Baby Kate Update & Pictures by Jason:)

Kate is now almost 6 weeks old and thriving! She fits in perfectly with our family! We all just love her and can't get enough:)

She's a good baby, loves to cuddle, nurse, sleep on her tummy and contently look around. At 4 weeks I took her to the dr. and she weighed exactly 8lbs. I love that she's chunking up! There are fat rolls on her thighs and arms. Plus, her newborn onesies really fit now!She holds her breath when she first starts eating so they wanted to see her. Dr. said she's fine and will figure it out as she gets bigger. We are nursing every 3-4 hours during the day until about 7 pm. Then Kate wants to nurse every hour and a half. I've tried making her eat on the 3 hour mark, but it doesn't seem to help.


Kate follows the same schedule she did in the womb. Quiet all morning and then perks up as Momma climbs into bed at 10 pm! We usually end up passing out between 11:30 & midnight. For the 1st month of her life, Kate teased me by sleeping 5-7 hour stretches at night. Now we're averaging 3-probably a growth spurt!
This girl has great lungs! She can really let it go. There is no in between with Kate. She is either happy and peaceful or screaming for dear life. I've been working on getting her to like the gerber paci instead of the orange hospital one and I'm finally seeing results. When all else fails I crawl in our bed and snuggle her close. So far it's worked every time. She doesn't love to be swaddled like her sister, so we only do it occasionally.

We are so blessed God has lent us this sweet girl named Kate! I'm loving having a newborn again and soaking up every minute-even the sleepless ones:)

Celebrating MB as a 2 year Old

Picture taking began on August 18th, Macy Brooks' last day as a 1 year old. I was feeling super emotional about my big girl turning 2. I thought it felt worse than her turning 1! I think it's that at the 1st birthdays, kids can either feel like big kids somedays or still be a baby. But with Macy Brooks turning 2, that baby is disappearing before my eyes. There's hardly no baby left. It's all big kid! I thought if I was good about soaking in these girls, I could slow time a little.....turns out it's not working!

We spent the day with Gigi, Denny's mom(they were here to visit and celebrate). We went to wal-mart to finish up things for the party and headed to lunch, where we had pizza and a cookie. After nap we left Kate at home and went to the playground with Gia and her family. The girls played so well and we had a lot of laughs with Erica and Austin:)



August 19th.....Happy Birthday!

Denny and I went in her room together when she finally woke up(almost 9am) with the camera and video camera. She was surprised and looked at us like we were crazy (we are!).

Then we got dressed, had breakfast, and opened a present. It was a new Mickey Mouse movie to watch on our outing.

Grabbed a shot of the 3 of us before leaving for the aquarium....I LOVE her hand on both of our knees!

Denny's parents-what a great picture! They had a great week here with us. Viv was so nice at the aquarium to push Kate around so Denny and I could experience it with Macy Brooks.

Kate acted up the whole time:) This was her for the whole trip! She's such a good baby and loves to sleep on the go!

I was a little hesitant Macy Brooks was a little young to go to the aquarium, but she loved it! As soon as I saw her excitement, I knew it was a perfect way to celebrate her birthday! She'd come running out of each exhibit saying "more fish, Momma- more fish!" It was precious!

After leaving the aquarium we put Kate in the sling for a change of scenery and walked to Johnny Rockets for lunch.

Macy Brooks shared a hamburger with me and enjoyed a milkshake as well. We also had fun dancing to music and wearing our hats.

After a fun lunch we ran around in the grassy area soaking up a beautiful day. We played "get you" and chased pigeons. I love spending time with our family!

Love this picture of my girl in action. She runs WHEREVER she goes. And I am NOT exaggerating!

We came home to rest and nap and make birthday brownies. Macy Brooks licked the bowl.

Macy Brooks opened a few gifts before we went to Kani House to eat. Denny and I gave her a dress up outfit, movie and elmo shirt. Gigi and Papa gave her a recordable story book that she loves! Mimi and Papa gave her a CD player for the playroom along with 2 CD's, which she also loved!

Here's mom snuggling Kate. She was a trooper being on the go all weekend. I heart her!

Our Happy Happy girl! This kid ROCKS!

Saturday, August 20th....PARTY TIME!

2nd birthday part was held at Gymboree with a Minnie Mouse theme. I recommend a Gymboree party to anyone and everyone. They did a great job and the kids had a blast. Plus, it was minimal work for me!

Cake:)

Here is Ryder, Jackson, Grey and Kellen

Birthday girl was running wide open and she randomly stopped for me to take her picture:)

Kate slept on Gigi the whole time....are you noticing a theme with this chick?

BFF-Gia

Best shot we could get of the party guests: Kellen, Olivia, MB, Gia, Ryder, Blake, Aidan, James and Grey is in front

I think Macy Brooks had a great weekend! It was so fun celebrating this sweet girl! Happy Birthday Love Bug!

Happy 2nd Birthday Macy Brooks!

Oh, Macy Brooks! Where to start???

I cannot believe you are 2 years old! I do a great job of soaking you up and time is still flying by. I'm so happy you are turning into a little girl and I'm so sad you are growing up so quickly!

You are an amazing child! I've never met anyone like you! You had my heart from the moment I laid eyes on you.

The amount of joy you bring to my heart and to this family is indescribable. I love everything about you. I love how you are sassy, loving, helpful, funny, creative, energetic(that's an understatement!), crazy, nurturing, exciting, smart and beautiful all rolled into one great daughter.



Here you are at 2 years old! Just gorgeous:) I am incredibly proud of the sweet girl you are becoming.
You love to have your picture made! Sometimes you will ask to have it taken so you can see the result on the camera screen. Here you are posing for NeNe in your bathing suit. What a ham!

This summer you have turned in to a fish right before our eyes. You absolutely love the pool. You love to jump, go under and kick your feet. Almost every time we go to the pool you do something new all on your own. I was looking forward to teaching you how to swim, but you seem to be doing it on your own. You do a great job of holding your breath. You practice going under and swimming back to the top all the time. All you need to learn is how to use your arms and you'll have it down!

Your best friend is Gia. She is a sweet girl, who's family we just love! You guys are 3 months apart and play very well together. This is you guys at the park tonight. It's your last day as a 1 year old. Right now you usually just call her "G" and it sounds so cute! You are a good friend to all your buddies. You say "my turn" and then when you're done you tell your friends "your turn!" You know how to share well and trade toys with others when they have something you want. I always want you to be kind to your friends and those around you. Friendships are an amazing gift from God and I'll always be praying for you to be surrounded by great friends. So far, the Lord is answering that prayer:)


Macy Brooks, you have become a big sister to Kate with ease. I could not be more proud! You love your sister and always ask to "hold you!" You are very gentle with Kate, always pointing out her nose and telling me when her eyes are open. You get so excited and say "Momma, eyes!" I love it:) Today you and Kate were cuddling when Kate started crying. You are obsessed with giving her the paci. Well, you finally got it in her mouth and she stopped crying. You said "good job, Kate!" How sweet is that? What a great big sister!
You weigh 26 pounds now. Wear a size 4 diaper, 2T clothes and a size 6 shoe. Minnie Mouse, Barney and Little Bear are your favorite shows. Still take your paci at night and love your pink blankey. You sleep 8-8 with a long nap in the afternoons, about 1:30-4:30. You love to color, blow bubbles, run around in the yard, play with your baby, have tea parties, cook in your kitchen, read books, play "get you", hang with friends, swim, talk on the phone, go for walks and watch TV.

Sentences are flying from your mouth. Some of your favorites are:
I don't know
Where'd it go?
There it is
Momma, get you
I want to eat
Thank you momma (you do really well with your manners!)

You are saying new words and sentences everyday! Very fun!


You are currently a momma's girl! I love it! It gets hard sometimes when you want me to do everything, instead of someone else helping out. But I just soak it up and tell myself the day will be here all too soon when you may want nothing to do with me. So I just enjoy doing for you and try to do it with a happy heart:) I never take you for granted! I know you are God's that he has lent me. I am so thankful he has placed us in this family together! God is so good!

I love you more than I will ever be able to express and I want you to always remember that! Our prayer tonight as we rocked was that you will love being a 2 year old and that Momma and Daddy will know how to best guide you this next year. I prayed you will come to know that Jesus loves you and wants to be your friend.

I love you sweet girl! Happy Birthday!

Big Sister meets Kate

Y'all know I was feeling anxious about how Macy Brooks would do meeting her little sister. I'd imagined hundreds of scenarios, but never really knew how it would go.

Well... Macy Brooks did great!

Since labor and delivery went late into the night, my parents and in-laws had a hard time getting going on Wednesday. Big sister meeting was pushed back to the afternoon, which worked out good because we were all able to nap.

When Macy Brooks walked into our hospital room, my friend Crystal was snuggling Kate. This worked great so Denny and I could focus on her and wrap her up in big hugs. Man, I had missed that chick! After a few minutes, Kate began to make noises. Mom ended up with her and sat down on my bed. Macy Brooks was instantly saying "baby, baby." She instinctively started kissing, loving her and pointing out her nose, eyes, and mouth. My heart was full! It was amazing to watch our 2 baby girls together:)


The cameras came out and Macy Brooks asked to hold her. She could have sat there forever! When we would go to re-adjust Kate, Macy Brooks thought we were taking her away and would say "no, no, no!" We'd have to re-assure her that we weren't taking her away. She was loving and protective already!!

Our parents went to dinner and Macy Brooks stayed for awhile. Kate gave her a present-3 new Biscuit books and a Minnie Mouse doll. Everything was a hit! We walked the halls and played and stared at Kate a little more.

One of my favorite moments I always want to remember is when Denny went to take Macy Brooks to the cafeteria. They left the first time and I didn't say bye, because I didn't want to disturb her happy mood and get her upset when she realized I wasn't going. Well, silly me! They came back in to get "Minnie" and I said "bye Macy Brooks." She turned and walked over and said "Bye Momma, Kiss?" and came for a kiss. Then she tapped Kate on the back and said "bye baby, Kiss?" and laid one on her! It was amazing! So of course after they left, I just let the happy tears flow!


Macy Brooks is continuing to do great in her big sister role. She's acted out towards me a few times, but has been mostly sweet:) Who knows if she's just being 2 or knows I brought Kate out of my belly and into our home!