November fun...

Wow I am behind....

Kay's great-grandma has been in town for almost two weeks now. We have had a lot of fun together. We have played, gone for walks, and enjoyed each others company. Kay is really starting to laugh a lot. Great-Grandma had Kay giggling so hard. I was able to capture some of it on video.




Grandma was able to go to therapy with us. Kay is really doing great with it. She has shown huge improvements. It is amazing how even though we were doing a bunch of "tummy time" before, having Kay position her arms a little differently made a huge difference. Kay is a pro at rolling over from her belly to her back. She still gets nervous and holds onto the blanket as if it is going to slow her roll. At daycare last week they said she rolled from her back to her belly several times. Craig and I are yet to see it. I am pretty sad I missed her first roll in that direction. I will get it on video as soon as I witness it! Here are some pictures from her therapy sessions...



We took Kay to see Santa. We decided to take her early before the masses of crowds. I will post pictures soon of her with Santa. Grandma got her her cute package outfit for the holiday season.



We have had BIG improvements on the sleep front. Craig and I spent several nights teaching Kay to put herself back to sleep in the middle of the night. It made for some long nights, but it was worth it. Mom and Grandma watched Kay so we could go out to dinner one night. We gave Kay a bottle and it worked wonderfully. Because it worked so nicely we have started giving her bottles before bed instead of me feeding her. She was able to eat more (without falling asleep) and slept for 9 hours the first night, 10 the second night, and 11 the third night. I am hesitant to type this because I don't want to curse it!

Party Girl...

Kay had two parties to attend this weekend. She went to her cousin Charlotte's baptism and my friend Lindsay's engagement party. Kay behaved great at both. I hope she took notes about Charlotte's behavior for her own baptism next weekend. The girls were really cute together. They just checked each other out. At one point Charlotte rolled over on top of Kay's feet. She started chewing on Kay's socks. Kay just looked around trying to figure out what was going on. I'm sure Charlotte thought that was a lot easier than lifting up her own feet to suck on her toes! I wonder when these baldies will grow some hair! They sure are cute together!



Kay has been enjoying her bedtime routine. She has really started realizing she can kick and splash in the bath. We try to get a bedtime book in, but often she is just too tired.



I tried getting a picture to show how much Kay has grown. This is a picture showing how her preemie pjs now hit at her knees. I will try to get a better picture of it. She is too wiggly now! Craig and I were remembering back to the days when her feet were so small we couldn't find any socks that would stay on. We ended up putting tape around her socks on her ankles to keep them from slipping off.

A letter to my friend...

Kay has been sending emails ( I wonder how Kay's children will communicate) to her friend James. We are all waiting for his big arrival...
***************
James,

I tried "hinting" the first time, but it does not appear that you got the message. You are now a week over due and like I told you before... that does not get you brownie points with mom. Trust me, you are going to want to get some points saved up for when you want to party in the middle of the night. I have been patiently waiting. Now, I am ready to play!!! I think everyone would agree with me. It is time for you to make your entrance. Your parents are running out of things to do. I heard them telling my parents about cleaning cars, cleaning house, etc. It is obvious that they need you for some entertainment. Call me when you decide you are ready to play. I have some pretty cool things to show you.

Love, your friend Kay
*****************
Dear James,

I think it is very important that as your friend I tell you how neat the outside world is. I know it is pretty comfy inside of mom, but when you come out you get snuggles with mom and dad. By the way, mom really likes it when you make your arrival as quick and painless as possible. I know she will love you either way, but it is a great way to get some points in the beginning. You have to save up some points for the middle of the night when you will want to cry a lot!

I am looking forward to playing with you soon. I am anxiously waiting your big arrival!

Love,
Your Friend Kay

Rollin'...Rollin'... Rollin'....

We have been working really hard on the exercises the Therapist gave us. Here is a picture of Kay working on holding her head up and looking in all directions. Sorry for the obnoxious rattle noise in the background!


Today we can say she has "learned" how to roll over. She has done it three times and I finally caught it on video. She was on her tummy when she started. I just didn't hit the record button fast enough!


Yes, you are not seeing things. Kay is playing on a Star Wars sheet. Craig loved this sheet so much from when he is a boy there are strict instructions for our household to never get rid of it. Kay has enjoyed playing on it!

Family Photo...

We had our picture taken for the church directory last weekend. We were all dressed up so we decided to find a neat fall tree and take a picture. Here is one of the better ones.

Weekend Fun...

Kay had a fun weekend with her friends Sarah Bess and Davis. They taught her how to trick or treat and how to ride patiently in the wagon (Kay has not learned that one yet...see picture below). Yes, that is me "hiding" behind Sarah Bess trying to hold up Kay. The things you do for a picture...


Kay's physical therapy has been going well. She has gone twice now. Her head has gotten a lot less "wobbly" with tummy time and we are now working on her head while sitting up (with support). My mom and I joke that she goes to the gym because they have her do exercises on the big ball. The doctors want her to get caught up and then we will just periodically go for check-ups. She was worn out after therapy. She was so beyond tired she could not make herself fall asleep. As soon as I got her to sleep, the roofers started working on our house and she started screaming again. I heard the doorbell and the roofer said "we are working on your house now". I thanked him and said we heard that. He quickly followed with "I thought I would knock and tell you because I heard the screaming." The roof was one of those things that was on our "get done before the baby arrives list". Because Kay arrived early we never got it finished- too bad it would have been easier then!

Well, I passed the test. I can handle two children. Now, I am thankful that we will not have children that are 11 months apart, but I handled it ok. I watched Charlie (my brother's son) this morning. His wife was going out of town for work and he still can't lift Charlie. I don't think one minute went by when one of them didn't need something. Well... maybe the one five minute stretch that their naps overlapped. Just enough time to get a drink, go to the bathroom, and start over again! We had a great time though. Charlie was memorized by the baby. He just stared and watched her...I think it was good practice for him since he is going to be a big brother soon!!