Cute Katie Belle

Since I have some long-overdue posting to complete, I thought a new picture was definitely needed. Gosh, she is looking so grown up these days...

15 Months!

Well I am sure you thought I had totally given up on the whole blogging thing. Fear not - I am back! I just have so much to catch up on - I have a list of things to blog about so I don't forget :)

First and foremost - Katie is 15 months old today! She had her 15 month pediatrician visit this morning and did wonderfully! She got two shots and took them like a champ - minimal tears! I think it had to do with the fact that she got her FIRST sticker at a doctor's appointment. That's right - Elmo sticker to the rescue! And here we go on her stats:

Weight: 26.2 pounds (90th percentile)
Height: 31.75 inches (80th percentile)
Head: Not sure what the measurement was, but she is in the 97th percentile - it's all those brains in there, I guess :) And the measurement was right on her curve, so that is great!

She is happy, healthy, and right on track! They asked if she says 3 - 6 words other than "momma" and "dada" ... I made a list last night of all the words I could think of that she says - there were TWENTY FIVE! Gosh, when she really starts with words instead of all the babble, who knows what will happen! Right now, she just talks up a storm and waves her hands around to communicate - almost like she's preaching. Whatever it is she is saying MUST be important! She is climbing, pointing, eating well, sleeping well, walking (running) everywhere, loves to sit in her chair and read, and loves blocks! She also LOVES to play outside! In fact, when we let Sadie out to go to the bathroom, Katie gets so mad if we don't all go out. It has become a night-time routine almost - she eats dinner and then we go outside and run around the yard and let her play before bedtime. It really is win-win - she loves outside time...and it wears her out even more for sleepy time!

Like I mentioned previously, I have TONS of pictures, so stay tuned for many posts to come!

West Coast Fun

Well, I know I've been somewhat MIA. I wanted to do a quick post while I am out here on the west coast and talk about some of the fun we have been having! Not to worry - I will do a proper post when I get home and have a chance to upload all the fun pictures. For now, a few comments and stories will have to do.

Last weekend we flew to San Diego and had a blast! The weather there is amazing - mid 60's during the day and it was amazing. While we were there, we went to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and drove out to Coronado Island. We ate some good food and really enjoyed our long weekend there. Katie was also a champ - when we flew out there, she was GREAT on the plane ride. It was four hours - and thank GOODNESS they had a few extra seats on the plane so we could install her carseat and she had her own space. Once we got there and settled in, it was 1 AM before she went to sleep! She really had fun seeing Shamu and also the monkeys and elephants at the zoo.

Sunday afternoon, after dropping Brad off in Costa Mesa (and walking around Newport Beach) for a week-long training, we flew to Phoenix with Dad and Robbin. We have been having a blast! We have done some shopping, some swimming, and lots of relaxing. Katie is really wanting to learn how to swim - she is doing great going underwater and really kicking her legs when we put her in "swim position". She also loves baby dolls. Whenever I hold one of the babies, she backs her hiney up and sits in my lap...so cute. She also has found her favorite hiding spot at Nanny and Papa's house! She has gone swimming every night, which has lead to a later bedtime. But she is sleeping great and has really gotten used to the time change. I think she is still working on getting used to the climate change - today's high was 112!!! She has said "yeah", "baby", "boo", "mi" (milk), "bo" (boat) and is such a ham. I know I've said that before, but she continues to confirm that fact! When we are swimming, she loves to watch airplanes in the sky.

It will be nice to sleep in our own beds, but we are having a great time being away from home. We can't wait to Brad flies here after he takes his test - this is a long time without being around him! Now, I think I am going to bed - I am exhausted after chasing Katie around and swimming! Goodnight for now :)

Happy Father's Day!

Well, I am slowly but surely catching up. Father's Day was what, a little over 2 weeks ago?? Well, better late than never, I guess! I think Brad had a pretty good Father's Day - even though it did involve some yardwork in some pretty insane heat (but hey, I was out there too!). We started the day by letting Katie give him his gifts and we all gave him his cards.

Does this look familiar? I trimmed the art off the big paper, dated and titled it, and framed it! I think it turned out wonderfully - and Brad really liked it too!

After finishing up the yardwork (I didn't take any pics of that), we went to eat at Chuy's - DEEEELICIOUS! I can't get enough of their creamy jalapeno dip...I think I could drink it! This was getting back in the car after indulging way too much.

After dinner, we visited at Brad's mom's house for a bit. Here are he and Katie relaxing on the couch. Doesn't Katie look comfy?? :)

Here is Katie playing in the rocking chair that was Brad's when he was a wee one. Love this picture! And notice the shirt Katie was sporting for Father's Day.

We love you, Brad/Daddy!

Summer Fun with Friends

The Friday before Father's Day, we got together with some friends to play outside and do a craft! Once our friends arrived, we visited for a few minutes and even let the kids play together in the pack n play.

Then we headed out to the garage to do some finger-painting. It was definitely an interesting experience, and I'm not so sure Katie enjoyed her first time painting (though the end product was great!)

Once I reminded her what she was supposed to be doing, she did do a little bit of painting.

And here was the final product!

After that, we decided to get the little kiddy pool out and let them rinse off and play. That was quite interesting as well. After a few minutes of fun, they decided they wanted to just walk around. At this point, we decided to pack it up and head to the neighborhood pool!

I just love this picture of Katie!

And in this one, it looks like Katie has no idea what in the world her buddy is doing. (I will remind her of this many times - us ladies don't always understand the guys!)

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things...

Smiling, giggling, and just being cute...

Playing on the coffee table

Daddy's shirts were on the floor to give to Goodwill and I thought I would play on them! What fun that was!

I walked on them and plopped down on them - almost as fun as playing with pillows on the floor!

I also love banging the baby gate against the wall!

This is my favorite place to sit - once I get on, I have to find a great book to read!

Ahhhhh, the life. I love me a good book.

Trash Day Fun

A couple weeks ago, I was cleaning up in the kitchen and turned the corner to stumble upon this...they both love looking out the front door and appeared to be quite intrigued by the trash guys. Our girls are best buds...and it's just the beginning....

Ruff Ruff

I've always wondered at what age kiddos find their "lovey" or favorite stuffed animal. Well, it appears that Katie has found hers! Ever since her first birthday party, she has loved snuggling with her little stuffed dog, which she calls "Ruff Ruff"! This cute little dog was part of the decor at one of my baby showers, so I love that she loves it. I have also gone ahead and ordered two more of them in case this Ruff Ruff is lost, gets too dirty, etc.

Every morning after she eats breakfast, she walks over to her chair and loves on Ruff Ruff. She hugs him, gives him kisses, shakes him around...precious! She has yet to sleep with Ruff Ruff - she has what we call her "lovey" (one of those little blankets attached to an animal head) that she sleeps with. She also really likes the bunny and the doggy ones of those (we also have a lamb). Her love for these stuffed animals has just developed over the last couple of months. I still have a lot of my stuffed animals from when I was little - I wonder when she will want to play with those?!

So excited to see Ruff Ruff

Giving Ruff Ruff a kiss

"Look, Mom! It's Ruff Ruff!!"

She loves staring at Ruff Ruff, talking to her, and then giving her a great big hug

New Kicks

Since Katie is full-fledged walking now, I wanted to get her some good, supportive shoes. One day a few weeks ago, we decided to venture to the mall and hit up Stride Rite. I had noticed that her feet had grown some as her feet barely fit in her size 4 sandals, so I asked the saleslady to measure her feet. You can imagine my surprise when she told me that Katie needed a 5.5 wide!!! Now, she did say these shoes should last her through the season, so the 5.5 was allowing a little room to grow. I was also comforted knowing I would not have to spend that kind of money just 2 weeks later. Sheesh those things are pricey! But they are great summer sandals and she loves them.

We got home and showed Daddy her new shoes. She wanted to just carry them around everywhere with her! Doesn't she look so proud??

The day after the big purchase - she was testing them out....and loving them!

Date Night

A few weeks ago, Brad and I went to one of our favorite restaurants for a date night. The restaurant is in downtown Franklin, so we decided to walk around Main Street for a little while after dinner. It was perfect! And I found a great pair of shoes for this winter that were on super clearance...bonus! I think this is one of the best pictures of us in quite some time, so I wanted to make sure and post it (I love how fluffy my hair looks...not normal!) :)