Circus

Way back in April, We went to the Circus with Grandma and Grandpa. Here are the pics! All of Katie, of course.! Looking at them, I realize how much she has changed in just 3 mos.! Oh, and the guy in the last pic next to Grandma is not Grandpa. Katie just kept trying to play "beep beep" on his nose, so we caught him in a shot. :)

of tails and belly button stickers

Hi all,

Its been a long while!! I'll have to post some pics to catch up. We are on to the comedy of potty training. We have a book that Katie loves and she gets a sticker every time she "goes". There is a chart, but lately, she puts the sticker on her belly button, and securely pats her shirt down over it. She shows it proudly to anyone she thinks might be interested.

We have some equipment confusions as Katie wants to stand up and aim and has done quite well with this in the bath tub. She has also labeled daddy's "equipment" as "tail". Daddy says, Katie, tails are in the back." Ohhh, so many things to learn. We are trying to clear up some of these innocent misunderstandings before she is scarred for life.

Kelli

This post is ALL ABOUT my beautiful, amazing, kind, laughable, tender friend Kelli. She is a SURVIVOR. A FIGHTER. of the big C. in a BIG WAY!!! Like, if there was a content of survivorship and having to FIGHT, she's be at the top!!! She got some not so great news this past week, but she's picking herself up and her faith is helping her to carry on. To be honest, I want to cry, but I am not, Because this FIGHT is SO NOT OVER!!!! She NEEDS to know she is not alone. If you want to help her know she is thought of, visit her blog and just let her know. There will be more ways to let her know you care. I'll keep you posted.

My Link isn't working. Her blog is listed to the left of the screen as Kelli's blog.

finger (to nose) painting

Easter Day

Katrina and Great Nana


Here's Katrina being the Easter "Ham"

We had a fun day yesterday. Daddy was sick, but Katie and I went to church and then got together with Grandma and Grandpa, Great aunt Peggy, Josh and Great Nana. We went out to a restaurant this year for an Easter dinner, which was a first. It was acutally quite relaxing and stress-free. (no cooking and no dishes, no crowding in the kitchen!) Being the only child, Katie certainly did NOT lack for attention and ate it all up. She is NOT shy when around people she knows!!

more fun with Cheerios

So, Katie was eating her breakfast and she pointed at the box of Cheerios. I said, "You HAVE Cheerios on your tray." She then looked at me and placed 3 Cheerios on her head.

Amazing Bond

I catch myself in utter amazement when I'm watching Katrina. Today, though, it was different. I wonder if all mothers feel it during the beginning toddler years. Its a separateness. I look at her and realize she is not me. She is her own person. More and More she wants to run away and play 'catch me'. and she wants to use her fork by herself. She needs to try to put her socks on before she'll let me help her. We're no longer as much one identity.

She crawls up on that couch. looks at me across the room. raises her arms in absolute delight! She DID IT! She is beaming! She knows she is separate and her little body is growing and can accomplish these big feats. New challenges everyday.

Our relationship now is like her favorite game of peek a boo. I'm there, but I'm not.

I am sooo much looking ahead for all that is to come. And I'm not really grieving for anything that is gone.

I am marveling as I realize my BOND with my daughter. I am in COMPLETE AWE. Perhaps I never believed we would ever feel attached in any physical way. But, as I so strangely feel this space between us now, its as if we once were.