Grauntie Sue sent a dolly and some bears for the kids. Katie was enthralled with her dolly—as soon as she saw it in the box, she was saying “MY DOLLY! MY DOLLY!”
Category Archives: Things Katie Says
Katie and the mannequins
Mom and I went to Kohl’s this morning and Katie was enamored with the mannequins. She kept saying “He’s over here! He’s over here!”
Playground with Gramma
Katie was SUPER excited to go to the playground and knew right where to go from our house.
After all that running around and sliding and swinging, she took an 8-second rest with Gramma.
Every time I would sit on the bouncy animal, Katie would say “NO! My horsey!”
Mama! Pick up my box!
I had emptied out the crate [that she had loved sitting in the other day] and her first response when I showed her was “YAY!” 🙂
Then she climbed right in and said “Mama! Pick up my box!”
No, daddy will have to do that!
Katie’s room got…updated.
I rearranged the furniture and to get the things where I wanted, I had to put the nightstand a little too close to her bed. 🙂
She was also VERY excited about her new Doc McStuffins wall decals! (This is edited a smidge since it was post-bath and Owen was walking around naked.)
Mama, I’m taking a shower!
I’m Katie Bug!
If you ask Katie if she’s a stink bug or a loosey goose or anything like that, she says “No, I’m Katie Bug.” It’s ADORABLE.
Katie doesn’t want to take a nap
Random Katieness
She loves “ice” (she can repeat dice if we say it, but then she reverts back to saying ice).
She lost her ice… She was attempting to put it in her pocket…except her leggings didn’t have pockets so she shoved it down her pants and then couldn’t find it.
Katieisms 8
Katie was refusing to come downstairs.
Me: Katie, I have a new book for you!
Katie: OKAY! Okay! I’m coming! I’m coming!
Katie: Charlie’s in the kitchen.
Me: Yep, kitty’s in the kitchen.
Katie: No! Katie’s right here! [She obviously thought I said Katie, not Kitty.]
Gramma Marsha? Where are you? Where’s Gramma Marsha? Where’s Gramma Marsha go? Grampa Dave? Where’s Grampa Dave go?
She’s been saying this forever but I don’t think I’ve written it down. When she wants to be carried:
Katie: Mama/Daddy I want to carry you.
Katie: Mama I want chewies.
Me: No, you need to finish your bunnies first.
Katie: No! Chewies!
Me: Sorry, no. Bunnies.
Katie. Okay okay okay!
I was getting Katie ready for bed and she really liked her skirt.
Katie: NO TAKE BALLERINA OFF!
Getting dressed in the morning.
Katie: NO TAKE BALLERINA OFF!
Katie’s ankle: The End
It started off great, then hit a rough patch, then ended great so overall I’m happy.
THE GREAT
The hospital is super easy to get to and only takes about 15 minutes—and there’s plenty of parking in the attached parking garage. Everyone was super friendly, the hospital was very nice, and the pediatric area was easy to find. There was plenty of seating for kids and adults…with kids shows on the TV.
We were there about 25 minutes early in case we had to fill out paperwork, and I was surprised when they called us back almost immediately to get Katie’s vitals. They were going to put us in a room but none happened to be ready so we got sent back to the lobby…
THE ROUGH PATCH
…where we sat for 20 minutes until I finally went up to the desk to ask (at military facilities there’s always a sign saying to let the staff know if you’ve been waiting more than 15 minutes). When I told her what doc it was, she immediately kind of laughed and said “He’s always slow…THOROUGH.” /sarcasm on/ GREAT. /sarcasm off/ No, I know being thorough is a good thing, but always running behind is not. If he’s always that thorough they should schedule the appointments accordingly.
Katie passed the time playing with the other kids in the waiting area.
So we kept waiting. And waiting. At 15 minutes past our appointment time (and 30 since vitals) we got put in a room. I wasn’t thrilled…but overall it still wasn’t TOO bad. So we waited. And waited.
And waited.
And had time for three snacks and a drink.
Ten minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes. At the 1-hour-past-my-appointment mark I went out into the hallway to see if I could get an update from anyone…and the doctor was actually in the hall headed to our door. As I started to politely question about the delay, he was already apologizing and explaining that the previous patient had been an acute case—apparently his staff missed signs of low oxygen (?) and he had to rally everyone to get it taken care of and have it be a teaching moment.
THE GREAT ENDING
It turns out I REALLY REALLY like him—he’s very personable, I felt very comfortable with him, and he was amazing with Katie… She was sitting on his chair when he came in, so he got on his knees (down to her level) and examined her right there instead of making her get up on the exam table. He explained everything he did as he was doing it. Just his entire bedside manner and tone of voice was comforting and knowledgeable.
So, his thoughts? Her ankle is fine and we don’t need to see a specialist. He was poking and prodding and she never winced even a tiny bit and it wasn’t swollen and he could see no reason to refer her. His only thought was that it might possibly be Lyme disease (as that affects joints) but since it was just the one joint and no others and no other symptoms, he immediately ruled it out. He did say that if it gets worse then we can revisit it, but for now, just keep giving her Tylenol when it’s swollen or if it seems to be hurting her (which it rarely does). He said he sprained his ankle when he was a kid and it gave him troubles for many years but there wasn’t anything to do for it. He even said if he did refer us, the pediatric orthopedist would say we were wasting his time. He had said he has three young girls himself so if he thought there was ANYTHING wrong at all or ANYTHING at all to be gained from a referral (or more x-rays or tests or whatever), he wouldn’t hesitate. But he just didn’t see it with this case.
I then mentioned that the other doctor had noticed a heart murmur and said it wasn’t serious but that it should continue to be watched. Within about four seconds of listening to her heart he said “Yes, she has a definite murmur.” However, it wasn’t in her armpits and it disappeared when she stood up—and he diagnosed it as a very common Still’s Murmur (also known as a vibratory murmur). He said she was a very healthy little girl and we had nothing to worry about.
On the way out, I briefly mentioned big brother Owen and his GI issues so we chatted for a minute about that—and he told me two of his girls were on the Miralax regimen as well. So I feel good about that aspect when we need to take Owen in.
So, it all ended on a positive note, though I think the wait could have been handled better (why can’t ANYONE in any doctor’s office ever tell waiting patients what’s going on when something like this happens?). And I think I’ll be much happier with them than the first office I had picked from a hat. Score one for Tricare! 🙂
Katie wanted to play in the water!
Happy birthday daddy!
Lunchtime chat with Katie
Going to get Owen from the bus stop!
Katie was super excited and was ready to go the second I put her shoes on. Tom made sure to be home in time to go with us. 🙂
Playing with the other kids.
We could finally see the bus…and she sat down to wait. 🙂
Finally!
Screenshots from the video:
Once we got home I tried to get the scoop. He was excited and more interested in watching the movie (which was paused). But he was happy so that’s all that matters!
Owen’s first day of kindergarten!
First up? Baths. They didn’t take them after being in the pool yesterday so I figured we had enough time in the morning!
Katie picked the shark towel!
She got her toes painted again—this time to match mom!
They weren’t really focused this morning.
The best I got (though I didn’t take a ton because it looked like I got a good one). Oh well.
He opted not to get a haircut and said he’d let me put gel in instead!
His new minion back pack and lunch box!
Walking down the hill to the bus stop!
Waiting excitedly for the bus. We were the first people there but there were some kids across the street. A few minutes later kids just started appearing out of nowhere. We could see the stop ahead of ours and there were probably 20-30 kids there! At our stop there were about 6-8 (it was hard to count with all the parents there as well).
A mom that I met at the pool was there with her first grader and her 3yo (who is the same size as Katie—and they got along fabulously) and I had her take our picture. We talked about having play dates soon. 🙂
Kindergarteners get on first! The bus driver explains that in the afternoon you have to be there to pick them up AND ask for them by name before they can get off the bus.
Then Katie tried to get on the bus behind Owen. And started screaming and crying when she couldn’t: “OWEE! I MISS MY OWEE! I WANT TO GET ON SCHOOL BUS WITH OWEE!” Poor Katie bug.
We waved at him through the window, I could see him smiling, and then they were off! Katie was calming down as we walked back to the house with the other mom and daughter (I told them they could cut through our yard) but Katie lost it again when she realized they weren’t coming to our house: “I WANT TO GO WITH THEM!” Poor Katie bug.
Then it was in the car to head to the school for the Boo Hoo Breakfast!
Katie showing Charlie her new toy
Owen found his race track!
I’m still trying to get the basement organized so was moving stuff around this morning…and he found his glow-in-the-dark race track. He and Katie played with it on and off all day, but he wanted to go down at night to actually see them race in the dark.
T-5 days until the pool closes…
Papa happened to call right as we were walking in, so I Skyped them back so they got to watch Owen do a few jumps and watch Katie swim around.
He kept doing this and I finally asked what he was doing… You’ll never guess. He was trying to do a somersault! 🙂 I told him I’d help him when we were in the big pool!
Katie saw Owen holding his nose, so she was trying to do the same thing!
The kids she had been playing with in the kiddie pool were going home, so she was at the fence saying “Guys! Guys? Where are you going?”
He loves just floating like this.
If you didn’t know he liked to do it, it might freak you out because he looks…well…dead.
This is how Owen moves across the pool when he’s not actually swimming.
And then it was time for the special surprise! Not only was daddy at the pool with us…but we ordered pizza for dinner! Poolside! (Ever since Owen saw the signs and saw someone have pizza delivered, he’s wanted us to do it. Since the pool season is almost over, today was the day!)
She loves being tossed in the air…but can’t quite manage to count to three. 🙂
My turn with Katie. The video isn’t that great (meaning Katie doesn’t appear to be having that much fun) but she really was…and it’s rare for me to actually be in a picture or video with the kids. So here it is. 🙂
I finally got a video of Katie getting out of and back in the pool. However, she only did it once. The other day, she just kept going up the ladder then back into the pool—time after time after time.
And the bonus to the whole day? I started talking with a girl at the pool (she was there with a little girl who Katie was playing with in the kiddie pool) and long story short, she’s a babysitter and lives in the neighborhood! WOOHOO!
And the funniest thing of the day? While I was at the kiddie pool talking to the girl, Tom came over to tell me what Owen had just said. Tom said they had a race across the length of the pool and of course Tom won, but when Owen finished, Tom asked if he was tired or if he wanted to go talk to me. Owen’s response? NO! I’M PUMPED UP! LET’S GO! 🙂
T-7 days until the pool closes…
So I thought I’d try to get some better swimming shots. 🙂
Posing because he’s a goof.
Pouting because I wouldn’t give her the goldfish and juice (which were for the snack break later).
Getting into the pool and then swimming around. I LOVE her little legs just scooting her along!
Katie: BUTT!
Getting ready to run the ravine
This isn’t the best video but it makes me laugh. Owen wanted to run again, but he had to “exercise” (stretch) first. He obviously got the idea from somewhere I have no idea about. 🙂
And his cheering section—she’d clap wildly while saying “Run Owen!”
Katie just brought me a “pen and paper.”
Off my office desk.
Outside time
Learning to do puzzles.
With a small side of “I can’t do it” tantrum.
Charlie didn’t want to move.
She’s been sleeping on Katie’s changing pad lately and did not want to move when we needed to use it.
“Sit here.”
Katie wanted Emily to sit in her lap. 🙂
Owen’s nirvana
After running our errands, we surprised the kids by taking them to the Lego store at the mall. They were both excited! There was lots of Star Wars stuff around so Katie kept screeching “YODA! YODA!”
We were willing to buy him a huge $80 set (that was on clearance) but he chose a little $10 set instead. 🙂
Then we stopped at the play area on the way back.
“Katie’s sleeping in Maggie’s bed.”
Kindergarten registration!
Today was the day! We had been preparing Owen for a few days prior, telling him he would be seeing his new school. We didn’t know what all would be involved (aside from turning in the paperwork that I’ve had completed since June) but we were hoping we’d get a little bit of a tour. As we were walking out the door he said “But I forgot my backpack!” We told him we were just visiting today—school doesn’t actually start for another month. He was relieved (that he didn’t need his backpack) but a little bummed it wasn’t actually time for school.
It’s four miles and 10 minutes away so not too bad—but I’m still pissed we’re not within the district lines for the school that is 1.5 miles away. GRRR. But he will hopefully be taking the bus—we know the bus stop is at our corner and I know he wants to ride the bus—but we’ll see how it goes because we all know how Owen is with new things (though he is getting better).
First impressions? The place is HUGE—definitely not Grayling- or Kalkaska-sized. I was seriously in awe. And to think it’s one of two schools in a five-mile radius! (Click the picture to see it a bit bigger.)
The lady who handled registration was very nice and Owen actually talked to her without being suddenly bashful. She was impressed with me because I had the forms already printed and filled out AND had a copy of the lease and his shot records for her to have. The only thing I didn’t have was a copy of his birth certificate and my drivers license—but that wasn’t on the list. (Well, I had his original birth certificate but hadn’t made their copy.)
She took us to see a kindergarten classroom which was really big—but not much set up yet. She said the class size will be about 20-25 with a teacher and an assistant (so just a handful more students than his pre-k class). It has their own bathroom, cubbies, windows, etc. She said they will go out once a week for art and twice a week each for phys ed and music. (I don’t remember going outside the classroom for that stuff until first grade but maybe we did?) They also go to the cafeteria for lunch. Which I guess I knew in the back of my mind…but that’s a lot more work for me coming from pre-k where breakfast AND lunch were provided for free. 🙂 We will find out who his teacher is going to be (and see his actual classroom) at the Open House in a few weeks.
The school was hopping when we got there about 9:20—she said it was the last day of their summer school programs. They were actually getting ready to start their morning welcome session in the cafeteria and asked if we wanted to join. We asked Owen and of course he did. He got to take a number for a game they would be playing and we sat at a table on the outskirts of the kids (who were all on the floor). He said he wanted to go sit with the kids and we said okay…but then he changed his mind (there were about 80 kids). Everything was done on a laptop and drop-down screen. We had to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance which he didn’t want to do—I never thought about it but this made me realize they didn’t do that in pre-k—but he eventually did. They also had a moment of silence which of course is when Katie piped up with “Mama, what are they doing?” 🙂 The game they played was Family Feud and the assistant principal used a random number generator on the laptop to choose who was going to get a chance to answer. Of course Owen was excited—and then bummed when his number was never called (they only called about 12 total for the first game and then we left before the second game was over because we had errands to do).
And then on the way out he threw a little tantrum because HE WANTED TO STAY. Well, at least we know he wants to be there. 🙂
So, overall, a successful trip. And we all can’t wait for school to start. 🙂
Family pool time!
Another day, another afternoon at the pool…but today, Owen got to wear his new goggles (like all the other kids have!)…
…and Katie got to test her new “puddle jumpers” (a life jacket that keeps her perfectly afloat). THEY WERE BOTH IN HEAVEN.
She wasn’t thrilled about this hooded towel, but it is dang cute (and a hand-me-down from a friend!).
