13 Months

The past month she has been mimicking us a lot. I love watching her learn and do things she sees us do. It makes her seem more like a 'little person' and less like a baby.

My favorite things she has done to mimic me...

At the grocery store she insisted on holding my pen and grocery list. Then she continued to check items off the list like mom.

She got into my facial wipes and started wiping the cupboard and floor with them. Cleaning like mom.

She puts her hand on the shampoo pump and then rubs it on her tummy and body pretending to wash herself. She will also grab the washcloth and rub it on her body.

Holds the phone up to her face and 'talks'

Anything that has a strap becomes a purse and is carried around on her shoulder.

Besides lots of mimicking here are some other things about Kensie at 13 months...

• Started saying Thank you. Cutest thing ever. Sounds like 'tay-doo'.
• She babbles and jabbers all the time with very meaningful looks and facial expressions.
• Stands alone for a few seconds.
• Finally says Mom consistently!
• Total daddy's girl. She usually prefers her dad unless she is tired or sick.
• Points and makes an 'Oooo' sound when she wants something.
• She slides down the stairs on her tummy at an incredible rate.
• Has eight teeth. Got her one year molars.
• She gets into the fridge, pantry, and dishwasher at any opportunity.
• She will stay in the swing at the park for 30 minutes if I will let her.
• Has been more clingy. Leaving her with a babysitter or taking her to the gym daycare is usually somewhat traumatizing for all parties involved.
• Her favorite things to do: Swing at the park, read books, get into cupboards, push her walker around, take baths, makes messes, push buttons, and play with dad.

A Week in Quincy

A re-cap of what we did in Washington...

Kensie loved spending time with Grandma and Grandpa and gave them lots of hugs and kisses. She got really excited when Grandpa came home from work. I think it's safe to say she stole a little bit of his heart while we were there.

On Tuesday we got together with my high school friends. I usually get to see one or two of them when I go home but we hadn't all been together since the summer after our high school graduation. We went to the Birds' lake house at Billy Clap Lake just like old times! We sunbathed, jet skied, and went boating.

Kensie had her first experience jet-skiing. Maybe if she didn't have to wear the life vest she would have enjoyed it more.

My mom went jet-skiing for her first time and even drove!

Kim Bird made us a delicious meal afterwards.

Wednesday my mom and I headed to Spokane for a dentist appointment at my brother's practice. We had lunch with Dr. Brent Child followed by some shopping.

We didn't quite get our fill of shopping while in Spokane so my mom and I headed to Wenatchee on Thursday and shopped until we dropped for Kensie. Shopping for little girls is the best!

Friday we had a relaxing day at home besides a quick trip to Walmart.

Saturday we went to Quincy Farmer Consumer Awareness Day! I hadn't been in years. It was so fun to take Kensie to the parade and introduce her to my friends. We had lunch at the Rotary luncheon and then looked around at the craft booths. Afterwards we went to see Camille's new house. Then Grandma watched Kensie while I went with Camille swimming at her condo in Crescent Bar.

Sunday we went to church with my parents and then headed to Tri-Cities. We had dinner at Lori's before flying home.

The flight home was a complete nightmare. Short summary: Evening flight. Delayed an hour and a half. Kensie teething. Inconsolably screaming baby. Tiny plane. Mom starts crying. Flight attendant and passenger intervene. After it seemed nothing would console Kensie, the flight attendant gave her some ice for her gums. Shortly after she fell asleep for the rest of the flight. I don't know how long she cried for but it felt like an eternity. Thankfully I had sweet ladies sitting next to me who were very understanding and helpful.

Not to end on a bad note with the plane ride though... Besides the plane ride home, our vacation was so fun! I loved having our girl time:)

Labor Day Weekend

Our family decided to take a last minute trip to Washington for Labor Day Weekend! My sister Lori and her family picked us up from the airport on Friday and took us to my parent's house. I knew Kensie was going to be in heaven with all of Grandma and Grandpa's toys. Sure enough. When we arrived Trent and Tiffani got out the toys and Kensie looked ecstatic! It was WAY past her bedtime but she was full of energy. She especially liked the tractors.

Saturday Kensie had so much fun playing with her cousins who gave her lots of attention. My brother Brent and his family also came to my parent's house while we were there.

Saturday night Niel and I left Kensie with Grandma and Grandpa for a date to the Dave Matthews Band concert at the Gorge Amphitheatre! I have fond memories from going there in high school and I've always wanted to take Niel there. It's an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Columbia river.

Monday we drove to Tri-Cities and had a picnic at the park next to the Columbia river.

Niel flew back to Las Vegas Monday night to return to work on Tuesday. Kensie and I stayed in Washington for another week to par-tay! More on that later.

Five Years

We celebrated our five year anniversary on August 26th! We left Kensie overnight for the first time with our amazing friends Courtney and Cameron. First we had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then checked in at Mandalay Bay. When we checked into the hotel they only had rooms with two full size beds lefts even though I booked a King. I was kinda furious. Then an Indian guy knocked on our hotel room door at 10:45 p.m. with a refrigerator. Oh and the AC didn't work very well in our room. I kinda overreacted about the whole thing but it paid off because we got a $100 credit to Mandalay Bay.

(We failed to get a picture of the two of us on our anniversary.)

Anyways, the main reason why we wanted to stay at Mandalay Bay was to hang out at their awesome pool on Saturday. Niel and I spent the morning in the wave pool and laying out without chasing around a baby. Then Niel went home to pick up Kensie while I read my book lounging in the pool. It was fantastic.

When Kensie arrived she stole the show at Mandalay Beach. She was pretty much the only baby there and received oodles of attention even from gross, drunk men. We spent lots of time in the lazy river and she loved it. It was fun feeling like a tourist for the weekend!

Birthday

Shopping for Kensie's birthday was so much fun. Not that she will remember what she got, but it gave me a great excuse to go shopping for some new clothes, toys, and books.

Kensie got spoiled by Grandma Child who bought her lots of adorable new clothes and shoes.

We had a little party for Kensie's first birthday. I wanted to keep it low key and invite just a few friends over. The Hunts, Dodsons, Finlinsons, and Schelins came. We heated up the pool, ordered pizza, and ate cake.

Kensie dug into her cake after some initial hesitation.

Happy first birthday Kensie Roo!