I forgot to mention...

... that Katy has all 4 upper front teeth coming in at once! We knew one was on it's way just as we were leaving for Canada 4 wks ago. While there, she would burst out crying for what seemed like no reason, which is very unlike our Katy. We would give her some baby Tylenol, assuming it was the tooth that was the problem. Upon a closer inspection when we arrived home a week later (not the easiest thing to do, as Katy isn't too cooperative when it comes to trying to look at her gums), I realized that all 4 teeth were poking through. Poor girl!! They are still in various stages of coming in, but they don't seem to be as painful anymore. But Katy still often has a finger or thumb rubbing back and forth over the area. She still only has the two front teeth on the bottom. So 6 teeth in (almost)... only 26 more to go!!

Oh, one more thing! Yesterday, all by herself, Katy pulled herself up holding on to one of those little toddler sit & ride or push toys (this one is a little train we brought back from Canada that goes "choo-choo" as it's pushed along). She then proceeded to walk pushing it right across the living room until she hit a wall and couldn't go any further. Katy was very proud of herself... kept looking at me over her shoulder with a big grin. So our little girl has now progressed from standing to walking if she just has something for balance! And it's not the easiest task on our hardwood floors, as any toy on wheels glides quickly, but her little feet kept up!

13 mnth update

I'm a few days late, but it's time for Katy's 13mnth update. This past month can be summed up as the "mobility month." Katy turned 1 and apparently decided, "Ok, it's time for me to get going!" One month ago she was just barely crawling a few steps here & there. 10 days after turning 1, right as we were heading for a week visit in Canada, Katy began pulling herself up to standing. (I will post photos from our visit there soon!) Only a few weeks later, and there is no stopping her... she now crawls all over the house, pulls herself up on anything and anyone, and even takes small steps while holding onto furniture or our hands.

Katy is as social as ever, saying "Hi!" to random people we pass on the street or in stores. And she'll keep saying it until she is acknowledged! Katy loves her stuffed animals and teddy bears... every morning we find her happily hugging each one. Katy will also hold her dolls just like a baby - on one shoulder while patting their backs as if to burp them - too cute!!

If there is a cupboard or drawer to open and empty, Katy will find it! It has definitely been a fun month... but gone are my days of sitting her down and knowing she'll stay in one place! Changing her diaper has now changed into a mini-battle each time, as she immediately rolls over and sits up, hangs over her change-table, or starts crawling away if we're on the floor. What happened to my cooperative little baby?? And this new phase of mobility isn't going anywhere... I'm sure Katy's first steps are not be too far in the future! So stay tuned...

Children's Discovery Museum

Yet another outing during their week visit was to the Children's Discovery Museum in downtown San Jose. First up, face painting... Jackson asked Lauren to replicate the Spiderman face somebody had down for him previously in Moose Jaw. Both Katy & Jackson had fun interacting with all sorts of neat stuff... from balls floating in the air, to neat tricks with water, to making corn dolls, and enjoying a slightly less insane atmosphere in the under 4 room.




















Now can you see why Katy was sleeping 13-14 hrs at night during their visit??!

Down at the boardwalk...

During Lauren & Jackson's visit, we spent one day at the Santa Cruz boardwalk. Jackson went on some amusement rides, and both kids enjoyed playing on the beach.

Although this is a kid's ride, it still gives a good kick... goes straight up and free-falls down, several times. Didn't scare Jackson a bit!
Jackson piloting his helicopter
After the rides, Jackson enjoyed playing in this inlet of water at the beach
Katy happy to be in the sand & with her Auntie Lauren & cousin Jackson
Katy falls sound asleep in her stroller on the short walk to the car, after a fun-filled afternoon... and once in the car, Jackson joined her in dreamland. :)

Happy Hollow Zoo

Happy Hollow also has a zoo which includes some exotic & sometimes endangered species from around the world, as well as a petting zoo. Both kids loved all the animals, and showed no fear when it came to petting and feeding some of them!

Happy Hollow Park

Jackson & Katy had a great time together on an outing to Happy Hollow... only a 5 min drive from our house, it's a fun park focused for 2-10 year olds, including creative play areas, amusement rides, and puppet shows. It was absolutely perfect for Jackson, and of course Katy has fun doing anything that involves the outdoors & lots of people, especially children!

Video time!

Thought I'd post this cute video of Katy & Jackson. One night just before bedtime, they suddenly had a game going all by their own doing. Jackson would come into the room with his head covered, as if he were a monster. Katy, squealing and laughing, would do her best to get to the blanket and pull it off Jackson. When she had success, Jackson would run back out of the room. Then, the sequence would repeat... over and over and over again!

Lauren & Jackson come to town

Next up, after our time in wine country, was a week visit, Aug 4-11th, from my sister Lauren and her son Jackson. Jackson just turned 4!! on Sept 9th. And Lauren's birthday is today... HAPPY 28th BIRTHDAY SIS! (Already tried to call you, but you didn't answer - what's new?!)

Immediately after saying goodbye to the Tittle clan in Windsor, we headed straight to SFO to pick up Lauren & Jackson. We had a really fun week together. The two cousins so enjoy each other's company. It was quite amusing when time to time Jackson would tattle on Katy... apparently she was not cooperating with the game he had informed her they were playing. "Katy not playing right!" or "Katy taking my toy!" He also informed my mom when he returned home, "Katy eats big food now, but she still not a girl." In his eyes, a baby and a girl are two distinct entities, and while Katy is getting closer, she's still not quite there yet. :)



Since they arrived late Sat. night, we took it easy on Sunday. Our first outing late that afternoon was to a nearby park. We had many more fun adventures throughout the week... Katy was actually sleeping up to 14 hrs at night after playing hard all day!




















I will soon post some more photos from various outings. For now, enjoy these from the park! Forget the swings, slides, teeter-totters etc... Jackson & Katy could have spent hours playing with the wood chips!

Tittle Time in Wine Country

Well now that we are back from Canada, it's time to catch up with some much-belated blogging! (My apologies for the long wait Dad!) Last month started out with a couple of days visiting extended Tittle family 2 hrs north in gorgeous wine country. Benji's Uncle Keith & Aunt Debbie were spending a week at their timeshare at the WorldMark resort in Windsor, CA. They graciously invited us to come up and stay with them. And added bonus was the Floridian Tittles, Uncle Dick & Aunt Karalee, were driving through at the same time & so would also be there. Free lodging, wine tasting, and fun with family we don't get to see often... there was no way we were passing up that offer.

So I twisted Benji's arm and got him to take a few days off from work (if you believe that, you must not be related). We drove up during Katy's naptime Thursday morning... she was a very cooperative girl and slept the whole way. We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the resort with the Northwestern Tittles. The Floridians joined us the next morning, and we all ventured out wine-tasting, Katy included! (Ok, so maybe some wine-tasted while others enjoyed the social element.) It is gorgeous countryside for driving, and it couldn't have been a more perfect day. We ended up in Geyserville at a local winery, where Katy charmed the wine server, and then headed back to the resort in Windsor to have dinner together. Saturday, we spent the afternoon in Healdsburg, another quaint little town nearby, strolling around the shops. Katy was very excited to make the acquaintance of a dog in one of the shops! Right before the 3 of us had to head back to San Jose, we all enjoyed a bite to eat together, and managed to get a group shot to testify to a wonderful few days together!

The resort is in the background... we crossed the road to see some cows and geese.
Katy delighted to be back with her beloved Great-uncle Keith
All ready for a swim!
Loving the water...
Charming the wine server into some cheese & crackers in Geyserville
Katy decides her Great-aunt Karalee would love some of her already-sucked on crackers!
Katy and her new 4-legged friend kiss
Katy's Great-Uncle Dick needed some help deciding what to have...
Katy and her Great-Aunt Debbie having some fun together in Healdsburg
Our group shot (see, Daddy really was there too!!). Katy spends her last minutes before we leave with cousin Karalee, whom she adored... along with her cell phone!