Big Sis Practice

Kennedy is staying with us today.  Katie loves practicing being the big sister.  So far, she helped fasten a diaper, put a bib on, and fed Ken some yogurt.  Not exactly like it will be with a newborn that NEVER LEAVES, but good practice for me and Kate.

Click here to see the big sis in action.

Silent Movies

I am more than a little sad that the camera didn't record the sound on this video. I guess you can add your own music or sing "Father Abraham" while viewing. That's what this Little Miss Helpful was shaking her tail feathers to.

Hopefully I'll be able to catch more dance moves, with sound, in the future.

Oh, and for those of you thinking, "Why is Carrie making Katie wear tights when it is 70 degrees outside?!," it is her choice. She is in a tights wearing, hate the jog stroller, eat only cheese stage right now.

Nutcracker Suite

4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11

Katie is learning to count. Smarty pants!

Pumpkin Patch

Katie repeated "punkin" the whole drive to the pumpkin patch. Click here to see Katie have some candy corn.



Feeding the goats or "sheep" as Katie referred to them. Click here to watch the video of the goat interaction!



She touched the sheep! The last petting zoo we visited she was scared to touch the animals.



The fam! It is the squatting in this picture that likely made my hot dog coupons fall out of my pocket. So sad! No hot dog for us!



Jenna (and her parents) met us at the pumpkin patch. The hayride was a big deal. The wheel fell off the back trailer.


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Where's Katie?

Maybe Katie should be Waldo for Halloween...



It seems everyone we know is expecting, or recently had, a baby. So if you know me and don't fit into either category - be careful! It could happen to you! That is all just lead in to my latest sewing, applique really, project - the necktie onesie. I have to say it is very difficult to find cute baby boy things to make. Especially since my specialties are skirts and tutus. Well, here it is...


It turned out more Bozo the Clownish than I had planned.

Katie had a dinner date with her friend, Jenna.



We received the Fisher Price catalog this week. The next one they send out is going in the diaper bag for dining out. Katie spent a good 15 minutes checking out the new toys. That's eternity in toddler time.

Bananas for Bandanas

I made this flower brooch for my mother in law using this online tutorial. It was practice for the smaller version pictured below.



Made this for a friend's cute baby cowgirl. This is my second bandana skirt to sew. I am getting better. I'm really proud of the waistband. Two rows of stitches will hold the elastic in place during laundering.



And to keep it about Katie and Abbey...

It is their show after all! This video makes Jon smile. Katie has finally gotten over her Mommy Only phase - Thank heavens!

Here is the bandana flower brooch gift wrapped. I was on the phone when Katie did a postmodern design with the tissue paper (Yes, I had to Google the postmodern art movement to make sure I used the term correctly.) I think Grandma will still like it.

Step Up to the Microphone

Uncle Heath, Aunt Anissa, and Hope bought Katie a microphone. Here is a video of her using it. She holds it very close to her mouth. You get to hear me sing on the video. As Katie would say, "Awesome!"
She is also having a lot of fun playing with her giant balloon from Aunt Diane.

My girl can twirl!

Daddy caught Katie's first twirling on camera.

19.11 pounds

Katie weighs almost 20 pounds, so the pediatrician said we could change her car seat to face forward. Here she is helping Jon read the installation directions.

See how excited she is about the new view!

Click here to see a lengthy video of the maiden voyage of the forward facing car seat in which Katie declares Daddy as her favorite.

Feed the Hungry

Katie shares a tasty spoonful (of nothing) with Mr. Bear and Chris Christmas.

Boston without Katie

Jon traveled to Boston for work last week. He was there to celebrate the wrap up of his project and to receive recognition for his contribution. Katie sent him this "I miss you!" picture while he was gone.



Katie had her first sleepover with Meme and Papa. I don't have any pictures of her weekend, but I know she had a blast. She got a balloon from their local florist and had breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I joined Jon in Beantown for the weekend. Here are some of our trip highlights.

We took a swan boat ride in the Public Garden.



We found the World's largest carrots at the Boston Farmer's Market (where they yell at you for touching the vegetables, so don't do it!!!)



We jogged along the Charles River. It was nice to jog without the Texas humidity.



Jon's company gave him an iPod touch as part of his award. We never noticed all the billboards for the iPod touch until he owned one.



The North End is our favorite area of Boston - because of Mike's Pastry, Regina's Pizza, and Giacomo's - Yum!



Bunker Hill Monument - 294 steps to the top. We made it!



Here is the brunch that gave us the energy for the climb up 294 steps! This is Jon's order of Eggs Benedict. I had Raspberry Cream Cheese French Toast. At 75 Chestnut they have Chocolate Saturdays. This means after your decadent meal they bring out a sampler of chocolate desserts for free. How can you say no to Chocolate Creme Brulee at no charge?



This video clip Jon took the other night while he was home alone with Katie. She likes to sit in the chair in our office and demand you hand her toys from her toy box. She likes to have all her stuffed animals crowded around her.

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A

We traveled to OK this weekend to hike, bike ride, and hang out with friends. Here is Katie exploring the cabin. Here we are hiking in Beaver's Bend.
Katie had time on the trip to hone her Rock Band skills.
If a career in rock doesn't pan out, there is always geology...

Katie didn't want Daddy to wear a helmet. She dislikes her helmet, baseball caps, and party hats - see previous posts. I didn't hear Jon say not to wash his manly black arm warmers. They completely unravelled. In a pinch, Katie's pastel pink Baby Legs worked.
Katie's second favorite thing about the trip, after tasting rocks, was scooting through the cabin in this bucket. This video is about the 4th or 5th time across the length of the cabin, so my speed is not as exhilarating as the first scoot.

Kiss me, I'm Irish, wearing a hair barrette, and walking!

Katie celebrated St. Patty's Day by wearing her shamrock dress and matching socks.

For the first time ever she wore a hair barrette. It was green of course!

I met a Food Network host, and one of my celebrity crushes, Tyler Florence at Central Market in Plano. He was there promoting his new baby food line. Katie will be sampling his food soon. I'll report here.

The moment we've all been waiting for...She's walking!! Watch her here and here.

Getting into Things

Katie's newest hobby is getting into things - literally.

I helped stage this one.



Future Plumbers of America

First Christmas

Katie's first Christmas was wonderful. She loved opening gifts. Especially gifts stuffed full of tissue paper. She clapped and pointed (her newest skill) at her favorite things.

Christmas eve - Katie is wearing her fancy Christmas dress to the candlelight service. Dusty/Granddad is taking the picture.



Why we make New Year's resolutions. Mom's poppy seed cake!



Christmas morning - Look what Santa brought!



Christmas morning - Katie politely reading the gift tag before opening her present from Jon and me.



Christmas dinner at Grandma and Granddad's



First day of Kwanzaa at Meme and Papa's



A gift for me - see video link for a demo



Katie's first Christmas created such an appreciation for God's gift of his son to us. While rocking Katie in my arms at bedtime, I am filled with overwhelming love for her sweet stillness. I long to keep her little and holdable forever. These feelings really brought home to me what an awesome sacrifice God made for us. I would not give Katie's life to save a million saints. Yet God gave baby Jesus to us to save millions of sinners. I always knew the truth of the nativity story. Katie's preciousness drove it home. I feel so grateful and indebted to a God that would love me this much. He is amazing.