Katelyn's personality is so contagious!

Katelyn's personality is so contagious it makes me smile just thinking about her. She is very sociable, constantly smiling, laughing and screeching for joy! You can’t help but join her, and many times Ashley does, so the two of them go back and forth screaming very loud and laughing. They think it’s funny, meanwhile mommy and daddy’s ears are ringing especially when they do this in a car!

Besides being extra loud, Katelyn is also very strong. She has been from day one, holding her head up was no challenge, she rolled over from her back to her tummy on the day of her Christening at 4 months old, started sitting and crawling at 6 months and by 8 months she was pulling herself up to stand and jump! She’s been walking/running holding on to furniture for a while already, she can stand for a few seconds by herself from the time she was 11 months old, but she’s not walking by herself just yet. She takes a few steps by herself and then sits down.

On June 25th we took her for her one year checkup to see Dr. Yia. She weighed in at 20 lbs 12 oz, slightly below 50%, and was at 95% for height. The Doctor asked us about Katelyn’s speech, which kind of took us back a little, I didn’t realize they expected her to be able to speak this young.. Katelyn talks baby talk all the time, and says a few words. She says Mama, Dada, This, Ashes, Down (both from Ring Around the Rosies song). She can clap her hands, point to stuff, show me how old she is, she meows and barks, dances to music and blows kisses  We’ve been trying to teach her body parts but so far she just wants to poke my eyes out..

Katelyn loves when we read to her, she loves when Ashley plays with her, and as we found out recently she also really likes swimming in the pool! Our neighbors have an in-ground pool and since day one Katelyn knew exactly what to do. We got her a ring that she can sit inside of and tread water. She’s safe in it and really likes the feeling  Ashley was a little afraid the first time, but second time we went she did very well! She sat in a ring like Katelyn, treaded water with her feet and her hands and went all over the pool! I think sooner or later we’ll have to get our own pool, because it’s just such a fun thing to do with them! And it tires them out so that they sleep well at night. Bonus! 

Also, on food front, Katelyn is finished with formula and is now having only whole milk. She drinks water from a sippy cup and milk from bottles. And she eats everything! Unlike Ashley she’s a carnivore, chicken, steak, she wants it all! (Except for eggs and nuts which are high allergens) She prefers to feed herself which can get a little messy, since she likes running her hands through her hair while she’s eating. I have to wash her in the kitchen sink after every meal! I think she likes it 
She still only had 8 teeth, but it’s enough for her to chew up everything we give her. When she’s finished eating, she rips off her bib, and throws the rest of the food from her tray to the floor. It’s a sure sign that she’s done. You really can’t force her to eat, if I try putting something else in her mouth after she’s declared that she’s done, she’ll just take it out with her hand and through it on the floor!