Happy 1 month Birthday, Ella Kate!

It's been one whole month since she arrived; some days it feels like we've never been without her and some days it feels like she just came into our lives. Either way we are still in awe of our beautiful baby girl. It's amazing that we've created this perfect little being!

We got the Christmas tree on Tuesday, and it turned out we got more than we bargained for. It was tagged as a 6'-7' tree, but turned out to be more like 8.5'! So, as is typical in the Vinson house, at about 9pm on Thursday we went to set it up and realized it hit the ceiling! Chris just pulled out his handy skill saw and fixed the problem! Finally he got it all set up. It's still in the process of being decorated, but we hope to have it finished tomorrow so that we can move on to the rest of the house. We're really trying to do it up this year b/c our house is on the neighborhood Christmas Home Tour. We actually were on the tour once before, but that was 5 or 6 years ago! Now that the renovations are all over we want to show off our hard work to our curious neighbors.

Is this child a doll, or what! I'm working on uploading a video, but it's giving me error messages.

4 Week Check-Up

Ella Kate had her 4 week check up today. She's up to 9lbs and 21.5 inches. That puts her in the 49% for weight and 61% for height. She had a nice screaming fit while we were there and made it a little difficult to do the exam. Once we finally got her calmed down everything went well. She must have been showing off her great lung capacity! The pediatrician says she has "spunk!" She's got good eye movement, head/neck control, and good skin. I guess that's about all, but next visit she'll start getting vaccines-- I bet that appointment's gonna be fun!

My 30th birthday gift.

Chris has asked me a million times what I wanted for my 3oth birthday. I hadn't seen anything I really wanted, so we went out today and looked some more. I love pearls, diamonds, and sapphires so I was thinking some earrings or a pendant. We saw this set as soon as we walked in the door and I just loved them!

Black Friday... says who?

I put on my best shopping outfit for the Day after Thanksgiving sales! I stayed at home with Gamma and Papa while Mom and Dad went out for a little shopping spree. What do you think they bought the most of? Clothes for me!! I'm so lucky to have a shop-aholic mom!

Mom and Dad posing me with one of my best friends, Abbey!

Sunday was Mom's 30th birthday. Slightly anticlimactic, though, having an infant takes some of the excitement away from a big event like that. Mom got to sleep in a little and actually take a shower in peace! Then we rented movies and chilled out. We didn't even take any pictures to remember the big day, can you believe that?

Thanksgiving Week

I love my Daddy! He's so silly, always trying to make me laugh!

I'm learning my hands, I love putting them up to my face. We got some rattles for my wrists-- a moo cow and a piggie!

Thanksgiving dinner; a true labor of love! Papa and Mimi did a lot of hard work to get that dinner served, and, Daddy did his part, too! He made the turkey and the mashed potatoes. Gamma set the table and made sure everything was in the right place. Mama tended to me all day, which included replacing that paci over and over.

Pops, Mimi, Papa, and Gamma. Ella Kate's biggest fans :)

Ella Kate doesn't have any biological aunts, but she sure does have some surrogate ones who are ready to spoil her rotten! The personalized picture frame is from Aunt Nicole and the monogrammed towels are from Aunt Amy-Chris. Thanks, girls, you're the best!

I am the cutest thing, I know, but my clothes are still too big! I'm still working on fitting into those "Newborn" outfits!

Oh, what an angel I am. I'm pondering the world (really, who are those two big doggies that are always sniffing me?). I have to put on my adorable face to prepare you for the potential screaming sessions at night!

I'm not really playing with any of my toys just yet, but I do reach out and touch them. Also, I like to listen to the fun sounds they make like rattling and squeaking. Mom thinks I may like mirrors, too. Who is that other baby?

Bath time! Since my umby fell off this week I get to take a bath in the real tub now! Daddy was super careful that the room was warm enough but the water wasn't too hot. He's a very attentive and protective Daddy, think I'll be a Daddy's Girl? Can you say spoiled?

Play Time

We had the 2 week check up today. She's up to 8 lbs and 3 oz. So that's almost up 1 lb from the last visit. I guess that means that she's getting enough food from those 5 minute feedings. One day we'll manage to get this feeding thing down.

In an effort to keep her from Day and Night confusion, we attempted some "play time" today. I also took a video and tried to send it to my mom, but it wouldn't go through, so I'm posting it on here instead!

Abbey has been fascinated with the new baby, she follows us around from room to room. You can tell they're going to be good friends!

Here's the video clip for Gamma.

The most wonderful husband, ever!

All day Sunday Chris kept telling me he had a surprise planned for me. I thought it was dinner or maybe he'd rented a movie, but what he did was run a beautiful bubble bath for me. He took Ella Kate with him and gave me some blessed alone time. It was great! I was so tired that when I got out my legs were weak!

Baby Bulldog

Georgia v Auburn Game Day! For the oldest rivalry in the South I had to do it up right! First I got another bath (much better this time) and then I had to put on my game day outfit. Thanks, Aunt Mel, for the Baby Bulldog onesie! My hat and booties just finished off my perfect outfit.

2nd quarter break-- had to have a little snack!

Final score: UGA 45 Auburn 20

DAWGS WIN!!!!

More Pictures of our Lil' Angel

Chillin' with Daddy on our new UGA throw. Thanks, Herma-Jean and Marjorie, it's hard to find good Bulldog stuff here in TN!

My first bath, guess I'll like these better as I get older.

My fuzzy teddy bear suit. I was so snuggly warm for our walk around the neighborhood with Mommy, Daddy, and Gamma.

My first trip to the Mall! I'm so excited, I've heard so much about shopping, wonder if I'll get some new shoes?

Mimi and Pop came in for the weekend, I love all the attention!

Lacey and Abbey have adjusted quite well to the late night feedings.

My first attempt at "tummy time." Can't say I'm a fan just yet.

Meg, my future babysitter!

Ella Kate's first few days

You wanted pictures, you got pictures! Here are a bunch of snap shots of the past few days. After she arrived on Tuesday we spent the next two days in Recovery and came home on Thursday. We introduced our little bundle to our other girls, Lacey and Abbey, and then we got on with trying to figure out what to do with a baby in the house! Both sets of parents had been very busy while we were in the hospital: they raked leaves, cleaned, and cooked. The Vinsons tied pink and white balloons all over the driveway, mail box, and front step. The Smiths did some yard work: Dad fixed the edging on the driveway and Mom planted mums and pansies. In preparation for the big event Dad cooked a bunch of food (chili, spaghetti sauce, chicken) and froze it for us to use during these hectic days.

Here are some of EK's firsts: Halloween, car rides, visiting the pediatrician, a trip to Babies-R-Us, and a little walk with the doggies!
Halloween

Our home for a few days; it's nice to go back to our real Home.

On the road... can't say again! This is a first!

Lacey and Abbey were intrigued.

Me and my Mom, Gamma, with our new angel!
Ahhh, sleep
My first trip to the pediatrician. They welcomed me with open arms!