Wednesday, February 9, 2011

the curious little kya

In about 30 seconds, Kya can ...

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completely empty a diaper bag

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empty half a pack of baby wipes

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unfold and shuffle 50 diapers

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get into the bathroom (that I swear was closed) and discover how fun it is to unroll toilet paper

....

bonus photos for  your viewing pleasure:

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Kya plays with daddy block head.

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Corey was in the driveway clearing snow, so Kya and I went out to play.

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Kys sends a special hi and slobbery kiss to Aunt Caitlyn, Uncle Chaz and honorable Aunt Cindi ... all loyal readers :)

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We went sledding down the back hill, which Kya enjoys more and more each time

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My parents got Kya this penguin sled, which is both very small and very fast. So until she is about 8 years old, she just gets to look cute on it at a stand still. She does a great job at that :)

lots of love around here

For the first time ever, I have decorated for Valentine's Day.
I think my new-found love for the mushy holiday comes from having a little girl around. A little girl that is usually dressed in pink (because, you know, that is all they sell for toddler girls).

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I whipped up a simple felt and ric-rac garland for the fireplace and filled a few old glass jars with red and pink fabric scraps. Ta-da!

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Kya even got into the spirit.
She says, "who me?"
and I say, "yes, your shirt says: LOVE"

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and then she giggles.
(no, she isn't jaundiced, Kya had just finished a super-sized helping of spaghetti that stained her face)

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And of course, our February dishtowel is proudly displayed on the stove handle.

Kya has decided that all hanging dishtowels are hers to tear down, so this dishtowel is usually only in a hanging position during nap time.

Happy Valentine's Day!
xoxo

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

First steps

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My baby is entering into toddler land.

Kya took her first steps from Daddy to Great Grandpa Darwin on Sunday evening. Each day she gets more curious and more independent. She has explored every corner of the house and insists on feeding herself now. She also is experimenting with tantrums. Oh the joy.

Here are a few photos of the shenanigans from the past week.

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step 1: scout a good chunk of food

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step 2: get into mouth as quickly as possible

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step 3: gum food chunks happily, and repeat from step 1.

she is eating blueberries and beef stew pieces (still no teeth)

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master crawler

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watching it snow

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She found the bookshelves. This is one of her new favorite hangouts. She thinks she's pretty smart.

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looking cute in her new hat

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Lovin' bath time. She is getting lots of hair on top!

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... still exploring every corner of the house ...

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... even the bathrooms.

Monday, January 3, 2011

we have a nine-month old

Miss Kya celebrated her nine-months birthday on Monday. She's been with us for 18 months: nine months in, and nine months out.
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Kya is learning new tricks every day.

Just this week she learned to pull herself up.
In her crib.
While I was out of the room.
The landmark event resulted in a crib fall for the little miss.

It was quite a scare, but thankfully she's doing just fine (thanks to a well-carpeted bedroom floor). Conveniently, we had a doctor in our house at the time of the fall, so that put many of our concerns to rest right away.

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Still no teeth for Kya ... but she's actively chewing on anything and everything - even Grandma's iPhone.

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Kya is a curious little monkey. She scoots/crawls into every nook and cranny of the house to inspect even the tiniest little piece of dust.

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Here she is inspecting the diaper bag. She was digging out her veggie puffs. This little girl likes food more than I do. Now that is impressive. She eats anything we put in front of her, even tofu, blueberries, avocado, yogurt, curry rice, carrots, purple cabbage, bread/toast, and pickles. I'm also still nursing her - we both enjoy or quiet little cuddle breaks during the day.

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Kya is definitely a little social butterfly. She loves spending time with Parker and our other young cousins and friends. She does not like to see her friends sad, though. When sensitive little Kya sees another baby cry or fuss, within a few seconds, Kya puts herself into a deafening screaming fit.

Yesterday Grandma ReNay and I took Kya to the well baby check up for her height and weight (just out of curiosity). Kya is 18 lbs, 1 oz and 27.5 inches long (both are at exactly the 50th percentile mark).

Last night Kya slept from 7:30 pm until 7 am (at which point I woke her up because I was concerned something was wrong). Usually she wakes up once or twice between 7 pm and 7 am.

Kya is the happiest baby I know. She takes great naps. And when she is awake, she is a silly little goof ball. I love her more than anything.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

The Bonfire: Take 1

When we bought our land, there was a dead cottonwood tree laying at the base of the hill our house sits on. Nobody likes a snake hideout (especially me) so Corey and my grandpa moved the wood pieces away ... far away ... to the brushy area at the other end of our property. The plan was that once it was cold and snowy, we'd have a bonfire to burn it off.

Hello cold, snowy day.
After some research, Corey decided that December 20: winter solstice/full moon/lunar eclipse day would be perfect. We planned for guests (who also are conveniently helpers and former boy scouts) and spiked warm beverages.

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Corey was kind enough to clear us a trail.

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Have you ever tried to snow-blow a field? Apparently it can be quite difficult.
(Corey completed the path.
... all the way to that dark mass on the upper right side of the photo)

It was a mighty fine path.
That is, until it got snowed in the next day.

So, moving on to the day of the bonfire:
We got down to the wood safely, but later than we had planned, so it was already quite dark.
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The men used diesel to try to start the fire.
Then they used gasoline.

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It started.
Then it died.

Then Corey resorted to the brandy-schnapps mixture for fire starter.
Then we cried.
Then we decided to try again another day.

Since there was so much snow all around the wood, as soon as we got the fire going and it got warm, it also got very wet ... killing the fire.

Kya's First Christmas

I don't believe that words can express the joy that was our 2010 Christmas.
I can only hope that through these few photos, you can see a glimmer of the wonderful holiday we experienced (over the span of multiple days with both of our families).

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lots of neighborhood deer join us in the evenings

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the sweetest moment

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December 23: sledding in the back yard
Corey & Maria (Corey's little sister)

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out for a few minutes of fresh air ... then quickly back inside

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Christmas Eve in Linton, ND
with Grandpa Andy

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She dirtied her little white tights in church ... so these are her backup pants.

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Kya's first doll. Bitty Baby from Uncle Matthew.

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Kya and her new best friend - Corey's cousin Abby.

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the two blondies.

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Christmas Day
breakfast and stocking stuffers at home with the Zundels

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Thanks for the dino rider, Great Grandma Katy!

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Dec. 26
Corey swaddled two babies at nap time (Kya and her Bitty Baby)!

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Grandpa Don and Corey install our new (and much needed) baby gate.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas


We are so very blessed.
Merry Christmas!