Don't Rain on Kate's Parade!

...just for fun.

Getting Ready for Nationals

She learned some new poses from the cheerleaders.

...our Tech cheerleaders heading to nationals next week. The cheer coach (Josh) and cheer sponsor (Stephanie) are two of Kate's favorite people in the world, so when we found out the cheer team was going to give an exhibition of their upcoming nationals routine we knew we had to take her. We can't show any pictures of the routine until after nationals is over, but we took some of Kate having fun on the arena floor after the show was finished.


Ready? Okay!



The Double T has been good to her parents.

Pre-Easter Easter Weekend

Amanda was actually able to fix Kate's hair...and she even left the pig tails in for a while.

...the weekend before Easter. We will be in Oklahoma for Easter this year, so we did a few Easter things in Lubbock this weekend. Kate went to her first Easter egg hunt at Tech on Saturday! At the hunt she got to do some arts & crafts, decorate cookies, and of course hunt some eggs.

Stanley didn't get to go to the Easter egg hunt, but Kate wanted him to feel part of the weekend...so she put bunny ears on him. He seemed okay with it.


Amanda and Kate at the hunt.


She went and put on her hat, grabbed her basket, went to the back door, and said let's go. She is using so many new words lately.


She started to get the hunting eggs thing down. She had a good time, and I'm sure she's looking forward to hunting more eggs soon.

Paging Dr. Amanda

(Amanda's mom sent her some flowers yesterday for good luck. Good news, they worked!)

...Amanda's dissertation defense. Well, I guess really it started back at her first day of kindergarten...I'll do her a favor and not say how many years ago that was! Since that first day of kindergarten one major educational milestone has led to beginning a new educational goal. Kindergarten graduation led to elementary school, which led to junior high, which led to high school graduation, which led to college and college graduation, which led to a master's program, which led to a doctoral program, which all led to today and the ultimate stopping point--being awarded a Ph.D.

The dissertation was finished three weeks ago, but the final hurdle was to defend the study to the dissertation committee. Each committee member and several others in the audience (me included) had already read the entire dissertation, so it was Amanda's responsibility today to give a 30-minute presentation about why her topic was important, how she conducted the study, what she found from the study, what it tells mental health professionals, and what else needs to be studied in the future from this study. I was able to sit in the room and listen to her presentation, and she did an amazing job. It was really, really great. Everyone in the room was in awe. When she finished her presentation it was the committee's turn to ask her questions and make comments. I knew when the first comment from her committee was, "Amanda, I just want you to know what a beautiful job you did with your dissertation...I actually read your dissertation through twice in only two sittings, because it was a page turner, which sounds strange to say about a dissertation," it was all going to be okay.

I wish I could detail what each committee member said, and how many meaningful comments were given to her about how beautifully she told the stories of these couples that had experienced a pregnancy loss, but I cannot recount them all. However, I can say how truly proud I am of her. She finished before Kate was able to say, "Stop working and play with me Mommy," which was her goal all along. After questioning her for a while and then sending her and the family and friends section out of the room so they could confer, the committee called her back in and congratulated her as Dr. Amanda Harrington. WOOHOO!!!!

It was a great culminating moment. I took the day off, and since Kate was in school today, we celebrated by going out to lunch and going to a movie in the middle of the day. So that's what doctors do all day? I always wondered.

Amanda and I before the defense this morning.


Dr. Amanda and her dissertation committee after the defense was over. Left to right: Jason Whiting (he was Amanda's professor and advisor at the University of Kentucky and has since moved to Texas Tech), Tom Kimball (Amanda's advisor and dissertation chairperson), Nicole Morelock, and Dr. O (she is the medical doctor Amanda has had the opportunity to work with at the hospital for the last 4 years).

Aquarium = Not So Fun

...me thinking it would be a great idea to take Kate to the New England Aquarium. We were all set. Michael was to be in conference meetings all day and I thought it would be cool and empowering to tackle Boston, just me and Kate. Things were looking good as we arrived at the aquarium via a $16 cab ride. When we first walked in we visited the penguin exhibit. Little did I know this would be the climax of good moments for the outing. We watched penguins, walked like penguins, and talked to penguins for 15 minutes, which in toddler time is an eternity.


BUT...it was all down hill from there. There is a massive aquarium tank with a walkway wrapping around it. As we made our way up the ramp I quickly realized Kate was not super excited about approaching the tank. I thought if I held her up to it so she could really see the fish it would encourage curiosity. Boy was I wrong. Just as I held her up to look in the tank a 10+ foot shark swam by. She began to shake and really, to be honest, didn't quit shaking until we were back hotel. We looked around the aquarium a while longer. The only thing she really cared anything about were the seals, which to her were just swimming puppies.


We only stayed at the aquarium for just over an hour before I decided to head back to the hotel. I was feeling confident in my ability to navigate the city so I decided to take the subway and train back to Copley Square for $2 as opposed to the $16 cab ride. I also hoped it would be quicker. The solo subway experience started out pretty well. I was familiar with subways and trains from our trips to San Francisco. However, I had not tackled one solo with a stroller. IT IS A MUCH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE WITH A STROLLER. The first leg of the trip went well, thanks to the help of a man I am certain was a member of the mob but since I am not from a warring family in town he was kind enough to help me. I got off at Government Center with no problem and was feeling pretty good about carrying Kate, the stroller, and diaper bag up the 2 flights of stairs to catch the green line. However, Kate began to melt when I put her back in the stroller after the climb. I was spent and whenI realized I had to tackle more stairs to get on the train I was done. How could I possible get all that on the train by myself in the approximately 5 seconds the doors were open.
I pulled the plug on my bold, "I am woman hear me roar," moment and decided to head up to street level and get a cab. My despair was growing, as was Kate's. It got even worse when I saw how many more stairs I was about to have to tackle with all of our stuff. Luckily a nice man carried the stroller up for me. We got to street level and I realized this was not an area cabs typically frequent. I thought, "Okay, you can do this. You almost have your Ph.D. You can walk until you find a cab." I was ready. Kate was not. She was DONE with the stroller. So I began walking, carrying Kate, and pushing the stroller, to find a cab. And then...well then it started to rain. It wasn't bad but it was just enough to make me want to cry. I finally found a cab piloted by the most unhelpful driver ever. Do you know how hard it is to empty a stroller carrying supplies for the day, manage a diaper bag, fold a stroller, put it in the trunk, and keep a toddler from running into the street? Luckily, the nice man running the near-by news stand helped with the stroller. Not 2 minutes after getting into the cab Kate was asleep on the seat next to me. It was a quiet ride back to the hotel and I was okay with that. I managed to pay the cab driver, get Kate out of the car, and push the stroller into the hotel, all while Kate was asleep on my shoulder. "That's it," I thought, "I'm home free. I'll just carry her to the room and put her down for a nap." WRONG!
The second we walked into the elevator with the mirrors on the walls Kate opened her eyes and saw a very pretty baby in the mirrors. She was awake, I was tired, and we both needed to eat. Michael saved the day by helping get lunch to the room. We ate and quickly got in bed, sent Michael off to more meetings, and did what she should have been doing all day. We cuddled and napped in bed for 3 hours. Next time I'll just turn on a movie, most likely Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and cuddle.

Harvard Yard Dogs

(Kate and her Blue Heeler posing at Harvard)

...a trip to Cambridge to see Harvard and Harvard Yard area. We visited the Harvard Coop, which I learned is pronounced like a chicken coop and not like a farmer's co-op, and a really cool Curious George bookstore. It is our tradition to buy Kate a book from each trip and write a little about the trip inside the book. Maybe she will find them interesting one day, or at least we will. For this trip we thought it appropriate to buy a fun little book about different kinds of dogs (read the previous post if you haven't already). We even let her pick out a small stuffed dog. Like a true Texan, she chose the Blue Heeler. Then we went and walked around Harvard for a while, so here are some pics of her (and her new dog) at Harvard.





Climbing the stairs at Memorial Chapel.


Here is what she was really excited to find though.

Kate's Boston Obsession

....an obsession, compulsion, addiction, or any other term for being absolutely focused on only one thing and needing it at all times. This has become Kate's world. Addicted to puppies. Yes, puppies. I'm not sure if she's just missing her own two while away from home or if this is a new phase, but while in Boston all she wants to look for, play with, talk about, or ask about is puppies. On Saturday morning before the conference started we took her to Boston Commons (think Central Park, but in Boston), to let her run around on some grass and get her kid legs back after a long day of plane travel on Friday. She wanted to do only one thing--find a puppy, run to the puppy regardless of distance, talk to the puppy, pet the puppy, and find another puppy to track down and start the cycle all over.

Luckily most of the dog owners were nice enough to oblige our cute little girl as she would run up to them asking "Puppy? Puppy? Puppy?" Since that stretch anytime we go anywhere in Boston, all she wants to do is point out puppies and try to pet them. Here is a series of pictures to represent one of these moments.

This is Kate and I moments after arriving in Boston Commons, taking a picture in front of a stature I confidently assured Amanda was Paul Revere--only for it to be George Washington. Old white guy on a horse; same difference. Besides George already has his likeness all over his own city. Can't Paul Revere get some love from the city he saved from the Red Coats? Anyway, this is me looking at the camera, while Kate has spotted and is now pointing at a dog across the park.


Kate now running toward the dog she spotted. All the while yelling, Puppy! Puppy! Puppy!


Kate still running after the puppy, but closing in on her target. Still yelling puppy.


Target acquired. "Hi puppy. Hi puppy. Hi puppy. Arf. Arf. Puppy. Puppy. Puppy? Puppy?" Okay, you get the gist.


After leaving this puppy, she gives us the sign language learned at school for "More," while saying "more, more, more." All while looking for her next target.

Welcome to Bahstan!

(Kate looking out of her 18th story crib in Boston. I can't imagine why she's scared to sleep in it, can you? Not exactly the view from her Lubbock bedroom.)

...arriving in Boston. Or if you are from the New England area the phonetic spelling is Bahstan. Why don't you New Englanders like O's? Anyway, we made it safely to Boston on Friday, but it has taken a couple of days for all of us to feel adjusted. Had Houston not been such an ordeal this time around Boston would have been fine for Kate. However, Kate has been off...for Kate that is. She has refused (or more specifically "screamed incessantly with large tears and a very red face") to sleep in the crib in our room, so she has been taking up residence in the bed with us for the first time ever. It's actually kind of fun, but we are all looking forward to being back in our own beds (or more specifically Mommy & Daddy are looking forward to not sharing the bed with a kicking toddler). Today though she took a good nap and had some relaxing quiet time in the room and we decided to keep it low key this evening. I think Amanda and Kate are headed for the New England Aquarium tomorrow.

The group from my office arrived later on Friday night and we met up on Saturday morning before the conference got started. Boston has been nice so far, and we've spent some time on Newbury Street, at Boston Commons, at Fanueil Hall, the Boston Harbor, and at Harvard in Cambridge. More pictures and posts to come soon (the hotel charges to use the internet in the room, so I'm not sure how soon more will appear). Oh, and for our Oklahoma and Texas readers who were suffering with snow on Saturday--it was 70 degrees in Boston.


lunch with the Tech gang.


Bruce trying, and failing, to avoid having his picture taken.


Walking down Newbury Street. Kate took the picture. Not really. She was in the store buying us more coffee.


Kate and I outside by our hotel Friday night. As you can tell she's not quite herself in this picture.

(Kate after her eye exam. Her eyes are still dilated, so she's not really interested in looking at the camera flash.)

...our last trip to Kate's ophthalmologist for a while! We are here in Houston--she did great on the plane yesterday--and had her eye exam today. There has not been any major change since her last eye exam, so the doctor said we don't need to come back until she's 3. Kate turning 3 sounds like it should be so long from now, but I know how fast this past year has gone and I can only imagine it will go faster. By the way, having a full-blown toddler is exhausting. It's fun, frustrating, humorous, challenging, and tiring all at the same time. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Well, here are few pictures from our time in Houston, and then off to bed. We are leaving for Boston early tomorrow morning.


Kate with Minnie.


The waiting room area at the Texas Children's Hospital Opthalmology clinic.


Our mandatory picture with the bejeweled dancing cows.

Surgery Follow-Up & Clothed 4-Wheelin'

(Kate looking for Granny & Papa the morning after they left, which was also the morning of her follow-up testing)

....Kate's follow-up testing from her bladder reconstruction surgery which she had at Thanksgiving. Good news---all of Kate's tests came back excellent! The surgery completely fixed her problem!!

Here are some recent Kate pics.

They were rough tests, but they all came back great!


Kate riding her 4-wheeler...with clothes on this time. Out of gas or needs a push start?

Granny's Birthday

Kate, Granny, and Papa with their "get excited" faces.

....Granny and Papa coming to visit for Granny's birthday. Granted, the visit and birthday were last weekend, but we have been so busy lately a week behind doesn't seem so bad right now. We still have some busy days ahead of us too this month. We leave soon for Houston. Then we leave from Houston to fly to Boston, which we are very excited to all visit Boston for the first time. After a few days in Boston we fly back to Lubbock just in time for Amanda to defend her dissertation! It's all good stuff, so don't think I'm complaining...just been busy is all.

We have managed to get a few pictures of Kate recently. She has been really funny lately, and here are a couple of pictures to show off her personality.

Turn Your Speaker On!

...some videos of what has been happening around our house lately--set to a very appropriate couple of songs. Kate has been so funny lately, and this video collection shows some of the funny everyday things that just crack us up. Even Papa Steve makes a cameo at the end. You are going to like this one!! Be sure to watch the whole video and make sure your computer speakers are on.

A Day of Firsts

...deciding Kate's mullet needed to go. I called my good friend, and hairdresser, to get Kate her first haircut. I was so excited all week. We went to the salon this morning and I was nervous about how she would do. Lisa gave Kate her first sucker and the rest was history. She enjoyed her sucker so much she never knew her hair was being cut. It looks so cute and really shows off her curls. Great job Lisa!

We were feeling pretty after her haircut so we decided to go see Michael at work. However, he was not there. We stayed anyways and had a GREAT time with his coworkers. Kate dances, jumped, posed, and twirled to entertain everyone during their Oscar party. I am so thankful Michael has so many wonderful people to spend his days with and that they let Kate and I tag along. I do realize, however, that I am merely Kate's ride!
While we were at his office, wait for it, Kate said her first sentence. I realize it was probably an accident but she managed to get all the words out. She looked at Michael and said, "Hey Daddy, read the book." We are so proud and pretty sure she is a genius.
What a day and to top it all off her Granny and Papa came to visit today. She is on cloud nine. It is always good to have company!