Seeing Santa

We went to the mall to see Santa. I know who he is, I can say "Ho, Ho, Ho" and my favorite song is "Here Comes Santa Claus". I did great til they put me on his knee and I looked up and saw his face - then came the tears. Mommy grabbed me quick, gramma grabbed a photo by Santa and we took off.

When I received the photo that the mall took I wouldn't give it up.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

On stage...I was a natural!

Away in a manger...I decide the live Filipino heritage nativity scene needs some more "spice" so I get up and dance mid stage. After my solo was complete, I ran offstage to Grandma!

Here I am! Where is mommy? Stuck behind stage trying to call my name so I sit nice....nope--didn't happen!

Over a foot of snow! We played and mommy pulled me around on my snowmen sled. My nose got a chillin' all too soon and we were back inside before we knew it. I'm just not used to this weather yet! I love to look at the "snowplakes and snowmens" from inside our cozy house.

Trying To Get A Picture

Gramma tried to get my picture so she could send it to all the friends and family that supported Mommy and her efforts to raise money for my Hospicio. I tried to cooperate, but for all of you who know me, I am a whirling dervish.
This is my first Christmas in the United States - I am so excited.

Catch me if you can.

OK - Time for a rest.

OCTOBER CAME AND WENT!

October came and went and the cold chilled my bones too quickly! The end of September and beginning of October marked many new things for me and my family--the birth of my new cousin--baby Ulises! I loved him the minute I saw him. I started Music and Rhythm Classes with the Rec Dept (lots of singing and playing with instruments which I LOVE). I even started Teddy Tumbling and Swimming at the YMCA. Swimming was great with Mommy and Daddy both there. I was ready to jump right in the minute I got to the edge of the pool. 15 minutes into class I started shivering--my teacher said I needed more"meat on my bones!" Tumbling was a different story--my classmates are very unique. The first day could've been used in a sitcom--no teacher, a custodian that clearly "loved" children, a fill-in teacher that got thrown-up all over by a little girl, and no control as we all ran around screaming. My mommy jumped in to help and had us running and jumping. Before I knew it, I saw two of my classmates hanging on her legs! My mommy also realizes that I am REALLY "active" compared to other kids my age:) She couldn't get me out from under the parachute! I also started going to the "daycare" at Sneakers Fitness while my mom teaches aerobics. There are some good stories there! ( I am still learning to stay on the ground to play and also learning again that sharing is tough!)

I am still battling my ear infections/fluid and sinus infection...Soooo, my BIG surgery is on Thursday, November 5th. I will have my adenoids removed and ear tubes put in. Dr. says that this will make me a new baby--and relieve the fluid and maybe even help me eat better. Momma hopes so...Despite not being 100 percent, I have started talking up a storm! I put 2 words together to make some phrases and copy every last word mommy or daddy say. I love acting out things with my baby doll and doggies. My favorite phrases are still, "Ohhh noooo!, and "Moyyy"(more). I try to sing the Barney songs on my favorite Barney video too.

My first Halloween was wonderful! Mom and I carved a bat in my pumpkin! And CANDY! a new word in my vocab--also Trick or Treat (I try--but it comes out "Teatrteat.") My cousins Elle and Ava showed me the ropes pretty quickly. We raced down the road in the dark with our parents chasing after us. I said "Thank you" to all of the neighbors and wanted to eat the candy right away! I chewed on a glow stick to tide my hunger--my mom looked in horror as my chin was glowing in the dark...Aren't I the cutest flower you've ever seen?

Thank you to all of my special family and friends who shared a loving donation of money to my dear family at Hospicio de San Jose. The flooding has devastated the facility--they are overwhelmed, yet continue to open their arms to many children in need of a family. We raised over 1250 dollars to send. Thank you for showing your support and love for me by taking care of those who are so important to me.

Enjoy the pics--sorry they were so late. Mom has just been enjoying her time with me and enjoying all the new activities we are in! I have my special 2 year photo shoot on Wednesday. We hope to get some good pics then--I am still learning how to smile and sit still for the camera. I hope this photographer has a quick click finger!!! Love you all--Kat-Kat

Happy Halloween

Gramma wanted to share my first Halloween with you. I was a flower - catch the Converse shoes. It was a cold night to trick or treat and I got the "treat" part in and the "tank you" part too. Maybe next year I will really get the hang of it.

Maligayang Bati!

My birthday was PERFECT! It all started on Thursday when my little friend, Madison came to visit. She is my mommy's friend Shannon's baby...we sat and giggled on the chair together, I gave her kisses and just stared a little. It was so nice of Madison to get me a new dress and a Mrs. Potato Head!

My birthday party was on Sunday--I napped and woke up smiling when mommy told me it was time to put on my fancy birthday dress! It was from my cousins Joey, Alyssa, Jeanine, and Phil. I felt so pretty in it and couldn't wait to party!

I had a Dora theme going on with lots of BIG balloons that I loved playing with. I had fun running around with my cousins, Ava, Kyle, Cal, and Elle. All of my Grandmas and Grandpas came!

I took my time opening each and every card and present. I was so excited to see what each gift held. I walked around to show everyone the neat clothes and toys and even modeled a few items: a sweater and hat from Gramma and Papa Prill, pajamas from Tita D and Tito U...Oh, every gift was so special. I took time to say "Tank youuuu" to each of my beloved family members...

The best part was when Elle brought in her special gift--my new mini-trampoline! Elle decided it was time to pass it on to me--Oh man, did I ever get excited over that! I just had to try it out! I hopped on and yelled, "JUMP, JUMP, JUMP! Yaaaaaayyyy!" Everyone started laughing to see such fun so I had to keep entertaining...Glad I could make your day everyone! That will be an image I think for years to come that will make my family smile!

I have my big 2 year doctor visit on Wednesday...we will see how my ears are doing and all that other stuff...Love you all--thank you for always thinking of me and making me feel so special--Kat-kat

Lakefront in Kenosha with Tita and Tito!

September highlights...

I am such a silly girl--always HAPPY! I have fun wherever I go and whatever I do...Here are some pictures--me sitting still just long enough for mommy to get a picture of me and my craaazy hair, Papa T and I playing with my baby, and looking at my scrapbook Sue made me (I say, "Kat-kat" and point to my pictures). I stopped with some of the important men in my life to take a picture--we are on the riverwalk downtown Milwaukee. Mama, Dada and I had fun at the zoo in the train. I waved to everyone and said, "Hiiiiii!"

My birthday is on Thursday, September 17th--I can't wait! I asked for Handy Manny stuff, rhythm sticks, bathtub toys, and BOOKS. I also love to jump, maybe mommy and daddy will find a mini trampoline for me???? I hope so...Love you, Kat-kat

P.S. My mom says maybe she will continue to add to the blog until March 28th (1 year to the date they came home with me)

On the mend...

The end of July and August were rough as I battled constant sickness--you must know that I remained happy, playful, active, and smiling throughout the whole thing--that is throughout ear infections, a sinus infection, high fevers, fluid in my ears, and enlarged tonsils and adenoids! It took me three different antibiotics. I am still on number three--20 days! It seems that I am finally on the mend--let's keep our fingers crossed! You people here have some meeeannn viruses! Yikes.

I am growing more beautiful by each day--now a whopping 19.5 pounds! My favorite foods are noodles, rice and vegetables, hot dogs, peas, and purple grapes. I still love my "bah-bah" bottle and find comfort in it after every meal. I love to read the Napping House--over and over and over again. I love Barney and anything on the Disney Channel--the Imagination Movers are my favorite to dance to. Speaking of dancing--anything that has a beat gets me going--the other day, the sound of the washing machine had me bobbing my head:)

I am talking up a storm--some of my words: apple, banana, avocado, grapes, cheese, up, down, sleep, hello, bye-bye, hi!, Noooo, more, jump, baby, doggy, weeeeeeee!, happy, sad,...the list goes on. I am very dramatic and giggle with my hands covering my mouth. I like to fall and say, "Whoooa!" I have gotten yelled at many times for jumping on the bed, and running away and hiding when my parents needed me. But, I am so cute, I get away with alot. I call my blankie "bring back" because that's what my mommy sings to me when I rock her.."Bring Back, Bring Back, oh bring back my bonny to me..."

My second birthday is just around the corner--September 17th! That will be the last of the blog! The adoption will be complete in a month and I will get my own social security card. My permanent residency card came in the mail for USCIS! I can't believe it will soon be 6 months home with my family. It is like we have always been! Love you--Kat-Kat!

The Photo Shoot

Gramma came over to the house to take pictures of me. She is going back to the Philippines at the end of the month and is going to visit my friends and godmothers at the Hospicio. My mommy told her that I had been practicing my "SMILE" for her.

I greeted Gramma riding down my new slide that mommy and daddy bought me. They think I need to be more daring - on a cement driveway no less. Then I proceeded to make them chase me all over trying to get a shot that would work.

Piggy and Kelso decided this was a good time to get some action shots of them.

So, what do you think? Did I smile for her?