Argh.

Well, we finally, after 6 days, have internet service again. Our provider is about to have a mutiny on his hands, I know of at least 6 families on our road who use the same service and all of us have a business that we use the internet for. And we've all been out of service for a week. Ridiculous.

Also, I keep forgetting to recharge the batteries for my camera. Hence the lack of pictures. Rest assured that a small child is getting bigger every day. And outgrowing her clothing at an alarming rate. In case you're interested, we are mostly buying 4T clothes these days, because 3T are hit & miss. She's getting her Daddy's long legs, shirts fit great, but the pants are too short.

Hmmm.

Katie got the tiniest bit of a haircut last night. Just about an inch off the back to even things up a bit and hopefully help get rid of the ends that seem to want to do nothing but tangle and make her miserable. Trimmed her bangs up a bit too because those were driving her crazy as well. She was very excited that I was cutting her hair, it was pretty funny.

She's also becoming more and more opinionated. Trouble is, she's not always sure what her opinion is. She wanted a cheese sandwich for lunch the other day, but told me "don't cook it." Then after she took a couple of bites, she decided that it was too cold and I needed to warm it up. Not sure what she thinks cooking does.

What a day.

I had a doctor's appointment today in the city. Thankfully, I decided to get a sitter for Katie. The one she loves, who she quite literally pushes me out the door for...

I got to the city in good shape, but when I stopped to get lunch, there was an ominous clunk when I rolled my window down. Very ominous, it turns out, since the window wouldn't come back up again. Fortunately, it wasn't too terribly cold today and I didn't have to go far to get to a glass repair shop that could fit me in. The repair shop was also only a few blocks from my appointment, so I didn't lose too much time walking back & forth.

I got to hear the baby's heartbeat, very strong at 150 beats per minute. And measuring right on schedule for one baby. (Sorry Great-Grandpa, you're going to have to share again.)

And now I'm exhausted, so I'm going to bed early.

CHEESE!

When Grammy visited last week, we set her up on an aerobed (thanks, Linens-N-Things, for that going out of business sale). Katie did not want to take it down after she left. Apparently, it's the perfect place to watch cartoons on the big screen.

She found a picture of me packing her around in the pouch and decided that she should try that with her baby. Unfortunately, she's put on about 7 pounds and gotten a bigger baby since this pouch was made, so it didn't last long. Better get on that.

This one is from a couple of days ago. She was throwing a fit about something, then decided that she needed a picture of "my cry."

P.S. Dear Grammy, send pics.

12 weeks.

I'm sure most of you have heard by now, we're expecting a new little one in August. We have the estimated due date, and the ticker you see above reflects that so you can see actual development, but based on when Katie came, we're not going to get excited about anything before about the 24th.

Katie doesn't get it. She knows she's going to be a big sister, and she'll tell people that once in a while, but she doesn't understand what it means yet. If I ask her if we should have a baby, she runs to get her doll. And the one day I told her that there is a baby in my tummy, she told me to take it out so she could give it a kiss. Not just yet sweetie.

Not much happening here.

A little bit of playing cowboy.

And a little bit of eating Daddy's berry crisp & ice cream. Yum!

Okay, I'm ready!

This is how she plans to help clear the driveway. At least she's prepared for the weather.

More Cheese.

I finally got smart and dug Katie's snow suit out of the box of clothes given to us by her Aunty and cousins. This night, it was probably -30 and we were putting up Christmas lights on the deck railing. When it was time to come in, I had to drag her screaming in, and even though I was frozen through, she was toasty except for her cheeks. Did not want to come inside one bit. She now refuses to wear a regular coat, only wants the "purple suit."

Christmas morning. We set up the webcam so that Grammy, Papa, Aunty & Uncle could watch from Oregon. It was a big hit. Katie was very excited about finally opening all the presents. She got a new baby with a pillow and pillowcase, and a matching pillowcase for her bed.

She got a spinny-toy that she's been having tons of fun on. And you'll notice her attire...
The nightgown was what she slept in. She also got a nice flowery skirt, polka-dotted pyjamas, and some slippers. And had to try them all on and wear them for a while.

Some cars for her car mat. Very exciting.

And then she stole Mommy's presents too. Here you can see her modelling my new gardening hat, and dragging around the purse that Lindsay brought me from Morocco. Little turkey.

This is the picture that I got when she told me she wanted to cheese the camera.

This is New Year's Eve. I was getting the house ready for the little party we had, and she disappeared for a bit. When I went to see what she was doing, this is what I found. Reading stories to the babies. She LOVES her books. Lately when I put her to bed, I have to tell her, "No books. Just sleeping time." Or I'll find 4 or 5 books in bed with her in the morning.

Again with Mommy's clothes. She wanted to help Daddy play hockey. Looks like appropriate attire to me, don't you think?

You know you're not taking enough pictures when...

Your 2 year old says "I need to cheese the camera, Mom."

Merry Christmas everyone!

I had hoped to have a longer post, but such things are not to be, apparently. I've got a toddler whose sleep drive still overpowers her present drive, but she should be awake any minute. I've got a turkey in the oven for our late lunch with the family today, and croissants cooling on the counter for breakfast.

Just wanted to stop in and wish you all a Merry Christmas, and we hope that you are all well.

Catching up again.

We've been having issues with our internet connection this week, so I haven't been able to get updates up as much as I'd like to. But let's see if we can't get this one out at least.

Aunty Lindsay came for a visit on her way from Spain to Oregon. We were very glad to see her. Katie spotted her at the airport and flew across the room and jumped on her. Aunty seemed to think that was a good deal.

Katie monopolized ever second she could, of course. Because it's so much fun when Aunty is staying at our house. They played dress-up and Legos.

And Aunty brought Katie some fancy slippers from Morocco. Katie calls them "princess shoes."During naps, Aunty tried to get some of her work done, but the cats spotted her there with a blanket, and we all know how that ends...

And there was more dressing up. And chocolate eating, apparently.

We got the Christmas tree put up and decorated (Aunty has those pictures and she hasn't shared yet!) Most of our ornaments are unbreakable, so Katie got to do lots of decorating. We put up the stockings.

Well, some of us did.

And we went shopping for Aunty to get some warm winter clothes. She came from southern Spain and dropped about 35 degrees Celcius during her flight, so she was a bit chilly.

It's a rough life.

Wouldn't you agree?

At least until your kid joins you. Look at those grey eyebrows! That's the only indication that she'll be 10 in a few months.

Sunday evening was the town Christmas Parade. We had a great time. It was pretty cold, but the turnout was good, the floats were beautiful, and we got to see Santa. They had hotdogs and hot chocolate after, and a bonfire and fireworks. Katie was all excited to sit on Santa's lap until we got to the front of the line, so we didn't push it. Plenty of time for that later.

Lots of playing in the snow though.

It's funny to me that a kid who is so opposed to dirt doesn't mind at all when there is snow touching her.

You can't handle the cute!

This one is from Monday. They do enjoy each other's company so much.

Wednesday, we had our last "fwimming" class, and Katie passed with flying colors. She even got a little book with a badge that says she can join the sea turtle class when she turns 3. (That's the first class without Mom.)

And today's pictures.

Trey came over this afternoon. He's spending the night tonight, and so far, so good. They are in the same room, but they listen pretty well, and it's been quiet long enough that I think they are sleeping. Or maybe they're just getting into tons of mischief...

This is what happens when Trey comes.
You know, because it was 3 whole hours since they saw each other last. Seriously.

And then they play and play and play. And in between, they eat. More than you would think possible.

And they demolish the living room. No worries though, I didn't pick it up from yesterday when Katie started the demolition by herself. Now it's clean, because Bailey would start eating toys otherwise.

They talked to Grammy "on a 'puter". Katie's an old pro by now, but Trey's a newbie and it took him a bit to figure out what was going on with that.

Then Miss Bossypants tried to help Trey put his socks back on. He wasn't sure that he needed the help. Or that he really wanted them on at all.

And then they spent the rest of the evening doing this. It's 5 seconds of very blurry video, but the little squeals of delight are priceless.

I think I might be crazy

Katie had her first slumber party a couple weeks ago when we were at Andrew's company Christmas party. She's having her second this week. At our house. And Andrew won't be here.

Check back on the weekend to see if I survived!

Funnies

Trey came to play with us again today. There was some giggling and playing in the other room, then I heard "MOMMY! HIDING!"

Then I heard "Hiding! MOM!" He doesn't seem to get that my name isn't actually 'Mommy.'
Cute though. They thought it was so funny that I would take their pictures under the door.

Here's another funny thing. I look at my cats and I don't see a huge size difference. Mostly because the only time they cuddle is when they are in my lap, and a lapful of cat is a lapful of cat. Then I dug out this bed again.

It's a big bed.

And he is a BIG cat.

Not sure if I've mentioned it before, but I'm sure you've noticed the lack of Nemo pictures. He tore through the screen and the storm window in the basement and escaped. We see him from time to time and we keep a bowl of food out for him, but he doesn't want anything to do with us. He runs and hides almost as soon as he sees us.
As you can see, Remy does not share those tendencies.

The bird feeder.

It's an interesting place, really. And very educational. We have Pine Grosbeaks visit us in the Spring and Fall, and they are stunning. Dark-eyed Juncos herald the Spring. There are various other visitors throughout the Spring and Fall, and I do try to get a good picture of them but some are so jumpy.

These guys are used to me. They hardly fly off when I walk out the front door. They're also very quick, so it's hard to get a picture of their faces. These little birds will also land on my hand when I offer them some of Charlie's grain on very cold days.
Black Capped Chickadees

The nuthatches got to know me last winter, and I don't believe they ever left, so they'll sit around and pose. I had to start using pre-shelled birdseed because they would sort all the millet out of the mix and leave it all over the porch. Andrew was not pleased. So far, nobody wastes any of this stuff, so it has the added benefit of lasting longer between refills.

This little guy is very timid. I had to stand very still next to the window for a long time to be able to get this picture. Not sure if it's one of the ones that was here last winter or not, but it's fun to see them so close. He's a very tiny woodpecker. We also get big woodpeckers but they tend to stay in the trees. Or hammer on our furnace chimney. Whatever. Reminds me, I need to go get them a new suet bag.

Another play day.

Go figure. Seems like we have play days more often than non-play days.
We played Ring Around The Rosy

And then everyone fell down!

Then we needed a snack, because we played so hard.

What a fun day!

Today Trey came to play with us again, and he and Katie had so much fun.

They went for a horseback ride,

They played peekaboo.
(and let's climb all over the tower for an hour)

Then we built a fort and they were so very excited.

Then Trey climbed on top (where the tower was on it's side) and fell through.

And they decided that that game was even better than having a fort.
You'll notice that Katie is much more cautious than Trey, who just plunked his bum down in the middle.

And then Trey went home and Katie went to bed, and the cats got to play.
I guess Mooch likes the tunnel the best. Remy, apparently, just likes the blanket.