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Tue, Sep 27, 2005 9:00 AM
At Elbow Lane this morning, Katie didn't cry when I handed her over to Miss Jo. That's a first! She's already been eating and sleeping well there for awhile. But she was still carrying on in the morning until today. Let's hope it's a trend.

In other news, we've had to start disciplining Katie. She has a penchant for playing with our fireplace doors--which could really pinch her fingers (and burn them when we actually have a fire going!). We started off by telling her "no" and moving her to another part of the room. That didn't seem to work. In fact, she would always laugh as if we were playing a big game.

So over the weekend, we started telling her "no" and then putting her in her Superyard (a.k.a. "The Cage") with a brief explanation of how she could get hurt. She goes in there for just a minute or two. And even though it's in the room with us and filled with an abundance of toys, she's none too happy be stuck in there.

We've had to put her in there about 20 (yes, 20!) times. Finally, last night, I think we had a breakthrough. As she was heading to the fireplace, Steve called out her name and pointed at the Superyard. She stopped in her tracks, turned around, and went to play with some safe toys.

(P.S. This discipline technique will work up until the time Katie looks around the cage and thinks to herself, "Hey, check out all these cool toys! This isn't so bad!")

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Mon, Sep 19, 2005 8:30 PM
Tonight at dinner Katie was cracking us up. Steve got home late, so I had already fed Katie her dinner by the time he and I sat down for ours. Even so, Katie still wanted to sit on his lap and pick at his food. She especially likes using his fork or spoon to feed HIM.

She started doing her famous food fake-out game--you know, she pretends like she's going to give him a bite but takes it for herself instead. Tonight she took it a step further and did what I guess you could call a double food fake-out.

First, she pretended to "fake out" herself and started to give the bite to her dad. But while we were still laughing at that, she proceeded to fake out Steve and ended up giving herself the morsel, after all. I was laughing, he was laughing, and yes, she was rather amused, too.

So I figure she's either going to be smart--or just a big smart aleck!

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Sat, Sep 17, 2005 8:45 PM
Katie had a great Saturday! It started off with a marathon morning nap that must've supercharged her batteries. She managed to go the rest of the day without a nap--and we stayed plenty busy!

First we went to the Doylestown Arts Festival. Although Katie didn't seem too interested in the art objects for sale, there was plenty to keep her occupied--including a balloon, a chocolate chip cookie, and a duck pond game. She also enjoyed two performances of live music; she clapped to some folk music and be-bopped to the blues. (She is genuinely captivated by music.)

Later, we made a family activity out of washing my car. (If forced to choose, I'd say she enjoyed this even more than the festival!) Katie had a ball helping. By "helping," I mean stomping on soapy bubbles, trying to EAT soapy bubbles (yuck!), playing with wet rags, and getting soaking wet and filthy dirty!

After THAT, we spent quite awhile outside with our neighbors. Katie played with Nicky, Johnny, Julia, Tyler, and Tyler's cousin, Riley. When Nicky was passing out Dunkin' Donuts Munchkins, Katie selected one but then threw the donut on the ground and reached for the empty box instead. That kept her busy!

Finally--after she got a MUCH-NEEDED bath--we headed out for a bite to eat. Although she was clearly tired (Aunt Peggy, she definitely looks tipsy when she's in need of sleep!), she was in a great mood through dinner and even a quick stop at Genuardi's.

She's now sawing logs in her crib, which is a good thing. She needs her rest for a party we're attending tomorrow!

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Wed, Sep 14, 2005 8:45 PM
The school situation is getting better every day. Today Katie slept for two and a half hours--a much more "normal" nap. And at this morning's drop off, she skipped the wailing (thank goodness).

When we got home, she and I played outside for awhile. I just posted three 15-second video clips of her antics. She's really getting around these days, and she sure enjoys playing with Nicky and all the other kiddos on our street!

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Tue, Sep 13, 2005 8:30 PM
Tonight after dinner Steve made a monumental discovery.

Here's a hint: It's sharp and white and ready for chewing. That's right, folks! Katie has her first tooth--just two days shy of her fourteen-month "birthday"! The tooth on the bottom left has cut through the gum, and it looks like the right side is due any day.

In other news, we're still having a rough time with Katie's new school. However, today was her best day yet. She took a decent (but still SHORT) nap, spent less time crying, and appeared to be pretty content when I went to pick her up.

It's unfortunate that she was cutting a tooth while starting in this new environment. Maybe we'll be over the hump--soon? (Please?!)

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Mon, Sep 12, 2005 8:45 AM
We couldn't have asked for nicer weather this weekend. And we took full advantage--spending most of our time outdoors. Katie had a ball playing with the "big kids" in the neighborhood, both informally and at the Woodlands block party. (And, for the most part, her nighttime sleeping patterns also returned to normal.)

This morning's drop off at Elbow Lane was still a bit bumpy, but it was a little better. Instead of carrying Katie in to the building, I let her walk. She carried her own lunchbag, along with the baby doll Aunt Sandy gave her (I'm hoping it will help her fall asleep more easily?). She was very happy roaming around outside, but as usual, fussed when I made her go indoors.

She and I put her lunch away and talked for a little while. Then I gave her a quick kiss and say goodbye. She wailed, but I'm sure as I type she's outside playing (and getting very dirty!).

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Thu, Sep 8, 2005 6:30 PM
I wish I could report otherwise, but it seems yesterday wasn't much better at school. It's definitely going to take Katie awhile to adjust to the new place, faces, and routine. And in the meantime, I get the distinct feeling that life won't be particularly smooth.

Last night Katie went to bed at 8 p.m.--no problem. But she was up screaming at 10:30. I rocked and comforted her, and then put her back down. Ten minutes later, she was screaming again. I comforted her again, and she seemed fine--for a minute or so.

Eventually I just left her in her crib. She continued fussing off and on, about every ten minutes or so until 1:30. It took until almost 3 to get her down for good. And she was back up before 6. Ouch.

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Tue, Sep 6, 2005 7:30 PM
Today was Katie's first day of "school" at Elbow Lane. She--along with her parents--survived the experience.

We had a rocky start at the drop off this morning. When she and I arrived, there was one teacher with four kids--three of whom were screaming. By the time I unpacked Katie's stuff, she had joined in the crying chorus. And by the time I said goodbye, she was quite red-faced and hysterical. I called about an hour later and the teacher said she'd been "on and off" but was happily playing in the sandbox.

Steve and I both left the office early today. When I arrived at Elbow Lane, they were outside playing--and Katie had JUST taken a tumble off the Little Tikes treehouse. Suffice it to say that she was VERY happy to see me. The teachers said she did OK overall, but she slept only 30 minutes (normally she takes two naps for a combined four to six hours!) and she didn't eat much lunch (this was her first experience dining at a regular, albeit miniature, table and chairs).

When we got home, she wouldn't let me put her down--until her father walked in the door, that is. She threw her whole body into going to him. Then she wanted me again and remained clingy for a bit longer. However, after that, she settled in nicely but was clearly DELIRIOUS with fatigue.

At 6:30 I gave her a MUCH-NEEDED bath (wow, she played hard and got dirty today!) and put her to bed at 7. Here's hoping tomorrow is just a bit smoother all the way around...

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