Easter {2011}

We had a wonderful Easter this year!  It was great to reflect on the true meaning of the day.  I am so thankful for the knowledge of Jesus Christ's Atonement and that He lives again.  We didn't do much as far as traditions go, but I did get to dress Katie up for another holiday. :)  Isn't she beautiful?  We also had a yummy ham and potatoes dinner with our friends, Ben & Stacie Cheney (I didn't get pictures).  It was a low-key, relaxing day.   

It was so windy...

...and sunny!

Jacob thought this picture was funny.  If she doesn't like my kisses now, I don't want to know what it will be like when she's older! :)

All three of us

Kim's family visits Katie

I want to document all the visitors we've had since Katie was born (it's a lot).  When Katie was six days old my mom, sister and brother-in-law came to visit.  I knew my mom was coming, but the others were a surprise.  My sister and her husband had flown out to Tennessee last minute for my grandma's funeral in Indiana on Feb. 21.  They decided to drive down here with my mom for a few days instead of staying up in TN.  I'm so glad they did!  We had a wonderful time with them here.  We wish Dad and Anna could've come too, but we'll see them in June. 

My mom, Jane, with her first grandchild.  She loves finally being a grandma! 

Aunt Jana and Katie

Uncle Rob and Katie

I guess he was tired from their long drive here!  So sweet. 

While the women took care of the baby...

...the men played. :)

Mom and I did manage to squeeze in some time to play our favorite duets (Mozart) and try out a few new ones.  I miss playing the piano with her since we live so far away. 

Three generations.  I look tired here because I was!  I got really sick one weekend when Mom was here.  I had a bad cold and a fever for several days.  Thankfully, Mom and Jacob took care of Katie through the nights so I could try and sleep.  I was so grateful for their help!   

Thanks Mom, Jana, and Rob for coming to see us.  We loved having you here!  When are you coming back? :)

Katie is 2 months old!

I can hardly believe that my little sweetheart is 2 months old (on the 16th)!!  I decided to take her picture next to this lamb each month so we can see how much she grows this year. 

Her 2 month stats:

Height:  23" (75%)

Weight:  10 lbs 14 oz (50%)

Head:  15 3/4" (75%)

Katie is a good eater and her weight gain is right on track with her age.  She eats 3-4 oz about every 3 hours during the day.  Other than a stuffy nose for a few days, she's been really healthy.  At her check-up on Tuesday she only cried for a couple minutes when she got her immunizations.  After I checked out and headed to the car she was already asleep.  So far she has not had any adverse side effects from the shots, which I'm very thankful for.  We had children's tylenol on hand just in case.  Starting a week and a half ago when we first put her in her crib she started sleeping 5-7 hours every night. (She was sleeping in her bassinet before that.)  She's such a good baby!  It has been awesome to get more sleep! 

   

She was tired of taking pictures. :)

And since I never posted this, here it is:

Katie at one month old

Her previous stats are:

2/21/11 (5 days old - newborn check-up):

Height:  20 1/2 " (75%)

Weight:  7 lbs 7 oz (25-50%)

She gained 9 oz since coming home! 

3/1/11 (2 week check-up):

Height:  20 1/2"

Weight:  7 lbs 15 oz

(They didn't give us percentages at that visit.)

Here are some of my favorite pictures over the last few weeks.

This picture was from Katie's first Sunday at our church on April 10th.  She actually went for the first time on March 27th for her cousin's baby blessing in San Antonio.  She has done pretty good at church, but it is still a huge adjustment for me.  I feel like I barely hear any of the meetings and classes now because I am out in the hall or the mother's room with Katie.  It seems to take her longer to fall asleep at church.  I guess she's too used to taking naps in her swing or bouncy chair at home.  I'm exhausted by the time church is over and I have no idea how the moms with 2+ kids do it!  But it is a great blessing to finally be one of the moms in the hall trying to calm a fussy baby. :)  Plus I get to talk more to all the other parents.       

Katie loves her grandpas. Looks like she's waving at them. :)

This was last Sunday after church.  I love how she's just chilling in the recliner.  (I didn't put her arm like that.)

She started smiling (for real) around 5 weeks.  Then on her 7 week birthday when I went to pick her up from her bassinet she smiled at me for the the first time in recognition!  It made me so happy.  She's been smiling tons since then.  This is one of the few smiles I've been able to capture on camera.  I have to be quick since she usually stops smiling as soon as I pull out the camera. 

I love this dress from her great-aunt Marlys.  She received lots of compliments.  (She had a headband on too but it didn't last long.)

Caught another sweet smile today!  She's wearing a newborn onesie.  She still fits in them although some are getting tight.  I've been dressing her in some 0-3 month clothes now too.   

Aren't her cheeks just so cute?  I love to kiss them.  :)

Katie's newborn pics

Oh, I am so excited to show you these!  My good friend Katie took these pictures when baby Katie was 12 days old.  It was a fun photo shoot filled with sweat, tears, and some baby pee.  (Actually I don't think Katie was producing tears back then, so they might have been mine.)  There was definitely some love and elbow grease that went into getting these pictures!  I think they are all so beautiful and I couldn't stop looking at them when Katie first gave them to me.  I will share some of my favorites and if you want to see the rest you can visit Katie's photo blog here. 

this one is Jacob's favorite

these next two are my faves

Aren't they amazing?!  Thank you Katie for doing such a fabulous job!! 

Katie's Baby Shower

My dear friend Jenni hosted my baby shower about a week after we brought Katie home.  We enjoyed talking and eating yummy food, including quiche, fresh fruit, muffins, cream puffs and more.  I loved the decorations, the food, and of course, the guests.  Here are some pictures from the shower.

Welcome Baby Katie

Aren't the decorations so pretty?

 

I love that she had pictures of Katie hanging up so everyone could see her since she was at home with Jacob. 

Jenni {best hostess ever} and me

My mom and me (I was so happy she could be there!)

So many people came!  Here are a few pictures of some of them.  I didn't get pics of everyone. 

These are women from my church. {Meredith, Emily, me, Katie, Tonya}

These ladies are in my book club.

{Camille, me, Nannette, Sheena}

Stacie, me, Haley, and Lauren {some of my best friends}

girls from Jacob's office; also Traci and Sydney (besides my mom, the Woods came the farthest distance)

more girls from church

{Annabelle, Dawn, Shasta, and Julie}

As guests left they could fill these cute boxes with candy.  Loved it!

I was so thankful for all the many gifts that were given, although it was strange to be in the spotlight opening up gift after gift.  Katie's closet is fully stocked with oodles of adorable dresses and outfits to wear as she gets older.  I wish her dresses came in my size!  I also don't think I'll be running out of wipes anytime soon. :)  Instead of playing any games, I had everyone write down advice for me as a new mom.  Here are several of my favorite ones:

• Treasure those tender moments and don't worry too much about the housework
• Take care of yourself first then you can take better care of your baby
• Cuddling your baby is the best use of time
• Never let your marriage stop being first
• The hardest days with wild babies are easier if you try to smile about it
• Take time for yourself.  You can never have too many pedicures or too many shoes
• Shower while you can...even if you don't get one until 4 pm
• Bring her to visit as often as possible {from my mom} :)
• Listen to everyone's advice, but remember that you are her mom--always follow your instincts because you know what's best
• Pray for help when you feel lost

I have been to countless baby showers wondering when it would finally be my turn, and I have to say mine was pretty amazing. :)  It was so fun to have my mom and all my friends there.  I wish I could've had all my family members there too, including my "Virginia family."  But I definitely felt loved and supported. 

Anyone else have advice you want to share with me?