Little Miss Boo-yah!

Kaitrin took Jacob's sparring equipment and had a blast running around...and around and around! "I Booyah, Mommy!"

Ride to the Grocery Store...by Soccer Mom

I wish I could have recorded this. Me and the munchkins were on our way to Whole Foods - a 20 minute drive. Mind you, we have the DVD player in the backseat but it didn't seem to make a difference.

Jacob: Are we there yet?

Mom: No Jacob. We just left the house. It will be about 20 minutes.

Jacob: That's going to take an hour!

Mom: No Jacob, it'll only take 20 minutes.

Jacob: It'll be one hundred minutes.

Mom: No Jacob, just 20 minutes. Why don't you watch the movie?

Kaitrin: A, B, C, D, E....Momma, I a good singer.

Mom: Yes Kaitrin, you are a good singer.

Kaitrin: I sing more, A, B, C, D...

Jacob: Kaitrin! Stop - you are giving me a headache!

Kaitrin: No Jacob! I a good singer! (singing louder) A, B, C, D, E...

Mom: Jacob, let her sing...put your head phones on and watch the movie.

Jacob: Mom, what's that?

Mom: It's the Budwieser Plant

Jacob: Do they make Bud?

Mom: They make beer - not bud.

Kaitrin: Deer!

Mom: No Kaitrin, Beer not Deer.

Jacob: Uncle Michael likes to drink beer.

Kaitrin: Uncle Michael likes deer.

Mom: No Kaitrin, Uncle Michael likes beer.

Kaitrin: White Tailed Deer!

Jacob: She doesn't know anything, Mom

Mom: Jacob, she's learning. Leave her alone.

Kaitrin: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday...

Jacob: Kaitrin! Stop singing!

Kaitrin: Jacob, I smack you butt.

Mom: Kaitrin, hitting isn't nice.

Kaitrin: It funny momma, it funny. Hee hee hee

Jacob: What's that over there?

Kaitrin: What's that?

Jacob: It looks like a tower.

Kaitrin: A tower!

Jacob: Kaitrin! Stop repeating me!

Kaitrin: Repeat me

Jacob: Mommy! Make her stop!

Kaitrin: Make her stop...I smack you butt!

Mom: There is a movie on...someone please watch it....

Jacob: Are we there yet?

Mom: It'll be just a minute Jacob.

Kaitrin: I want a cookie!

Mom: We can buy some at the store Kaitrin.

Jacob: Mommy, I was watching the clock and your minute is up. We aren't at the store. What's up with that?

Mom: We will be there soon. If we go to the right here, it takes us to the zoo.

Kaitrin: The zooooooo! I want go to Zooooo! Zooooo! Zooooo!

Mom: When it gets warmer, Kaitrin.

Kaitrin: Now! Zoo! Please Momma!

Mom: When it gets warmer...it's too cold today.

Jacob: Maybe we can go in May. I don't think I remember any of the zoo animals Mom.

Mom: They are all the same Jacob, you haven't missed anything since the last time we were there.

Kaitrin: Animals! I see animals!

Mom: Maybe tomorrow Kaitrin.

Jacob: But I have school tomorrow!

Mom: I was just saying Jacob. What do you want to buy at the store?

Jacob: Mango

Kaitrin: Gango! Yucky...disgusting!

Jacob: Na-ah Kaitrin - it's good.

Kaitrin: No Jacob! I smack you butt!

Mom: Where did you learn that Kaitrin?

Kaitrin: Jacob say it.

Mom: Thanks Jacob...

Mom: We are here! Everyone out!

Kaitrin: Get out pokey butt...let's go, now!

Mom: Settle down little Miss Bossy...

Kaitrin's Caterpillar

Kaitrin made this caterpillar at school the other day. I asked her what his name was...and she proudly responds, "Metamorphosis."

Happy Birthday Daddy

Chef Jacob made a special dessert for Daddy's birthday - Ice Cream Pie! He used a chocolate cookie crust and filled it with fudge sauce and oreo cookie ice cream. He then topped the pie off with full scoops of ice cream and oreo cookies around the edge. After we finished singing and before plating this scrumptious dessert, Jacob garnished the slices with chocolate sauce and blue sprinkles.

Kaitrin's 'Princess Dress'

Jacob and Baby Kaitrin

Jacob's Baby

Jacob and the picture of his new baby.

Jacob Digging

Another old video of Jacob. This one is in Dayton and he is digging in Mike's beautiful garden. As I was looking at these old videos, I realized just how much I miss that backyard!

Jacob in Daddy's Boat

More vintage video of Jacob...

Vintage Jacob Video - Watering

This is our house in Dayton. Jacob loved to water. It's actually how we got him potty trained...let him water the garden in big boy underwear in the yard. Better than peeing on the tree in the front yard!

Cats in the Dryer

This is a vintage Jacob video from the beach when he was 2. Uncle Michael taught him to say that you put cats in the dryer. Thanks Michael!

Kaitrin's Surgery

This is Kaitrin in the recovery room after her adnoids were removed and her ears would tubed. As the nurse took her blood pressure and the cuff began to tighten, she screamed, "I'm stuck! Help!" She loved her mask - it smelled like bananas - she even put it on her stuffed animals. She was a pretty happy camper before the surgery, but afterwards she was throwing punches. They gave her an extra sedative which made her a little cranky as we tried to wake her up. Now, she is her old self and talking so much better than before the surgery - her speech therapist will be pleased.

Chef Jacob making Valentine's Desserts

Big Old Messy Mess

Poopy in the Potty

Well, she did it! On her Dora potty chair, she pooped on the potty and very proudly "fushed" the toilet.

Bouncing Baby Girl

Just more proof that she has too much energy...

Learning to put my own coat on...

SWIMMING POOL!

Kaitrin loves the water! She doesn't really know that she can't swim and if I didn't have such a death grip on her, she would dive to the bottom. At one point in the pool she was hitting me and yelling, "let me go!"

Kaitrin the Builder

Hall of Mirrors

At first I thought that Jacob would be afraid of this exhibit since it was a dark tunnel. I completely forgot that he loves his own reflection...so he had a blast watching himself in different mirrors.

Race Car

The Indy Museum with a race car - who knew!

LEGOS!

Dude! That was my lego...

Building nicely...sharing is such a wonderful concept!

This exhibit was nothing but legos - all sizes for everyone to use, castles and dragons out of legos, and ladders with slides. Who doesn't love slides!

Getting ready for the trip to Indy

Kaitrin was so excited to go to Indy...she kept yelling "Museum" and "Swimming Pool" mixed in with a random "Apple Juice".

So much snow...

Finally, after days and days of snow, Jacob went outside and played with Daddy. They made a snow fort with the block maker from Uncle Michael. Then they knocked it down with snowballs. One snowball mysteriously came through the window at Mommy, but neither of the two gentlemen outside will own up to throwing it!

Ah...Sibling Love

Hair Pictures

At the beginning, she did a lot better than Jacob on his first hair cut. But as the stylist continued to comb her hair, she started to say "snuggle momma". Saying turned quickly into yelling "snuggle" and holding my hands. Thank goodness I only had them trim an inch off or I would have left with half her head a lot shorter than the other!

Kaitrin's Hair Cut Jabber

This is a video of Kaitrin jabbering about her hair cut (no worries, her hair is in a pony tail and not chopped off). This was her first hair cut - yes, her first - she is 2 1/2 years old. I guess I have issues with the whole hair cut thing. I can't really explain why I connect these two thoughts, but the thought is strong enough to keep me from cutting her hair for 2 years. Every time I think of taking her somewhere to have her hair cut, I can't help but remember the day I went to the NICU and without a nurse's warning, saw a transfusion IV sticking out of the top of her purple head. Now, this memory really has nothing to do with cutting hair, hair styling, or really anything about hair but in my irrational head...it has put off hair cuts for 2 years.

More Cookie Decorating

Kids & Cookies

In honor of the Steelers playing in the championship game tonight, I had the kids decorate sugar cookies in black and gold. And in true kid fashion...they made a mess. I think all Kaitrin actually did was eat the black icing...nice black teeth and probably leading to a funky colored poop. Jacob managed to decorate 7 cookies and the whole floor with colorful sprinkles. Oh well, they had a blast! Go Steelers!

Dora Superstar Sun Glasses

Kaitrin found her sun glasses in the toys that we were cleaning out. She refused to wear them on her face because of the little finger prints on the lens. She also refused to let me wash the little fingerprints off. So, the little fashionista decided to wear them on her head. When I asked her who wears them on their head..."gam-ma does".

Christmas at Great Grandpa Max's House

Kaitrin and Grandma. I don't think Kaitrin has ever had the pleasure of hanging from a tree! This was her first visit to Great Grandpa Max's house. And as her usually jabber-jaw self, she talked up a storm, was friendly to everyone and got a princess tea set that she LOVES!

Infinite wisdom...a five year old and a Spiderman Web Gun!

New McFall Verbage

Today Kaitrin tried a pickle for the first time. After 3 seconds, she spit it out and gave it back to me. She said, "Yuck, pee pee." Now, she can say the word pickle so we can only assume that she thought it tasted like pee.

Jacob has a new habit of yelling, "Fire in the hole!" before he proudly farts. Lovely.

Gotta try out the toys!

Santa brought Kaitrin a musical mat and I had to show her how to use it...really, it was all about me educating her and nothing to do with the fact that I felt like Tom Hanks in BIG.

Christmas Morning

Kaitrin's New Fashion

Kaitrin's therapist has given her a new fashion statement...the vest! Kaitrin is wearing this every day to improve her core strength to hopefully improve her balance and overall strength. Surprisingly, she doesn't mind it that much!

Christmas Eve Fun

Every year Mike and I open our presents on Christmas Eve. So after watching Santa fly over the Atlantic and putting the kids to bed, all we had left to do was put Kaitrin's kitchenette together and open our presents. Just a question - do they have people that I can pay to put these things together? Cause I will start saving for next year's toys. Holy 5000 pieces! Two hours and two glasses of wine later, Kaitrin had a kitchen. Geesh!

Cookies Everywhere!

While I was in the midst of Krazy Kraynek Kristmas Kookie baking...I offered Kaitrin some animal crackers to keep her out of the kitchen. And this is what Kaitrin felt I meant by, "Here, have some." At least it kept her busy - filling them up and dumping them out - and all of the Christmas cookies are finished!

Audition II

...and another fine song choice. Whenever Kaitrin can't go outside, whether it's because it's dark, cold, windy, or when it is actually raining, she sings this song.

American Idol Audition I

Kaitrin has started to sing songs...in her own little munchkin language of course. I'm not sure what the judges would have a bigger issue with: her unmatching PJs, her hair, and her song choice!

The 'Turkey Butt' Hat Strikes....again

Leaves, Leaves Everywhere

Pretty Kitty

Well, we have some bad news. Kitty, our oldest cat, has mouth cancer. I was just informed this morning that even with radiation and removing her bottom jaw bone that she only has a 10% chance of living another year. Kitty has been a great pet. Her loud meow, her playful wrestle, her "licking of the eyebrows" alarm clock and the way she would attack my ponytail will always remain wonderful memories with us. And while I am sure that Nichee will not miss the way she would slam him on the floor and come up with a mouthful of his hair, he will miss her company in their 'snuggle in the sun' ritual every Sunday morning.

Kaitrin has also become fond of Kitty. She follows her around the kitchen until Kitty whines to be let over the baby gate in hopes of escaping the constant poking and squealing of Kaitrin.

And Grant, who gave Kitty her full name of Irene Kitty McFall, always found comfort in brushing her when we lived in Dayton. He also found comfort in putting her in the garage when she meowed so loudly that it kept him awake!

We will continue to watch our girl for any additional issues from this cancer and continue to love her and keep her comfortable.

Kaitrin's the Good Witch

Kaitrin had more fun eating cookies and looking for Ms. Kim than finding candy!

Swimming at CoCoKey

Halloween 2008

Jacob as spiderman next to a toy ghost (no, it's not Kaitrin).

Toof-less

Jacob lost his first tooth in true Kraynek style...while sitting on the toilet! He was a little upset that he missed the sound of the toothfairy's wings, but the money and the fact that he can fit a straw through it made it all better.

NY Marathon 2008

Congrats to my brother for finishing the NY marathon in 3:16.

Really? If you watch my kids for the next 8 months, I'll train that hard too!

Columbus Marathon 2008

I am waiting for pictures to come in, but the news on the Columbus Marathon is great!

Mike trained. Mike ran. Mike finished! He finished in 2 hours and 13 minutes. Preliminary numbers show that we raised $500 for Kaitrin's Klub. Since we are going into the RSV season, where most families with preemies need help, $500 will go a long way to help pay for medications.

Thanks to everyone who donated (even the ones that were betting against Mike).

(oh, I finished in 2 hours and 3 minutes)

In the News - Preemies & Autism

Study: 25% of very premature babies show autism signs - USATODAY.com
Of toddlers finds that about one-quarter of babies born very prematurely had signs of autism

www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-04-02-autism-premature_N.htm?csp=34

In the News - Computers to Help Preemies

Computer program to help premature babies - ABC News
Computer program to help premature babies. Source: ABC News. Published: Friday, September 5, 2008

www.abc.net.au/news/video/2008/09/05/2357023.htm

In the News - Higher Death Rates & Fertility

Study: Premature Babies Have Higher Death Rate And Fertility Problems ...
Study: Premature Babies Have Higher Death Rate And Fertility Problems October 5, 2008

www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010439693

In the News - Sound Monitors

Sound Monitors Protect Premature Babies
Article:Sound Monitors Protect Premature Babies

In the News - NY Program for Preemies

NY1 24 Hour Local News Top Stories City Launches New Program For ...
04/23/2008 City Launches New Program For Premature Babies.

www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?SecID=1000&ArID=80825

In the News - Overall Preemie Info

MedlinePlus: Premature Babies
Latest News. Hard Decisions for the Littlest Lives(10/01/2008, HealthDay)


www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prematurebabies.html

In the News - KY Premature Deaths

The Premature Baby Battle
Sep 22, 2008 - High rate of premature deaths in KY

www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/17987459.html

Pretty in Pink at the Pumpkin Patch

And down they go...

Jacob went down the slide about 100 times...and took a few tons of straw home with him in his clothes.

Kaitrin loves, loves, loves the slide!

Jacob's Pumpkin

The "hugest pumpkin ever, in like one hundred years"!

Well, maybe I'll take this other one too...

Pumpkin Pickin'

No Kaitrin, that one is too small!

That's better! Now find Daddy to carry it back to the wagon.

And so it begins...

The first ear infection of the season! Kaitrin has been tugging at her right ear for a few days. Since she was stuffy, I figured and it was just pressure and what not. Yeah, not so much since the fever came on. The beginning to a long season!