Kelli's words: 8mo

Kelli is beginning to assign us names. Especially those most familiar to her, like Sydney and I. I noticed this morning that she refers to me (most of the time) as "Duduh" (I refuse to say its dada but it sounds like duhduh anyway so let's be specific!)... and Sydney is referred to most of the time as "Bah-buh". Andy is, off course, Dada (but whatever, I know... sounds the same as me... but let's be individuals for my sake).

She also says: zizzy, dizzy, fuh-fffuh, vvvummm (when she's really mad!), mama (3x and counting), yaya, hi, heya and she makes this funny sound like "gill-ull-ull-la-gill-lull-la" as though she's tickling the back of her throat (usually with a pacifier in her mouth) and ALWAYS when she's flirting, smiling or trying to charm her way out of the crib.

but if she is MAD, or really put off (or for instance, I'm giving her a bath) you'll hear a lot of screaming with: BUMMM-UMMM-VUMM-UM-VUMM!! BUMM-UMM-VUMM!!!!

Recent Sydneyisms

me: Sydney did you brush your teeth like I asked?
S: umm. yes?
me: yes? well okay. I believe you.
S: wellll. don't believe me yet. I'm not sure I remember. Don't watch where I go.



(leaving the gym, Kelli is screaming her head off- we literally got kicked out of childcare)
Sydney: can we still go to the zoo?
me: doesn't look like it honey, I'm sorry
Sydney: oh well. this was a good experience today.
me: experience? what was?
Sydney: just my day today.



(eating in the Lifetime cafe, Sydney looks up at the tv)
S: Look mom! the Go Hokies are on tv!
me: (I look up, it's basketball, but sure enough... the VT symbol is on, though SO TINY, on the bottom, left part of the screen) yeah I guess so huh.
S: Daddy will sure be upset he's missing the Go Hokies, huh.
me: this is basketball, he only watches football
S: but it's Go Hokies, and that's what he's all about.

MORE tests...

I have tests all week. I have made Texspresso my second home lately, as this is where I retreat to in order to escape the cries, needs and tiny stalkers from home. I get a lot done here. Unfortunately this week is putting plenty of tests in my lap. Boo.

When I got home I noticed Sydney had recieved the mail.
Letters from Lindsay.

We began doing a little "spring cleaning" so we're digging around drawers etc.
Guess what we found just by lifting up the bed skirt of the crib.
Yeah! Someone has a secret stash!! And here I thought we were losing them all over town and buying new ones. Tricky.

Sydney said she is going to start hiding her secret stash in her monster slippers. I asked her what her secret stash was and she said it's a secret.

In the middle of the floor you will find a heap of toys Sydney has chosen to give away to children who need toys more than she does. She even picked her cherished tinker bell treehouse?? Which took her 2 months to earn!! I asked her to think about it and she said "well, some kids need it more than I do".
I guess I'm doing something right here.

Kelli's first pigtails!

Not perfect, but she had a hair sprout. She has decided all of a sudden that she HATES taking baths. Just ask some of the folks who live in the neighborhood adjacent to ours. (they heard)

Tigger's back!

Kelli tried everything. She pulled, yanked, grabbed... and he just stared at her like "nope. I was here first". There was nothing she could do. She got a kick out of it.

He finally retreated up to the desk when she began squealing. He didn't know how to react to that. I love his expression here. Doesn't he look like he owns the place?
Not even our cat.

One of Kelli's newest obsessions. Turning on and off light switches. Her eyes get SO big when she turns them on or off and she sees the change in the room. She gets a smile like "wow. I did that?" Then she cries when I walk away from it.

Another new obsession. (but I get a little cleaning done in the process, so I let her)

I love her!!! This is what she picked out to wear to school today. Even matched the bow.
I asked her to give me "the Sydney pose" and this is what I got.
I told her "ugh, you're funny. I love you so much" and gave her a kiss and she said "mmm... it's so refreshing to hear you say that Mom."
???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Valentines Day!

Our first little whipper-snapper to get up. Daddy was up bright and early signing cards for his little girls. Kelli destroyed hers.

Sydney got her goodie bag of bubbles, books & lip balm.

I love it! I got a couple hand-made ones too!

Andy was so cute. He went out and picked out special little things for all us girls.

After I took Kelli for a jog, we all got ready and went for a family lunch at Tarka.

nom-nom!

nom nom nom!!!

chicken tikka masala is probably one of Sydney's favorite things on earth (next to m&ms)

Afterwards we walked the trails around Sunset Valley

She HAS to be the leader

Sydney took her camera with her to take some photos of flowers.
There were not many flowers around (a lot of brown grass and trees though)
She used her imagination.

Andy said these pictures look "creepy".
I think they're sweet.
What does he know.

It's a bridge.
photo op.
Why is it that every time you pass a bridge you're like "oh wait. stop. take a picture! we're on a bridge!"... why? what is so special about a bridge that you have to have a picture of you standing next to it. Like you're old settlers traveling to California in the Gold Rush and you see a bridge and think "By George!! A Bridge!!! we made it!"
I don't know.

I like it.

This NEVER happens.
off course some 17 year old kid blaring his Lil Wayne with all his windows open had to drive by and wake her up. (on his way to Barnes & Noble probably)

Sydney loves these things. Don't know the names of these. But we all had to make a Valentines Day Wish.

I'm a bit wind-blown but we got 1/2 a smile out of Kelli!

On our way home we passed a ton of homeless people. Sydney handed out two of her "goodie bags" that we prepare (clean socks, water bottles, granola bars, candy etc). She was super happy to roll her window down but actually said to one "I have this for you because I knew you were a homeless guy because you got that sign" and he said "God loves you sweetie. I appreciate it".
It was cute. The ALL had dogs. (noted. will include dog treats in the goodie bags now!)

Got a new membership on the way home. We like the YMCA, but this place is ridiculous.
Andy was sold on the raquetball courts. It's SO much bigger & tons more to do. So out with the YMCA and "in" with the Lifetime.

My mom brought over cakes for us (one for andy and one gluten free for syd and I) and I cut out crown and heart shapes for her as a treat.

She doesn't exactly look happy to be eating cake does she?
Well, she was getting better from the flu, acting totally fine. Now her ears hurt (I grabbed this picture just as she was about to say "my ears are hurting now Mommy"). So the flu is gone, but now ear infection has invaded. Calling the doctor AGAIN. I don't think Sydney has ever had an ear infection, to be honest! Kelli was my first experience with ear infections. Sydney may have had one WAY back in the day but never treated. So I know this has to be an infection. She's never complained about pain in her ears.
I have a MAJOR test on Tuesday and MUST study all day tomorrow.
Please Lord, bless my Mother with good health and strong bones in the morning to help me!!!!
I love my mom!

I just needed ONE thing. That's all. One thing.

But we loaded everyone up (bags, snacks, strollers, inhalers, you name it...) and went to the mall.

To get my ONE thing I needed.

And ended up doing just about everything BUT getting the one thing I needed.
$10 for 5 minutes. *chuckle chuckle*

She had a BLAST, though.

On the way home the sun came out and Andy had to borrow one of my pairs of sunglasses.
I dug out the most "male" pair I could find (out of the 956 pairs I had in the glove compartment)... and I think he looked like one of those kids form Jersey Shore.

Sydney is hopped up on all the albuterol from her nebulizer, it's making her REALLY hyper, and as if she didn't talk a lot in normal circumstances, this is ridiculous. AND we're stuck in a car with her. "Mom do you remember that time when we made the dolls and fed them paper....do you? Mom remember when we were pretending the paper was food and we fed my dollies?" /huh? yeah I guess/"Mom you're ignoring me. I'm not going to talk to you anymore. Except when I need something. Dad? When we get up to the light, I'll tell you when to turn, okay? And then when we go past a pool, we'll go by a park. Do you know what pool and park start with? .... Do you Dad? Dad? Are you listening?"/ yes Sydney/"Then tell me what I just said"
And that's about how the entire car ride was.
Somehow Kelli slept through it ALL.

Memaw came by to deliver Valentines! Kelli saw Puffs in her bag and started crying right away because she couldn't get them open. COMEDY!!! Like, someone had to open them NOW, and sprinkle them for her.
NOW!

Syd got a puzzle, stickers and M&Ms.

And whiskers on kittens... and those are a few of her faaaaavorite things!

Kelli's got this man wrapped around her fingers.

After nap.
"Gaurd! I'm ready for my meal & phone call!"

My sister stopped by to see the kids (yay!! more distractions!)

I tried to get more good pictures of them in matching V-day outfits. no dice.

Uncle Doug painted with Syd...

While Kelli kissed Aunt Jenny's butt! haha

Later I was trying to teach Kelli to make kisses.

We'll try again later.

Sydney pouting in the pantry bc she didn't like my choice of dinner.
macaroni.
WHAT child doesnt want macaroni???

She was challenged to find something better, but couldn't.
so macaroni, turkey and broccoli it was.
SUCKA!

Conclusion of our evening, Sydney teaching Kelli how to say "Yay!".
cute.