Katelyn's 3rd Birthday!

The days, weeks, and months whizzed by and *blink* all of a sudden we have a three year old! On February 17, we reminisced about what we were doing at the hospital three years ago, what Katelyn looked like as a newborn, who came to visit her, and how our lives changed forever. For the better.

Despite my pleas for her to stay little, the girl keeps growing. Imagine that! At her check-up last week, here's how big she's getting:

Height: 38.5" (83%)

Weight: 34.5 lbs (83%)

BMI: 16 (68%)

She wasn't due for any vaccine shots, which - and I'm not kidding here - was a let down. The girl was disappointed! She kept saying she wanted a shot so she could be brave. There will be plenty of other opportunities to exercise your courage, brave girl.

Now, onto the birthday party... We were torn between a birthday party at our house with Katelyn's friends (and ours) or a party in Ames with family (since most of my side live there). We gave Katelyn the choice and she chose for the party to be at Gramma and Papa's house in "I-wa." 

Uncle Ryan made the trip from Kansas City and Kendall loved playing with the pink balloons.

Saturday morning was the party and we didn't really have a theme other than "pink" - that's what the birthday girl requested. It made things pretty simple from a planning standpoint!

We got our traditional family picture taken prior to the party.

There was plenty of cake to go around and it was, of course, pink with a side of pink.

We served mostly brunch type foods since the party went from 10-Noon; fresh fruit, hash brown bird nests (thanks, Pinterest for the recipe. And thanks to my brother Ryan for executing.), a cheese-meat-and-cracker platter, mini cinnamon rolls, lemon poppyseed scones, and pink wafers dipped and sprinkled (again, courtesy of Pinterest!)

Grampa Ed joined the party. We joke that he and Kendall rock the same hairstyle. How sweet are these little fuzz heads?!

Big thanks to my parents for hosting the party.  

Uncle Ry with his nieces...

The girls dressed for the party in the featured hue... 

Katelyn loved waiting by the door for guests to arrive. She would peek through the glass door to see if any cars were pulling up. When Gramma Debbie, Uncle Jason, Aunt Cassie, and Cousin Emerson arrived, they received a warm welcome!

Katelyn was lovin on Emerson from the moment they arrived. So sweet!

Aunt Cindy and Kendall enjoyed seeing each other again too!

Gramma Debbie got to see all three of her granddaughters together at the party. Girl power!

Once the guests arrived, it was time to open the many generous gifts. If you can't tell, this part is serious business...

After she opened each gift, Katelyn thanked the gift-giver in the form of a hug. Everybody wins! 

She got so many great gifts! This jumbo Minnie Mouse was popular with the girls...

With many of our most treasured family members present, there's no way we'd miss the opportunity for some group pictures. Here are Katelyn and Kendall with their grandmas and great grandmas.

The Mlakar grandkids with their Daddies and Gramma...

Katelyn and Kendall with their Grammas...

Aunt Cassie with the girls...

After all the photos and gifts, you know what we all needed to refuel. CAKE!

Katelyn loved getting serenaded. In fact, when we talked to anyone on the phone wishing her a happy birthday, she'd ask: "Do you want to sing me Happy Birthday?" Ha, ha!

Sugar overload led to this...

lots and lots of jumping, laughing, squealing, and smiles!

Then... Tinkerbell herself made a surprise appearance!

Aunt Cassie and Kendall in their matching light pink attire :)

A little later in the day, my cousin Chris and his family stopped by for a visit (they had a conflict and couldn't make it to the party). Katelyn and Campbell had a ton of fun together goofing off, dancing, and singing!

Don't they look like long lost friends?! Some big-time cuteness going on here.

Katelyn, Campbell, and Reid took a quick break from the action for a snapshot.

Sunday was Katelyn's actual birthday and we sang happy birthday to her when she awoke. She got a special breakfast of three mini cinnamon rolls (each with a candle). That afternoon, we packed up the car with all the gifts and left for Minnesota, but not before a picture of Papa with his girls! 

What a great weekend celebrating one of our greatest treasures: Katelyn Clare!

And to start a new birthday tradition, we did a little interview with our brand new three year old to document what she likes at this stage in the game. Here are her responses...

Favorite color: Pink

Favorite toy: Disney fairies

Favorite fruit: Banana

Favorite meal: Pasta (mac and cheese)

Favorite outfit: "Dresses... farkly dresses"

Favorite game: The Squirrel Game (The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game)

Favorite snack: itty, bitty fruit snacks 

Favorite animal: "lemme think a minute... umm... elephant."

Favorite song: "Home" by Philip Phillips

Best friend: Miller

Favorite thing to do outside: Swing

Favorite holiday: Easter

Least favorite food: Onions

When I grow up I want to be: A doctor

And there ya have it - a birthday party and an interview with a three year old. We are so blessed to have such a funny, observant, kind-hearted, inquisitive, cheerful little girl who keeps us active and engaged in this wonderful life. Happy 3rd birthday, Katelyn!

Happy Heart Day!

Love is this...

and this...

and sometimes this...

Love is making heart crafts ...

and working on love notes to Daddy and Mommy...

Love is an interview with an almost-three-year-old about what she... well, loves... (don't you just love all this love?!)

Love is being in charge of sprinkles...

Above all else... "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day full of the people and things you love most. 

6 Months Old

Guess how old this little friend is? Don't be shy.

Ahem. She's obviously waiting for your best guess before revealing the answer...

Six months, people! Thursday, February 7, marked Kendall's half-birthday. Already. Time flies. Extra smooches and snuggles were doled out that day. Six months...

Growth: Kendall had her 6-month check-up on Friday and here's how big she's getting...

Weight: 17 lbs. 4 oz. (75%)

Length: 26 3/4" (85%)

Head circumference: 16 1/2" (35%)

She checked out great but she definitely didn't enjoy the appointment. With three vaccine pokes and an oral vaccine (which her gag reflex "rejected" most of, if you catch my drift), she was not a happy camper. Additionally, Kendall is already exhibiting signs of stranger anxiety - much earlier than Katelyn did - and was nervous about Dr. Tammy looking her over. She started crying when Dr. Tammy began the simple physical exam, so you can imagine the escalation when the shots began. We all recovered from the dramatic visit and most importantly, she's back to smiling...

Disposition: Kendall is a happy, sweet, engaging baby! Most days are spent playing with, admiring, and adoring her big sister. She's generous with smiles and observes the world around her through big, impressionable eyes. She loves seeing Daddy and lights up whenever he's in the room - even just hearing his voice makes her perk up and look around for him. She's happiest in the mornings and seems to be most content riding in the Ergo baby carrier. At times, we'll just walk laps around our main floor - Katelyn pushing her baby in the baby stroller and me with Kendall in the carrier. Our neighbors might wonder what in the world we're doing!

Last month, Kendall started attending the sibling-care program offered during Katelyn's ECFE class and also the child care offered at our church during my Bible study mornings. It's been a transition for her us. She's getting more comfortable in the new settings and with the new faces, but she really does just prefer familiar faces and environments. Dr. Tammy said that exclusively breastfed babies (especially those who refuse bottles, like Kendall) tend to show separation anxiety earlier and with more intensity than other babies. That fact in combination with Kendall's sensitive disposition, make our time apart tough for both of us at times. It's my hope that things will get easier each week as she learns to trust other loving adults and get used to the surroundings, as it's important for me to carve out dedicated time with Katelyn and some reflection time for myself. 

Sleeping: Kendall is still a good sleeper (6: 30 pm - 4/5:00 am). But we're working on weaning her from the swaddle which could throw a wrench in things! Admittedly, we probably should have embarked on this weaning process about a month ago when she started rolling over, but Michael and I Kendall was enjoying her sleep so much. She prefers to have both arms swaddled tightly by her sides in burrito form (which we've done since birth), but we've started to leave one arm out and will eventually leave them both out. She's not sure what do with this freedom and sometimes flails her arm about until she relaxes. She usually takes 2-3 naps a day and most days she and Katelyn take their afternoon nap simultaneously... ahhh, rest for their bodies and rest for my brain :)

Eating: Kendall nurses 5-6 times a day and will be trying infant cereal soon. Given the strength of her gag reflex, we'll have to see how she does! I think she's ready because she's been showing signs of interest like watching intently as we eat. Also, since she's been waking earlier in the morning (around 4 am), it makes me think she's getting hungry and could benefit from some cereal to fill her up before bed.

Development: Kendall loves rolling from her back to her tummy, but hasn't quite perfected the belly to back move. She needs help with that one and she lets us know by squawking and squealing about it. She loves to reach and grab for things once they're within her reach. Along with her hands, she explores things via her mouth by chewing on them. She loves to hold and crunch paper and will play for several minutes with a paper cup. When she comes across a new texture, she scratches it with her  little fingernails over and over. Kendall is getting vocal and has started making repeated sounds like "bah-bah-bah" and "dah-dah-dah." Other times, she'll just smack her lips together making no vocal sounds at all but doing the motion anyway :) 

Likes:

- Okay, this one's a love: her sister. She erupts in huge smiles and kicks her feet like crazy when she sees Katelyn for the first time in the morning or after a nap. My heart practically explodes with joy!

- Baths. She also kicks her legs with excitement when we strip her down and run the bath water.

- Playing in the Exersaucer. We call it her office and Katelyn will ask, "Kendall, do you have some work to do in your office today?"

- Sticking out her tongue. See above photo :)

- To babble and chatter. We all find it especially fun to have a "conversation" with her - she'll say "ahh" and we'll say "ahh" back and forth.

Dislikes:

- Being startled.

- Being tired.

- Getting "stuck" on her tummy.

- The doctor's office.

How can it be that our baby is halfway to the one-year mark already?! If time flies when you're having fun then we must be having the time of our lives! Kendall, we love you so very much and look forward to the person that God has planned for you to become. Having said that, we cherish every single day with you as a baby knowing all too well that you won't be one for very much longer. Thank you for filling our lives with joyful moments and heart-melting smiles. Our cups hearts runneth over!

Surprise Stay-cation

Last Thursday morning at 7 am, Michael came strolling downstairs in jeans and a t-shirt. 

Me: "Morning, hon, are you going into work late today?"

Michael: "No, not late."

Me: "Are you going to work at all today?"

Michael: "Nope, not at all! I decided to take today and tomorrow off for a long weekend with my girls."

Me: "Wait. What?! Are you serious?! {almost spit out my coffee} Wooo hooo!!! Yay, yay, yay! {dancing - I know, I'm a dork} Such a fun surprise!"

For a stay-at-home-mom whose love language is "acts of service" with a healthy dose of "quality time," this surprise pretty much rivaled Christmas morning. Seriously! All I kept thinking was, "This is going to be so much fun!" And it was.

In addition to attending our regularly scheduled programming (like dance class and gymnastics), we also took advantage of our long family weekend by turning it into a "stay-cation." Have you ever had a stay-cation, where you do vacation-type things while staying in and around your own city? We'd never done that, so this was a prime opportunity.

On Thursday morning, we had dance class and Katelyn loved that Dad was there to watch! Michael had fun seeing what dance class is all about and checking out the studio. After that, we decided to head to Mall of America. It was a grand idea to go there on a Thursday - zero crowds, zero lines for rides, and ample parking spaces close to the door :) Before parting ways, we did manage to get a family photo...

Katelyn and Michael spent their time riding rides at Nickelodeon Universe. If you want in on some of the action, check this out - it's probably the closest thing to a roller coaster that Kate's been on so far...

Meanwhile, Kendall and I shopped for bargains. (And had some luck!) She is still so content in the Ergo Baby carrier and usually looks around taking things in until those little eyelids get too... heavy to... hold... open... any. longer. 

Around lunchtime, we met back up and headed over to IKEA. We ate lunch there and upon considering the options, Katelyn insisted on the Swedish meatballs kids meal. We reluctantly agreed, thinking we'd probably end up eating them instead of her. Much to our surprise she gobbled all 7 meatballs in record time! And we thought we were German and Italian all this time.

The stay-cation continued on Friday. At Michael's suggestion, I went to Caribou (solo!) for a sunrise latte and then I went to the spa for a "pre-natal massage"that Michael got me as a gift last summer. Oops, more like 6 months post-natal! Thankfully, they let me redeem it for a regular, relaxation massage. One word: serenity. An amazing start to the day, thanks to my amazing hubby.

On many Friday mornings, we go to open gym at Mini Hops Gymnastics. Again, since Michael usually just hears about our gymnastics adventures, it was a blast that he joined us this time. And let's be real, everything just seems so much easier with two extra hands to help out - not to mention more fun. Jack Johnson was really onto something when he sang, "It's always better when we're together..." 

Katelyn loves the trampoline the best and spends probably 70% of her time on that piece of equipment. She also likes the rings, balance beam, and monkey bars.

We all needed to refuel after gymnastics, so we went to Potbelly's Sandwich Shop for lunch. Katelyn loves to go out to eat at a "west-a-want." She always requests milk to drink and thinks it's the coolest thing ever to drink through a straw. It's the simple things, isn't it?

Stay-cation day three was Saturday and we decided to spend the morning at the zoo. Many of the exhibits are indoors (including the aquariums and tropics trail), so there's still plenty to see even in the cold winter months.

Each time we go to the zoo, we try to catch the bird show. It's presented a few times a day and is always entertaining. We realized after the fact that Kendall rocked her "Mommy's Little Lovebird" shirt! (Apparently she's looking for the owls - what a hoot! ;)

We made our way through the coyote and outdoor animal exhibits. It was crazy to see these coyotes up close and personal. Even though they resemble dogs, they're creepy to me!

Saturday night we got takeout for dinner (no cooking on stay-cation :) and cheesecake for dessert (indulgence on stay-cation!). Sunday we went to church and had friends over for the Super Bowl. It was an awesome weekend. We made lots of wonderful memories and ultimately, isn't that what vacations or stay-cations are all about? We think so.