Lucky is not typically a term we use to describe ourselves with. We are many things – lucky is not one of them. And yet so many times throughout the day we look at Kate and say, “Wow… we got so lucky.”

She is just such a fantastic, happy kid. Everyone that we see says it – which we wouldn’t really take note of, except for the expressions of surprise on their faces. “Wow! She’s so HAPPY!” “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her upset!” “Is she always so smiley?” Well… in general, yes! If she’s not in a good mood I know something is most definitely wrong – usually tired, a poopy diaper, or hungry. Sometimes her teeth, but she doesn’t let that slow her down during the day.

Yesterday we went to her friend Dominic’s birthday party. When we got there several kids were playing at the sand and water table, and Kate immediately beelined for them. She basically spent the next five hours running around with the other kids, climbing off and on toys, splashing in the water, and sitting on random peoples’ laps. We were always looking around going, “Uhh, where’s our kid?” only to find her calmly sitting on someone’s lap, watching the festivities. (Which I found a little weird for her – she loves people but doesn’t usually like to be held by them, she wants down to run around.) There was a little while she wanted to be held by Den and I and she was getting fussy and, yep, massive poopy dipe.

This morning we went out for breakfast and Kate was just the best behaved 1-year-old you could possibly imagine. She walked around a little bit, flirting with the older patrons who thought she was the cutest thing ever. She played with my straw for a remarkably long stretch of time. Then when our food came we put her in her highchair where she proceeded to eat nearly as much as I did. Fruit, eggs, sausage, she dug right in. And so we all ate in remarkable peace and quiet, Den and I with both hands. Kate ate and drank from her sippy and didn’t even throw anything onto the floor. I never thought eating with a toddler would in some ways be more relaxing than eating while juggling a small baby! After our meal we got her all cleaned up and strapped her into her carseat so she could happily hum in the backseat on the way home. Once home I nursed her and put her down for a nap.

Yesterday at the party she started saying “bye-bye!” She’s been waving for a month or two now, but in the past few days she’s really starting mimicking sounds. So she was waving at everyone saying, “buh-buh-buh-buh.” “Say bye-bye, Kate!” “Buh-bah!” And then she would look extremely pleased with herself and clap. LOL Adorable! She’s most definitely saying “Mama” now, and again looks pleased as punch when she does it and I respond accordingly. (“Mamama.” “Yes, baby?” “Mama! [grin]”)

She’s also climbing everything. She’s started pushing over her toys in the living room – as well as random other objects around the house, like trash cans – and climbing on top of them. At the party yesterday she climbed into her friend’s new car and then climbed up onto the seat and stood up! Yikes. I think she’s going to end up taking a few tumbles soon. Good thing my mom got her a toddler slide, something appropriate for her to climb on!

I never thought having a toddler would be so much fun!