Updates of sorts

Tooths: She's officially sporting four teeth these days. Two on top and two on the bottom. She looks like a little beaver. And the way she's been chewing on things – Rae thinks there are more on the way. She's also showing a bit of the "Rice Gap" between her two top teeth ... we'll see if that's something she outgrows or not.

Words: "Dadee" and "Mum" have been staples for a while now, but she's starting to really use other words now. (Not just fluky wordish sounding things like in the past.) She likes to throw the "bawbaw" and play catch with "Ahday" and Porkchop. She loves to chase the "keekees" and freaks out whenever she sees a "pawpee" on TV. Her "uh uh uhs" are slowly becoming "me me mes" when she sees something she wants. Oh – and she's started putting her finger to her mouth and shushing us when we're too loud. Way too cute.

Shoes: The kid is obsessed with her shoes. She likes to carry them. She bends over to stare at them on her feet. When she is "me me me-ing" at her shelves it's often because she wants her slippers – not one of the many toys. She'll sit for hours (OK - minutes. But that's hours in toddler time.) trying to put shoes on her feet. And then there's our shoes. She wears them. Carries them around the house. Brings them to us. Puts them away for us. I swear we've got a little Imelda Marcos on our hands.

More zoo

The weather has officially warmed up (not that it ever seems really cold here) and everyone is relatively healthy, so we celebrated with another trip to the zoo. (For the amount of time we spend there, we really need to just get a membership.) Turned out to be a pretty good trip since Kaylee is at the age where she can finally enjoy it and run around a bit.

Yes, polar bears in the desert. The pair were very active this afternoon and Kaylee watched them for about 15 minutes. She kept trying to call them like she does the cats at home.

Birds were the big hit though. Lots of pointing and screeching.
That's Kaylee* – not the birds.

We had a hard time getting her away from the flamingos – she kept trying to figure out how to get out to them. If there hadn't been a fence, I think we would have had a wet toddler** on our hands.

We arrived at the giraffe enclosure just in time for feeding.
Unfortunately, Rae couldn't quite figure out the zoom.

For some reason, Kaylee wasn't really fond of the giraffe's two-foot long, purple tongue. The poor kid practically crawled on to my back trying to get away from it.

By the time we reached the otters, she was fading fast. Not even two cute, swimming cat-rat-things could keep her head off the railing.

It took all of thirty seconds for her to pass out on the drive home.

Kaylee today: iwantiwantiwantiwant

* Also note the cute hair. Kaylee finally has enough that she can sport TWO pigtails instead of just the one Ed Grimley spike. And Rae got her sassy new do yesterday – after more than a year away from the salon. Being seen in public with these two does wonders for your self-esteem.
** Funny, unrelated story. As we were sitting down to eat lunch, we watched a family walk in to the zoo. Within seconds – their little girl fell into a puddle, was covered in mud and was screaming bloody murder. The family promptly left. I've never laughed so hard in my life. Of course now that I've made fun of them, something similar will happen to us and I will be forced to find the humor in it. Luckily, Rae plans on bringing the kid a change of clothes until she's at least fifteen. I'm sure THAT will cost a bundle in therapy bills though ... I just can't win.

Photo-rama-jama

Someone got Kaylee a subscription to Ranger Rick magazine. She loves the pictures of animals – I love that someone out there is still supporting print media!

Check it out – more teeth! She can finally bite stuff.
Just make sure to keep your fingers clear.

For some reason Rae thought it would be a good idea to let Kaylee feed herself yogurt. I got the "Mike – can you bring us a paper towel" call at least twice.

Feel the love

So I picked up something nasty while I was away on business in Syracuse last week. Bad enough that while I was sick all last week, I actually stayed home today. (After probably sharing my funk with half the office.)

So I spent the day on the couch, watching horrible movies like "American Psycho" and "Norbit." (I don't know why I watched them – perhaps I thought I'd feel better after they were over. For the record – I felt worse.) But I finally perked up a bit when Rae called me to tell me she was picking up Kaylee and coming home.

So when I heard the door open I took my position, half hiding in the hallway so Kaylee could come find me. Hide and seek has been a favorite game for a while – nothing makes her smile wider. So imagine my delight when she runs into the room, points, smiles, screams … and goes running for the TV, where she proceeded to ignore me as she jumped up and down and squealed with delight.

Kaylee's favorite daddy is officially Homer Simpson.

D'oh.

Angry baby

Eddie's not sure what he did wrong ... but I'm sure he's sorry.

Grandpa Charlie wants a photo addendum

Just saw Becky's blog for the first time in about a week.

Dad - I'd be more than willing to take as many "pretty pictures" of Kaylee as you would like.

But first you need to buy me a new camera. This point and shoot can't compete with Becky's monster.

Grandpa Charlie wants a photo

While I was gone on a business trip, Dad called up Rae and asked her to tell me to post a nice picture of Kaylee "looking pretty" on the blog. Not a "booger inspection" photo.

Apparently, my sister has been posting some very cute photos of my niece on her blog. Dad would like me to do the same.

Well tough.

You see, around here we don't do "pretty." Kaylee is already too cute. If I prettied her up and posted a photo – your brains wouldn't be able to take it. Your eyes would explode and your face would melt. And Kaylee doesn't like blind, melty-faced people.

So as a public service to you, we only bring you booger photos. And messy face photos. And trucks. Trucks with Spider-Man front and center.

But we also throw in monkey pajamas and little teapots … here at The Monkey House, we're willing to meet you half way.

Kaylee today: Mother-truckin'

Cooking class

Kaylee has graduated from playing with pots on the floor to actually helping Rae out on the stove.

And by helping, I mean tasting.

Photo-rama

Just because Kaylee and Eddie are the best of friends doesn't mean that she likes everything about him. His ears stink, he eats her food and that tongue is a killer.

Booger inspection.

Kaylee loves books.
Even if she doesn't really have the hang of them yet.