Kate's Dig Pit

Ryan got inspired when we were at the Portland Children's Museum last weekend, so he built Kate her very own "dig pit!" He even found the same fake bark (rubbery tire-like pieces) to put in the bottom, which is perfect because it is soft but not messy. She absolutely loves it! I've never seen anything captivate her attention as long as the dig pit. All the locks and gadgets Ryan put up around it keep her really busy, as does picking the "bark" up piece by piece. I'm going to find her some shovels and rakes and trucks next week, so her pit will be fully equipped. Ryan already has plans in the works to expand the area so we can put her slide and some tunnels in it. I swear, Ryan has got to be one of the most talented people ever. I know he's my husband so I'm as biased about him as I am about Kate, but there is seriously nothing he can't do or build!

Happy Halloween!

What a difference a year makes! Kate was just 3 months last Halloween, and we were just finding our footing as parents. Now, Kate's a toddling toddler, and we feel like we're at least a bit more confident in the parenting department. It's hard to believe how fast it's passed. I feel a little nostalgic for infant Kate, but I sure don't miss those sleepless nights! Everyday seems to be a new adventure, and I'm sure there will be many changes by this time next year--she may even be trick or treating! This year Halloween will be low-key, in our efforts to keep her away from refined sugar as long as possible, but I'm sure we'll have her all dressed up and on doorsteps next year. She is getting a surprise this year, though, as Ryan is out in the garage right now working on a Kate-project....pictures will be coming when he's done but, if you know Ryan, you know it's going to be amazing. Lucky girl, and lucky mommy to have daddy home again!!

A little trouble brewing...

I can't think of a more apt description for Kate! Usually, she's got some sort of trouble brewing, especially if she's been quiet and out of my sight for more than a few minutes. This is why I was surprised to find her studiously playing with her blocks the other day. It occupied her quietly for at least a solid 15 minutes (which is a lifetime in "mom time," I think). Granted, she doesn't exactly know which blocks go where, but she's trying. I love to watch her learn, and I'm astounded by how much she picks up each day. I know I'm her mom, but I think she's quite smart (obviously, no bias involved here!) Kate was supposed to have her 15-month check-up today, but her doctor was occupied at the hospital, so it got postponed. I was hoping to just get it over with, since she has to get lots of shots, but I'm sure Kate doesn't mind putting it off!! We'll have to wait a few weeks for those horrible little jabs. On the positive side of things, Ryan came home last night! We don't have much planned for this weekend, but I'm looking forward to it since daddy's back!

Kate's nemesis

If Hickory is Kate's best friend, hard soled shoes are her worst enemy! She absolutely refuses to walk in them. And, while I'd love to keep her in Robeez forever since they're so easy to get on her wiggly feet, more substantial shoes are needed now that it's getting wetter outside. Of course, Kate couldn't care less about having wet feet and walking over rocks and such in soft shoes. Whenever I put hard shoes on her, she just sits and stares at them like they are some evil alien device out to get her. On the plus side, Ryan pointed out that it's a great way to get her to sit still!

A little girl's best friend

I think it's such a special thing to have a pet growing up (perhaps because I have fond memories of the dog's we had when I was small), and I'm so glad that Kate has Hickory. She really does love Hickory. She likes to lay of Hickory's bed with her which is pretty sweet, despite the dog hair that she's constantly covered in! All day long, Kate brings Hickory things like books, pictures and--best in Hickory's eyes--food. Kate sneaks Hickory all sorts of treats, so it has developed into a two-way friendship. We even caught Kate trying to feed Hickory a bottle! I hope their friendship just grows as Kate does.

Grandpa's house, a piano & the zoo, oh my!

Kate's new buddy, James

Little lights: as interesting as any animal, apparently!

Lions (or to Kate, CATS)

The new baby elephant

Riding a hippo with Grandpa Mac

The "dig pit"

We're back from our fun weekend in Portland and, as with all trips, it went by way too fast. As usual, Kate made a beeline right for the piano as soon as we got to Grandpa's house. What she lacks in musicality, she definitely makes up for in enthusiasm. We went to a McMenamin's for dinner on Friday and Ryan and I now officially realize that the day's of sitting down to eat are over! Kate had a great time visiting all the other diners, though--she looked like she was at a cocktail party making her social rounds. Luckily, nobody seems to mind when a chubby cheeked little girl interrupts their dinner. On Saturday, we met Ryan's friend from college, Amy, and her family at the zoo. Amy and Kevin have Josie, who's four, and James, who is just five days older than Kate. They're zoo regulars so we had the perfect tour guides. Kate enjoyed herself, but she seemed just as interested in the people, trees, etc. as she was in the animals (hence the photo of her checking out the little light bulbs--they seemed to be her favorite exhibit!) Ryan and I really enjoyed seeing the animals, though. The zoo has just gotten lions again and they were definitely the highlight. SO regal looking. Even Kate got into the lions, thinking they were just enormous cats. One walked right past us and Kate's eyes were as big as saucers. I'm sure she'll be more interested in the zoo when she's a bit older, but it was still a really fun visit. On Sunday, in our quest to become Children's Museum connoisseurs, we visited the Portland version. It was sort of a spur of the moment visit, so we didn't stay for a really long time, but it was long enough for Kate to enjoy herself. Her very favorite part was the "dig pit" which was a completely cool idea. It was a big "pit" filled with what looked like broken up tires, so it was all really squishy. There were tons of trucks, shovels and buckets. We tried to show Kate how to use the shovel, but she had her own method. We're discovering that she is very detail oriented, and always examines things before she does them. So, she got the idea, but wanted to pick up one "rock" at a time to fill the shovel. She threw a tantrum when we left the pit, so it must have been a hit with her. When we were out and about, we were playing at Grandpa's house and enjoying all the wonderful cooking he did for us!! One thing I'm really thankful for is how much less nerve wracking it is to travel with Kate now. I used to worry if I brought all the right stuff, if she'd melt down in the car, etc. but now it's so much easier. Thanks to books, snacks and Raffi, she rarely cries on the long car rides, and she's easy to take places. Although there are days I wish she was a long napper, I think we really benefit from her not relying on naps. She can just kind of go with the flow and we don't have to worry too much about when we go where. It's so nice to feel more relaxed about being a parent!

Timber!

Oh, what fun can be had with a big pillow. Kate, I bet you didn't think your housewarming gift would be put to such creative you; it's one of little Kate's favorite toys! Kate will be letting some more energy out this morning at Wiggle Worms, and we leave for Portland tomorrow so it's looking to be a great few days. Ryan's been down in Portland for work since Monday, so we'll both be very excited to see him. We're staying with Grandpa Mac and Kate is visiting the zoo for the first time on Saturday. I'm just hoping I can keep her from climbing in with the lions!

In other random thoughts about Kate, I've really been pondering whether she's ever going to take to using signs. The only ones she does with any regularity are "all done" and "more." The thing is, I know she KNOWS a lot more of them. If I use signs with her, even without speaking, she clearly knows what I'm talking about. And, yesterday, while trying to distract her on the changing table, I asked her what the sign for "blue" was and she did it. I kept going and asked her "red," "green," "yellow," "cat," "dog," "fish," "horse," "mommy," and "daddy." She did every one without hesitating! So, I know they're in her head, but I don't know how to get her to do them without prompting. I suppose time will tell, as with all baby stuff!!