Ponies!

Katelyn is definitely a girl after my own heart. During a trip to Big R today, we told her she could pick one critter from the rack of Schleich plastic animals. She considered several horses and then settled on a cute little gray spotted pony. Greg suggested naming the pony Duchess but after I pointed out that it is clearly a boy pony, we decided to go with Gus. I just thought it was great that out of all the animal options, Katelyn definitely wanted a horse. That's my girl.

This afternoon, I watched I'll Have Another win the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the elusive Triple Crown, by a neck. What an exciting race!! I am eagerly anticipating watching him run the Belmont next month, and hoping that after 34 years we'll finally have another Triple Crown winner. I've always loved horses and horse-related sports (except for polo, which I've never really understood). Greg does not share my love for horses at all, although he did get pretty excited while we were watching that race earlier. Anyway, it's nice to hope that maybe Katelyn will share my love and appreciation for all things horsey as she grows up.

Dear Katelyn (2.0)

Today is your second birthday. I don't know how much of it you'll remember, but it has been a great weekend. On Saturday we met your cousins' family in Denver for an awesome time at Lego KidsFest; I wasn't sure we would get Ryan and Uncle Jamie out of there without calling security. You and Emily had a blast going from station to station looking at and playing with things. You really liked the Duplos, and thought Lego Friends were almost as cool as Megan did.  The big hit for everyone was Lego Lightning McQueen!

After a fun day in Denver, we headed home to Pueblo where we hosted Uncle Jamie, Aunt Melissa, Emily, Ryan, and Megan overnight so Jamie could preach in our church on Sunday morning.  We had a great birthday lunch after church, and sang "Happy Day to You" (as you like to sing) many times over.  You were so brave and cute as the "other" Dukes headed home after lunch (no crying at all), and you headed to your nap.  After your nap, you looked out the door and said, "All done, Rynan."  I guess you knew that they really did go home.  We went for a walk with Rusty and Lucy, and then headed to bed.

Today, we woke up to a beautiful day in Pueblo.  Your mom and I spent a lot of the day planning for your party this evening, and I think you knew it!  You ate WAY too much ice cream at Sam's Club, and this evening, we hosted your friends Bethany, Matalyn, Ava, and AJ for your "official" birthday party over at the church.  A few more friends had planned to come, but other things came up.  After the party, we talked to Gram on the phone, and Grandma and "PawPaw" sang "Happy Birthday" to you before you went to bed.  Your mom said you didn't want to go to sleep, and that you knew a special day was coming to an end. And so, the three-day birthday has come to a close (although I've heard rumors of cupcakes tomorrow at Mom's Day Out).

It is hard to believe that you are two years old.  I am thankful for the joy and fun you bring to your lives.  I pray that your cheerful, generous spirit follows you throughout your life.  I am continually amazed at how smart you are.  I don't know anyone who doesn't "just LOVE" you.  We are so fortunate that we have so many friends and family that give so much to us.

I pray daily that you will trust Christ as Lord of your life.  I know you are smart, and I know you hear us talk of Jesus.  I can't control what you believe, but I do pray that my life is a testimony of God's grace and love for you through Jesus.  I wonder what you "will be" when you grow up.  Sometimes, I even wonder who you will marry (if I let you get married).  You are so bright, talented, and kind-hearted.  I pray that Jesus is number One in your life for eternity.

Thank you for blessing my life, my precious, beautiful little girl.  May the Lord protect you and guide your life in His grace.  May my life be a testimony of His love for you.

Love,
Daddy

Jesus Loves Me, part 2

We've been singing "Jesus Loves Me" at bedtime with Katelyn since we started her bedtime routine.  For awhile now I've had a suspicion that she knows the song, but was content to let us sing it for her. In the past week, I noticed that while she was playing, she'd start saying, "Jesus...Yes!" and wondered if she might be singing the song herself. Then she other night, she actually sang parts of it with us at bedtime, and then insisted that we sing it several more times with her. Then last night, after we sang it, she said, "Pay!" a few times, but we couldn't figure out what she meant.

This morning, Katelyn was playing downstairs and saying, "Yes, Jesus!" and signing "Bible," so I sang the song for her with the motions that we always do. Afterward she said "Pay!" again, and I realized she was saying "Pray," because we always pray after we sing at bedtime. So I went over, held her hands, and said a little prayer with her. She finished with a happy "Amen!" and left me with a lovely, thankful feeling in my heart. She may not quite understand why we sing about Jesus and pray, but I'm thrilled that for now, she is enjoying the process. And I am also thankful that Jesus does love her, and loves all of us, even though we can never completely understand why.

In this week leading up to Easter, what are some ways that you have been reminded to thank Jesus for His love? What are some things your children have done lately that have left you with a happy, thankful heart?

I want...

Katelyn has begun sharing her desires with the world.  Her words are improving to the point that sometimes you actually hear "I want..." followed by whatever it is at the moment.  Most of the time, though, it comes out as "IMA."  So, "I want to go outside" sounds like "Ima outside."  We've heard it for all manner of things: swing, slide, dogs, apple juice, church.  All kinds of fun.

This morning, she's in quite a good mood... been "IMA"ing all over the place.  I brought her to the church with me, and had her gated in my office while I was talking with Becky.  Along the way, it got very quiet... never a good sign.  She had procured the banana I brought for MY breakfast, and had attempted to open BOTH ends of it, which resulted in some nice gooey banana ends.  When I walked in, she was holding it up to me saying, "Ima bana."

So, I shared my breakfast... she got the ends of the banana.

She's a bit too smart for our safety.

 Enjoying her slushie at Sam's with Mommy

Dukelingish

At 22 months old, Katelyn is learning all kinds of new words. Some are very clear, some are ...well... unique interpretations of the English language. Following is a list of words, interpretations, and, when necessary, definitions of the English Language According to Katelyn A. Duke.

"flowf" - flower (slowly transitioning to proper word)
"apple juice" - any drink that is not water or milk. Tonight, blue Gatorade qualified
"W" - best letter ever (also what she calls her alphabet video, which conveniently has a W on the cover)
"pawpaw" - Grandpa (and sometimes Grandma)
"Bob" - VeggieTale double feature DVD
 "Joe" - Larry the Cucumber (thanks to the Ballad of Little Joe)
"MOO! cow" - Cow
"Wawoo" - Water
"KeestiCK" - cheese stick
"bottle" - milk
"eh... eh..." - pick me up, or I want that.
"Dots" - her purple zebra
"Yine...rar" - Lion
"orse" - Horse
"baby seep" - nap, bedtime
"teef" - brush teeth
"baf" - bath
"debby" - Ms. Becky (my secretary) could also be "Bebby"; still interpreting that one
"Bobbie" - Bobbie
"ZO!" - Ed & Linda's toy poodle Gizmo
"chuch" - church
"eat" - eat
"food" - food
"yewwow" - yellow
"bwue" - blue
"peet" - pink
"wed" - red
"geen" - green
"side" - slide
"off" - on
"wight" - light
"da-per" - diaper
"cat" - Talking cat game on my phone
"beep-beep" - either the coyote or roadrunner
"choo-choo" - any toy vehicle

She has  pretty much mastered her letters, and can generally sing the whole alphabet song (often she leaves letters out, though)

There are a few. It is a fun thing for us to learn to talk all over again.

Priorities

Today we arrived in Albuquerque to visit Allison's parents.  As is typical with all grandkids, Katelyn's attention left us and went to Grandma and (especially) Grandpa.  While I kept my eye on her, she was definitely not interested in Daddy.  We began opening presents, and she was quite entranced with all of the musical things around (a clock that plays Christmas carols, music boxes, etc.) and had turned her attention to her new Mrs. Potatohead, or so I thought.  In my stocking were some of my very favorites, chocolate covered raisins. 

Suddenly, I had a daughter again. 

Merry Christmas!

Words and other breakthroughs

Katelyn is beginning to be a wordy little girl.  Lately it seems like she says a new word every day.  Recent additions to her vocabulary include such gems as apple, ball, snow, blue, boom (for fireworks), light, banana, star, shoe, shirt, cookie, kitty, leaf, and flower (which she pronounces "flowf").  Most of her pronunciation is less than perfect, but she does make herself pretty clear.  She also knows the letter "b."  She thinks all the other letters are also "b," but she's emphatic when she comes across the real thing.  And she knows that cows say "moo."

This week she has begun attempting to use utensils.  This is a very exciting breakthrough for me, as I was beginning to wonder if she would be eating with her fingers forever.  Earlier this week we had grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for lunch, and she used a spoon to eat about half her soup.  Then tonight we had baked potatoes, and she actually used a fork to eat most of hers.  There were some very proud (and somewhat relieved) parents at the dinner table tonight!

Right now, Katelyn's favorite things are stuffed animals, puzzles, clothes, cars, balls, and Christmas decorations.  She is completely enamored with the tree and the lights outside on the house.  She often carries various stuffed animals around the house, including a purple and orange snake.  Whenever she plays with it, she hisses.  It's pretty darn cute.  She's just generally cute, and happy, and sweet, and most of the time, an absolute delight.  We are blessed.