We’re baaacckkkk!! Do not give us a hard time. We’re not even sure there’s anyone checking this anymore.

It’s been so long now, that I can’t remember everything that has happened since I last blogged. Mallory is trying to talk more and more. She’s still along way from creating her first acceptance speech, but she is making progress. At least now, she tries to imitate you. She loves to say “dog”, even though it’s hard to distinguish from “da” (a.k.a. “dada”). But that’s okay. I am “mama” but only when she really, really wants something, and it’s hard to tell the difference between “mama” and “mine”. Yeah, she learned that one at daycare. Now, everything belongs to her. If you don’t believe it, just ask her.

She won’t say “more” or “eat”, but she will use the signs for those together to let us know she wants more food. This comes from an understanding that “more” doesn’t just apply to food anymore. But the cutest thing so far has to be “ah bah””¦which means “all done”. She loves to say that.

At one point, Kylie decided that she didn’t want to be called “kaka””¦mostly because Johnathan laughed at her being “poop”. Instead, we started calling her “lala”. Unfortunately, much to Kylie’s dismay, Mallory has learned her “k” sound before her “l” sound”¦so she is “kaka” anyway. ;) Ah, this too shall pass. I think Kylie is okay with it, as long as she calls her something. Also, she is trying to distinguish between “mama” and “mimi” and is doing well so far.

Kylie is starting to apply to colleges. She is taking an ACT prep class to help her get a couple more points when she takes it again. That will give her a state scholarship. I think she is applying to 5 schools. It’s exciting and scary at the same time ““ exciting for her, and scary for me. I’m just glad to see her get serious about it.

Last night, we went to her last band competition. They have one more this month, but she can’t go because it’s the same day as the ACT test”¦and her parental units have deemed that more important since she has to do all of her paperwork before the middle of November. I think she has mixed feelings. She seems to be all excited when band starts each year, but then she burns out about halfway through the season. They have a couple more football games, so she’s not completely done. But no more Saturday marathons. Maybe she’ll use that extra time to study math”¦yeah, right.

Sorry, folks. That’s all I have for today (gotta go make dinner). I have uploaded new pictures and videos for your viewing pleasure. There are some in Kylie’s folder as well as Mallory’s (14, 15 and 16 months). Wait till you see the “big girl” slide. Who says mommy’s not tackling her fears?

Let us know you’re still visiting. It’s easier to get motivated if we know someone cares. sniff, sniff