Kate-2 years 1 month old-01-22-07

My dear Kate,

This has been a busy month for you! I guess the biggest thing is that you are potty trained (you do still wear a diaper at night.) I started the Monday before your 2nd birthday and just stopped putting you in diapers. You had 3 accidents the first day, 5 the second and then you’ve been fine since then. Now you will tell me when you need to use the bathroom and you’ll tell your nursery workers at church too! I’m so proud of you. Of course I think it was a lot harder on me than it was for you. I think I had to train myself to take you! Now EVERYWHERE we go…you want to check out the bathroom.

I hear, “What ya doing mommy?” all the time now and “What’s that?” You also love to sing and know a ton of songs. You love to go to Bible Study with me each week because you get to sing songs AND do the hand motions!

Everyone always tell us that you and Claire look exactly the same. I guess we’ll see in a few years if you still do. The 2 of you play together now which is really fun. Claire has this little tunnel that both of you crawl through and just laugh. You are always concerned with where she is and will ask if you can go “check on Claire” when she is taking a morning nap.

You are truly a joy to me and I am so thankful for you. What a blessing to have you my sweet baby girl.

I love you now and always,
Mommy

2008 Presidential Exploratory Committee

Claire-9 months old-01-19-07

Dear Claire Elizabeth,

Today you are 9 months old! Right now you have a cold (as do Kate and I) so we're just trying to get over that. You are a sweet baby but you don't like being sick...you just want to be held all day...I can't blame you for that. You'll cry and Kate will say "Claire Elizabeth wants her mommy" She calls you that now..."Claire Elizabeth." I hear that quite a lot these days..."CLAIRE ELIZABETH...THAT'S MINES!!!" You are helping me teach Kate to share so I thank you for that. The two of you "play" some together now which really is so sweet. You can wave, clap your hands and pat..pat..pat. You make noises that sound like "dada, bye bye, boo" and a few other things. Of course these are just babbles but I love hearing your little voice. It won't be long until you are saying, "KATE O'KELLEY...THAT'S MINES!!!"

One of my favorite things about you being 9 months old is that you still have that baby smell. There is something about the way a baby smell...your skin, your hair, your little baby breath. I guess it's a way God created for mothers to bond with their children. Sadly, it disappears and I won't remember it. So for now I am taking it all in. You are a good baby and a good crawler. You love to pull up now too. You still love to crawl to me and will follow me around. You cry if you can't see me and sometimes if you can see me and I don't pick you up. It's a hard balance between letting you cry and holding you but I'm glad I get to work on it with you.
I love you my baby and you make it fun to be a mom.
All my love now and forever,
Mommy

Rick and Bubba Sing-a-long

As Peggy and I chatted in the car this evening, we hear the following from our 2 year old daughter in the backseat...

(singing)
"Rick and Bubba, Rick and Bubba, Pass the Gravy Please...."


For those not in the Rick and Bubba listening area, go to rickandbubba.com to learn more.

Fear can be a good thing

Psalm 130
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.


Psalm 111
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!

Conversation with Kate

Here is a conversation between Rick and Kate (who just turned 2 a couple of weeks ago.)

While Kate was busy playing:

Rick: Kate! I like your new shoes! Where did you get them?
Kate: At the store
Rick: Did you buy them?
Kate: Yes
Rick: With what?
Kate: Money
Rick: Where did you get money?
Kate: From the bank
Rick: Who's account did that money come out of?
Kate: Peggy's

Hmmm...