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!!!