A Preview of our 3 Yr. & 5 Yr. Pics

We took pictures of the girls and myself (and a few with Daddy!) the weekend of Mother's Day in May. I haven't had the time to sit and dig through them all, but I know in my head which ones I want to place here and there around our house.

My friend/old neighbor and her hubby took them- what an awesome job they did! We have so many to choose from, it's hard to decide!

I thought I would give you a sneak peek of the ones we got, I wonder if you'd be any help!?

How do we pick? 4 & 2 year pics!

How to pick! How to pick! How the heck do we pick which gorgeous pictures to display around our spacious new house? *sigh*. Not that I'm complaining, but it's so hard for me to pick which pictures to order! Any favorites stand out to you? :) Yes, we did this in early June, for the girls' 2 year and 4 year "annual" pictures, but finally getting around to figuring out what to order! We used a girl who did our friends' newborn and family pictures- I like these!! My girls- my heart-on display! Enjoy!

Day late, dollar short? K2's 15 Month Stats and pics!

HEY HEY HEY! HEY, YOU! It's me, Kyla! And I'm officially 15 months (as of the 19th of August) and Mama is late, as usual, on the post about my stats and new skills!

Kyla, Kyla, Kyla. Our darling Kyla. Words that come to mind: sweet, mellow, edible, curious, low-talker (LOL), mechanically oriented, puppy lover, friendly, smiles, come-what-may Kyla. So sweet, so so mellow, so curious about everything and at 14 1/2 months, she was our WALKER! She is the cutest thing ever, with her bumper bum toddling about everywhere, slowly getting faster and more confident with her steps. Of course, she decided to start walking on her own exactly 5 hours after Mama had left town for 4 days! AHH! Of course, all this new walking makes for many spills and tumbles, and we have the standard bruises all across her forehead and on top of her head as she makes connections with tables, the floor, etc., in her tumbling. Poor girl split her lip 2x in one day a few weeks back, and then a few days later, bit it all over again, so it was fat, bloody and sad to see.

Kyla has no hair yet! But: the hair is starting to thicken up ever-so-slightly, especially in the back AND to Mama's excitement (*clapping excitedly*) she's getting little CURLS back there. Especially in the humidity! Mama is excited and hoping those curls stay put! It's funny- Keifer had her first hair cut at 11 months, and Kyla is 15 1/2 months and still doesn't need a comb/brush at all (although she loves to take combs and TRY to comb her own non-existent hair! It is really quite cute to see!)

She loves to eat. Eat eat eat. Everything you give her: she eats. And when (and if)she decides she's done -she drops the food ever-so-carefully over the edge of her high chair for Sager to eat and lick her hand. And oh yeah, she then giggles about it. So smart and sly, this one.

Where ever we go, people comment on Kyla's sweetness: she just has an innate mellow and peaceful nature to her. She is so beautiful, and so quick to break into a smile , complete with her "snicker" nose look. She loves to laugh and her laugh is so contagious: its the type of belly laugh that you can't NOT laugh along with.

She adores Treble and Sage. She is trying to hard to interact with them and is trying to "pet" them: we are teaching about being gentle, but her swipes are sometimes a bit too rough for them. She tries to keep Treble happy by bringing him his toys and bones, too. It is the cutest thing. She does a little "barking "sound that is also adorable to listen to.

Kyla is a garbage girl, so the garbage goes up behind the gate on top of the stairs to our upstairs. Everything gets thrown into the garbage can if it's trash or not, and then it gets investigated if the top isn't tight. LOL.

Kyla will take things (toys, items, what ever) and hold it/them in her 2 hands, and then slowly flip the item around and around to investigate. You can just see the wheels turning in her head, trying to figure out just what this "thing" is!

She's making MANY sounds, and is always saying "mama", for this child is A MAMA'S GIRL (oye). She says Dada, and "sis" (extend the SSSSSS sound on that), puppy, and all done. She's slowly starting to add words and phrases to her vocabulary, but you have to KNOW what she is saying in order to understand her language. She's not as talkative as Keifer was at this age, but she makes a lot of NOISE. LOL. She also lets her sissy or parents know when she wants to do something ( lots and lots of pointing at things) or SQUAWKING when she doesn't want to be picked up or bugged by older sis.

Stats? We had Kyla's check up early last week, and our preemie girl is continuing to move on up the charts.

Weight: 23 lbs, 9 ounces = 64%ile

Height: 31 1/4 inches long = 75%ile

Head size: 18 1/2 around, making her 75%ile as well.

Here's our happy go lucky girl, who you would NEVER know is sick ever, but the day of her check up, she had a 102 fever. Here she is with big adoring sissy, sick but still smiling: that's our Kyla girl!

And, I'll have you know, she put on her own headband (uh oh, a headband girl like sis?) so I fixed it for her. She loves to TRY so hard with her own clothes: the girl loves her shoes and is always pointing at them, or trying to put on a necklace or shirt by herself. So yes, if you see pics of her with necklaces on, that's because she LOVES them (or, it's always Mardi Gras in our house! LOL)

And yes, all that eating is making our baby get a Buddha belly! *giggle*

One year stats: growing, growing, growing!

It's hard to believe that one year ago, our peanut was nestling into the Special Care nursery for a long stay and this AM, she had her one year appointment to great stats!

Poor baby had an ear infection yesterday, we found out when Daddy brought her to Urgent Care. Poor girl. She's on meds again for that; it seems as though her allergies/colds are going to turn into ear infections for K2 - we were so much luckier with all that with Keifer.

Kyla awoke early this AM-did she know it was her appointment? Big sissy came with us, and was a wonderful helper to Mama and asked the nurse and doctor many appropriate questions!

Kyla loved eating the paper on the table, and didn't want to sit still to be measured. She's right on target for her developmental milestones, and is moving right along on her growth curve. Dr. J was happy with her status!

Right now, our girl is: 21 lbs, 10 ounces = 65%ile

29 3/4 inches long = 75%ile

head is 18 1/2 cm = 90% ile

The Soup babies don't mess around with head size!

Our poor girl got her 3 shots - MMR, Chicken Pox, and Hep. A, and I had forgotten that at one year, they have their finger pricked and take a small vial of blood. Oh, the tears and sobbing. I was about to sob right along with the poor baby. However, I brought her to Elaine's and as soon as she saw Elaine and her friends, she lit up like a light bulb - it was really so sweet.

Today is her "daycare party" with mini - muffins that Daddy got for her to share, and Mama will be there to share the singing for her angel girl #2.

So happy in her KYLA chair to be one year old

Cheese ball

So excited when the wait staff at our favorite Teresa's sang "happy birthday" to her last night!

She adored this hat and wanted to investigate it's beauty!

First thing in the AM on May 19, her big 1 year birthday!

Our big girl pulls herself up on EVERYTHING that she can, and is now starting to CRAWL up the stairs!! SEE? That was her 1 year present to US! LOL

Oh, how I adore baby feet learning to walk! :)

Yearly portraits

We had the girls' 3 year and 1 year pictures taken 2 weekends ago. Although taking pictures with young children is essentially like running a triathlon, we did manage to get some beautiful pictures out of the deal. I do have to gush over my beautiful 2 daughters: sisters forever. How I love them.

And it made me chuckle and secretly a little pleased that when I stopped by last weekend to pick up the pictures, a family of 3 young boys were going through the exact same motions of struggling with their boys to take pictures, even right down to the words: "if you do this, we'll get you a treat". Why do we put ourselves and our kids through this? LOL. Oh well, they make for fantastic pictures!

Here is just a sampling of the amazing pictures that were captured.....

11 Months! Kyla is 11 Months!

A few years ago, there was an 8 month old named Keifer Lynn who wore Mama's favorite band of all time's logo for her monthly picture. This sissy, though plump and BABish (Big Ass Babyish), has grown into a thin, long and lean excellent big sister. Her baby sister, Kyla Whitney, is now finally starting to fit into this onsie and has been allowed the opportunity to model it for you- here in her belated 11 month pictures and story.

Keifer Lynn in her rocker glory: Rocker Baby 1

Introducing Rocker baby's younger sibling, Kyla, debuting at 11 months

More months on a girl means more teeth to model!

She seems a bit unsure as to the correct smile

Here is Rocker baby 1 ALL grown up - wanting to make sure Rocker baby 2.0 is coming along OK. Notice Rocker baby 1 is still rocking out with her "rock star" dress (as she calls it, no lie). Is it any wonder that Keifer's top played song on Mama's Ipod these days are "So What?" by Pink? I think not.

Hey, kid: you'll poke your eye out!

Kyla: At 11 months old, you can now: Crawl (for a week now).

Eat like a crazy woman-but are still testing out lumpy/chunky textures.

Babble and can say "nana, mama, dada, and la la la...you always try to imitate sounds.

Smile all.the.time. People actually comment on it all.the.time as well. You are "one happy baby" so they all say. Yes you are! All you know is love- you are a lucky, happy baby who feels nothing but joy surrounding your being, so of course you are happy!

You usually sleep well for us.

Love your sister. To pieces.

You love Elaine's house. You love Elaine and Papa Joel. Papa still calls you "gabby" because you babble so softly and often.

Love to eat books instead of look at them and love to shake mini-maracas. Can now put the ball in the hole of the Dino toy and your favorite destination is either the play kitchen food or the dollhouse that is off limits. We just had to put the dog bowls upon the counter for fear of you flipping the wt aer bowls or eating dog food. You are on the move and fast since you started crawling!

Oh, how we love you so, Kyla! Our precious girl!

Moving right along.....to 11 months!

Pictures and summary to follow-but until then, a video clip of our own speed racer - she's small and determined and she get there! Eleven months yesterday (Monday, the 19th) and my heart is full of sadness that the first year will be gone oh-so-very soon! What a lovie this doll baby is..........



Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Happy 10 months, K2 (late, again, of course)

That Mama. Late again, at least she had my pictures in the post before I even TURNED 10 months; she's just late on the uptake of posting this! Hee hee.

My shirt was my sister's: it says "SMILE" and I LOVE to smile at people!

Kyla Whitney: Thoughts as they come into my head, on you turning 10 months.
Let's see:
Ten months. Four teeth- 2 on the top, 2 on the bottom. Millions of giggles, chuckles and squeals. Or should I say growls? You growl for food, demanding it, often with an accompanying pound of your tiny fist on the high chair's tray. You love to eat. LOVE IT! You eat a whole big jar of a meal (food) and one jar of dessert. You LOVE to explore new fruits, pancakes, and mushed up breads and pasta!
Kicky feet. "So big" arms. Sleeping for 12 hours a night (bliss for mama and daddy).
Almost 20 pounds, and looking like a longer and leaner version of your sissy. One dimple that melts everyone who meets you. Loving to be out in public places, holding on with both hands to the carts: one on the front of the cart, one on the side. Flirting with boys. Flirting with Papas. Trying oh-so-hard to turn on the music on the bottom half of your mobile in your crib -and succeeding. We put you down to go to sleep and we hear you making sounds. We'll come check on you, and there you are, rolling around, grabbing some of your lovies, and beaming away at us like we just saw you. Little dickens.
Books? Your sissy LOVED books at this age. Although you enjoy books, you prefer to EAT THEM! You are constantly chomping on books and making your little teeth marks on anything you can grab with your hands. You do love when we sing to you, and Mama adores looking in the back seat to see you gazing lovingly and adoringly at your sister as she sings to you on our way to Elaine's in the morning.

Pictures: You aren't so hot on Mama taking your picture anymore, but you do enjoy exploring the environment that we put you into, so without further ado.....your monthly pictures!

Ohh, a book.

Who needs chewy toys when I have books?

See this sign? THIS is what I Think of this sign!"arrrrrrrr- tasting good"

OK, I'll give you a sneak peek at my 4 chompers coming in!

Thanks for looking! Sage is my pal - I LOVE when she walks by my high chair and licks my hand that I stick down for her!

3/4 of a year! Kyla is 9 months old (plus stats)

Big sissy can hardly believe it! Her beloved baby sister is already 9 months old (as of 2-19-10, yes, I'm late as always......).

Getting weighed in and measured at the doctor check up. Things are looking awesome for our preemie girl. She is kicking preemie-hood BUTT, as she is in the 75%ile for both height and weight, and 90%ile for her HEAD! The SOUPY head! LOL.

Just imagine if she was full term- she'd no doubt be another BAB (big ass baby) just like Keifer is and was!

Here she is, getting weighed by Nurse Judy. Nurse Judy kept raving about what a great, happy, mellow baby she appeared to be. She is! She is just such an easy baby,she makes me want more! (did I say that?????)

Weight: 19 lbs, 12 oz = 75%ile

Length: 28 1/4 inches = 75%ile

Head: 18 cm which is 90%ile

Look Mom, I'm on the scale!

Kyla had a great check up. She is right on with all her developmental milestones. She should be starting to crawl or creep or even pull herself up at this point,but right now, she's just a little ball, rolling all over the place. However, the past few days she has been attempting to figure out how in the world to get up on her knees. You can just see her mentally debating with herself on the best way to go about it. I have no doubt that crawling is not far off in the future!

She has 3 teeth coming in at one time- the bottom 2 have been poking through for weeks now,and last weekend, low and behold, her top right tooth started coming through as well. We're not sure if she's been fussier than usual at bedtime because of her teeth or not, but we think that might be why. During the day, you would never know the child is teething, other than she is always chomping on things and will try to pull your finger to her mouth to bite on!

Kyla is an eating machine.The girl loves to eat. She loves most of her veggies, except peas, and loves all the fruit and fruit mixes we've given her. She is hit or miss when it comes to the dinners in a jar, but she loves the freeze dried strawberries and bananas I've recently found. It's a joy to watch her shake with delight as she scoops the pieces to her mouth and makes her eating sounds ("mmmmmm"). She also loves her Puffs, and is getting very adept at using her pincer grasp to scoop up those Puffs to gobble up. I love to watch her little jaws mushing up the food in her mouth! Hard to imagine our girl was being fed through her nose by a tube only 8 1/2 months ago! Wow. Kyla is also still proving to be very temperature sensitive. She's never liked when her bottles get cold,or even luke warm, and prefers her food to be warmer, if possible. I wonder if this will prove to be a disaster in the future? We shall see. Textures are definitely somewhat of an issue, as introducing new foods such as mashed potatoes, real sweet potatoes, and mashed up spaghetti has proven to be quite comical. She makes the silliest face, as if she is eating the most sour thing we've ever given her! If we aren't feeding her fast enough, she will clench her fists and "yell" at us, no kidding! And....she is just starting to sign "more" for us, with little help! YAY, Kyla! We are all so proud of you!

Kyla will be the sleeper of our girls. She take 3 short naps a day and will go to bed around 6:45. Any later, and she is out like a light on your shoulder. Her little eyelids get beet red and you KNOW when she is getting sleepy- as those hands start rubbing the eyes and she sticks her left thumb into her mouth! Yep, she's a thumb sucker, but I'm fine with that! How easy it is to travel! She usually sleeps all night until around 5:30 or so. I'm not happy about how early it is, but I'm thrilled that she's sleeping that long. The past few nights have been difficult, as she appears to be battling a cold and her teeth coming in.

Join us now for Kyla's annual 9 month photo shoot, with an introduction from Miss Keifer! "Ok, Kyla, here you go....get ready for that damn camera to flash in your eyes again!"Ohhh, sissy was right, here we go!