Vacation photos, part the final

And after a few days of west and wewaxation we ventured north again. And since we would be in town for Kaylee's actual birthday – we had plans to eat more cake and trim the first ever Kaylee Birthday Tree. (Which also doubles as Maggie's Christmas Tree ... but I'm claiming it for the kid.) It's amazing how wide-spread these birthday trees are already. I can't drive a block without seeing one in a window. It's very touching actually ...

This is one of my favorite pictures from vacation – even though I know Maggie will say that her big head ruins the shot. I disagree. I managed to crop most of her big head out.

Kaylee spent most of the day asserting her dominance over Maggie and the cats. The cats managed to run away – Maggie, not so much.

Mags and Kaylee in a "funky tooth smile" contest.
Not sure who won.

"THIS IS MY TREE! AND DON'TCHOO FORGET IT!"

Kaylee's second birthday cake was red velvet with whipped cream icing.

Kaylee shares.
(Note Rae trying to clean as she goes. Silly, silly Rae.)

Once the shoes came off the party really got started.
And Rae stopped trying to keep up with the cleaning.

The brutal aftermath. And for the record –
red velvet cake stains clothes.

The flight back was a long one. Kaylee just wanted to play and fuss ...
but passed out as soon as we got to Tucson.

We had a beautiful rainbow waiting for us in the parking lot.
Some would take this as a sign that it was good to be home.
I took it as a sign that the cold and wet had followed us to Arizona.

And thus concludes our vacation photo slide show. I hope we didn't bore you too much. And we'll get back to posting our daily goings-on once we get around to it.

Or after the holidays. Whichever comes first.

Vacation photos, part the fourth

So I'm home with a sick baby (on her third outfit already today) and she's finally asleep – so this is the perfect time to update the blog with more vacation photos. From our Vandalia leg of the trip:

I hate to break it to everyone – but I think Jasmine wins the "Kaylee's favorite" award for this leg of the trip. I'm not sure how Jaz felt about that though ...

Introductions go something like this: Kaylee, Kiley. Kiley, Kaylee.
Yes, we're confused too.

Look Grandpa Charlie ... Grammy didn't have too much trouble getting her hands on Kaylee ...

Kaylee's newest game – trying on everyone's shoes.
When she found my boots it got really interesting ...

Kaylee teaches Papa Allen her other favorite game ... "gimme your hat."

Bailey didn't think Kaylee was properly unwrapping her birthday present.
So she helped. And lost interest once she realized the bag was filled with clothes.

Grammy tries to teach Kaylee how to play "You're so cute I'm going to eat you. No, not really. It's just for pretend. I'm not really going to bite you."

Apparently, the game was a lot more interesting to Grammy and Rae.

Vacation photos, part the third

After Thanksgiving it was off to Grandma Della's house on Lake Gillespie. We had a couple of days of rest, relaxation ... oh, and a little party.

Della, don't bother telling Kaylee to look at the camera.
GG already tried that yesterday. It didn't work then either.

The hardest part about decorating for the party was keeping the streamers away from Kaylee.

Kaylee's cake. Courtesy of Grandpa Charlie.

And he was kind enough to get one for the rest of us to share.

The crowd sang a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday" (which even if I had shot video of I wouldn't put online for fear of owing the estate of Patty and Mildred J. Hill an insane amount of money.)

Due to circumstances beyond her control, Maggie was unable to join us. But through the power of AT&T Wireless she got to join in the festivities. Though – for some reason she only sang every other word ...

Kaylee wasn't quite sure what to make of the cake …

… but it didn't take too long to figure out.

Before any journalists pipe up:
A) I didn't take this photo and B) I swear it wasn't staged.

I managed to find one photo of Cindy with her eyes open.
Kinda.

Kaylee wasn't too into opening presents. She would rather just watch Mom do it. She did manage to open this nice edition of all the Curious George books from her "favorite uncle."
We're still trying to figure out exactly who that is.

And by the end of the night, she finally got those streamers …

Vacation photos, part the second

Our trip to home to see Dad culminated with a trip to the bustling metropolis of Melvin to carve turkey and break bread with some of our extended family. (A big thanks to our hosts Marty and JoAnn, the food was great and the atmosphere was divine. And the pumpkin roll ... can't forget the pumpkin roll.)

The lack of photos of "Kaylee enjoying her first Thanksgiving dinner" can be attributed to the fact that A) she mainly just grazed on whatever was around, and B) I was too busy stuffing my face to pick up the camera.

Kaylee wasn't too sure what to make of Uncle Steve. After all – he's HUGE.

But after an extensive background and dental check she decided he was good enough to take her afternoon nap with.

Uncle "Ladykiller" kept the girls entertained for much of the afternoon.

It takes a small army to pull off the photo for GG's annual Christmas letter.

I'm not sure if GG was saying "Kids, look that way" or
"You – with the camera. You better not mess this up."

Some photo problems are easy to take care of digitally these days.
However, some still require a bit of physical labor.

Four minutes and 50 photos later we were back inside
– and praying we got a good shot.

Shy little Kaylee actually spent much of the day with Dad's lady friend Cindy. She's a nice person – but suffers from the inability to physically keep her eyes open while I am pointing a camera at her.

Vacation photos, part the first

OK – I'm finally updating the blog with vacation photos. And there are so many I've got to split it up over multiple posts. Here's round one. You'll get the rest when I'm good and ready.

6 am flights are no fun. But Kaylee doesn't seem to mind.
As long as she has something to play with.

Perhaps the most important part of our trip.
Kaylee's first Slider and also her first brain freeze.

The drive down to Jacksonville was four hours of screaming.
This is one of the few moments that wasn't.

This is Erika trying really hard to deny that Kaylee is the cutest baby ever.

The day after I took this photo it turned wet and crappy.
I'm glad we took advantage of the leaves when we did.

Mom and monkey swinging in my favorite park.

One of the few times Kaylee was content to sit with Grandpa Charlie.
The rest of the time she fussed and cried.
Soon she will learn he's just there to spoil her.

Uncle James – however – had no problem getting in good with the kid.

Alice and Kaylee have learned how to play nice. Kind of.
At least there wasn't any Baby Fight Club this time.

Say 'ello to mah leetle frehnd*

I know, you're looking for vacation photos. Or birthday photos. Or photos of farm animals. (You'll have to go elsewhere for that one.) I'll start posting those when I have a chance to breathe. In the meantime, enjoy Kaylee's latest photo.


Since she's started walking (really practically running) she's getting her fair share of cuts, scrapes and bruises. Most of them seem to be on her head. Her latest comes from Eddie "bucking" her during a full-body hug and introducing her face to the bedpost.

And as if she doesn't have enough bruises – her birthday present from Aunt Becky came today. A sit and spin. And thank you for choosing the "Dora the Explorer" model. Now I get to hear "Rapido! Rapido!" all night. ;-)

In other news: Twelve month check up was Monday. All is well, and the kid's recovering nicely from the five thigh-piercing shots. She also moved up to the "big kids" room at day care. All in the same day. So fresh from vacation, new teacher, new room, lots of kids and two bruised thighs. Yeah, that didn't go so well. But it's getting better.

Kaylee today: Bruised.

* It's a "Scarface" reference. If you didn't get it you're obviously not up on your so-bad-they're-classic '80s gangster movies.

Home again. Home again.

Jiggity jig. And as promised – video.

I've been working on this for a while now. (If you couldn't tell by the number of photos involved.) We've been shooting a photo a day for a year now and they've all been strung together with one of my favorite songs in the background.

There's more than 365 photos in there. And I'm not 100% sure the months are in the right place. But it's pretty impressive watching my little girl grow up in three minutes and fourteen seconds if I must say so myself.

Happy birthday kid. Dad loves ya.

Kaylee today: Grumpy as hell because we just got home from two weeks on the road and are ignoring her while we clean house and try to settle back into real life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

OK - we're still in Illinois, so you'll have to wait a little longer for pictures, but I'd be a horrible person (quiet Maggie) if I waited until we got home to post anything about the kid's birthday.

I don't know what is more amazing, the fact that I made it through the first year – or the fact that Kaylee did. And with limited emotional trauma. (Though I am sure that reading this blog in the future will be grounds for many, many hours of therapy.)

So one year ago today at this time Rae was going through contractions and I was blogging. I have to say that I much prefer this year. Rae is chasing the kid around Maggie's apartment – and I'm blogging. But this time I have a good cup of coffee and a fresh cinnamon roll.

We're having Kaylee's second first birthday party this evening. Red velvet cake with whipped cream icing, a Christmas tree and an alleged Guitar Hero butt whupin'. Feel free to join us a round of Happy Birthday sometime around 6 pm. I'd say we'll save you a piece of cake – but I'd be lying.

Some photos and maybe a video (if you're good) tomorrow.

Kaylee today: One.

Patience is a virtue

I managed to find an internet connection in southern Illinois (Central. Southern. It's all south of Chicago.) and figured I'd drop an update. You'll have to wait for pictures - but this is a start.

Saturday: Got to the airport two hours early for our 6:30 am flight - and they still managed to leave Kaylee's car seat in Tucson. Rae was thrilled. Met Aunt Maggie. Kaylee played. I got hooked on Sports Night.

Sunday: Kaylee wakes up at 6 am. We have cinnamon rolls. We drive up and down the same road five times before we find a White Castle. Kaylee likes Sliders. But she likes chocolate shakes more. Quick trip down to Northwest Indiana to meet up with a bunch of friends / former co-workers. Many with kids. (Including Eli - see the links.) Very surreal, but very fun.

Monday: Kaylee wakes up at 6 am. We go out to breakfast with our hosts. I eat an omelet the size of my head. Kaylee throws a lot of food on the floor. On the four hour drive to Jacksonville Kaylee sleeps for about 45 minutes. She screams for the rest. Kaylee cautiously eyes the family - won't go to Grandpa Charlie.

Tuesday: Kaylee wakes up at 5:30 am - not an improvement. Lunch with Erika in Springfield where the kid gets a baby and a baseball bat for her birthday. Not really sure what Erika is trying to say. Kaylee now OK with Uncle James - but will only go to Dad when she's half asleep. Won't even look at Uncle Chunk.

Wednesday: Kaylee wakes up at 5 am - not liking where this is going. Cousin Alice shows up today. K&A enjoy the rug rat company, but mostly just compete for attention. Dad's new lady friend's family comes over for chili and Uno. All goes well. Kaylee likes all of them - still won't go see Grandpa.

Thursday: Up at 5:30 again. (Can't wait until we get back home and on a real schedule.) Long drive up to Melvin for Thanksgiving dinner with (take a deep breath and wait for it) my dad's sister's husband's sister and her family. (Oh, and Kaylee's Great Grandma Rice) Lots of food, lots of fun. Kaylee likes turkey, pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes - but not beef heart. Weird kid. Kaylee loves on everyone - except Grandpa Charlie.

Friday: Kaylee up at 4 am. (God help me.) She finishes up the morning in bed with us. We say our good-byes and hit the road. (Still not too fond of Grandpa.) Arrive at Grandma Della's lake house that afternoon. Kaylee passes out early - we decide to stay up until almost 11 chatting.

Saturday: Kaylee up at 6:30 this morning and I'm very excited. Until I learn that Della just hasn't changed the clock in our room and it's really 5:30 am. Hurray. All the important people show up a couple hours later for the birthday party. (Except Maggie who gets a free pass due to car problems.) There was a monkey cake for the kid (which she just wasn't sure what to do with) and a banana cake for the rest of us (which we had no problems with).

Sunday: Kaylee up at 4 am again. I spend about 40 minutes with her in a rocking chair before giving up and bringing her to bed. We hang out for a bit before heading to Vandalia to see Grammy, Papa Allen and Uncle BJ. Kaylee runs around the house getting in to everything and visiting with everyone (including a couple of strangers) except for Grammy. Hopefully she can avoid the Grandpa Charlie curse.

More later.

Kaylee today: Pleasant.

Preview from the road

Vacation is great so far. I don't have much time to post - besides, most of you are here. But I got this video link earlier and it was too good not to share.

It's from Kaylee's first trip to White Castle (which she loves) - but the sliders aren't the only thing you have to watch out for ...

Kaylee today: Crabby.

No time to post.

Getting ready for vacation.

Then leaving for vacation.

Then being on vacation.

Will have LOTS to post after vacation.

See many of you soon.

Kaylee today: Dreaming.

Baby needs a drink

So it was another day of firsts today. One of our favorite bars started something new last month. On the second Sunday of each month they have "Baby Club Congress" – which is a three hour shindig where the kids can play and the parents can talk it up.

Oh – and there's beer. (For me – not the kid.)

So this was Kaylee's first bar experience. (First number one.) The concrete floor I'm used to had been covered with carpet, toys and children. Lots of children. I grabbed a Pacifico with lime, Rae had a water with lemon and Kaylee had an animal cracker.

The music was loud (but not too loud) and pretty 70s-centric. Lots of disco - but not the bad disco you hear at every wedding (even ours despite us threatening the DJ with physical harm). Though they did play "The Hustle" – which I helped Kaylee dance to. (First number two.)

There was a fashion show – where we found the outfit I'm pretty sure Kaylee will be wearing to her first birthday party. We won a door prize. (A spa trip and facial – which I had to accept since Rae was off changing a diaper. Fabulous.) And I was happy there were more hot moms around (in *addition* to Rae, of course) – though it was weird to hear them all talking about breast-feeding and bowel movements.

On the way out we stopped and listened to a rockin' jug band (yes, I realize that is an oxymoron) for a while. (First number three.) And then hit the petting zoo – where Kaylee liked the pony, but loved the pygmy goat enough to give him a hug and a kiss. (First number four.)

And of course, I left the camera at home. I guess there's always next month.

Kaylee today: Bar-hoppin'.

266 photos of nothing

I know what you're asking yourself.

"Self? (You call yourself "self?" Really? That's odd.) Mike's alone with Kaylee this weekend. How did he ever find the time to put together another video?"

Simple. I just chose not to do the dishes.

That's what we call prioritizing.

Well, that wasn't so bad

She was bouncing up and down happy to see me when I picked her up from daycare.

We got home, weplayed, we ate, she pooped, we played, we got a bottle, she slept.

Went to bed fairly easily – though she's woken herself up twice already. Only had to give her back the bink to put her back down though.

But let's see how the morning goes. Don't want to jinx this.

Kaylee today: Bottled.

Single dad

By this time tomorrow Rae will be on a business trip in Kansas City.

And I'll be here with Kaylee.

What do you think the odds of me developing the ability to lactate by then?

Yeah. Thought not. Here's hoping that we can get by with the bottle.

Cross your fingers for us.

Kaylee tomorrow: Missing Mom.

Dia de los Muertos

Kaylee hangs out with a couple of (sorta) familiar faces downtown.

Tonight was the annual All Souls Day procession downtown. This is one of those events that makes me happy to live where we do. There's just so much energy and culture – it's something that has to be seen to be believed. (More info available here if you're not familiar with the tradition.)

So we decided to take Kaylee. I don't know that she loved it – but she sure was taking it all in. Slack-jawed and wide-eyed. She spent a good portion of the walk "singing" along with the drummers, chanters and other interesting people. She even got to pass through her first cloud of marijuana smoke (though we'll just tell the grandparents it was sage) ... welcome to Tucson kid.

Photos just weren't enough this year. So I'm bringing you the sights and sounds of Tucson via YouTube. Maybe you'll join us next year?



Kaylee today: Plumtuckeredout.

Clean sweep

Kaylee decided to "help" Rae with the housework.

Sweeping the floor never took longer.

More video fun

I was bored.

Luckily I have a toddler and a camera just in case that happens.

If you keep your eyes open you just might see a little bit of walking.