Keeping up with Kate: September 2011

Friday, September 16, 2011

Dear Kate ~

Dear Kate,

Your 1st birthday just passed and it is hard to imagine where the time has gone. I remember the night before you were born like it was yesterday. I was so ready to meet you, hold you, and fall in love with you. I wasn't sleeping good because I had gained 40 lbs and was so big...so I was awake a lot of the night, praying you would be healthy, imagining what you would look like, and trying to imagine all the wonders of Motherhood. The next evening I met you, you were perfectly healthy, you were more beautiful than I ever imagined and I fell in love with you more than I ever thought possible. I have fallen in love with you a little more every day since that day. It was your coos, your cries, your smiles, your laughs, your big blue eyes, your nose, your hair, your tiny hands, your little feet, your perfect belly button, the way you slept, the way you laid on me, your fingers down to your toes- I love everything about you. You began to crawl when you were 6 months, you would rock back and forth at first and then almost overnight you started cruising all over the house. You started eating solid food/purees at 6 months too...I think you would have preferred to stick with milk at the time, but it was time for the addition in your diet! You started walking the day before Fathers Day! We were over at Papa Kens and you stood up and walked to me. We were all ecstatic :) Since then you haven't stopped. You talk, you laugh, you give hugs and you give kisses, you tell "jokes" and you have the most amazing sense of humor. You're always happy and laughing. You're independent, yet you love people. You love animals- jaw droppingly so! You love books at bedtime. You love babies and puppets at playtime. You have always loved water- bath time is your favorite. You love the pool too and will kick your feet as we pretend you are swimming. You love to play in the hose. You love to sit down, put your feet out, put your shoes, and go outside. The second I say "let's put your shoes on", you sit right down and want your shoes on, it's so cute! You love to be outside. You love bubbles. You know a brush, brushes your hair, you know q-tips go in your ears. You know the word, no. You don't love paint...I would love a hand print, but you aren't cooperating!! You love your Daddy. You love your Mommy. I can't wait to show you the 1000's of pictures and videos I have taken throughout the year. I have loved putting you to bed everynight with a book and a bottle. I have stared at your sleeping body nestled in my arms for countless hours, thanking God for you and realizing I am the luckiest Mommy in the world. I love your baby breath, there is nothing as sweet as a babies breath. I have loved waking up in the wee morning hours, bringing you in my bed to cuddle together before we get up to start the day. You make me smile and laugh daily. I don't know how I ever lived without you ~ You are my world, my everything.

I love you forever,
Mommy

I'm buying pretty paper tomorrow and hand writing this for you, I think you will love reading my letters one day! I'm hoping we will read them together in 20 or so years!! :) Wow, I will be 53...seriously ouch!!

Maybe Baby #2

I have been itching for another baby for several months now!! I have been keeping track of my cycles and we haven't been using any form of birth control, so every month I am sort of hoping that "this will be the month"! I really want to give Kate a sibling and I want them to be close in age, so they can grow up together and be best friends, like my sisters and I are. So secretly, I am hoping for a girl...I may delete this sentence one day- if God gives us a baby boy! Haha!

Anyway, I'm one day late today and I'm so anxious about the possibility that maybe "this will be the month"!
(I took a pregnancy test last night and there was only one line- if I haven't started my period by tomorrow, I will take another test!!) Fingers are crossed!!!!

Daddy's & Daughters

This resonated with me...made me tear up, I am so lucky to have the most amazing Dad. I can't remember a time in my life when he wasn't there for me. I could always count on him; he always had time for me, he made me feel loved and important and valuable and special and beautiful and smart. He has always been proud of me and I knew it all my life. I am so blessed to have him as a role model. He puts family first, he has integrity, he is honest, he is giving to his family, friends, and community. He is my hero.

I'm so happy that I found a man so similar to my Dad. Someone who will be all of these things for my children.

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
http://lifetoheryears.com/

Friday, September 9, 2011

Today

Today Kate is 1 year old, plus 10 days :) I picked her up from Ludim's today and she had cute little pig tails- basically this was the cutest thing I have seen in my whole life!!! My little girls hair is long enough for pigtails, I'm not sure why this makes me so excited, but it does! I don't think these pics do the "do" justice...seriously she is the cutest baby girl ever!!! I know, I know, nothing beats a Mothers love...but I think you will agree.

Kate is blowing kisses now, she's dancing whenever a tune comes on or I start to sing, she's hugging, she's kissing, she's laughing at her own "jokes"- we think she thinks she's the funniest person she knows~ her sense of humor is beautiful- she laughs all the time- belly laughs all the time, mouth wide open and smiling!
She runs all over the place! We're staying with Dad now, our lease is up and we have an offer in on a house in Sweetwater. Anyway, every morning we have breakfast with Gigi and Papa and then we come back to the house and get dressed and go...we walk out the door and I get the bags in the car and Kate is halfway up the walk way headed to Gigi's. She laughs and talks the whole way...and then I have to coerce her or snatch her up and head to the car! Kate really loves Gigi...they have bonded :) We go up there a lot of afternoons when we get home too. Gigi helped Kate learn how to blow kisses!

Her 1 year Dr. appointment went well- except Kate is not a big fan of Dr. C, she was very clingy with me and did not want him touching her. This was very different than all of the previous appointments, I guess a sign of her changing and growing and knowing who she knows and who she doesn't! Kate is 19.5 lbs (35th percentile for weight) and 30 inches long (75th percentile for height). Dr. C asked me if she would take a step if I held on to her hands...I laughed, she's been walking since she was 9.5 months old!! 2 more shots
:( but she was fine a couple minutes after it was over.

We're looking forward to FALL!! :) I think I'm going to send a fall themed card to the Family this year...time to start looking for outfits and props!!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

1 Year Stats

19.5 pounds (35%)
30 inches long (75%)
Head circ 43 cm

Everything is moving in the right direction! Kate is perfect!

Now I just need to wean her from her 11p-12a bottle!! I thought this would happen naturally!!!