We're still here!!!

Ok, we're back...

Sorry we haven't posted anything since February... it is funny how fast life goes! We have been very busy down here. Kaileigh is growing up so fast and seems to be learning something new every day. Just to give you an idea of where she is... Kaileigh can now say "Please" and "Thank you" - and even says them at the right time... mostly! She can climb on to the couch, coffee table, toilet, beds, and everything else! Which means that on most days, she is covered with bruises! She says so many things now and is always wanting to learn more and more. She has a great sense of humor - she will laugh out loud all by herself sometimes. She also has her favorite books and toys. She enjoys going to the library with me and picking out new books for bedtime. We have also started swim classes at the Coast Guard base pool. Kaileigh is not too sure if she likes it or not. She will play with me and swim for a couple of minutes and then she doesn't want to do any more. Next week Nik is going to come with us, and since she always wants to be where daddy is... hopefully she will like the classes better.

We are all so excited for our trip home! We will not only get to visit friends and family that we miss so much. But we will also get to see Chris and meet his new wife Dani. They were recently married and are expecting a wonderful baby in October!! Since we haven't seen Chris in over a year, we are so happy to be able to coincide our visits home. Also, our good friends, Tina and Aaron are getting married while we are at home and we cannot wait for that reunion as well!! Life has pulled us all in different directions - us in Alabama, Tina and Aaron in Tennessee, and Chris and Dani in Colorado... we are so lucky to be able to still connect and share these wonderful experiences with one another!

Kaileigh has a bit of a cold that started yesterday. We can't tell if it is allergies or a cold... but either way we all had a bit of a long night last night. I am sorry that I have slacked on the blog! We love you all and are so very excited to see you in just a few weeks!!

Enjoy the following pictures of the last month. These include Kaileigh's first time to the beach... a week before the oil hit, Nik's friend's promotion, and a couple bath time pictures! <3

Lots of fun!

Nik's friend, Rich gets promoted to Cheif! Congrats guys!

Mother's Day at the fountains!

Snuggled up with Daddy!
Burr!!

Bubble head!

Nice look Kai!

Our Beach Day!

Having so much fun at the beach!

Our beautiful family!

Mommy Kisses!

So Big!

Not even 5 minutes after we got in the car... big day for such a little girl!

Kaileigh's first beach trip!

Digging to China with Daddy!

(I asked them to pick me up an egg roll!)

Bathing Beauty!

Kaileigh spent about 85% of her time at the beach in the water with Daddy!

Sand sand EVERYWHERE!

(really... everywhere!)

Daddy's girl, through and through!

Life with a one year old!

It is surprising how fast moments, hours, days, and weeks go by. We are thoroughly enjoying all of our little moments with each other! Recently, we experienced snow in Alabama, Kaileigh's 2nd Valentines Day, rollerblading for the first time, and my 25th birthday! However, perhaps the most exciting news is that our work schedules have FINALLY changed! I am now working again at home so I can be with Kaileigh more, and Nik is working a better shift as well. His sleep schedule will finally return to normal! It may not seem to be that big of a deal, but for us... well all we can say is, "AHHHH!"

A couple of weeks ago, we got snow! Thats right! In Mobile, AL, it SNOWED!! YAY!!! Okay, so it only snowed less than a 1/4 inch... but it was still awesome! As you all know, I love my snow. Mobile county completely shut down that day. My work and all of the schools closed.... the day before! Haha... oh my, it was quite entertaining listening to all the people I work with freaking out about the prospect of driving in 1/4 inch of snow!! HAHA We spent my day off playing in the snow. Kaileigh was quite entertained while trying to catch the snowflakes. As soon as the snow started, we headed outside; along with everyone else in our ENTIRE neighborhood. This was the first snow in over 8 years - so it was a big deal! I guess God heard my prayers and gave me snow even though I am well south of the Mason Dixon Line!! Thanks!!

We enjoyed a wonderful Valentines Day! Not that we did much, but we spent it together and thats what is important. Kaileigh wore her "My <3>

I had a very nice birthday! Thank you everyone for the wonderful cards and gifts you sent me! It was, yet again, a very quiet day; but just the kind of day I LOVE after a long week! What leaves me just a bit AMAZED is, where did this past year go?? Last year at this time, I was learning how to be a mom - well okay, I am definitely still learning... but it all went by so fast. It was a great year, thank you to all that made it special for me; especially Nik, my best friend & husband and Kaileigh, my miracle!

Nik and I have recently taken up a hobby: rollerblading! I am still learning, but haven't fallen yet! Kaileigh enjoys sitting in the jogging stroller and going really fast! Nik is just as good on blades as he is on feet - so he is proving to be a great teacher for me! We are having a lot of fun excercizing as a family.

And so we finally get to Kaileigh; the really reason why y'all are checking in! lol Our little lady is as spunky as ever! She is running around the house, yard, store, and anywhere else we put her down. I now realize the reality of the possibility of loosing a child in a store! She is a very strong willed little girl. If she wants to be carried, you MUST carry her. But more commonly, it is the screaming to be put down. Within the past two weeks, Kaileigh has learned to voice her disapproval with our actions! She has truly developed her own little sense of humor. She thinks bellys, more specifically, bellybuttons are HILARIOUS! She will look for yours (future warning) as well as show you hers! She knows where her nose, eyes, ears, and mouth are as well. She even says "eyes" and rarely "nose". Kaileigh now has 13 teeth, with more on their way. She is an AMAZING sleeper; sleeping 12-13 hours a night with a great nap during the day. We are making plans to enroll her in swimming classes as well as music classes for this summer. We aren't quite sure when those will be. Kaileigh loves spending time with her friends and we are sure to have a very fun summer this year!

Here are some photos from the last few weeks! Enjoy! We all love and miss you dearly!!

She may not look like me, but girlfriend likes her books just like Mama!

Running to catch the rare Alabama snowflakes!

Probably a little confused...

I love this picture!

She looks so big!

Daddy and Kaileigh - having fun right on the kitchen floor!

Continued...

Haha... This is Kaileigh telling me it was a bad idea to let her run around without a diaper on! My bad...

Kaileigh and Madelyne, snuggling on a pillow!

She reminds me of E.T.

BTW... this is how I found her when I got home from work :)

Happy Birthday Kaileigh!!

On January 13, 2010, Kaileigh celebrated her very first birthday! Since it was in the middle of a very very busy week, we only had a small celebration with just Kaileigh, Nik and me. She enjoyed a small cake and opened some really fun presents! However, this past Saturday, we celebrated her birthday with a nice big party. Kaileigh's friend Madelyne celebrated her 2nd birthday on January 4th - so we combined their parties. It was a lot of fun! Four families - equalling 18 people!! Kaileigh really enjoyed herself - she just loves watching all of the kids running around like crazy! Although she does have to keep to the side, because even though she can walk, she gets knocked over often. With pretty princess hats and a beautiful purple and pink cake - the birthday party was a huge success. Kaileigh received so many wonderful presents for her first birthday: a grocery cart, bean bag chair, giant stuffed dog, picnic table, an outfit for st. patrick's day, and gift certificates to go towards her toy box!! Thank you all for the wonderful gifts and consideration on her very special day/week!

I cannot believe Kaileigh is a year old already. It seems like only a minute ago that she was born. We had such a wonderful year. Nik and I have watched her go from following our fingers with her eyes and holding her head up, to learning to crawl then running down the hall! Her personality gets better and better every day. She has a great sense of humor and really knows what she likes and doesn't like. Our little lady has also developed quite a stubborn streak. When things don't go her way - she will LET YOU KNOW! She talks all the time and has even started to dance with us. We are so amazed at the little person she is becoming; and although looking back we do have a twinge of saddness of the little baby she was; we are so happy about the little girl she is now.

Happy Birthday baby girl! You are the light of our lives and we love you so very very much!

Happy Birthday Girls!!

Pretty pretty birthday princess!

All the Kids!!

This picture was taken on 1.13.10

The most beautiful little girl I have ever seen!!!