Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Almost two weeks have passed since I have blogged. Now Kensley is 14 months old! What's more, in those two weeks, we've celebrated a fantastic Christmas and the clock's stoke of midnight to end 2008 and begin 2009! I am out of breath thinking about it all. Kensley was fun this past Christmas season, which we had been told would be the case. Last year, Kensley shrieked a tiny 'yay' when her daddy showed her books and that was truly a highlight. This whole season seemed to be a highlight! She was eager to point out any "Anndaah" (Santa) and say, "Ho, ho, ho!" as well as "No Meh" (snowmen) to say, "Brrrrrr" with a tiny little shudder. Christmas Trees were another fun thing and very "piddy" (pretty). We instructed her from day one to use a 'one finger touch' and she has exercised great caution... whew! We had the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with all of Kensley's cousins this year on Mike's side. She was smitten with them all. We name them and talk to all of them on our fridge o' fame, but seeing them in the flesh was icing on the cake! Mike was able to spend this Christmas with us in ATL on hiatus from training. We feel very, very blessed to have been able to spend so much time with family, yet time celebrating as our own family. We hope you had a wonderful Christmastime and will have a healthy, prosperous New Year! Grandmama - now Mimi - and Kensley got to spend lots of time together!

Grammy and Poppy got Kensley a wagon!

Marlatt grandkids - minus Grayson. ETA: March 2009

Dazed after all those presents!

Christmas in GA - barefoot!

Daddy and the girls

Just before the mass opening

Uncle Waaahb (Rob) hooked Kensley up with a too-cool tent market

All Things 13 Months

This past month has FLOWN by! We had a baby girl a month ago and now we have a full-fledged toddler. Kensley is all personality. She is outgoing, strong-willed and very motivated to carry out her agendas... and she still LOOOOOOVES books! What has gone on in the past month? LOTS!

• On the train ride to the Macy's Parade, we spotted Kensley's molars...all four of them! She chews so nicely with her sweet little mouth closed and really enjoys 'nak' time.
• Kensley, Libby, and I made a pilgrimage down south as bachelorettes. We had perfect travels! Everyone, including the driver [me], was on their best behavior and made the trip not only bearable, but slightly enjoyable - for a 14-hour car ride.
• The first night we slept at Nanna and Pop's house, Kensley woke up during the night and hopped into bed with me, which is normal if we are in a new setting. Amidst all of the wallowing, snuggling, and wallowing again, Kensley reached over, squeezed my cheeks, pursed her little lips, and leaned in to smooch me. She said, "Wuh u" and then fell asleep. Is your heart complete mush by now???

Now, I have to brag. Kensley may not be the smartest, but she catches on to concepts and interacts pretty well. As I previously mentioned, Kensley loooooves books. Teachers are encouraged to make connections for students so they can relate to the text. Kensley has done that herself a few times in the past weeks.

• The first time, Kensley got a new book and came upon a page where there was an octopus. She immediately started dancing like Henry the Octopus, a Wiggles character. I was floored! She continues to do this everytime she sees an octopus.
• The next time, Kensley and I were reading an ABC book and we came across a boat. I repeated boat a few times. I saw Kensley stop and look around then say, "buup." She walked across the room and found the book that has a "boat, boat, boat." Yes, we read ALOT!

The last couple of Kensley's interactions include books, but not necessarily while we were reading.

• Kensley often marches around or sits in her carseat saying, "Ay, BEE, Ayy, BEE." This either means she wants to sing her ABC's or sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider. (You have to watch to see if she is making the spider with her hand to know the preferred lyrics.) The other day, Kensley got a little fussy and I told her to go find a book and we would read. This usually buys us about 5 more minutes of smiles. Kensley immediately started with her "Ay, BEE, Ayy, BEE..." and found her ABC book to read.
• Finally, today I told Kensley to find a book for us to read. She pulled out a book and kept saying, "Bwa Bay-ah, Bwa Bay-ah." When she got to me with the book, she had chosen Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

We are so proud of our little girl and enjoy watching her grow by the day.

Are You REALLY Too Busy???

I have received this email many times since this war has begun, but just dawned on me to spread the info through the blog. We are sending more than one, since more than one military member is helping to fight this war. It is as follows: Subject: FW: Great idea to do! Folks, Let's spread this! When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to the address listed below. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful, special people who have sacrificed so much would get ? When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following: A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington , D.C. 20307-5001