Heading to Naples

Justin, Kate and I are heading down to Naples this weekend with Mimi and Papa.  Please keep us in your prayers for a safe trip!  We will be celebrating Nene's 80th birthday and just spending some quality time with the Evers side of the family.  It's an ezhausting trip, but everytime we go I am so grateful to have had to opportunity to visist the grandparents and extended family.  Since my car is still in the shop (racking up a $1000+ repair bill, ouch!), my dad has graciously lended us his SUV.  I hope nothing happens to his car while it is in our hands because I will be mortified (and cursed).  Everytime I speak to the car repair guy I haven't gotten good news.  Apparently, ignoring a loud sound coming from the back of your car isn't a good idea.  I'm just thankful we didn't get stranded in my car on the way to Naples.  That would have been bad.

Meeting Miss Kendal Covan

Tonight, my mom, Katie and I were able to visit Miss Kendal in the hospital.  She is so tiny!!  Mr. David and Mrs. Brittany are going to be great parents.  I love that Justin, Raymond and David are such great friends and they all have beautiful baby girls.  Kendal was on her best behavior while we were there and already attached to the hospital pacifier.  Kate can't wait to meet you Kendal!

Thank You Mrs. Tracy

Last week, Kate had a great time spending the day with Audrey and Mrs. Tracy.  Since it was spring break, Mrs. Betsy was closed a couple days and I needed a babysitter.  Kate started squeeling when we pulled up at Audrey's house, where Audrey was waiting at the front door saying Kate's name.  I know the girls had a great day after reading Mrs. Tracy's blog and I just wanted to tell Mrs. Tracy and Audrey "THANK YOU" again.  It's such a blessing to have wonderful friends to lean on!

P.S.  We are going to put in a special request with the Easter Bunny to bring Kate a stroller for her baby dolls. Mrs. Tracy said it was one of her favorite things to do.

First Visit to Good Samaritan

Today was Kate's first visit to her new school - Good Samaritan Academy.  She was a little shy at first, but she warmed up and loved playing all around the room.  Kate and I attended the morning devotional, which is combined with the 2 year old class and the 3 year old class, so she was probably overwhelmed at first.  Immediately, several kids came up to us, asking what Kate's name was and how old she was.  They loved her hair bow and bracelet and some even wanted to sit on my lap with Kate.  I think she had a great time and it helped ease my nerves.  Katie gave me the sweetest card Tuesday night along with some candy (for me, ummm!) and hair bows (for Kate), which almost made me cry, but I managed to hold it together.  Thank you so much Katie - it really meant a lot to me!  I didn't realize how emotional I am about this transition.  I debated about going into work this afternoon since I will be out of the office Friday afternoon and Monday, but I decided I needed a girl's day with Kate.  

On the way to her new school. 

Please keep Kate in your prayers since she starts at her new school tomorrow.  I hope she has a great first day. 

Upcoming Events

March is almost over and April is approaching fast - along with several things we are looking forward to:


Friday, April 1st: Kate's first day at her new daycare. Unfortunately, this is our last week at Mrs. Betsy's. I went this afternoon to purchase Kate's school supplies - I feel like it's already time for Kindergarten since I had to purchase hand soap, hand sanitizer, and tissues.


Friday - Monday (April 1st-4th): Naples Trip. We are excited to see the family and to celebrate Nene's 80th birthday! We haven't been down there since August so it'll be good to see everyone and for Kate to show off how much she has grown.


Saturday, April 9th: Lots of events going on that day. We are going to Mrs. Betsy's Baby "Sprinkle" (instead of Baby Shower) that morning, an Easter Egg Hunt that afternoon and Uncle Jordan and Aunt Katie's engagement party that night! It's going to be an exciting (and busy) weekend.


Sunday, April 24th: Easter! I hope the Easter bunny is as good to Kate this year as he was last year. Mimi and Papa already gave Kate an early Easter basket complete with bunny ears, hair bows, sunglasses and an Easter book.

Peyton's 2nd Birthday Party

 Saturday, Kate and I went to Peyton's 2nd Birthday Party at Tom Brown Park. Daddy was out of town with Papa (story about that at the end of this post) so it was just us girls. The theme was a Teddy Bear Party and it was "beary" cute. There were teddy bear cupcakes, teddy grahams, and a teddy bear as the centerpiece. This was the first birthday party Kate and I had been to at the "new" playground.

Audrey, Peyton (the Birthday Girl!) and Kate

I love the cupcakes - Mrs. Sarah made them herself.  Thankfully there were enough "bear" cupcakes because every kid wanted one.  Kate was gracious to take a "non-bear" cupcake, but secretly I wanted a bear cupcake too.  They looked so good!

We hope you had a wonderful birthday Peyton!

After the party, Kate and I took a nap, and we waited for Daddy to get back.  I was expecting a quiet night at home, but instead I had the pleasure of taking Justin to Urgent Care.  While he was at the coast, he jumped off a dock and onto an oyster bed and cut the bottom of his foot.  Two hours and five stitches later, I got him back home and in bed where he stayed the rest of the weekend.  Hopefully this will heal fast! 

18 Month Checkup

Kate received a good report at her 18 month checkup and the best part - no shots!!  I asked for her stats from her 15 month check up as well as her 18 month since Justin forgot to get them at her last appointment.

15 Month Checkup

Height: 29 3/4 inches (20th percentile)

Weight: 21 pounds, 1 ounce (20th percentile)

Head Circumference: 45.5 cm (40th percentile)

18 Month Checkup

Height: 31.5 inches (35th percentile)

Weight: 22 pounds, 15 ounces (20th percentile)

Head Circumference: 46 cm (35th percentile)

I think we cheated on the height - but it's hard when Kate is squirming all around.  Each time we go, the nurse writes her stats on a piece of paper labeled "Normal Development: XX Months Old".  I'm always interested in reading through the list to see what Kate has and hasn't mastered.

Here are some examples:

1. Begins to Eat with Fork.  Check!

2. Enjoys imitating parents.  Check!  She loves to brush her hair like Mommy.

We tried out a new hairstyle.  Justin doesn't like it, but I think it's cute?!

3.  May favor father.  No doubt.  Justin usually gets her out of bed in the mornings, so if I go in there, the first word out of her mouth is "Daddy?". 

4.  Walks backward a short distance.  Kate hasn't tried this yet, but it would probably be funny to watch.

5. Speaks 3 to 50 words.  Check, she's right on track with her language development. 

6.  May show strong attachment to a toy or blanket.  Check! We don't leave home without Kitty.

7. Responds to simple requests ("Bring me your book").  Yes, I will brag that Kate is a good listener and recently I have experienced three reactions to my request to "Come here".  1. She willing does it.  2. She looks at me and sits down and 3. She bows her heard and starts crying while walking towards me.

8. Uses a few two-word combinations.  Kate hasn't done this yet, but we've got something to work on before her 2nd birthday.

Trying to avoid a temper tantrum, I let her stand in the big girl chair at the doctor's office.  Some battles aren't worth fighting and this was one of them.  I was proud she said "Hi" and "Bye" to Dr. Elzie and behaved long enough for me to have a decent conversation.

I hope we don't have to go back until her next well checkup appointment in September!