Catching Up on Cuteness

Hi folks! Here are my favorite photos of Katie and Friends that haven't already been posted here in 2009.

January 2009

Note Katie eating a whole burrito for the first time (and actually doing a decent job finishing it), enjoying a pile of stuffed animals on the couch (when my parents are babysitting, she even reads to the animals), and modeling the poodle dress that I just couldn't resist buying for her.

January - February 2009: Cindy's Baby
Our close friends Cindy and Mike had daughter Adah on Feb. 13, 2009. Here Cindy is at her shower in January; on a walk with me on Feb. 11 (they moved into our neighborhood a few months ago -- perfect timing for future walks with our newborns!); and with us, Mike and Adah on Feb. 23 when we brought over a meal.

February 2009
Katie models her winter wear (including a coat she obviously put on herself), "reads" the church bulletin, and tunnels through a big box.

February - March 2009: Playgroup

We are in a weekly playgroup with several of my best friends and their children. The children now obviously love each other as much as the mommies do!

March 13, 2009
My friend Sherry and her son Isaac came to visit from California. Even though she'd never met Isaac before, Katie loved playing with the "baby". Let's hope it's a trend that sticks!

March 2009

Sorry, Katie -- there's no room on Mommy's lap anymore. Hopefully there will be very soon!

I Love You This Much

A year ago, Katie received a book from our dear friend "Aunt Bev" for her baptism. It's called "I Love You This Much" and Katie has always enjoyed my voice inflections as I read the stanza that repeats between the verses:

I love you best

I love you most

I love you high

I love you low

I love you deep

I love you wide

I love you this much!

It was such a delight last week when she started trying to "read along" with me for the first time! See below.

Our 4th Tiny Talk Tuesday

Now 17 months old, Katie is talking more and more every week. Here's what she said this week:

"Beh-bee" = "Belly Button" (first said on Oct. 30) (thanks to my friend Katie for giving us the Belly Button Book -- you're right, Katie, it's been a big hit! Toddler Katie loves pointing at her belly button and exclaiming "Wuzzat???!!")

"Where's Mommy?" and "Where's Daddy?" (first said on Nov. 1 to Lindsey). My future sis-in-law Lindsey was watching Katie while I helped run the neighborhood block party, and Katie's way of thanking her was to share a few phrases that she'd never said before! Thanks again (and happy birthday), Lindsey!

"Grover" (first said on Nov. 3 to Grammy)

"Ah ee ah ee" -- This is Katie's version of reading. Whenever she sees letters anywhere, whether on my Wheaton College t-shirt or the words on our dishwasher, she tries to sound out the letters. Of course, she can't tell one letter from the other, but it's still cute. :-)

And a new fun activity today: Katie has been giving me "eskimo kisses" (aka rubbing her nose against mine). She discovered this trick totally on her own and thus thinks it's hysterical.

Happy Election Day!