Kylie May and Her Casino Day 152

Southern California, hot day, August....sounds like the perfect recipe for a day at the casino.  So....that's exactly where we took her.  (Before any judgment is passed our way, I have to say that she only pushed the buttons on the slot machine once).  You should have seen the look on some of the chain smokin, golden girls faces.  Ok! so I made the whole slot thing up, but we did indeed adventure through a casino with our little one today.  It was, however, only so that we could get to the pool (lazy river and all) that sat on the back end of all the lights, sounds, bells, and whistles.  One thing that Nat and I learned....the mesmerizing ability of the casino's ambiance transcends generations.  Kylie rolled past the slots opened mouthed and wide eyed.  After watching her face, I looked to my right and saw an 80+ year old man with the same exact expression.  Well played Casino Morongo...well played.

We just keep reminding Kylie that Los Angeles is a real contender for the 2024 Olympics (she'll be 12....meaning she can do all those things [Olympics included] that we always say "not till your 12 hon" about).  In response, she just continues to get in the pool, day after day, training her little heart out.  It was extremely entertaining (in a way that probably only her parents would really enjoy) watching her wade around in the 1.5 foot deep pool.  She was so content being able to walk around, splash, drive her floatie, and play in the fountain.  She loved it.  The lazy river?  Did she tolerate it? yes. Did she love it?  I don't think so.  Nat and I loved it though, so it must just be some type of generational gap that exists between us. Oh well! As the most memorable, and unforgettable, Olympian of all time (his name eludes me at the moment) once said, "Everyone wants to win, and today, I was just not fast enough."  take home message:  You can't have your cake and eat it too, so, Nat and I will just have to live with the fact that Kylie wont love everything that we do.  But, we are just going to have to love her the same anyway.  :-)

After hammering out a piano concerto for the ages, sharing her birth story at a Bradley class (the pre-birth classes Nat and I took B.K. (before Kylie), and splish splashing in her whale tub, Kylie was more than ready for a good nights sleep....we hope.  The mail did deliver one of last weeks late night purchases (our book on baby sleeping), so Nat and I are excited to start implementing some new bedtime strategies....starting tomorrow.   Wish us luck.

more to come soon,

Craig

Kylie was adamant that she was not leaving the pool until she dunked me at least once.

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Post lazy river nap time

Even Mozart had to begin somewhere

After a brief lesson from auntie Melissa Kylie was ready for her first recital

Even the quickest shutter couldn't capture the speed of her hands during this musical score.  In case your wondering, she received a standing ovation.

Kylie May and a Very Guppy Day 151

Don't tell Kylie that gills are a prerequisite to live in the water.  Why? because she wouldn't believe you.  She spent most of the cozy 103 degree day splashing around one type of pool or another.  She started in the whale tub at home, but decided she was ready to upgrade to something that offered a little more freedom.  If I only had a brain, I mean pool.  Enter Grandma Gloria stage left: "Ah yes.  some swimming at grandma's pool sounds like just what the Kylie ordered".  When Kylie orders it, you can rest assured that it is received.  Our little tugboat, slathered the SPF 1million, squeezed into her slim suit, grabbed an approved floatation device, and sputtered around the pool till her legs gave out.  A bath tonight, rounded out her admirable aquatic performance....now we just need to see if her fingers and toes will ever turn back from raisins into grapes again.

Kylie's Highlight of The Day: After a grueling swim routine, gma Gloria and gpa Gene offered a spread of mac-n-cheese, chicken, fresh sliced tomatoes, salad, and veggies.  Was it any good?  Maybe we should ask Kylie.  We served up the dishes, us around the table and Kylie on Nat's lap, and were just sharing some stories before diving in.  We forgot something though.  Gush! Nat felt a wave of juice down her arm and into her lap.  Miss persistent took advantage of the lapse in supervision, grabbed a juicy tomato and chomp! took one big bite.  Juice all over her face, clothes, Nat, and the table cloth.  All we could do was laugh and aw at the opportunistic nature of our little hungry hippo.  It's safe to say Nat and I have our work cut out for us to keep her from eating for another month.

more to come soon,

-Craig-

Kylie May Is Aleady 150 Days Old

Sure, 150 days may seem pretty young to most, but if you ask Nat, Me, and all the mayflies (avg. life expectancy 1 day) we know, our little girl is getting pretty darn old.  If you asked her....kylie?....kylie?....KYLIE?....ok maybe it's a little too early to ask her, so I'll interpret.  It sure seems like she is really starting to figure some things out and enjoy herself...slightly.  If you ask me (because we already tried to ask the horse and her mouth), there is a little something more than just laying on the ground staring at ceiling fans, eating, and sleeping these days.  She has this new look in her eye that radiates understanding and enjoyment.  No, I am not a baby whisperer (at least I'm not advertising because I already have a day job....so to speak), but, here are my reasons.  1) she gives us a fake cough any time she is hungry (she has learned how to let us know what she wants), 2) she is starting to reach for Natalie and smile once Nat takes her, 3) She is starting to belly laugh when we do silly stuff (which is pretty much just acting normally for some people in this household),  and 4) she is mastering the art of sitting up and gets a twinkle in her eye (and a smile on her face) every time we sit her up in front of her toys.  Fact:  There are some things clicking in that little ones head, and it is exciting being on this end of the whole experience. 

more to come soon,

Craig

oh....btw...our bedtime routine has been helping tremendously (Nat is gone tonight and I had her asleep by 8:00....hope it lasts).  I may not get gray hair (or lose it) until 32 or 33 now, instead of tomorrow. :-)

Kylie May's Surprise Party Day 149

Kylie had another big day today with a couple more firsts. This morning Kylie and I joined about twenty other mom/baby pairs at the Redlands Family Wellness Center to participate in "The Big Latch On." At 10:30 am we all latched our babies on and breastfed. 23 different countries participated in this even to bring awareness and support to the breastfeeding women everywhere. It was so fun to spend time with other moms and babies that are as passionate about breastfeeding, Kylie did, however, fall asleep nursing and missed all the fun play time afterward.

After a short shopping trip with Auntie Melissa, we headed to Aunt Carolyn's and Uncle Marty's for Emily's surprise 30th birthday. It was a wonderful afternoon, we spent time with the extended family and enjoyed the wonderful summer weather.

Another night of the bedtime routine and it went very well. She was so tired from the big day, she fell asleep at 8 and it's now 11:30, she usually needs to nurse at least 2-3 times by now, but she is still fast asleep, yeah!!! We will see if it happens again, but right now we are happy she is sleeping so soundly. Craig and I are both home tonight, just enjoying watching the Olympics and spending a little time together.

More to come soon,
Natalie

Kylie sitting with her feet in the pool

Grandpa, Melissa and Grandma

Me and Lyla

Kylie enjoying her first time on a hammock

"Kylie how many months old are you?"

Kisses for Kylie

Kylie May's Play Day 148

Today Kylie got to spend the afternoon with her friend Alana. Alana will be two years old at the end of the month and was eager to show Kylie all the big girl things Kylie has to look forward to. We went out to eat, shopping, played and the park and bought some used books from the library. Once we got home, Kylie got to play with her daddy before dinner. When dinner was almost over Craig let Kylie "explore" a little. He sat her in his lap and let her play with the rest of the food on his plate. She was so cute, she watches us eat every meal and always looks so interested. But with food in front of her she didn't know what to do. We are sticking to out strict "no teeth, no food" policy but that doesn't mean she can't play a little. She didn't try to put anything in her mouth and she actually seemed a little confused by the texture. It it so fun to see her experience new things, all the playing made quite a mess, just a little preview of the messes to come.
More to come soon,
Natalie

Alana giving Kylie kisses

Janisha and Kylie at the park (same park Craig and I got married at :o)

Kylie enjoyed watching Alana run around

Sitting up all by herself, she is getting better and better at it!

Trying to get Kylie to read her book, so cute.

Kylie's first food exploration

Trying to figure out why it feels so funny.

Kylie May Meet's The Cousins Day 147

Today was a busy day for Miss May. Besides the usual Thursday trip to the dance studio/hang out with Auntie Melissa/Market Night/new bedtime routine, Kylie got to spend time with her cousins!!! Well technically they are my cousins kids, what does that make them to Kylie, second cousins? Anyway Kylie got to meet Marcel (my cousin that lives in Baltimore) with her daughters Jordyn (3.5 years) and Lyla (2 months), it was so fun. We also got to see Emily (my cousin, Marcles sister) her baby Liam (6 weeks) and husband Jesse, great-grandma, great-grandpa, Aunt Trudy, cousin Adam, Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Marty (Marcel and Emily's parents), my parents, Melissa, Craig and probably more but I simply can't remember :o) I blame my baby brain :o)

It was a wonderful day, the pictures say it all :o)
More to come,
Natalie

Kylie and Lyla meet

Kylie goes in for the hug, Lyla is not so sure :o)

Great-grandparents with the girls

Jordyn

Emily with Liam, Jordyn, Me with Kylie and Marcel with Lyla, the cousins with their kids, it's been a busy year :o)

Kylie and Adam

Em and Liam

Lyla and Melissa

Sweet Lyla

Craig and Lyla

Great-grandma making Kylie laugh

Holding down the fort for the boys team :o)

Are you my mother?

Kylie May's Developmental Day 146

Days off.  The pinnacle of every working person's week.  Kylie told me today that it "must be nice to get a day off once in a while."  Touche little olympian....touche.  She does have a point though.  Our little May keeps growing, developing, and absorbing everyday.  She just has a look in her eyes that says she is soaking everything in.  She keeps getting better and better at sitting up on her own (this really brings a twinkle to her eye) and wiggling around on her tummy.  You can just see her getting more coordinated by the day (it is definitely the result of a lot of hard work).  Sometime soon I'm going to put my entrepreneurial spirit to work (despite never having received my MBA) and market a workout routine called "So easy, A Baby Could Do It".  That's right the whole routine will just be to mimic the movements of an active baby for an hour.  I'm losing calories just thinking about it.

Alas, the "routine"  It worked pretty well last night.  8:30 she fell asleep. 9:30 she woke up, got a bottle, fell back to sleep by 9:45 (I was holding my breath that she would actually want to fall back to sleep), and didn't stir for another bottle till 12:30.  After that it was pretty smooth sailing until she decided to wake up with the roosters (we don't actually have any farm animals) for about an hour.  At 5:00 she woke up, but she did a very amazing thing, she smiled, played, and then with a little patting, fell asleep again. (She NEVER falls asleep without being held or fed).  I was somewhere in la la land at that hour, but I'm pretty sure I had an ear to ear grin on my face. Now....hmm...if I can only remember how I did that. "Kylie!  Do you want $100 bill?"

more to come soon,

-Craig-