In just a few short hours Katie will be officially 7 months old. I cannot believe just how fast the time has gone. Before I was pregnant I never could have imagined myself fulfilled as a stay-at-home Mom, but now I cannot imagine being happy any other way! Right now Katie and I are laying on the floor in her nursery. I am watching as she plays with her toys ... making a beautiful mess of them. I unboxed 2 new 6 month toys I had purchased for her before she was even born, and I also turned a small basket of toys on its side for her to get what she wanted. At the moment EVERY toy is out and the pile has been spread all around her on the floor. She's reaching, rolling, grabbing, chewing, and making adorable noises as she investigates the world around her. Who needs television when you have a 7 month old to watch?
On Sunday March 21st, out of the corner of my eye I caught Katelyn pushing up for the 1st time. By Monday it was clear that she was making progress in getting up on her hands and knees. Just over a week later she is rolling across rooms, pushing up and rocking, and moving toward anything she wants. Barkley is adjusting to his new little buddy's latest skill - he runs away from her. Katie tries to be gentle, but Barkley has fur that's just right for grabbing; however, it's a pretty even battle once he starts licking her. Giggling and talking to him she keeps reaching as he licks her hands and face ... that is, until I stop him. Yucky!
Once I mixed some milk into the squash Katie decided that it was really quite yummy. I guess that makes it more cream of squash, and I'm just happy she likes it. Kate is still quite a fan of nursing and she does really like rice cereal ... I just hope she appreciates the zucchini Grandma has made her for Easter dinner.
Having no fear of strangers, Katelyn went to the nursery at church for the 1st time this past Sunday. She has started talking a lot now and even her pacifier couldn't deter her from being loud during service. I decided to be brave and let her go to the nursery ... she loved it! I dropped her off and went to go get her diaper bag ... when I came back just moments later she was in one of those exersaucer things jumping up and down and grinning. I returned at the end of service to find her snuggled up in a volunteer's arms, wrapped in her blanket, and sucking on her pacifier. It seems they took very good care of my baby! It was a BIG step for me, and I am proud of just how well we both handled it.
Everyday I love Katelyn more. I cannot believe just how wonderful it is to be a Mommy! She is such a joy and she makes me smile. Playing peek-a-boo and giggling have become two of our newest favorite activities. She makes my life more fun, and I am looking forward to all the upcoming experiences I will get to have living life through her eyes. For now that will have to wait because with her foot caught in the basket from the toys, and a tired cry coming from her mouth that's my cue that nap time is here.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Squash
Today I actually cooked for Katelyn ... her 1st baby food besides rice cereal. While she was taking her morning nap I got the acorn squash out of the refrigerator and began by cutting it up into smaller pieces. After removing the seeds and some pulp I tossed all the pieces, skin still attached, into the steamer basket of a large pot. Under the guidance of my mom I put 1-1.5 inches of water at the bottom of the pot. After steaming the pieces of squash for what felt like forever I checked for softness with a fork. I separated the meat from the skin and using the fork I mashed the vegetable a bit. Then I scooped the mashed squash into my Kitchen Aid food processor and began to puree it. I added some water from the steamer pot to get the correct consistency and tasted the deliciousness that would be Katie's lunch. I was impressed! So proud of myself for actually cooking my daughter's first meal I was eagerly anticipated her awaking from her nap. Unfortunately, Katie was a little less than impressed by the squash ... although she didn't totally hate it I can't say she's looking forward to lunch tomorrow - which of course will be squash again. Poor baby, she's going to have to learn to like things not made from my milk. Oh well, I have hope it'll get better the more often she eats vegetables ... I am still proud of myself - I would, and have, eaten the squash I made. It is tasty!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Moving Right Along
It's official ... Katelyn can move around on her own! Still no railing or baby gate in sight; however, that has not stopped my determined little one. I am impressed with her persistence and strength! Katie pushed up on her hands and knees, and began rocking this morning. She can scoot backward, roll, and rotate/pivot ... and she's already getting faster at all of the above! I just pried her little baby fingers off the laptop cord and relocated her to the far end of her tummy time blanket.
Additionally she has also added a number of new sounds to her growing list - there's a "bla, bla, bla" noise coming out of her mouth right now. More importantly, she now says "ma ma" it doesn't mean Mommy yet, but we're so close - either way, I go running to her when I hear it. Oh, how I love her!
Additionally she has also added a number of new sounds to her growing list - there's a "bla, bla, bla" noise coming out of her mouth right now. More importantly, she now says "ma ma" it doesn't mean Mommy yet, but we're so close - either way, I go running to her when I hear it. Oh, how I love her!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
6 Months
What an incredible age ... so far, 6 months is my favorite! Katelyn is sitting up with minimal support, and this has given her a whole new perspective. She pulls forward in her bouncy seat and swing to sit on her own, and has begun playing with toys while sitting in front of me on the floor.
At exactly 6 months she began eating Rice Cereal. Although it is sometimes a bit messy ... Katelyn really loves her new food. I discovered (the hard way) that frozen milk does not taste good in cereal. Once we got over that obstacle, Katie began opening her mouth like a little bird waiting for the spoon. Speaking of food, Joe and I went out to dinner for the 1st time since Katie's birth. After our annual visit to the accountant we made our way to the traditional Red Lobster celebration dinner as a family. Katie dined out like a rockstar!
Katie experienced her first teething pain during month 5 and received Dr. Seuss' The Teeth Book as an award - she also received a few doses of Tylenol for the 1st time as well. New sounds are another development for Kate. She began two new sounds this past week - buzzing her lips and smacking her lips. Both sound equally hilarious and loud ... just another step toward talking. Of course, she has just added these two new ones to the repertoire of existing loud expressions.
Most recently Kate has started to make more progress in the area of crawling. She can push her belly up off the ground, and has even started to get onto her knees a bit. She is working so hard! I am SO proud of her!!!
At exactly 6 months she began eating Rice Cereal. Although it is sometimes a bit messy ... Katelyn really loves her new food. I discovered (the hard way) that frozen milk does not taste good in cereal. Once we got over that obstacle, Katie began opening her mouth like a little bird waiting for the spoon. Speaking of food, Joe and I went out to dinner for the 1st time since Katie's birth. After our annual visit to the accountant we made our way to the traditional Red Lobster celebration dinner as a family. Katie dined out like a rockstar!
Katie experienced her first teething pain during month 5 and received Dr. Seuss' The Teeth Book as an award - she also received a few doses of Tylenol for the 1st time as well. New sounds are another development for Kate. She began two new sounds this past week - buzzing her lips and smacking her lips. Both sound equally hilarious and loud ... just another step toward talking. Of course, she has just added these two new ones to the repertoire of existing loud expressions.
Most recently Kate has started to make more progress in the area of crawling. She can push her belly up off the ground, and has even started to get onto her knees a bit. She is working so hard! I am SO proud of her!!!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Rolling Over - The Other Way
Just before 9:40 this morning Katie rolled over from her belly to her back! I am so incredibly proud of her ... she has been working hard at trying to crawl - getting her belly off the ground and trying to push up higher on her knees. Her persistence is encouraging and her loud grunting noises and shrieks humorous. I am amazed by her everyday and still cannot believe that this little girl is really mine!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
5 Months
I remember when life crept along ever so slowly ... like my entire 5th grade year, or when I was waiting to marry Joe. It's just simply amazing how quickly things have been moving since Katie's arrival! Another month has passed, and she's well on her way to becoming the woman God made her to be. My daily prayer is just that I am up to the task of being the best Mommy, God made me to be. I know it seems a bit early to be talking of Katie becoming a woman, but that's the end goal right? She's certainly not going to stay a baby forever, and as quickly as babyhood is moving I am sure she won't be a little girl forever either. I can however slow things down just for a moment here ....
Katie took her first assisted steps this month. I held her hands and she began stepping - she is working hard to master this task. She can stand holding onto the back of the couch, or the small ottoman in our living room ... but she did try to let go and side-step the other day (I caught her). She has completely mastered rolling from back to belly, but she's still getting a bit stuck on her belly and can't quite get that arm out of the way to roll onto her back again. She pushes up on her arms really high now, and can crane her head back and look up at me at the same time. She tries to get her knees under her, but cannot quite figure out how to hold up her 19 pound body on her arms while resting on her knees - one or the other always gives way just as it seems about to happen. She's nearly sitting by herself too, but this also needs a bit more work. The problem is that once she leans to one side or the other there is no chance for recovery. She pulls forward and sits up in her stroller, and this practice is helping with real sitting - it shouldn't be too much longer.
Although she has always been a talker, lately Katie has become even louder in her talking. She laughs more often, smiles all the time, and talks over everything else around her ... when she wants to. It's hilarious, but we're working on volume control. Big surprise - she IS my daughter. Anyway, we have learned a lot, and Kate and I can communicate pretty effectively with each other now. I can distinguish clearly between tired cries and cries of pain. She is learning to identify words - she recognizes our word for food, Mama & Dada, and "uppy" our word for getting picked up ... she grabs my fingers and lifts her head.
We have established a nap schedule that is somewhat consistent, and my darling daughter sleeps for about 12 hours each night. Did I mention I totally LOVE her!!! She sits in her highchair at breakfast time (just to watch Joe eat), and recognizes Joe as Daddy - getting excited when he comes home at the end of the day. Everyday I fall more in love with her, and everyday life gets just a little bit easier. There is so much to see and explore - it's like living life all over again. She is so full of hope and promise - each day is new - and I am so thankful for this gift God has given me.
Katie took her first assisted steps this month. I held her hands and she began stepping - she is working hard to master this task. She can stand holding onto the back of the couch, or the small ottoman in our living room ... but she did try to let go and side-step the other day (I caught her). She has completely mastered rolling from back to belly, but she's still getting a bit stuck on her belly and can't quite get that arm out of the way to roll onto her back again. She pushes up on her arms really high now, and can crane her head back and look up at me at the same time. She tries to get her knees under her, but cannot quite figure out how to hold up her 19 pound body on her arms while resting on her knees - one or the other always gives way just as it seems about to happen. She's nearly sitting by herself too, but this also needs a bit more work. The problem is that once she leans to one side or the other there is no chance for recovery. She pulls forward and sits up in her stroller, and this practice is helping with real sitting - it shouldn't be too much longer.
Although she has always been a talker, lately Katie has become even louder in her talking. She laughs more often, smiles all the time, and talks over everything else around her ... when she wants to. It's hilarious, but we're working on volume control. Big surprise - she IS my daughter. Anyway, we have learned a lot, and Kate and I can communicate pretty effectively with each other now. I can distinguish clearly between tired cries and cries of pain. She is learning to identify words - she recognizes our word for food, Mama & Dada, and "uppy" our word for getting picked up ... she grabs my fingers and lifts her head.
We have established a nap schedule that is somewhat consistent, and my darling daughter sleeps for about 12 hours each night. Did I mention I totally LOVE her!!! She sits in her highchair at breakfast time (just to watch Joe eat), and recognizes Joe as Daddy - getting excited when he comes home at the end of the day. Everyday I fall more in love with her, and everyday life gets just a little bit easier. There is so much to see and explore - it's like living life all over again. She is so full of hope and promise - each day is new - and I am so thankful for this gift God has given me.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Prayers Answered
The year I became a Christian I was in my first year of teaching at a new school. I tried to begin each day by sitting in the parking lot and praying over the school, the kids, and the ability for others to see Christ through me. I failed a lot during that year; however, my heart was always drawn to my students. I watched as my 5th graders that year grew and matured into the 6th grade class I taught again the following year. Nothing momentous happened as a result of my prayers ... we just lived life, I grew to love teaching, and occasionally I got to see a few students at church.
In that class were a group of girls that were friends, but there were days it was hard to believe. Sometimes they wanted to be on the same team, and other days they drove me crazy with their tween-aged arguments. All in all I enjoyed the time I spent with them, but it wasn't always easy. Last night I watched as those 14 year old girls stood in a group and prayed over their friend as she got baptized. It was a beautiful moment!
After service concluded, Katelyn and I walked over to where they were all seated. I was amazed by the sea of unexpected yet familiar faces. The excitement, the support, and the expression of JOY on her face is something I will not soon forget. I hugged her, she held Katie, and I KNOW God answered my prayers.
In that class were a group of girls that were friends, but there were days it was hard to believe. Sometimes they wanted to be on the same team, and other days they drove me crazy with their tween-aged arguments. All in all I enjoyed the time I spent with them, but it wasn't always easy. Last night I watched as those 14 year old girls stood in a group and prayed over their friend as she got baptized. It was a beautiful moment!
After service concluded, Katelyn and I walked over to where they were all seated. I was amazed by the sea of unexpected yet familiar faces. The excitement, the support, and the expression of JOY on her face is something I will not soon forget. I hugged her, she held Katie, and I KNOW God answered my prayers.
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