Valentine's Artwork and Sister's Party

This is the first time I have really done valentines and a big valentine project with Kezzie (for Daddy), so it was fun and rewarding to see the results.  I didn't get a picture of the individual valentines, but they were the same idea, just on individual cards.  I saw this idea for taking a toilet paper roll, bending it to make a heart shape, letting the toddler dip it in paint, and repeat to their hearts content!  Viola! 

I think she had a good time.  I love how she is always up for anything whenever I say, "Kezzie, do you want to do a craft now?"  Two is such a fun age!

We also had a fun Valentine's party with our friends at SIM (Sister's in Motherhood).  We made Valentine's Day hats.

Did a Valentine's march (of course!)

 

And celebrated Tenia's one year old birthday with birthday cupcakes made by Katie . . . Kezzie liked them, hence the chocolate gotee. . . 

 

I just thought these heart shaped cinnamon rolls (also made by Katie) were too beautiful not to photograph!

Documenting Life

So, I basically skipped documenting 2012, but se la vi and on with 2013!  I am typically one to guilt-trip myself into paralysis, so this is a good step for me to just do it! 

Kezzie is definitely a major motivator in blogging and documenting in general, because, as with most kids, and especially 2 year olds, the world becomes such an awe-inspiring place full of new wonder . . . and thus hilarious things are said, discovered and experienced on a daily basis! 

So, without further belaboring my desire to blog and yet procrastination in it, here are some recent memorable moments with Kezzie that I don't want to forget:

1) In the past week or two, she has begun calling me "Mama" more frequently (versus "Mommy").  I'm not quite sure where this came from, but we do seem to read a lot of the Berenstain Bears and, of course, Mama Bear is present.  I think what is so funny about her calling me "Mama" is that it reminds me of something out of Little House on the Prairie or a Jeannette Oke book.  But, we live in the city, the very opposite of women wearing flowing skirts part of the city.  I also wonder if Kezzie started calling me Mama to somehow get me attention or try something new out.  Either way, it is music to my ears!
2) Just last night, while Kez and I were Skyping with Jesse (who is in Haiti, btw, till Tuesday), I asked Kezzie if she wanted to sing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" for Daddy.  Much to both Jesse and my surprise, she rapped it!  Totally cute and was not taught to her that way! 
3) Kezzie has this cute habit when describing whether something is, for example, (I apologize for the examples) salty, hot, poopy, etc, she will say it is "a little bit, not too much" in a very matter of fact way. 

So, maybe some pictures next time and/or some deep thoughts/reflections.  But for now, that's my effort at documenting Kezzie.  You just can't get these years back! 

Our trip home from West Virginia

Last week, Kezzie got to see her Daddy perform for the first time in Hico, West Virginia.  On our way home, we took some shots at the look out point on Afton Mountain.  

 Kezzie always knows how to have a good time!

A little photo shoot in Grandma Liz's dresses . . . or "The Elf Princess"

Before Kezzie was born, my mom had given me some of my Dad's mom's baby dresses.  They are beautiful and really neat, but what do you do with antique dresses? . . . I thought about somehow framing them and putting them on the wall, which I may do someday, . . . but for now, I thought it would be nice to get some pictures of Kezzie in a few of them before she gets too big (and before they fall apart!).  So, here is my attempt at it . . . I do commend professional baby photographers!  This is not easy (thus the unusual hair styles at the end of the photo shoot :).  

Eyeing her pacifier . . .

Slowly sliding down the chair . . .

 Jesse thought she looked like an elf princess from Lord of the Rings . . .

Papa's 55th Birthday

 Russell, Jesse's dad, has chosen to be called "Papa" by his grandchildren.  And for his birthday this year, he said he wanted a picture with the two grandchildren . . . 

 Kezzie seems all about her cousin, Ian.  I've never seen her try to touch another baby's head before . . . She's got some sharp nails, though, so definitely needed some supervision. :) 

Trip to see Uncle Josh and Aunt Jeanna

On March 1st, Kezzie went on her first trip to Winston-Salem to see Uncle Josh and Aunt Jeanna . . . and George and Cooper (their Golden Retrievers).

 Josh and Jeanna got Kezzie a new book.  It definitely got her attention.

Watching the news . . . all three of them.

Fun with Uncle Josh

Some of Kezzie's Favorite Things

It's been fun to begin to notice some of Kezzie's favorite things. . .

~ Looking out the window.  This might be the same for most babies, especially when it comes to looking at light.  She seems to love looking outside.
~ Everything shiny.  Last week, we were in the stainless steel section of an appliance store and Kezzie appeared a bit overwhelmed with all the shiny everywhere!  We first noticed her love of shiny silver when she started staring at and reaching for my stainless steel water bottle.
~ Kisses.  She has started "anticipating" when someone is coming in for a kiss, by opening her mouth very wide and squinting her eyes.
~ Checking out solid food.  She watches us as we eat and reaches out to grasp what she can, always with an open mouth.
~ Grabbing her feet, which she has been doing the last three weeks, and starting this last week, putting them in her mouth. . . another prize for her to suck on!  I guess baby lint between her toes won't hurt her.
~ Pounding on the computer keyboard.  While we try to limit Kezzie's "screen time" sometimes it is convenient to hold her on one's lap while sitting at the computer to get something done.  I don't know if she likes this because of the clicking sound it makes or because she sees us do it.  Last week it appeared that she was starting to realize some cause and effect between pounding on the keyboard and causing something to happen/appear on the screen, as she pounded and then immediately looked up at the screen.
~ Hanging out with her Mimi and Papa . . . photos to come soon.