Careful... She's watching

Have you ever seen the corners of really old illuminated manuscripts? The vellum in the corner is crisp and deeply discolored- not so much in private worship books but most assuredly on the monks' copies. Wonder what it is?
It is hundreds of years of monk saliva built up and discoloring the document.
The other day our sweet Caitlin decided that licking her fingers was the only way to read a book. For some reason the discolored spots are starting to appear a lot sooner for us than they did for those monks.
Yes, she has always been our little mimic- monkey see and monkey do. I guess this is just another example and another lesson. David now licks his fingers less often while flipping through the newspaper.

Dad's Hard Work or Why Little Girls Need Moms

David does tons of things incredibly well. Here are just a few... He is an extremely hard worker and is willing to try anything. He is also great at making me feel appreciated and needed. His endeavor this morning is a testiment of all these wonderful things!

In case you have never wrangled a 2 year old for pony tails- it is not any easy feat and David did it! (hard work and his willingness to try anything)

The results: A few little uneven tufts of hair not even near being even. A little girl needs a mom to help her out with things like pony tails. I feel more loved and needed now. Thanks David and Caitlin!

David and Caitlin took a walk up to the park this morning and had a lot of fun but it just tuckered out my little girl. After the park she took a one hour nap while David decided to walk all over Cincinnati. He walked to the pool, the Rec. Center, and the library. The park adventure started around 9:30 and at noon when I was talking to David he was just on his way to the library.

Spoiled Princess

Probably a little biased but I thought this was way cute. Caitlin spent the day shopping with Auntie Elizabeth and ended up with more stuff. Nothing like a rich Auntie that loves to shop to spoil you!

Her loot included A Build-A-Bear being one thing, and I guess a lot more clothes as well. I have never seen this outfit or the shoes before. I think she actually ended up with 3 or 4 pairs of shoes... all I know is that David picked her up from Michigan with a whole new wardrobe, some more toys and books, and an arsenal from Little Tykes (to be delivered at a later date).

And I think she stopped 1/2 way through the shopping trip and changed clothes... 1/2 the shopping pictures are in this and the other 1/2 are in a dress... I guess it is possible she shopped several days in a row...? I'm not quite sure.

Caitlin pictures

1/2 Our family is reunited! David picked up Caitlin after her week and a 1/2 vacation in Michigan. I am so excited for him! He was getting quite homesick without her. From the photos I received it looks as if she swam her way through the week. I haven't ever tried multiple pictures in one post, this could be a completely ugly mistake but I'll try. Oh, apparently you can make your blog look all cute with headings and scrapbook like elements. That, my friends, is for another day.

Fancy Nancy

Caitlin loves the book "Fancy Nancy" and loves being fancy herself. Her favorite part of the book is when Nancy trips and slips and the tray does a double flip. She turns straight to the page and says, "oh oh!" (Sorry no photo evidence)
Here is a list of how Caitlin is fancy:
1.) When I get ready for church and put on blush Caitlin comes right up and wants some blush as well. I usually indulge her wishes with few swishes from an empty blush brush.
2.) She love her sparkle shoes. Her cousin Sophia gave her ruby red slippers and although they are several sizes too big she slips her feet into them and walks around. She also loves my brown heels- although walking in them is not really an option for her.
3.) She is pretty good when we do her hair. (Not always good at keeping it in but good while I do it)
4.) She poses and says "cheese" for the camera.

I heart dogs!

Caitlin's fist animal sound was a dog barking (later came the cougar and the bee...), her first book she can "read" is Go Dog Go (she has several pages memorized), and I would have to say that her favorite animal is the dog.

Being desert folk, we don't really do umbrellas. Caitlin got her first umbrella in Ohio, a pink and blue Dora the Explorer umbrella. It also came with stickers- her favorite thing! Hopefully she will not be punished with too much bad luck as she loves opening it inside and out.

David called a bit ago and left a message- someone decided to deliver a present to our front porch! A backpack filled with a case of Milwaukee something or rather beer. David seems to think it belongs to the bong owners that liked to use our backyard while the house was vacant. I think it was a welcome to the neighborhood present. Either way, we have no use for it and no fridge either so if you want warm beer, it is sitting on our back porch- help yourselves!

David and Caitlin's Ohio Adventures

My spoiled baby girl- chocolate milk for breakfast and a new bike! She's doing pretty well in Ohio with David and Grandpa and Grandma Burgstrom. They try to keep her pretty entertained during the day. She's having some trouble sleeping at night though. Last night she just wanted some cuddle time with David... I did too.

This is Caitlin, probably in early June at about 19 months. She loves books and mom and dad- but mostly mom. She is sort of a dare devil and certainly a sugar fiend. If ever she hears a celophane crinkle (the ultimate sound of processed unhealthy treat she is there, looking up and saying, "ahhhhh." We would rather her say please and thank you but she's cute enough she usually gets whatever we have.

This picture was probably taken right in between church and nap time- her flower is still in but she seems a little tired in the image. Knowing her, she probably conned us into letting her skip nap time. I know we sound like softies and we are for the most part but she is a really good baby... inspite of that... because of that... We don't quite know yet. We sure do love her.