Kate's 4th Family Day

Dear Kate - It's been four years since we were in Bogota getting ready to go to FANA to meet you for the very first time. The rest of our crew was grabbing breakfast at the hotel while I was organizing everyone's outfits for the big day. We were all so very excited to begin our lives together that day as a family of six. 

The phone would soon ring with Maria Teresa from FANA on the other line with some scary news. You were sick and had been admitted to the hospital the previous day. Instead of traveling to FANA to get you, we'd instead be going to the pediatric ICU at Simon Bolivar Hospital. 

You were a sick little nugget with an IV in your neck and nasal cannula in your nose helping you breath. You couldn't get your oxygen stats to an appropriate level on your own. We were told you had RSV and Influenza A, possibly pneumonia too.  We were heart broken that we were only able to spend a couple hours with you before having to leave, but grateful you were getting the medical care that you needed.

We'd spend nearly two weeks visiting you daily in the hospital. You took a bad turn for the worse, but thankfully were able to turn things back around a few days later. It was quite terrifying to see you laying in bed with a large hood over your head and so many wires attached to your little body. The language barrier made it even worse not being able to fully understanding what was happening.

Day by day, you started to improve. You were still on oxygen, but we could tell you were feeling so much better. Your personality started to shine through as you'd flash us your adorable smiles and melt our hearts with your sweet giggles. 

Although your oxygen stats were still not perfect, you were released from the hospital May 12th on a cold dark Bogota night and we would finally be together.

We got back to our apartment late in the evening and were greeted by your big brother Owen and Nana Bev. They couldn't wait to meet you. Cole and Rose were already fast asleep so their introductions would have to wait. It had been a long day, but our wait was finally over and our journey as a family of 6 was just beginning.

You still talk about that time in Bogota and often ask to see the photos of you with tape on your sweet cheeks. You think you were pretty stinkin' cute, and we couldn't agree more!

For your 4th Family Day celebration, you got dolled up just for the occasion complete with dress and tiara. You are our princess after all.

It was a chilly and rainy spring day, but that didn't stop us from playing outside. You took a quick stroller ride to the backyard to play on the swing set. 

Being the motherly little girl that you are, you insisted on pushing Aria in her swing.

After a wardrobe change into rain boots, you had fun jumping in the puddles.

No rainy day can be complete without a nature hunt for worms. You and Rose found several and wasted no time scooping them up to proudly show off your new wiggling little friends.

Your mid-day snack included a couple of your favorites - The Taste of Scandinavia's cinnamon rolls and Caribou's cookies and cream smoothie.

After a power nap, you were ready for the rest of the celebration.

Lately you've been rather indecisive when asked a question like "what do you want to eat?" or "what do you want to do?" For your celebration dinner, you just couldn't decide. You eventually thought quesadillas from Chipotle would hit the spot, but then put in a last minute request for grilled cheese. You sure do like your cheese and ended up eating both options!

Your celebration couldn't be complete without dessert. We picked up a cake just for the occasion. You happily added four candles and requested the "Happy Family Day to You" song sung to the tune of Happy Birthday. You, along with a bit of help from your big sis, eagerly blew out the candles.

Kate, you are such a ray of sunshine. Full of energy, giggles and the best smile. Your forced smile is as big as your personality and definitely one for the photo album! 

Lately, you are full of questions. You just may be the most curious out of our bunch. Many of your recent questions pertain to being a mama. You often ask, "How big was your belly?" and "How do you take care of a baby?" You are such a motherly little soul. You love your dolls - getting them dressed, changing their diapers, feeding them, even swaddling them up in a blanket.

You are a wonderful big sister. You love helping Aria - fetching her a favorite toy, helping her to sit, and navigating the iPad with her.  Sometimes you even attempt to do her hair. 

You are our little fashionista. You often request to wear one of your large collection of gowns complete with tiara, necklace, earrings and wand. You get dolled up just to spend the day at home or playing outside. There is simply no activity that doesn't call for you to be dressed up in your finest.

While you are most definitely our girly girl, your love for costumes spans from princesses to dinosaurs and everything in between. I must say, you sure do make an adorable T-rex and pirate!

You have quite the sense of humor and think you are pretty funny. Surprising people is your go-to for a big laugh. You'll sneak up behind someone (not so sneakily) and yell, "BOO!" You think it's hilarious and for the most part, we play along. I never do know what silly antic will be next - perhaps a diaper on the head with socks on your hands. You are definitely a goofball.

You have had a long list of nicknames over the years, but Tater Tot is the one that has stuck. It morphed over the years and started with you referring to yourself as "Tate". Tate turned into Tater and finally Tater Tot. We call you it so often that you even refer to yourself as Tater Tot.

You have a very low tolerance for heat. You'll often say, "I like things cold" referring to everything from bath water to food. Why warm up your mac and cheese? You eat the left overs straight out of the fridge nice and cold. Anything hot off the stove goes into the freezer by your request until it's at the perfect chilled temperature.

You have the best dance moves! Your legs and arms flail in all sorts of directions all while you have the biggest grin on your face. The beat gets you going and you just can't stop. You love to dance like nobody's watching.

Every night at bedtime you ask for cuddles. And every morning in the wee dusk of dawn, you crawl into bed next to me to get your daily dose.  If for some reason, you end up sleeping through the night in your own bed, your day is basically ruined as you cry, "I didn't get my cuddles!" You simply need to wake up to a fresh new day while cuddling with your mama.

You tend to get yourself into trouble playing with Rose's things. Recently you found her sparkle lip gloss and thought it would be a great idea to apply it yourself.  I noticed that your lips were extra glossy and you conceded that you had used Rose's lip gloss. You actually did a great job putting it on your lips. But a few minutes later you decided that you needed a bit more sparkle and applied the gloss to your checks and hands. Oh girl! Rose was not so happy to hear that you used up nearly the entire tube. You two fight like cats and dogs some days. And other days, you can be found playing some of your favorite games like "bark bark" where Rose pretends she's a dog and you are her owner taking the very best care of her.  "Come here, honey" you'll say making sure to give her a doggie treat of Cheerios or some other snack you've found.

Kate - you are an amazing little girl. It has been our privilege to watch you grow and learn. No day would be complete without your precious hugs and kisses. We are so thankful to have been chosen for you. A very happy 4th Family Day, Tator Tot!