First Holy Communion... Times Two.

Kyra's First Holy Communion was an adventure we partook with friends who should be family. 

Jeremy was going to be gone yesterday, the day the class was to take their first communion, so we invited all of our friends to come celebrate the Mass and watch Kyra on her big day this past Wednesday.

Our priest is such a kind and gentle soul.  When I was half joking-half complaining to some friends about how Jeremy would miss yet another big event in her life, Father immediately asked if we wanted to do it earlier.  He wanted Jeremy to be there to witness her first communion just as much as we did and tapped it into his planner on his phone... his way to make it official. **grins**

Kyra's friends.  I was so, so very glad her friends were able to come watch her.  Have I ever told you we have some of the most amazing friends?  Because we do.  My friend Candace came over and spent an hour curling and spraying Kyra's hair.  I never did get a picture of the final product, something I really wish I would have remembered to do.  It was BEAUTIFUL and will probably never be like that again in her young years since curling hair is not a talent I possess.  Maybe when she gets older she'll find a good friend and stylist or learn to make her own hair a work of art.

For her Second Holy Communion, a phrase that just sounds odd, yet, funny in my own mind, my mother came into town for the weekend to watch.  She's the one who bought Kyra's dress and veil, which pleased me greatly since she found it on sale plus had a great coupon to use as well. 

We also managed to get lucky and have Jeremy home this weekend, after all!  His underway that was scheduled to leave Friday was postponed Thursday and they didn't leave until this morning.  If only we could have predicted the future!
 

 

Kyra was very giddy, both days.  On Wednesday it was more nerves, I think, while the Sunday was pure excitement to see her fellow classmates all dressed up as they skipped around to each other, swishing and swaying in their dresses. 

Somehow, I have never witnessed a child's first communion ceremony, before.  I'm not sure how I've missed it, especially in the last 6+ years since we've attended church with very few missed Sundays.  Even still, I hope I get to witness many more, and not just my own children's.  The delight in their eyes when it comes time to take the Eucharist.... its magical.  Through their eyes, it's all magical.

Jumping Jacks and Attacks

Jeremy taught Kyra the art of jumping jacks the other night and managed to actually video tape something cute and adorable. My favorite part of the video is when Kyra attacks Jeremy with a clothes hanger at the end. I didn't even have a hand in teaching her that one!

Conversations With A 2 Year Old

Kyra: Mommy! Look at all my nipples!
Me: Those aren't nipples, those are called goose bumps.

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Kyra: PRAISE TO THE LORD!
Me: Where did you learn that from?
Kyra: In the bathroom.

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Me: What are you doing?
Kyra: I just gonna listen to this book.
Me: Is the book going to talk to you?
Kyra: No, Daddy gonna read it to me.
Jer: I don't remember agreeing to this!

Gymnastics or Ballet?

The debate of whether to enroll Kyra in gymnastics or ballet has been solve.

We took Kyra ice skating on Friday. Rented a walker, taught her how to stomp on the ice to help her walk. By the end of our session Kyra was ditching the walker in an effort to set out on her own.

Sunday brought another day on the ice. No walker this time. This is our first few minutes on the ice and look at how well she's picked up this balancing and walking routine:

By the end of our session she was not just walking across the ice but running! The child has absolutely no fear of falling because when she does she simply scoops up a handful of snow and proceeds to eat it. Apparently this is her treat for being a good sport.

The catch is, classes are expensive. Affordable but expensive.

With a certain little girl's birthday coming up, we will gladly take cash donations to help pay for her lessons...

Smiley Faces for Lunch

At lunch Kyra decided her bologna was the perfect tool to make smiley faces out of. I thought it was so darned cute I took pictures. One day she'll be so very proud of first piece of edible artwork.

This first one she declared the cheese to be two eyes and a mouth. Couldn't you tell from first glance that's what it was?
Her second piece of work was created using her craisins and Spanish olives. A complete face- eyes, nose and mouth- that she even models for the camera.
Looks just like her doesn't it?

And those olives there... she ate one and declared they made her tongue feel funny. I'm not exactly sure what that means but she didn't eat the other three.

What You've Missed

Writer's Block, still goin' strong!

Some of the things I could have posted about should I have found the right words:

-Saturday we took Krya to a water park. She was much braver then I was climbing to the tippy top of one of the rides all while bouncing around like a wild woman. 70 feet off the ground should really have more cover then an open stairwell with a railing 4 feet high facing the great wide open air. Even though I am super duper petrified of heights I braved two of these kinds of stairwells because 1) my kid has no fears and 2) these were the most adult kind of rides Jer would be able to shoot himself down on this particular visit to the water park. By the time we were waiting for our raft at the tippy top of the second (even taller then the first) tower I had to stoop down because I was 97% sure I was going to vomit from a combination of fear of heights and the fact that some people just don't know how to stand perfectly still so the tower will quit rocking back and forth. Now I want my Mother/Wife of the Year award!

-How many times should one tell their child she must wear panties to church before threatening to leave her at home with the dogs and then pretend to do so? Don't look at me like that, I only took the dogs out to do their business before we left. Can't leave your child at home with the dogs if you leash them up and take them with you. It's not my fault if a 2 year old doesn't comprehend that.

- Jeremy has a cold. Either he's on his death bed or the world is ending, I'm not certain exactly which one it is, yet.

- Kyra has started day 2 of eating strait watermelon. There's nothing wrong with that, is there? I mean, she, herself, has consumed half of a good sized watermelon all on her own. Impressive, no?

Craptastic

Kyra crapped in a public toilet twice today. On purpose.

If you all only knew the trouble we have when she has to poo and refuses to do so in a public restroom.

I'm hoping today isn't just a fluke...

Lets Talk Condoms

Kyra picked up her first condom today.

At the beach.

It had been used.

I know, the act of sex on the beach is absolutely disgusting, the drink, however, is really yummy. But, really, who wants sand all in their personal cracks and crevices?

No I didn't take a picture. Your welcome.

Although I probably would have taken a picture of the condom laying in the sand if I had the ability. Because I'm gross and snicker at dirty humor like that. I had my camera, just not my memory card.

The First Six Months

My longest running BFF asked me to post some pictures of Kyra when she was wittle-itty-bitty and because I'm a doting mother and think my kid was just the cutest thing to ever grace this world, how could I not oblige?

I've mentioned it before, but Kyra never slept as a baby for more then a quick, pick me up, cat nap. This was one of them. She was a week old here.

Her first Halloween at one month.
First Thanksgiving at two months. I have many pictures of her cat napping with things over her head. It was her thing and I thought it was just so damned cute.
First Christmas at three months. No she did not suck her thumb, she chewed on it. To this day she still curls her thumb in her mouth and chews on it.

At four months and the little terror started scooting. Backwards, always backwards.
Five months? The little shit started to pull up. She still didn't crawl in a forward motion but she could stand with very little support.
Six months. She is just so damned cute I could eat her. She was stock full of personality. Even then she was a little sassy pants. I think she was trying to convey the message "Hey, why the hell do you keep taking pictures of me in the bath? Can a girl get some privacy?"
Ah, I miss those days. Anyone want to offer me their newborn so I can do it all over again?

I Have Dermaids Please?

Since taking Kyra for the second time to Weeki Wachee Springs to see the real live mermaids, my little girl has seemed to fall head over heels in love with the half fish, half naked women. Also known as Dermaids which is Kyra's super cute pronunciation.

We are now the proud owners of both The Little Mermaid Movie and a 3 foot, 30 piece puzzle that Kyra is absolutely crazy about. She watched the movie in it's entirety without a single peep escaping her lips- a feat never before accomplished. And the puzzle, we've assembled it 409,735 times already and she only opened the box for the fist time at 6:30 last night.

She's never been this thrilled about any character/object before. I'm thinking of buying stock in all things Mermaid to help feed her addiction.

New Milestone (For Kyra and Myself)

Did ya'll know you're the greatest group of people that ever lived? Seriously.

There was not a single friend or family I told in person who actually stopped, listened, and asked me how they could help. Not. One. Person. I got a lot of Well, I've seen her do [whatever] before or I've never noticed and more then all the other comments, There's nothing wrong with her, your pediatrician is blowing smoke from her ass.

You guys were all Why the hell didn't you tell us? which, really, made me come to near tears with every one of your comments. So, thank you. You're words touched my heart. (God forbid) if there is ever a next time, I cross-my-heart promise I won't leave you out of the loop.

Wanna know why today was very awesome? Kyra played pretend with her BFF for hours today. Ow-Errs. Hours. She was pulled around in a wagon- played with their kitchen toys- read books- they put on their shoes, each grabbed a book and proceeded to talk about how they were going to church and then shopping. It was adorable. And a first for Kyra.

She has read books for an hour by herself before, she's played for 15, 20 minutes by herself while building with Lego's but never for hours with someone other then Jer or myself. It was amazing to watch.

And because she was so amazing I finished Kyra's dress today! I was going to take pictures of her and post about that tonight but Kyra decided to somehow climb up the side of the bathtub when I turned my back and get my razor. I was busy talking on the phone with my mom, pacing from the bathroom to the living room, around the coffee table and back to the bathroom. In that short period of time she snatched my razor, rubbed her thumb across the edge and confirmed that her circulation was great. She was tired, she "have a boo boo on my finn-ger", and nothing would stop the pain like a band aid and a good cuddle.

Yep, I'm still in competition for the coveted Mother of the Year Award.

Tomorrow I'll bring you pictures of the finished product. Stay tuned. You'll be impressed.

I'll Take That As A Hint

Remember when you first looked at your mother and decided they had no idea what they were doing when it came to dancing? Do you also remember when they attempted to dance in public and you were absolutely mortified?

Kyra had that moment last night.

I- a fairly good dancer, or so I've been told- was doing my moves through the Wal-Mart isles trying to entertain Kyra and make her laugh. Dancing used to work every time.

So I'm dancing. Kyra start crying and tells me "No dancing Mommy. Not nice! Stop it!" After I ignored her and continue to dance she starts in with the "Look at me, I said no ma'am!" Which in turn only makes Jeremy and I start to die of laughter because those last commands are word for what I say to her when she ignores me.

I think I'll take this as a hint to dance in public whenever I can. For no other reason then to embarrass her because that's my job as a mother.

At least that seemed to be my own mother's main job in my life...

(Love You Mom!)

Kyra's 1st Santa Experience

You'd assume that by looking at this picture that Kyra was all about sitting on the Jolly Elf's lap...

But no. To get this lovely picture Kyra's arms had to be pried from my neck with her screaming at me "No! No Mama! Keyda All Done! Keyda Get Down!"

Apparently when a stranger yells in Kyra's general direction to "Say cheese," that's all it takes before she sits up strait, puts her hands in her lap and smiles beautifully.

Then she was done. There was no more fun to be had until she left Santa's perimeters area. After that she wanted to stand at the rope and wave to Santa and repeat "Ho ho ho, Merry Kiss Miss!"

Tis the Season to Be Sentimental

The last day of November officially sets of the Christmas season for me. In my house, we begin the season with Kyra's annual Christmas portrait session. This year will probably be the last time she'll wear the Mrs. Clause dress. It was a pain in the butt to find this year's dress, as most stores stop carrying such styles at 24 months.

This year is sort of nostalgic. It'll be the last year she still harbors her last bit of baby-isms, like the babble that frequently slips into with her slew of new sentences and the way she still runs with her arms bobbing about, half outstretched at her sides.

By this time next year I see her in her full fledged toddler stage. She'll be a blossoming 3 year old with her first buds of little girl starting to appear.

This Christmas, however... This Christmas is mine, to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of my baby enjoying her 1st Christmas all over again, for the 3rd time. By next year she'll start understanding the magic, believe in Saint Nicholas and remember what the decorated tree and presents underneath it are all about.

Until that happens, I'll be here- watching my little Kyra see everything with wide eyed amazement. For the 1st time, for the 3rd time.

A Little Taste of Heaven

Kyra had her very first taste of Heaven last night in the form of a strawberry something er other flavor milkshake from one of the greatest ice cream shops -ever- Cold Stone Creamery.

Hey, why not go for the best for the first time around? The world could use another ice cream snob. Besides, she seemed to enjoy it.

Latest Milestone

After eating her 4th helping of fruit salad during supper last night (that pesky tape worm is back, always demanding, More bites?) Kyra informed us that "Fruit Salad is yummy in my tummy!"

This is her first real sentence. As in not coached, mimicked or otherwise. It contains a noun, verb and some other stuff that I can't remember from my 3rd grade grammar lessons.

How freaking cool is that? My 2 year old formed a full sentence!

To Swim Or Not To Swim. That Is the Question.

Today was our last day of swim class for this session. Kyra has the option of passing from Parent/Child to Level 1, if I think she's mature enough to handle it. The swim instructor's only concern is that Kyra's not all the excited to be without her mommy and in the Level classes, no parents allowed pool side.

The pro's:
-Kyra gets a great boost in this whole swimming process, which I'm all about. The earlier she learns to swim the better. That's one less thing I have to worry over when she's around the water.
-We've had this same swim instructor since Kyra was 7 months old. I've grown to trust her when she takes my child from my hands to teach her a new skill.
-I don't have to hop into that freezing cold "heated" pool.

The con's:
-I have to leave my little baby's life in someone else's hands and I'm not allowed to supervise.
-I don't get to be the first person to see her learn a new skill. It won't be me to cheer her on the first time she learns to doggie paddle to keep her head above water.
-Kyra's still screaming bloody murder when I leave her with anyone other then my good friend. (Hi, Joelle! Hurry up and come home!)

So what do you guys think? Should I move her up the next go around or keep her in the parent/child class? Am I being the big baby when hesitating to move her up or am I justified by her hysterical screaming fits every time I leave the room?

Now, your turn... tell me your opinions. Go!

Kangaroo Jumping and Giraffes Going Pee Pee in the Potty

Kyra has mastered the jump. Both feet now come off the ground. She also thinks it is great fun to occasionally, in the middle of her 2 inch leap of faith, to bend at the waist and fall on her bum. I think it would hurt dearly if I tried it, but I'm thinking she must have a different technique then I do because she laughs hysterically before getting up to do it again. She has turned herself into a regular jumping kangaroo, bouncing around my house 2 inches at a time, from her feet to her tail and back up again.

Along with having a Kangaroo around my house, I have also acquired a potty training Giraffe. Kyra has taken her pull toy (also known as G'aff) and started to teach it pee pee in the potty. Don't worry, G'aff isn't alone, Al Ga-or (our resident alligator whose back is a xylophone) and Al Ga-or (our alphabet spouting caterpillar with the same name) have all started potty training as well. Kyra takes each one, several times a day, and holds them over the potty while instructing them how to, uh, pee pee in the potty. She also tells them that they must wipe, flush and wash their hands. Freaking adorable, people.

Note To Self

Just because Kyra can make it though 1 hour of church with out soiling her panties doesn't mean its a good idea to take her to a 4 hour birthday party with her panties on. Her thighs are not big enough to make a seal with the leg holes and she will poop on the host's floor.

Poo Poo In the Pot-tay

Yes folks, its that time again. Potty Training, take 2!

Monday I had a luncheon with some lovely ladies who suggested that I let Kyra run around naked for a few days. I didn't quite understand how that makes her pee-pee in the potty, but I was willing to give it a try.

Tuesday, Run Naked Day 1- I take her to the potty every 15 minutes, not one accident. Granted she held her poo until I put a diaper on her for nap time, but none the less, I didn't have to clean up the floor once.

Wednesday, Run Naked Day 2- Good gosh, I can't believe this is working 2 days in a row!

Thursday, Run Naked Day 3- This is working so well that I decided to put panties on her after supper. Trouble hits, I'm cleaning puddles up off the floor. Its good thing I have hard wood.

Friday, No More Naked Baby Syndrome- Panties go on shortly after breakfast, the puddles begin.  We change her panties.  This goes on through 4 more pair of under-roo's, and then it clicks! The remainder of the day is spent in the same pair of drawers! Yea!

The most exciting part of the day is that not only is Kyra taking herself to the potty, but on one of these occations she poo'd in the potty! We clapped, yea'd and made a great big deal out of it. And just because I thought she needed to make it a little more special, we called my mom so Kyra could tell "Ga" what she did. After the phone call Kyra was so proud of her self every time she went to the potty she wanted to call "Ga".

This potty training is turning out much simpler than I thought, or maybe I've been really lucky on this one too. Hopefully I'm not jinxing the whole process...