Why I love my world...

Kenzie’s Vocabulary in April (more or less):

The following are words that Kenzie says and uses in the proper context (more or less):
Up (said “uppy”)
Roar (like a lion)
Ooof (like a dog)
Uh-oh
Daddy
Ooo-Oooo-Oooo (like a monkey)

Farsi word for:
bird
flower
water
clock
outside
***Farsi words seem much more “simple” in nature than English terms. For instance the word for “flower” is {sounds like:} gull. There are less syllables in the Farsi terms than there are in the English words, so I’m assuming they are easier to master.

Hand signals/Sign language:
Cat
Drink
Milk
Book
It's common that children develop their own individualized "signs" for things and she has one particular sign that I'm not sure what she's saying. I think it may be: "my mommy's a nut job." I sure didn't teach her that one! (chuckle, chuckle!)

Sandbox silliness....

messy mushy potatoes

Each meal is a new experience of catastrophic proportions these days. Kenzie absolutely insists on operating the spoon, the bowl, the cup, and the messy, mushy food. She's so proud..and a total disaster.

Happy Last Swallow of Formula Day!!

For the past three months, we have been slaves to the high price of formula. Kenzie is transitioning to whole milk – and today, she will receive her final swallows of this costly concoction! What will we do with all of our extra pennies EACH WEEK?

Clothes for Mama
½ tank of gas
Clothes for Mama
A couple good bottles of wine
Clothes for Mama
Or perhaps something slightly more responsible and not nearly as much fun....

Another milestone: We brushed Kenzie’s hair for the very first time last night. She’s finally got enough that warrants a brushing! (well almost) She felt very pretty and kept patting her head with this corny little grin afterwards.

Waiting for Daddy...

One of the best parts of the day is seeing the anticipation on Kenzie's face, the giggles that spill over, and the sheer delight when Doug comes trucking up our street after work.
Daddy's home and we're all smiles...

An "A-ha" moment!

As follow-up to my previous "calk, calk" post - I should mention that upon picking Kenzie up from the Nanny's house today - I ran smack head-on to feeling like a really dumb parent. Mind you, my daughter is learning to speak two languages simultaneously. One of those languages makes absolutely. no. sense. to. me.

The Nanny proceeded to share with me just how smart my daughter is. So true. But, {sounds like:} "Calk" is the Farsi word for a crow. Kenzie is assimilating all birds to therefore be.. "calks." I thought all that "calk"-ing was a cute quacking sound - but I was oh, so very wrong.

My darling girl is using another of her very first words, and we didn't even know it.

Calk, calk, calk...Better known as Quack, Quack, Quack..

Boy, turning a whole year old is rough stuff. Today, was immunization update day. All was well, and Kenzie was "calk, calk, calking..." at a picture of a duck -

When. They. Stuck. Her.

Immediately, enraged screams of pain ensued, and when the shots were over - she emitted a defeated final "calk, calk."

..Even though I know each child goes through this, I felt like I wanted to punch the nurse in the nose. Good thing Doug wasn't there, because he probably would have.

The girl was 30.5 inches tall (90th percentile), 24lbs. 5 oz. (90th percentile), and 47.6 cm (97th percentile) of big-headed baldness.

After going over a list of cognitive developmental milestones, Dr. said that Kenzie is a few months ahead of most children her age.

Of course she is.

"Down for Maintenance"

Today, I was struck with a sudden feeling of “I’ve launched it - & now, I must update my blog...” Of course, all those who know me – know that I do things WELL. And a blog without any updates, is frankly pathetic. Upon accessing my blog “dashboard,” I received the following notice. "Down for Maintenance: Blogger is temporarily unavailable due to planned maintenance." It got me to thinking about how it would be nice if the theme could apply to my every day life...

...I’m sorry I can’t work today because I’m “down for maintenance.”
...I’m sorry I can’t clean the peas off Kenzie’s forehead, chin, highchair, the kitchen wall, Mama’s shirt, left earlobe, and Zoey’s nose because I’m “down for maintenance.”
...I’m sorry I can’t write you the check for $412.50 that it costs to partially install our new faucets, Mr. Plumber, because I’m “down for maintenance.”

Down for maintenance. That’s my slogan for today. I’m down with that.

On another note, Kenzie is now able to identify every single body part – minus her bottom. She’s also quacking like a duck after our visit to the zoo yesterday (but it sounds more like “calk, calk, calk"). She just soaks everything right up and is such a smart little peanut. She’s also thrown caution to the wind and is walking (which more closely resembles a controlled crash). With little (if any) notice she’ll depart the item she’s clinging to... and sprint in my direction with every intention of wrapping herself around my neck. Her confidence level has suddenly increased dramatically. I love every minute of it. Except for, maybe, the peas.

Happy Birthday Kenzie-doodle!

Welcome Family & Friends ~ With this site, I merely intend to keep our far-flung family and friends up to date on the happenings of our household. We hope you'll check back often to learn what we've been up to! As a starting point I've chosen Kenzie's first Birthday.

First, we'll review the year in photos and a sentimental note from Mama on her girls BIG day....

A year in Photos...

Happy birthday, beautiful girl. You’re a whole year old. I’ve been thinking for a while about what I was going to tell you on your birthday, and I think I need to start by telling you how badly we wanted you. Fortunately, getting and being pregnant with you was easy! Here you are now, a year after they went in after you... held a yelling you to me - and you immediately quieted. This year with you has changed me forever. I was ready to be a parent, and well-prepared for what that might mean, but, I was not prepared in ANY way for what you would do to my life, to my heart, to my capacity for worry and love. You’ve grown from a helpless wee one with firecrackers in your pants, to a charismatic baby lighting up our world. I love how you grin with your nose scrunched up, how excited you get about life, love your gibberish (which we call Durgle), baby blue eyes, your growing orneriness and even your strong spirit. I cherish everything about you... my sweet pea, Kenzie doodle, pumpkin, noodle-doodle, peanut... Happy Birthday! Love, Mama