Happy Birthday KATE

Katy’s birthday! We got up and all had pancakes together. She really ate a LOT of flapjacks. As I left for work to a full battery of baby bye bye’s I couldn’t wait to get back home tonight. I came home to a fantastic reception form the kids. Particularly from Sean who was trucking towards me on all fours as fast as he could, squealing all the way. Kate was running in circles around the kitchen table screaming as she went. Yes ladies and gentlemen, the rock star is home. At least that’s what it felt like. My Mom had stopped by with some gifts to join us for supper and to wish Kate a happy birthday. The kids both ate very well and we moved without delay to the festivities. Phase one was birthday cake and a stirring rendition of happy birthday, We all strapped our pointy hats on and I lit the candles on the cake. Kate really enjoyed our rousing performance of Happy Birthday and with almost no coaxing at all she blew out her candles just like a veteran. Hey, this is her second birthday after all. After we were done and had a nice round of applause, Kate asked for, “More Momma.” Since it seems that our audio/video department had some technical difficulty we were happy to accommodate her. After another round Kate was eager to blow out the candles again…I can’t wait to see the video. On to phase two: the presents. The first gift she opened was a little tea set, and she loved it. So much so that it got in the way of trying to open any other presents, and there were several. There were lots of beautiful outfits which normally would have her ooohing and ahhhing, but she only had a passing interest and was eager to get back to her tea set. The only pause was her TMX Elmo and an Elmo / Cookie Monster shakey ball. Neither could deter her long from her beloved tea set though. After the presents her attention was held for cake and ice cream. She was cherry picking the icing at first but soon broke down and dirty, and probably should have had a bib. What the heck, she can make a mess on her birthday…and she did just that. After we had our fill of sugary goodness, Kate again turned her attention to her new tea set. She got out the cups and started pouring imaginary tea complete with sound effects. Now I will admit, I did do it once before she did, but she was serving tea to everyone in short order. As she was pouring the imaginary tea, her sound effect sounded a lot like an espresso machine. Michelle, my mother, and I were all expected to drink our tea and let her give us refills. She was doing her own drinking, complete with exaggerated little gulp gulp noises as she wet her lips on the make believe brew. It was hilarious. I don’t know how much of it we got recorded, but it was good stuff. I gotta give Sean credit too. The whole time we were focused on Kate he was quietly exploring and content, as if allotting her the time she needed to be the star of her birthday. He doesn’t seem to be nearly as attention needy as the girl-child…yet. Once we left the kitchen table he was back in the picture. He actually did have his longest unassisted stand tonight. Still not ready to make steps though. I am going to make a guess of 3 weeks from now for multiple steps in a non-falling down style of walk. He has actually taken a couple of steps here and there, but it is more a matter of his feet shuffling as he is going down. I guess you could say that he walks, but that is kinda like saying I can do the hula hoop…I might get a couple of rotations before it hits the floor, but there is no way I can keep the thing on my hip. All in all it was a great night and I am sure my mother and Michelle each greatly enjoyed themselves. I know I did.