Developmental milestone: move to toddler bed...check!

She did it, gracefully with ease. Next comes getting rid of the pacifier and then potty training. If God is merciful, those will be equally as easy as the move from crib to big girl bed. Yeah right.

My 30th Birthday and Other Nonsense...

I couldn't resist posting a couple choice shots from the shuttle launch escapade. My suggestion was to put a chair under her legs and one under her body, but this didn't cross the mind of either highly educated doctor who chaperoned the munchkin on the crazy excursion. Sheesh. At least they scooted her down when her head flopped off.

Anyway...I finally reached the milestone I've been dreading...30 years on this earth. I really didn't think it'd be a big deal, but man, did I feel it last week. Mostly an intense feeling of impending doom. Is this normal? Am I now doomed? Sure feels like it.To get my mind off of this new tragedy in my life, Parrish took me on a relaxing (and rainy) getaway to Destin sans baby. Rain=shopping and eating, so we did. We stayed at the Henderson Park Inn, an adults-only B&B. Very nice, save for the gutter atop our roof that stayed filled (and gushing) all weekend. Sounded like someone was draining a tub, ALL. NIGHT. LONG. We had dinner at Marina Cafe, slept in until 9:45 am (gasp!), shopped a lot for Sylvie's upcoming birthday (and a few things for the birthday girl herself), watched the last Harry Potter in IMAX 3D (this added to my sadness...I've been either reading a new HP book or watching a new HP movie every summer since the first book came out in 1998. I'm devastated that it's over). We ate again at Tommy Bahamas (so good) and then shopped some more. I tried a couple of red wines that I really liked...getting adventurous! We tried the beach on Sunday morning, but getting sprinkled on while watching a huge storm move ashore isn't much fun. We took zero pictures...maybe subconsciously I don't want to remember it? I really missed the baby, who enjoyed asuper fun vacation at Nana and Papa's house. Again, she wasn't thrilled to see us as she was too enthralled with the ipad.

The only photo I took...off our balcony that overlooked the state park...so quiet and private...good choice, P King.

Sylvie and I packed up again after the weekend and headed to the lake to see JJ and Ferg. Another couple of days napping, eating and letting other people entertain my child...my kind of birthday! This, of course, I captured on film, as I do everything the munchkin does. She enjoyed the lavish attention she received, complete with swimming, a train ride and a new playhouse.

Watching "tee" in the lawnmower box playhouse, aka, the best toy ever. You totally have my permission to steal this idea, especially good on a rainy day.

She'll be comin' round the mountain when she comes...

Choo choo tain!

We are so excited to travel to see family and friends next week in Jacksonville and St. Simon's. Then it's six weeks of infant swimming lessons, followed by the start of Mother's Day Out, ballet lessons and possibly the two-year-old program at Little Friends preschool. Not to mention someone's second birthday...I planned it this weekend. Can't believe we're already there. The end of summer looms...not that I mind since I've decided I HATE the heat that summer in Alabama bestows on us each year. Not a great attitude to have since I'll live here for the rest of my life and will then be buried under the hot sun for eternity.

I'll leave you with a few cute pictures from this summer, since we all know you only read this blog to see the baby.

Boy's Elmo pjs picked out by Daddy...of course she LOVES them and wants her Elmo pants all the time.


Cheese face.

Push me, Daddy!

God Bless,
Katie

Mean-faced Elmo-wearing Munchkin-head

Look who made history...

Parrish took Sylvie and Papa to see the last shuttle launch EVER. Thanks, Barack, for such a great contribution to space travel (in case you missed it, that was a joke. Obama canceled our shuttle program. Such a winner, that one). Anyway...

After multiple panic attacks and zero sleep on my part, the three musketeers (or shuttleers?) made it to and from Cape Canaveral, Fla., to see Atlantis depart Earth for the last time. Here is the video evidence...it will probably be a long download but totally worth it to see their adventure. If it doesn't work, just call Parrish and he'll give you a thorough, detailed account of the event, from an astronaut's perspective, since that's what he aspires to be in his other life.

So glad they made it back safely and now have this memory to share...honestly, all joking aside, could I ask for a better daddy for my munchkin? He is so good.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28215421/SylvieLaunch.m4v

(Don't give up on the video...hit "pause" and let it sit for awhile, then hit "play" again. It has to catch up to itself).

God bless,

Katie

Happy July 4th!!

We traveled to the family beach house in Destin for the 4th.We had a great time, eating and visiting with most of the King side of the family. The munchkin thoroughly enjoyed the constant attention she received for three days in a row (now back to reality, kiddo). Thanks to Aunt Beth for the great pictures...I took not a single one!

Jackie O at Destin Harbor...wow!

You're getting veerrry sleeeeppy...

Captain Sylvie, as usual. Who wouldn't want Uncle Frank as a second mate?

Happy Independence Day!

What a cute festive frock from Aunt Kathy!

Three siblings.

Best of the bad family photos...patting Mommy's cheek is much more fun than posing nicely.


Nanie with the grandkids and great-grandkid.

A magic pelican.

Nanie perhaps explaining why the pelican is magic...

I'll need to get the scoop one of these days.

Enjoying the sunset on the bayou.

New best friend, Millie, a teacup Maltipoo. Uh-oh, Daddy, we might have to get one!

Matching dresses with Millie.

Love that Millie is "chasing" Sylvie rather than the other way around for once!

Sylvie reveals her true feelings about Aunt Beth...she's crazy!

I really think this photo needs no explanation...I fulfilled my fishing duties for the year. I'd rather be in the kitchen cookin' this thing than doing the dirty work.

I caught a grouper and a triggerfish on the same line...both too small to keep!

God Bless the USA,
Katie