Looney Ballooney

What could possibly make K. this happy? Balloons, of course.
I hosted a baby shower and had a couple of balloons that remained after the shower. After B. tormented the dogs with them, K. had a chance to play with them, and Loved It! She could hold them by the string and carry them around, and even switch hands so she had both strings in one hand.

The most exciting thing, though, is what conspired while she was on my lap with the blue balloon. The green balloon was in the room with us but she was not holding it. K. specifically looked at the green balloon and pointed to it while making sure I was watching her. She wanted me to notice it and get it for her. This might not seem like a big deal, but to her pediatrician and pediatrician friend, this is a very important milestone. Take note and celebrate!

Nude Nap

Conversation from Saturday afternoon:

B: "Did you put K. down for her nap without clothes on?"

J: "No."

B: "And with no diaper?"

J: "Certainly not."

B: "Then she figured out how to undress herself."

J: "She didn't poop, did she?"
B: "No."

J: "Thank goodness!"

"Look at my clothes down there. I'm free as a bird!"

Morning o' Fun

K. has a lot of toys, so in order to keep things interesting, I try to rotate them. To a kid, a new toy is a fun toy, regardless of the toy itself or intended age, or even if it really is a toy (K. is reading my college alumni magazine as I write this--yikes, she pulled out the donation envelope from the middle. Hope she doesn't get ahold of my checkbook and send a blank check).

Since she comes out into the playroom in the morning, I've been trying recently to take a toy she hasn't really played with in a while, and set it on the table as something "new" for her to "discover." I stacked one of her stackers the other morning, and she was so delighted to see it--just look at her smile!

And here is a random photo of a smile. I don't remember what caused this one, but I just take pictures and ask questions later.

I'm Not Your Stepping Stone

From a friend, I got the idea of letting K. use a step stool to get up to chairs she couldn't reach well on her own. I put a little step by her table and chairs, and she spent an entire morning practicing.

"Step up..."

"Turn around and back down we go." [Note: she would get all of the way up on the chair and sit, then climb down, but the other photos just weren't that interesting. Not that these are thrilling, but the others were even less interesting.]

Stripey Sunday

I am a big fan of cute, patterned tights, and K. wore a pair today to church. They match her shirt, which I am always in favor of. She was at church twice today--we had an anniversary celebration this evening, and she did great (since we didn't have to put her in the nursery). I only had to be away from her for a couple of songs and there was a meal. K. loves to eat, and sat nicely with me the rest of the time. We spent a little time playing with D., one of the cutest little guys I've met (he's probably 5), and K. was smitten as well. He handed her fake leaves from the table decorations, and she collected a bundle of them. Neither of them stopped grinning (I know--my daughter who spent the entire morning at church scowling)

Ride the Painted Pony

We were at a mall today with K's Grandparents A and her aunt/uncle/cousins to take a large family photo. After pictures, we ate at the food court where there is a double-decker carousel. She (and I, who is obstructed by her and the rabbit in the photo) took a ride on it. She was terrified just before riding, as a large cow (ChickFilA mascot) came up behind her. Let's just say she wasn't feelin' it and had no interest in the freakishly large creature. Once the cow left, we were fine and went around and around.

Weekly Reader

After her (our) Sunday afternoon nap, K. was ready to do some reading.

Leave it to Me

On election day, K. and I met some new friends for lunch. After lunch, since it was so beautiful outside, K. got to spend some time in a pile of leaves. Surprisingly, she didn't mind the crunchiness and even threw leaves into the air.

Here is K. with her new friend E., who has the most adorable pigtails ever! And I can't even get K. to keep a clip in her hair.K. and E. sharing leaves:Relaxing after a lot of playing:

A Sinking Feeling

I put a two-step stool in front of the bathroom sink so K. can eventually become independent in her hand-washing. She climbed up there today (I was close behind) and showed that she knows how to turn the water off and on. (A caveat for those who have not been to our house: we have an automatic faucet in our downstairs bathroom.) K. knows exactly where the sensor is that turns the water off and on, and her ability to do control the water delights her!

Hey, Good Lookin'

Since K. likes to play at her kitchen, and I like to sew things that are simple, I made K. an apron with matching oven mitt and hot pad. She doesn't love to wear them for extended periods of time, but once she's a little bit older I think she will wear them on a voluntary basis. The gourmet chef, ready to work:And taking a break to goof off:

Rockabye Baby

K. was playing with her doll today, and she handed it to me. I hummed "Rockabye Baby" while rocking it back and forth. I gave the doll back to K. and she started rocking and humming!

She also takes a cup and spoon and pretend feeds the doll. So cute!

Fall Back

Daylight Savings is upon us again, which is fine and we'll deal with it. What I really want to talk about, though, is how pleasant the weather has been this weekend! Trick-or-treating really was a treat, and today we went to our friends' house. B. worked on a project inside, and K, J, and I went outside to play in their backyard. K. befriended the littler of their dogs; she has previously been afraid.
K. also got to play in leaves (our yard only has two trees, neither of which produces a great deal of fall leaves). These particular leaves were nice and soft, and great for collecting. K. picked out her favorite leaves.

Only Treats

Happy Halloween! I took advantage of what is probably the last year that I'll get to pick out K's costume for her, and tried to be creative. She had a lot of fans when we were out trick-or-treating in the neighorhood.It was a beautiful day today so we stopped by a park. The weather was also great when we were out this evening and we didn't even need jackets. What a treat!"Here, I believe this is what you ordered.""Oh, sweet nectar." Hanging out with her friends at our local Starbucks. She only looks troubled because she was afraid she might be put to work:

Pumpkin's Pumpkin

K. and her dad bonded over pumpkin carving. Mom, of course, participated only from afar and wouldn't reach in and touch the pumpkin goo.K. helped scoop the innards out. Good thing she learned how to use a spoon last week!

Someday For Real

Oh, I cannot wait for the day that K. is old enough to use a real vacuum, not just a toy. She does a pretty thorough job, especially considering how young she is. She's also good with the lawn mower; the other day she mowed the entire living room and kitchen before dinner.

Just look at that focus!

An Amazeing Day

Although K. and I went to the orchard on a weekday, B. wanted to go too so we took a trip there today with some friends. It was chillier, but K had a great time.

K in the large maze. She liked walking around, but preferred when B. or I was within sight--I guess mazes aren't fun if you suffer from a bit of separation anxiety.

K. investigating a cornstalk:

K. running over our friend T. in the tractor:
"Did you hear that thump?"

And this little piggy went to the market--and purchased some fresh apple cider: So tell me, gentle reader: does the title of this post bother you, or did you get it right away? I thought about using hyphens for emphasis, but was unsure. Any feedback?

Inside Out

K. always likes the outdoors, and any time the back door is opened she attempts to go outside. In these photos, she's hanging out with her dad while he is grilling our dinner (thanks!). Don't worry, gentle reader, K. is a very safe distance from the grill.

A recently-aquired skill is that she will pick up a ball (or two) and actually throw them. Sometimes they go a decent distance. Sometimes it is even forward! At the rate of her progress, though, K. will throw better than her Mom by the time she's two.

"Go deep!"

Behind Door Number One

In some of their bonding time, K. and B. played a game with the door to K's room. She would hide behind it, then cautiously open it...

...and B. would jump out from around the corner, much to K's delight!

If the Shoe Fits

(Note: K. put these on herself, with no prompting from Mom or Dad)