Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum

So, Christmas was exactly how I imagined it would be-toys (especially for mommy & daddy-I'll explain later), travel, and family! It was so much fun this year with a little one. We woke up with Kaydee to eat at 6am & went ahead & got ready to head over to Mike's parents' house for the SANTA Christmas. We opened up all of our gifts there which included the most adorable Ladybug rocker for Kaydee and... can't wait... A NEW CAMERA!!! Mike and I have wanted a Digital SLR for years & could never justify spending the money when there are so many other things we need. That was our big Christmas present for the three of us-a NIKON D3100 SLR! :) I had a blast taking hundreds of pictures with our new camera which included a nice camera bag, an additional lens (55-200mm), and an extra capacity SD card.

After that, we left for the Strange's family Christmas which ALWAYS includes breakfast quiche and Christmas music. :) We opened our presents while Kaydee watched in amusement at all of the ruckus going on around her. Mike and I got an essential item all homeowners need-a blower!! After this fall, my parents decided we needed a blower over all else. We have trees in our yard & just kind of let the leaves fall where they may ... and left them, lol. It was too much trouble to keep cleaning leaves up, so we just let them stay...and stay they did and continue to do until the snow lets up.

I was very excited to look out the window at my parents' house to find that Kaydee's first Christmas would be a WHITE CHRISTMAS! It was too cold to take her out and enjoy it at her age, but we looked from the window and she seemed to appreciate it for the most part.

After that, we left for my Uncle Ed's house in Tallapoosa, GA. It was an hour ride in which Kaydee decided she would make us a present as soon as we left. Yes-the ride was a smelly one & we laughed at her laughing about it...she thought it was funny. I had hoped she would nap on the way there, but instead-she pooped. I had her in a cute little Christmas outfit with red snowflake tights & a red onesie with a jean jumper. That quickly came off when we had realized why the smell was so bad in the car! She had gone all over herself!

Such an eventful evening trying to get home in the ice while needing new tires, but we made it & sat home while playing video games and playing with our new toys on Christmas night.

This is what Christmas is all about-good times & enjoying it with family!

And to all a good night!

SPOONS!!

So, last night we started something new-SPOON-FEEDING! :) Kaydee didn't do too great, but we gave it another shot tonight when we got home. She gets the idea, but doesn't particularly like eating from a spoon-much better tonight. (See pics) After we got word that her BFF, Isabella, had started (she is only 2 days younger than Kaydee) we decided to give it a try. We started her off on bananas & rice cereal mixed with formula (bananas just for taste), so tomorrow I think we will try some veggies. I hope she gets better at this...







On another note-the roads are extremely icy & dangerous. We hardly made it home from picking Kaydee up from school. KAYDEE'S FIRST ICE STORM!! :) If only there were snow on the ground, so a day off could be spent building snowmen & angels. (She may be too young for that yet.)

Kaydee had another first tonight while changing her diaper...SHE GIGGLED. She has given us a couple of little noises while smiling, but tonight-SHE GIGGLED that little baby giggle that we all love so much!! Of course it was at her daddy as she just finds him so hilarious, lol. He kept on with it while she continued to smile & laugh until she got bored with it & turned her head to find something else to admire. Still-SHE GIGGLED! :) :) :)

Kaydee is still talking up a storm ... all the time. She seems to be so camera-shy, so we have to sneak the camera when she starts to talk...we have yet to catch her in a full-on conversation on camera. :( This is as close as we have gotten thus far.

Kaydee 2010 copy

Click here to view this photo book larger

Workin' for the weekend

I feel like all I do now is work & sleep. I miss being home all day with my baby Bug and having only a couple hours of awake time with her during the week is getting to me! I feel like I am going to miss all of her big important milestones & it's really hard. Weekends have never been more important & all I can think about is getting home to hug and kiss all over her big cheeks.

Mike and I have a party to attend this weekend with our friends. Most people look forward to this time of year to attend holiday parties & leave the kids at home with a sitter or drop them off at Grandma's, but the thought of wasting a weekend night away when I could be home cuddling with Kaydee seems not-so-fun to me anymore! She is growing up so fast & has recently started to get really excited at the sight of mine or Mike's smiles...I don't want to miss anything!!!

3 months ALREADY!!

Like the last few posts, it's been a while. :)

I have a bit to catch up on since there has been so much time between my posts. The last time I posted, Mike and I were celebrating our 2-year wedding anniversary. We had a fantastic night at a sushi restaurant in Buckhead (Aja), but I couldn't wait to get home to my baby girl since it was the first time I had left her side for more than the time it takes to hop in & out of the shower (still then I was rushing through my showers). That next month flew by & I kept counting the days until I knew it was time to return to work & send Kaydee to daycare. I was back at work on November 3...the longest day of my life.

I dropped her off at 7:30 that morning since I was to be at work by 8:30. She slept on our way to school & was still asleep when I took her out of her seat to hand her off to the teacher. I wanted so badly for her to be awake so that she would see me go & not wake up thinking I had left her...little to my knowledge-not the case. She had a great day. When we picked her up, she was completely calm & hanging out with the fellow 'students'. I was so anxious to grab her & squeeze her.

It's gotten much much easier to take her in and go through the day without calling the school 10 times to check on her (I KNOW I was driving them crazy although they kept telling me otherwise). I still get so excited to pick her up & I look forward to that moment more than any other moment during the day.

We had our first bout with ear infections last week as well as RSV. I hope that is our LAST time dealing with that virus...she was miserable, in turn making mommy & daddy miserable as well. Our sweet little baby was no longer smiling or happy-she just wanted to cry & sleep all day and I just wanted to do anything I could to make her feel better. Mike kept saying he wished he could inherit the virus to take it away from her. The symptoms were supposed to last for weeks, but she seems to be doing much better now. She is smiling & cooing again & stays awake for more than 10 minutes!!

We had a very different Thanksgiving than we have ever had in the past. With Kaydee being so sick, we had just immediate family dinner at my parents' house + our good friend, Sean! Kaydee was so good for her being so sick.

We just celebrated her 3-month birthday on Monday (Nov 29) and she has changed so much since her birth day. We had some pics taken for Christmas as well as at White Oak Park for her 3-month pictures.








What she's up to now:
>She talks all the time-she is definitely going to be a chatterbox just like her mama!! She says, AGRGLRGGA and aaaagraaaaa.
>Blows bubbles ALL the time!!! We can't keep them off her lips. Once the bubbles are wiped away, she goes OUT of her way to create more. :)
>Bathtime is her favorite time! She can be so upset, but once she enters the bathtub, she just relaxes & splashes her feet to make a water mess all over. :) It makes me smile everytime she does it.
>Anytime I glance down at her while I am holding her (she is usually staring up at me or Mike), she gives us such a big smile like that is all she has been waiting for. We can't help to laugh at her and give her ten million kisses with every tiny smile.
>Although she smiles, she is very stingy with them & is usually giving us a look like we are crazy! All the things we try & do to her to get a smile I'm sure confirm her thoughts. lol
>No rolling over yet, but she tries her hardest to pull herself up when she is sitting in her bouncer or her swing. She flexes those tummy muscles & once she gets herself pulled up a little, she falls right back. I know she can't wait to be able to sit up on her own!
>She finally drinks 4 oz every 3 hours (better than what she was taking-2 oz every 2 hours!!) and wakes up once in the middle of the night for a feeding!

We had her 8-week check-up on November 2 & her stats were as follows:
*10.8 lbs
*23 in.
BOTH in the 50th percentile...along with her head size-which I can't remember at this point. She is just PERFECT!!!

The doctor said her next check up we will talk about spoon-feeding!

She had her last weight taken on November 29 & she weighed 12.1 lbs!!! She's growing so fast!! As much as I can't wait for her milestone moments, I try & enjoy every moment she gives us during each second she is with us! :)

She has FINALLY arrived

Ok, this is WAY late, but I have been in the midst of a tornado for the past 5 weeks. Our little Kathryn Brooke arrived after a long 36 hours of labor & 2 hours of pushing which ended up in a c-section.

I was scheduled for induction on Monday, August 30 putting her birthday probably on August 31...Kaydee had other plans. My water broke at 3:30 in the morning on August 28 and we arrived at the hospital around 4:45. They admitted us around 7am & my contractions started at 7:30. I waited as long as I could before I went the epidural route, but around 11:30 that morning, I caved. The contractions were approximately 2 mins apart & strong, but I was only dilated 1cm. The anesthesia slowed the contractions down drastically, so they had to put me on pitocin to keep them coming. We thought for sure her birthday would be August 28, but during a conversation we were all having in the delivery room, we decided it was a good thing she waited until the next day-Michael Jackson's birthday! :) That made Kaydee's daddy very happy.

The surgery went very well & the moment I heard that little cry when they pulled her out, I couldn't hold my own tears back. I had waited for that cry for 9 months and it was healthy & STRONG! :) She was a whopping 7 lbs 13 oz, 21 in long and born at 2:11PM. Mike was great through the whole thing & took to her like a natural. She was the first infant he had ever held and the first little girl he had encountered. She is already daddy's little girl & I couldn't be happier.

Mike now comes home every day from work to kiss his little Bug and forgets that I exist sometimes...haha! Our life has changed tremendously, but it has certainly been a welcoming change. We are happier than we could have imagined & even though sleep is foreign to us now, it is completely worth every sleepless night to be able to see our little Kaydee Bug every day!

Today is mine and Mike's 2nd Anniversary, so my parents are watching Kaydee while we go out to dinner. I am so nervous, because I feel like I will only be worried about her the whole time (I know she is in great hands, though) and I won't be able to enjoy our dinner.

Til next time,
Shalom~

Won't be long!!

I am up to 1 doc appointment per week now & this morning was one of them. Mike had a meeting in Duluth this morning, so it was the second appointment I have had to go to without him. :( The visit went GREAT! The doctor gave me great news to pass along...I will more than likely be induced next Wednesday afternoon after my appointment. She is measuring 40 weeks today & is a pretty big baby girl (as the doc put it). I couldn't WAIT to pass along this news to Mike. When I called to tell him, he sounded so shocked...he has been thinking we would go until September...I DON'T THINK SO!!! I couldn't go until September...I wouldn't survive it. Either way, we are going to have a baby next a week & I am SO excited! :)

And the beat goes on...

Mike and I have pretty much finished up Kaydee's room and gotten completely ready for her arrival. People keep telling me I will start "nesting" soon (organizing, cleaning, etc...) but I have not had the energy to do much of anything. I feel so tired all the time. For the most part, this pregnancy has been fairly easy & I haven't had any issues other than the normal prego symptoms like swollen feet, ankles, & hands and then of course the occasional pains that go along with it. Time has flown by the past 9 months (I'll be 9 months Monday)and now that I am in the home stretch, time has SLOWED DOWN tremendously. This week has been such a long week & I can only imagine the next few weeks will only get longer & more drawn out. We are all so ready to meet little Kathryn & it's all I can think about. Of course it doesn't help that Mike doesn't get home until almost 10pm every night this week and I am stuck at home alone having to 'fend' for myself...something I am ashamed to say I haven't had to do in a long time. ;)

I have gotten all of the baby's things packed for our short hospital stay and I have gotten most of the things I need ready in case it happens any time now (Which my doctor has mentioned is a possibility).

My dad's family had our annual family reunion on July 24 and it this year it doubled as a baby shower for little Kaydee. We got great stuff! I swear, this little girl will NEVER run out of clothes until the time comes for her to buy her own! Little girl clothes are so much fun to buy and I think everyone seems to agree. :) I have a shower with mine and my mom's friends this weekend (August 1) and after that, Mike and I have decided it's time to go purchase the last bit of items we need to make things a little more 'manageable' when she does come...if that is possible. :)

It's DONE...almost

Mike and I spent all weekend two weeks ago getting Kaydee's room ready for her arrival, since we figured it could really happen anytime (let's hope she stays put for a few more weeks, though). We spent most of the time painting stripes onto the top portion of the wall, which took a couple of days. Then to top it off, we were able to get all of her furniture into her bedroom. After a few moves & changes to layout, we finally got it all moved into the room & it looks so amazing! Mike should be so proud...he did most of the painting while I randomly popped in to supervise & make sure he was doing what I had asked. ;)

The changing table was a gift from my grandmother which we painted & decorated to match the bedroom, while the dresser was a gift from Mike's parents and looks great with the bed we have. :)

Mike and I think Rocky is just as anxious to meet our little girl as we are. After we finished what we could, we went in there to take pictures and found Rocky in there looking out the window. We just know he will be her little body guard and best friend when she gets here. :)












We spent the 4th of July weekend going to the TN Aquarium in Chattanooga on Saturday and then Sunday, the 4th, at the lake with my parents where we closed the night off with fireworks on the lake. I can't wait for Kaydee to get here and watch them.

I am starting to get really anxious about her arrival (and to not be pregnant in this heat anymore), but mostly to meet our little angel.

I bought her first Halloween costume today while out with my mom...so cute!!! My grandmother LOVED ladybugs, so her room is in ladybugs and everytime we see something that has to do with them, we always have to get it for little Kaydee. This Halloween, she will be the cutest ladybug trick-or-treating! :)



Tonight we are going to watch some fireworks with Mike's parents and nephews.

Kathryn Brooke Summers

Well, it's been a long time since I have HAD time to update. Mike and I are extremely busy planning, clearing, cleaning, working, and planning some more. Last time I updated was when we saw the heartbeat of our little one for the first time...enchanting. We went back on April 14 to find out what we were having the same day my mom had a hysterectomy & unable to attend...it was a long doctor's visit...

Our appointment was at 10:30am and I had borrowed a tape from my office to record the ultrasound---forgot the tape in my car. So, Mike and his mom dropped me off at doc & they went across to Target to buy a VHS tape...I was NOT going to miss this appointment as it was the only thing I could think of for weeks. They finally made it back & I still hadn't been brought back yet since the U/S tech was backed up.

When we finally got to go back to the 'magical room', we got a glimpse of our almost-fully formed bundle of joy. The tech got great shots of the spine & head as the baby was turned over on the stomach, so we looked over everything else before attempting to move south to get the gender. We jiggled, shook, & rattled my stomach to turn the baby over to no avail. Ugh...stubborn already. The more we shook the deeper the baby fell asleep. SO...

The tech had another appointment and so I had to go to the waiting room YET again and await the other appointment to be over. Mike and his mom went to Chick-fil-a to get orange juice & a kid's meal chicken nugget to try & get this baby to roll over. IT WORKED. I felt the baby do a roll & thought, "I WILL KNOW TODAY!"

The U/S tech was able to get an immediate reading as the baby had completely rolled over & turned to the other side. We were looking for 3 lines or a turtle...we saw three lines!! IT'S A GIRL!!! Kathryn Brooke Summers...named after my grandmother who passed away 3 years ago. Afterwards, we stopped by Northside Hospital to check on my mom & give my parents the news! :) Of course they were elated as I knew they would be.

I left the next day for a business trip to Dallas, TX and thought it to be my grandmother looking out for me that my hotel was attached to the galleria mall...BABY GAP! I bought Kaydee her first dress, blouse, & top. ADORABLE. 3 of many many many more clothes!

Because the tech was unable to see the bladder & stomach, we had to make another ultrasound appointment to be sure everything was functioning properly...no problemo...we got another glimpse of our baby girl. My mom was able to attend this ultrasound.

Over the next month, Mike and I have been cleaning out Kaydee's room (our office/storage/catch-all room)which hasn't been an easy feat. We have ALMOST gotten the room cleaned out and ready to put her furniture in!

Speaking of furniture...
Mike, my mom, Sue, and I went to the World's Largest Baby Shower this past weekend where I, of course, entered my name in every drawing available. It certainly paid off as I got a phone call today that I had won the prizes of all prizes (when you're an expectant mother)...a handcrafted crib! We weren't too crazy about the color-pink-but it was a prize & free...so we loved it. The color has grown on us and after we have placed the bedding all over it actually looks really great. My entire image of her bedroom has changed from practical yet fun to WHIMSICAL!!! I'm cool with it...better get used to unplanned changes as I am sure I am in for many many more over the next part of my life. ;)

140 BPM!!! :)

Mike and I had our first ultrasound on January 20 to see the heartbeat and get a more accurate due date (August 30, 2010). My mom met us there to get the first glimpse of our little miracle in the making. :) The heartbeat was 140 beats per minute which (according to some) is right in the middle...low end for a girl, high end for a boy. That method didn't work to give us an idea of what we can expect to start decorating & preparing for, but hopefully in a few weeks we will know for sure!

Our next appointment is February 5 and they will be doing more tests...I have a feeling I will need to get used to all of the anticipation of what each appointment will bring.

My "morning" sickness has pretty much subsided with the exception of a few bouts per day. As I am approaching 12 weeks it should go away for good and hopefully it WILL!

It's Baby Time!

Mike and I had our first appointment last week and all went well. Our new due date is September 1, 2010, but it could change after the ultra sound. I scheduled my second appointment to get my first ultra sound and hear the heartbeat! CAN'T WAIT!!! We are getting more and more excited about it, but trying not to get too excited before we make sure everything is "working properly"; we will know more after January 20.

SURPRISE!!

Christmas came and went by so fast--they seem to do that the older I get! Now that it is 2010, Mike and I have resolutions to be made we weren't planning on making for a couple of years. I woke up on the morning of New Years Eve only to think..."am I?" Sure enough, 2 tests later I was! We were very shocked at first, but that shock has certainly turned into excitement and we can't help to wonder what life will be like a year from now. My first doctor's appointment (of many I hope) is tomorrow and I will know much more information then. Of course, Mom calculated what SHE thought would be the due date & came up with August 20th (ish). We will see! :)

Till then...Shalom!!!