I no longer sleep with tiny feet in my face

Kaitlin is now in a toddler bed. Hooray!!! Kaitlin had been doing really great at sleeping in her crib until the week I was home from school on Spring Break in March. That week, she wouldn't sleep unless she was in our bed. I guess I didn't fight her hard enough on it, because it's June and she had still been sleeping in our bed..... until Monday. Scott finally converted her crib into a toddler bed. She was really excited about it and is doing great. I had to lie down with her the first night, but now she will lie down by herself. She is so proud of her "Good Girl Bed" (that's really Big Girl Bed, but Kaitlin always turns the word "Big" into "Good" when she blends it with the word Girl). Be sure and tell Kaitlin how happy you are to hear that she sleeps in her BIG Girl Bed now.

New Posts

I've gotten in trouble. I haven't been updating my blog often enough for some of you. I had three people tell me in one day that I needed to put some new posts on here, so here you go. I've added one today, and will add more later this week. Be sure to check back!

Dance Recital

You all know that Kaitlin started taking dance classes a couple of months ago. She absolutely loves it. She had her first dance recital in May. All the grandparents were invited to attend, and Kaitlin was very excited about it....until she got there. If you know Kaitlin very well at all, there are two things you know for sure: 1.She is afraid of anyone she doesn't know. 2.If she has it in her head that she doesn't want to do something, she isn't going to do it.
I had to wake Kaitlin up from her nap to go, so she was not in the best mood to begin with. We arrived about the time it was going to start (we're normally about 10-15 minutes early). They had the recital in a different room than where we usually go, so that threw her off a bit, but what really got her was when we walked in there were about 20 extra people there. She was very reluctant to participate. She did some of what she was supposed to do, but mostly just wanted me to hold her. Poor thing.
We have since enrolled in dance again, and she's doing great. I think we'll probably skip out on Grandparents' Night next time.

First Sunday School Outing

Kaitlin began going to a Sunday School Class when she turned two in January. It was very odd knowing that she was big enough to start Sunday School. It seems like she was just born! Time flies. Although Kaitlin had a hard time adjusting to a new room at first, she absolutely loves Sunday School now. She looks forward to it every week. I am thankful for the awesome teachers she has. I am amazed at what she learns there, and she loves to display her "artwork" from Sunday School on the refrigerator.
Anyway, Kaitlin had her first Sunday School outing in May. They met at our church to eat lots of food, play games, and play on the playground. The parents didn't stay for the outing, and it was strange leaving her for an event that was all about the kids. She is very clingy so I was shocked when she turned to me, gave me a hug, said her goodbyes and I love you, and began to play. They had a blast. We're looking forward to the next outing. Mommy enjoyed her two hours, too! ;)
Here are a few pictures of the girls playing that day (no need to introduce the BFF, Ella Kate)

Strawberry Pickin'

Growing up, I was not a berry picker. Mom and Aunt Polly would always drag me out with them to pick strawberries or blackberries. I never enjoyed it...too hot....too boring. I guess I'm getting old because when Amber invited us to go pick strawberries with her and Ella Kate, I jumped at the chance to take Kaitlin. We traveled to Portland for the best strawberries around. The girls loved it. Here's my little berry picker now:

This is such a sweet picture of Amber and Ella Kate. I'm so glad they asked us to go.

Here's a shot of the girls after all of the hard work was over.
There were a few little animals at the strawberry farm. My shy, timid little girl shocked me by reaching right through the gate to pet the goats. Ella Kate was pretty apprehensive about getting close to them. I don't blame her.
This last picture is so funny to me. Do you see any resemblance between my child and the goat?!

Happy Mother's Day!

I wanted to take a moment to write about my Mom today. She has been such a wonderful mother throughout my entire life. I am so thankful for the way Mom and Dad raised me and my brother. Mom always taught us right from wrong. She showed by example how important it is to live for God. Mom sacrificed many things in her life just to provide for me and Jody when we were growing up. Mom rarely bought things for herself, but always focused on what Dad, Jody, and I needed. Mom worked many days and nights at her medical transcription job to provide for her family. We always had everything we needed, as well as a few things we just wanted. Most importantly, Mom spent time with us. Mom has always been there when we needed her. Mom attended every special function I ever had as a child. She made sure we always took a family vacation and got to go do fun things together as a family.

I am so thankful for the way Mom continues to love us so greatly. I know that if there is anything I need, my Mom is going to be the person I can count on to help me. I know that I can call her for something as trivial as: "Hey, Mom, They're serving hot dogs at school today. Could you go get something good for me to eat?" Whatever I need, she will make it happen.

Despite suffering daily with her health and long-term, heavy doses of prednisone, Mom still manages to put others before herself. We rarely give her the recognition she deserves.

Now that I have a daughter of my own, I am beginning to realize just how much my Mom loves me. The love I have for Kaitlin is just so huge, it's indescribable. It's amazing how much I learned from my Mom growing up that I didn't realize she taught me. I find myself kissing away boo-boos when Kaitlin takes a fall. I find myself holding Kaitlin tightly when she's sick or scared and telling her it will be okay because Mommy is here. I find myself reading The Three Little Kittens with the same dramatic emotion my Mom had when she read it to me so many times. There are so many things I do with Kaitlin each and every day that I realize I do because my Mom showed me. I hope that one day, when Kaitlin has a child of her own, that she will automatically do these things too...just because her Mommy taught her how.

Thank you, Mom, for being who you were when we were little, and for being who you are now.

Happy Mother's Day!

Love,

Kerri

We Love Tuesdays!

Kaitlin has been taking a dance class for about three weeks now. She absolutely loves it. She looks forward to Tuesdays every week. I know she's only two, but I love that this is something special just for her. (It's also very fun for Mommy to get to dress Kaitlin in her cute little ballerina outfit!)


The class consists of ballet, tumbling, and playful songs involving movement. Parents get to participate with the girls at this age, which is great since Kaitlin doesn't let me leave her side anyway.


Here are a couple of pictures of Kaitlin before her first dance class. She was a little nervous, so I couldn't get her to smile. (Of course, Ella Kate takes dance too!)

Sweet Girl

I just wanted to share these sweet pictures of Kaitlin. She loves her baby dolls, and likes going to sleep holding them. Don't mind the mismatched pajamas!

Inspiring Video

Be sure to check out this video. My friend, Kristy, let me know about it. Very awesome!http://www.mychurch.org/blog/30635/coolest-video-ever

Maggie Moo Designs

I wanted to show everyone this adorable shirt that a great friend of mine made for Kaitlin. (Please overlook the chocolate on her face and shirt.) Alison Harris is the designer/creator of this beautiful little birdie. We've had it for a couple of months now, and Kaitlin just loves wearing it. Whenever we put it on, she says, "Miss Alie made this for me." How special!

I am constantly amazed by the creative new designs Alison creates. She makes beautiful burp cloths, taggie blankets, onesies, shirts, etc. I already have her working on a new creation for Kaitlin. Be sure to drop by Maggie Moo Designs to see the wonderful things going on there (http://www.maggiemoodesigns.blogspot.com/).

Alie, I'm so proud of you!