Piggy Bank

KK has recently become very fascinated with her big ceramic piggy bank. She knows she is not allowed to play with it by herself, but frequently asks for me to take it off the shelf for her. She says "PIG.... KK... PIG".

At some point I explained that there was money inside, and that it was Katelynn's money. She cracked me up the other day when she said "PIG...touch KK money". Priceless...

Yummy Fruit Pizza

Where has the time gone?! I just realized over a week has passed with no post. Chalk it up to extreme summer busy-ness, combined with a very yucky stomach bug of some sort last weekend. Blecch!

I had to take a picture of this time intensive dessert I recently made (about 1.5 hours from start to finish, and you are working most of that time). However, the results are worth it - in terms of both visual effect and taste! Four of us demolished it in one evening.

Here is the recipe link if you are interested.

PeePee in the Potty

Last night KK "put her peepee in the potty" for the first time. She got lots of praise. She also loves her book that her Nanna got her about potty time. Hopefully a few little dots started to connect for her! I know we still have quite awhile to go, but diaper freedom is out there on the horizon somewhere...

Butterfly Feet

My mom surprised me with this very special gift a couple of weeks ago:

My feet on the left, at 21 months. KK's feet on the right, at 19 months.
It is very, very scary that her footprint is larger than mine, and that I now wear size 11 AAA!

THIS

Katelynn has discovered the power of the word "this." She figured out that it can apply to many objects/situations/etc. Therefore it is very useful when she doesn't know the word for something yet, or doesn't remember the word in her excitement.

For example, she has recently started bringing me Baby Einstein DVD's from the cabinet, excitedly proclaiming "THIS! THIS!" My interpretation is: "Mommy, I want to watch this specific DVD, right now. Put it in!"

I looked up the word "this" in the dictionary (well, the online dictionary) and it is in fact a word with many applications (see below). I just think it's funny that a 19 month old can figure that out!

Definition of "this":
–pronoun
1. (used to indicate a person, thing, idea, state, event, time, remark, etc., as present, near, just mentioned or pointed out, supposed to be understood, or by way of emphasis): This is my coat.
2. (used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., referring to the one nearer in place, time, or thought; opposed to that): This is Liza and that is Amy.
3. (used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., implying a contrast or contradistinction; opposed to that): I'd take that instead of this.
4. what is about to follow: Now hear this! Watch this!

–adjective
5. used to indicate a person, place, thing, or degree as present, near, just indicated or mentioned, or as well-known or characteristic): These people are my friends. This problem has worried me for a long time.
6.(used to indicate the nearer in time, place, or thought of two persons, things, etc.; opposed to that).
7. (used to imply mere contradistinction; opposed to that).
8. (used in place of an indefinite article for emphasis): I was walking down the street when I heard this explosion.

–adverb
9. (used with adjectives and adverbs of quantity or extent) to the extent or degree indicated: this far; this softly.

—Idiom
10. with this, following this; hereupon: With this, he threw down his glass and left the table.

The "Toddler Taggie"

Katelynn's Nanna has done it again... the designer crib rail cover was first, and now we have the toddler taggie! It was designed with a little toddler girl in mind who loves to play with buckles, snaps, zippers, etc. I think that it is pretty darn creative.

Katelynn loves it! Thanks mom!

iPhone Update!

For anyone curious about the results of my last post, Gene showed up at the AT&T store and parked himself around 8 pm. Iphones went on sale at 8 am. Yes, he waited overnight for 12 hours. (Actually this is the first time he has waited in a line to purchase technology which is really quite astonishing given his personality and affinity for new gadgets.)

He was 5th in line. Apparently between 8 pm and 5 am only 3 more people showed up. So he had pretty much exchanged life stories with his fellow diehard line waiters. They had their comfortable lawn chairs, their snacks and drinks, their laptops/games/electronic toys, and lots of time to kill. Apparently arriving at 8 pm was a little bit of overkill, but he really would have been way to anxious at home... trust me.

Obviously being 5th in line he did get his iPhone. Plus, I showed up at 7 am with Katelynn and was a big 'ol line jumper so I got mine too. Luckily for us, there was a crazy girl just in front of Gene who was just hanging out with her boyfriend all night, with no intention to purchase a phone! (That's brand new love for you...crazy!) So technically - she was waiting for me all night.

These devices are pretty amazing, I have to say. It makes our Treo smartphones look like pieces of junk. Gene's the technology junkie, but I do have to admit I keep taking my new little friend out of my purse just to admire it.

My Electronics Junkie

Someday this post title may refer to my daughter who is showing signs of great interest in computers (especially keyboard pounding). But for now the term is still reserved for my dear hubby Gene.

The amount of time Gene spends on the internet researching a new product is something to behold, especially as "p-day" (purchase day) grows near. The latest target is the beloved iphone. Gene has been eyeing it since its debut about a year ago --and nearly crying with delight and jealousy every time a commercial comes on TV for it-- and says that "now is the time" with the release of their second phone. This Friday is the magic day...




Gene's zeal for technology includes willingness to sacrifice. He will be arriving sometime in the middle of the night to wait in line! He just found out that only one phone may be purchased per customer before going to the end of the line again, so he is trying to figure out how he can stand in line twice to get mine before they sell out. So that is Gene's romantic side.... I take it where I can get it!

The Power of Words

Katelynn is quickly learning to use her verbal powers to her own benefit. We keep her shoes in a big box downstairs, and awhile back she started demanding "Pick! Pick!" This is generally pretty cute, but sometimes it can take a ridiculously long amount of time for her to make her selection.

Then, last Sunday we were at one of our new favorites, Cavalli Pizza (more info below!). Katelynn was pretty hungry so she started chowing down on her yogurt and applesauce while Gene and I waited for the pizza. Then, Katelynn quickly noticed the waiter coming toward us with the pizzas. She loudly exclaimed "Pizza! Pizza!" and shoved her yogurt and applesauce across the table.

So, while we are on the topic of pizza- here are a few gems in the DFW area. Great pizza is hard to find around this place.

1. Campania Pizza in Southlake Town Square. They have super-thin, authentic Italian pizza baked in a wood-burning oven. The toppings are so fresh and yummy. The Basica salad is wonderful, and the focaccia is Gene's fave. The atmosphere is wonderful - tons of gorgeous custom tile work. Our friend Maurizio (a true Italian himself) is also the GM there!

2. Cavalli Pizza near LBJ and Freeport Pkwy. Same kind of pizza as Campania without the bells and whistles. This is a little, little place designed mainly to attract business lunchers.

3. The Mellow Mushroom in Fort Worth near TCU. We don't get this one as much due to the distance but they do have yummy pizza and parmesan bread stick thingies. A more traditional "American" crust but lots of fresh ingredients. Fun family hang-out.

How You Know Your Toddler Can Change Clothes

When you turn your head for two minutes, then look over and your kid is stark naked in the middle of the living room (after removing a dress, diaper cover, and diaper!)