Kate's 9 Month Development

It's hard to believe that our little Kate is already 9 months old!  She is crawling everywhere.  She has been "mobile" since the beginning of December, but now she is officially crawling.  She started army crawling, then went to an interesting move of being on her hands, one knee, and keeping the other leg straight out to the side to push herself along.  It was really funny to watch.  Now she is crawling on hands and knees and moving quickly.  She LOVES to eat - anything really!  She does not like to drink her bottle - never has and apparently never will.  Some days we are lucky to get her to drink 3 ounces at a time.  She is sleeping through the night for the most part.  She is very strong willed and has a temper.  I thought that she would be my laid back daughter since the Ella is strong willed.  But if things progress like they have been, she may be more stubborn than her big sister!  We are in trouble.  She has 4 teeth now - the two top front teeth popped through within the last week.  She loves to play with Ella and gets stiff with excitement when she sees her.  At her doctor's appointment she was 17lb 3oz (25%) and 29 in (90%).  Growing like a weed.  Both girls will be taller than me by age 6 if we keep up at this pace!

How We Spend Our Days...

Just some random pictures of playing at home, playing in the snow, and just enjoying some time at home...I love these days!  Don't mind the mess...we'll have time to clean when they are in college, right?

Christmas 2009

Our Christmas celebrations started on December 20th with Ella's Christmas Program at Sunday School.  I knew that she wouldn't sing (she told me that she wouldn't)  Stubborn little lady.  She was cute - the pictures are kind of dark so you might not be able to see her.  They were all wearing "crowns" and she had hers on upside down.  She ended up getting a little sad at the end - not sure why - just wanted her Mommy. 

That same day was actually my Grandma's Christmas celebration, but we had to miss it because of the program and it's a 5 + hour trip that we didn't want to make 2 times in one week!

On December 22nd Santa came ot our house.  Santa knew that we would not be home for Christmas so he came on Monday night since we would be leaving for Grammy & Grampy's house on Wednesday morning.  This was the first year that Ella really understood what was going on - it was fun to see her get so excited.  And from some of the pictures you can tell that it didn't matter what she was opening, she was thrilled!

We spend Christmas Eve at my parents and then my Grandma's house.  And Christmas Day we go to Aunt Cheryl's just to hang out and eat and talk.  And this year on the 26th we were able to get together with some of my high school friends.  Of course I didn't bring my camera!  I haven't seen some of them in years - it was great to catch up with everyone.

This year Ann, Zac, Pete & I decided that we were going to wear Ugly Sweaters to Mom & Dad's for Christmas.  Zac came out first with his on.  Ann & I were cracking up.  Mom couldn't figure out why we were laughing.  She didn't think that it looked out of the ordinary for Zac's wardrobe!  Hilarious!  She said that if Ann & I would have had ours on that she would have realized something was up.

Grammy & Grampy came out to go to the Zoo Lights with Ella on New Year's Eve.  Then they volunteered to watch the girls so we could go out.  We decided to go out for dinner and drinks.  We were home by 10:00 and then played cards until 2010!

Grandma & Grandpa celebrated the Saturday after New Year's which is nice not to be so rushed during the week of Christmas.

A Visit with Santa - 12.12.09

We went to see Santa on Saturday.  We walked to our downtown area (which is the reason that Kate's nose is so red!) to see him.  There was no line when we got there and the girls were able to just walk right up to him and sit on his lap.  We weren't sure how Ella would do.  She, of course, likes the idea of Santa, but we didn't know if she would climb up on his lap.  But she did - didn't mind at all.  I put Kate on his lap too.  The baby that needs Mom all the time was just fine with Santa.  She did pull his beard but other than that the trip was a success.  No tears what-so-ever!  Ella told him that she wants Tinkerbell and a candy cane because they were right next to him in a basket.  Santa gave her one and she ate the entire thing!  I say yuck, but she loved it!

Still here...

It's been so long since I have updated...not sure why.  Just haven't found the time.

Kate is now 8 months old!  And completely a Mommy's girl.  She loves to socialize with everyone - as long as Mommy is holding her.  If she is exhausted it's Mommy or bust, but she can be convinced to allow Daddy or Aunt Annie to hold her if she has had sleep throughout the day.  (Although she always wants Aunt Annie to hold her during church because Ann lets her have the bulletin and books.  She doesn't forget this from week to week either.)  Last week while Pete was holding Kate and I was waiting to get Ella from Sunday School, a lady came up to us and told us that if she was deciding to have another, watching Kate in church would definitely influence her to have one.  She said that she watches her every week - at the beginning of Mass she is watching everyone and socializing (mixed with a little yelling to get a little extra attention) and then she falls asleep.

Ella is definitely trying out her Big Girl-ness.  This is a very trying stage for me and Pete (and anyone else that may be trying to be in control).  She is not consistently taking naps anymore.  A tired Ella is a very stubborn Ella so some days are rough.  She also picks up on EVERYTHING we do...she and Aunt Annie were having a phone conversation across the table from each other.  Ella:  "Hi Annie, what is going up?"  Annie:  "Nothing, what is going up with you."  (What's going on or what's up with you)  Ann and I were doing everything in our power not to crack up.  And the Christmas lights, she can't get enough of them this year.  She loves to drive around and point them out to us.  It's fun to see her get so excited.  She makes us laugh everyday.

Here are some pictures from the last month or so...

Peace at last...

Our Zoo Lights Trip - we go every year but never again will we go on opening Zoo Members night.  Who knew there were SO many Zoo members.  It was miserable!

Downtown Gahanna has a Winter Wonderland which includes some kid-sized community buildings - Ella couldn't get enough of the bank.

What we thought would be our Christmas card picture...guess not.  Pictures are hard with Pete being nearly a foot taller than me.

Kate LOVES to eat - really doesn't care about the bottle at all.

Updating...

Let's see, where to start...

Kate is nearly 7 months old! She has 2 teeth and she is working on her top two. We got through lots of outfits and bibs! She is rolling over all the time and is enjoying a little more independence. She can *almost* sit up by herself and is just starting to push up when she is on her belly. She really isn't very motivated to be mobile. She prefers to be held by Mommy. She is DEFINITELY a Mommy's girl. She's fine with whoever until she sees me. Then it has to be Mommy - Daddy can be feeding her but the minute she sees me, she cries until I come to finish up! While I love it most of the time, it's really hard for me to get much done -and- many times Ella would like to have Mommy's attention, but Kate just isn't happy about sharing. Poor Daddy just feels helpless. Kate also really knows her sister. Whenever she sees Ella, she busts out in laughter. Kate thinks Ella is the funniest person ever! Ella dances for her and Kate cracks up. Then they are both laughing. We have tried to get it on video but when the video camera comes out, Ella automatically stops what she is doing and has to see what we are recording.

We went trick or treating last night (and the previous weekend when we visited Grammy & Grampy). This was the first year that Ella really got into it and was excited. She was a "pumpkin witch". I have no idea what a pumpkin witch is, but that's what she insisted she was. We just went on our street and to Aunt Annie & Uncle Zac's. Then she came home to pass out the candy. She would giggle and jump when she saw more kids headed our way for candy. I think that she enjoyed handing out the candy as much as getting it. Kate just hung out and watched - but by 7:00 she was done - she zonked out quickly!

Ella is really growing up. I keep hearing from people that 3 is much more trying than 2 - and so far I can vouch for that! Too bad that she JUST turned 3! She is constantly trying to see how far she can push us and see what she can get away with. And if she doesn't get a nap, watch out - it's going to be a LONG evening! But she still makes us laugh all the time too. This morning she woke up and said, "Mommy, my hair is a WRECK!". She was right, it was a disaster, but I had to laugh. Guess she's heard that a time or two! She told Aunt Annie a couple of days ago that she didn't match and that the thing in her hair didn't match either. We went to my Grandma's last weekend. She was playing with a remote controlled toy. She kept telling it that it lied. She wanted Grammy to spank it because it told a lie. Mom was cracking up. I don't recall having a conversation with her about lying but maybe she heard it at the babysitter. And she remembers EVERYTHING!

Ann & Zac are expecting a BABY!!! We are excited. We have known for a while now, but they are now sharing the news! Her due date is May 23rd - which is really close to my birthday - I told them that I would share! Ha! (By the way, she's feeling GREAT! No morning sickness at all!!)

I think that's about it. We are looking forward to getting some fall chores done at home this weekend. Last weekend was my 15 year class reunion so we got nothing done! We had a good time though and enjoyed spending time with old friends (new friends for Pete I guess!). I laughed so hard that I cried on multiple occassions!

Kate is 6 months old!

Our baby is already 6 months old! I love this time period when they change so much and become more aware of things around them. Kate thinks that Ella is the funniest person in the world. As soon as Kate spots her Kate cracks up. Ella likes to entertain her too so they are a good pair. Daddy made the mistake of calling Kate, Kate-a-rooni one day. Ella picked right up on that, however she thought that he said Kate-a-rudy. Now this is her name. Ella calls her Kate-a-rudy nearly everytime she is speaking to her or about her. She will ask people, "Do you want to see my little sister, Katarooti?" So it's official, she's Kate-a-rudy. And Mommy & Daddy, (and Aunt Annie) have been heard shortening it to Rudy (which was my Grandpa's name!)

At Kate's 6 month appointment she weighed15 lbs 7.5 oz & was 26.75 inches long. This puts her in the 25th % for weight & 90th % for height. She also had both bottom teeth and is working on the two top ones. She rolls over with no problem and is getting stronger at sitting. She will be on the go before we know it!

Make sure you read below - there are lots more posts!