Just Another Day at the Park...

The playground...the park...outside....whatever you want to call it, it's Katie's sanctuary. She can be having a truly bad day, but if you let her step outside to a playground, the world is suddenly a better place. We decided to tape just another average day at the park with the kiddo. Yes, the video is a bit long - about 3 1/2 minutes. But if you watch the whole thing, you will get to run the gamut of emotions from utter disgust (Katie picks up a random tissue and uses it to wipe her face) to sheer delight (Katie conquering her fear of the big slide) that we experience every day at the park. For the grandparents out there, it's been awhile since you've seen her. Check out the new skills: better talking, going up the steps like a big girl, jumping, etc.

Mc"Grillin Out"

The two McG families got together for some good BBQ this evening. We made a rather summery meal (e.g., pulled pork, potato salad, fruit salad) to try and jump start the nicer weather. It worked for a while, but the rain eventually returned.


Katie and Connor had a blast together, as always. We're not sure who left the most carnage...the kids with their toys, or the adults with their food.

First Haircut!

Yup. Katie finally shed her newborn locks today when the whole family loaded up to trek out to "Cartoon Cuts" in the Fair Oaks Mall. We knew she would be terrified and went in with low expectations for the experience (i.e., about a 3 out of 10). Our expectations were confirmed, as Katie wanted none of it. Not even a free lollipop or "Dora the Explorer" could prevent her from crying throughout the 7-minute session. Although she sat on Traci's lap, she did not like the fact that she was covered up or the strange lady coming at her with scissors. We'd give the experience about a 2 out of 10, and hope for better the next time (although Mike thinks he might give it a shot, poor kid). Katie does look pretty cute with a trim of an inch or two, however. Pictures to follow in the next few days...

Spring Has Sprung

Ahhh...it's finally springtime here in NoVa. While we have experienced a lot of clouds and rain, we have benefited from all of the flowers popping up everywhere. We couldn't resist taking a picture of Katie with some of nature's beauty today. Of course, she had to make the entire process a very difficult one... When Traci asked Katie if she could take a picture of her with the flowers, she was delighted...so delighted that she climbed right into the flower bed and sat down on top of a bunch of them. (ARGH!) After explaining to her that she was actually hurting the flowers, Traci got her to at least stand next to them. Then, of course, she wouldn't look up because she wanted to pick them. (Again with the hurt??) Anyway, this is the best we could do before the entire batch would inevitably be destroyed.

Pregnant Me, Take Two - First Trimester

As most of you already know, the McGs are growing by one (thank God, just one!) come September. This pregnancy has already been such a roller coaster ride that Traci is going to write about it. She'll chime in probably once a trimester; because, really, who wants to hear every detail about somebody else's pregnancy? So here goes Tri #1:

All of the experts and books say that no two pregnancies are ever alike. I'm now in full agreement, 100%! While Katie's pregnancy was absolutely smooth-sailing, we've already run into some bumps with Baby #2. (We'll call him/her Cashew, since Katie was Peanut.) I had some health complications early on and was put on a weird semi-rest for a month. I was not allowed to exercise or do anything strenuous during that period. My thoughts ranged from "Yes, now I don't have to feel guilty about not going to the gym!" to "Pffft...who are they kidding? Like chasing after and toting a 30-lb. child is not everyday strenuous activity." Meanwhile, I still had the...ahem....healthy appetite of a pregnant woman, so I figured I was going to gain about 110 lbs. in the first few weeks. Anyway, we got through the month, got the big thumbs-up from the doc, and finally told everybody. (Sorry for waiting for so long!) An absolute side benefit of the whole ordeal was getting to see Cashew twice in early sonograms. We only ever had one sonogram done of Katie her entire pregnancy, so it was cool to see such a wee lad or lassie doing flips on the screen.

Cashew has also made me jump through greater hoops throughout the first three months - a lot more fatigue, more sickness, more everything... Or, perhaps I shouldn't put all the blame on Cashew. When you are a pregnant mom of a toddler, you really don't have time to take care of yourself. I can't count how many times I got sick just from forgetting to eat in time. Katie even came to call my sick bouts "coughing," as in, "Uh-oh, Mommy cough again." Thanks to the good Lord in heaven that Katie still naps. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't catch my naps and/or extra snack time in the middle of the day!

And, finally, the books don't lie when they say that you show a lot earlier the second time around. The photo above was taken today (15th week), so we are bit later than 1st trimester. But, man, I wasn't this large the first time around until about the fifth month! I've already had to fish out all of my maternity clothes. (Mike is very jealous of all of my elastic waistbands.) But, I can smile right now because I actually still weigh less than I did at the BEGINNING of my first pregnancy. All right, that's the last time I'll be able to brag during this pregnancy...

Part of the Scenery

This is what happens when you get into Mommy's way when she is trying to do some chores. Katie would not move as Traci was making the bed, so Traci simply piled the pillows on the little one's head and went on to the next chore. Katie thought the whole thing was so silly that she laid there long enough for us to snap her picture. No real surprise that she didn't move...she loves our bed so much. No, no - not to sleep on...just to jump to her heart's content. (You can often hear her jumping on it when one of us is in the shower, cooking dinner downstairs, etc.)

Church Lady

This morning, Katie got all dressed up for mass in a dress and overcoat made by her Grandma M. over 40 years ago (circa 1969!). She received several compliments (even from the priest), so we took her on her own fashion photo shoot upon returning home.

Not too much else to report this weekend...Katie and Mom are both trying to fight off what is hopefully the last of the cold/flu symptoms before the warmer, Spring weather arrives. Can't come soon enough...

Little Armadillo

After a week in San Antonio, Mike returned to his girls tonight...bringing gifts, of course. Katie fell in love with her new "armadillo" hat (seen here with her patented forced camera smile). Feels good to have everybody home again, but the dry, 75 to 80 degree days will be missed.

Why So Serious, Ladies?

Don't they look like they are posing for a serious "Charlie's Angels" publicity photo or something? Katie met up with her usual Playground Gang (l-r: Allison, Lyla, and Patrick [missing from photo]) for a long afternoon out in the sun. The kids had a blast monkeying around on a playground set, swinging on the big-kid swings, and running up and down big hills. We only captured this photo of them together when they took a breather to eat some snacks.

On another note that had Traci in stitches: We must be hanging out with Mommy's friends a lot lately, because Katie called her "Traci" twice today. Traci thought she heard the word "chasing" at first; but, in fact, Katie was addressing her mother by her proper first name. Traci didn't correct her because she thought it was the most hilarious thing in the world. We're sure she'll come up with even better names once the pre-teen years hit.

Pick O' the Irish

You ask a couple of wee Irish laddies and lassies to pose on St. Patrick's Day, and this is what you get! Connor (20 months old) and Katie must have slipped some Guinness in their sippie cups because they got silly when the camera came out. How in the world did they get the idea to pick their noses at the camera at the same time? Oh well... Thanks to the other McGs for a wonderful dinner and great hospitality. Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!

Say Hello to Huck!

Katie received a VERY special delivery in the mail today from Grammy K: a package full of beautiful summer clothes and yet another Cabbage Patch Kid! This isn't just any old doll, however. The little boy doll was actually one of Traci's from 25 years ago that Grammy found in her house. Katie fell in love at first sight: Another doll! And, a boy, no less!! Since Traci couldn't remember the doll's original Cabbage Patch-given name, we had to come up with a new one. Traci took one look at the doll's blue bib overalls, dirty face (it is 25 years old, you know?), and ratty hair, and thought of the fictional character Huckleberry Finn. Katie ran with the name Huck, and now he is part of the pack. Here is Katie giving Huck one of millions of kisses...thanks, Grammy!

Sunday Stacking

Not much to report this weekend...a couple of dreary, rain-soaked days that lent themselves to more work on the bathrooms (e.g., fixture replacement, painting). Katie was very patient with us and entertained herself for a lot of it (although her mom might disagree based on the number of times she had to read Mother Goose nursery rhymes). Here she is after stacking 13 blocks...a new personal record.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Katie didn't get enough of her main squeeze, Patrick, yesterday; so we went over to his house today. Patrick was very excited to show her his sandbox, but it was unfortunately cold and rainy outside. Oh well, the poor, deprived children had to settle for train tables, tricycles, and ball pits instead. Traci and P's mom Kim relaxed with 5-week-old Colleen sleeping on alternating laps.

Play Date! (Or, Patrick is a Lucky Man)

A big thanks goes out to Angela, Lyla (2 years), and Anamarie (7 months) who graciously opened up their house this morning to a whole slew of mommies and kids. There were eight, count'em EIGHT(!!), kids under the age of 3 all in attendance. You should have seen the tornado that was left behind by the time we left, and we left first. It was actually interesting for Traci because three out of the eight kids were born within the last couple months...definitely an infant-filled room!

But, the luckiest man in the room had to be Katie's buddy Patrick (2.5 years), who was the only boy in attendance. All the girls were fighting over him. Or maybe they were just fighting over his hoard of trucks, trains, and airplanes.

Happy 34th, Mommy!

Although you can't get too crazy on a Wednesday, we made the most of it and celebrated Traci's 34th birthday tonight. Mike got home from work a little early and we headed out for a low-key, family dinner at Capitol City Brewery (in Shirlington). Katie had pre-ordered a cake for her Mommy's big day. She was so excited to give it to her that she refused to eat anything else (other than pretzels) and chanted, "cake, cake" throughout the meal.

As you can see, Katie was not disappointed in her selection...

Happy 34th, Mommy!

Jump, Jump, Everybody Jump!

Love this candid of Kate and Traci jumping on our bed prior to bathtime this evening. Check out the unbridled smile! Perhaps the girls were celebrating in advance of Traci's birthday tomorrow. Perhaps. Or perhaps...

K is for Katie!

A-B-C...1-2-3... Katie hasn't even hit the school books yet, but she's totally into learning her numbers and letters right now. You can often hear her in her crib or the back seat of the car counting to ten. And, she loves to identify letters wherever she goes. She's really into matching letters with objects. For example, she'll lay her letter "K" magnet on her toy kangaroo, and then move onto another letter and object. It's become quite a (tedious, at times) game for her (and us). Thankfully, these toy magnet letter/numbers come in a little carrying case, so she can take them whereever she goes.

The Eyes of March

We thought this was a funny shot of Katie practicing her "big girl" swing in the park today. In her telling eyes, we see 1/2 pride in accomplishment, 1/4 terror, and 1/4 where the hell is my bucket-swing? Hope everyone got out and enjoyed the warm front sweeping the country this weekend. We sure did...and plan to get outside for more fun tomorrow in the low 70s.

Here's a shot of Katie mid-hop/jump/jig/etc. as she parades through the playground in excitement. I think the kid is going to enjoy the spring weather to come. Let's just pray that Virginia doesn't move straight from winter to the dog days of summer...

What, Is She a Crab?

It looks like the Terrible Twos are finally starting to knock on our doorstep. Even though Katie is still an EXTREMELY passive toddler, she's finally showing some spunk. As she learns to communicate better (speaking in caveman sentences), she's making her wishes known much more clearly. She's also definitely letting us know when she is not happy. Depending on the situation, she might scream at the top of her lungs, flop like a dead fish down on the ground, or yell "Noooooo!" (She even refused to put away a toy train last night by rolling on top of it.) Unfortunately, her latest trick is a bit more intolerable. She has started to pinch us if we pick her up and force her to do something (diaper change, shoes on, etc.) Now, Traci and Mike can tolerate the screaming and theatrics with a good ignore, but we definitely let her know that she is not allowed to hurt us with the pinching routine. She's learning the word "Sorry" very, very quickly. In spite of these new developments, we're actually pleased in our own weird way that she is showing these signs of independence. We'll pay for that statement later...

Sceam and Cookies!

Katie and her buddy Allison (2-years-old) wanted to make dinner for their mommies tonight. We told them to decide on the menu. They chose "sceam and cookies" (ice cream and cookies)! Sounded like the best dinner ever to us!

Mike's Worst Nightmare

Well, well, well...look at what arrived in the mail addressed to Mike... An American Girl Place catalog!! Yes, it came, not to Traci or Katie, but to Mike. For those who are not familiar with AGP, it is a company which basically manufactures the most expensive dolls and accessories known to man. Customized dolls begin at $95, and then one must add $14 for earrings and at least $30 for clothing. That's not even mentioning the millions of accessories, including pets, that can "complement" each of the dolls. As soon as she saw the catalog in the mail pile, Katie was HOOKED. She literally (and we're not exaggerating here) spent an hour and a half continuously leafing through the book again and again. She now has the names of the dozen or so "historical dolls" memorized. Oh, Mommy can see some troubles and battles ahead between daughter and daddy... But, remember, this is all his fault - the catalog did come addressed to him!

Practicing?

What's this? Have we caught our little munchkin sleeping in a big girl bed?? Nah...Katie was just enjoying the fact that Mommy & Daddy's bed was actually unmade for once. (A big pet peeve for Traci!) She loves our penguin flannel sheets and green blankie. Of course, she was nowhere near settling down for sleep in this picture.

In other "big girl" news, we have successfully passed into Phase 2 of Operation Paci. We're finally in the process of weaning Katie of her pacifiers, but we're taking it one step at a time. First step - all pacis out of the car. CHECK! Second step - all pacis out of the condo, except for naps and nighttime sleep. CHECK! Last step - all pacis GONE! She has surprisingly not complained at all with the first two steps. We'll see how the last step goes....