Doing What She's Not Supposed to...

Katerina is becoming mischievious. Why is it when there is something that a baby isn't supposed to do, that's the thing they try to do the most??

For example, forget trying to work on the laptop now when she's around. She comes right up to you and tries to type. In fact I was googling something the other day, and she kept hitting the backspace button...it took me forever to find the recipe I was after.

She sort of understands the word No...or at least my tone "Katerina...No!" She has been testing me lately. She will start to go over to the shoes by the kitchen door, and I say " Katerina...(pause)" and she will stop, look at me and I say "No". I usually have to say it a couple of times, and then sometimes I need to pick her up and move her away from it.

The other day, she was going toward the humidifer in her bedroom, and I said "Katerina (pause) No"...as soon as I said Katerina, she started moving faster toward it with a smile on her face. I think she thought it was a game. I tried very hard not to laugh. So I just picked her up and moved her. She got mad...and started right back toward it...it was pretty funny.

Katerina's First Valentine's Day!

Katerina celebrated her first Valentine's day yesterday. She is so loved! She got all kinds of gifts from relatives...money, books, clothes, and even a stuffed monkey holding a heart! Thank you all for thinking of her.

Mike and I have never gone over the top for Valentine's Day because it is such a "Hallmark" holiday. In fact, many years ago I told him never to buy me roses on Valentine's Day because it is such a rip-off. Well, Mike broke the rule this year and decided to buy each of his girls a rose...it was very sweet.

Now as a parent, Valentine's Day brings on a whole new, wonderful meaning. It is a great day to remind Katerina how much she is loved.

We got Katerina a book for the bath as her Valentine's Day gift...she enjoyed "reading" while getting nice and clean.

9 months old!

Katerina turned nine months old yesterday...her first birthday is just around the corner, which doesn't seem possible. Here are some of her recent accomplishments:

• She can pull herself to standing and then while holding onto the couch/toy/ etc, she can walk around it.


• She can also get down from standing with ease, either by kneeling or crouching down.


• She is eating meats mixed with fruits or veggies.


• She can drink out of a sippy cup.


• When given a book, she can turn pages.


• She is practicing using a "bbb" sound and "mmm" sound...maybe trying to say Baba and Mommy?? It is so adorable watching her try to form the sounds with her mouth.


• She enjoys "patty cake" and "this little piggy"