The thing about Kate is...

she is chubby, all girl, says "pretty", and refers to her dad by his first name now.

She is a big girl now, 18 months. I can honestly admit that I have a toddler now. I tried to hold back, but I can't deny it now.She "runs" everywhere, shaking her booty and swinging her arms.

She loves playing with my make-up. She knows that the mascara goes on her eyes, the blush on her cheeks, and chapstick on her lips. It is a crack up to watch. She is very serious when applying her make up. And she always looks in the mirror after and says, "pretty", with an emphasis on the "t". After I dressed her in her Sunday best, she from her room yelling "Dada" (or was it "Matt"?!), into our bedroom, and straight to the full length closet mirror, did a twirl (!!!when did she learn to twirl?!) and looked at her dad, smiled, and said "pretty". It was a moment I am going to keep tucked away. It was the sweetest.

She really is a sweet girl. While I was editing some photos, Kate sat next to me watching her beloved Tinkerbell. She stood up on the couch, leaned down so her face was right in front of mine, took out her binky, and said, "A kiss", and then kissed me right on the lips. My life was complete! And somehow I lucked out, and got 2 more kisses like that over the next hour.

She is very particular. She only likes her Saltwater sandals, or her pink Converse. She freaks out if I try to anything on those chubby feet. She loves to dip her food now. If she runs out of hot sauce or Ketchup, she stops eating until I resupply her.

And my latest favorite, she calls her Dada, Matt. I think it just the funniest, however, I don't think Matt thinks it is too funny!

She is sneaky, and sassy. While rolling out some dough last night, she brought over her stool, her dark,sparkly eyes are just barely level with the counter top, and she watched and watched me...I looked away for one second, only to find a hand print in my dough and some of it missing. Kate was happily munch down on it.

She loves "This Little Piggy" and offers her toes willingly when I start in.

She is starting to count. She pretty much says anything we tell her to. She often says "Oh Shoot!" and in totally appreciate instances.

She is still my best little friend, and I love being her Mama!

Dear Ani in the future,

Don't ever forget this moment. Kate has been fussing for an hour in her room now. You have done in there 2 times already and tried to sing to her, and even read her a few stories. She didn't want any part of it. You resolved to letting her cry it out. However, Matt snuck in there, and Kate is quiet now. You can just barely hear him singing in his cute voice, "Families Can Be Together Forever". You really are a lucky girl to have a husband so loving, sweet and kind.
-Ani on a Sunday night in Novemeber 2009
P.s.Your heart is about to burst.

Little busy lady

Kate's imagination skills are starting young. I love that. She is so good at finding things to play with, and tries to be funny all day long. She loves to take care of her baby doll, and puts her "night night" in her crib, tries to put her on the changing table to have her diaper changed, and tries to find food to give to her. I love watching my busy bee!

In this picture, she had just put baby "night, night" and then went and sat in her reading corner to take a little break it appeared.
While making dinner, she ran into the kitchen looking like this. Oh, I love my little girl.

Just love this family of mine.

Pumpkin Patch and Trunk or Treat!

Couldn't wait to take Kate to the pumpkin patch this year. She is the perfect age for exploring new things. It is so fun!
She loved all the animals, especially the pigs. She thought their snorting was so funny.
Tired me and my baby. (To my defense, I had just had a Cortisone shot in my shoulder, some things burned off my hand, and had a sinus infection. And after my Dr. visit we took Kate in to her Dr. for an infected belly button. We are a mess!)
Love these two.
The expensive petting zoo was worth the money. Look at that!
They were all up in my grill!
Cutest little ghost!

Kate loveeees pumpkins now and called them "PuPus" and sometimes tries to say "pumin".

Trunk or Treat was super fun! We love our new ward!

Me and my tiny person...

Went by ourselves on that trip to Utah. It was really fun (and tiring) to have so much one on one time with her.
Our plane made a stop, and then was delayed... this vanilla milk cheered her right now. Maybe because it tasted like ice cream? So good.
Busted out a lot of tricks, and mucho treats to keep her happy. Taking pictures was her favorite. Oh, and the Dum Dums.

We enjoyed the beautiful leaves changing.
And visiting friends on their pretty tree lined streets!
Taking Kate to Temple Square for the first time.


Kate loved pointing to the angel on the top of the SLC temple.`
Carly gave her this leaf, and she didn't put it down!
We had a lot of fun, but we were super ready to go home to our boy. 4 days was too long. And I think he felt the same way:
Maybe next time we will bring Matt along.

Family Photos

The family holiday photography sessions have been a lot of fun. Check out my photo blog to see some! November 14, and 21st I will be doing more in Orange County. Email me ASAP to schedule your spot! Time is running out for those Christmas cards!

Halloween 09

These guys are probably going to coordinate costumes every year, based on how cute they looked on Halloween!
Kate, unlike her mother, loves cats. Scary!
I can't even tell you how serious "trick or treating" was to Kate. She did NOT want to be carried AT ALL! Which made it interesting while trick or treating with her older cousins who ran from house to house!
She had her game face on the whole night.
She would not let go of that little pail. And it was heavy!
Can't believe I am at this stage in my life already, that I am taking photos of my child trick of treating!
Her short skirt, chubby legs, socks and tennis shoes were almost too cute to stand.
That Superman is so hot right now.


In 16 years, remind me to attach this photo to her BYU application! Shoe-in!

The loot!
She was in heaven.We had a fun day watching Jake's soccer game, having a spooky dinner, and "trick or treating" with the Edmond's crew. Maybe next year Kate can keep up!

It's not all fun and games.

Last night the real parenting began.
Parenting? Seriously. Was I not just a child, like two minutes ago? Kate has been testing the limits this past week, to put it nicely. She throws her food, she screams when she wants something, and might have hit me once or twice. We decided before we had kids, that we would not be relaxed in our discipline. But...how do you discipline a 17 month old in a loving way? In my opinion, she is old enough to learn when something is wrong. She has already learned that there are some things she is not allowed to play with, and she does a great job obeying. She understands what "no" means.
So, last night, after throwing her food on the ground, she was helping to pick it up, and then threw a huge fit. So I scooped her up, and put her on a stool in her room. She knew it was a punishment and cried even harder. Once out of her sight, Matt and I looked at each other and started laughing so hard.
We don't know what we are doing!
Any advice?

Sincerely,
Me

p.s. After about 10 seconds, I went and got her and she picked up those green beans! But I think it was just a fluke.

Guest blogger: Kate

I love taking pictures of myself. I think I look really cute from this angle? What do you think?
Love my Barbie, and taking pictures of her (and my chubby toes)!

Little more centered in this one. And I got Dada's knee in it!
I have some pretty plump lips. Maybe that is why my parents are always kissing them!I am a princess and pretty proud of it!
And I love my cowboy hat!
I have been making silly faces...
And helping Dada with projects around our new home.
I love sitting on our front steps and watching the gardeners. I say "Hey-o" and wave until they see me.
Do you like my necklace? I wear it everyday, and sometimes, ALL day.
Life is pretty good as a (big) baby.
Peace out-
Kate Bug