How has it been six months already?

I'm feeling nostalgic because Chris and I just finished watching an awesome Christmas present from Kate's daycare - a CD of pictures they've taken of her since September.  And looking at a series of photos like that reinforces how fast she's growing - and how much I've forgotten already.  I put off this blog lately because I feel like I never have time to right the perfect entry; that I don't have time to capture all of the stuff I want to.  Well, perhaps it would be better to capture something, even if it's just a few sentences at a time. 

Some recent highlights -

• In the last week, Kate can sit up on her own.  And she's very proud of herself.  She smiles a lot when you first put her in a sitting position as if to say, "Hey everybody, look at me."  The downside of this is that she's not so happy laying down anymore.  In the last few days, we're experiencing lots of crying when she's on the changing table.  Suddenly, getting a diaper change is boring or a bother, I'm not sure which. 
• Kate took her first plane ride.  I went to Richmond for work, and Chris and Kate went to New Jersey and I met them there.  Kudos to Dad for flying cross country solo.  Kate was a champ (I'm told.)  There may be a lawyer from Microsoft who is wishing he didn't sit next to a baby that was fascinated by the folder he was holding, but the best part was that Kate saved her poop for just as the plane was landing.  Dad got to use the changing table at Newark airport instead of the airplane bathroom.  Phew...we all feared the airplane blowout.  On the way home, she did well again.  The last hour and a half was a challenge because she needed sleep and just wouldn't go over the edge.  But, the crying was minimal and I don't think any of the plane hated us.  Success!
• Going to the East Coast, Kate met many new family members who were anxious to meet her.  Cousins Brendan and Nate, Aunt Laura, Chris' aunts and uncles and friends, too.  It was a visit that went quickly, but the weekend was tons of fun.  And the timing worked out great, too.  No one was sick, and the weather cooperated.  (A week later, Kate and Chris had the stomach flu and the East Coast got hit with a big snowstorm, more than 10 inches in NJ.)  So glad the long-awaited trip worked out. 
• Dill has learned to outsmart Kate.  He sits near her, but just out of her reach.  I still don't really know when babies crawl, but the tables will turn, my friend. 
• I had hoped we would have fed Kate some rice cereal by now.  I had purchased it to have on hand for a big event this past weekend...but then we all got sick.  She still has a cold and sounds like a smoker - a pathetic baby cough.  So, it looks like that will be a Christmas vacation event. 

Kate's six month check up is tomorrow.  Will post updated stats. 

Merry Christmas in case it's a few days before I'm back.  (Mary and Gerry come to town Christmas Eve - Will enjoy being at home and being with them.  I hope I can make it seem like somewhat of a holiday for them.  The groceries have been ordered from Amazon Fresh!)

Trying to get a photo of three kids.  As Brendan said, holding up two babies "is a big job."  Didn't make for perfect pictures, but we sure laughed.  

And here is Kate on the way home from her East Coast adventure.  Her next flight will be in February for some sunshine in Palm Springs, Calif.  Way to earn the Alaska miles, Kate!

Comments

[Jenn]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the pic of Kate and her cousins. So cute and so funny!