As Promised

I told you I would be back to post pictures and here I am, with quite the load of pictures too.
Our Christmas card picture. We are working on the family picture, hopefully soon it will be taken. This was also her 7 month picture.


Daddy and Katelynn


Mommy and Katelynn


The binky goes the other way dear.


Getting ready for bed with daddy


She LOVES to eat avacados!


And some even manages to get into her mouth!


Christmas Eve, Opening her present from Grandma Mary


MMMMMM Ribbon


Katelynn looking cute


Who needs presents when you have a box??


Katelynn with her dolly from Grandma Mary


Christmas Morning, in her PJ's


Opening her stocking present, she is very excited too.


Playing with her Giraffe


Mike getting a Millenium Falcon from Ben


Katelynn and Eden



I hope that these will satisfy you all for at least a week. She is really so much fun and a doll. Have a happy and safe New Year!

Resoultion Time!

Okay. I need to make a resolution to be a better blogger in 2010. I am proud of myself for at least keeping up with Katelynn's monthly updates, but I need to be better. I want to keep better tabs on the things that are going on in our lives, even if Ben always cringes when I tell him that I am blogging about something he did. He really hates when people know things about it. I think he gets that from his dad. Oh well, he is a part of my family so he will be talked about like it or not.
So in light of this new resolution I need to document Christmas. Christmas started on Christmas Eve when we went over to Ben's parents and had dinner and opened presents with them. This year was a little sparse as we were the only ones in town for Christmas Eve. We had dinner and opened our presents from each other. Katelynn got her first dolly from Grandma Mary. It is a small soft doll that I hope she will love. (Right now she is loving anything that is not a toy. Why would she want to play with a toy!!) We also had so presents that we had to specifically open on Christmas Eve, and Ben was a little bewildered about that since I am a HUGE stickler about opening presents on Christmas Day (Ben would rather have us just give presents when we bought them and not wrap them.) But there were specific orders to open on Christmas Eve so we did. My parents gave us the book Twas the Night Before Christmas. It was the version where you could record voices and so they recorded themselves reading the story. I really enjoyed it myself. I am sure Katelynn will too next year.
Becca also gave us a version of Twas the night before Christmas that is a fabric book that Katelynn can play with next year. Becca also made a Santa for me and a wooden Nativity. For someone who doesn't collect Nativities I now have five of them. I loved how everything Becca gave was made. I have noticed also I seem to like the gifts that are made so much more than the one that are bought.
Christmas morning Ben and I were up before Katelynn, not long maybe ten minutes. I gave Ben the series Planet Earth and we have been watching an episode every day. A the end of the segments they have a Diaries portion about the people filming and I really feel bad for some of the things they endure for a 10 minute video spot that took months sometimes years to get. It is very interesting, if you haven't seen it I think you'll like it. Ben gave me a pair of earrings and a few weeks ago we got the Dyson Animal that I had been wanting and let me tell you I am shocked and amazed at how my dirt this thing picks up. I am really happy with it and it make me feel better since Katelynn is all over the floors now, not crawling just scooting and rolling. We gave Katelynn Sophie the Giraffe and My Pal Violet. I think she likes the giraffe since it is easily chewed on and squeaks very easily. Violet is a little too old for her even though it says 6 months and up, she can't make the sounds work so we will probably give it to her again for her Birthday, she won't know.


In the afternoon we went to my parents house and had Christmas there. Max and Jesse were so excited that we were there so that we could open the gifts they had for us. it was cute. They wanted up to open the presents right when we came through the door, but we waited for Damien to get there. Everyone was spoiled from Grandma and Grandpa B. Sarah used her couponing skills and got us a photo ornament and made a photobook since I have been totally awesome at scapbooking this year. My mom got her they Fisher Price Puppy that she can use and quite a few other things.
As the day wore on I got sicker and sicker and sicker. I was tore up. I knew I had a cold coming and so I took some Mucinex to get it over with and then a day into taking it I was running so bad. I then needed to take something to clog my sinuses again. I REALLY enjoyed Christmas but I don't think I showed it very well as I couldn't breathe.
Christmas is now put away at out house. I will blog about that another day. I need to get to bed and Promise to post Christmas pictures tomorrow.

Two Weeks!

Why is Christmas two weeks away!?! I am usually more on the ball than this. I need to snap out of my fog and get to some Christmas and Birthday shopping. We put our tree up last weekend and Katelynn hasn't really even noticed it. I know that this will probably be the last peaceful Christmas. Next year she will be into everything and nothing will be safe.
On Monday we went over to Beth and Kevin's and decorated Gingerbread houses. I think that I ate WAY too much frosting. Whenever we are at people's homes at night and we think that we will be there until 8 we try to have all of her bedtime stuff so that we get her ready for bed and on the drive home she will fall asleep and we just have to put her into the crib when we get home. That is what we did on Monday but the exciting thing for Tara and Brynne was it was her bath night and so I bathed Katelynn while the girls took their bath. They all loved it. Katelynn loved splashing and Tara and Brynne loved that she was with them.
Well, I have to get myself prepared for a talk on Sunday. So, I will talk to you all later.
Anna

7 Months

This needs to stop!! What happened to my little girl that would stay where I put her?? She has turned into this rolling maniac!! Her legs have been stuck under the couch numerous times and then she starts crying because she can't continue her maniac movement. If we sit her in the sitting position she will stay there for quite a while now I think the longest she sat was 45 min just happily playing with the toys around her. I had to pick her up because I was worried that she was getting numb butt from being in one place for so long.
She really is getting to be so much fun. She interacts well and giggles. She gets so excited when she sees Ben. If I am holding her she will turn her head intomy hair and bury her face into my shoulder. She flails her arms up and down in such excitment and kicks her feet. She really is a happy baby.
On our trip to Kansas she did so well. The hardest part for her was the sleeping. While there she learned to growl and I still need to get that on video. It really hilarious as she is biting on a toy and she just starts growling at it like she is a vicious lioness. She switched from her squeals to the growling. We were actually at Gates' eating dinner and she was having the time of her life in the high chair putting her two cents in to EVERYONE's conversation in the entire room we were in. Dave and Erin thought she was nuts, but she is our nut and we love her.
She is eating her solids well too, for the most part. She doesn't do so well when she starts blowing as soon as I put the spoon into her mouth and so we get everything everywhere. She has breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfas is a cereal of some sort, lunch is something that she can mash, in a mesh baggy and dinner is whatever we got pureed. We have tried finger foods and she still gags on those so probably a little bit longer.
Everything belongs in her mouth. She has been teething for the past five months and we still have no teeth. Maybe one day. I am using Ben's computer so I will post pics later. I hope everyone is well.
Anna

A tale of three Thanksgivings!

Yes, we were lucky enough to have three Thanksgivings this year, and I still fit in my jeans! The first was with my family the week before Thanksgiving with Mike and us being out of town Thanksgiving week this was the only time we could get together. It was really fun to get everyone together at Mike and Sarah's. Sarah was in charge of making the turkey and had the same problem I had last year. We put the meat themometer in and it read the right temp and the top part was cooked but was we started pulling it apart it wasn't falling off the bone like it shouldso somehow it wasn't cooked all the way even when it said it was. I don't know, so we decided that my mom has to keep cooking the turkey since Sarah and I can't get it right.
I love watching Katelynn interact with her cousins. She really is amazed at what they can do and they are so intriged with her too. I wish all of the cousins could be closer.
The next was on the Sunday before Thanksgiving with Ben's family. Caleb and Heather had made a quick trip up to be with everyone but ended up leaving even earlier as their youngest started puking everywhere at church and so we were unable to see them this visit. So it was a quiet and uneventful evening, that is until Sarah came by with her boys and then the fun really started. The more kids there are the crazier things get.
Our last Thanksgiving was in Kansas with our wonderful friends the Jensen's. We had a nice relaxing time with no pressure to do anything or be anywhere. We went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast where we like the food but I really go there for their country store. it is just full of cute nik-naks that I love to have or just look at. Ben got me a Willow Tree Figurine, he was trying to check out without me seeing but that wasn't quite possible. He picked out this one for me "Our Gift"

We had Thanksgiving with Erin's family and we met Kyle, Shawn and Braxton. Braxton is almost exactly a year older than Katelynn and it always amazes me when looking at older kids what she will be doing in a few months. He was every where and was quite the little entertainer. We also went to Gates BBQ for some Kansas City BBQ. And boy was it delicious. All Ben can talk about is Burn end on Bun and the next time we're out there he might be over there more than once. We were VERY tempted to go over there before we left town but had to get to the airport. We were there Mon-Fri and it was nice to be with them.
By the way if you ever want to order pics from somewhere try mhcc they have a metallic print that is TOTALLY wicked to see. Erin has two 16 x 20's in her office that are just amazing to look at. I was so tempted to touch them to figure out what they were made of since they didn't look real. I think that when we ever get Fam pics done I will print through them.
The awesomest thing happened on our way home. After we walked from gate 88 to 28 in the Denver Airport, which let me tell you is FOREVER in that Airport it is so dagum huge. We got to our gate and found out that there were 40 empty seats to Home. So, as we boarded they moved our seats around and we had a row to ourselves. It really was a great way to end our trip being nice and comfortable and not smooshed like a sardine.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and are enjoying your Christmas Season.

My "big" girl

I told you last week we had our 6 month check up. Well, everything went well and she is doing just fine. She is my big girl though. She weighs 19lbs 1oz and is now 28 and a quarter inches. That makes her about 90% for weight and 97% for height. Here lies the problem. She is growing out of clothes like a little weed. I just pulled out the 12 month clothes yesterday so that maybe we can have longer than a month to wear them. They are a little baggy but at least there is room to grow. Ben could even tell that her outfit today was 12 months because it fit so well.

A couple things I have learned about solid feeding.
1. Roll up long sleeves, orange on white doesn't go so well. Which bings me to...
2. Who thought of white clothes for infants anyways!!
3. Oxy Clean Spray is awesome for getting out stains.
4. The bigger the bib the better. Those pretty little bibs aren't for eating.
5. Smooth texture won't make her gag.
If you have anything to add, let me know.

I am so excited for a couple of reasons. Remember this from last year. Well, it took exactley a year for me to get one of these "Little People Nativity Scenes." It will be here this week and just in time for Katelynn to chew and drool all over the pieces. Woo-Hoo! I got it shipped for $22 and change. That is the cheapest I have ever seen it. If you have been wanting one check it out here at Pinching your Pennies The post is a couple down from the top. Buy one for $22 or is you know a friend who wants one get two for $37. The details are on that site and you are using two coupon codes hopefully they haven't sold out.

I am also excited for Tuesday Beth is going to help me make some head gear for Katelynn. They'll be so cute! I can't wait.

And last but certainly not least. One week until Vacation!! It'll will be quick but super fun!

I will talk to you all later.
Anna

Yesterday

Yesterday I went to take pictures of Sarah and her family. So here are the best options. I think that we are doing pretty good since we have three options.





I hope that you like one of them.

6 Months

This is always sureal when I post these monthly updates. I swear i just did this yesterday for 5 months. I guess wil the holidays and her being more active time will zoom. So, I need to take the time and write down these memories. Wednesday is her six month appt and I wonder how big she is. She really is off the charts in my opinion. I think I am catching up with her but then her 9 month pajamas that she has worn only twice are being stretched in the length and her one piece 9 month outfit she is wearing today is high waters. I guess I need to pull out her 12 pajamas so she can get some wear out of them.
She is reaching for everything. Nothing is off limits. If she can reach it, its in her mouth as quick as can be. She has found her toes and can get them in her mouth. She can roll over from her back to tummy very well and in one sweeping motion but still has great difficulty getting from tummy to back. She gets frustrated very easily and wants to be off her tummy when she wants and not a moment later. I am trying to let her learn how to get over but when she is wailing there isn't much for learning. She is so much fun. Everynight when Ben and I lay down for bed we always talk about how she is just the cutest thing ever, which of course she is!
I love it when she gets a hold of her binky and takes it out of her mouth and tries to put it back in. She always ends up on the sides or the back.
She is just starting to sit up on her own. Today was the longest I had seen her do it for a minute. Probably in the next month she will be rolling better and sitting. I am hoping that crawling is far away I like her being immobile ar at least slow.
Right now she either has a cold or she is teething. She sounds miserable but really hasn't been too irritable. Just a little runny nose, that she may have got from Ben or the teething runny nose. Then again people say she has been teething for the past three months and not one tooth yet. She has started sucking on her bottom lip and looks so cute doing that too. I will miss her gummy smile though.
The other thing that I love is when we put her to bed she always sticks her legs straight up in the air to turn on to her left side. She gets so excited in the crib and starts pounding on the mattress. She is so much fun and we just love her so much. Happy Half Birthday Katelynn!!






Since I forgot to add her 6 month stats here they are. She is 19 lbs 1 oz and 28.25 inches.

Halloween

Halloween was a very fun day. We had been talking about going to a pumpkin patch for weeks and we had to do it then or not til next year. We went to Hobb's Grove ust a couple of miles from us and it was really nice. The "patch" was picked over and there pumpkins only placed there, not really from picking any more. They also had a fantasy forrest that we didn't go through since Katelynn wasn't excited about it. We went over to where they had more of a selection of pumpkins and chose one of those. As we were leaving I saw a wood board with cut out faces that a lady was kind enough to take our picture. I want to go there again next year but hopefully earlier in the season.
Next we went trick or treating to Grandma B's and to Aunt Beth's. While at grandma's house Aunt Sarah and Cousins Damien, Max and Jesse came by to trick or treat too. So we got some pictures together.
That night we went to the ward's trunk or treat party. We had a fun time handing out candy and eating dinner with the Nielson's and Mitchell's. I think that Katelynn had a great first halloween as a witch. Ben wasn't excited about the costume and has decided that next year he gets to choose. He wanted something cutesy like a flower or Pumpkin. Oh well, I think that she was still cutesy. I hope that you all had a Happy Halloween.

What I did Last Night

I was making dinner got the skillet hot, poured some oil in heated that through and then I proceeded to put the meat in and it SPLASHED all on me. So, I now have oil burns on my arm and neck. Needless to say dinner did not get made. I also had to run to CVS and get some burn cream since after a couple hours of it burning but not blistering I needed some help. This burnjel stuff is pretty darn awesome. I was worried about sleeping, I had no problem at all. I think the people at CVS thought I was crazy walking in with my neck blazing red, but oh well Ben wouldn't have gotten exactly what I needed. And here are the pics to prove it or immortalize it. This was this morning so a good 18 hours after.


Yes, this was all my fault. I love to cook way too high and so this was a lesson to me. Ben tells me probably weekly to turn the heat down on something I am making. Now I have a wound to remind me about turning down the heat. It is somewhere between a first and second degree burn, but since it didn't blister right up I didn't go to the ER. Just keeping it clean and trying to keep Katelynn's hands away too. Her nails are lethal even if they are trimmed.

She Did It!

She is officially rolling over. Yesterday Ben called me at work all excited and said she rolled over from her back to tummy. Of course since I was at work she had to do it then for the first time. When we were talking about it later Ben said that he was sitting watching her and was a little surprised watching her and that he had to tell himself that she jsut rolled over and that he didn't put her on her tummy. As soon as she did it he called me. I am glad that he was so excited for her and knew that I would want to know too.
I was thinking that it was going to be a one time wonder, but no she has been doing it all day today. Now we'll have to wait for the full cricle.
Today when we were eating breakfast she was in her chair since she had already eaten her breakfast. I look down at her and this is what I see.


She did this a few weeks ago for a second and couldn't get a pic. Since then we had been buckling her in.
See ya later!
Anna

5 Months

Really?! Really?! I can't believe it. Thing are really into full swing now. I have been trying to figure out her personality and I all I can really come up with is that she loves people right now. We went to a baby shower on Saturday and she was just talking up a storm to anyone and everyone that would come her way. I think she might be a bigger talker than I am, but then again that isn't hard to do! She really seems to be her happiest when she is around people, and watching everyone, from the safety of my arms though. She is getting really attached to me, but that is to be expected since I am the only person she is around most of the time. She also loves to touch faces and grab them and just play with them and figure them out.
She really lights up when Ben comes home. She just smiles and coos at him and Ben just loves it. Ben watched her Monday afternoon to evening and he asked me if I had done anythign to her formula since she wouldn't take a nap and she had been awake for an extremely long time. I think that it was that she was just so excited to be around him. He has always had a hard time putting her down for a nap because for some reason he is so stimulating. Ben stimulating? Never! :) He just giggles and laughs and smiles at her and won't be quiet and relaxing.
She is chewing on everything but mostly her fingers and cloth. and drooling like a mad woman. Everyone says she's teething but I don't see signs in her mouth.
About once a day she will roll from her tummy to back. She has been arching into a 'c' when she is on her back and I don't know what that is about. She has really good control of herself in the bumbo now, she isn't the leaning tower of Katelynn anymore, as Sarah would say. She laughs just a little and never at the same thing twice. She loves sitting up and standing up. The dogs are entertaining now too. She'll watch them but we haven't let them get too close since they are so massive.
As for growth we don't have another MD appointment for a month but she is wearing 6-9 month clothes and some nine month pants, depending on the style.
She is so much fun and I love her to death.
Her Five Month Pictures
These first two are favorites because of her singing



Standing looking cute, She has no balance for standing on the sides of things yet

These two are classic poses


I love her little jeans

Love the face and hand

Pictures

My favorite of her and Daddy, she really does love him and it is so cute to see them both just in love

I just love her eyes. Chewing on her thumb.

"A family Photo" I think we are in need of a real one!

She is just attacking that poor aligator, he had no idea she was coming!

Love the eyes and the drool!

Looking stylish in her zebra print.



P.S. she has been asleep for over an hour! SSSHHHH, don't tell her that!