Wanted...

Position: Kitchen Towel Replacer

Duties: Pick up kitchen towels and replace them neatly folded on island rack.

Hours: 24 hours/7 days a week.

Break times: 10:00am and 2:00pm (also known as Mylie's nap times)

Pay: Gratitude of a very thankful Mother

Additional Comments: Yes, this really is an all day task. I can almost never go into my kitchen and find my towels where they are supposed to be. If Mylie is in the Kitchen while I'm cooking or cleaning up the kitchen, the towels are on the floor. There have been times I have folded them and put them back and turn my back no more than 1 minute and they are already on the floor again. She wont even be around when I put them back up. I think they call to her..."pull me down, pull me down, pull me down."

Culprit: Yes, she may be cute but kitchen towels beware!

Death Grip

Kelly and I went out to the Improv on Friday night to see John Pinette. We celebrated Valentines day a day earlier because tickets were cheaper. We had a really good time and John Pinette was hilarious. It was nice to spend time with my hubby. Thanks Kelly!

While we were out, the kids spent time with my parents. They ended up going to my parents ward Valentines party. Each child brought home a red heart balloon. Originally they only got one for Hunter and Kora thinking Mylie wouldn't want one. I guess Mylie had gotten a hold of Kora's balloon and when they tried to take it away from her she refused to let it go. Once they pried it out of her death grip she cried...and cried...and cried until they gave it back to her and got Kora another one. When we arrived to pick them up we had to take the balloon out of her hand to buckle her in her car seat. She wasn't a happy camper. She has since claimed Hunter's balloon as hers as well and crawls around the apartment with one in each hand. Surprisingly never letting go. Proof is this last picture below. She fell asleep holding onto her balloon.

Is it Tomorrow Yet?

Kora has been talking so much lately that it's almost shocking. When I used to take her for her exams the doctor would ask if she was saying so many words and she was never speaking as many words as she should be. Those charts always drive me crazy because my kids never seem to be doing what all the other kids are doing. Especially when it comes to gaining weight and getting taller. It wasn't until she was 18 months that she was actually putting 2-4 words together at a time. She completely skipped the one word speaking and went straight to speaking partial sentences. It was amazing but showed me that those charts are just a bunch of hooey. Kids will go at their own pace!

Within the last few weeks she has been talking like crazy. Her favorite phrase lately is "Wha 'bout ah-morrow Mom?" Usually she'll say this after I say "No" to something. When she asks if she can do it ah-morrow (tomorrow) the answer is usually a yes or a maybe...but not a no. She talks so much, I just love it. Nothing is cuter than hearing your little ones talking. I love it when she tries to explain something because she tilts her head and shakes it a little as if she's explaining that this is the way things are and she is right no matter what. Sometimes you just want to nod and say "Okay" because the little head shake is just so convincing.

As I am writing this she has walked over to me, smiling and said "I'm wearing your shoe." The little stinker wanted to get chased...and so I'm done chasing and back to typing. I guess what's so amazing about her talking so much is that she actually never really talked that much. She did when she wanted to, but never really wanted to. I guess she has decided it's time to talk.

Dear Mylie,

Exactly one year ago today I was getting ready to go to the hospital to deliver you. I was scared to death because I would be delivering you Cesarean. You were due January 28th but like all delivery dates it's just an estimate. I had a doctors appointment a few days after your due date and found out that you had turned breech. This meant that a normal delivery wouldn't be an option. So, there I lay in the hospital bed waiting for your planned birth on February 2nd, 2008. Everything about the experience was frightening. The cold room, tying my arms down, the doctors covered from head to toe in blue/green suits, the blood tests to see if I was able to have a spinal. The hardest part was having to be separated from your Dad while I was given the spinal and prepped for surgery. When he returned I was able to breath again. He was my strength throughout the procedure. The moment they cut into my stomach your little hand popped through. The doctors told me that because you decided to do that it made the process of getting you out all that much harder.

Once they finally got you out I didn't get to see you until they cleaned you up, weighed you and made sure that you were healthy. It was almost agonizing to not be able to see you. All I could do was hear you crying. When they finally showed you to me I only got to take a brief glimpse as they put you to my face and then walked you out of the room. Your Dad went with you and got to spend the first few hours with you while I was taken to a recovery room. Slipping in and out of consciousness I recall thinking about you and remembering your little face. After two agonizing hours I was taken to my room and the nurse sent for you and Dad. When they brought you in and I got to hold you and see you I was finally at peace. I held your tiny little body in my arms and knew that you were mine and I instantly fell in love.

This last year has been interesting. Your first few months of life had been a little difficult. You cried a lot. I believe that you may have been slightly colicky for a few months. After those months passed you had immediately transformed into the perfect, sweet, happy little baby. You have brought much happiness into my life and your Dad's life. I am so glad that you are my daughter and look forward to watching you grow and develop your sweet little personality. Just last week you took your first steps. I am not anxious for you to grow up too quickly but I am excited to be here with you and for you as you experience all the new things that your little body can do. I can't wait to hear you talk, see you walk and watch you play. Always know that we love you. Happy 1st Birthday my sweet little Mylie!

Love Always,

Mom