Happy 1st Father's Day.... Daddy!

Kayla and her Daddy LOVE to watch cartoons together in the morning! Although Brian was not feeling well (allergies) they spent the day together. Kayla helped me make egg sandwiches for breakfast, then we went shopping at Kay's FAVORITE place, then we took a drive to visit Kay's great grandparents... then it was burgers at Tierney's and ice cream at Applegate Farms with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Angie & Uncle Kevin & Uncle Denny! Fun times!

Cartoons with Dada are the best!

This is me & my Dada


Black Raspberry - just like Mommy & Grandma!

You scream, I scream.... we all scream for Ice Cream!

Water Bug

Ever since the 1st time we brought Kayla to the community center pool, we knew that she LOVED being in the water and being able to kick. Her legs just keep on moving. Its truly a great way to exhaust her. Aunt Angie threw Uncle Kevin a Surprise 30th (one year later) birthday pool party and Kayla was more than happy to test out their new pool! Check out some of the pics from the party.

Walking... WIth a little assistance!

She is officially off and running - if there is something to PUSH. She does not quite have the balance thing down but boy can she move!

Pots & Pans

There is one cabinet in the kitchen that we will not be Kayla proofing. I think its important that she have a space of her own in the kitchen... a place where someone is not saying "no no". She loves this cabinet and LOVES the noise the pots & pans make. I am sure the downstairs neighbors are not so thrilled however (Sorry Cynthia & Allen!)

Next Steps... literally!

First it was creeping, then crawling.... now its all about pulling herself UP on things and pushing them...

The Bronx Zoo

Our first trip to the Bronx Zoo (care of Sony Music and Corporate Sponsor Day!)... My cousin Sarah decided to join us... making the trip so much more fun! It was a super hot day but we hit no traffic coming or going. Although Kayla went ALL day with only a short nap on the way to the Zoo.... making the trip home a little loud with all her fussing. She did fall asleep FINALLY about 10 minutes from home. Some highlights were the Children's Zoo, the Monorail thru Asia & the Seals!

Brian, Kayla & Sarah - Polar Bear Exhibit

Kayla & Sarah crawling thru a log in the Children's Zoo

Sarah loving the Seal's!

Kayla really got a kick out the the Big Elephants!

Although she seemed to like Mama's hat more!

Keeping hydrated!

OMG - she loved the Billy Goat at the Petting Zoo.

Kayla & Daddy watching the Seals

Memorial Day Wkend

Memorial Day was pretty much filled with going to the town pool and BBQ'ing at Grandma & Grandpa's house. We had SOOOO much fun at the pool (aside from the reall really bad service at the snack bar)... Kayla wanted to crawl in the baby pool and did not understand that although she could walk with assistance, it was too deep to crawl in... She also had fun in the big kids pool. We even saw her cousin Hunter hanging out with his friends! Great way to end the wkend was a BBQ with the family (minus Uncle Denny). Check out our good times!

Say Cheese Aunt Cheese!

Mama was kinda enough to let me read her magazine when she was done!

Yummy Ice Cream - ok so its only a toy... serves the purpose though!

Little lady walking on Gram's table with two of her fav's!

Someone was trying to get away when it was time to get into her bathing suit!

America's sweetheart!

Snuggling with Daddy before my nap!

You love my hat don't you?

Checking out the scene before crawling away!

Another Milestone!

Kayla thought she'd start June out on the right foot.... She can FINALLY hold and drink her very heavy 8oz baba all by herself. The only catch is that she does not fall asleep after taking the bottle, which is something she normally does when its held for her.... Catch 22!

Going eight months and proud of it!

Eight has been great! Everyone says I am getting so big! No official Dr. appt's this month... we will have to wait for next month to find out the stat's!

I am officially crawling, pulling myself up on everything and even cruising some of the furniture. Mommy & Daddy have put a few gates up as well as did something called "babyproof"... it seems that since I am getting around a bit more, they are afraid I will get into trouble or hurt myself.

I am eating Stage 3 foods... I have pretty much tried eating EVERYTHING I am allowed at this time... Not so found of the chicken, ham or turkey baby food's and sweet potatoes & green beans make my belly hurt so Mommy does not give me those. I love Italian Icee's! I am eating more and more things with my fingers too: bananas, puffs, peas, carrots, watermelon, cookies, mashed potatoes, egg yolks & a cupcake for Daddy's birthday.... This month I get to try cheerios, yogurt, pancakes and granola bars! I am drinking all the time out of my sippy cup and can use a straw now too. I still take 4 bottles a day but mostly at nap times.

Sleeping... well I am still not taking all my naps but Mommy does not seem to be freaking out as much anymore. She tries to get me to sleep in my crib when we are at home... I just get so alone and don't want to be without Mommy. Sometimes I stand in my crib for a while crying and then she comes back in and sits and rocks with me... I can then fall asleep in mommy's arms! (Kayla is learning at bedtime that crying won't get her anywhere... she paces her crib somewhat like a dog cirlces and then lays down when they find a comfy spot)... I am no longer sleeping in my sleep sack, but Mommy & Daddy won't let me sleep with a blanket yet... so its back to the footie PJ's.

I am talking and talking more each day! I say Dadadada, I even say Mamama - but Dadadadada comes out ALOT more. There is alot of rambling and I know Mommy & Daddy wonder what I am saying... since I talk SO much. I love playing games and reading books! And MICKEY MOUSE is my new best friend!!! No joke, I can watch Mickey all day everyday... although Mommy does not let me watch tv too much! I can wave bye bye or hello... whichever works for ya! I am always very social when we go out and my smile seems to make other people happy!

The big number this month is 23 pounds! I am growing and growing each day! Wearing 12 month clothes too... Mommy has been shopping up a storm since all the summer clothes given to me are 9 months!

Here are some pictures from this month!

Pulling herself up on yet something else!

We go to the zoo almost every other week...

she loves looking around at the animals and all the other kids.

Taking a dip in her pool at Grandma's while daddy mows the lawn!

Finding her way into the kitchen right

after we installed one of the new gates.

Kayla & Emme at Katie's 1st Communion

Our little couch potato...ugh!

Playing on the floor at Grandma's

Ready to go shopping for our summer vacation house!

An afternoon of play - dumping over the toy bin!

Yummy cupcake from Daddy's birthday

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Just chilling out!

I will save you Mickey! - Testing out the new baby bathtub we got for her...

Playing ball with her cousin Grace.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Monthly Pooh Photo Shoot

HOLY CRAP! As you can see to the right sidebar, we take monthly photo's of Kayla with her Pooh Bear to track her size... kudos to the Metcalfe's for the idea!

Today when we were trying to take pictures - for the perfect one of course - Miss Kayla wanted to do everything BUT sit with Pooh... Thinking she is "over" this?

Wiggles & Giggles

I went to this place called Wiggles &Giggles a long time ago with Mommy and some of our playgroup friends. But since it was such a poopy day outside today, Mommy & Daddy decided to take me again... sicnce I am moving around a little better they thought that I might have a bunch of fun... we did - check out our photos & video (separate post).

Taking a crawling break...

Weeeeee........

She really loved some of the equipment!

Someone would rather walk than crawl!

Stopping for a photo!

Requesting to do the slide all by herself!

Italian Ice is SOOO Yummy!

One day at the zoo, it was super hot so Mommy got a treat for us to share! Yummo to Cherry Italian Icee!

Crawling to a park near you!

Although its a work in progress... she is such a determined little thing sometimes. You tempt her and she goes after it! Nothing holds her back... Along with the fact that, like most women, she likes shiny things... these drawer pulls are very much up her alley right now!

First the crib... now the couch!

Ok so when I first saw Kayla standing in the crib I thought "this is ok, she is safe and surrounded by cushion!"... Until I walked in to find her standing by the couch! There is NO WHERE for her to pull herself up - or so I thought. Since the below picture was taken, she has only done it like 3 more times but you get the point!

Kayla takes a STAND!

Big news folks... Instead of napping during naptime, Miss Kayla thought it would be much more fun to learn something NEW. I walked in to find her standing by the side of the crib smiling so big as if she just won the Tour De France.... We see this smile often when she is so proud of herself. I decided to setup the camera and left the room to see if she would do it again (of course this was for Daddy to see also).