Month 10

We're just moving right along  ... this year is going by way too fast! The girls went for their 2 3/4 year and 9 month pictures together, and Cara saw our pediatrician for her well-baby appointment. The pictures turned out to be adorable and little Cara is quite healthy. She is 30 inches tall (95%) and 20 pounds (75%); still averaging about 1 inch shorter and 3 pounds lighter than Katie at the same age. Thankfully, with the addition of just a few size 12 month t-shirts, she is just the right size to wear Katie's wardrobe from her first summer.

This was a month for racing. Katie participated in her first 1 mile race, and Cara competed in a baby crawling race. We are SO proud of both our girls! In order to maintain a "reasonable" pace, set by the race committee, Mommy ran and carried Katie for a small part of the race (a distance less than 1 full block), and Katie finished her mile in under 20 minutes! She was by far the youngest runner registered. She received a ribbon for participating and finished with a big grin on her face; asking for water at the finish line. Caroline competed in her baby crawling race as part of the pregame entertainment at a Minor League Baseball game. She was incredible! She was crawling before her knees hit the ground and got halfway to the finish line before Mommy could get to the other side and cheer her on. Cara WON the race, and received some much appreciated diapers as her reward.

Cara really became competent at walking this month. Early in the month she walked a record breaking 6 steps, and by the end of the month she was well on her way to becoming a true toddler! She also began climbing ... climbing on EVERYTHING! Caroline was found on top of a number of places during the month; the picnic table, our stairs, and the living room end table are the ones that stand out most. There are many pictures of Cara's climbing adventures.

Cara has refused all baby food; now that she's walking she believes it is time for grownup table food. In addition to not wanting baby food, she also believes that nobody else should feed her! Mommy set out on a mission to find acceptable finger foods for a person in possession of exactly 2 teeth. Caroline has an adventurous palate and she has enjoyed pretty much anything that has been placed on her highchair tray. So far she has devoured mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, chunks of banana, cooked carrots, overcooked macaroni noodles, pasta sauce, and Cheerios; using a fork or spoon whenever necessary and always refusing assistance! She does still like milk and nursing is about the only feeding activity she'll let Mommy participate in. She even likes it so much that she began consistently signing for "milk" - yay, two way communication with Caroline. (She has also begun clapping and waving "bye-bye", and she is working on the signs for "all done" and "more") Katie has finally begun to expand her palate adding peanut butter, strawberries, and plain ice cream cones to her list of accepted foods. Mealtimes in our household are becoming increasingly easier and much more enjoyable!

For one entire week, our family abstained from watching television at home, we turned the TV off and got creative with activities. Katie learned to pour water, paint with watercolors, drink from a cup, and operate her bubble blower alone. She also began to work on dressing herself and putting on her sandals without help. When the TV was turned back on the girls were introduced to VeggieTales and "The Ballad of Little Joe" became a fast favorite! We also started listening to the VeggieTales worship CD in the car. Katie is already learning many of the lyrics with "Hosanna" and "Your Grace is Enough" being some of her favorites. It brings me so much joy to hear my little girl singing praise songs to our God! It also warms my heart to find her snuggled up with her Bible when I go to cover and kiss her long after she has fallen asleep for the night. I often pray over both my girls that God will give them His heart and conform their will to His ... seeing Katie delight in His word lets me know that prayer is being answered! I am a proud Mommy of two delightfully sweet and beautiful little girls. I love them with all my heart and cannot wait to see what God has in store for them as they continue to grow!