Parent/Child Dedication

We had Katelyn's Parent/Child Dedication at church recently. Since we moved and were in between churches, the timing never worked out for us to do it when she was a baby. My parents, sister, and her family came to the dedication.

Katelyn was in full activity mode, running up and down the hallway before the service started. She did not want to be held and squirmed and fussed up until they called our name to stand before the congregation. She behaved for the two minutes we stood there, and then the minute we left the Sanctuary, she bolted from our arms and loudly ran down the hallway. At least she was good when it counted!

See what I mean? Flight risk.

A few other updates:

• She's communicating more clearly with us through nodding/shaking her head, saying no (a lot!), additional baby sign language, and a little bit of talking (though it takes awhile for us to translate what she's really saying).
• She runs everywhere she goes. EVERYWHERE.
• She's in a growth spurt and has a huge appetite. Her current favorite food is strawberries.
• Her word for Annabelle is "Beh"-- as in, AnnaBEHlle. I didn't live close to one of my cousins until I was 16, so I'm glad Katelyn gets to share lots of childhood memories with Annabelle (and Annabelle's sister Zoe, who will make her debut in April). Plus, having my sister nearby is just convenient. I'm glad she started the parenting thing before me, because she is full of good advice!
• Katelyn LOVES books, music, coloring, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and PraiseBaby. She doesn't stay with one activity for more than 10 minutes.
• She is most often disciplined for hitting something (or someone) when she's mad. And she makes valiant effort to avoid eye contact with the person disciplining her.
• She loves throwing trash in the trash can and putting dirty clothes in her hamper. We love this, too, and are taking full advantage. :)

Fall... literally

We were so excited to take Katelyn to her school carnival on Friday night. She was going to be dressed as a Dalmation puppy-- so cute! 

Instead, we spent Friday evening at an after-hours clinic. At 5:00 on Friday, Katelyn tripped and fell at school and, in the process, bit all the way through the skin underneath her bottom lip. OUCH. It didn't appear that she needed stitches, but we went to a clinic as a precaution. 

Long story short, it was a horrible experience on every possible level.

Horrible.

Thankfully, the doctor confirmed that Katelyn probably didn't need stitches, unless we just wanted to go that route. We did not. She gave us an antibiotic prescription in case of infection, and we were outta there. Despite the antibiotic, Katelyn ended up getting impetigo anyway (infectious rash that spreads, often the result of a nearby injury) on her chin, which was also not fun. But we're over that now and I'm grateful.

This picture was taken two days later, but you can kind of see the cut underneath her lip. 

Since we didn't make it to the school carnival, we joined cousin Annabelle for Trunk or Treat at Annabelle's church. It was fun! 

Dalmation Katelyn and Cinderella Annabelle... and one of my favorite pictures ever! They are such sweet friends and cousins.

At the petting zoo... and likely contemplating eating the animal food herself.

Finally getting to pet a goat

giving the giant pumpkin a hug

Loved the bean bag toss

October was rough. Katelyn also had a stomach virus and major teething misery (but those two molars FINALLY came through, hooray!). Here's to hoping for a much smoother November!

Soccer game

We met Mia and PawPaw (precious friends from Waco) in Arlington to watch their grandson's soccer game. Katelyn loved it and was eager to go wherever the ball was. Good thing Mia found an extra ball for her to play with-- otherwise she would have been on the field!

A few other updates:

• Katelyn loves pumpkins. She calls them "balls" and laughs and laughs when she sees one.
• Her latest fascination is apples, or as she says, "app-e." We discovered this when she took a bite out of an apple Dave was holding that he intended for himself. She ate 3/4 of it.
• She understands the concept of a trash can... sort of. She understands that's where we place unwanted things. So when Katelyn's socks and shoes go missing at school (as they often do), the trash can is the first place they look because that's where she likes to put them. Sigh.
• Ironically, she loves identifying her toes and feet, socks and shoes.
• She will also identify anyone's hair by tugging gently on it, and eyes by poking them (sorry, Baylor).
• She is most proud of her bellybutton-- and when (not if) she shows you hers, you'd better be ready to show yours. If not, no big deal. She'll find it anyway.
• She likes something to be HER idea. For example, if I offer her a sippy cup of milk in the morning, she'll often get mad and refuse it. However, if I place the sippy cup on the table where she can reach it when she's ready, she'll likely drink all of it. Good grief.