Yummy food! Katelynn's first meals.

Katelynn turned 6 months old this week, so, now that she's such a big girl, she gets to start eating food. She has tried eating oatmeal cereal, but she would rather eat the spoon. Feeding Katelynn is a big production in our house, requiring a bib, a washlcoth, papertowels, a bowl and three spoons (one spoon for Katelynn to chew on, one spoon for big brother Carson to help with, and one spoon for Mommy to use to actually feed her.)

Katelynn tried sweet potatoes for her first vegetable. Here's her first bite. She chewed a bit and then looked over at her Daddy, probably wondering what Mommy was doing to her.

Oh, the joy of a boy!

I was doing laundry over the weekend and finished a load of Carson's clothes. I started to take everything out of the washer, when I noticed little brown squishy things...Raisins! Yep, I washed a pair of Carson's shorts that had an entire box of raisins in it. Not only were there gross, wet raisins in the washer, but the box had been washed and turned into little wet flakes. Gross! I guess he is officially a toddler boy, stuffing things in his pockets and I guess I better check ALL pockets from now on!

Little Farm Adventures

Last Saturday we decided to beat the heat and head to Berkeley. (It has been almost 100 degrees for the past week) Carson had fun showing Daddy all of the animals. Carson fed celery to the cows, chickens, ram, and sheep.

A Toddler and A Baby's Best Friend.

For thoses of you who have met our dog, Reggie, you must think we had him stuffed or drugged for this photo. Actually, he has gotten a lot calmer and he loves to hang out with the kids. He gets so close to Katelynn that she can touch him and pet his fur. Sometimes I find Reggie lying on the floor of her room in the middle of the night. Of course, he remains Carson's best friend and is always willing to be his climbing structure, chair, or snuggle buddy.

Poo-poo Patrol

Carson wants so much to be a big boy and help around the house. He is also a big tattle-tale. So, now when Reggie goes potty in the yard, Carson runs into the house to get a bag. No, we do not let/make our toddler pick up doggie doo. He just gets the bag for us, and then points out the target. After we pick it up, he runs ahead of us to the side of the house and waits at the trash can. What a great helper!

Naptime Twilight Zone....

First of all, I shouldn't complain. Katelynn is a great sleeper and Carson is finally taking regular naps. My problem with all the sleeping is the timing that they have chosen. Katelynn usually takes a late morning/early afternoon nap that ends around 1:30 or 2pm. Carson goes down for his nap at around 1:45pm. Are you noticing the dilemma?!? I literally go in to check and make sure Carson is asleep when I hear Katelynn stirring. So, depending on his activity level, he will rest for 1-3 hours. That means, Mommy House Arrest on most days. (No, Carson doesn't always crash out on the floor like the photo, but I thought it was a funny pic)

Warning: May cause motion sickness.

Katelynn has found the joy of "hand-me-downs". She has a great time in Carson's old jumperoo. Sometimes she seems as if she will jump right out of it!

Bathtime buddies.

Katelynn is such big girl, she can sit in her tub seat for bathtime! So, that means that Carson and Katelynn can have fun in the tub together. He shares his tub toys with her and she kicks back and watches him splash and play. He usually smacks her in the face with suds once, and we have to remind him that sister is a baby and we have to be gentle. Good thing she is such a "tough cookie". Even when he pops her in the face with bubbles, she just stares at him in awe of his every move.

Katelynn's favorite fingers.

Katelynn (who wouldn't take a bottle or a binky in the beginning) has decided that she loves to suck on her fingers. It is usually the index and the middle one on her right hand, but she has been known to "switch it up" sometimes letting in a thumb slip in, or using the left hand. When she goes to bed, I put her up on my shoulder and pat her back and those fingers pop in her mouth automatically. What can I say?, She loves them!

Our new backyard.

We are so happy to be in a great neighborhood and the kids LOVE their new backyard. We found out the second day that we needed some rules before we go outside.
Rule #1 You must eat breakfast first.
Rule #2 You must change out of pajamas and put on shoes.
And finally, Rule #3 You need a hat and sunscreen.
He constantly tried to run outside with the golf clubs or the ball from the moment he woke up. It was impossible to get him back inside, so now we accomplish those things and go out for the day.
Katelynn is enjoying the backyard as well. She likes to sit in the shade in her exersaucer and watch Carson and Daddy play basketball. She also likes to watch Carson play ball with Reggie. Sometimes we put down a blanket and she lies back, checking out the leaves blowing in the trees.

Moving day...again!

Well, after two months in corporate housing, and with all of our belongings in storage, we finally moved into our house! Carson loves to run around in the backyard and to play with all of his toys again. Reggie's vacation in San Diego ended with road trip up to the Bay Area with Paul's parents. The Mitchell Family is happy to be back together again.

Katelynn's Baptism

Katelynn was baptised on June 29th, at Grace Episcopal Church in San Marcos. The entire family was there to stand and support her on her special day. Jon and Sheree Rodgers flew down from Seattle to be named as her Godparents. Katelynn looked beautiful in her baptismal gown and reminded us of Carson. He was baptised in the same gown, less than two years ago. Paul and I purchased it Ireland (on our honeymoon) for our children to wear someday.