Catching up...

Busy, Busy, Busy - First things first, lets run down our latest achievements:

Kylie is standing on her own, and even walking with help. Here's a video of when we first caught her attempting this feat.  Probably taken shortly after her birthday in May. 

 

Of course, since then she's been a lot more brave, and is standing, and stooping to pick things up - and is very steady.  We've tried to trick her into walking for us: Kevin and I will stand a few feet apart and tempt her to walk to one of us by holding out a favorite book or toy.  She goes for it, but trusts us enough to make a dive for it instead of stepping out on her own. 

 

She is communicating better.  We (I) have tried to teach her a few signs.  She clearly understands a lot, but gets a little whiny (okay, sometimes alot) when she wants something and we can't understand what she's asking for.  I definately believe that signing can help bridge that gap.  So far, she knows the signs for "Milk", and "More".

 

We're working on "Cookie" which she attempts to say, (she's says the "key" part) and I think she'll have the sign down by the weekend - especially if it means she gets a cookie everytime she gets the sign right :)

She had chocolate ice cream for the first time... and couldn't get enough.  I can't wait to get video of her first ice cream cone :)  Until then, here's one of her after dinner last night, trying her hardest to see if she can get any more ice cream out of the container... Its about 3 minutes long, and it may only be her parents that think its cute, but, oh well!

Well, she told you.

A funny thing happened last night...

We were sitting on the back porch eating the pizza we made (first time for Kylie - which she didn't seem overly enthusiastic about, but ate just the same). 

When Kylie starts to get "full" she starts pushing her plate around and getting fidgety. We are hoping to instill some patience and possibly some table manners in her over the next couple months before we go on vacation, because we're expecting to eat several meals out. Anyway, Daddy was being very patient, and when she would try to toss her plate, he would hold it down - look her in the eye - and say very sternly, "NO."

Now, I'm not too sure how much they actually get at this age, but I don't think we give her enough credit. We've noticed over the last few weeks that she clearly understands most of what we tell/ask/say to her, but the limitation is in what she is able to communicate to us. And sometimes she gets frustrated.  I don't know if its too late or not, but I can definately see a use for baby signing here.  But, that's beside the point...

So, after like the 10th time of Daddy telling her no, and moving her plate & cup away, she started flipping up her placemat.  So, again, Daddy looks her in the eye - points at her, and says, "NO".

Kylie did not hesitate this time; She looked him dead in the eye - pointed her finger at him, and said, "NO, NO!"

We immediately started cracking up.  Kylie wins this round.

Memorial Day Weekend... a week later

... was jam packed.  For starters, Mommy had a 4-day weekend; my regular furlow-Fridays, in addition to the Monday holiday.

Friday
Our weekly trip to Mother Goose on the Loose at the Central Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.  I noticed a significant change in Kylie's interaction in the program this week.  Overall, she was much more engaged.  She clapped her hands spontaneously, oohed and aahhed, and generally participated in more of the activities.  (I think it helped that she had been taking later naps, so she was more awake and alert).  She happily shook the maraccas that were handed out, and even helped put them away on her own. When Kelly goes around the room and lets the kids bang the syllables of their name on a drum - Kylie did it on her own.  In weeks past, I've had to hold her hand and show her how to do it.  They also have a felt board, and sing the "Humpty Dumpty" song, and let the kids take turns knocking Humpty off the wall.  When it was our turn, I held Kylie's hands and we walked over, and she daintily brushed him off the board onto the floor.  (She's such a girl, and it seems everything she does is "dainty").  But she did it.  I am such a proud Momma.

Saturday
We noticed this weekend that Kylie is now giving hugs & kisses on demand.  She seems more willing when she first wakes up.  If you ask her, "Can I have a Hug?", she throws her arms around your neck and rests her head on your shoulder.  Sometimes, she'll pat you on the back.  If you ask her, "Can I have a Kiss?", she comes at you face-first, mouth open and plants a big sloppy one right on the mouth.  (Since this initial discovery, we have learned to use these requests sparingly. Overuse has resulted in complete request denial)

Sunday
We had a picnic dinner with our neighbors, the Noe's/Dill's. Kylie always enjoys being social, and especially likes eating - no matter what the occasion.

Monday
Monday afternoon, we invited our neighbors (specifically Hanna, 9 mos) over to our house for a swim in the new mushroom pool. (The grown-ups got to play in the sprinkler).  Seemed like the girls (everyone) had a great time! They did some splashing, (so did we) and played harmoniously side by side for a while.  Then they each got tired of the pool and climbed around in the wagon - sharing sippee cups and water bottles, and pushing each other out of the way for the better seat - so sweet, (ha, ha). Once Kylie warmed up to Hanna's excited screeching, she decided to join in and for a few seconds I noticed the girls communicating back and forth in high pitched squeals. Good times.