Clapping and Walking!

July 2nd, swimming in pool at Great Grandma Kay's home


Okay, so she's not walking just yet....but she's sooo close! She took her first official step (I caught her out of the corner of my eye) the day before July 4th. Since then, she's been standing more and more on her own without holding onto things. On the fourth of July, she started walked when we hold her hands, and she's getting sooooo much better at that now too. Last night, Daddy showed her how to clap her hands together, and she's been doing it non-stop ever since. It's amazing to watch her learn new things, as simple as they are for us. Just watching her two hands try and connect together, repetitiously is awesome to watch. She still only has two bottom teeth, but I can see those two top teeth coming through. Any day now. I have so many pictures from the past 4 weeks I've not posted....so I think I'll just start adding a few "new" pictures to each post, whether they are relevant to the current post or not. Just trying my best to stay caught up...but with an almost walking one year old, it's near impossible to stay on top of everything!

Some qualities that are really coming out we're noticing include:

*Articulation. Kairis is very articulate and detail oriented.
*Neat. Kairis doesn't like to get her hands dirty. She is a very neat and clean eater, usually.
*Kairis is grabbing for her spoon more, and can feed herself fairly well.
*We've been told by numerous people how much Kairis looks like the both of us--equally. Cool, huh?
*Kairis shows a strong desire to please us. When we ask her to please sit down in her highchair, she usually listens and does that, very seriously I might add. She is very sensitive to our words, and works very hard at maintaining composure. It's interesting to observe this, and it is a good reminder for me to continue being gentle in how I approach her, and in how Tim and I raise her.
*Kairis is a very contemplative little girl when around new situations. She observes for long periods of time. I remember how alert she was when she was first born.

July 2, first french fry at Burgerville

I love broccoli!

Kairis...we gave you this huge hunk of broccoli for dinner while your Aunt Karen was in town. You *loved* it! We had a blast watching you stuff your face with this thing...

Happy 11 Month Birthday, Peanut!

Hi, Sweetie!

Happy 11 month birthday! (well, it's just after midnight now, on the 9th...oh well!) You took your first step yesterday, unassisted, on July 7th. I caught you out of the corner of my eye, as you quickly moved from the office chair to the edge of the bed--one little tiny itty bitty step without holding onto anything! Way to go, Kairis! You have officially tumbled down the stairs now too, but thankfully only from the third step up. I was right with you too, just didn't get you in time. You're alright though. :) You are teething big time right now--you still only have your two bottom teeth. Your sleeping habits are a bit off because of your pain, but we're adjusting fairly well, and trying to be there for you consistently as you deal with this awful pain of growing teeth. I've heard it be compared to child birth, and that it's a "right of passage"...so, your dad and I are just trying to do our best to support you emotionally and physically. We're enjoying taking evening walks together for an hour or so while you fall asleep in our arms--after that, you're usually out for the rest of the night. I say usually, but really, you've only slept through the night without waking up 2 times in the past 3 weeks. Eeek! It's alright though, we love seeing you day or night. :)

You are eating nearly everything now, with the exception of honey, peanut butter and egg whites. I'm limiting tomatoes too, as they're still hard for your little digestive system. You love to eat, and I'm loving making you healthy concoctions. Today, I discovered that I can screw on a glass ball jar to the blender blade, and away it grinds/purees/mixes....all without using the big glass blender! I'm super excited about this new discovery, and what it means for our kitchen efficiency! I mixed up cooked brown rice, black beans, wheat germ, cooked egg yolk, applesauce, peaches, and soy nuts for you, and made it into a super porridge meal. You *loved* it! I am going to start making you more protein packed breakfasts, as it's very good for your growing body. I love keeping our family healthy.

One of your favorite things to do in the mornings is come back to bed with me and snuggle. Two mornings ago, you surprised me and actually fell back to sleep in my arms in bed! What a treat for me! You love to crawl all over the bed and fling yourself backward and giggle as you hit the pillows--your laugh is so cute. You are also enjoying rolling and playing with a plastic ball Grandma and Aunt Linda gave you.

Well, it's time for bed....I love you very much and can hardly believe that in one month you'll be 1 year old.

Love,
Mom

Belated Father's Day

I have more pics to share from Father's Day this year--we had a special day with dad and enjoyed some quality family time together.

Our little doggy...

This is one of K's favorite toys. She crawls all over the house with this thing hanging from her mouth--just like a dog! We crack up every time she rounds a corner with this....

In other news, the past couple weekends, Tim and I have enjoyed visiting neighborhood wide garage sales. I've pretty much completely outfitted our girl for fall and winter now! (and saved a TON of $$ in the process) I can hardly believe the prices people pay for designer kids clothes, but what baffles me even more is when parents turn around and sell their like new clothes for $.50 a piece....out of their driveways! I think I'll be making garage sales a regular occurrence each summer.

K's Newest Expression

I love this expression Kairis is giving us these days...this is her new "smile"--I *love* it! She was getting into mischief in the bathroom the other day...