Some Observations of Kate

Our Kate has a great sense of humor. I first noticed it this summer when she would kneel on a bed and lean forward until she flopped on her face. She gets such a kick out of "joking" Ella (as Ella refers to it). Occasionally they sit beside each other at lunch, and Kate will hand her a cup, and Kate will pull it back without letting go. This can go on and on (usually while I clean up their dishes) with giggles from both sides. Also fun - sticking her finger in Ella's mouth. 

She loves to climb. She's graduated from climbing a little rocker, to the step stool to the sink, to Ella's tall chair with a foot rest, to our kitchen chairs, to our rocker. . . I used to be able to keep her from climbing certain things by pushing them under the table or turning them around. Now she has figured out to pull and push them around so she can get in them. I know the next thing is pulling and pushing them so she can get up on the counter. I'm not looking forward to the additional baby-proofing that needs to be done to these mid-level areas.

Kate can sense an open kitchen cupboard or bathroom door being open from a room away Boy, can she move fast (this is what I like to call "toy store fast" since I witnessed her similar speed in a toy store the other day.) She's got a sixth sense for these "forbidden" areas. If I don't hear her, chances are she's sucking on the soap dispenser. At least drumming on the toilet seat or playing with the glass storage containers make noise. What a sneaky little gal.

Her communication is pretty effective. She signs "please", "all done" and "more" regularly. She used to use the sign for "milk" (which she doesn't so much have a need for, but on the same note, she used to use the same sign for "mama".)  She clears her tray (you know, ALL over the floor) if we don't clear quick enough. She has a few words - "mama", "dada", "dog", "duck", "meow", "tickle". I'm surprised she doesn't say "Ella" yet. I thought that might be her first word.

If this mop isn't pulled back, she looks like a sheep dog. Ella's hair frames her face nicely if left to untouched. Kate's just falls straight down. It isn't an option to let it go. 

Kate is full of joy, and tenderness (except when she is attempting to bite one of us - fortunately it is rare and she does this in slow motion, so it is really easy to avert.) She gives sweet snuggles complete with back pat; it especially warms my heart when she does it to Ella while Ella is being comforted after a fall. I love this girl so, so much, and I am so, so lucky to be her mom.

I am so bad at blogging . . .

. . . within a reasonable time frame. These days, I'm feeling like it is a 'win' if I get to posting on here even if it is almost 3 months late.)

We celebrated Kate with both sets of grandparents, and Wiebe-side aunts, uncles, and cousins. Ella thought Kate would like star cake, so star cake it was!

Mesmerized by the smoke. 

The fate of much food encountered by Kate - smashed, smeared, pinched, thrown on the floor. 

Hair surprisingly clean at the end of a meal.

"Enjoying" bath time.