These pictures are for Gama. Ella Kate LOVES to grasp on to things-- anything will do! Gama bought this O-Ball for EK when she was here last. Since we can't let her sleep with stuffed animals, blankets, wash cloths, or other soft things she likes to hold on to, the O-Ball is perfect! She can grab it, swing it around, beat it on the crib and mattress, or on herself, all without getting hurt or running the risk of suffocation. So here is a typical shot of EK napping, with the O-Ball. Thanks, Gama!

EK all dolled up for a visit from Mimi and Pops. Preppy chick, huh?! Seriously, a Polo dress and knee-high socks-- she's ready for school!

Don't worry, no one has forgotten about the girls! They got spiffy new hair cuts last week. This picture struck me as funny b/c Abbey is actually sleeping with her head on Lacey's butt. It looks like she's just lifting her head up, but no, she's sound asleep. Crazy doggies!

Easter Sunday

Our church did something I've never seen before, but I'm not all that worldly when it comes to church services. They had a "mini" cross covered in ivy and all the children took tiny bouquets of wild flowers and put them on the cross. Ella Kate got to participate (with a little help),but mostly she tried to eat the flowers. I brushed off a few petals before we snapped the picture.

Some shots after the Easter service. Mimi and Pops came in town for the weekend and a couple of extra days. We had a great visit, and as always, Ella Kate loved the attention! They are so great with her, and we appreciated the extra hands!

Ella Kate and her daddy. Poor thing had on so many layers! It was tough to get a 5 month old dressed in a slip, diaper cover, the dress, sweater, bib, and little booties that laced up. She was so patient while Mommy fumbled with all those tiny buttons! It'll be easier when she can sit up on her own :)

A silly attempt at an Easter photo shoot. EK on her boppy (to give the appearance that she's sitting up a little) covered in a satin blanket (which was supposed to just give a nice background and instead looks like she's floating on a cloud). The basket on the left of the picture is her new one and the one on the right is Chris' from when he was little.

Oh how I LOVE this picture. I had gotten her almost undressed when I remembered the Pooh shot. She looked SO sweet in her little slip. She's really such a wonderful baby. Happy, patient, observant, and playful. We are so very lucky!

A week of firsts!

My first party! Our good friend, Abby Kate, had her 1st birthday party last week. It was so much fun, Mommy and Daddy have already started planning by big 1st bash!

The thumb sucking isn't necessarily a first, but this it such a perfect shot it had to be posted!

Mommy's a monogramming fool! My dress, burp cloth, and even my diaper cover!

Abby Kate getting ready to blow out her candle. What a cute (and tasty) cake!

I had such a good time, but boy was I tired. I fell asleep as soon as I got in the car.

Another shot of me and Pooh. I'll be bigger than him before you know it!

The progression of a roll.... First set your sights on a toy, then reach for said toy, then....

flip yourself over and wonder what just happened!

My first St. Patrick's day. I traded out my usual pink for some green and then spent some quality time with Daddy.

My first attempt at "solid" food. OK, nothing solid about this rice cereal stuff, but I did get some practice in with the spoon! Notice how much ended up on my chin and bib. I don't know how anyone gets anything accomplished this way! A couple of drops may have found their way to my tummy, but not enough to fill me up!

This isn't a first, just a fun! Miss Claire and Miss Kel Kel loving on me at dinner last week. I love you guys!!!

Bows, Mommy, Bows!

Mustn't forget the bows for my precious bald baby girl! In some of these pictures she looks like a beautiful baby boy! Oh well, she comes by it honestly as I didn't have any hair until I was almost 3! Mom said people were always complimenting her on her little quarterback!

And mommy said I wouldn't have blonde hair....

Ella Kate had her 4 month check up last week and did really well! She had 3 shots and one oral vaccine. Those shots were pretty bad, but she only cried for a couple of minutes, nothing like at her 2 month check up. Here are her stats:

Weight: 13.6 lbs (46%)

Height: 24.25 in (45%)

Head Circumference: 40.9cm (~50%)

Oh yeah, and today she rolled over from tummy to back! It really freaked her out, so I don't know if she'll be doing it again any time soon, but it is progress!

Look, FEET!!!

Newest development: feet! Ella Kate found her feet last week, and it's been non stop fun ever since! I can see that we'll be having a real problem with socks, though. She'll follow after her daddy and have lots of single socks floating around!

PS Hi Elizabeth, Lori, and Rhonda! It was great to see you today, thanks for following our precious angel on the blog, it makes me smile :)

Busy Week

Snow on Tuesday

This is as much snow as we could expect here in Knoxville. I realized that it's seriously more than we've had in the last 5 years b/c Abbey had never seen snow. It was cute how she very carefully placed each paw.

Wednesday night, date night!

For my 30th birthday gift Melissa said she'd give us a free night of babysitting. It's only been 3 months, but we finally took her up on it. We went out for sushi, which I hadn't had since before I got pregnant, and a movie, Vantage Point. It was so nice to get out for 4 whole hours by ourselves. Thanks, Mel, you're the greatest!

Thursday: Mother Goose with George and Mel

So here are Ella Kate and George at Mother Goose. They have so much fun doing their songs and listening to stories. Ella Kate had a whole "conversation" with George at one point, I wonder if they understand each other? Check the shot of them holding hands, it's a little blurry, but it was so cute!

The Weekend: Ella Kate's first road trip!

We went to Memphis to meet Baby Julianna and visit with Kristen, Phil, and Chase. For her first road trip she did great! She slept most of the way to Nashville, then we stopped to stretch our legs and feed her, and she slept most of the way on to Memphis! We worried that she'd be up all night, but she slept all the way through!

In my mind EK is the same size she was the day she was born, but put her next to 2 week old Julianna and she looks all grown up! EK may be about 8 times as old as Ju Ju right now, but soon they'll be the best of friends!

Daddy playing w/ EK on Saturday am. I think they were making a tent out of the covers.

We took a trip out to Kristen's parents farm and while loading everyone into the new mini van we put the girls down in the bed of Phil's truck. We just thought that was a classic shot, one day they'll look back and laugh at this!

And right before we left to head back to Knoxville we got a shot w/ Chase and EK. Chase was a little sick over the weekend, turns out he had a sinus infection, so we couldn't let him play with the babies. He was so sweet, though, walking around saying "Baby Ju Ju" and "bless you, Ella Kate" (b/c EK sneezes all the time!). He's such a well behaved little boy! And he definitely keeps us entertained; plastic hot dog, anyone? Thanks for a fun weekend, K, P, C, and JuJu! Sure wish you guys lived a little closer, that drive will wear you out!