Birthday Girl~Little bit of sugar, whole lotta spice!

I remember how quickly my little gal arrived in this world...all pink, chubby and with faux-hawk of jet black hair. Knowing she was most certainly my last child, I remember breathing in her baby smell, marveling at her tiny hands, kissing her amazingly soft cheeks, tracing the outline of her perfect lips with my finger and holding her close. They grow too quickly. I'm becoming more aware that three year old's don't sit for very long...I miss baby Kate sometimes. Always on the go. Although no longer a needy baby....she challenges me daily in new ways. She has growing
independence, free-will and the duality of being both a feisty and affectionate little girl.

I love her spirit.

Happy 3rd Birthday, sweet girl!

You are everything we had hoped for in a daughter and so much more. Having you in our lives has changed us profoundly. Sorry for the sappy post, but anytime your youngest has another birthday and you realize how quickly they are growing up.....you're allowed to be sappy!!!

My big cheesy 3 year old.

Post party blues!

Baking with my bestie

Kate was very grumpy after her nap, but we decided to remedy that by baking cookies together. Jonathan helped too...and Nick...well, he quietly dumped a carton of eggs on the floor behind me.

Snow, Snow..go away!

Okay, so maybe that's my chant. Not a big fan of winter, but the kids have had a blast with our Midwestern winter wonderland. We are fortunate that we have great sledding hills right in our own backyard...but one must be careful or you're dumped in the creek.

Snow Days

Snow days...it's a wonder how I ever got work done the days the kids were home...although, they were a welcome distraction at times, too.

Flashback Friday

She's almost THREE....how on earth does that











happen so fast?

He got her a Nook

A certain sweet man took pity on his wife who squinted to read 4 books within the past two weeks using a Kindle App on her BlackBerry. He went out last night and upgraded her to a color Nook and I think she's in love....and in trouble. Too easy to buy books. She really loves to read. Her friend may work well with the elliptical, too and that's multitasking at it's best!

Polar Plunge-Freezin' for a Reason

January 29th I join 4 other SUPER WOMEN (Wonderwoman, Batgirl, Flash and Robin) to support Special Olympics by taking a dip into the frigid waters of Longview Lake. Please consider supporting this wonderful organization by donating here: http://somo.org/Page.aspx?pid=194&frsid=6659

As a result of generous friends and family members, I have already raised $195 toward our team goal of over $900.

Here we go again....

We visited Dr. Gatti at Children's Mercy again a few weeks ago. Kate continues to battle multiple and consecutive UTI's so it's now time to determine if there is anything anatomical contributing to it and to verify there's no reflux, again. After a renal scan, it was also determined her right kidney is still dilated (which may be her version of ",normal"). We have a VCUG scheduled for right after her 3rd birthday in a few weeks...she's been through this before, but she wasn't even a year old. It will be a painful experience no doubt.

After her surgery in Jan. of 2009 (1 year)

Her last VCUG at CMH-3 months old

One of her many renal scans.

Flashback Friday

...this past June after we spent most of the late morning in the basement after tornado sirens kept going off due to severe weather.

Ringing in 2011

I haven't a clue what 2011 has in store...but if it is anything like this past year, it's bound to be great!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011

Big shout out to my sister-in-law, Nataliya, who did my hair and make-up!