of interest. No problem, reset sign and commence taking picture.



Attempt #3... The vultures have smelled the cracker crumbs I threw into the grass, and while Kaelyn is still distracted with the sign, have begun to circle.



Attempt #4: Both vultures are circling, and Kaelyn has found the eggs. All I need to do is remove said egg from Kaelyn's mouth, and kick the dogs out of the way.


Attempt #5... one dog is distracted, the other is convinced Kaelyn is eating something of interest. Maybe I can just zoom in on Kaelyn.


Attempt #6: That might be the trick, now all I need to do is get her attention off the egg and onto me. Commence calling her name, singing, making load noises, clapping...nothing is getting her to look at me.



Attempt #7: Ok, I am pretty sure she is legitimetly trying to eat this plastic egg, and now has it 3/4 in her mouth. (Horrible flashes of her choking to death on a plastic easter egg.) I scream her name just in time to snap the camera one more time:



Close enough. Not perfect, but happy 10 months.

Should have laid off the coffee before I ate

LoOk Mom, No HAndS!

Ok, so these pictures got posted backward, but they are cute nonetheless.

Kaelyn went to the Dr. yesterday for her 9 month checkup, and the good news was... No Shots! Apparently they only use that visit to make up any shots they may have missed, but since she was current, she got out of there needle free. She is in the 52nd percentile for height, and the 36th for weight, so I guess those thunder thighs aren't really as thunderous as we thought.

Her second tooth sprouted through, and she started to get a little runny nose and fever, which we thought was tooth related, but it turns out, she is legitimately sick this time. Runny nose, fever, smoker's cough, she's got it all. The poor thing is hanging in there, but she is pretty miserable.

If you haven't seen Kaelyn in awhile, she is now able to:

- cough, clap, and wave on command.
-get into a sitting position when she is on the floor
- crawl one step

I feel like I need to explain this last one. She gets the concept of crawling, but can't seem to get her arms and legs to move in sync. She gets up on all fours, and then either moves her arms or her legs in a crawling motion until she is flat again. I guess its only a matter of time before she is mobile. Sigh.

We all went to Coronado over the weekend, and these are some of the pictures of Kaelyn and Gracie's first trip to the beach. Gracie seemed to like the sand more than Kaelyn, but they both had a good time. We did find out that Kaelyn has reached the milestone of "objects when a toy is taken away," only she seems to do it with food. We gave her a dinner roll at lunch, and would break out in hysterics if I tried to remove it from her death grip.

Until next time....

the Giggles

this video needs no introduction... enjoy.

The Genius

It really is getting pretty taxing to try and entertain this genius...

The Bagel

I figured out how to put pictures from my phone on the blog... so enjoy!

9 months...and a few days

Sorry for the delayed response, but it is hard to do anything the week that grades are due at school!

Kaelyn now has two new friends! Jodi and Wes had their baby, a girl named Kate, on Saturday, February 27th, and Aerielle, who helps watch Kaelyn sometimes, had her baby boy Killian today! Birthday parties are going to be teeming with children in the future!

Kaelyn is now an expert cracker eater and is pretty adapt with a bagel as well! It is funny how much of a foody she is. She can hear the cracker package crinkle and knows what is coming!

As far as crawling is concerned, she still isn't that interested. She gets up on all fours, but then just rocks up and down for a few seconds until she gets bored and rolls over. That seems to be her mode of transportation these days, however. If she wants something out of reach, she just barrel rolls over to it.

I can hardly believe I am going to have to start planning a first birthday, but everyone should save Sunday, May 23rd for a raging party!

A week of Firsts

Our first attempt at juice in a sippy cup

"Let me see your binky!"

I am not sure whether Kaelyn is trying to give Gracie her binky or heal her.

This has certainly been a busy week for Kaelyn. In a nutshell: first tooth, first sippy cup, first sleepover, and first word!

Finally. 8 and 1/2 months and we have some break through on our first tooth! She was a little sick last week, but now I am thinking it was just a symptom of teething. You can barely see it yet, but you can definitely feel it poking through the gums on the bottom right-hand side. A little more hair this week and a little tooth...how exciting!

We also tried a sippy-cup with juice for the first time this week. The results were not quite as enthusiastic as I expected. When I was holding it for her and showing her how to use it, it went OK, but once Kaelyn realized she had to hold it herself, she lost interest. Waaayyyy too much work for some pineapple-carrot juice. We need to buy stock in those little Gerber puffs though. She scarfs those things down faster than you can keep them in front of her.

Kaelyn also had her first sleepover. We babysat cousin Gracie last Saturday, and Kaelyn loved it. She just kept smiling and trying to talk to Gracie, and Gracie would smile back. Unfortunately for Gracie, Kaelyn is a little older and a little more dexterous, and had no problem reaching down and stealing her binky. In another couple of months I'm sure payback is inevitable.

And last but arguably most important, Kaelyn's first official word is "Ma-Ma!" (Ha-ha DAD!)
It's pretty fun, actually. When she feels like it, she will sit there and repeat it over and over, and sometimes says it back when you say it to her. Charley is thoroughly convinced, however, that she is not actually saying mama, but that she is merely learning to say "mu-mu-muffin." Nice try.