Back from Atlanta

I survived my first weekend without Kate!  My mom was so sweet to text me updates all weekend so I didn't feel like I was missing too much.  On Friday Justin and I went to Six Flags where we encountered several family reunions, church groups, and day camps.  It was miserably hot and crowded, but we lasted until we rode everything we wanted to.  Side note - apparently now there is a hot line to call and report line jumping - isn't that funny?  When we got back to the hotel that night, we were greeted by not one, but four, family reunions.  I wanted to croak. 

Saturday was another busy day - we went to the Aquarium in the morning (more crowds full of family reunions and day camps), toured the Braves stadium at lunch, and went shopping that afternoon (Justin couldn't miss an opportunity to go to Bass Pro).  The Braves tour was one of the best things we did all weekend.  We were able to go to the clubhouse and even sit in the dugout!

This is the view from the front row - guess how much these seats cost? $25,000 for a season but you have to commit to buying 2 seats for the next three years - so actually you pay $150,000 (including all the food you can eat).  I also learned the cost of having a corporate suite at the ballpark - $275,000 a year with a three year commitment ($825,000) but it does not include food (can you believe that?).  I can't imagine having that much money to spend.

At the end of the tour we were able to visit the Braves Museum where Justin found "his cousin".

Sunday we got up early and drove to Macon to attend their worship service before heading home.  I was so excited to see Kate - I expected a big reaction when she saw us but I didn't get the grand welcome I had hoped for and Kate cried when Justin held her (poor daddy).  Although she didn't show it, I know she's glad we're back!

Jr. Museum

Last weekend, the Butts family invited us to the Jr Museum.  I haven't been there in years, so it was nice to visit again.  We had a great picnic lunch at the pavilion when we first got there and managed to see all the animals before the rain came. 

I think one of Brock's favorite sites was the train.

We'll be back soon!

10 Months Old

Kate is now in the double digits. Sigh. Some of her favorite activities include crawling, pulling up on everything, playing with her stuffed animals, being on daddy's shoulders, and hanging upside down.  She is babbling more and more, and I think she can say "uh-oh" and "ma-ma".  

I had to bribe her with a nose sucker to lay still - it's so hard to get this picture now.

Here's another one of Kate's favorite games right now - opening and closing doors. 

Recently, I have tried to give her a sippy cup but all she wants to do is play with it.  I have also given her white grape juice and a couple different food items (bananas, saltines, cheese) but so far she hasn't been interested in any of it. 

I can't wait for her next big milestone - walking!

Vacation Bible School

Kate has attended her first VBS at Timberlane!  Although VBS started at 7, when Kate normally goes to bed, her teacher (Mrs. Amanda) said she was great - but I didn't have any doubt since bible class is one of her favorite places.  Kate even had a couple friends in her class (Nolan Sapp, Carl Jacobsen and Will - a visitor).  We invited her friend Madelyn to come along, but unfortunately she was out of town.  Maybe next year! 

Kate and Audrey - they look so excited waiting for VBS to start.

Watching the puppet show.

This year they ordered VBS shirts for all ages.  Since Kate's was a youth extra small, I stole the ribbon idea from Mrs. Tracy!

And the best part of VBS for me - Kate's crafts each night.  I'm so proud!

Each night they learned about a different bible character of faith (Daniel, Noah, and Jonah)

We can't wait for next year!

Going Away for the Weekend!

Justin and I are going away for the weekend and I am so excited! It’s our first trip without Kate and I'm going to try hard not to call my parents every couple of hours. Thanks again Mom and Dad for keeping Kate for us! 

There have been several things I want to write about - Kate's first VBS, and my new exercise class with Katie, but I guess it will have to wait until I get back. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Catch Up

It's been several days since I last posted something - not that I haven't had anything to write about!  Last week Aunt Melanie, Erin, Ryan, Aunt Linda and Gaga all came for a visit.  We had a great time swimming, shopping, playing Phase 10, playing the wii, and more.  Once again, I didn't take very many pictures, but here are a couple from our week:

One Little Monkey...Jumping off the Bed

I'm embarrassed to admit - Kate fell off the bed this morning.  I have such a challenge getting ready in the morning because Justin leaves for work around 6:45 and Kate is into everything!  If I put her on the floor, she pulls down the hot curling irons or chews on anything she can get into her mouth.  If I put her on the bed, she falls off.  This morning that little monkey dived over the pillows and landed on her side with a thud.  Her screams were both heartbreaking and a little dramatic - of coarse I felt terrible, but she quickly recovered.  I'm going to have to figure something out - maybe tomorrow morning we will try sitting in the bumbo with cheerios - at least she will be contained.

Love My Days Off!

I'm so thankful for the extra day off today so I could spend it with Kate - it would be so wonderful to stay home with her. Oh well...back to reality (but it's nice to dream).  We had a lazy morning and then we went swimming this afternoon.  I could really get used to going to the pool everyday and I think Kate could too!

Tonight, we tried out Kate's new bathtub.  I have been looking for something else to try besides the "infant/toddler tub" since she is outgrowing it.  I finally found this inflatable tub at Babies R Us for $10 and thought it was worth a try.  She seems to like it!

I made sure to put her in bed at her normal bedtime tonight since she has been up late the past two nights.  Lately she will play for 30 minutes or so before falling asleep, but not tonight, she went straight to sleep.  When I went in to check on her this is what I saw:

Tomorrow starts Kate's week with Mimi and Aunt Melanie, Erin and Ryan are also coming for a visit!

Kate and Nolan's 1st Fourth of July

Happy 1st Fourth of July Kate and Nolan!  The Sapps came over last night to help us celebrate with food, fun and fireworks,

Kate with Emeline (3 years) and Nolan (3 months) 

Mr. Matt brought some sparklers and poppers, which we all enjoyed playing with after dinner.

"I'm not sure about this..."

"You mean it's already over?"

After our personal fireworks show, we headed over to the Costco parking lot to see the Tom Brown fireworks.  Emeline had a package of glow bracelets and she shared one with Kate - who wouldn't let it go.  Nolan and Kate were getting pretty fussy by the time the fireworks show started, so none of us stayed very long, but it was nice to see the few minutes that we did.  

Sleepy girls.

Thanks Matt, Amanda, Emeline and Nolan for celebrating the Fourth of July with us - we had a great time!

Teething Knobs

Here's one of the latest things Kate likes to chew on - the knobs on the TV stand. 

It's a shame she doesn't have any teething toys to chew on!

Early Fourth of July Celebration

Yesterday, the three of us went to the Covan's house to celebrate the 4th of July with the church youth group.  Kate and Brock Butts were the only little ones there, but they had a great time playing together.  Mrs. Gail was so sweet to "pull a couple toys out of the attic" (translated: she bought Brock and Kate some toys to play with). 

 Brock was sweet to share his trucks with Kate and even sang to her - Victory in Jesus.   I caught the tail end of the performance.

Justin spent most of his time swimming in the pool and playing on the slip n slide while Kate and I hung out near the pool.  I had to be careful though because too many times I have gotten close enough to the pool to be thrown/ or pushed in. 

At the end of the night we enjoyed a fantastic fireworks show and Kate didn't cry!  My plan was for Kate to go to sleep long before the fireworks started, but she decided she wanted to stay up and watch.

Kate and I with Mrs. Sarah (Peyton's mommy), watching the fireworks.

First Week with Daycare Closed

This week was the first week Mrs. Betsy was out of town, so Gigi kept Kate.  Thank you so much Gigi!  I have gotten so spoiled to my mom picking her up everyday so I can go straight to work.  Typically, I am responsible for taking Kate to day care and picking her up everyday - which never sounded like much effort to me before, but now I realize how much is involved.  Even though the diaper bag stays packed with toys, pacifiers, and diapers through the week, depending on when we leave and where we go, I have to add bottles, formula, bibs, dinner, cheerios, an extra outfit or pajamas for our outing. Whew, life has changed (but it's for the better!).

Thursday night Uncle Jordan and Ms. Katie came over to eat tacos and hang out.  We put Kate to bed at 7 but it took her longer than usual to fall asleep - she knew we had company and didn't want to go to sleep.  She would throw her pacifiers or kitty blanket on the ground and wail - just to get one of us to go back there.  Silly girl.  Meanwhile, the adults played a fierce game of Phase 10, which Justin ended up winning.  We were introduced to that card game by Mark and Jennifer Butts and have become hooked ever since. 

I don't have a single picture from Thursday night to share, sorry!  Uncle Jordan and Ms. Katie were flying out to California today to spend the week out there with her family, so we hope they have a safe trip and a great time!