4 Month Check-Up

Today was Baby K's 4 month appointment. Of course, she had the same set of shots that she got at her 2 month appointment. I have never heard that type of scream come out of that sweet baby girl. Luckily, she was easily consolable after they were over. Those screams hurt me, but I know the shots will protect her in the longrun. Her doctor was very pleased with how she was holding her head up when on her belly, her babbling (today she has started sounding like she is singing), and her sleeping. When she was weighed, I fully expected at least 12 pounds. To my surprise, she was only 11 pounds, 5 ounces. She was also 24 inches in length, which was right on track. Her weight, however, was a little below what was to be considered "on track". The pediatrician did not really seem concerned, but of course as her mommy and her food source, it concerns me. I really hope at her 6 month appointment that introducing cereal will help her put on some extra weight! Oh, we also were told that we weren't supposed to feed cereal in a bottle; instead, we were to spoon feed it - oops! Guess we better set that high chair up and get those bowls and spoons out of their packaging!!

First Family Beach Trip

A couple of weeks ago, we loaded up and headed to Destin, Florida. We had never taken Sadie on a trip, and clearly Baby K had never been to the beach. I wish I'd taken a picture of the car loaded down because I felt like we were the Beverly Hillbillies - not one more ounce could fit in there!! We only had to stop 3 times on the way down to feed Sweet Pea and let Sadie take a bathroom stop - not too shabby!

We had a great time relaxing, spent some time in the sun (and took turns playing in the ocean so someone was with Baby K), ate some good seafood, and got to visit the outlet mall. As I mentioned previously, there was a tropical storm aiming right at the panhandle of Florida as we got there. The first picture was the morning after it had gone through - it was rather windy as you can tell by the choppy waves. Other than that storm, we had perfect weather. In fact, one of the days we were there, Brad stayed with Baby K so I could go to the beach by myself and read my book. It was perfect.

Here are some of my favorites from the trip. I need to get some of the copied so I can frame them - so cute (if I do say so myself). Enjoy!!

Choppy waves after the storm went through

Cute Sadie on the balcony

Mommy and baby girl :)

Sadie absolutely loved playing on the beach in the ocean

Love the turquoise water and sugar-like beaches

"I'm ready for the beach!"

So precious in her hat and cover-up

Love that beach

Baby K loved the baby tent for the beach - she slept the whole time we were at the beach!

Self-portrait of us

She just gets cuter and cuter (pardon the scratch - she got herself in her sleep!)

Family picture at dinner at Pompano Joe's our last night there

Baby K in the car on the way home

Another New Adventure

Well, I just finished giving Sweet Pea a bottle with breast milk mixed with rice cereal. Wow - is my baby really old enough to move onto a new form of food? I cannot believe it. I went to Target yesterday and bought a convertible high chair (the kind that goes in a regular kitchen chair) for her. Tomorrow I plan on introducing rice cereal in a spoon - get ready for a mess!!! She is growing up so quickly right before our eyes...she will officially be 4 months old tomorrow. It feels like we just welcomed her into the world. Our life has been changed so much, and for the better. We are so blessed and thankful to have the perfect family.

All Dressed Up

Last weekend we went to a reception for Brad's boss (she got married in FL in June but had a reception here for friends, family, coworkers, etc) - it was so great to get all dressed up...and have somewhere to go! It was the first time that an event was held down where we live - typically we have to drive into Nashville for events - so that was a nice change. Brad and I arrived right on time and were able to sit by ourselves and chat for a while before our friends finally showed up. It was like our own little date night...so great! Enjoy a few of the pictures :)

Me & Brad

The GirlsThe Guys

Weathering the Storm

Well, we made it! While on the road yesterday, my dad called to give us a heads up that a system in the Gulf had strengthened into Tropical Storm Claudette. Wonderful. Headed to the beach and lots of rain waiting on us. Well when we finally got here (we had to stop 4 times to feed Baby K and let the dog go to the bathroom - yes it's a family affair for this trip!)....it wasn't raining yet, but the wind had picked up a little bit. When I went to bed, still no storm...just more wind. Well, around midnight it definitely picked up. It was raining like crazy and windy, windy. The wind was whistling in the front entrance to our condo. Well, when we woke up this morning, it's definitely better than last night - pretty steady wind, but not too much, and the occasional rain. Hopefully things will clear off soon so that we can go out there and soak up some sun! For today, I think I hear the outlet mall calling my name :)

Sweet Girl at 15 Weeks

I know, I know...I was going to try to stop doing weekly pictures but I just couldn't handle it. Baby K was looking so cute this morning, so of course I got the camera out. And the pictures turned out so cute, so of course I had to post a couple of them :) Needless to say, today she is 15 weeks! This afternoon I worked on putting up all the 0-3 month clothes and washing and reorganizing her 3-6 month clothes! I can't believe she is already big enough for those clothes. As I was taking the tags off of some of them, I could remember when I bought a couple of the outfits - before I was even pregnant! And now I have a precious baby that is actually wearing them. Wow. I am so blessed. Sweet Pea is still loving playing with toys...and her burp cloth. When she sleeps at night, she is in a sleep sack and has one of those lovies (the kind that is a little blanket with a cute animal on it too) that she holds onto. Absolutely adorable! She is making all kinds of noises now and continues to just light up whenever Brad or I get down on the floor to play with her. As I posted previously, she also rolled over this past week! She hasn't done it since, but I know she will soon - we have been really busy running around and getting fresh air! On a walk today, I put her in the stroller rather than in her carrier in the stroller and she did great. I also just put her in the stroller when we went to the mall and she loved laying down squirming around. I am sure it is nice to get out and lay down as opposed to being cramped in that carrier when we are out and about. Baby K is such a sweet girl and we love her so much!

All Smiles

Playing With Toys

As I mentioned before, Baby K is getting much better with her coordination and fine motor skills. She loves to grasp onto things, especially if they make noise! If she doesn't have a toy nearby, she loves to play with her burp cloths. She is also getting much better at sitting in her Bumbo chair, so I bought a tray to put on it so that she could play with toys on it, as well as help stabilize herself. I think she enjoyed it! I also put the little cow toy, pictured below, on some links and hung it from the bar on her car seat and she really enjoys playing with it. What fun it is to watch our little girl explore the world around her!

The Binky Says It All...

Another Day, Another Milestone

She finally did it! For the past few weeks I swore Baby K would finally do it...roll over! Well I just put her on the floor for some tummy time and within probably 30 seconds I watched her do it...she rolled to her left and ended up on her back! She looked so pleased with herself. I am so proud of her! And even better, Brad is working from home today, so he got to see it too!! We are so proud of you, Sweet Pea!!!

Amazing Thought

I was looking at some items online and came across this thought...

"Just think, Your daughter is not here by chance, but by God's choosing. His hand formed her and made her the person she is. He compares her to no one else - she is one of a kind. She will lack nothing that His grace can't give her. He has allowed her to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation." ~Roy Lessin

...God is good. :)

14 Weeks Today!

Holy moly! I am actually posting on the actual day! Anyways, today it has been 14 weeks since Sweet Pea entered the world. Just the other day I was looking back at pictures of the end of my pregnancy and at the hospital...it is still hard to believe that a baby grew in my belly! She definitely has grown and changed throughout these weeks. She has started sticking her tongue out a lot and sucking on her hand also. When I put her on her playmat to kick and play, she used to just swat at the toys...now she is actually grabbing them and trying to hold on! She is doing better sitting in her Bumbo chair and is SO close to rolling over. Everyday I think she's going to do it...and she comes so close! We are still practicing and hopefully she will get it soon! Whenever I walk up, her face just lights up...and the same for when Brad walks up to her. She is doing a GREAT job sleeping in her crib. She is actually napping in there right now! Last night she was in bed and asleep by 8:45, which makes me happy. She slept until 5:45 and was hungry. After I fed her, she went back to sleep til 8:45. Not too shabby! Here she is showing off that adorable grin :)

Back to Work

This past Monday was my first official day back at work, even though it is actually from home...and only 8 hrs/week. I had a meeting to go over goals, expectations, and answer questions that I had - while I was at my meeting, Baby K went and played at Cee Cee's house! She had so much fun kicking around and practice rolling...and was absolutely worn out when we got home! I am so fortunate to have this set up - keep my foot in the door and still have a small income...we will take it!

13 Weeks

I know, I know...at some point I need to stop saying her age by weeks; instead, I need to do months, even if it is half months. But for now, we are sticking with weeks. I like to post pictures and post about anything exciting going on for her! We decided to use the Bumbo seat again and this time she can hold her head up MUCH better! Her head is still a little bit wobbly, so of course I supervise, but she really likes it. To get balance, she sometimes holds onto the middle of whatever outfit she has on. I put rattles in her hands one time and she did manage to sit up and play with them...she will get the hang of it in no time, I feel certain. As I mentioned in a previous post, she has started sleeping in her crib. She is waking up needing her pacifier a few times each night and then has also started waking up hungry around 3:30. I am quite certain she is going through a growth spurt because everyday I look at her and she looks different. On a different note, I think it is so crazy that if she wakes up, she is up at the same time I always woke up having to pee when I was pregnant. I really do think that is God's way of preparing you to be awake at that time of the night. Sweet Pea has also started taking a nap around the same time each day. I am hoping this will lead to a little bit more of a routine so I know when I will be able to get some stuff done around the house or get a little work done (I start back August 3rd working 8 hours a week from home). She is "talking" more and more and definitely recognizes her mommy and daddy. Whenever she is on the floor playing and we walk up, she kicks and squeals and gets so excited. Definitely makes us smile.

Cheese!!

These Are All Mine?!

Last Saturday (yes, like a week and a day ago - I am a little bit behind on posting), we went to the pool with some friends. Baby K wore a bathing suit that was mine when I was a baby and had a hair clip (I love that she has hair I can put a clip in) that matched. Another one of my friends makes these hair clips for infants and toddlers and they are adorable. I got several of each and can't wait for Baby K to wear them! Anyways, before loading up and heading out, we played on the floor for a little while. I put her wrist rattles on and it was the first time that I really noticed her checking out her hands, as if she was saying to herself, "These fun things are all mine??!"...adorable. Sadie was also on the floor with us and curious about the wrist rattles. I think that picture of the two of them is so cute. I love how our little girl is starting to really explore her hands and feet...so fun.