Your First Halloween

Dear Kate,

We celebrated your first halloween today! We headed over to Jake's house for some dinner (yep, you got a bottle over there!) and then a little trick or treating! You slept the entire time, but you were still cuter than ever!

Oh, and you got a special treat earlier that day without having to do any tricks! You finally got to meet Aunt Jill and Alexis! They were in town doing some shopping and stopped by. Both were so excited to see you and thought you were just beautiful. I'd have to agree!

Look here - you're awake!!! Your eyes are open!!!!

A great first halloween considering you are only 6 weeks old!!! Love you Minnie Mouse!!!

Mimi & Clara Lee Visit

Dear Kate,

Another great week went by, and you are still sweet as can by. Ellie dropped by for a visit with Aunt Steph and needed to hold you...

And of course we went to Mexican on Friday, but Saturday morning, Mimi and Clara Lee dropped in for a visit. Mimi was having a little panic attack because it had been a whole 3 weeks since she'd seen you, so she decided to come up and have a little bonding time with you. And of course, Abs needed someone to play with while Mimi was bonding with you, so she brought your cousin Clara Lee! After catching up on that bonding...

We got dressed and headed to the zoo. Now, when I say 'got dressed' I mean you put on your first ever halloween costume! And guess who you were - Minnie Mouse. Big Sis wanted to be Mickey (yep, that's right, not Minnie, but Mickey) and so I thought it would be perfect for you to be Minnie.

Mommy and her little mice!!!

And it just so happens that Clara Lee dressed up as Minnie last year for Halloween, so she decided to dress up like her again this year, but just for her trip to Nashville. Apparently she's going to be a gypsy for the real halloween...

And Clara Lee had to have a picture with her holding you, too!

So off to the zoo we went! The zoo was having a halloween festival, we like to call it Zoo Boo but I think the official name is Ghouls at Grassmere - Zoo Boo sounds better, huh. Anyway, so we went to the zoo, and you slept while your sister and cousin rode the carousel, and then the hayride. You joined us on the hayride, but didn't blink an eye the whole time. Unfortunately, and to no surprise, your sister got scared of the adults wearing costumes, so we had to cut the zoo trip adventure short. We did get to see the gang for a short period of time, but then off we went to none other than Chick-fil-a! You got to eat your dinner there and we let the girls burn off a little more of that energy, now that scary creatures were far away from us...

Sunday morning, you helped make pancakes and biscuits and bacon, and then we ate it while you drank your yummy milk :) Soon after breakfast, we took another trip to Gentry's Farm. We love it so much, we had to show Mimi and Clara Lee. And what better to wear to a farm than overalls!!! (PS - your sister always has to be touching you!!!)

And, again, Clara Lee needed her turn to hold you. I think we need to tell Aunt Ash-ash to get Clara Lee a little sister for Christmas, what do you think???

You enjoyed the farm, as we rode the hayride, watched the girls on the tire swing, and saw a few goats and chickens. It was a beautiful day and we had such a good time. I can't wait for you to get out there and run with the girls.

After the farm, we headed home because you had visitors! Mommy's cousin, or 2nd cousin, or well, actually, maybe even 3rd??? Or maybe once removed?? Anyway, Mommy's cousin, who is the same age as me and went to school with me and who now lives in Florida came in town - Kim. And she of course brought her other half, Marc. We kept calling him Uncle Marc to you, although I am pretty sure he is in no way, shape or form and Uncle, but it just sounded right! Anyway, they were in town and stopped by to meet you and to visit with Mommy and Daddy and the rest of the crew. Daddy took the opportunity to grill on his fancy egg and we enjoyed the company of family!

I asked "uncle" Marc why he stuck his tongue out at you and he said "She did it first!!" Sure enough, look at that picture above - you were sticking your tongue out at him!!! So he stuck back!

Marc and Kim were so good with you and Abs and Clara Lee. We can't wait for them to get a little one and then we can go visit them in Florida!!!!

Mimi and Clara Lee stuck around for a little bit on Monday to get a few more bonding moments with you and back to Munford they went. Now it's just you and me again (and Daddy and Abs when they get home from school and work!), and we're enjoying the quietness :) Fun fun weekend - Love you Minnie Mouse!!!

One Month

Dear Kate,

You are 1 month old today!

You had a weight check on Monday (2 days ago) and weighed 9 lbs and 7 ozs. You are still my sleepy girl, but you are staying awake a little bit on your own after eating, mainly in the mornings and then after dinner, which is great because I get to play with you in the morning and Daddy and Abby get to play with you after dinner! Daddy is feeding you around 10 pm (while Mommy drifts off to sleep) and you wake up about 3 to eat again, so still no complaining from the Mommy department! You are beautiful as ever and are starting to focus on objects, particularly your sister's face which is right in front of yours any chance she can get!!! Daddy thinks you are grabbing things already and I don't like to spoil his excitement, so I'll agree :) We all love you soooo much baby girl! Happy 1 month birthday Kate!!!

Fall

Dear Kate,

Your Mommy loves some fall weather, and guess what - it's that time of year! The weather here has been just beautiful, so we've been spending tons of time outside. You and I try to do a daily walk around the neighborhood, but that doesn't always happen. This week we were able to get a couple walks in, but we also met some of Mommy's co-workers for lunch. You were fantastic, as you just slept, and that meant Mommy got to chat it up the whole time! Wednesday we picked your sister up from school and her whole class got to meet you! Some of the kiddos were very interested in who's baby that was and your big sis cleared it up that it was HER baby. Thursday was another take Sister to gymnastics/run by Target day and you slept all day long!! Mommy started thinking things through and realized that you clearly have your days and nights mixed up. Not that you are terrible at night. You do great, considering you are less than 4 weeks old, but you can sleep 6-7 hours straight during the day and at night you will sleep about 4, then after you eat you just sit there, wide awake for about 30 minutes or so. So yeah, I realized, hmmm, if we could switch those times around, Mommy might just have won the jack pot!!! So... Friday I tried and tried to keep you awake longer during the day, but man alive it is SO hard. So Saturday, it was on. Between me and Daddy (and waking you every 3 hours to eat instead of 4) we were able to keep you awake a lot longer during the day, and then night time rolled around... Well, sweet Kate, you slept from 10:3o to 5:15!!!!! Like seriously - you rock! I knew you had it in you, just had to get you on the right time zone!! Of course, today was a little more difficult in keeping you awake all day again, so I'm not so sure tonight will produce the same outcome, but, again, I know you have it in you, so it is on!!!

And so are our fall festivities! So Friday night, we headed to Mexican (this time Mommy got to go with you and Daddy and Abs!) and we met Mr. Lee, Miss Leigh, Ryan and Jake and you actually ate with us! And then while the older siblings ran around outside (you will come to learn this is what they do after Mexican), the daddys sat at the table holding the babies! I wish I could have taken a picture. It was rather sweet!

Saturday morning we got up and headed to Gentry's Farm. Gentry's Farm is this really old farm in Franklin and every fall they grow a pumpkin patch where you can pick out any size pumpkin you want. And they also have all kinds of fun things like farm animals and corn mazes and barn mazes and hay rides and tire swings - and well, you get the picture, all kinds of fun stuff. The gang has been going since we've had kiddos and this year was no exception (well, with the exception of Ellie! She was with Nona this weekend, so they didn't make it!). First things first, we had to get the pictures taken! We've learned this should be done first thing because trying to get this group together (and clean!) afterwards is a no-go!! As expected, you and Abs were cute as can be and did just perfect for the photo session, other than that sun getting in your eyes!

And Daddy is no longer allowed to take pictures. This would have been the best picture if a little something wasn't in the background!!!

And of course we have to get our group shot, this year with 2 more additions!!!

And our family shot!!

As I mentioned before, we were focused on keeping you awake that day so I had to wake you up multiple times. It wasn't too hard because I kept getting you in and out of the car seat, whether it was to take pictures or to go on your first hay ride!! That's right, we had such a fun little hay ride. Since we were all on it, I was not able to get a picture, but I'm hoping Miss Leigh was able to get something with her camera! You loved it though, and your sister was very concerned the cows were going to get in with us! While Grant, Ryan and Abs played with the animals and ran through the barn maze, you and Jake just chilled - thankfully because those kiddos had a lot of energy burning off of them! After Gentry's, we headed to Riff's for some burgers and I let you sleep the whole time. We got home just in time to watch a little UT football and then the Grugetts (Ryan & Jake) came over to just hang out with us. You and Jake are going to be buddies, I can tell. As for that night, you two just stared at each other!

That night, I HAD to dress you and your big sis in your matching halloween pj's! I am in love with y'all!! Too too cute! PS - they glow in the dark and we had so much fun going in the laundry room to see your 'bones'!

Sunday morning we were all happy campers (member, you slept forever!!) and is was a good thing because we had family coming to meet you! As you may remember, Aunt Amy was there when you were born, but Uncle Martin and the 3 Ing childrens had not met you yet, so Daddy grilled up some yummness and they came on into town!

Here's your Uncle Martin - he was very nervous at first on how to hold you, which is funny because he has 3 babies - of course, the youngest is 7, so it's been awhile!

Look how sweet! I have to tell you, although he may get mad at me, but when Uncle Martin was holding you, he shed a few tears. I think he started thinking about his little girl or maybe he just smelled your sweetness, but whatever it was, it was touching. (of course, you will see, Uncle Martin is kind of known for shedding tears here and there, but it was still sweet!).

And Caroline was SUPER eager to hold you. She also was very excited to see you move and shouted "She's alive!" but I think she meant to say "she's awake"!!!

Caroline was so sweet. When she came in the house she had a present for you and Aunt Amy said that she (Caroline) had wrapped something all on her own and no one knew what it was. So we opened it up and it was one of her stuffed animals!! So sweet.

And of course your Aunt Amy held you plenty...

And big sis had to have a few pictures with you...

After we ate lunch, we took everyone over to the house and then enjoyed the afternoon sitting outside with the family. Aunt Amy was nice enough to feed you but wasn't down with 'keeping you awake' and instead let you sleep in her arms. And of course, Uncle Martin had to get another round in of loving on you!!!

I'm not so sure your sleeping is going to go as well tonight! You had some comfy arms holding you all day today and you just couldn't resist that sleep!!!

After everyone left, we all rested for a little bit and then you and Abs helped Daddy carve our pumpkin!

Okay, 'help' is used loosely, but you will, one day!

A great fall week baby girl! And I'm positive there are more to come!! Love you!!!

Third Week

Dear Kate,

Another week, and you are still precious as ever.

You are three weeks old as of today, and while there aren't really any milestones to report, there was some fun in this third week of your life. To begin, it was me and you, all week long, and Abs joined us on Thursday! The two of us did a lot of little things like grocery shopped and folded some clothes and cooked some dinners, but the one thing I TRIED to do was take a picture of you for your announcement. Man alive, I don't know if I am just super picky or just no good, but I took, oh, I don't know, 2,000 pictures! Okay, not that much, but still. Here are a few of the 2,000 that did not make the cut:

This is my fave! It's like you are saying "nana, nana, boo boo - you're not going to get a good picture of me!!!!"
And you look 6 feet long here!

And then there became a debate on which was better between these two:

Daddy liked this one and claimed many people at his work did, too...

And Mommy, Mimi and Aunt Ash-ash though this one was the best (of what we had to work with!!)...

Guess which one won out :) I did get these cutie-patootie feet though...

So yeah, my first day at home all day with both of you was Thursday. I have to say, it wasn't too bad!! I think I'm going to make it :) Abs has gymnastics on Thursday at 9:30, so that morning, we woke up and immediately started preparing for our departure. I figured it would give us a little trouble so I was prepared, but in reality, it wasn't too bad. Your big sis can be helpful (can be, most of the time, that morning she was - later that afternoon, not so much, but nothing to discuss just yet...). So we dropped her off at gymnastics and ran back home because I forgot my phone (okay, so it was 100% perfect departure!). Once we picked Abs up, I decided to challenge myself since so far things were smooth - so we went to Target! First off, it was a first with both of you, second, it was a first with that weird shopping cart where Abs can sit on the front and you in the back. It wasn't too bad, other than it's really hard to steer! And your sister likes to prop her feet up as if she's on a beach vacation! So Target was a hit! I even ran into a friend and looked quite composed for being in that condition!! But, once we got home, things got a little crazy for a bit. First, the cleaning people were still at our house and we needed to eat lunch - all of us. And your sister isn't fond of the cleaning people, although they are very nice, she just is rather shy around them. So, between carrying her around AND you around, getting lunch and eating it outside so we didn't bother the cleaning, I was exhausted. Soon enough they left but minutes after I thought things were going to be calm, and you got sick - all over your bed, and of course you. So we had to have an emergency bath, no monkey bath, and a certain big sis was determined to help - anyway - all in all, it was a tough hour and 1/2 or so, BUT, we all got settled back down and by the time Daddy got home, we had dinner on the table!! I consider it an "A" of a day!!

Friday, it was just you and me again, while Abs went to school - but not for long. Sarah came in town!!!!! She wanted to get some one on one time with you and Abs, and maybe a little with me, too, so she drove in on Friday and stayed all weekend. The 3 of us decided to make a quick trip to the mall and then we picked up Abby from school. You of course slept the whole time. That night Sarah and Mommy got to have our one on one time while Daddy babysat the 2 of you. Now, I arranged it so I didn't have to leave until 6:45, so Abs would be in jammies and almost ready for bed, and you were going to be situated, with just needing to eat once while I was gone. BUT, your crazy Daddy decided he could not wait another week to get back into the Friday night Mexican with the gang and so he took both of you, on his own!!! I'm not sure what was going down with that, but he did it, and apparently did it well! I think he had a little help from Aunt Steph, but nonetheless, he took the challenge and succeeded!! I did miss your first Mexican trip, but I think it's a better story knowing Daddy took his 2 girls all on his own, don't you!

On Saturday, Daddy, you and I ran a few errands and Abs got to spend some time with her BFF. We ran to Lowes and shopped for furniture and even tried out a couple mattresses, of course, surprise surprise, you slept! Well, actually, I did have to wake you up to feed you while we were waiting at the furniture store - man alive they were slow! But you were still a perfect angel. That afternoon, we met up with Sis and Sarah and went to the "big" park. It has been just beautiful fall days and we were soaking it up. THEN, after the park we HAD to go get ice cream from Cece's!! You will find, this is Mimi's and Abby's favorite place, and I have to admit, not too far from my top favorite place either! Saturday night, Daddy grilled out for us and we enjoyed even more of the beautiful weather and then on Sunday, Daddy took you to Uncle JAybee's to watch the Titans game while Mommy and Abs went to a baby shower. Apparently, you did fantastic and Uncle Jaybee even got to feed you!!

That afternoon, we had a picnic in our new neighborhood where we got to meet all our soon to be neighbors!! Did I mention we're building a house??? Anyway, we're building our house right not, getting REALLY close, and apparently our subdivision has a fall picnic every year. It was so great to meet the neighbors - so many of them said they had seen me over and over again carrying you and kept wondering if I had had you or not - to say the least, you were a hit at that picnic! And specifically with one particular neighbor, our right next door to us neighbor who is 15 years old and loves her some babies!! Can someone say 'babysitter'??!! Her name was Lauren, and all she wanted to do was just stare at you! I asked her if she wanted to hold you and you would have thought I offered her a new car!! And boy did she hold you!! And what a natural. No doubt she is going to be babysitting you and Abs!!! And there were so many other great neighbors, too. We cannot wait to move in!

(this was after we got back - you still look JUST like your big sis!!)

Overall, a fantastic week baby girl. You are still doing fantastic with sleeping and eating and little to no crying!! Loving it!! and Loving you!!!

Two Weeks

Dear Kate,

Well, you are two weeks old and I just cannot believe it. Time is already going by so fast. As your sister would say "Slooooooooow dowwwwwwwwn". Please :)

You came home from the hospital on Wednesday and it did not take long at all to get you adjusted. As of now, you are a very laid back baby - just a smidge different than what you sister was. The first night was easy breezy because all you did was sleep! Of course, with all that sleep comes a little stress because you would not eat without me pretty much dunking you under water (no, I never did that, but I did have to strip you down multiple times to get you to wake up to eat!!). Look how sweet you are though - you love you some fingers!!

Thursday, Mimi and Daddy took Abs to gymnastics, so it was just me and you for the morning - well, until 2 of Mommy's friends (Miss Jill and Miss Alicia) stopped by to see if you really were as cute as I said you were. You, as expected, slept the whole time! I'll admit it, I was a little skeptical on the whole 'baby sleeps all the time thing' because your sister just did not do that her first couple of days, or weeks... So I had my concerns, but people, including the doc, reassured me that you were fine, that this is normal! Friday we went to the doctor for a check up...

If you notice, you lost a little more weight than what the doc wanted, so we had to make a few adjustments to your eating schedule - part of it being waking you up more! Other than that, everything checked out just great! After the doc, we made a REALLY quick trip into Target - i know, 5 days old and already at Target, but we covered you up and rushed through to get the couple things we needed. Shhh, don't tell anyone.

Friday night we did not make it to Mexican - thought maybe that was pushing it, but we did have a nice dinner at home and your sister got to love on you a bunch!!

Saturday rolled around and you had more visitors! Papa brought Uncle Jordan over to meet you and to give out a few hugs himself...

And then Pic-pic came in town and got to finally meet you!

And then, you made your debut with the whole gang!!! It was Mr. Jay's birthday and Mr. Lee was having a little birthday party for him with the whole gang there. We didn't stay long, but did get to visit for a little bit and let your sister blow off some energy with Ryan and Ellie and Baby Grant! I didn't get any pictures there, but I did get this cute picture before we left in one of your million matching outfits :)

Sunday rolled around and we all felt pretty confident in you eating and how much you were sleeping and Mimi decided she'd head back to Munford BUT she had to give you a bath first! Well, not an official bath, as your umbilical cord had not fallen off just yet, so she gave you your first 'monkey bath'! You will see, Mommy is a fan of monkey baths!

So Mimi left and took Abby with her, but just for a couple of days! Sunday and Monday were both pretty relaxed days and then Tuesday, Mimi and Abs popped back in town. On Wednesday, we had another doc appointment to check your weight and you gained!!! Not quite to your birth weight but enough to make us all relax! And another friend of Mommy's, Miss Kristin, stopped by to visit (and bring some yummy food) while Mimi did some shopping and your sister went to school. And then Thursday - the big day on Thursday. What did you do??? Well, you made your first trip to Memphis!!! I know, I know - already??!! BUT, it was either A) go to Memphis or B) have EVERYONE come here! So we chose option A!! We picked Abs up from school and headed that way. We did have to make a stop at a rest area and get your belly filled up, but it was actually a nice little stop. It was beautiful fall weather and we just sat outside and let you eat! Of course, you slept the entire time! But that's okay - I am NOT complaining at all!!!
Once we got to Mimi's house, you had some very anxious family members eager to meet you! Aunt G was ready to get her hands on you and she wasn't going to share!!!

But eventually we made her share a little. Here's Katie getting her share...
And then Em!John Michael looked at you, but he couldn't sit still long enough to get a picture!!! Oh and you did fantastic at your first night at Mimi's house! On Friday, we headed down to Mammaws to let her meet you... (yes, another matchy outfit - Mommys very proud of these because she made them/had someone make them!!!)

And then we headed over to Papa Robs for dinner where Gramma and Grandaddy got to meet you. BUT, someone hogged you the whole time so I didn't get ANY pictures with Gramma or Grandaddy - wonder who that was...

In her defense, she didn't know Gramma hadn't had much time with you. And, she gets you awesome presents so she can hold you as long as she wants!!!

Papa Rob was able to grab a picture with his granddaughters though...

Gramma cooked us a good dinner but of course you slept the whole time and then it was back to Mimi's for a good night sleep. Right now, you are waking up once in the middle of the night. Typically I can feed you around 9ish and then you wake up around 2ish and then again around 6ish. And, because Mimi is an early riser, she's been doing the 6ish feeding!! Mimi's good like that - you will see.

On Saturday, we had to get ready for John Michael's 2nd birthday (another reason we came to Munford!) and since your umbilical cord fell off (and because Mommy gets nervous about things like this) Mimi helped give you your first bath. And, of course when I say 'helped' I mean 'gave you a bath while I took pictures!!'. But your sis helped, of course...

As expected, you were content! And man alive did you smell good!!! We finally got to put baby lotion on you and, ummmmm, Mommy just loves that baby smell!! Once we got you clean and smelly delicious, we headed to John Michael's party (oh, and Daddy arrived in town!). I decided I would just wait to get to the party to take pictures, but I should have known something would come up. Unfortunately, you sister cut her finger pretty bad within minutes of arriving and well, I won't get into the long story with you, but she required Mommy's full attention for pretty much the rest of the party, or if it wasn't Mommy it had to be Daddy or Mimi. To say the least, she was not taking any pictures with you, and if I did convince her, it would have to be with a wash rag tied around her finger... BUT, you did get to finally meet Aunt Lynnie at the party and the rest of the family got to snuggle with you some more!

You slept through most of that party, but don't worry - there will be plenty of parties for you to play at with all your cousins!!!! After the party, it was just me and you and Daddy so we decided just to hang out at Sarah's house and watch a little football (Abs went to stay with Clara Lee). After you went through all 4 diapers I brought, we decided to head back to Mimi's. Early Sunday morning, we headed back home to Franklin and because we can't get enough of family we invited Aunt Steph and Uncle Jaybee and Ellie over to grill some burgers. Secretly it was a way to get Aunt Steph over so she could file your finger nails :) (which she did!!). Mommy HATES dealing with baby finger nails! And that's what aunts are good for, at least that aunt, right?!

So that wraps up your first 2 weeks in our family! Yeah, that's pretty much the pace we take - go go go. BUT, I really need you to SLOOOOOOW DOWWWWWN because I am loving you at this snuggly, smell good, sweet baby stage!! LOVE YOU SWEET KATE!!!!