What A Difference A Year Makes!

Here is Kate's one year progress report...She sure looks little here!

Updates:
Speech - Kate is a pretty quiet girl. She still struggles with speech, but will try to imitate what you're saying to her. Mommy, no, milk (meeilk),ligh(t), hi!, and nun-you (love you) are pretty understandable & clear. Ryan is still y-an, Bryson is y-ton, and she still signs C next to her cheek for Colton and B for Brendan.

Her sign language vocabulary has increased to about 100 words(!) that she is comfortable using. She will sometimes sign a word I wasn't even aware she knew! Kate started speech therapy 6 weeks ago, and goes once a week for about 45 minutes, and seems to love going! Her current goal is to say (and/or sign) 2-3 words instead of just one. After her upcoming surgery, when they close up the remaining hole in her palate, it should be much easier for her to make the sounds that require a burst of air...b,d,t,p,and c. We discovered that the little piece of skin under her tongue (frenulum) also comes out too far, keeping her from easily making certain sounds, and as this is pretty common, they'll take care of it at the same time in her surgery.

Growth - When we first brought her home, Kate was on the 50-70th percentile in height (meaning if there were 100 kids, she would be taller than 50-70 of them). The last time she was measured, she was on the 90-95th percentile in height! I asked the pediatrician if that meant she would be a tall girl, or if she'll grow until she hits about 14, then just stop. He said it could go either way, so I guess only time will tell! But for now, she's a tall 2 1/2 yr. old!

Food - When we picked up Kate, she amazed us at how much food she could eat. She basically just over-ate for about 4 to 6 weeks. She never ate to the point of throwing up, but you would be amazed at how much food she could pack away. When she was done (or I thought she was done), Kevin would give her a banana, and she would eat that too. She would eat until her little tummy was as tight as a drum. Our thinking was just feed her as much as she wants until she understands that there is no shortage of food, and if you're hungry, we have food for you. I'd say it took her a good month before she called 'uncle'...I give up! I believe you! I can't keep up! She still is the best eater we have, including salad and vegetables, but will no longer gorge herself. She's pretty good about finishing what's on her plate, but if she's not hungry will sign 'finished/all done'.

Loves - Kate loves chocolate. A lot. Chocolate frosting, peanut butter cups, M&Ms...she's not picky. She also loves warm baths with floaty toys and bubbles. Music, music, music. It doesn't matter what kind! I've never seen a child who enjoys & is attuned to music and dancing so much. Warm, cozy footy pajamas and towels fresh out of the dryer will usually get an 'oooohh' and a big smile, and for some reason, loves trying on shoes. Looking at herself in the mirror after I put a bow in her hair and we say/sign, "Oh, very pretty!" Cats...real, stuffed or in a book, and horses & cows. Fruit snacks!! french fries, and anything that Ryan loves. Books and more books. If she's in her room, she's probably reading a book, then she puts it down and pulls out another book. Dora The Explorer, Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse club, but mostly Dora. Going on an errand with Dad, and being tickled by Dad! Oh, and we've just discovered, the joy of girl scout cookies. :)

Life is good.

To sum it up, Kate has fit into the last little niche in our family. She is definitely just 'one of the gang'. We've always had extra little kids around, so I think it wasn't much of a stretch to have Kate around. She has a unique relationship with each of the boys. Bryson is the one she's most likely to wave & say "hi (y-son!)" to, Brendan often times bathes her and buckles her in her car seat and she definitely looks up to him as a 'big kid'. Colton is the one she is most likely to go to for comfort...she adores him, and the feeling is mutual. Ryan is her playmate and antagonist, the one she looks up to and wants to do whatever he is doing (or eat whatever he is eating!) She thinks he is SO funny and looks at him with so much admiration and love in her eyes, then looks at me with smiling eyes as if to say, "Isn't he great?!" Kevin, she runs to when he comes home, as she tries to say 'daddy' like Ryan does. Daddy is the little-kid-tickler, and is the patient one when is comes to sitting next to her at dinner time, or at a restaraunt, and Mommy is Kate's personal assistant....hair stylist, potty trainer, photographer, carseat & naptime enforcer and the bringer-of-food.

The whole family is the giver and receivers of hugs.

It's been a full year at out house, and in another way, it seems to have flown by.