Baby laughter is utterly contagious. I adore it when Ben laughs, and since he's a happy kid, he laughs often and heartily. It's so much fun to figure out just how to make him laugh. My dad discovered tickles under the chin; Steve discovered eyes closed to eyes popped open. I tickle him on his little feet and in his armpits. Here's a little video with a sample of just how fun his little laughs are.
Kayleigh's Bible
About a month ago I began a Women's Bible Study class at our new church home, Calvary Bible Church. The kids and I pack up and are at church by 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday mornings. They wonderful nursery workers entertain my toddler and just snuggle my baby while I get a chance to talk with other women about what the Scriptures say about marriage. It's always an opportunity for me to grow, and I always walk away refreshed (no matter how difficult it was to get the kids ready to go). Kayleigh must sense my joy at going, or simply pick up on the fact that I'm always juggling her, her brother and my Bible. Either way, she has latched onto my BIG Teal colored Study Bible. She sees it around the house and carries it to me. "Read heavy Bible, Mommy. Read Kayleigh heavy heavy Bible." I started reading her Luke 2 (anyone who knew me as a child will understand why), but she never makes it through the first 10 verses. :) Instead she says, "Kayleigh will read it now. K do it, Mommy." And grabs the Bible away only to flip pages and mumble to herself. This morning I got the idea that she ought to just carry her own Bible. We have several that were given to us as gifts when she was born. We've read them to her at nights during story time, but I never thought to put it out with the other Bibles. So, I went to her room and brought one back. Here, Kayleigh, this is YOUR Bible. (BIG GASP!!!) "Kayleigh's Bible? 1 Bible, 2 Bibles??? One for Mommy, One for KAYLEIGH??" Yes, Kayleigh, it's your Bible. "Oh Kayleigh read it now!" She then proceeded to jump up on the couch and bury herself in the pages. Atta girl, K. ...
Mom, of course, proceeded to snap pictures and take a video. Here ya go:
[caption id="attachment_785" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Kayleigh clutching her Bible"]
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New Experiences for Benners
Benjamin really loves new things ... I mean, he truly enjoys meeting new people, going new places, and seeing "life" from a different vantage point. He takes way better naps when we've done something entertaining, new, or different as opposed to those days when we simply stay home. So, I try to help him to explore a little, even if we're pretty much "stuck" at home. Today Ben spent some time simply "sitting" on the couch. He watched his sister do it for a quite a while, and was quite pleased when Mommy let him try. I didn't really get any spectacular smiles, but I do have him focusing quite hard at maintaining his balance.
[caption id="attachment_780" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Benners on the couch"]
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Benny also had the chance to try the "jumpy" today ... much to his sister's dismay. (I know she's 2 years old and has far better things to entertain her, but she spent so many mornings playing in the "jumpy" while Mommy got her shower that she just can't seem to give it up.) At any rate, after a very long conversation (and plenty of tears on Kayleigh's part), she agreed that it was definitely Benny's chance to get a turn in the jumpy. (BUT she made sure to be clear that she WAS NOT interested in sharing her princess car. I felt safe in saying that I wouldn't make her). Ben wasn't quite sure about it at first ... he never fussed, but he definitely had a more surprised than normal face on. We'll give it a little time ... I know he'll be jumping around in it soon enough.
[caption id="attachment_781" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Not so sure on the jumpy just yet"]
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My Strong-Willed Child
** No fears, I'll keep this disgusting potty talk free ... it's far more about my daughter's personality than it is her bathroom habits. So Kayleigh's potty training (PT for purposes of shortening this post) adventures began several months ago when she began talking about Mommy and Daddy's bathroom tools. After bath time she'd say things like, "Mommy's potty over there." Or "Paper for the potty, etc" It was clear she was interested in what goes on there. I bought her a potty chair and she has been sitting on it many times while I'm using the potty as well. She always felt quite independent and occasionally would say, "Sit on potty, no pants," So we were casual about it. This past week I decided that it was time to try an actual method. So, during nap time I do what I always do when my child hits a new phase/trend ... search the internet and read mom-blogs. I narrowed it down to two "free techniques" (I'm not into paying for a book, etc) and began a conglomeration that worked with our lifestyle.
Kayleigh did BEAUTIFULLY yesterday. She had no accidents and managed to do "both" kinds of business in the bathroom. She also made it through Meijers with a completely dry diaper (holding it for over an hour and half), and was THRILLED to get some "big girl underpants." (aka pull-ups.) I went to bed last night feeling quite confident about our path towards potty training. Then, this morning dawned ... I swear a different child woke up ...
She wanted NOTHING to do with the potty. She wouldn't sit on it, she wouldn't touch it. She screamed bloody murder each time I suggested it. I tried to use MMC as a motivator and here's where life got interesting. Mommy said, "If you don't sit on your potty you may not watch Mickey Mouse." Kayleigh said, "NO POTTY. WATCH MICKEY." So, I put the remote next to me, guarded for safe keeping and went about feeding Benny his morning bottle. I heard some activity in the bathroom, but since she had previously "made the potty sing" without any reminders from Mom or instruction on what to do, I let her be. Very shortly, she comes trotting her bare bottomed self into the living. "Here ya go Mommy." And she hands me the toilet lid. I shake my head and say, "You're not watching Mickey until you sit on the potty." "NO POTTY! WATCH MICKEY! I GO AWAY! I GO AWAY!" And off her naked behind scampers. A few short moments later, she's back, this time with the inside basin of the toilet in her hands. "Here ya go Mommy." We repeat our earlier conversation, ending the same, "...I GO AWAY! I GO AWAY!"
The next she returns with plenty of thumping and bumping, grunting and yelping. She is dragging her potty behind her. She places it squarely in front of the television, replaces the basin, and snaps on the lid. She opens up the lid, grabs her book, and places her naked behind on the toilet seat. "Mommy, I sit on potty. Watch Mickey Mouse now!" There she sat for 30 minutes, watching Mickey Mouse. She did NOTHING to make the potty sing. That is, until, I told her she could get off of the potty. She promptly returned to the kitchen, grabbed her snack and peed on the floor. I might consider this a sign that she just wasn't quite ready were it not for the patterns that began to emerge.
(1) She peed only on hard surfaces, never the carpet ... (2). She always had her "accidents" immediately after I asked her to sit on the potty chair (3). Any previous success she had had was completely unprompted and un-pressured. (4). The more I talk to her about it the less interested she becomes in trying ...
I put her down for her nap and again consulted the literature. It would seem that she's exhibiting tendencies of a "strong-willed child." Why it never occurred to me that my independent spirit, my precocious little girl would have a mind of her own, I don't know. I can't believe these past few months I was chalking it up to her not being physically or intellectually ready ... when in fact, it might be just that she doesn't want to because it's the very thing Mommy wants her to do ...
We'll see what happens when I stop asking and stop pressuring and simply leave it up to her. If it doesn't work, I'm still a little on the early side, so I can abandon and try again later ... I don't want to make it a power struggle though, and I won't fight with her over something like this. I have plenty of teenage years to worry about "battles," I might as well start picking the right ones now.
Here's some pictures from this mornings "battle of the wills."
[caption id="attachment_775" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Daddy said, "I'm jealous" ... potty chair and tv would be his paradise :)"]
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[caption id="attachment_776" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="This is cuter with her "cheeks" not blurred, but I don't want to be charged with child pornography"]
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Benjamin Update
It's been a while since I've taken the time to give an update on my sweet baby boy. He's growing so quickly, and he develops a bigger personality each day. Nothing major, yet. He's taking his sweet time with rolling, eating, and sitting independently. But I do think we're making progress in all of those areas. I also think, based on sleep habits and temperament changes, we might be headed close to our first tooth! BUT so far in his 4th month Benjamin has continued to be an incredibly happy go-lucky kid. When I take him to nursery during church and Bible study he simply lights up at the new faces and willing snugglers who come to the window. He loves people of all kinds (especially his mommy and his sister!!) There's nothing he loves more than just having great face time with people that he cares about. Even when he's playing with saucer or his playmat, he is constantly looking for faces to watch and to follow. He adores people and it's this that keeps him from his naps. He is still a good napper, so I'm definitely not complaining, BUT he's been waking much more frequently before his naps are complete, trying to get held or rocked. I'm determined (despite how much I just want to snuggle him) to keep up with his excellent ability to soothe himself to sleep. So, I rub his tummy, stroke his face, and let him get back to resting. BUT it is SO difficult. The way his smile lights up the room makes me want to rescue him, kiss his cheeks, and say, "Oh we can cut this nap short ..." But I ALWAYS regret it later. This is a little boy who is at his happiest when he gets his 3 naps a day ...
Other than that, not much new! Here's just a picture of my happy-go-lucky guy!
[caption id="attachment_772" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Watching Mommy's face intently"]
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Cottage Get Together
I was blessed to teach with an incredible team of teachers during my 5 years at KCMS. In the time that I was there, I made some incredible friendships. Even though I don't work at the school any longer, the friendships I made still mean a great deal to me. Steve still sees my former colleagues on a regular basis, so I still get updates. BUT it was great fun to be able to spend time with their wives (yes, the teachers I knew were all male) and their children. I used to hear so much about each child - and the going ons of the families ... that it was great to let my kids interact with the kids I heard so much about. With 5 families in total, and all of the children in tow, there were 10 adults and 13 children. One giant community of people who all met because they love Jesus and love kids ... what wouldn't be fun about that!
[caption id="attachment_757" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Kayleigh and Katelyn sharing the very popular barber's chair"]
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[caption id="attachment_758" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Kayleigh just reading a book"]
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[caption id="attachment_759" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Chuck helping out Adam in a fairly intense wrestling match"]
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[caption id="attachment_760" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Chuck getting lambasted by Sam and Ben while Konrad and Isaac take on Adam"]
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[caption id="attachment_762" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Dinner for 11 (the youngest two, Benjamin Van Dyk and Jared Witte, weren't available for picture) - Clockwise from the head of the table: Josie Sterenberg, Johanna Van Dyke, Elizabeth Netz, Kayleigh Van Dyk, Katelyn Witte, Zoe Commeret (with Michelle), Ben Netz, Isaac Sterenberg, Konrad Van Dyke, Sam Netz, and Katherine Van Dyke (with Heather)."]
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[caption id="attachment_763" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Kayleigh and Elizabeth chatting away"]
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[caption id="attachment_764" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Thanks for a fun day, everybody!"]
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Benny's Chair
Okay, so it really isn't Benny's chair, it's either of them ... Basically, it went like this.1. Mommy and Daddy went to Ikea to buy a recliner 2. Mommy can resist most other things at Ikea because we don't NEED them ... but when it comes to the babies, she's a softy. She saw a mini-recliner. The way Kayleigh adored the old glider (now in the basement), I knew she'd love the matching little kids recliner. 3. We purchased it.
Kayleigh adores it, but Benny got a turn too. He was so proud of himself for sitting by himself, so we had to take pictures. Next up on the picture agenda: Benny and Daddy in matching outfits watching Michigan Football.
Our Little Greeter
Kayleigh loves people. She has loved people since she was old enough to smile. Today, her welcoming of people takes on a different form. She's so much more verbal that it's just hilarious to be around her. This past week she sat at the door waiting for: Daddy, Aunts Sarah and Maria, and Robin. As soon as she grasps that were having a visitor, she sits at the screen door, watching the street. Each car that comes by brings her cheerful voice, "Momma!!! I see car!!! I see car!!!" When it passes by she says, "Oh different car coming ... different car for ____" When the car arrives, well, just watch and see. It's excitement in its purest form followed by a straight sprint "Runnin' ... Runnin' fast!" towards the back door, through the breezeway, and out to the driveway where she almost always realizes, "Oh ... no shoes, Momma, No shoes on!!"
Here she is waiting for her aunties to come:
Here's her waiting for her Daddy to come home from work: 9-29 Waiting for Daddy
Rafa's Personality
We adopted Andre when he was already past his 1 year birthday (according to the vet). Therefore, we never had the privilege of seeing what a "kitten" is like. Rafael is letting us experience "kittendom" in all of it's glory. Here's a few quick snapshots of him being ... a kitten.
[caption id="attachment_742" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Taking over the bed"]
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Rafael decided to take over the bed. It took him over 2 weeks to find a way up (it used to be Andre's hideout). But now that he has made it up, all day long, it's his favorite place (especially when he's "grounded" for fighting with Andre).
At the end of the day, though, he usually finds at least one way to win his "mommy" over.
[caption id="attachment_743" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Kisses for Mommy"]
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Ikea Spontaneity
Steve doesn't like things to remain the same for very long ... especially when it's our living room arrangement. So, last week when he came up with another "new idea" I rolled my eyes. The more I thought about it, though, the more I liked the idea. It gave us more furniture for "living" in the basement play area. It gave us more space for "living" in the main floor living room. So, to make this plan work (in one weekend because I didn't want my house torn up for more than that length of time), we needed an Ikea chair. So ... to Ikea we went (with the kiddos at Sarah's house ... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!). As is typical, we didn't leave Ikea with ONLY the items we planned on. We opportunity power shopped. (we only had 45 minutes after we made the drive) We came away with the planned signature Ikea recliner, a matching one for the baby girl, a wooden block play toy, a plastic wall mount bag holder, and some wrapping paper. As soon as Kayleigh awoke this morning she was all over her new goods ... She beat us out of bed and to her toys before we even knew what hit us ... After that she enjoyed helping Daddy reassemble our stored coffee table. All in all, a very successful (if exhausting for everyone) trip.
[caption id="attachment_732" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Kayleigh and Daddy in their matching chairs"]
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[caption id="attachment_733" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Chair + toy = $38 ... Kayleigh's enjoyment - priceless"]
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[caption id="attachment_734" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Helping Daddy assemble the goodies"]
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[caption id="attachment_735" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption=""Daddy, this is screwdriver ..." "]
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Kayleigh and the Sunglasses
My mom bought Kayleigh a pair of adorable sunglasses last summer. This past Spring Jenny DeNooyer gave Kayleigh a pair of sunglasses to match Comet Purple outfits ... I've been trying forever to get Kayleigh to put them on. Her response was always, "Momma on ... Momma wear glasses. No Kayleigh." However, we kept trying. Finally, last week she not only put them on but decided she liked them. I wasted no time in capturing the moment.
[caption id="attachment_729" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Sassy Sunglass Girl"]
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My only regret is that she's just a few months too late to enjoy the summer season with her shades.
Benny and the Cereal
I'm still perfecting the creation of homemade baby rice cereal. So, as Benjamin's learning to eat it, he doesn't always have the smoothest cereal. BUT we're both getting better. All last week he'd simply scream and cry through his eating. This time, I don't think any more food is going in, but at least he's stopped crying. He even smiles at times during his eating. Hopefully soon Mom will get better at making it and Benny will start to take more in his stomach instead of on his chest. Nevertheless, he takes some cute pictures while he's learning. I love my happy little son.
[caption id="attachment_725" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="While we still tried to use a bib .. "]
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[caption id="attachment_726" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Happy Smiles (with no bib)"]
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M Go Blue ... and the Grandparents
Steve and I were so privileged to get my Uncle Ron Creswell's tickets to the U of M/Massachussets game. It was a pretty lousy game on Michigan's part (about as lousy as you can get and still win), but we had excellent seats. My Uncle and Aunt's seats are in row B in the South endzone, right above the letter C in the field paint. The endzone camera is just 5 people to your right. During kickoff practice, the girl in front of us was hit with a football. It's that close to the field. We were so pumped to have such great seats ... and were blessed to have my parents available and willing to take the kiddos so we could go. We had some trouble with traffic (both to and from AA), but it was worth it. The kids had a smashing time with G&G Creswell. Here's a few photos I stole from my mom cataloging the day.
[caption id="attachment_719" align="aligncenter" width="541" caption="Benny's Buddy, Grandpa"]
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[caption id="attachment_720" align="aligncenter" width="541" caption="Coloring with Grandpa"]
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[caption id="attachment_721" align="aligncenter" width="720" caption="Play-doh with Grammy"]
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[caption id="attachment_722" align="aligncenter" width="541" caption="Walking the baby at Grammys"]
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Unique Entertainment
Several years ago, Steve and I were sitting on the couch, watching a storm raging outside our window. We have a very large front window, excellent for views of the neighborhood (and into our house if we aren't careful about the blinds). We were watching the "romantic" storm when a bolt of lightning flashes out of the sky and strikes the giant tree in our front yard. It's a massive crack and we both spring up, thinking that for certain the tree is coming down on the house. It didn't ... it also died. Making it liable to come down on our house with any subsequent lightning strike or powerful wind storm. With some of the incredible storms we had this summer (and the potential for more storms this coming fall), we decided to have it removed. Insurance won't cover the tree removal, unless it damages our house. While we'd enjoy having some say in the remodel/rebuilding of our home, we aren't really in a financial position to do that :) ... even with the help of insurance. So, we decided to bite the bullet and pay the $1000 fee to have the tree cut down and hauled away. Today (Tuesday, Sep 21) was the day. As soon as the trucks arrived for the work, my baby girl was hooked. She narrated all that they were doing as best she could ... and she never took her eyes of them for 1 second. She was so enthralled by their work and their presence that she hauled her step stool over to the window, brought over her fruit juice and Cheerios and made it her entertainment for the day ... She sat longer watching the "Boys workin'" than she did anywhere the rest of the day.
Coffee "Date"
It was Tuesday morning; the kids were sick. Mommy had to skip Bible study (BUMMER) because no one wants sick babies in the nursery. So, since Bible study was out, I was trying to find a new way to brighten my day. After Benjamin went down for his morning nap (around 8:45), I decided to make myself a skinny white chocolate/chocolate mocha and have a slice of cream filled coffee cake from the Oostburg Bakery (Thanks Sarah from bringing it back with you!). As I prepared my coffee my cute little toddler wandered into view. "Coffee too, Momma??""No, Kayleigh, no coffee for you. You may have juice and a treat, though, would you like that?" "Yes, Momma. Treat with Momma at table." So, I cut a small sliver of coffee cake for Kayleigh and one for myself. We sat and talked (almost nearly like real adults do) about what was happening outside, what we wanted to do today, and what we did yesterday. It struck me mid-conversation just how very very grown up my little coffee date was ... such a doll. Here's her reaction to her first few bites of some of Oostburg's finest baked goods :)
I'm a Mall Walker
It's official ... I'm one of "those" moms. I didn't want to spend money to entertain the kids, but I had HAD it with being in the house. It had been several days in a row that they were napping a ton/recovering from colds, and it was too cold to take a sniffling/sneezing/coughing infant out for a walk. I was DONE sitting around trying to entertain my very active toddler without some change of scenery. So, I packed everyone up and we headed for the mall. I walked around and around the downstairs, and then rode the elevator upstairs and walked around twice. I made it two laps before Kayleigh noticed the Auntie Anne's pretzels. I figured she had earned a snack. So, we snacked in front of a very jealous Benny and then walked some more. Conclusion: Crossroads Mall is NOT sufficient for mall walking ... :( Sorry Kalamazoo, I need Grandville for that one.
[caption id="attachment_708" align="alignleft" width="224" caption="People watching at Crossroads Mall"]
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[caption id="attachment_709" align="alignright" width="224" caption="Too big of a bite ... she's not complaining though"]
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[caption id="attachment_710" align="alignleft" width="224" caption="Wishing he could have a pretzel too ... "]
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Andre's Gift
This summer Andre got into drinking dirty water from Kayleigh's old baths. The tub drains slowly and he'd race in to see what he could lap up from the "moving water." If there were cups or bath toys that didn't get emptied, you could be certain to find him later that evening "cleaning up the mess." He always had water, but it seemed he preferred the moving water. So, like I always do when I have a question, I consulted "The Google." I found that cats much prefer "moving water" to still/stagnant water because it's better oxygenated and helps hydrate them more effectively. Then I saw ridiculously priced cat fountains over $150 each. I wanted my cat to be properly hydrated (and really wanted him to stop drinking from the bath water), but I wasn't going to spend $150. I did a little more research and discovered I could be a lower end model for just $29.99. I realize that's still a lot to spend on a water dish, but ... we haven't purchased anything new for Andre since Kayleigh was born. I figure since he put up with two new babies without ever once coming close to harming a hair on their heads, he deserved a great gift.
He's thanked me by completely avoiding the tub, and be even tolerating Rafa's adoption without much fuss. Here is, happily lapping up water from top of the waterfall.
[caption id="attachment_705" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="$29.99 well spent"]
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Donald says...
Kayleigh adores Mickey Mouse ... that's no secret to anyone who regularly reads my blog. Lately she's been picking up bigger and bigger pieces of regularly repeated phrases from the show. I'll catch her, when talking to herself in the backseat, whisper things like, "Meeska, Mooska, Mickey Mouse!" or she'll be muttering and out pops, "Hey everybody.." or "See you REAL soon!" It's humorous. What I didn't expect a young toddler to pick up on was Donald Duck phrases. I mean, the duck babble is hard enough for an adult to comprehend, but a little language learner??? Nevertheless, my Kayleigh repeats Donald phrases too. (We're still working on using them effectively ... typically she just erupts in one whenever she feels like it .. no clue as to what she's actually saying). As Daddy was mowing the lawn last night, Kayleigh was expressing her frustration at not being able to play with him. She's sitting inside the window sill with her face pressed against the screen shouting out to Dadddy, "Oh BOY, OH BOY, OH BOY!!! DADDY!! OH BOY!!! OH BOY! OH BOY!!" My guess, she interpreted Donald's excitement when he uses that phrase as anger and is repeating when she's angry instead of excited .... I was nearly rolling on the ground laughing ...
Donald's other favorite phrase is, "What's the big idea?!" He uses this when he's frustrated .... Kayleigh likes to use it all of the time. I tried to get her to repeat it on camera, but she was pretty distracted. I helped her get started, and here's her interpretation:
Friday Photoshoot
This morning I intended to take fun pictures of Benjamin. EVERYONE (Dre and Rafa included) was up and at 'em. Therefore, I got to snap pictures of a variety of subjects. Some of my favorites: Kayleigh - "Sometimes her beauty stops me dead in my tracks"
[caption id="attachment_693" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Kayleigh"]
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Benjamin: "His smile brings me unspeakable joy"
[caption id="attachment_694" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Benjamin"]
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Andre: "Just staying sharp"
[caption id="attachment_695" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Andre"]
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Rafael: "Missin' my brothers ..."
[caption id="attachment_696" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Rafael"]
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And of course, what mother couldn't love a few of them getting along:
4 Month Picture Comparison
[caption id="attachment_689" align="alignleft" width="270" caption="Kayleigh, 4 months: March, 2009"]
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[caption id="attachment_690" align="alignright" width="270" caption="Benjamin, 4 months: September 2010"]
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