Our Peanut

Our Sweet Kyleen,

Can you really be one already? Your daddy and I can remember as though it was yesterday the day you came into the world. We were so anxious and excited to meet you. I remember perfectly the very first moment my lips met your cheek as I shooshed your tears away. I have never seen God more present in a living being than in that moment. You were, and simply are, perfect.

Recently, your new 'tricks' seem to come by the day, as if you are shouting to the world "I am not a little baby!" Your daddy commonly refers to you as his "genius," as you blow us away with how much you understand and can do. Just so we make sure we never forget...

*You now respond to "How big is Kyleen?" by throwing up your hands in the air
*You bring anyone who will read to you books, and 'reverse' backwards into their lap so you have a prime seat as they read
*You can AND do use a sippy cup on your own, finally!
*Your tongue is a trick of all trades and you use it often to make sounds
*You use the back of your palm to make an indian pow wow sound
*You wave goodbye and hi (if you're in the mood!)
*You say "mamamama" - typically when whining or sad, but I still love it; "nonono", "dododo" (doggie), and "dadada" (not often, but we don't want daddy feeling left out!)
*You are the best sharer with your food, and love to feed others
*You give great kisses to your doggie, elmo, mickey, and any other inanimate object. We are still working on giving people kisses :)

Kyleen, mommy and daddy love you so very much and you have made our lives more amazing than we could have ever dreamed. We can't wait to celebrate many, many more birthdays with you peanut!

xoxo, Mommy & Daddy

The Big Day
March 12, 2011

Checking out her gifts


Chocolate Chip Pancakes for Breakfast


Fun day at Sea World

Birthday lunch of pickle and fries




Thank God she's a year because as you can see there is no way these photo shoots could go on...




**birthday party pictures to come**

Big Bear, Little Snow.

We headed up to Big Bear last weekend for a relaxing and fun weekend in the snow. Well, relaxing and fun it was, but sadly the snow was missing. The month of January was so warm, and of course a big storm came just days after we were there. Although Kyleen missed out on her first sledding adventure, I was sure to still dress her in boots, fleece, and a hat so she could be uncomfortably warm. :) The Tom Spooner kids went with the Steve Spooner kids and although the snow was no where to be found, stick all of us in a cabin with a few cocktails and we will be sure to have quite a few laughs. I did a pretty bad job of pictures the whole weekend, so hopefully cousin Sarah will get her act together and post some on her blog soon (you're welcome for the shout out Sar)


Is it normal that after 11 months of knowing this little one, I still want to eat her adorableness up?!?!


Relaxing lunch of subs and beer in the "Village"



Sleepy girl on our walk back from town.


Dinner Chaos. Amazing TJ food find thanks to Sarah Spooner- soy chorizo!

Cousin Love...

Sea World!

Thanks to Nana & Big Don we used our Sea World passes for the first time a few weeks back. Besides a minor hiccup trying to enter the park (let's just say it involved PETA & shamu's lying in the middle of the road- ridiculous!), we had a great afternoon there. Passes are the best because there is never any feeling like you have to stay- as soon as she got tired, we left.

She loved playing on the air mat in the Sesame Street play area. When we put her down, she sat still and took it all in for a few minutes, and then she was off! Seriously, we could have left her and she would've never known! She was interacting with other kids and hanging out on her own in the middle of the mat. I felt like she was SO grown up and independent. (Excuse the million pictures- I was having a moment watching her be so grown up!)



Enjoying a little snack and relaxing!


Penguins are a very serious matter.


She loved the sea lions barking and making funny noises.


We can't wait to go back!

One Month to Go...

Happy 11 Months to Kyleen! We were in Big Bear (more pics to come!) for the weekend so her photo shoot was in our cabin. I can't even believe we are a few short weeks away from her being one. Without question, she is an official walker. I feel a different sort of exhaustion these days- so tired from trying to entertain her! She is on the go non stop, and wants you down on the floor playing with her most of the time. I find myself scrounging for "outing" ideas all the time! Her eating habits are unlike any other child I've been around. I would not say she is a picky eater at all, she just would rather not eat most of the time. :) She refuses to eat off a spoon anymore, and would prefer to stand up while she eats. Lord help us. The more spice, flavor, and garlic food has the better! She won't go near any bland baby food, but feed the girl garlic hummus off your finger and she will eat for days! I am anxious for next month to get her official weight but I would guess around 15 lbs. Is that a record? Walking and only 15 pounds! The poor girl will be in an infant car seat until she's two! Anyway, here is our love bug...

With her best friend, at least she thinks so.


Looking at herself in a mirror- new discovery this month has been to get as close as possible to all mirrors!


Kyleen's super cool nanny, Auntie Michelle, is the best and built Kyleen a fort that she just loved! I think this was the start of her new obsession of being under things- tables, covers, chairs, legs- really just about anything she can hide under.


There was not too much Kyleen liked about taking these pictures- her lack of smile says it all.




Life got better when I finally let her stand up.


February 12, 2011