Three in the Chair

Little Helper

Watching Daddy, at the Back Door

Art Gallery of Alberta

Looking Back...Way Back – Summer 1981

When I saw Kate for the first time, my first thought was, “That is who has been growing inside of me for nine months?”  I spent the first few days of her life, admittedly, a little confused, trying to figure out whom this tiny creature looked like.  Because, at first, she didn’t look like anyone.  Not myself.  And certainly not Boris.  I guess I kind of expected a little girl version of Ben...

As the weeks passed, her swelling went down, her newness disappeared and she began to look like a mini version of me.  It’s strange, having someone who looks so much like you.  I never had that experience growing up.  My siblings and I have always had some similarities but we certainly aren’t clones of each other (or of either of our parents).  I think, it’s why it took me at least six months to feel comfortable calling her “Kate” (Kate, coming into her name is a post in itself).  And it’s why, when I hold her and look at the two of us in the mirror, I feel like I’m holding a younger version of me.  Sometimes I have a hard time separating her from myself.  It’s as if we’re one in the same.  

Kate is turning one in a little over two weeks.  One!  I can’t even believe she’s been a part of our family for almost an entire year.  I know this blog has been a little “Kate” heavy lately but over the next few weeks I’m going to try and write about some of the things I wish I had put to paper when she was new but didn’t have the time or energy to do.  

When I was at my parents the other night, I rummaged through some old pictures and found a few of me at the one year mark.  We aren’t identical (her nose is different and her face is rounded...oh, and both Boris and I agree that’s she’s definitely cuter) but she is, without a doubt, my daughter.  

Sunday Morning at the Muttart Conservatory

In February, we went to the Muttart Conservatory with friends.  This morning the temperature was still below zero outside, so we decided to go as a family.  Ben enjoyed the plants and flowers.  And for some reason, Kate seems so much older since our last visit (although it was less than two months ago).

Ben's (Second) Canvas Painting - Day Eleven

Ben painted yesterday.  He enjoyed mixing blue and yellow paint to make green.

Kate's Two Minute Headbands

So, I’m not really a girly girl.  I can count, on one hand, the number of times I’ve worn a dress since my wedding day over seven years ago.  Most of the time, I have my hair tied back and am sporting lululemon’s and a hoodie.  That being said, I love dressing up my kids.  I have been obsessed with vests/sweater vests since Ben’s birth (proof here, here, here and here).  And I love dressing Kate in girly things.  Now that her hair is finally growing in, I thought it would be fun for her to have a few accessories.  Kate’s hair is still a few months away from being long enough to fit into little clips so I decided to make her some headbands.  I found some great tutorials on Pinterest (here, here, here and here) but in the end, I decided to take the really easy route and buy some Goody Slide-Proof Headbands and flowers (Jolee’s Boutique) and hot glue gun them together.  It literally took me two minutes a headband to cut the band to the right length, glue the headband back together and attach the flower.  I tried to aim for neutral colors that would go with her upcoming spring/summer wardrobe (that is, if the snow ever melts).  Here’s the result; I think she looks fabulous.    

Mix Tape - Riverside

I haven't been able to get this beautiful song out of my head all week...

Riverside by Agnes Obel
11/52

Thursday Afternoon With Kate

Ben has been “off” the last few days so while he took a very long afternoon nap, Kate and I hung out in the living room.  I have to say, this is definitely my favorite stage with her so far.  At 11 months, she’s itty-bitty but what she lacks in height and weight she makes up for with her big personality.  Kate is spunky and funny and knows exactly what she wants.  She has the most hilarious facial expressions and I just love spending time with this girl.

  

Remembering - March 2010

March 2010

In March, Ben began grasping objects in his hand.  I remember being fascinated by this particular skill.  I loved watching him grab a blanket in his tiny hands and peeking out from underneath (which prompted a series of photos I took of him, this one being my favorite).  As a first time parent, every new skill conquered was amazing, watching someone so new gain independence, one small step at a time.