Tea and Cookies!

What a nice weekend at home. Kiera enjoyed almost a 3 hour nap today. After her nap we decided to make cookies, I am so glad we did. I often don't do things because I think it will take time away from our little girl. Today gave me the confidence to do the "to do" list with her. She makes everything so much more fun!

Tea for mommy, daddy, elmo and dolly.

Baking cookies.

The mixer is neat.

Washing the dishes, the fun part!

Enjoying a cookie!

Winter has arrived!

Love these snow pants,  I want a pair, seriously!

Snow, interesting...

Knocking off all the snow on our railing, the best part of our time in the snow.

Daddy, I would like this toy and this one and this one...

Sweetie!



Our awesome fire at Phipps Bed and Breakfast in Hudson, WI




Awww, a nice relaxing stay.




Playing with the multi-shot function on the self timer and having a little fun :-)



A beautiful 1884 home.  We stayed in the bridal suite on the second floor.

A few highlights from the weekend...

Scott after a nice climb.

Dad and Scott (and the 2 random people who got in the shot at the wrong time)

Loving the backpack!

After a good race!

Dancin'!

Our little puppy trick or treating at Michelle's

A sad puppy :-(

Puppy's and Cowgirl's are good friends!

Our friends - Whitney and Claire

Just hanging out.

Yum pickles!

Eating with Grandma and Grandpa Sabol at the Wienery in Minneapolis.

We love our Kali!

Eating an apple with dad just like I did when I was younger.  Dad peeled the apple, ate the peel and cut pieces off for us to eat.

A year and a half!

Our beautiful little baby is turning into a little girl right before our eyes!  Happy 18 months Kiera Catherine, mommy and daddy love you!

Here are just a few things going on in her 18th month:

likes pineapple dipped in ketchup

broccoli or tomatoes dipped in yogurt

cleaning

reading - to herself and stories from mom and dad

jumping on the bed

she takes the two staris from upstairs without hanging on to the wall

loves babies

repeats words


thrives on routine

loves the playground

loves snacks
likes to color with crayons (markers are WAY more fun) and likes playing with playdough

Enjoy some pictures from this evening.

 

Silly look out of the corner of her eye!

 Concentration...

 What her hair likes after taking it out of a ponytail!

 I think this game may provide hours of entertainment in the coming weeks.

 I love my playdough!

 

Is it a sign?

After her bath, after brushing her hair, I went to the bathroom upstairs. Kiera proceeds to go downstairs and run to the bathroom, specifically to the toilet and won't leave. So, I go with it.

I set her on the seat cover, she's not having it. I open the cover and set her on the toilet, still not having it. I set her on the floor and she points at her shorts. Her shorts come off, I set her on the toilet, nope. We take her diaper off...now you're getting it mom. I hold her on the seat because as you may know, that hole is big for a little bottom! She wants to do it by herself. I get by with holding her leg. (She didn't actually go potty, but that's not the point) She then points to the counter at the toilet paper. Josh gives her a square and she proceeds to wipe. At this point Josh and I are baffled. She then throws the paper in the toilet, shuts the lid and flushes...this with our prompting. She then agrees to put her diaper on, put her shorts on, wash her hands and have a snack.

WHAT, she's 17 months!?!?!?

I think we may be headed to the store with a training potty on the list!

On her 17 month birthday...

...she learned how to drive!

Kiera wears some 18 month clothes, but mostly 2T and size 6 shoes. 2T, really?!?!

She only needs 1 flu shot, because she had 3 last year!

We are beginning to be able to reason with her. For instance when she doesn't want to put on her shoes. "Let's put on your shoes so you can go outside."

She already seems to be a perfectionist and can get somewhat frustrated. She will place a baby blanket on the floor and if it isn't "perfect" she gets mad, but also doesn't want help from us.

She has begun to point. Especially at airplanes in the sky!

She can spend many minutes coloring or playing with play dough.

Loves broccolli and milk.

Bed time snack is usually sitting on the big brown chair with mom and snuggling...I may have started this routine :-)

She mimics everything...soon the words will come.

If you haven't seen Kiera in awhile we hope you do, soon! She is turning into our little girl, with a great personality!

Kiera, thank you for tonight.

I just put my "bugger" down for the night and am a little overwhelmed with how much I love my little girl. Mom is away for the weekend on the MS 50 mile walk, and we miss her a ton. Although I do have to say I've been looking forward to this Daddy/Daughter weekend for quite awhile. It is just fascinating to watch Kiera while we play. You can just see things clicking in her little head as she does them. She is so proud when she accomplishes her task, she immediatly runs over with a huge smile and squeal of delight to show you watch she did. I am so blessed to be a part of her life.

HOW TRUE!!! I just remembered something Rachel told me she had overheard the other day. Something to the effect of "Stop to bend down and look at the rocks and ants from a few inches away, it reminds you of what it is like to view the world from a child's eyes". That was me tonight. Playing peekaboo with the dinner plate (sorry mom), laughing histarically at every bite as we shared in frozen peaches, changing all the dolls' imaginary diapers while constantly giggling, coloring at the desk while sitting side by side in a big office chair, and bulidng a fort out of the kitchen table. There is nothing that can melt away the stress and pressure of everyday life like the joy of being a kid again.

So walk well Mom, know that your husband and daughter will be eagerly awaiting you at the finish line on Sunday, maybe a little goofier than when you left them. And for tomorrow.....in the words of Marva Dawn....I can't wait to get up in the morning and join God in the day!!!!

Sorry about the quality of the pics...I had already converted them to be sent via MMS.