Slightly Salty but VERY Sweet!

This week Kaitlyn and I were watching channel 9 (PBS) and it said something like, 'Quality programming for kids.' I looked at KP and asked her, 'Are you a kid?' I asked her this because lately it's been all about how she's not a baby anymore but a big girl. I was curious what she'd say as we'd never used the word 'kid' with her yet. She looked at me and giggled and said, 'Mommy, I'm not a kid. I'm a peanut!' I was rolling on the floor cracking up.

The reason this is so funny is that we've called Kaitlyn our lil' peanut since she was itty-bitty in my tummy and just kept using it over the last couple years. Auntie Jen calls her 'peanut' a lot, too. Perhaps it's time to rethink that nickname as I don't want her thinking her only career aspiration is to become the Planter's Peanut. Ah, on second thought...nah, no rethinking, I like calling her peanut!

Me Loving the Green!

Cutest leprechaun ever!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Heaven in a glass! Best part is that this Guinness glass is from the brewery in Dublin. I thought all the glasses I bought in Ireland had broken but Ryan found one remaining one. I'm so happy!

Thank You, Mr. Sandman!

I'm thrilled to report that our sweet little one has been returned. Now that her congestion is gone she is sleeping much, much better. After several great nights sleep and a few LONG naps (3+ hours) KP is back! Such fun!

It's amazing what sleep can do for you! She's just like her mama, no sleep = no good!

Has Anyone Seen Kaitlyn?

Someone has taken our sweet, fun-loving daughter and replaced her with a not-so-fun and very challenging little one. If found, please return her promptly.

The tricky thing...this replacement has moments where she seems like our angel but then two seconds later it becomes VERY apparent she's not.

Pearly Whites

Kaitlyn had her second dentist appointment today and did GREAT!!! She hopped right into the chair, put the sunglasses on, went for a ride as the dentist tipped the chair back and opened up to let him look at her teeth. We got the thumbs up on the dental routine we've been doing nightly. Her teeth looked good and she got her picture taken and put up on the 'No Cavities!' board. They are going to do a teeth cleaning at her next appointment. Should be interesting to see how that goes.

In addition to the thumbs up on the dental routine, we also found out that 3 of her back molars are impacted with the last one closely behind. No wonder she keeps telling me her teeth hurt! OUCH!

On a side note, I can't resist posting this picture. It's a pediatric dentist so they really know kids and how to play up to them. The waiting area is full of fun toys, games, and animals. I was cracking up though because here is Kaitlyn playing on the floor while Ryan is playing at the game station (which by the way, is kid level)! LOL. Busted!

Super Girl!

I probably shouldn't post this but I couldn't resist. Evidently Kaitlyn decided to bring her potty chair into her room. Here's what I walked in on today.

It's our wonderful daughter 'doing it all'. She's sitting on the potty going to the bathroom (notice the pants down), playing 'ice cream shop' and baking cookies. Seriously, a master multi-tasker huh?!

On a side note, it is NOT at all typical that we have her potty chair in her room. In fact it's rare she uses this potty chair anyways. She has a princess one that plays music when she pees in it that she really likes. Anyways, I wasn't crazy to see her potty chair in her room and it makes me go 'ick' just a bit. Once she was done it immediately went back to the bathroom and we chatted about the fact that perhaps using the bathroom is one thing best done all by itself with no other activities needed. LOL!

Ice cream shop...pants optional

Cookies are all done...out of the oven they come

Reality Check

This week has been a challenging one. Work has been a bit crazy because I've had both phone and computer issues. Trying to be productive is very difficult when I'm using my cordless personal phone and can't access many of my documents without my work computer.

In addition, Kaitlyn was up early this morning and has been a bit challenging as well. She's experiencing growing pains (literally), has a back molar coming in, and has really gotten the potty-thing down now. Which is great, but it is A LOT of change for a little one.

So this morning I was  very frustrated...with myself for not being more patient with Kaitlyn, with the work situation, with the fact that just a week ago I was in sunshine on PTO and now I'm here. But then something drastically changed my perception and I realized that even on my absolute most horrible, terrible day I still live an amazing life.

A book was brought to my attention on one of the blogs I follow (http://www.designmom.com/). The blogger posted the following and I couldn't agree more with her thoughts. Check it out for a reality shift.

Oh man. If you need a shift in perspective, take a look at this beautifully designed book called Where Children Sleep. James Mollison takes photographs of children and their bedrooms, all over the world. You can read it online. The images and stories are fascinating and sometimes harrowing — totally safe for work, but they might break your heart.

BTW, this afternoon I had a fabulous session of pretend cookie-making with Kaitlyn. And then we ran races and played tickle monster resulting in enormous belly laughs. So I do feel a bit redeemed in the mommy area.

We are truly blessed!