Our Last Day Together in 2008

Ms. Beth wrote...
Kaylie made the sign for "butterfly" after I pointed at the stained glass butterflies hanging over the nursery window. Then she did it again on request and even performed for Mom and Dad! Afterwards she gave herself a standing ovation. "Yay!" Also Kaylie's hair is getting so long. I noticed it after being away for Christmas break. It seems fuller and falls longer over her ears. It's really beginning to look more and more like little girl hair rather than "baby" hair :-) :-(

Please...

Ms. Beth wrote...
Today Kaylie imitated the sign for "please" for the first time! She didn't do it spontaneously (totally on her own with any suggestion from me), but it is a fine start. What a polite baby she will became if only we keep persevering! Also today after I sang the "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" she clapped and said "Yay!" all her own and at just the appropriate time! We had a nice long walk today and Kaylie played with rocks and collected grasses and pinecones. Another first: I blew Kaylie a kiss at some point and she did the same back to me!! O.K. maybe not new. Appearently "Auntie JoAnn" already taught her that!

MRE

This morning we had a tornado watch in Fort Worth. The skies turned gray fast and the clouds rolled in. There is no need to worry because I am prepared with Daddy's Christmas gift. He got a vegetarian MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) from Santa. Always be prepared.

My Christmas Morning Song

All I want for Christmas is a pair of pants, a pair of pants, a pair of pants...

Christmas Eve 2008

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Silent Sleeping Night! (oh, everyone else says hello too!)

Yay! Auntie JoAnn

Yesterday (Monday 12/22) we arrived in Texas for the holidays. Auntie JoAnn came in late that evening so I didn't get to see her because I was already asleep. This morning when I woke up I clapped my hands and said "Yay!"Auntie JoAnn works for AT&T wireless... I had to show her how I use my cellular phone.

Christmas Party

Today Jean, Paul and Patrick Sumner came over to play. We all opened presents, ate cookies and played "hide and seek/eat" in the huge Sony HDNA TV box. I cried because I thought the box ate them. Later that evening the grown-ups (Betty, RW, Theresa, Rose, Bob, Barbara, Doris, Eddie) came over for a party. Grandpap and I showed them how we dance to the tunes of the "Jumping Snowman" and "Singing Hamsters".

Christmas Stockings

This morning Grandma Debby, Grandpa Steve, Mommy, Daddy and I got to open our Stocking gifts from Santa. I got a cellular phone, a LeapFrog teething counting book and a skeleton-scarecrow-snowman figure which I love to chew. The most fun game is to have Mommy put all of my toys in a cardboard box so that I can take them all out again!

Christmas Morning in Ohio

This morning when I woke up, the Christmas tree lights were colorfully lit, the staircase stockings were glistening, white snow and clear twinkling ice hung on the evergreen trees outside. It's Christmas morning in Ohio! We opened presents, which I enjoyed all the tags and ribbons and boxes, and ate french toast. Yummy! Some of the gifts I received were a purse with lipstick, mirror, bracelet, car keys, and money, books, blocks, and clothes. Perhaps next year, I will think that the toys are the main focus of the presents not necessarily the tags and ribbons.

Yay!

Ms. Beth wrote...
Another lovely walk out in the snow. Later I sang songs to Kaylie while we did hand-motions together. I'm afraid she can't do them on her own yet but she'll get there. At the conclusion of some of the songs Kayle would clap and say "Yay!". Very cute.

Orange Poncho

Today we went to Children's Orchard to get a bright multi-colored poncho and a pair of new tights. I love the poncho because it leaves my hands free and still keeps me warm. Thought I would model them for you all.

Christmas Cookie Baking

Grandma Debby came to visit us today to help Mommy and Daddy make Christmas cookies. We made walnut crescents, fudge thumbprints, cream wafers, mint Santa sandwiches, peanut butter blossoms, caramel fudge and sugar cookie cut-outs. I helped by making sure the animal magnets and Tupperware were scattered on the kitchen floor, easily assessable to all.

Santa Claus

Today Ms. Beth and Mommy took me to see Santa Claus for the first time. I cried. He was strange. The mall was more fascinating. So Mommy had to be in the photo with me. Perhaps next year, I will understand this odd, odd tradition.
(I also signed for "butterfly!" for the first time on my own)

Long Winter Walk

Ms. Beth wrote...
Today we had our first real walk since the cold weather began. I've tried to take Kaylie outside each day but wearing a bulky snowsuit and hat and mittens and extra socks has been a tough change for her somehow. She always enjoyed our long walks and I was beginning to fear that was changing. However, today she seemed a lot more serene and we both enjoyed a long trek through surrounding neighborhoods. Kaylie seemed content to just view the snow, the cars, and the people passing by. Hurrah!

Festival of Lights

Today we went to the crafts fair at the Manistee High School followed by the Christmas Tree Festival of Lights. Earlier when I was taking a nap, Grandma, Grandpa and Mommy went to the church for the Polish luncheon. Daddy stayed with me since there was not a lot that he could eat there. We were bundled-up warm for the downtown Sleigh bell Parade, however, it was really cold with the snow blowing in our faces, so we decided to go back to the warm house and sit by the fireplace and open Christmas presents. That was the best fun ever!

Christmas in Manistee

I rode in my toddler car seat for the first time and had a fabulous time looking out the window at the snow coming down and the cars flying by. We arrived safely at Grandma and Grandpa Peter's house. Dixie was happy to see me even if she did not know what to do with me. In the house there was a very big tree with many lights and a baby Jesus ornament that I liked to point at many times. There were also many lit Department 56 houses but most of all they had the legos out for me to play with.

Packing for a Manistee Christmas

Ms. Beth set out three winter outfits complete with socks, onesies and hair clips and three pajama with socks in the pockets for our trip up north to see Grandma and Grandpa Peters. I just wanted to make sure that they packed my soft blue Elmo hat and mittens.

Tylenol is Good

Ms. Beth wrote...
We danced a lot today. Later in the day Kaylie's teeth seemed to be bothering her. She didn't sleep well, was more needy than usual, and cried easily. Greg gave her Tylenol at 2 pm and within 20 minutes she felt better and slept better.

Bundle Up

Ms. Beth wrote...
Yesterday Kaylie signed "sleep" for the first time! Today I asked if she wanted a banana and she brightened up and said, "Ba!" Are these really new things or am I too generous in my interpretation? Time will tell. We walked to the library today. Kaylie loves to be outside but she does not like her snowsuit, hat and mittens.

I am a big help!

Today Mommy is getting ready to travel to Wilmington, NC for work so I was happy to help her with her packing by taking out all the clothes when she would put them in the suitcase. My parents say the I am a big help!