Happy Half Birthday!

Well - this time 6 months ago I was exhausted and on cloud 9. That's right - Baby K was born just 6 months ago....and it seems like it was just yesterday. I remember it all so vividly. Now she is a whopping 16 pounds, 6 ounces (thank you formula and cereal!) and 25.25 inches in length. I am quite thankful she was nowhere near this weight or length when she was born :) She loves playing with her toes, smiles and giggles all the time, rolls both ways, tripod sits and is very close to independently sitting, and wants to hold her bottle. She is about to embark on the adventure that is baby food. She loves Elmo and her little cow toy. She has such a unique, precious personality. And she is so unbelievably loved.

We also need to locate a flu shot for Baby K, as well as H1N1 shots for all 3 of us. That is definitely moving to the top of my to-do list come Monday morning: call the local health department and ask how we can get these shots stat!! Stay tuned for up to date pictures...including Baby K dressed as the cutest bumble bee there ever was on Halloween :)

Gangsta Girl, Cooking, and Extra Smiles

Before going on a walk

I was breaking the ritz crackers for Poppyseed Chicken and she wanted to help

My sweet baby girl with a giant bow on

Oh So Girly

Since Baby K has lost most of her hair on top over the past couple of weeks, I've been trying different sized bows. I was able to use little hair clippies for a while, but she doesn't even have enough hair for those anymore!! Here are some examples of a smaller bow...and then a bigger bow! All of my friends I grew up with give me a hard time because my mom used to put bows on me that were as big as my head. Well, looks like I am passing it down to the next generation :) It is rather cute though!! And doesn't she look like a big girl sitting in the corners of chairs?? Wow...she needs to slow it down! I can hardly believe she is already 5 1/2 months old - my, how time flies!! I snuggle with her and hug her and kiss her as much as I can now because I know the time will come where she doesn't want to be held and definitely won't want to be hugged or kissed - in public at least :) She is so very loved and we are so very blessed!!

Fall Is In the Air

Well it is officially fall. Time to stop wearing flip flops. Time to get out the long-sleeved shirts and fleeces (which, by the way, I am so excited to be able to fit into all of my clothes this winter - no maternity clothes for me!). Last weekend we went to Gentry's Farm, a local farm where you can pick your own pumpkin and they have tons of activities (hay rides, petting zoo, etc) for the kiddos. Obviously Baby K is a bit young for those things, but I cannot wait for her to be able to do them (so I can too!). It was a bit chilly, so we had to hurry - naturally, I forgot Baby K's jacket at home...oops! She loved looking at and touching the pumpkins on the ground. We ended up getting a pre-picked pumpkin because all the ones still in the "patch" were rotted because of all the rain we have had this season. It was so great to go as a little family and get our pumpkin. I want to go there as a family every year to get our pumpkin - very affordable, supports the local economy, and so fun! And once Baby K gets old enough to really want to play around, I know she will love it too.

Attempt at a family picture - Baby K was too excited about all those things on the ground...

I wanted her to explore those big orange blobs - she thought it was so neat!

Isn't she just adorable?? :)

Fall wreath is on the front door

Our family pumpkin, Baby K's little baby pumpking, and a mum...definitely fall!

House Divided

Last Saturday was the football game that is the biggest deal in our house - UT vs Auburn....Brad graduated from Tennessee and I graduated from Auburn. We went to the game in Auburn last year. This year, we had tickets and a hotel room, but since it was a night game, we decided it wasn't the best idea since Baby K is still kinda young. I was going to "wear her" to the game - she was going to go in the Baby Bjorn! Instead, we stayed home and ordered pizza for the game. We were unsure as to how the game would go considering both teams have new coaches. Needless to say I was a happy girl at the end - Auburn won!!! :) We were both dressed in our respective teams' colors and Baby K was split - she wore orange and white and had an Auburn bib with a UT burp cloth. I wonder who she will actually root for once she can make her own wardrobe choices??

Showing off her team spirit yet again

Sitting up to watch the game!

Love that sweet smile

Mommy teaching Baby K to say "War Eagle!!"

I guess she wasn't as interested in the game as we were :)

Light the Night Walk

Last Thursday night we did the Light the Night Walk benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Brad's company creates a team (though including the 3 of us, there were a whopping 4 people...) and we had participated last year. Last year it was nasty and rainy and cold - I was pregnant and tired and hungry. Needless to say it could only be better. This year it was perfect. The temperature was ideal. The sky was clear. There was a great crowd. It was great. This also hits a personal note because Brad's dad had Lymphoma prior to him passing away. Though the cancer was more or less gone, it was the drugs involved in his treatment that led to his condition worsening and organs failing. We like to raise money for this cause and participate in the walk each year as a small token of remembrance. It was a great night involving many lit up balloons and walking 1.75 miles. Here are some pictures of our night...enjoy!

Probably my favorite picture of me and Baby K since the first time I held her

Such a happy girl

Daddy and Sweet Pea

Family self-portrait...not too shabby!

Nashville's skyline

5 Months Old!

Really? Five months, already? Last Tuesday, Baby K turned 5 months old. I can hardly believe it. She is doing new things on an almost daily basis. She is growing like a weed. I weighed her on the scale last Tuesday (not very official, but gives a ballpark estimate) and she weighs roughly 13 lbs, 12 oz - she gained 2.5 lbs in a month! I guess eating cereal will do that...as well as having introduced formula. She is now doing about half breastmilk and half formula. I was worried that she was too small after her 4 month appointment so I made the decision to go on and introduce formula. She was exclusively breastfed for 4 months...primarily breastfed up until 4.5 months...and now I'd say she is 1/3 breastfed, 2/3 formula.

Baby K is trying to sit up - she will hold herself up for about 30 seconds when sitting in her Boppy pillow and will try to "tripod sit" on the floor. Also, when you hold her on her feet, she stands on your lap! She has not rolled over from her back to her belly yet, but that will happen soon enough I feel certain. She gets on her side and wiggles around - most of the time when we put her on her playmat, she spins in a circle from all of her side-rolling and squirming around! She loves playing in her Exersaucer - there are so many exciting toys to keep her entertained! Everytime I set her in it it seems like she stands up taller...I think it is about time to move it up a notch! She also loves to sit in her papasan chair and try to pull the little bunny down. She used to fall asleep immediately; instead, she now gets so excited to battle the bunny! She is talking up a storm and loves to play with her pacifier. Gosh - it seems like she was just a tiny little baby that would sleep all the time. She is now more alert and just trying to soak it all in. She is still sleeping great (usually about 10 hrs at night with a couple 2 hr naps during the day). She just recently has really started watching Sadie walk around and reach out to pet (aka pull her hair) her. I think Sadie will take any kind of attention she can get though! I also love that Baby K still loves to snuggle. She will fall asleep curled up on our chest still. She has started getting squirmy in our arms sometimes but still likes us to hold her. I am really soaking that in because I know soon she will want to be on the floor and going, going, going. When we hold her she wants to be sitting up - no laying down for her! She has such a great personality - very inquisitive, sweet, and funny. We love her bright blue eyes and cute little nose. I love going in in the morning to find her smiling at me. We love her so much and have enjoyed watching her learn and grow!!

Snuggle Bug & Others

Baby K sure is getting big! I was looking back at pictures of her during her first week home and good grief. I can certainly tell she is the same baby, but she is so much bigger! And she is doing so many new things every week. Every time I go to pick her up, I can also tell she is getting bigger - especially when she is in her carrier. I understand they have to be sturdy and safe, but you'd think they would find a way to make them a little lighter...and not so awkward to carry! Anyways, these are some pictures of Baby K over the past couple of weeks. She is such a happy baby and so fun! I look forward to every minute I spend with her...

Her shirt says High Maintenance...hm...

Snuggling/sleeping on Mommy's shoulder - I love that!

The ultimate "cheerio face"

First time in her Johnny Jumper - she loved it!

Riding Sadie like a horse...I am sure this is not the last time this will happen...and I think Sadie loved it!

Daddy Time

Sitting Pretty

Over the past couple of weeks, Baby K has really been wanting to sit up. Every time I lay her down on the floor, she pulls her head up as if she wants to sit instead. I happened to have my camera nearby (imagine that!) the first time she did it, so here are the pictures. Now, she loves to sit up and is working on holding her hands out in front of her to support her weight. Not too much longer and she'll be sitting all by herself!! Such a big baby girl :)

Fun Firsts in Phoenix

As mentioned previously, I am quite behind in my blogging. A few weeks ago, we went to Phoenix for the first time since Baby K was born. She did great on the plane rides - in fact, when we landed in Phoenix, the people around us commented that they did not even know we had a baby with us! That is exactly how I had hoped it would be. While there, we relaxed, went swimming, drove up to Sedona for the day, went to a baseball game, and just had fun! Both of my stepsisters have little ones, so that meant we did not have to take any baby gear with us! They had it all there and set up when we got there....it was great!!! We can't wait to go back to see everyone - it was so fun. The last night we were there, all the grandkids were over swimming. While it was chaotic, it was so fun! We swam and ate pizza and got to visit. Here are some pictures from our visit. Everytime I go out there it seems like I arrive and blink and it's time to leave!

Family pic at the Arizona Diamondbacks game

Baby K preparing for her first swim

Family pic in the pool for Baby K's first swim (she LOVED it!)

I loved how she was staring out the window at the red rocks as we drove into Sedona...she was trying to figure out what all that stuff was! It definitely looks different than the landscape in Tennessee...

Family pic in Sedona - we arrived shortly after a flash flood that flooded a low-lying arts district...thank goodness we weren't there for it!

I've Got Spirit, How 'Bout You!

I guess Baby K is one confused baby during football season! Here she is sporting all of her team gear. I went to Auburn, so she had to sport her Auburn gear for the first weekend of football season (also, Brad was at the UT game, so he didn't have a say as to what she wore)! The following Thursday, she supported the Miami Hurricanes - Papa went there and is a huge fan. Actually, the university sent a teddy bear and that onesie to her when she was born...it says "Class of 2031" because that will be her graduating year from college (isn't that a scary thought!). Pretty neat idea, I think! Last but not least, she cheered on the Vols last weekend when they played Florida. It was Brad's 30th birthday, so of course she had to support his team. For both Auburn and Tennessee, she has a onesie, bib, burp cloth, and hair clippy. She is quite the super-fan! Next weekend is the Auburn vs UT game...I wonder what she will be wearing...maybe she will support one team the first half and the other team the second half. She loves sitting in Brad's lap or in her papasan chair and watching football....that's our girl!

Tasty Toes

Sweet Pea has done...she has started gnawing on her little toes. She really found her feet when we were in Phoenix and this morning, she started sucking/chewing (ok, gumming) her toes! How ironic it is that I bought her first pair of shoes today - sure enough, when I put them on her, she chewed on them! I figured since it is officially fall, she needed some shoes to be able to wear.

In other news - holy moly...Baby K will be 5 months old next week...really?? I told her yesterday she can't keep growing at this rate. We will see if she listens :)

I have tons of pictures and posts to do, but I am currently prepping for a garage sale this weekend. After that, I will play catch up for sure. For now, this picture of Sweet Pea looking oh-so-bored in her swing will have to do :)

If Today Was Your Last Day

So I typically listen to music because the general sound of it is good or entertaining or fun. There are seldom songs that I actually listen to each word or that really make me think - a lot of time it is just background noise. But everytime I hear this song, it really makes me start to think, so I thought I would post the lyrics to Nickelback's "If Today Was Your Last Day"...

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like it's your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you'll never live it twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin' stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love
If today was your last day

The Best Medicine...

We found out that Baby K thinks a quacking noise is hilarious...here's a video of her laughing at Brad making that quack noise. After watching this a few times, I am definitely convinced that laughter really is the best medicine...

Baby K's First Cereal

About a week ago we started feeding Baby K her cereal with a spoon...in a highchair...I can hardly believe it. Each day she does much better with it - she even opens her mouth for the spoon! This video is from her first time in her highchair (which she loves to sit in and play) and eating cereal. You will also notice that she is a ham in front of the camera....wonder where she gets that from!! :) Enjoy!

Exersaucer Fun

After playing in a friend's exersaucer, we decided Baby K would love to play in her own, so Brad put it together about a week and a half ago. She loved it!! There are so many exciting toys to play with that she couldn't decide what to focus on first. Some of the toys on there also require batteries (sidenote: we go through the batteries VERY fast now with the papasan chair, swing, playmat, and now this!...and I know it's just the beginning!) which means they play music and light up. I think her favorite toy on there is a play cell phone that has keys attached to chew on - since she is so short in there right now, it is easy for her to get to and fun to chew on! Thanks to Aunt Anne and Uncle Bubba for such a fun toy!! Here are some pictures of her first experience in the exersaucer...

5K Fun

Last weekend, my friend Kara, me, and our kiddos did a 5K! We decided that we were going to try to do one each month and possibly even try to do the half marathon (walking most of the way, of course) in April. We will see if that happens...13 miles is a long way! Anyway, we got up and met at the race site bright and early. And yay for us - we weren't last!! I must admit that I was sore...from walking/jogging DOWNhill...not uphill. Weird. The neighborhood where it was held is very hilly...whenever I've driven through, I always think to myself, "This would suck to walk or run"...yep, I did it! Here are a few pictures (of course) of our fun!

Me & Baby K...and the wonderful jogger!

Kara and her sweet boy

We made it! This was just after we crossed the finish line.

Trying to Get Caught Up

Well I finally uploaded pictures from my camera to my laptop - all 137 of them! Whoa! There were some big moments in there, and I have learned that in order to get the best picture, you have to take lots to increase the odds :) Anyways, over the next couple of days I will get caught up with my posts, but here are some cutie-patootie pictures of our sweet baby girl!!