The Dickens

Dear Kate,

We've had another great week/weekend of Christmas activities, and a few others along the way. We met Miss EP and "Baby" Grant (you clearly are more of the baby, but he'll always be our baby Grant!) and Aunt Steph and Ellie at the library for story time. You clearly felt the story was way below your level and was boring you to death because you slept through the whole thing! We grabbed some pizza afterwards and headed over to Aunt Steph's to let your crazy sister be destructive with her crazy cousin. Please be the calm one of the bunch - please :)

You and I ran a few errands on Wednesday (and 'few' is used loosely here - all we do lately is run one errand after the other!), and Thursday we went to Sister's gymnastics and cooked candy the rest of the day!

Well, some of us cooked it. And some of us ATE it!!! That would be me and your sister. You had enough self control to just sit back and relax while we cooked and ate.

On Friday, Mimi arrived!! We did A LOT of shopping with her all day on Friday and went to Mexican Friday night. On Saturday we headed out to Dickens Christmas in downtown Franklin. We bundled you up in one of those snowsuit things because it was SUPER cold. You slept the entire time we walked around and even missed Santa. Don't worry, we went to Cece's (yes, even though it was freezing!) and guess who was there???

You sister didn't even get close, but Mommy woke you up to eat and to get a great picture!! I'm pretty sure you told him you wanted a soccer ball for Christmas. We continued to do a few more errands/shopping after Dickens and then headed home, exhausted. You, of course, were fully rested. Sunday came and you and Daddy headed over to Uncle Jaybee's to watch the game while Mommy and Abs went to a birthday party. We eventually wound up over there, which was it's own adventure in itself and I'm not sure Abs will be invited back anytime soon :)

This week has been pretty active as well. We made more candy/sweets...

Yes, she's pulling your ear, and yes she got in trouble. Abs got her haircut and insisted on cutting yours...

She gets really into it and makes you "Look at your Mommy" and "Now look down" but gets pretty frustrated when you don't do what she says. I can't seem to make her understand that you can't follow her every command just yet. She does love playing with you though. And always needs you to sit by her.

You are sweet enough to cooperate most of the time. And you continue to be such a sweet baby in general.

This weekend we have a lot of Christmas activities going on with the Clark Family Christmas and then our own little family Christmas party all before we head to Munford for a whole week of Christmas!!! I love celebrating your first Christmas little bit!!! Love you!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Dear Kate,

It's Christmas time!!! Hooray!!! Hooray for Christmas music, and Christmas trees, and Christmas pajamas, and Christmas parades, and, well, you get the picture - hooray for Christmas time!

Last Wednesday (after a VERY stressful move on Monday and Tuesday), we got all the decorations out that we had and got to work on our tree. Now, I know I haven't mentioned the move too much, or well, the details of it, and there is a reason (it's stresses Mommy out!), but you know we moved, and with that move came hardly any decorations (it's all in storage until we move in the new house). So, we were a little limited on our decorations this year - BUT, good news is we made the best of it. I got you and your sister in your matching Christmas pajamas, turned on some Christmas music, and we got to work!

And about 10 minutes later, we were done!

I know it's not much, but all the ornaments on that tree had a special meaning. Three of them were from trips you took in my belly!!! Two beach trips and a trip to Austin! So see, it may not be much, but it has meaning behind it! And doesn't your stocking look just perfect beside your sisters!!! I can't believe it's your first Christmas!! You girls are going to be so much fun!

We've been super busy with the short term move but managed to fit a play date with Jacob and Anna Porter. Thursday after Sister's gymnastics we headed over there to get a little play time in. Anna is getting to be such a big girl now and loves her some baby Kate! We had to keep an extra eye on her, which was rather hard cause when Miss Kristin and Mommy get together its' nonstop talking 'till we walk out the door - and even then we chat it up a little on the front porch! So after lots of fun (and even a little cookie decorating!) we headed to Memphis - yes,I know I said we were busy, but we had to get your 3 month pictures (I know, right - 3 month pictures already!!!), but Saturday morning we headed back to town because our little town of Franklin had it's Christmas parade! We met Ellie and Aunt Steph and Miss Leigh and Ryan (Mr. Lee and Jake were somewhere further down because they had trouble parking and the parade started before they could get to us!!!). We got our typical spot beside CeCe's and got there in plenty of time to get our starbucks, like we do every year. Of course, you didn't get any, but Mommy has a new favorite and cannot wait for you to indulge in it - White Hot Chocolate! Oh my... You girlies looked so cute in your matching Christmas tree outfits and I came so close to getting a picture of the 2 of you smiling at the same time...

But that cute shirt got in the way!!!!! Here's you and Daddy at the parade. You had a wonderful time looking at all the horses and bands and floats.

You and Mommy also had to make a second trip to Starbucks because someone decided to let loose on something they'd been holding onto for about 3 days. That's all I'm going to say about that.

After the parade, we headed over to Ryan's house to hang out for the rest of the afternoon/evening. You actually stayed awake a majority of the time and got to play with your bo, Jake. He's such a cutey and Abby loves to make him smile, which he always does!

Once we got home, we got you and your sister to bed - and may I add that you are indeed sleeping from about 8:30 to 7:30 every night. I thought maybe it was just because of the shots, but nope, you are pretty darn consistent. I can't believe it. I always thought those people that said their babies slept so much were, well, liars, but I stand corrected - those babies do exist. And man alive I am grateful you are one of them and all mine!!!

So, Sunday morning we got up and started getting VERY spifted up because we were going to see Santa Claus! You were super excited about this, I have no doubt, but I was nervous for your sister, as she has been a little, well, scared, in the past. She decided that it would be best if YOU sat in his lap and she stand beside him. I thought that was a good idea, so we went with it.

Now, I would have loved to get a closer picture of the 2 of you with Santa, but your sister had all she could take of that man and that was as close as she was getting. She told him what she wanted and off she went! So Santa got to spend a little alone time with you :)
I heard you whisper something about a little blue box. Maybe Santa and Daddy can go shopping together...

After Santa, we headed over to Opryland Hotel where we walked all around and looked at the beautiful lights and decorations everywhere. You lasted a total of about 3 minutes and then were out like a light! But your sister was all over the place!!!

Isn't it (and she) just beautiful?! I wish you could have been awake because it was so pretty and there were tons of picture opportunities, but we decided to let you sleep. But we also decided to make sure to come back every year, and on a Sunday - it was so NOT crowded and so nice to be able to push the stroller at our own leisurely pace. After a little lunch, we walked around a little more and then headed back to the house. It was a wonderful day with just the four of us, a nice family tradition we've started! And just the beginning of our wonderful holiday season!!! Stay sweet and Santa will visit, no doubt! Love you baby girl!

Two Month Check Up

Dear Kate,

Well, we finally made it to your 2 month check up. As expected, you are perfect. But here are some details:

You weighed in at 12 pounds and a full 24 inches tall! That's 75% in weight and 95% in height. Not surprising at all considering your sister was off the chart multiple times with her height. Doc said you were smiling perfectly, but was a bit concerned about your head shape - apparently you are partial to laying on a certain side. He said it's nothing for us to get too concerned about, just make a point to lay you on the other side. I told him that was hard considering you sleep 8+ hours straight, and when you sleep, I sleep! But I'll try. And yeah, that's right. The last 2 nights you've slept from about 10-10:30 to 7:30!!!!! We were all awake, just watching you wondering when you were going to join us this morning. Doc gave me a high five for that - he didn't seem to concerned, huh.

Your sister went with us to the doc today and she was quite the entertainment for us all. She let EVERYONE know that she was not sick and that you were the one who was sick, the receptionist, the nurse, the other nurse that walked by, and the doc all were informed first thing. And when the doctor came in and started asking questions about you - like "How is Miss Kate" or "She eating good?" Abigail was first to answer, not me! She said you were good and that yes, you liked your bottles. The doctor continued to carry on a conversation with her rather than me, and of course, she let him know you were the sick one, not her. When he started poking and prodding you, she was right up in his business. There was a stool and she just scooted it right up under him, watching his every move, and trying to imitate most. We both stopped her when she tried to stick her finger in your mouth! She's going to make a great doctor one day, but we don't need her to practice on you. Oh, and when that nurse came in to give you your 2 shots - man alive you should have seen the dirty looks your sister gave her! I actually was laughing, it was so evil. It totally was a "What in the WORLD are you doing to my sister" look. Thankfully all it took was a little hug from your mom and you were settled back down. Pretty impressive if you ask me. And Sister picked out a princess sticker for you, which settled her down. It had 2 princesses on it, which I felt was very appropriate. You've done just great with your shots, sleeping most of the day with a little play time once we got back home.

Overall, a great 2 month check up. I think for the 4 month we might leave Dr. Sis at home though! She might start having anxiety attacks when seeing a nurse :)

Love you sweet thing!

Thanksgiving 2011

Dear Kate,

You celebrated your first Thanksgiving and what a great one it was! On Wednesday, we joined your big sis at her school for a Thanksgiving lunch with her whole class. You had a blast because all the Ab's friends were so interested in you. Several asked to pet you and others had lots and lots of questions, although the main one was "Is that Abigail's baby". Miss Whitney (her teacher) informed me that she tells everyone that you are her baby! I don't blame her - look how precious you are!

You even got other teachers stopping by! Miss Sabrina dropped in because she heard you were making an appearance!!

After a yummy lunch, we headed to Cookeville to Aunt Amy and Uncle Martin's house. You relaxed for a bit while the other kiddos played outside...

And of course Aunt Amy had to have some play time - and your sister was right there to show her how...And Caroline took about 2oo picture of you!! She's turning into her Auntie Nicole!
We enjoyed a nice afternoon hanging out with family and you proved your Mommy right - a perfect angel, just like I said you'd be :) That night Papa played with you for a bit before bedtime and just couldn't get over how sweet and laid back you were (I think he means to say "especially considering your momma and sister!!!)

Thanksgiving Day morning, you enjoyed watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with all your cousins jumping around you and soon enough Papa realized you needed a break! So he volunteered to take you on a hike, along with all the other kiddos!

I was more than happy for him to take you all on a walk and even suggested Uncle Martin and Daddy to join y'all! Now, your Aunt Amy was SUPER awesome this year and volunteered to cook the entire Thanksgiving meal on her own since we're in the middle of moving, and Aunt Steph is in the middle of having a baby, or super super close! At first I was a little hesitant because, well, she and Uncle Martin tend to make, how do I put it, different meals than the normal American family, which might make sense since Uncle M isn't exactly American. But anyway, I was a little hesitant, but Aunt Amy sent me the full menu, including multiple potato dishes, so I was content. And I was a little worried we might be eating at 10 that night, but she assured me that that is always Uncle Martin's fault and that she was the head chef today so I had nothing to worry about. Well, you know me, I had to see it to believe it, and at 9 that morning, we were chopping onions, cutting green beans, baking potatoes, and all kinds of things! So far, she was very organized and ahead of the game!

Meanwhile, you posed for a few shots in an outfit Nan gave you - that's Uncle Martin's mom. She sent you something all the way from England, so we Skype with her to show off what a beauty you were in her outfit!!

By noon, I realized that maybe, just maybe, your Aunt Amy was going to pull this off. So I took a few steps back and let her do her thing! And got you and your sister all spiffed up for your first Thanksgiving...

I'm telling you, the two of you are such precious little turkeys! And what a relaxing Thanksgiving. It was so nice not to be scrambling around the kitchen, jumping over one person or the other trying to get your dish made and at the same time as the others just to make sure you're not the reason the dinner isn't served on time! Well, it was relaxing for everyone except maybe Aunt Amy. Don't worry, she had a little help... The boys had to do their part.

And Uncle Martin had to tell them what they were doing wrong...

And believe it or not, we were sitting down to dinner by 6 o'clock!!! Look at the beautiful turkey!

Aunt Amy outdid herself and we all ate and ate and ate, and then went around to tell everyone what we were thankful for. You didn't say much, but I bet you were thinking that you were so thankful to be a part of such an awesome fam! Right??! I know I was - and thankful to have such beautiful, healthy girls, and that ole dad of yours too!

After dinner, you were sweet as can be and slept like an angel while we played games with the fam. The next morning we had a delicious breakfast, but unfortunately we did not go on our annual day after Thanksgiving Day hike - don't worry, you got lots of loving by your cousin Caroline (although she doesn't look particularly happy here, she was very happy to be holding you on her own!)

I was rather disappointed we didn't get to hike, seeing as this was going to be your first hike, but we needed to get back home and get things packed (another story...).

All in all, a very special first Thanksgiving for you baby girl! Love you!!

Two Months

Dear Kate,

We have not been to the doc yet for your two month appointment, so I'll wait to go into detail about how awesome you are after that and just focus on how cute you are for now!!!

Told ya! You're a cutey!!

Sips and Sees

Dear Kate,

Because you are so beautiful and sweet, your aunts just knew everyone was going to want to see you. So they were kind enough to host a Sip and See for all of our family. Last Sunday, a bunch of family members stopped by Aunt Steph's house to sip some punch and see what a beauty you are! Aunt Jill and Aunt Amy did a fantastic job at decorating and having such yummy cake and 'sips'. AND, at the same time of your "Sip and See" we had a baby shower for Christopher!! Aunt Amy knows how to knock 2 birds out with one stone!!!

Amongst those that 'saw' you were your Aunt Carly!! You finally got to meet her. Get to know her well, she will be a good babysitter!

Some other guests included Papa Larry's sisters, Aunt Linda, Aunt Carol, and Aunt Marilyn. Papa is so proud of you and has no problems bragging about you to his sisters!!! I know it gets old, but you did SOOO good and just slept in someone's arms the whole time! The Grugetts girls came along with a few other relatives (and of course Mimi!). Oh, and of course your crazy cousins (and sister were there)...

And Caro had to hold you...

And, well, Ellie HAD to get her picture with you, too!! She's such a cheeser!!

Look how awesome this cake was!

And Aunt Jill went c-r-a-z-y with the centerpiece. She's awesome like that. Now if she will just come work on our new house :)
Here's your Momma with your awesome Aunts!!! You were too busy being held to join the pictures...

It was quite the fun party, I have to say. You are so grateful to have such awesome family!

AND, you've got double it because guess what! That very next weekend we headed to Munford for another Sip and See!!! Aunt Ash-ash and Mimi had some family and friends over to take a good look at you, just to confirm all the wonderful things I say about you :)

We were able to get some before pictures, but did not get a single shot of anything during the shower!!!

I think we sure do clean up nicely though...

Yes, I was standing right there to the left while Ash-ash took the picture!!!! You should see the one of Clara Lee holding you! She's just not used to those real babies :)

Again, you were a perfect little angel and even got a little something to sip yourself (a bottle of course!). Mommy's childhood friends Miss Erin and Miss Lee stopped by, along with Lee's mom, Miss Cathy. And no, that is not the same Erin and Leigh that we hang out with every single weekend now. It's a bit odd that my closest friends from childhood are Erin and Lee and my closest friends now are Erin and Leigh, but I'm not changing it anytime soon :)

And of course, your sister's BFF - Sarah - stopped by. She had to pry you away from Mimi and a few others to get her time! Aunt Ash-ash and Mimi did awesome and even had the HUGEST pedifores (yes, I have NO clue how to spell that!!) EVER! Mighty delicious though :)

See, told you you are so lucky to have double the awesome family!!! And we're so lucky to have such a sweet, sweet Kate!! Love you baby girl!!!!