Fork and spoon!

Keira is eating all of her meals with a fork and a spoon and does quite well manuevering the food into her mouth.  It is not acceptable to give her a meal without providing either a fork or a spoon.  In fact, she will open the silverware drawer herself and get a fork or spoon out if Daddy or I do not get one for her.  She is becoming quite self sufficient.

Look at how proud of herself she is!

Fall Festival fun

Daddy, Keira and I met friends at Cox Farms on opening weekend.  We got in free as members!  It was a beautiful day weather-wise and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

We had a lot of fun seeing the animals (piglets were being born at that moment!),

...going down the slides (Daddy and Keira did anyway),

(with almost some bad results!)

...and eating snacks with friends.

Keira thought she wanted to go on a pony ride, but when it came time to get on the pony, it turned out she did not!  We got a refund.

Keira had much more fun in the toddler play area!

I think she was asleep in the car before we even left the parking lot!

Keira has a secret to share

Keira has a secret that she's been ready to share now for a while!

She's been busting at the seams to share the news, but Daddy and I said she couldn't share the news until today.

Can you keep a secret?


Keira is due to become a big sister in about 6 months! Baby McDowell is due to arrive March 17th, 2010.

Currently, I am 13 weeks along (out of 40 total) and all is going well thus far. I am feeling good and the baby is developing on schedule.

Littlest Ballerina (Part 2)

For ballet class this morning, Mommy decided to forgo the tights as they were a little baggy around the ankles. Keira did great in her 3rd ballet class today. She participated the most yet! She put her foot up on the barre today when Mommy asked her and she even gave Miss Annalise a smile today. She is the youngest in her class at 20 months old with the range being 18 to 30 months old.
Mommy is having fun finding her inner ballerina. Unfortunately, she is not even one-quarter as flexible as Keira!

Baby gorilla at the Zoo!

We went to the National Zoo today with Aunt Kelly and Uncle Adrian. I didn't do a very good job taking pictures as the only ones I took were of the baby gorilla. But it was darn cute!

Visit from Aunt Kelly and Uncle Adrian!

Aunt Kelly and Uncle Adrian are staying with us this week. Today, the four of us (poor Daddy had to work!) went to the Air & Space Museum and Keira showed them around.

We ate lunch at the McCafe. Keira's first experience with McDonald's. She seemed to like it just fine!
We checked out various airplanes and exhibits.
Then Keira amused herself with her new toy from McDonald's. This was definitely the laugh of the day!
We had to get a pic with this interesting statue in the background.

Littlest Ballerina (Part 1)

Keira started a ballet class called "Baby Ballerinas" last Tuesday. Mommy got her a leotard, tights, and ballet slippers to wear to class so she now looks the part.
Before class this morning, she was checking out her new duds in the mirror.