Fall is in the air, Finally!

EITHER IT WAS ONE HOT SUMMER OR I'VE BECOME VERY HEAT INTOLERANT! I'M JUST SO HAPPY TO FEEL THE COOL FALL BREEZE AND SLEEP WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN AGAIN.

THE LAST FEW DAYS WERE SO PRETTY AND WINDY, KIRA AND I MADE A FEEBLE ATTEMPT AT KITE FLYING YESTERDAY AND THEN WE BROUGHT OUT HER 12 INCH BICYCLE AND WENT FOR A LITTLE RIDE, OR I SHOULD SAY SHE WENT FOR THE RIDE. SHE'S SO LIGHT THAT THE WIND BLEW HER CLEAR DOWN THE BLOCK! GUESS I SHOULD HAVE MADE THE TOT RIDE INTO THE WIND!

WE ARE GEARING UP FOR A NEW PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM THREE DAYS A WEEK AND SOME MAJOR SHOPPING FOR CLOTHES, FOR KIRA OF COURSE. MY LIGHT WEIGHT HAS GROWN AND I THINK HER PUDGY BABY THIGHS ARE NOW OFFICIALLY TODDLER MUSCLES. SHE'S 37 INCHES TALL NOW WEIGHING IN AT A WHOPPING 28 POUNDS! BUT DON'T LET THAT FOOL YA, SHE CAN LEAD A 100 POUND DOG AROUND LIKE A COUPLE OF POODLES.

KIRA'S WORLD:

THIS CHILD CONTINUES TO AMUSE AND AMAZE ME AS I AM PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO WITNESS HER DAILY ANTICS. SHE HAS BECOME QUITE PROFICIENT AT STORY TELLING AND WILL BEGIN A SENTENCE WITH "REMEMBER THE OTHER DAY WHEN..."

I JUST LOVE IT AND HAVE NO IDEA WHERE SHE GOT THAT FROM. SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT I HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO GET SOMEWHERE WITHOUT A GPS, WHICH IS QUITE EMBARRASSING (ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE HAS TO TELL ME TO TURN AROUND). SHE KNOWS HER ADDRESS AND CAN WRITE HER NAME WHICH IMPRESSES ME BECAUSE ON ANY GIVEN DAY I CAN'T REMEMBER MY OWN PHONE NUMBER!

HER LOVE AND GENEROSITY CONTINUES TO BLOSSOM AND SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT "SHARING MAKES US HAPPY" on most days!

FAVORITE TOYS:

MY iMAC

THE PRINCESSES DOLLS

DINOSAURS

BINOCULARS

PAINTING AND COLORING (ALL OVER THE WALLS, CARPET, HERSELF)

JUMPING ON THE "PRAMPOLINE" AS SHE CALLS IT (I THINK TODDLER LANGUAGE IS SO CUTE).

FAVORITE TV SHOWS:

DORA AND DIEGO

OSWALD AND WEENIE

BACKYARDIGANS

ELMO

FAVORITE MOVIES:

SHREK

SHREK

SHREK

AND SHREK 2

ARIEL

NEMO

AVATAR

FAVORITE BOOKS:

ANYTHING PRINCESS OR MERMAID RELATED

BARON AND FLUFFY

DO LIKE A DUCK DOES

THE POUT POUT FISH

GOODNIGHT MOON (MY ALL TIME FAVORITE)

FAVORITE FOODS:

MAC AND CHEESE!

PIZZA

CHICKEN FINGERS

YES IT WAS A SWEET SUMMER FOR SO MANY REASONS. I AM HAPPY THAT AUTUMN IS IN THE AIR AND BOTH KIRA AND I ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO NEW ADVENTURES.

I LOVE YOU SWEET, PRECIOUS KIRA!

Toddler Logic

A FEW WEEKS AGO, I PACKED THE CAR AND HEADED OFF TO THE GARDENS. OH YES, 5 CUTE OUTFITS A FEW BALLOONS, LOT'S OF BOWS AND RIBBONS AND CANDY FOR BRIBE TACTICS. THAT'S JUST A BIT OF WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO GET SOME FUN PHOTOS OF HER. I FIGURED BY NOT TAKING PHOTOS OF HER EVERY DAY SHE WILL EVENTUALLY LET ME TAKE JUST A FEW. WHAT WAS I THINKING?

WE CHASED SOME BUTTERFLIES AND I WATCHED KIRA PLAY, ROMPING AS USUAL AND EVEN STOPPING TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH ANOTHER LITTLE GIRL. NOW I MANAGED TO GET JUST A FEW PHOTOS BEFORE WE HEADED BACK HOME.

NOW THESE ROCKS LOOK FUN TO WALK ON!

MAKING SURE MOMMA IS NOT FAR BEHIND.

THERE WERE SO MANY PRETTY FLOWERS AND AWESOME INTERESTING PROPS FOR ME TO USE, SUCH AS THIS BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE.

I FIGURE THAT I'LL GET THE TOT ON THE BRIDGE, RUN AHEAD AND SNAP THE PIC.

ONLY I FORGET HOW FAST THIS CHILD RUNS AND RUNS AND RUNS!

WHAT I DIDN'T REALIZE WAS JUST AS I RAN AHEAD OF HER TO COMPOSE THIS PHOTO, SHE TOOK HER SKIRT OFF AND THREW IT, PRACTICALLY OVER THE BRIDGE...AND AS I TRIED TO STEADY THE CAMERA WHILE I WAS LAUGHING, I HEARD HER SAY "NO MORE PICTURES MOMMY"!

INDEED SHE WAS DETERMINED TO NOT HAVE HER PICTURE TAKEN AND FIGURED IF SHE LOOSES THE SKIRT, THE CAMERA WILL ALSO GET LOST! HOW I LOVE TODDLER LOGIC. SO WE BOTH GOT WHAT WE WANTED AND I'M GOING TO SAVE THIS PHOTO TO SHOW HER WHEN SHE'S UH HMMM, 20 SOMETHING!

How to act like a real Princess

MY LITTLE TOT JUST LOVES DRESSING UP LIKE A PRINCESS...EVERY DAY THAT IS! YEP, WHO NEEDS TO SHOP NOW WHEN ALL SHE WANTS TO WEAR IS HER PRINCESS OUTFITS. I SO ENJOY WATCHING HER AND STILL WONDER WHEN SHE DEVELOPED THE FASCINATION OF DRESS UP. DORA HANGS OUT IN SHORTS, ELMO IN RED FUR AND THE KAI LAN ALSO IN SUMMER GARB. PERHAPS SHE IS EMULATING ME:))

YOU DEFINITELY NEED THE SMILE AND NECKLACE.

THEN A MUST IS THE ATTITUDE!

HOWEVER, EVERY PRINCESS HAS TO WEAR LIPSTICK (SHE DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB AT PUTTING IT ON TOO).

NOW OF COURSE YOU PURSE THOSE LIPS AND MAKE SURE THE COVERAGE IS EVEN!

"Children put a twinkle in your eye and a smile in your heart" Author Unknown

Happy 3rd Birthday!

STUDYING HER TINKER BELL TOY

OH SHE'S MY DAUGHTER ALRIGHT, STARTING OUT THE DAY WITH A LARGE CUP OF JAVA!

NOW WIDE EYED AND AWAKE FROM THE CAFFEINE JOLT (CHECK OUT THOSE EYES) WE WENT TO TAKE SOME PHOTOS! KIRA LOVES FOR ME TO TAKE PHOTOS OF HER, BUT ONLY WHEN SHE WANTS THEM DONE!

CAN'T DECIDE WHICH ONE IS MY FAVORITE! SHE HAS THE BEST EXPRESSIONS, BUT THIS IS DELIGHTFUL, LOVE THAT DIMPLE THERE BABY!

TRYING TO GET OUT OF POSING BUT AFTER A FEW BRIBES SHE CONTINUED ON.

NOW IT WAS MY TURN TO BE ENTERTAINED. YEP, SHE WAS WORKING ME ALRIGHT, BUT LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

ON JANUARY 20TH WE CELEBRATED KIRA'S THIRD BIRTHDAY! I HAVE BEEN DELAYING WRITING THIS OR I SHOULD SAY DIDN'T QUITE KNOW WHAT OR HOW TO WRITE ABOUT IT UNTIL NOW. KIRA SHARES THE SAME BIRTHDAY AS MY MOTHER, SO I WAS SO SAD WHEN I WENT TO BUY KIRA A CARD AND SAW ALL THE MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY CARDS THERE TOO. IT JUST HIT ME THERE IN THAT HALLMARK STORE THAT I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO SEND MY MOM ANOTHER CARD OR EVEN GET ONE OF HER SPECIAL CARDS WITH HER HAND WRITTEN SENTIMENTS IN IT. I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND CRIED, RIGHT THERE IN THE STORE. I PRETENDED LIKE I WAS LOOKING AT SOMETHING ON THE VERY BOTTOM THERE, SO NO ONE WOULD CALL OUT THE LOONY TRUCK, BUT I SOBBED ALL THE WAY HOME.

HOW FAST SHE HAS GROWN, SEEMS LIKE JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN WE WERE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT HER ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE CLEARLY, YET NOW SHE'S SPEAKING LIKE EVERY OTHER 3 YR OLD. IN FACT KIRA WAS RECENTLY EVALUATED FOR THE 3RD TIME BY A PRIVATE SPEECH THERAPY CLINICIAN WHO WAS AMAZED AT HER COGNITIVE, RECEPTIVE AND VERBAL SKILLS. WE'RE THRILLED SHE DOESNT' NEED SPEECH THERAPY AT THIS TIME.



NOW I LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL CHILD AND THINK HOW FAR SHE HAS COME, HOW MUCH LOVE AND JOY AND MOTIVATION SHE BRINGS ME EVERY DAY.

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR KIRA, OUR DAUGHTER, MY INSPIRATION!

A Bit of Sass and Silliness

I LOVE THIS FACE!

I SAID MOVE OVER!

YOU GO FIRST DOG!

AWH, HER BEST FRIEND!  THE BIG DOG WITH A BIG KISS FOR KIRA

I'VE FALLEN AND CAN'T GET OUT !

FIRST INTRODUCTION TO TREE CLIMBING AND AWAY SHE GOES!

YOU WANT ME TO COME DOWN!  WELL COME AND GET ME MOMMY!

I LOVE THE WAY THE TREE SEEMS TO BE THE FRAME IN THIS PHOTO.  SOMETHING CAUGHT HER EYE, PROBABLY AN ANT!

IT'S BEEN PRETTY RAINY THIS MONTH SO THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN A FEW WEEKS AGO.  I CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE RAIN, IT JUST MAKES THE GARDENS AND GRASS GREENER FOR A LONGER TIME, BUT IT DOES MAKE FOR SOME INTERESTING ENTERTAINMENT FOR A 2 YEAR OLD.  

KIRA'S LANGUAGE ACQUISITION HAS STEADILY IMPROVED.  NOW SHE'S SAYING SENTENCES, YELLING AT THE DOG, ASKING FOR THINGS AND REFERRING TO HERSELF AS "ME" OR "KEE".  SHE LOVES HER DOG RECCHI, BUT LOVES BOSING HIM AROUND MORE (AS YOU CAN SEE).  

I FOUND HER SINGING THE THEME SONG TO "ELMO'S WORLD" AND SILENTLY LAUGHED AT SHE DELIGHTFULLY AND PROUDLY BELTED OUT THAT TUNE!

POTTY TRAINING IS ON THE BACK BURNER FOR SOME REASON, BUT HEY, SHE'S BUSY LEARNING TO SPEAK, CLIMB AND RECENTLY COUNT TO 9.  SHE'S ALSO ENGAGES IN PLAYING MOMMY TO ELMO AND HER STUFFED KITTY AND WRAPS THEM UP IN TOWELS AND PLACES THEM IN HER BED TO SLEEP.  

SHE'D RATHER BE OUTSIDE ALL THE TIME AND LOVES WATCHING THE BUNNIES HOP ACROSS THE GRASS.

TRULY GROWING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS, I AM TRYING TO CAPTURE SOME OF HER PERSONALITY WHICH DEFINITELY IS A COMBINATION OF SASS AND SILLINESS.

I AM SO PROUD OF THIS CHILD, WHO CONTINUES TO BE SUCH A SWEET AND SENSITIVE LITTLE GIRL THAT CONTINUES TO CAPTIVATE THE ATTENTION OF HER ADORING FAMILY.

Mom me

This week I chose this photo to follow along with the theme Daughters, from We Picture {This}. She's not the biggest fan of the camera which is almost daily in her face, so it's hard to get smiles. However I did get catch light in those baby brown eyes! I just love my baby more than I can explain. This child's personality and sweetness just grows every day! SHE IS MY DAUGHTER, the child I dreamed of my entire life, the little girl who has captured my heart and for that I am thankful, every single day!




OVER THE LAST WEEK I HAVE NOTICED AN INCREDIBLE INCREASE IN KIRA'S VOCABULARY, NOW USING 2 AND 3 WORD SENTENCES.  AFTER OUR SPEECH CONSULTATION I WAS GIVEN A LIST OF THINGS TO PRACTICE TO HELP KIRA'S SPEECH.   SO DOESN'T IT FIGURE I TRIED A FEW THINGS AND SHE'S PRACTICALLY GIVING SPEECHES!

HERE'S MY FAVORITE STORY OF WHAT THE TITLE "MOMMY" MEANS TO MY DAUGHTER.

ONE OF HER FIRST NEW WORDS IS "ME", WHICH IS GREAT BECAUSE SHE NOW REFERS TO HERSELF INSTEAD OF ELMO! 

SO WHEN SHE WANTS TO GET MY ATTENTION SHE YELLS "MOM" "ME".  I JUST LAUGH TO MYSELF THINKING HOW SMART SHE IS AND HOW STUPID I FEEL.  THE FIRST TIME I HEARD IT I THOUGHT, GREAT SHE'S NOW CALLING ME MOMMY, AND THINKING HOW DO THEY LEARN THAT IN JUST ONE DAY?  WELL, I WILL HAVE TO CHECK ON THE WEBSTERS VERSION, BUT I THINK KIDS CREATED "MOMMY" MEANING "MOM" "ME".

OTHER WORDS:

• PURPLE BALLOON
  
• COOKIE
  
• BYE BYE BALLOON (WHEN I LET GO AND IT FLEW UP AND AWAY) OH DID I HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO)
  
• PEN
• NAH
• OOPS
• CAT BOOK
• ELMO BALL
• HI FISHIES

SHE KNOWS HER PRIMARY COLORS, SHAPES AND MOST OF THE ALPHABET, AND EVERY ANIMAL SOUND I COULD MAKE:)) SHE  OCCASSIONALLY BARKS AND NOW HAS LEARNED TO HOWL LIKE THE DOG.  SHE TWEETS LIKE A BIRD AND QUACKS FOR THE DUCKS.  I THINK THIS TIME IS JUST AMAZING AS I HEAR HER MAKING NOT JUST WORDS, BUT SENTENCES!  WHAT A LONG WAY SHE HAS COME, FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO SAY ANY WORDS BUT MAMA (WHICH MEANT FOOD) BEFORE THE PALATE REPAIR LAST YEAR, TO NOW REPEATING BACK ALMOST EVERY WORD SHE HEARS.  SHE HAS THE SWEETEST VOICE AND I SO LOVE TO WATCH HER PLAY AND "ACT" WITH HER LITTLE STUFFED ANIMAL FRIENDS.  

YES, EVERYONE HAS TOLD ME SHE WILL SPEAK AND IT HAS BEEN AN OVERNIGHT OCCURENCE.   SO FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO STILL HAVE BABIES, EMBRACE THEIR BABBLING!  I KNOW IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE MY DAUGHTER WILL LEAVE HER JARGON AND BABBLING BEHIND HER, AND IN SOME WAYS I'LL MISS IT.  HOWEVER, IT'S ANOTHER MILESTONE SHE HAS ACHIEVED!

NOW IF ONLY I COULD STOP BABBLING!

Dresses and my Big Dog

KIRA JUST LOVES FLOWERS, ANYTHING WITH FLOWERS ON THEM AND REAL FLOWERS, JUST LIKE HER MOMMA! 

I just laughed when I saw this photo because I told her to hold her dress up and pose pretty for me and she did (with the flower stuck to her nose).

I LOVE THIS PHOTO, SHE'S SEEMS SUCH A BIG GIRL, YET STILL A BABY.
ANOTHER SWEET PHOTO MOMENT.

Okay, so now that I am not too frustrated teaching myself Lightroom, I have managed to create some okay photos.  I don't think I could ever shoot a bad photo of Kira, however, she's taking to the camera now and seems to enjoy posing!  

By the way, this dress was made for Kira by my dear friend Daleea.   Thank you Daleea for the taking the time to make "another Peep" dress.  Can't you tell how much Kira loves them?  I love these Frocks and they're so versatile.  The baby loves to twirl in them and obviously I had a few made in flower prints for her.  She didn't want to take this off today, but I traded her something else to wear so we could go and take her dog for a walk.  Funny baby.

HERE WOOF WOOF SMELL THIS!

NO THANKS, I'M JUST SITTING IN FOR THE PICTURE KID.

What was so funny is that the dog saw me taking photos and he didn't like being left out so moved his way on the same step, sat there and wanted in.  SMART DOGGIE!  

I'M TELLING YA WOOF WOOF, IT SMELLS GOOD (as she shoves it in his face)  

Funny baby, funny dog!  

Maa, look what I can do when you're on the computer!

MAA, I'M GOING TO PRESS THIS HERE BIG RED BUTTON THAT SAYS DON'T PRESS! YEP THE LITTLE BABE DID JUST THAT, SHE FIGURED OUT HOW TO SET OFF AN ALARM THAT WASN'T EVEN ARMED!  THE ALARM COMPANY SAID SHE PUNCHED IN THE CORRECT SET OF SEQUENCED NUMBERS TO DO THAT.  I TOLD HIM SHE'S ONLY 2, HE SAID WELL THAT'S THE ONLY WAY SHE COULD HAVE SET IT OFF, I TOLD HIM, HE NUTS!  SHE'S ONLY 2 AS IN TWO YEARS OLD!  BUT NOW IT WAS MY PROBLEM NOT HIS TO DEAL WITH.

NEXT THING I KNOW SIRENS WERE BLASTING, EAR PIERCING SOUNDS WERE COMING FROM PLASTIC THINGIES IN THE CEILING AND THE DOGS HOWLING, THE CATS ON THE CEILING AND I'M HEADING TO THE NUT HOUSE!  HOW WAS I GOING TO EXPLAIN ALL THIS TO THE POLICE (I WAS THINKING THEY WERE ABOUT TO SHOW UP ANY MINUTE) THEN I SUDDENLY REMEMBERED, I DON'T HAVE AN ALARM, SO WHAT'S ALL THIS NOISE ABOUT!  UGH, THE NOISE WAS DEAFENING AND I COULDN'T THINK OF WHAT TO DO OR WHOM TO CALL.  SO I WALKED DOWN INTO THE BASEMENT AND STARTED PULLING BREAKERS, OFF ON/OFF ON, NOTHING!  THEN PULLED OUT SOME PLUGS, NOTHING!  THEN REALIZED I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE THE HOUSE BECAUSE I COULDN'T STAND THE NOISE, WHEN SUDDENLY I REALIZED, HEY I'M A NURSE, I'VE HAD SOME EXPERIENCE IN ELECTRICITY, SO LET ME PUT MY THINKING CAP ON.

OKAY DOES ANYONE RECOGNIZE ANYTHING FAMILIAR IN THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS?

WELL GOOD, NEITHER DID I, BUT I HAD TO DO SOMETHING!

SO I WENT TO THE BASEMENT AND FOUND THIS CIRCUIT BOARD!  AH WHATS A FEW CHIPS HERE AND THERE AND SOME WIRES TO A GAL, RIGHT?
SAME POWER CIRCUIT BOARD NOW RESET AND ARMED (OOOH SOUNDS DANGEROUS)
THIS WAS BEFORE RESET AND I JUST PULLED AT THE WIRES.  I THOUGHT ONE OF THEM HAS TO SHUT THE THING UP! I DON'T THINK ANY BOMB SQUADES WOULD HIRE ME AFTER THIS MESS:))
I FOUND A BATTERY, THAT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE ANY BATTERY I WAS USED TO SEEING AND PULLED THE ELECTRODES.  ACTUALLY I TUGGED AND RIPPED THEM OFF,  AND THE NOISE STOPPED.  AWH PEACE AND QUIET!  FINALLY, BUT THEN MY EARS STARTED TO RING, HONESTLY I WAS LOOSING IT, KIND OF LIKE BEING RIGHT UP TO A HUGE METAL ROCK BAND WITH YOUR EAR PLASTERED TO THE SPEAKER.  THEN YOU WALK OUT AND CAN'T HEAR A THING, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED

TO ME...SO MORAL OF THE STORY, WHEN BABY WANTS TO PLAY WITH YOU, PLAY!

OR ALARMS WILL START BUZZING AND SQUEALING AND YOU'D WISH YOU WOULD HAVE JUST PUT IN THAT DVD ELMO TAPE FOR THE 100TH TIME!

OH SO GLAD MY BROTHER IS AN ELECTRICIAN, HE KNEW WHAT TO DO AND PUT ALL THOSE WIRES BACK IN PLACE!  THANK YOU SO MUCH BABY BROTHER, YOU'RE THE BEST!  

Photo Preparedness and everything else I happened upon

OH MY GOODNESS!  ACTUALLY, THAT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE EXPLICATIVE I WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE THE PHOTOS OF Deb and Lisa!  While they are two naturally, gifted photographers, Lisa recently took the photo course that Jen, Kate and I are going to attend at the end of April.   We are all so excited and can't wait.

In the meantime, in order to prepare for this course, I am trying to learn as much about this habit of mine as possible.  So yes, there is a book called the Nikon D90 for Dummies and Yes I ordered it!  While the title may sound cute, don't let it fool you, because the inside is like reading an encyclopedia in pig Latin.  I just want to get to know my camera a bit better.  It's very technical with a slow learning curve (at least for me).  But hey yesterday I was SHOOTING IN RAW AND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT, that is until I looked at the huge files it created:))

Now,  I say to myself, what button did I accidentally push to get RAW.  It's not like there is this huge RED BUTTON THAT STICKS OUT AND SAYS "HEY PUSH THIS FOR RAW FORMAT". No, it's just not that easy to "accidentally" get into this format because to get back to jpeg normal format, you press at least one button, scroll down into the menu, then over to your selection, and then press OK.  I couldn't have done that by accident (which my husband insists I did).   It must have defaulted or something!  Ha, that's funny, I'm blaming the camera!

Okay, so I now anxiously await my new reading material, which by the way doesn't include Photoshop for Dummies.  I need the Idiot's guide on PSE and I know it's around somewhere!

Leave a comment if you know where I can buy it!

This was about as close as I could come to the Idiot's guide to Photoshop Essentials.  I mean I need something quick and easy here.  Nothing too detailed (even if the program is).  
Then I found this book.  Yes I am onto something now.  We will use this program a lot from what I hear.

And there is a PSE 6 for Dummies...go figure!  I just learned how to master Mac and iPhoto.   

Then I found this and thought, where was this book when I needed it!

Then I stumbled upon these...non-fiction or fiction?

OH MY?  YOU DRILL WHERE?  

Virtually a book for every field, complaint, political agenda, current affairs, history, and so on.

While I found the necessary reading material, I am hoping that in the next few weeks I can actually learn a thing or two on my own.  I intend to sneak over to Borders for coffee and an armful of books to bury my head in as well.   Yes I am determined to learn what I can and make the most out of this amazing technical device that with the click of a button will preserve a priceless moment in time!