Happy Valentine's Day!

Kate had a fun morning on Valentine's Day! She got her first balloon and loved hitting it.

Thanks for all my Valentine's Day goodies!

Off To The Races

We didn't know if Kate was ever going to crawl! She would normally crawl about two steps, then have a seat. If she really wanted something, she would get on her belly and roll around until she got to her destination. Finally over the past week, she figured it out and our house hasn't been the same ever since. She's now into everything and everywhere. The days of staying put are officially over. Her favorite thing lately is to crawl to the chest in the foyer and play with the drawers!

10 Months Old!

Kate was 10 months old yesterday. She had just woken up from her nap & in such a great mood.

Our Sweet Girls

These are the two loves of our life. Our sweet girls.

Kate and Mattie were playing before bathtime on Saturday night. Mattie would love to get in the tub with Kate if we would let her. Below, I put Kate on the floor while I was getting her bath ready. She decided to play a game of peek-a-boo with her towel.

Kate's 9 Month Pics

After a long week of our household being extremely sick, it was a nice surprise to find Kate's 9 month slideshow in my inbox this morning. Kate wasn't as cooperative during this session a couple of weeks ago with Erin, but she managed to get a few smiles out of Kate.

To start the slide show, click on the link, then click on Kate's name.
http://www.erinnolenphotography.com/compton3/

Erin also put in there a picture of Kate's little monkey toes. We think she's got double jointed toes?

Daddy's In Charge

Thursday, I got a call from daycare telling me to come pick up Kate because she had a fever of 101 degrees. So, I stayed home with her Thursday afternoon. Kate had to stay home on Friday as well according to the 24 hour-fever/vomiting rule from daycare. Since I had some appointments already for Friday, Sam stayed home with Kate for the day. I think they both had a fun day together and Kate seemed to be feeling much better. However, we were in for a rude awakening after bedtime....Kate apparently had a stomach bug and the "fun" was just beginning. Unfortunately she got sick several more times that night and into Saturday! YUCK....

Anyway, when I got home from work Friday night (before the "fun" began), Sam had surprised me with making a great dinner for me. Apparently he was pretty proud of it as well, because when I noticed the camera was laying out, Sam had taken a few snapshots during the day. A couple of Kate during her sick day and lots pictures of the prime rib he was cooking me for dinner. I found it amusing to find several pictures of raw meat on my camera. What can I say? The man loves his meat! Needless to say, dinner was great!

Sam made quite a good little homemaker that day. I came home from a long day at work to a happy child, semi-clean house and prime rib in the oven.

(See raw meat picture below courtesy of Sam)

Sneaking A Nap

Friday morning as I was getting ready, I ran up starts to check my email one last time and left Kate playing on the floor & watching tv. When I came back down about 2 minutes later, Kate decided she was ready for a nap. She had put herself to bed on the floor. On one hand, it's so sweet, but on the other hand, it's kind of pitiful. She loves her naps.

9 Months Old....

Kate turned 9 months old yesterday and here's a picture of her yesterday thinking she's such big stuff pushing her stroller. She doesn't actually push it, but just grunts like she's working hard and then gives you a big smile. She still isn't crawling. I guess she realizes that she's got it made with everyone bringing stuff to her! What's the need in crawling to it myself? Smart girl! We went to see Dr. Amy and Mrs. Courtney today for our 9 month visit. Kate's 20lbs, 10 oz and is 28" long. This is the first visit where she's not in the 90th percentile. Her weight & height has slowed some and she's now in the 75%. So, maybe Kate's not going to be 6'5" like Sam.

In the mornings before work/daycare, she watches cartoons as I get ready for work & make the bed. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is such a great babysitter!

Going For A Ride

On Saturday, it was so nice outside, so we went for a ride up the street and back. Kate absolutely loves her wagon. I think she would ride for hours.











Just a picture of Kate playing with her musical table Santa brought her. She's been overwhelmed with opening gifts over the past week, it's taken a few days to start figuring everything out.

Christmas Night

Christmas evening we went over to see Grandmamma, Tim & Aunt Haley for Christmas dinner. I had fun opening the last of the Christmas presents and playing with the paper as usual.

Thanks for my bunny & my clothes. We always love getting clothes!

Aunt Haley gave me a drum and I loved banging on it. She knew just what to do with it.

HO, HO, HO.....

Kate's first Christmas morning was lots of fun. The bows are almost more fun than the actual presents. Sam laughed at me because we started opening presents around 6:45, but I was more excited to get started than she was. She had so much fun playing with her new toys and starting to figure out how everything works.

Christmas Eve at Gran & Papa's

We always have so much fun Christmas Eve morning at Gran & Papa's. Kate got lots of great stuff, but the wagon was so much fun to ride in! Daniel was busy punching tickets for the "Polar Express" and he and Kate rode all over the house.

The First of Four

This weekend Grandpa & Linda were in town to celebrate Christmas. We had a great time playing with new toys, but Kate especially loved the bows. She was a pro at taking bows off packages by the end of the morning! She got lots of great stuff, including a singing Pig. She didn't know what to think of him at first, but everytime he would sing, she would stare intensely, then break out into a little giggle.

Probably the two things that got an immediate reaction were a set of maracas that light up and play music (because she's played with them at school and knew excatly what to do with them) and her little giraffe bike. She had a big time being pushed around the living room. It won't be long until she's wheeling all over the house in it!

Thanks Grandpa and Linda for a great first Christmas.

Finger Foods & Sippy Cups

So we've recently started Kate out on a few finger foods this week. She's taken well to the Cheerios and Puffs. She really has more fun playing with her food than actually eating it. It's funny how even hours after she's had her snack, Cheerios continuely fall out of her clothes all over the house. She must smuggle the Cheerios and is saving them for later I guess. This morning, I let her try out a sippy cup for the first time. She started getting the hang of holding the cup but enjoyed it more as an object that makes great banging noises rather than a refreshment.

Can't quite pick it up due to the fact she's got about 10 soggy Cheerios in each hand as well.

8 Months and Counting...

Kate is 8 months old today. We can't believe how time is flying by. She weighs 20 lbs and grows by the minute. Next Monday, they are moving her up to the Infant II class at school. I definitely have mixed emotions. She looks so big compared to all the new babies that come into her class and she's the big kid in the class. Monday, she'll be back to being the youngest in her class again.

The Christmas tree is lots of entertainment these days.

Poor Mattie, she's already starting to get antagonized. During this photo session, Kate lunged for Mattie a few times and came up with handfuls of dog hair. Mattie's so good with her and Kate thinks she's a riot.

Sam had just walked in the door from work and she always has big smiles for Daddy when he walks in the door.

The Bad Guys Finally Won

Well, I guess they finally got to win one. Thank goodness I stayed busy with Kate around the house and didn't have to watch too much of the game as it got ugly. Good thing Daddy was in Tuscaloosa at the game, because we don't do well watching the game together. Kate was a good little cheerleader though. She loved playing with the shaker. Don't worry sweet girl, we'll get them next year! War Eagle!

Photo Op with the Cousins

Gran wanted a picture of the grandkids together for her Christmas card. The picture below of them on the swing is so sweet. Laura Ann and Daniel love their cousin Kate. Laura Ann couldn't get enough of her. Kate was so worn out from playing with her cousins, that she's taken three naps today. Hanging out with the big kids is very tiring!

Almost mobile...

Kate is working hard lately on crawling. She gets up on all fours, rocks back and forth, and is so proud of herself. She definitely should be crawling in the next few weeks. I plan on baby-proofing the house over the weekend. She's also found that her favorite toys lately are teething rings. She has one tooth showing already and another one trying to make an apperance as well. Thank goodness for baby Tylenol!

Cutest Little Cow on the Block

Kate started out Halloween morning worn out before the day even started. I was getting ready for work and this is what I found passed out on the bed. Little did she know what an exciting, fun and tiring day she had ahead of her. She wore her new jacket to school and was a sweet little bear. After school, Kate was a little cow for Halloween. We went to a few neighbors' houses, then she spent the rest of the evening jumping in her excersaucer in the driveway greeting all the trick or treaters that stopped by. She had a big time, stayed up way past her bedtime, and we paid for it the next day. She was definitely the custest little cow on the block.