One of the many great things about babies....

...is that they'll laugh at just about anything!

"Mommy, I'm a REALLY big girl now!"

This is what Kate has been telling me over the last week; now that she's potty trained, I think she's aged quite a bit, according to herself. And, actually, it DOES seem like she's matured a lot over the last week. She's only had one accident since Sunday! I've mostly been putting her in a pull-up when we leave the house, but even those have been remaining mainly dry and she's still telling me when she has to go. Today we went to the park and I kept her in her underwear, and she did just fine. It's gone way, way, WAY better than I thought it would. Hooray! The best part is that she's so proud of herself, and she's totally on this big-girl kick now. When I woke her up a few days ago she informed me: "I'm ready to go to elementary school now." I told her that she had to go to pre-school first and then she'd go to elementary school when she's five, but she shot that idea right down: "no, mommy, I think I'll just go now. And I think daddy's ready, too, because he's a big boy." Way to go, Ryan! :) She also has told us that she will not sleep with a nightlight because "grown-ups sleep in the dark." She cried in the middle of the night the other night (which she NEVER does) and when I went to check on her, she wailed, "turn off the light, it's too bright!!" So, now we've got a potty-trained two-year-old who likes to sleep in the pitch black and is convinced she's ready to start kindergarten. Yep, sounds like Kate! Her other big doing this week was that she started soccer (and I use this term extremely loosely). While it wasn't exactly soccer, it was about the cutest thing I've ever seen--about 15 toddlers running around aimlessly, shrieking in delight. She learned how to play "red light, green light" so that's about all we've been doing since Tuesday. It really was fun and it made me excited for all the soccer games in our future....I think Will is ready, too, as he kicked like crazy while giggling. Overall, a very successful week for these Singletons!

Favorite moments of the day

* Kate feeding will puffs and saying "say aaaah" before she gave him one. Then, before she gave him another one, she'd say "do you want more?" while doing the sign for more. What a little teacher!

*Kate's second day with complete potty-training success!

*Will starting to say "da da da da" and being so clearly thrilled that he added a new "word" to his babbling repertoire.

An accident-free day!

It's 5 pm and Kate's made it all day without an accident! Big news around here....I'm seeing the light at the end of the looooong diaper-tunnel! :)

Potty party!

I find that you do things as a parent that you never, ever, ever thought you'd be doing B.K. (before kids--or that time you barely remember!) For me, one of those things I never expected to do was throw a potty party, but throw a potty party I did. It's been time for awhile now for Kate to be potty trained. She, however, did not share that opinion. It wasn't that she couldn't do it, it was just that she lacked any sort of motiviation. She would tell me, "mommy, it's okay, diapers are fine and easy." Umm, yes, but that's not really the point. I was having visions of her going to first grade still in a pull-up. So, I decided to throw her a potty party (for family members only--I'm not quite crazy enough to actually invite others....) The "diaper fairy" visited her on Wednesday night and took her pull-ups to kids who need them. In their place, she left some gifts. She also decorated the house, left the makings for cupcakes and all sorts of other goodies. This party worked like a charm!! Kate loved it and told me, "this is my BEST day. These are all the things I love!" Best of all, Kate is doing a lot better than I thought she would. She's really trying and hasn't ever asked for her diapers back. It's Sunday now and she hasn't had any accidents yet! She's very proud of herself, which is great to watch. She told me the best part of using the potty is that she can "make green pee." What, you say? Well, the potty is blue and...you get the point...This gives her the giggles every time. Whatever works!

Bath time

It was not too long ago that Kate often referred to Will as "it" (as in "give it to mommy"), but she's recently come a LOOONG way in the accepting-Will-as-a-brother category. I was still shocked a couple days ago, though, when she suggested that she and Will take a bath together. I thought these days were far, far away. I must say, it was great. Of course, I thought it was about the cutest thing I've ever seen but, on the more practical side, it was a lot faster than separate baths. I'm all for that! Kate even shared her toys and washed Will, saying to him "now I'm going to wash your ears, now I'm going to wash your hair...." Outside of the bath, she is getting more loving and helpful each day. Her "job" now is to pick up the things he drops from his high chair. I know he drops them on purpose just because he loves getting the attention from her when she picks them up. She has also started hugging him and telling me "he's MY baby." I know I have many, many sibling fights in my future, but this stage is pretty sweet!

Arrrrgh!!

Kate found this pirate hat (and an eye patch!) at Grandma's house this weekend, and she's been wearing them around a lot. Today, her favorite thing to say is "ahoy, maybes, walk the plate!" Well, it's close, anyway. :)

March Madness!

Around our house, St. Patrick's Day is less about all things green and more about the beginning of the NCAA college basketball tournament. It's becoming a tradition for Ryan to have a few good friends come stay for the first weekend of the tournament so, this year, Kate, Will & I de-camped to Grandma Connie and Grandpa Bill's house while Josh, Sean and Tom came to stay at our house. It was a great, great weekend all around (thanks Grandma & Grandpa for letting us basically destroy your shiny, newly remodeled house!) Kate, Will and I had fun on our mini-vacation, and also had a great time visiting with Josh, Sean and Tom. We came back early Saturday and Josh & Sean stayed around until the evening, so Kate had ample time to introduce them to her tool bench and to use the as gymnastics equipment. I'm fairly certain she's developed two new crushes (add that to her doctor...she LOVES him and refers to him as her "other gumpa"). And, of course, we cannot forget the most important part of March Madness: the annual family basketball pool. Way to go, Grandma Starla for leading the pack this first weekend!!! And now I must go--Kate has just entered the room announcing, "mommy, I need more money." Don't we all. We'll certainly all be lighter in the wallet if Grandma Star keeps her streak up!!

Red hair on Will?

So, after seeing the photo below, a lot of people have been asking if Will has red hair. I thought the same thing when I saw it, even though it doesn't really look red in person. Today I realized what made it look red: the lamp behind him. So his hair color remains a mystery.....and I can't really believe I'm writing a blog about this...surely you all care as much as I do. ;)

My stats

At 6 months I am just over 19 lbs and 27 inches!! I'm already almost out of my infant carseat and I'm already facing forward in the BOB--my sister was 11 months before she did these things, so I guess I'm winning when it comes to size!

Favorite moment of the day...

...so far has got to be when Kate saw some slightly moldy cheese in the refridgerator and told me she wanted to eat it. When I told her she couldn't eat that part, she completely melted down because she wanted "the cheese with frosting on it." I dare anyone to find something, anything that a two-year-old WON'T throw a tantrum about--personally, I don't think it can be done!!

Things I've learned from Baby #1 to Baby #2...

I've come to think that being a parent for the first time is all about being idealistic and being a parent for the second time is all about being realistic. As such, here are some random things I've learned and learned to accept (mostly...) along the way. I suppose a disclaimer is also necessary: these things only apply to me. I fully realize that every parent, just like every baby, is different. So, here goes:

*"This too shall pass" applies to nearly everything.

*There are days that 90% of your function as a parent involves bodily emissions of some sort. It's a (sometimes very) dirty job and YOU have to do it. I keep waiting for the diaper/mucous/vomit fairy to show up but I'm seriously beginning to doubt her existence.

*Your child will survive if non-organic food passes his/her lips.

*Making your own baby food is great and something I really do enjoy. HOWEVER, when it comes to some things (ie spinach) the time saved by buying is totally worth it. I mean, have you seen the paltry ratio of spinach output versus input??

*Try as you might there is no way your child will avoid: refined sugar, TV and really annoying, loud plastic toys (which they'll probably love way more than the "good" wooden ones you've been buying).

*Disposable vs. cloth? I don't have the answer. I use a combo and that works for me. But I'm not sure the environmental high ground is found by using cloth; the amount of laundry (and, thus, water used) is O.U.T.R.A.G.E.O.U.S.

*There are mostly great days, there are a fair number of tough days and there are a few days that make you understand alcoholism.

*You will love the second every bit as much as the first, even if you can't imagine there being space enough in your heart. Somehow the heart expands and expands, which is an amazing and wonderful thing.

*Being a parent is often not a pretty job but, to me, it is truly the best, most amazing job there is.

Happy 6 months, Will!

Dear Will,

I can hardly believe you've been with us for 6 months now! You are such a jolly, joyous baby and we love you with all our hearts. You completed our family. You are a lucky baby to be loved by a great many people and we are all lucky to have you in our lives. Watching you grow up is so much fun!!

Love, Mommy, Daddy and Kate

Favorite conversation o' the day...

Kate: "Mommy, if there's always babies in mommies' tummies, how do they get them in and get them out?"

Me: "Well, that's something you get to learn when you've had a few more birthdays."

Kate: "Don't worry, mommy, it's okay. You don't know all the answers."

Look at me!

For about a week, Will's been able to sit up by himself! He went from toppling over every few seconds to being able to sit up and play overnight and I'm so glad we've reached this milestone! Kate seems to be happy about it as well because she is now actually playing with Will, and is very pleased that she can make him laugh more than anyone else. What a blessing for me to be able to say "Kate, could you entertain Will for a minute?" and have her actually DO IT! Will will have another first tomorrow when he goes swimming for the first time. There's a really great pool here that is super warm, shallow and made just for kids under 5. It even has a duck-shaped slide. Since there's no way I could take them on my own, Grandma Connie is being kind enough to journey with us. As she said, "there is no one else who could get me in a swimsuit!" Here, here. I tend to echo that since Kate said to me the other day: "mommy, why does your belly button look kind of funny?" Ummm, well, that would be because of those two big babies I had. To which she replied, in true one-upping toddler fashion, "well, I've had THREE babies in my tummy!"

And now I am reminded why Kate should never, EVER nap. Tantrum city! Is it really only 4:45??

A QUIET quiet time....

It's a milestone for Kate: she fell asleep during quiet time today! After a lot of thumping and bumping up there (I found lots of books all over so that must have been the source of the noise), I went in at the end of her hour to find her asleep. Before quiet time she was asking to be "made into a princess" and I was asking her what her princess name was. At the time, she was also playing with her tools. Just before I closed the door for her quiet time, she announced: "I know! I could be Princess Hammer." Hey, why not? :)

A shopper in the making

"Mommy, we need lots of money because I need ALL these things." Oh boy.