Kaitlyn Rose, our huge personality in a small package!

Over the last few years, we've had lots of nicknames for Kaitlyn. The first was probably "Peanut", as she was born 6 lbs 4 oz (the day after her due date, so its not like she was early) and was just 5 lbs 11 oz when we left the hospital. Since then, she has grown quickly and has been healthy as can be, but she is still a little on the shorter side of the "charts". She has beautiful green eyes and gorgeous, super light, very wavy (curls at the bottom) blond hair. She has been talking up a storm for longer than she has been able to walk without stumbling around - she definitely developed her verbal skills earlier and more so than her physical ones. And since she started talking, she hasn't really stopped - she talks our ears off. She is sometimes a little shy with new people, but as she has gotten older she has lost some of that initial shyness and will just talk a stranger's ear off too. She loves telling stories, playing make-believe, and having us read to her. She would let us read 100 books in a row, if we had the time. She has always been huge into books, even as a young baby she would quietly listen through entire books (whereas, if you read the blog about her sister - she is almost 2 and still won't sit still for longer than a page). Part of the bedtime routine with Kaitlyn HAS to include reading to her in bed. Our little Kaitlyn is friendly, funny, smart...and dramatic!

She has always been a bit of a drama queen. Now that she is 3 1/2, her favorite phrases include "It's NOT FAIR!", "I don't WANT TO!", "I won't I won't I won't I WON'T!" and "I will never ever ever get to...(insert activity here) again!!!!!" (For example, it is bed time and we tell her it is time to put away her puzzle and get up to bed. She might yell something like "It's not fair! I will never ever ever get to do my puzzle AGAIN!" or if we tell her no, she can't have juice right now, she will say "I will never ever ever get to have juice AGAIN!"). When she is in the middle of throwing a fit (like all 3 years olds do) she likes to scream in short bursts in response to anything we try to say to her. Drama, I tell you! Another issue we have as of late, is that we have to tell her 2, 3, 4 or 5 times to do something (or stop doing something) before she actually listens. It's like she pretends we aren't even there, let alone that she hears us telling her to "Let the cat's tail go NOW". It is so frustrating but I have faith it is a phase that will pass. Speaking of phases I hope will pass - she is afraid of the dark lately. I mean, it's not like that is uncommon, and it's fine. I'm not concerned, we will just keep working on it until she is ready to be un-afraid on her own. She loves the moon, I should start telling her about how the moon is out only at night because night time is a peaceful time, and the dark is ok. After all, the moon likes the dark?! lol

Just like Brianna, Kaitlyn has all kinds of awesome, amazing traits (I love her random and frequent declarations of love- "I love you mommy!"), and others that are frustrating and challenging at times. But she is our little Kaitlyn - she scared the crap out of us when she was born (emergency c-section under general anesthesia and a vertical incision, due to fetal distress) and we hope she doesn't decide to be a rebellious teenager and scare the crap out of us some more later in life! lol

It is good to say "I love you" to show others that you care.
And the nice thing about "I love you" is, you can say it anywhere.
Say "I love you" to your friends for being so much fun
It makes them feel loved for the nice things they have done.
Say "I love you" to your brother. Say it to your sister, too.
It shows them you are happy that they are there for you.
Say "I love you" to your parents for the happy life you live.
Your love is the greatest gift you will ever have to give.
Say "I love you" when you pray to God.
Give thanks for his care and love.
It tells him you are thankful for your blessings from above.

-"Saying I Love You" - Life Lessons series.
Thanks Target $1 section.