Drop it like it's hot!

That's right, these are the moves I learned from my mom! I don't think she actually thought I would remember how to do it, but I showed her! Don't judge it's all in good fun... got any moves I should try out? As you can see from the beginning, it's not all club music, I also like to twirl and sway to the slower songs too...

A purse of my own...

I don't think it's too much to ask for, I just want a nice big purse so that I can cart around my 3 lovies, 3 ducks, about 15 flash cards, some goldfish snack crackers, and a cell phone.

15 Months Old!

Today I turned 15 months old! I feel like these past 3 months have flown by and so much has changed! I went back to look at my 12 month photos and realized I never posted an offical 12 month blog! There was plenty of coverage of my big birthday, so I'm guessing no one minded, but just for comparison purposes, I've included some 12 month pictures and stats in this blog too:

Kate at 12 Months:

• Weight:  20 lbs 11.5oz  (25 - 50th percentile)
• Height: 28 inches (10 - 25th percentile)
• Teeth - 4 (2 on top, 2 on bottom)
• Walking? Took my first real steps on my birthday! 
• Eating -  I'm still a vegetarian, but I love all my fruits and veggies and quinoa! 
• Bottles? Nope. I stopped cold turkey the day I turned 1. No more bottles and no more formula, I'm a regular milk girl now. 
• I still have my pacifier, but I only get it when I'm in my crib - and when I'm on an airplane!
• Words - Mama, Dada, Duck/Dog/Down (they all sound about the same)

Kate at 15 Months:

• Weight: 21 lbs 10 oz (25 - 50th percentile)
• Height: 29.25 inches (10 - 25th percentile)
• Head Circumference: 18.5 inches (75 - 90th percentile! What can I say? There's a lot of brains in there!)
• Teeth - 8! 4 on top and 4 on the bottom - and I think those molars are coming in soon!
• Walking - Running is really more my style. I love taking walks in the neighborhood with mom and dad!
• Eating - I'm now a meat eater! Although most of my meals are more fish focused, I LOVE salmon! And I have a new affinity for dipping my chicken and fish into things... mostly BBQ sauce!
• Milk - only about 12oz a day, mostly I like water!
• Words - Mama, Dada, Nana (Banana), Papa, and wawa (water) - these are all very clear. But then there's a lot of things I say in my own way like sock, keys, juice and purple - only mom and dad and betsy would really understand these!
• Other Activities - DANCING! (I can even drop it like it's hot!), playing peek-a-boo is still a favorite, I know about 30 animal sounds and actions, I love cleaning up and I even help mom wipe up the floor sometimes (wipey-wipey), I also have a slight problem with open cabinets and drawers - they have to be closed! I go around other peoples houses even closing things that are open!

And finally, my biggest news is that I will start going to day care this month! It's really sad, but Betsy is moving to California! I can't believe it, I really don't know what I'm going to do without her. We have so much fun... but mom said going to school will be just like going to a bubbles or gymboree class and the best part will be that it won't be just an hour long! I'm not sure I totally buy it yet, but we'll see. I'm a petty sociable girl and I met my teachers already and they all seemed nice, so it could be good. I'm only going 2 days a week this month and then I start full time in April. Wish me luck!! And I wish Betsy luck in Cali! I promise to come visit you and I'll never ever forget you! Skype me! 

The Aquarium with Joey

Joey and I went to the aquarium together the other day with Betsy & Maria. We had a lot of fun looking at all the fish and eating lunch. I even made friends with some big kids!

Here's a video of me and Joey watching the fish - although he sort of gets in my way. Then of us holding hands at lunch... awe we are so cute!

A Spontaneous Trip To Columbus!

Spontaneous, isn't that a fun word to say? And it means something fun is about to happen! Like the other weekend when we decided to fly to Columbus for the weekend, on Thursday! Mom was out of town, working in Cleveland so Dad and I headed to the airport on Friday and hopped on a plane to see my good friend Jack and his parents Angie & Matt. I was maybe a little crabby for Dad on the plane, but it's because I feel asleep on the El and was rudely awoken when we got to the airport. Mom actually took a bus from Clev to C-bus, for a while I thought she had somehow ridden on a dog, since they kept saying she took a Greyhound... but then all was explained to me.

Anyway, we had a great visit - I think we really went to surprise Jack's dad for his birthday - but I made out the best, I got to play with Jack all weekend long and I even got to see Grandma on Sunday before we left! Dad had to work in Cincy for the week so he and Grandma dropped Mom & I off at the airport on their way down there. I was much better behaved for mom on the flight as it was perfectly timed with my nap.

Thanks for a great weekend Jack!

There's something about Kate...

Another day, another hairstyle... I crafted this one all by myself using smashed banana and water from breakfast. I love it, but I'm afraid I'll never be able to recreate it!

These boots WERE made for walking...

And they are gonna walk all over you!

Remember my snow boot fiasco from a couple weeks ago? Well since then we've been though 4 more pairs of boots and we've finally found a pair that works!

The first pair was too heavy, the second pair too small, the third pair was quite obviously TOO BIG, the fourth was too tall but the fifth and final pair were just right!

Enjoy this video montage of my snow boot escapade!

Hats... a girls best friend

Since I'm clearly having a lot of bad hair days, I have turned to hats recently to help me out. I think I look pretty good in this one... now if only Betsy would let me keep it!

But alas, she had to wear it home. It's okay I'll still strut it without the hat...

Peanut Butter Jelly Time...

My first peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

It was pretty tasty!

Salad Spinner

What exactly does this thing do?

Tea Time!

My grandma's very good friend Marquita gave me a wonderful tea set the other day. It was so nice of her and I have really enjoyed playing with it ever since. I get to pour tea, cheers (pinky's up!), and "daintily" bite yummy pastries and tea cakes. Don't believe me? Here's proof!

Happy Valentines Day!

I was a little unsure of this whole valentines day thing, but by the end of it all, I think I got it. Here's my step-by-step journey though this holiday of love...

First up receiving a valentine in the mail from my friend Henry...

I'm not totally sure what to do with this, but it's fun to chew on so props to Henry for his arts and crafts and thinking of me on this special day. Next time though, send something I can really eat... mmmm food. Treats are definitely the way into this girls heart.

Up next was gymboree with Joey, Molly & Coco. My and I made valentines the night  before to give out to my friends, but I forgot what I was suppose to do with all of them.

It turned out to be okay because as you can see from their blank stares, Joey & Molly didn't get it either..

Although Coco was very excited by the gesture (but then again, she may just be excited about that shoe she's carrying)...

By the time mom got home though I had figured it all out and Besty helped me make a card for them...

Then I gave it to Mom and she gave me a present too! Look at that octopus! and a Dog! woof woof!! I love doggies!

What a wonderful Valentines Day!!!

Here's the live action footage of me trying to give away my valentines at Gymboree and then giving one to my mom. I love her!

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!!!

Rain Boots

So, we've temporarily given up on snow boots. You remember the last ones we ordered right? They weighted 10 lbs so like half my body weight. Yeah, no luck yet with a replacement pair there, but we did find some pretty awesome rain boots the other day. Check out these sweet pink patent leather rain boots. I look kind of amazing in them, especially with my houndstooth dress. Fashion week here I come!

Butterflies

Today we went to the Butterfly Museum and we actually took pictures! Betsy takes me all over the city and we always end up forgetting the camera, this time was no exception, but luckily Joey and his nanny Maria were with us and they brought a camera. So here are pictures of Betsy and I in the butterfly museum. Aren't we cute...

Superbowl!

Oops, am I allowed to say Superbowl? Or do I have to just call it the Big Game? I get so confused. Regardless, I watched it with our good friends... Joey (and his parent), Molly (and her parent), and Kristin & Josh (and their almost here baby! I can't wait to meet her - or him - but I hope her, I want another girl friend). Anyway, we all watched the game in the comfort of our apartment. It wasn't anything crazy but we had a lot of fun playing together with my newer toys. Molly & I played house, then Chris, Joey's dad, read us books and did the best elephant impression EVER, and I sat with Daddy & Josh and watched the Giants become #1. Go Giants!

Joey & the Duck

Guess who else loves the duck!!! Joey! He came over the other weekend to hang out with his mom & dad and I couldn't help but show off my new duck. He loved it. Of course. Here's a few shots of him and the duck, and us playing and a video of the duck and them some sweet dancing.

My Placemat

Since I don't have a highchair - it's too big and bulky for our apartment, I prefer to be a chic city baby in my lobster chair instead. It's pretty nifty! Anyway, since I don't have a highchair Mom bought me a bunch of place mats to eat off of. These have provided endless hours of fun and have even taught me a thing or two... who knew! I know almost every person, place, animal and thing on them. Here's a quick video of me doing some of them (oh and playing and oldie but goodie, peek-a-boo! I just rediscovered this game in a whole new way)...

Stacking

Nothing too exciting... but here's a quick video of me playing with one of my new favorite toys. It's all about stacking! I like to exercise my creative freedom though and stack them out of order. Don't worry, I have a vision when I'm doing this...

Cinnamon Rolls

Yum! This weekend I had my first taste of Cinnamon rolls! Mom took me to brunch at Ann Sathers with Joanne & Zack. I like hanging out with Joanne and Zack... they have lots of nieces and nephews so they get me. Zack also promised to teach me how to play the piano and the guitar one day. Anyway, back to the cinnamon rolls... they were so soft and warm with gooey cinnamon filling and the perfect icing! I wanted some more but mom called me a pig. You can see me making the pig face in our "group picture". I'd happily be a pig if it meant I get to eat those everyday!

Bella the Dog (and Elizabeth & Mike)

This weekend mom & dad's friends came over for dinner - Elizabeth & Mike. They were really nice and I was so happy they came to dinner, especially because Elizabeth brought her little dog Bella! Bella was so much fun, she let me feed her cheese, pet her, feed her cheese, play fetch, feed her cheese, chase her around, and feed her some more cheese! I really need to convince dad that we need a dog. It would be so much fun to have one around everyday!

Knocked Out

Did you ever just have one of those days? I woke up feeling a little tired and then had to put my game face on for swimming class and lunch with Joey & Maria and by the end of the afternoon I was just pooped. Betsy put me in the crib for a nap and I know I should have just gone to bed, but I was fighting it and ended up slumped in the corner and passed out like this...

From now on, I'm just going right to sleep when I get in that crib - do you know what my neck felt like for days after this?

Fuel for the Party

I am sure many of you are wondering about my weight, given my premie status and my struggle to gain weight early on. I am happy to announce that I have made a full recovery, moving from the 5th percentile to the 50th percentile! My life is pretty much a party and I have got to keep up, so a robust appetite has become my M.O. I eat 3 meals a day and usually get 1 - 2 snacks as well.

Breakfast consists of yogurt, a whole banana (oh I can say banana too, well I can say ba-nana, but i prefer to just say 'nana - mom and dad don't like that I abbreviate it, but it's what all the cool kids are doing) and usually some cheerio's or sometimes mom cuts me up a clementine or maybe some blueberries or even gives me a few bites of her cinnamon raisin toast. yum! Recently, I've learned how to use a spoon on my own to eat the yogurt. I really don't like being fed things, but I really love yogurt, so I guess this day had to come. It's kind of a disaster by the end, but I'm getting better...

For lunch and dinner I have lots more options like grilled cheese, grilled cheese with avocado, hummus and avocado sandwiches, mac n cheese, spaghetti, salmon, tilapia, chicken, mom even made me try one of her homemade meatballs once, edamame, broccoli fries, green beans, peas, sweet potato fries... I could go on and on. Mom says I am limiting myself a little because I won't eat anything I can't feed myself - so she's not allowed to spoon feed me things like soups or chilli's, but I think I'm doing okay on my own. My current favorites are salmon sticks, Alaskan cod fish sticks, and chicken nuggets. I picked these out on a recent trip to whole foods! Mom made her own tilapia fish sticks for me once, but I had to wait till like 7pm to eat them because it takes her so long to cook everything! And you know what they say - you shouldn't eat 3 hours before bedtime - so she agreed to try the ones I picked out. Recently she's also introduced me to BBQ sauce! It's from Smoke Daddy, the same stuff we ordered for my birthday party. I love the sweet and smokey sauce, it's go just the right amount of kick. Dipping things in the BBQ sauce is one of my favorite mealtime activities!

Bubbles, Babies & Bags...

Betsy bought me a new bubble wand and it's so fantastic I can barely contain myself. I love bubbles, but the thing I love the most about bubbles is popping them! It can be a little overwhelming with the new bubble wand because now there are so many of them... but i manage.

When I need a break from the bubbles I head over to my baby dolly and take her for a ride in her stroller. I also make sure I have my bag/purse with me at all times too, it really completes the look. Sometimes I make believe the stroller is actually a shopping cart and I'm walking around like mommy buying things! Just don't tell daddy!