Another first for the munchkin - Special K's first church service!

Age of Lady Kaitlyn:  13 months and 11 days

Family,

The sneetch in her first Easter dress...

And a good Tuesday evening to you from the Queen City, where the Bull has just finished tidying the house post a tiny bomb feeding session.  K finally did the inevitable tonight - even though she'd given me the "all done" food signal, I still put a last batch of peas on her tray, thinking she might want a few
more (she'd devoured the previous two helpings).  Well, she promptly decided to demonstrate an "I'll show you, daddy!" moment, because 4 tenths of a second after those peas hitting the tray, she had a handful of them and had chucked them to the floor.  And while this is nothing new, her actually getting one IN THE AIR VENT was.  The good news - it wedged itself just shy of the actual tubing, and so I managed to pull it out.  The lesson learned - move her seat far enough that Nolan Ryan couldn't hit that air vent.

Rasta baby says, "Passports are no problem, mon!"

But enough of this week's news, let's recap last week, which was yet another great one for the books.  We had 3 big activities, the first of which was getting K's passport!  So here's the deal - we are taking our first "family vacation" in July to Jamaica, and we booked it back in March.  Well, hearing that
passports were taking an insane amount of time to be processed and returned (4-7 weeks AFTER you managed to get the passport acceptance appointment - which took us 3+ weeks), I went ahead and paid for an expediting service (and for the record - the passport should be here in 48 hours, so I am very happy so far - knock on wood).  Now I am a worrier, and I had tied myself in knots making sure every last detail of K's application was accurate.  And so, with hopes high and preparation at its peak, we rolled up to the Kannapolis post office on Tuesday for our 12:55 appointment.

Who needs the play room?

I am happy to report that my fears were unfounded, and the gal who helped us was fantastic.  In fact, she was so sweet that, after seeing K's rather horrific passport photos (K - I'll save one for your wedding  or graduation - they were ROUGH.  But in your defense - a) you were sick, and b) what did I really expect with me just dangling you in front of a white screen while a flash like a supernova went off in your face?), she asked, "Do you want me to see if I can get a slightly better photo for you?"  Jenny's instant answer:  "YES."

"Shhhh...let's go try the laughing gas..."

It was actually trickier than expected, as the Post Office only had a stool to sit on (which K did NOT like).  Also, she really didn't understand why she couldn't have her thumb in the photo.  All the same, we got what we needed, and after one correction on the application, we were good to go!  I will obviously breath MUCH easier once it's in hand and verified accurate, but we're cookin' with gas now. :-)

The next big milestone was on Friday - K's follow-up visit to the ENT.  JT and I had a really good

feeling about this one, and I am SUPER DUPER THRILLED to report that SHE GOT THE ALL CLEAR!!!!  Dr. Lovejoy said that both ears were clear and said we were good to wait another 6 months before the next check-up.  Honestly, I cannot tell you what a BIG relief that is.  And granted, we know that she'll still be sick (especially while still in daycare), but to know that she's now

hearing better and that all the gunk is cleared from her ears makes mommy and daddy very, very happy.

"Change this damn air vent, daddy!"

The weekend was great, as we spent the night with Nanny and Grandpa Tacy.  Kim and Matt drove up from Atlanta, and we spent the weekend hanging out with them and eating an AMAZING meal cooked up by JT's mom.  The sneetch got some of it as well (ham, chicken, strawberries, sweet potatoes, and roles), and by 9:30 PM EVERYBODY was passed out - fat and happy. :-)  Sunday was Easter, and Team Taylor crossed another milestone off the list - K's first church service!

Our little angel (halo and all) PASSED OUT
after church - she goes to sleep INSTANTLY
in the car now - love the Britax!

Service was at 10 (right when K needs to feed and then nap), but she was an angel and actually made it 25 minutes before starting to get squirmy.  When the pastor started the big prayer, I quietly stepped out with her and into the nursery. She was the only child that day, and so she and I played with the blocks and walked outside for a bit before she began the "FEED ME NOW, DADDY!" motion.  That gal went through half a pack of puffs, 2 organic pouches, and most of a Nutri-grain bar before she decided she'd had enough.  And since she was in a white Easter dress, my fingers were quite the sticky mess from feeding her.  And while she didn't manage to sit through the entire service, I know JT and her family enjoyed having everyone there (plus I could hear the music through the walls, so that was nice). And K, in case you're curious (because all of your relatives certainly have been) - we did NOT set out Easter eggs for you to hunt this year.  Our logic, whilst perhaps insensitive, was sound - you can't walk, have any idea what the concept of "hunt and seek" is, and wouldn't know what to do with any egg you found.  Don't worry - we'll do it next year - promise. :-)

The only other item to report was that K spent a LOT of time on Sunday (when the weather was beautiful) outside with her doggie walker!  K took scout all around the cul-de-sac - SO CUTE!  Now

she did have a fall (and recorded what I would consider her first scrape on her knee), but it didn't seem to phase her, and she LOVED being outside.  She definitely prefers going downhill vs. up - can't say I blame her there!  We will definitely make a regular ritual out of the outside walking sessions.  I love it because I feel we are slowing expanding "her world," and she loves it because she can go so much further without having to turn around (and she LOVED the wind on her face today!).

Other than that, only one other item to report.  We are starting to notice a bit of separation anxiety whenever one of us puts her down (daycare noticed it as well and said that, for the last 2 weeks, she's kicked up quite the fuss whenever one of the teachers has put her down), and she doesn't really let too much moss grow under her feet before she's crawling (head down like the Juggernaut) toward us, a cry either imminent or sounding like a 9 alarm fire.  Daycare says this is normal (insert sigh of relief here), but I do want to start doing some research to see what I can do to better enable her adventurous spirit and sense of independence.

And in case anyone's scoring - 3 days of work left for wife muffin!!!!  A new chapter is just around the corner!  Speak soon!

Love,

Sam and Jenny