How Duey found out he was getting a new puppy!

Look at those faces!

It is so fun to see what Kiera will come up with next. She has quite a personality...she makes us laugh often. Take a look at some of her common faces and emotions!
Tantrum...after she carefully placed herself on the floor :-)



MOM, I can't get it!!

She looks like a big girl!

There's that tongue.

Eating like a big girl.

I LOVE PB toast.

and my new water table!

Bonding on Father's Day. Look at their faces...the same!



So.Excited!

In this first month of her 2nd year..

Kiera is growing so much and not in size anymore, it's all about her personality! She is so.much.fun! Here is a little glimpse into her likes/dislikes and routine these days.

She loves crushed ice. Now when the ice maker goes we have a dog and a little girl close at our feet.

She still has 4 teeth. (You wouldn't notice by what she eats...eveything!)

LOVES strawberries

She is daring. We are trying to teach her to go down the stairs. She will stand at the top of our two stairs and run full speed ahead and laugh she thinks it's a game. Cute, but not safe :-)

She loves brushing her teeth!

She is all about reading. She will bring you a book and sit in your lap. Cute and it's so fun to see how interested she is. Her favorites right now: Safari Peek-a-boo, the Busy Bible Storybook and Goodnight Moon.

She loves playing outside.

She "asks" to take Kali on walks. She will bring us Kali's leash and will often rest the clasp on Kali's neck. Then she will go get her shoes. They are a team, they look out for each other.

Kiera LOVES Kali and I think that Kali LIKES Kiera :-) She will spend several minutes climbing all over Kali, giving her hugs and rubbing her face in Kali's neck...love.

She no longer uses a bottle and has been nuk free for 2 days.

Words - "da" for Dad, Dog, Doll, Duck "mi" for milk

Kiera wears 18 month clothes and a 5 in shoes.

She takes 2 naps on the weekend and 1 during the week.

We start a bath around 6:30 p.m., then get her pajamas on, eat a snack, brush teeth, read 2-4 stories, say prayers, rock a little and she is generally sleeping by 7:30 p.m.

She is comprehending so much right now. She truly is a little sponge!

Hope.

Over a year ago when I became a mom I had NO idea how much my world would change. This adventure is extraordinary! I never realized I could experience so much laughter, frustration, worry, joy, exhaustion and love all within 5 minutes! Parenting sure isn't like I imagined it as a 6 year old playing house in my backyard, under the crabapple tree, it's so much more! Every time I see a pregnant woman or a new mom I can't help but smile and get choked up (another perk to motherhood, emotions you never knew you ever had)! But what it comes down to is this hope that I have for all children, everywhere. It reminds me of the Lee Ann Womack song, "I Hope You Dance." Hope truly is a wonderful thing!







I hope you never lose your sense of wonder...i hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean...i hope you dance...promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance...i hope you never fear those mountains in the distance...give the heavens above more than just a passing glance...i hope you dance.

May 4, 2010

The day our baby girl turned one! Kiera woke up at 6:54 a.m. in time for mommy and daddy to sing happy birthday at 6:56 a.m. We went to work and Kiera enjoyed the day with her daycare friends and even brought chocolate chip cupcakes to share. That evening at home she helped make heart and flower shaped pancakes I think she enjoyed the strawberries and applesauce the most! She loved her birthday cupcake, yum! Kali enjoyed the festivites as well. The day was nice and sunny and we had a great little celebration just the 3 of us!

One year ago...

...we were blessed with a healthy, beautiful baby girl. She is truly amazing. Mommy and Daddy love you Kiera Catherine!

Kiera's First May Day Deliveries!