Kate's First Road Trip---9+hours!!!!!

Last weekend we (Dustin, Kate, me, Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie Megs) made the long trip to Iowa for a graduation. It was in LeMars, Mom's hometown, and we were excited to go! Kate did a very good job on the car ride coming and leaving. It was very hot when we went. Because the graduation was held in the gym, there were tons of people and it was very hot! Dustin, Megan and I took Kate back to the hotel for a nap and to cool off. We cooled off but the nap was non-existent which made for an interesting evening. All in all we had a good time with each other! Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Kate's first time to stay in a hotel....she had just got done jumping on the bed:)

No cameras please....I have to fix my hair!

The alter at Mom's old church....isn't it beautiful? Wish we had a church like that around here!

Original pipe organ

After Justin's graduation....it was time to party! Kate enjoyed a purple popsicle that got all over her! This was in addition to the sidewalk chalk on her dress and her leg that she decided to color. I have to say it was VERY hard for me to watch her make a huge mess. Yes I know she is almost 2 and a kid...but I have a problem---I HATE getting dirty, obviously on this day Kate did not:)

Smiles and singing on the way back home. Kate said numerous times on the way back she wanted to "go home and see our pups".

Mother's Day Weekend

On Saturday night, Mom, Megan and I went out to eat and see the play Grease. I forgot to take pictures at dinner but it was really fun! We always eat at Jose's before a play. It is right across the street so it is very convenient. The play was fun but spending time with Mom was the best part. In a few years Kate will be old enough to join us in our annual girls night out at a play. Happy Mother's Day Mom! You are the best!

On Sunday, Dustin made breakfast for us. He is usually the breakfast maker because all I can make is bacon and eggs. Dustin makes really good biscuits and gravy and that's what I wanted for breakfast! After we were done eating, Kate came walking into the room with her card and present for me. It was a very thoughtful card and the present was a matching necklace and ring made with black and white diamonds. They are beautiful! Next, we went to War Eagle to see the craft fair and eat at the mill for lunch. Kate did very well that day, especially since we traveled during her nap time. She did tucker out on the car ride to and from War Eagle.:)

Daddy and Kate watching the wheel at the mill.

Kate was not in the mood for pictures as she was fascinated with the water!

21 Months Old

I don't plan on posting something new about Kate developmentally each month until she's five but every month seems to be a little different than the last. For instance, now Kate can pretty much sing the entire ABC song. It is so cute! Since I last videoed her, Kate has literally practiced that song daily. However, this month especially, she hates looking into the camera! She is definitely trying to assert some say in her daily life. She knows momma wants to take cute pictures/videos but refuses. Oh well, this too shall pass. After all she is my daughter. I have many cute pictures with her "look". The same "look" I used to give photographers in toddler pictures. I'm just chalking it up to genetics. Eventually she will love to be photographed, she already loves looking at herself in the mirror!

She is still having trouble sleeping through the night. We were spoiled by having a good sleeper that we (mostly Dustin) trained to have good sleep habits. Since she has not slept consistently through the night since Christmas Break I am convinced it must be a physical problem that has not been addressed yet. Although many toddlers go through this "phase" I do not completely agree that it truly is a "phase". As with any problem I encounter, I have poured over articles on the Internet and my baby book as well as calling the pediatrician's office periodically. I will keep searching for an answer because I hate seeing my baby wake up in the middle of the night still tired and not well rested in the morning.

Kate has also figured out how to jump or "gump" as she first called it. She loves to dance and jump. Kate has also mastered climbing on things she shouldn't!:) Her favorites right now are the couch or the coffee table. I'm also convinced that Kate could have been a monkey in another life:) We will be checking into gymnastics very soon so Kate will have an outlet for some of her energy!

Playing with babies ranks high on Kate's list of things to do these days. I got out an old baby quilt my grandmother made for me and Kate LOVES toting it around with her baby doll or monkey. While making dinner, cleaning, or watching tv one can periodically hear Kate say "sit down baby, sit down" or my favorite "sorry baby, so sorry for bump".

I know I say this every month but we are constantly amazed at how much she knows and remembers. Just the other day she was walking around saying "8,9,10". Dustin asked me if she knew her numbers too. I told him she knew them but not in order. I guess we know where to start teaching her! We also talk about how much we love her and how fortunate we are to have a child. My favorite time of day is going into her room and hearing "Mommy!" (This is mostly on the weekend when I don't have to wake her up for school....on those days she is a little crabby at first:)...she's not a morning person just like me!) Even though the sleep is almost non-existent on most nights I would not trade any day without her in it. Kate, my whole world begins and ends with you....Mommy and Daddy love you baby girl!!!

Kate's First Silver Dollar City Trip

The last weekend in April we loaded up the car and headed to our favorite town.....Branson. Dustin and I were excited to be going to Silver Dollar City for the first time this season especially since it was Kate's first time there. My parents and sister also came! We all bought season passes and plan on going several times this year. We nearly missed going because of the rain but luckily it was only cloudy and chilly instead of rainy and chilly. I didn't get as many pictures as I would've liked but Kate wouldn't look at the camera and Dustin was his usual self. He hates taking pictures and sometimes cooperates like a five year old! Anyway, we had fun walking around and watching the shows.