Wordless Wednesday

We're moving!

Up to Salt Lake.

On Saturday.

Now you know.

If I don't blog for a few days, you'll know why.

Cinni Minnis

What can I say?

They make me happy. 

Especially with a large glass of milk.

There is something about warm gooey cinnamon rolls with yummy frosting that makes me want to curl up on the couch and read a book for hours on end.  Maybe I will today.

(Shhhhh . . . don't tell Dave.  He thinks that's what I do everyday!)

Linking up to the Happiness Project

5 Comments a Day . . .

Image from here

I don't know about you, but as a blogger, I've definitely had my lonely days.  You know, the ones where people don't really comment, and you wonder if anyone is even reading your blog, and what the point is to posting on it.

So I have a new motto: 

5 comments a day keeps blogger loneliness away!

And a new goal:

To comment on at least 5 blogs a day.

That way, instead of being lonely on my own blog, I can go keep others company on theirs!  In the past I've tried to be a good commenter and supporter of others, but now I'm going to make a concerted effort to meet this goal each day.

I'd love it if you'd care to join me in my 5 comments a day goal!

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

This is how Daddy keeps a tired Kate happy when we're out to eat and it's past her bedtime.

This is also how Daddy makes Mommy laugh.

To Lovey or Not to Lovey

I first read the word "lovey" in one of my favorite baby books of all time, "What to Expect the First Year" by Heidi Murkoff (most people have read her other one, "What to Expect When You're Expecting").

What is a "lovey"?

Image from here

Basically, a lovey is some sort of stuffed animal or blanket that acts as a security object.  Even if your child is in an unfamiliar place, they feel comforted by the presence of their "lovey."

I'll never . . .  

I'm a little embarrassed to admit how much I used to judge parents.  I must have said "When I'm a parent, I'll never . . ." at least a million times (in my head, of course!).  And then, of course, I found myself doing the exact same thing I was sure I'd never do.  The lovey is a prime example.  I never wanted Kate to have one because I didn't want it to be a big issue if it ever got lost, or damaged and I didn't want to go through the hassle of "detaching" Kate from it.  

Giving In

But several months after saying "I'll never," Kate went through a stage of screaming every time I put her down for a nap or bed.  I found myself desperate.  And, on a whim, I grabbed her little bunny, put it in the crib, and asked, "Kate, do you want to go night-night with bunny?"  All of the sudden Kate was wriggling out of my arms, trying to get in her crib.  And it was so nice.

Besides that, I found that she slept a lot better in her pack 'n play when we weren't at home if she had her blanky (yes, now we have two loveys!) and bunny.

Sigh 

So, here I am, breaking the rules I set for myself because they make Kate happy for now.  And that's what motherhood is often about - surviving the now.

Any thoughts on giving your child a lovey?

Side note: The book also recommends having a duplicate lovey - you know, just in case you lose one, as with my fear.

 

Me vs. The Bottle

Image from here

About 4 months ago it was round one of me vs. the bottle.  The battle was trying to get Kate to take it as I weaned her from breastfeeding.  And since Kate was born quite strong-willed, it was no easy task.  It took about 5 straight days of crying, screaming, and tantrums before she took the bottle happily and recognized it as her new food source.  After those 5 days, I emerged from the boxing ring victorious.

Now she's been happily taking the bottle for over 4 months . . . and Kate's not very happy about giving it up.  So, once more, so once again I'm stepping into the ring.  Only this time she's older, and even more strong willed.  And I'm not even sure where to start.  Do I do the change gradually?  Do we try it cold turkey?  And how does the change from formula to whole milk fit into this whole picture?  Which change do I make first?

The moral of the story is this:  I'm not ready for a one-year-old!  I need to read more and talk to more experienced mothers.  So if you're reading this, I'd greatly appreciate your help!  Throw in your 2 cents! :)

Kate's First Birthday

Kate had a wonderful birthday.

Hard to have a bad day when you start off cuddling your stuffed animals.

Her new trick is climbing up in the chair all on her own!

Then she got all dressed up for her party. 
She even let me do her hair . . . only because I let her watch a few minutes of her Curious George movie.

So pretty!

Finally, the birthday party . . . 

Lots of cousins, cake, presents, and balloons!

Kate handled it all pretty well, but seemed pretty curious about why everyone was staring at her during the whole party.

She was very happy when she got to get back into comfortable clothes when it was all over.

Happy Birthday, little sweetie!

"On This Day in History"

On this very day one year ago, I went into labor.  Yes, my water broke at midnight, right as I was going to bed.  I was unprepared, still planning to teach school the next day.  Instead, I showered at 2 am, wrote emails about my lesson plans to fellow teachers at 3 am, tried to wake Dave up at 4 am, went to breakfast at Denny's at around 5:30 am (I wanted to get in one last meal!) and was admitted into the hospital a little before 7 am!

And then, after a long day of labor, Kate entered our lives at 8:45 pm!

Kate Alison Kimball

6 lbs 8 oz, 8:45 pm, January 15, 2010

The proud parents!

I was proud.

And so excited.

And very overwhelmed.

I experienced awe, amazement, and wonder.

And I was clueless.

One year later, I feel like I've learned a lot.  Maybe more in this year than in any other year of my life.  And I'll be summing up a lot of that soon . . . but in the meantime I just wanted to say,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE!

I love you!

My Night Out . . . to Come

Tonight Dave and I went out on the town . . . and we had a wonderful time - I'll expound and share some pictures soon, maybe when it's not so late!  But I have to say, that's one nice thing about being a parent - you definitely enjoy your time out a lot more than you did before.  Someday I'm going to write a book about all the things that I didn't appreciate enough before parenthood.  And the last line of it will be . . .

and my little Kate is all worth it!

Say Uncle!

This is what happens when your uncle does your hair.