sleep baby, sleep...

Kate slept on my chest from day 1...we had this sleeping arrangement for about 6 weeks.  I loved every minute of it.  At about 6 weeks, she moved down to the crook of my arm...Me on my back and Kate snugged in, right there between my body and my arm.  It was so convenient because when she was hungry, I could tilt to my side and put Kate on her side and she could eat, and I could drift back off to sleep.  Loved this arrangement until about month 3.  Then we started sleeping side by side and I would jump over her every time we needed to switch sides for a feeding, we would sleep facing each other...all cuddled up!  These are some of my favorite times/memories of the first few months.  By the time Kate was a little over 4 months, we started waking each other up all the time and neither of us were getting good sleep.  So, it was time to move Kate to her crib, in her own room, we did this almost 2 weeks ago.  It was an adjustment at first, we decided to do a no cry method where we pick up/put down (pu/pd) until she falls asleep.  The first night was the worst, I think it was about 15 pu/pd's and 12 nights later she is much better with some nights falling right to sleep...this was so much easier than I thought (still a work in progress, I know)...especially after sleeping together for so long.  We have had a few long nights, with Kate waking up several times, but it is all working itself out and to be honest I'm happy to have my bed back even if I am running to her bedroom several times a night.  I always knew that new babies meant little sleep for Mommy's anyway! :)

These were both taken at nap time when we decided to start using the crib.  I had washed the sheets, but hadn't even put the bumper back on yet!  We have the AngelCare sleep monitor (thank you Holly), so we feel safe with Kate sleeping on her tummy! 

Hanging out in my new bed!

Sideways!

Hi!!

I'm a big girl now!!

Most Photogenic Baby Contest!!

Today we entered Kate in the most beautiful baby contest, which is an annual event to benefit the Children's Miracle Network.  Kate's photoshoot was adorable, she was so happy...laughing and smiling, everyone thought she was the cutest :)
We could only choose one picture to submit to the judges out of the 60 the photographer took, this was no easy task because all of the pictures were so cute.  After her photoshoot, we sat down and looked at all of the pics on a laptop...I snapped these pictures with my phone!  I think she has a future in modeling and I know she is the most beautiful baby :)

Vaccinations are not fun :(

Kate got her second round of vaccinations today.  We chose to delay vaccinations a bit, by doing only 2 shots per visit.  Today she received her Polio and Pneumococcal vaccines, one in each thigh.  These are awful for both Kate and me, but they are necessary.  I hold her hands, get right down to her face, and tell her I love her the whole time (the process is about 15 seconds!) and then I scoop her up in my arms and hold her tight.  She did pretty good...of course she cried when the nurse gave the shots, but she stopped after a few seconds.

We stopped by to see Papa at work before we headed to Dr. C's.

Kate and I waiting for Dr. Cannizzaro. Today, Jan 13, she is 19 weeks and 2 days..so about 4.5 months.  She weighs 13.3lbs and is 24.5 inches long.  She's still in the 75th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight.  The doctor says Kate is long and lean, she couldn't ask for more!

My bath was so relaxing after those stressful shots!

Now I want to snuggle with Mommy! Look at those Band-Aids. Ouch!

We got home and I gave her a relaxing warm bath and we snuggled for the rest of the afternoon and evening.  She's in bed now...hopefully she'll sleep well tonight!  No fever, no crying...we got lucky tonight!

Our Big Girl Rolled Over Today!!

When we got home I put Kate down on a blanket with some toys in the hopes that she would roll over.  We played and I snapped some photos and not much later she made her way from her belly to her back!  I took some photos (before and after)...I didn't capture the actual event, I was too busy cheering her on!!

Kate, wanna roll over today?!

What do you think? Maybe?

You sure are moving all over the place!!

And lifting your head so high!!

You're a strong girl!  You can do it!

YAYAYAAA!!! I knew you could do it honey!!!

Yay!!!

Wondering why Mommy is making such a big deal about this!!

Okay Mom, I'll do it again...promise!

That's our precious bugaboo!!  She did it again for Daddy when he got home from work!

It was a big day around here :)  Kate is always amazing everyone around her! Everyone says she is ahead of other babies her age...she's been talking and laughing out loud for weeks.  She loves to talk and smile at everyone!  She talks and smiles and laughs so much, it is the cutest thing ever!  She's such a happy baby! She reaches for everything and wants to put everything in her mouth.  She stands and can hold her weight all on her own (the balance is still to come, lol), her legs are so strong...several weeks ago she "walked" up my chest as we sat in the rocking chair!  She continues to put one foot in front of the other whenever given the chance!  Her neck is so strong...she looks all over the place, checking everything out- she's very inquisitive!  Her hair has come back on top, it's really thick and still dark!   As of late she plays in her exersaucer, loves her "crinkle" book, and loves to listen to music!