I know it's been a REALLY long time since I last updated, and for all of Ella Kate's adoring fans, I am truly sorry! I will put some new pictures on just as soon as I find our camera!!! Seriously, how does this happen? It was on the bed on Sunday before we headed out on the boat. I said, "don't forget to bring the camera with us," and he said, "why do you think it's sitting out?" Then, later that night, when we went to take a picture of her sitting in the high chair for the first time (yes, my baby is getting so big!) we couldn't find the camera. So, here we are, stranded without a camera! What will we do? And Lauran's wedding is this weekend! So many pictures to take!! We better find it within about 24 hrs!!!

6 month check up

Ella Kate had her 6 month check up today. Among other things we discovered that what we thought was teething may have just been a virus. She had a fever and lots of congestion which could be the symptoms of many different things, but according to her blood work she's getting over a virus. So, on that note, she now has an ear infection-- yipee! This would certainly explain the fussiness lately. Hopefully the course of antibiotics will do the trick without any yeast infections or thrush!

She also got several vaccinations today-- one orally and three shots in her tiny little baby thighs. She cried, but not as bad as when she had her ears checked.

Here are her stats:

Height: 25.6 in -- 40th %

Weight: 15.2 oz-- 30th %

Head circumference: 39th %

That sounds kinda small, but the pediatrician assured me that she's totally normal and will probably have a big growth spurt this summer.

She's a wonderfully active sweet angel. She can almost sit up by herself, so we practice a lot. She loves observing anything and everything, especially her doggies. She really examines an object, studies it, looks it over, and then puts it in her mouth. Everything goes in the mouth for final approval! She's becoming more snugly-- hugging us around the neck and nuzzling against our shoulders, necks, or in my hair. She cuddles with her teddy, Francine, and definitely has favorite toys. She loves her johnny jump up from Aunt Melissa and makes jumping motions even when she's not in it! She still only has some peach fuzz on her head, but that'll catch up. She's got beautifully smooth skin that I just can't stop kissing! She's started some baby foods- green beans, sweet peas, squash, zucchini, bananas, and prunes. Oddly, the only thing she didn't like was the bananas, but when I mixed them with prunes she didn't seem to mind. She "talks" all the time and tries out new sounds with her voice daily. Lately, it's been this really high pitched squeal-- similar to a cat's cry. She says a few double consonants like ma-ma da-da and our favorite, bop-bop, along with aaaaa and some aa-boo! She reaches for toys single handed and also bigger objects with both hands. She even participated in a study over at UT's Child Development Lab for eye movement and object tracking. It was really cool! Lastly, we're also working on the sippy cup. Right now she thinks it's just another toy.

Juleps and Jockeys

The girls all dolled up with our sun hats.

Kathryn, Kellie, and Laura

Gama & Papa's Baby Girl

Yes, that's Kathryn as a bald baby girl-you didn't think that was Ella Kate did you?! So she may resemble an adult Chris, but I think Mommy wins the baby look-alike contest! How do ya like the 70's decor?

Ella Kate got some adorable bows and headbands this week. I figure since she has no hair we'll put some big bows on her head to make up for it! Check out Pretty Little Princess for Audrey's talents. They can custom make just about anything you want!

Thank you, Aunt Angie, for this adorably precious outfit from Janie and Jack. It is one of Ella Kate's favorites :)

Abbey Kate and Ella Kate at Jacob's birthday party. When Ella Kate's big enough to move around these two will have some really fun play dates! Her mommy, Heather (see below), and I have big plans for them at Sprout and the Zoo!

Finally! Miss Ella Kate got to meet Ms. Donna! We've tried to schedule a visit since EK was born but things kept coming up. Donna was great with EK; she's a natural! Maybe she'll have one of her own... hint hint!!!

EK just chillin'. I thought it looked like she was lounging-- like if she was on the beach she'd have a little mini cocktail in one hand!

Bedtime story-- we were reading Goodnight Gorilla-- one of the books we got from the Imagination Library. If you live in TN you should check out this program!

So many new things! We're working on sitting up and doing a pretty good job, with the help of a Boppy pillow. Also, we're experimenting with a sippy cup-- so far we just chew on it! You can see Lacey in the background, she's getting better with the baby-- still a little skiddish, but we're hoping that as EK grows Lacey's patience with her will grow as well!

Fun times with a 5 month old!

I put the pillows on either side of Lolly the Ladybug to catch EK if she rolled off, figures that she'd roll to the spot where there were no pillows! She didn't seem to mind it at all, though. I walked in to this scene: EK upside down and holding on to her feet-- and she was totally content doing it! I think she could've stayed there all day!

To me, she looks like she's trying to climb over the bumper .

SERIOUSLY!!!! That's all I have to say. This child is SO ADORABLE, yes, I am slightly biased, but I can not get over how wonderful she is!!! Do you see any resemblances?

Chris was out of town this week for work, so I made a couple of videos for him. First video was Ella Kate's first experience with green beans. Hilarious, but a little long. The second one is her really going to town on the jumperoo-- I think she's figured out how much more fun it is when you push off with your feet!

This is a shot of our "party fridge" freezer-- just to prove to my friends that I really am a milking cow, or as someone said the other day, a Dairy Queen! What a party, huh? There are 13 big bags, each with 8-10 individual bags inside. I figure there's about enough for a full month. I should feel relaxed, but I swear I constantly worry that my production is slowing down!

A whole lot of catching up to do!

Ella Kate's been pretty busy the last week or so. Here are a bunch of pictures of her most recent adventures!

Shannon got married last weekend in Augusta, GA. Ella Kate and I made a BIG adventure out of that trip. These pictures are in reverse order, so it ends with the wedding.

Ella Kate in her wedding attire (nothing says a wedding like Scottie dogs!) at the nursery during the ceremony.

EK with her mommy and Aunt Amy-Chris.

A little video of EK "dancing" at Shan's reception.

Saturday night there was a cook out to celebrate with Shan and Alan. Our good friend Amanda was also there (these are all college girls from the W-- over 10 years we've known each other!). I think it may be time for Amanda to have a new baby-- she instinctively reached for EK the whole weekend! Her baby, Kyla Rose, is 2 1/2 yrs now, so it's time!

Saturday afternoon we found this beautiful nursery just outside of Augusta. It was a floral oasis in the middle of the woods!

Saturday morning with Aunt AC. What a cute pair! I think she's a natural-- she'll be tying that knot herself soon, so maybe we'll see some little tiny baby AC's running around before too long!

On Friday, on our way to Charlotte, we stopped by High Point to see Gran-Gran. She loved visiting with Miss Ella Kate. We took a little tour around the new retirement home and visited with some other friends. Ella Kate was the best thing they saw all day!

My Daddy, EK's Papa, has been staying with us since I went back to work and until our nanny starts. So for the last few weeks we've all been spoiled rotten. Dad watches EK during the day and even cooks for us most nights. We are so lucky to have him around!

Kristi and I ran the Knoxville 1/2 marathon last week. Chris and Ella Kate came to cheer us on along the course. It was a great race, but I'm still not up to my pre-baby pace. More training would have helped, but it's really hard to figure that out with a new baby in the house!

After the race EK joined me on the bed for a nap. She played for a while, then zonk! She was out like a light. Chris walked in to the scene on the right and said it looked like the rainforest collapsed on her head. In reality it was that EK was right in the middle of playing with a toy in each hand when she fell asleep. Precious!

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!