Lessons from a 2 month-old

This post will be short and sweet. We're learning a lot from Kate:

* Eat when you're hungry
* Stop when you're full.
* Sleep when you're tired.
* Laugh when something is funny.
* ALWAYS wear comfortable clothes.
* Shoes are really optional.

We're still at odds on the cry loudly (read: at the top of your lungs and non-stop) if there's a slight chance that something might be wrong...

Dear Mr President

Dear Mr. President

Just the other day I watched your inauguration on TV when I was a mere 6 weeks old. Mom and I were talking about what a nice guy you are and how you have 2 little girls of your own. She also told me how you were going to do some cool stuff for our country, so I thought you might want to add a couple of things to your list to help out babies like myself. First, I was hoping you could outlaw onesies. I'm just a baby, but onesies remind me of the war in Iraq. They seem like a good idea, but once you start getting into a onesie, you realize what a bad idea they are - not to mention the fact that no one had babies in mind when they designed them! Also, I would like for you to make tummy time illegal. Tummy time, like waterboarding, is torture. We should spare babies everywhere. Finally, I was going to ask that you make baths for babies against the law, but I've come to like them (see above). Thank you Mr. President. If you do these things, I'll be sure to ask Mom and Dad to vote for you in 2012.

iMac!

So we finally upgraded our home machine this past week. We decided to make the switch to an iMac and so far we're really glad that we did. We just posted our first attempt at a website at:

Our New Website


It needs a lot of work but its a start. Stay tuned... more to come.

Kate doesn't know what the fuss is all about. She's just watching Mickey Mouse.

Muffin Man and miscellaneous news

Warning! If you don't follow the directions CLOSELY you'll end up with muffin mix in the muffin pan and an unopened can of blueberries on the counter. I'm certain that Jenny was responsible for prepping the blueberries but then she mumbled something about taking care of a baby blah blah blah... Anyway, unlike life, muffins are a destination not a journey, so as long as they get in there before you bake them who cares, right? Only time will tell!



On a cooking related note I've learned (through experimental cooking) that if you take one part Aussie and add a tablespoon of muffin mix, you get time travel. Don't believe me? Here's photo evidence.



Also unrelated: The recliner is rated for two hair challenged people and a cat at a minimum. We were going to test adding an Aussie but the subject was uncooperative (see time travel above).



And for our last story of the night: Kate is still very cute.

Kate turns One (month)!

Well, Kate is officially one month old! If you count from her actual due date she's 1 week old... does this mean that she's an average 2.5 weeks? Not sure how you calculate that.. anyway, here's some pics and some stuff we've learned about our new little girl!

First... here I am on my due date. No maternity clothes!! Yay! The pants don't quite button yet, but soon, SOON! Ok, so technically they DO button, but I can only imagine this is what men with beer guts look like when they button their pants. :) I think I get clearance to start running again in 2 weeks - I can't wait!

Kate's 1st month likes: The swing, the bouncy seat, and anything that rocks, swings, or vibrates. She also likes dancing to Ska, reading, playing with her mirror, shopping (its unbelievably calming.. to both of us!), eating, visits with Nanna and Grandma,the sound of running water (unfortunately this is too costly for her to enjoy often), NubbaWub cat, and dates with Dad (see below).

Her NubbaWub cat - he's such a lifesaver. She likes to hold onto the cat while working on the pacifier.

Bagel dates with Dad.


Her dislikes: Diaper changes and baths (see below). She also dislikes when she loses control of her arms and whacks herself in the face - but who doesn't? She dislikes being buckled into the car seat, but is happy once the car starts.

Baths - see diaper changing below. Apparently she takes after Foster in this regard.


And the animals seem to be adjusting well....

This is for me, right?

A Day in the Life

So, being new to human children, we weren't quite sure what to expect from Kate after we got her home from the hospital. What exactly do newborns do all day? Well, let me tell you, its pretty boring. There are a lot of naps in the swing and a lot of naps in general. There is a lot of eating and a lot of diaper changing. I decided to capture a normal day and here is what we have!

9:00 am - Trying to wake up!

9:30 - They call this changing a diaper - Kate calls it torture.

10:30 - I love to read!

11:30 - Sometimes I'm awake enough to play with my cool mirror.

12:00 - 3:00 Magic swing time. She watches a lot of football, basketball, and Home and Garden TV from this swing, but I'm still convinced that it allows for time travel - it works too well!!

3:30 This is the face of contentment - nothing like kicking back and relaxing after a good meal. You might notice how expressive Kate's hands are in these pics - I think these are the hands of a future artist/actress/chef. She can be a little dramatic...

So there you have it. Stay tuned for a "Night in the Life" - believe me, its much more exciting.

Best Meal Of The Year!

Pork tenderloin with peach chutney, collards, black eyed peas and
cornbread muffins. Jealous?!

Foster!

Foster got a trim and wash to bring in the new year.

New Years Day

Jenny and Kate the morning after a WILD NYE party at our house last
night. Kids these days party hard!

Happy New Year!

Kate joins us in wishing everyone a happy 2009!

What a First Week!

It has been quite a crazy first week for Kate! She's been to the Dr (multiple times) and had her heels pricked, been treated for jaundice, taken her first sponge bath, had a 1 week photo shoot, taken her first Saturday trip to Starbucks, and has just been practicing being cute in general.

Dad trying to console me while that nurse tries to get a pint of blood out of my tiny foot. My lungs work great!!

Looking comfy on my Bili-Bed - No more jaundice - Yay!!

Sponge baths aren't much fun, but I like the nice hooded towel at the end.

Gotta start early! Make mine a Latte!

Dad is teaching me how to blog for myself!

Meet Baby Kate!

Jennifer went to work on Thursday morning thinking it was just another day. Around 6PM, Kate decided that we both needed a long weekend as her first anniversary present to us. We arrived at Baptist Hospital in Columbia just before 9:00PM Thursday night. Laura Katherine Meredith (Kate) was born at 4:10AM on December 12th, 2008. She's a healthy and happy 6lb 8oz, 20in little girl. We've posted some of our favorite photos below covering her first moments with us through the trip home today.

This is Kate's first photo with Jenny.

Kate's first photo with Don.

The new happy family.

Kate likes snoozing on her Boppy.

Kate and Nanna.

Kate got to meet Grandma on Friday.

Kate took a nap while Grandma & Grandpa visited.

Jenny & Kate enjoying a moment during the visit.

This is the photo that the hospital photographer shot of Kate. Don't be fooled - many tears were shed before she snuck this shot in.


Sunday morning around noon we were cleared to head home. I couldn't carry any more bags - trust me, I tried.


At first, Kate wasn't too excited about leaving the hospital.


Jenny convinced Kate that meeting Foster was worth the trip.


The parade through the hospital.


Foster isn't sure what to think. Can she throw a Frisbee?

Smokey's world has been turned upside down after Kate's arrival. Nevermind - he's always laying on his back.

Where did the Holiday Weekend Go?

What a crazy weekend!! Thanksgiving (x2), Charlotte shopping, Clemson Football, and a baby shower! It was fun, but I could use a few more days to recover.

I talked Don into going to Clemson for the big game, and we're VERY glad we braved the weather. Here we are cold and not too wet. I'm lucky to have a husband that loves me and found the biggest cup of hot chocolate you've ever seen! Peppermint Patty was back and thankfully she left at half time b/c I don't think I could have taken her the whole game. I know what you're thinking.. how could you leave at half-time?! Even the Gamecock fans stuck it out until the end of the 3rd quarter!

In Baby news.... only 32 days left! (or so we hope) She has to hold off through next weekend b/c that's when my cousin Kristen is getting married, I'm getting my Charleston haircut, and we have (non-refundable) reservations at a cute little B&B in downtown Chas. Below is a belly shot of me - a couple of weeks ago actually. I don't think I 'm that much bigger now. I like this picture because it looks like I'm wearing normal clothes.

I've promised several people pictures of the nursery, so here they are.... We have a mirror on order that will go over the dresser. I also have some art-work to hang before its perfect.

We have been showered with SO many incredible baby gifts, and have really been touched by everyone's generosity. We received lots of practical things and lots of hand-made things that you could never put a price tag on. I think the Target registry is almost completely fulfilled! Now I think we're just getting anxious to meet this little girl and see if she is as cool as we suspect. :) We'll keep you posted!