baaa...

is what Kylene calls a balloon.

last week, the kids each got a balloon at the grocery store. Kylene was mesmerized by them and while i put the groceries away, she sat on her knees looking up at them.

that evening, when she got up to nurse, she spotted the balloons afterwards and became very animated, so Byron brought them over to her. she laughed and giggled and played with those balloons for the extra 30 minutes we let her stay up (how could we put her back to bed? we were having so much fun!)

byron and i were surprised and impressed to see Kylene grab hold of the balloon string and pull the balloon down hand over hand.

i LOVE this picture. to me her face says "Dad, WHAT are you doing?!?"

i don't know which one of them enjoyed this time more.

the next morning she woke up saying "baaaa" and looking for her balloons by looking up at the ceiling. now, if you ask Kylene where the balloon is, she look up. how cute is that?

plumber bum

so Connor has grown significantly since last year and as the weather has started to grow a little cooler, Connor looks like he's preparing for a flood, a major one, if you now what i mean. yesterday, Byron got him dressed and when i saw Connor, i said, "hey! those pants don't look too bad!" but then i had a thought. i asked Byron, "is he sagging?" the answer? oh yeah, big time. byron told me Hans Solo was peaking out and as soon as Connor bent over i caught an eye full of his Star Wars underoos! we all got a great laugh, but seriously as soon as we get paid this week we are buying this boy some proper pants!

ballerina

i've been conceptualizing and working on this doll for a little bit and just finished her last night.

i am so pleased!
her ballet shoes are removable and lace up into a bow on the back of her leg.

she has a leotard and tutu,

and big beautiful pony tail.

i made this for Kylene's 1st birthday in November but will also put her up in the KDoll Shop for anyone interested.

as with the Mermaids, her hair color, eye color can be customized along with any specific requests for the tutu and leotard.

because of the time she takes to make and the cost of materials, she'll be my most expensive doll at $45.

hope you like.

preschool

Connor is having a GREAT time at preschool. i've been so pleased to see all the cool things they do every day and hear Connor tell me about the things he's learning about and excited about at school.

one day last week when Kylene and I came to pick him up, we saw all these posters outside the classroom. it was so fun to see what each child's answer was to the questions, and i thought Connor's were very sweet because each one meant something to me and had a story behind it.

most kids said things like, fireman, police man, bus driver, mermaid, princess. i don't think we even realize how proud Connor is to have the title of "Big Brother". he is a WONDERFUL big brother to Kylene.
these friends Connor talks a lot about and i'm sure the "Max" is supposed to be our friend "Mac".

the next day he came home with something all in green because that's his favorite color.

i was so surprised to see "Chapel Hill" listed. most everyone else said "my house", "my home", with my Mommy and Daddy (one girl did say New York which i thought we very chic of her). connor been interested in where people live and what the various places are called. too bad we actually live in Durham, but maybe we won't tell him since Chapel Hill is so much cooler.:)

i love the picture of our family. doesn't Connor looked so happy?

the teachers took this picture at the playgroup and i think it captures Connor during this time of his life perfectly.

he's growing up!

10 months

this past Saturday, Kylene hit her 10 mth mark. i was telling my Mom this morning that i can't quite put into words how FAST the time has BLOWN by. i'm stunned that we're into the fall season already. can winter, spring, and summer already be gone? this time last year we were getting ready and gearing up for our second baby and what a lovely wonderful lady she is. i am so enjoying having two children and have found the transition from one to two easier than i did from 0 to 1.

Kylene's favorite food is hands down, without a doubt, cheese. she pretty much eats any kind but mostly has sharp cheddar as that is what we have at home most often. she kicks her legs and grunts when she sees the cheese come out of the fridge. she is not a bread person. she'll eat pancakes and waffles, but that's about where it ends. she doesn't get that from me, that's for sure. she prefers a sippy cup now and only nurses in the morning and at night. what a big girl. :)

I can get Kylene to lay still long enough to change her diaper if i sing "Popcorn Popping". as soon as i start, she does the "popping" action with her hands. it melts me every time.

Kylene has started balancing standing up without holding onto to anything and can hold that position for quite a long time in the baby world: 10-15 seconds. :) she took her first step from Byron to me on Saturday and clapped for herself when she plopped down. :)
Kylene has become a climber! I find her on Connor's bed, the coffee table and the umbrella stroller. last night, she has just about made it into a box in her closet. i have a feeling she's going to be a girl who's not going to be left behind. i remember another little girl who loved to wear frilly dresses and her jelly sandals with a slight heel out to play but who's mother wouldn't let her because she got grass stains and tore a whole through her dress while playing outside and riding her Big Bird bigwheel. i have a feeling this might become a case of like mother, like daughter. i better find out how to get grass stains out of delicate clothing from my Mom!

those eyes! they get us every time.
Kylene has recently discovered the joy of books and loves being read to. She especially likes touch and feel books.
Kylene has started to dance and feels the "groove and rhythm in just about any tune or song she hears.
Connor and Kylene interact so well together and it's clear that they really enjoy each other. of course, there's crying and the occasional "bonk" on the head, but overall it's really wonderful.
love you Kylenie Beanie!

pics

some pics of the kids i love.

i love Amy Butler and her Modern Midwest fabric collections is one of my all-time favs. you can imagine my heart-fluttering excitement when i finally got my hands on some of her beautiful stuff and made the most darling baby rag quilt out of it.
it's up in the shop.

{just as a side note, which do you like better? The KDoll Shop or KDoll Creations?
I'm thinking about changing it, let me know if you have an opinion.}