Springtime and Growth

It's hard to believe my last post had pictures of Kayla in a warm jacket and snow all over! It feels so great right now in sunny GA. High 70's and flowers blooming everywhere. Spring makes me think of growth and let me tell you growth is a funny thing. Sometimes things seem to take a long time to grow and other times it happens so quickly!

A few highlights from the past months:

I took an Anatomy class that meant I had to be in Newnan very early in the mornings so my parents were kind enough to allow me to drop Kayla off with them. They would fix her breakfast and take her to school 2 times a week. Such a blessing! Those early mornings were hard though...I was usually getting Kayla out of bed! Thankfully I am done with that class and will now have another class 2 times a week, but at night. Kayla's Dad and my parents will help with that...again couldn't do it without them!

In February Kayla had a Valentine's Day party at school. She had a great time getting Valentines from all her friends and decorating (and eating) a big cookie! Mommy didn't know until the day of that I was supposed to get Valentines...how did I miss that memo? I came through though :)

Kayla went to a fun birthday party for Eva Duffy. They had a moon bounce, music, lots of food, cake, cookie decorating, ponies, and a pinata! Kayla and Mommy had a blast. We also had a successful Happy Visit to the dentist - no cavities! Also in February I ran a half marathon in Orlando, FL. My Mom came to stay with Kayla and it was so nice having her here knowing Kayla was in good hands. They did a lot of fun things and made lots of memories. My favorite surprise getting back was seeing beautiful violas planted in my flower boxes! Kayla is supposed to help me remember to water them because they "get thirsty".

It has warmed up in March and with daylight savings we are enjoying getting outside more - winter seemed so long! Kayla is so good about playing by herself...her imagination is very vivid. I usually exercise when I get home and she does very well entertaining herself. Then we fix dinner, get a bath, and read a story before bed. It's a nice little routine.

Kayla still enjoys school and will be going back to Chapel Hill Christian in the fall. They have to wear uniforms next year. It will be nice not to have to worry about what she'll wear from day to day.

Kayla has been sleeping great in her bed all night, no bedwetting, and is really growing so quickly. I can't believe I will have a 4 year old on my hands soon enough! It's a little bittersweet because I love her sense of wonder and innocence right now. She just soaks everything in and really seems to enjoy life. She talks soooooo much! Sometimes it drives me crazy but she always ends up bringing a smile to my face.

Sometimes I can be a little hard on her but I really want her to know just how much I love her and want what is best. I've started a notebook where I write down one thing for the day that I want to share with her. I hope I can keep that up!

She got a haircut last week. Here's a picture:

Snow and Ice!

Sunday night we were hit hard with a snow storm. We got about 4 inches of snow through the night and as the week went on it all turned to ice. Schools were closed all week. Kayla and I stayed home together for three days and it was great. It was nice not having to leave the house for anything and we got to spend some time together.

We played in the snow a little but weren't able to make a snowman. Kayla got cold pretty fast but I think she enjoyed herself.

Wednesday I braved the roads and took her to my parents house. Well today the roads are way worse than yesterday so Kayla is now snowed in at my parents and I'm here. Outside my house 4 vehicles ran off the road or got stuck. I'm very thankful I made it safe and sound. My car is actually parked at the top of a big hill and I had to walk home. Again, thankful I wasn't with Kayla during that!

Happy New Year!

I briefly tried to explain to Kayla the concept of New Year's. I guess she got it because Monday night she slept in her bed all night but called for me over her monitor in the middle of the night. When I went in to check on her she was sitting up and happily pronounced, "Happy New Year!".

It was too sweet for me to even be annoyed so I tucked her back in, smiled, and went back to bed :)

Saying Goodbye to 2010!

I really wish I had done better at updating! So much has happened...

One reason that I haven't is because Kayla's Dad and I have divorced. The past few months have been rough and I wasn't sure how everything would end up. Right now we get along just fine and Kayla seems to be adjusting OK. I know she will struggle with her parents not being together but I hope to show her that we both love her very much and want what is best for her.

Let's see...Kayla is still enjoying pre-school. She does lots of painting and crafts and is has lots of friends at school. Kayla knows all of her shapes and colors, can count to 20, and speaks like a four year old! She loves puzzles, coloring, books, and of course her Nemo blankets! She is full of imagination and silliness.

Halloween (Kayla's birthday) was lots of fun. She had her birthday party at Chick-fil-A and had friends and family. The highlight of the night was when the big cow came out. She really loved it! I made her cake and of course Chick-fil-A handled the food. Kayla dressed up like Blue's Clue's this year and we went trick or treating twice. She was still a little timid this year but I think she thought getting candy from people was pretty cool. I'm pretty sure I ate all the chocolate.

Thanksgiving came and went and we had a great time celebrating.

Kayla had a follow up visit for her heart murmur. The defect is still there and we have another appointment in June 2011 to see if it has been resolved. As of today she is in great health and besides a couple of sniffles, she has been free from sickness this year!

Christmas was great fun for Kayla this year. She really enjoyed her Advent calendar (I put jelly beans in each box), and she of course had fun opening presents, baking cookies, and looking at Christmas lights. She was able to spend Christmas Day at my parents and at Cary's parents. Christmas morning she "wrapped" two presents up for herself...her two Nemo blankets!

Kayla spends a lot of time at Nana and Papa Shu's house and loves that. She also enjoys when Mimi comes to visit. She's not much a phone talker...just like me!

As we say goodbye to 2010 I am amazed at how time flies. I really cannot believe my little girl is 3! It makes me sad that she will be grown up before I know it, but I am also so thankful for her budding personality and can't wait to see what type of person she becomes. She is already very sweet and tender-hearted, loves to share and see everyone happy. So far so good!

Bring on 2011!!!

Long Time Coming

Wow, I really let time get away from me! We are alive and well and Kayla is almost 3! I cannot believe how time flies. I have to say the older she gets, the more I enjoy her and am amazed by her personality. She is a little ball of energy, excitement, and curiosity, and silliness.

I will try and recap some summer highlights:

-Kayla stayed for a week at Nana Shu's while I went on a mission trip to Honduras. She did great!

-Kayla made a few trips to the pool and really enjoys swimming like a big girl with her arm swimmies on

-She is completely potty trained! She has an accident once in a blue moon at night but I am so proud of her!!!

-We took a trip to Mimi's in August and visited the fair

A major change we have undergone is that Kayla is in preschool three days a week. She goes to Chapel Hill Christian School and so far I am very pleased. She adjusted pretty well and I think the interaction with kids and new activities has really helped to stretch her and help her mature. She learns little songs and is so proud when she gets to carry her backpack!

We still go on walks in her stroller but she is getting almost big enough to walk alone :( I get a little sad when I think about the big girl she will become and eventually long for complete independence. It's a great reminder to enjoy what time I have with her.

Here are a few summer pictures:

Kayla "milking a cow" at the fair in MD.

First day of preschool!

Getting her first ever pedicure!

Getting her Egyptian makeup done at Vacation Bible School.

On a ride at Six Flags

Happy Easter 2010!

We had a great Easter despite Kayla having a terrible cough/cold. We woke up to a bright sunny day and went to Easter breakfast at church. We had our Easter service and then went to my Dad's house for lunch. We had ham, macaroni & cheese, green beans, carrots, fruit salad, and deviled eggs. We also made an Easter basket cake for dessert. Kayla hunted for eggs and we had a nice day sitting on the porch and enjoying each other's company.

The arrival of spring

We are finally starting to thaw out a bit. It seems like it's been a long, cold, and rainy winter! We recently had a fence built in the back yard and it's nice to let Kayla out when the sun is shining and let her explore.

We recently dyed Easter eggs and Kayla had a blast decorating the eggs with stickers. Stickers are still her number one obsession. Who knew they could be so entertaining?!?

I signed Kayla up for a preschool that will start in the fall. It is called Chapel Hill Christian School and they go up to 5th grade. I'm not sure how long she will attend but I was very impressed with the facility. Kayla seems excited.

She is doing well with potty training. Almost 100% success at home during the day but I don't quite trust her at night or out for long stretches of time. She went through a spell of waking up and wanting to come to our bed and we let her for quite some time. I decided I wanted my sleeping space back (three in a queen is a tight fit) and we made a treasure box with cheap toys for her to go to if she stays in her bed. It works for the most part but she still occasionally wants to come sleep with us.

Kayla is really starting to interact with other kids and people. She's very friendly. She also got an adorable haircut - a little bob. I really like it and it makes her look so grown up.

Kayla's favorite place to eat is Chick-fil-A - a girl after my own heart. We go weekly for some nuggets, fruit, maybe some fries, a little ice cream cone, and a ride down the slide. So fun.

Applying stickers to the dyed Easter eggs:

Checking out the process:

A trip to the zoo:

A good pic of her new haircut: