Coloring

Clear your refridgerator doors-Kate has just started to show an interest in coloring. It is so cute to see her concentrate on her artwork! She uses both hands and talks to herself. I'm hoping to get some large paper to spread out on the floor. I was really surprised to see her hold her pen correctly, as well. We didn't show her, she just did it!

The Princess and the Pea

Aunt Beedoh and Uncle Brad

Aunt Beedoh and Uncle Brad came to visit us this weekend. Brad surprised Beedoh with the trip for her birthday, but the even bigger surprise was that they went to South Carolina first and got engaged! We are so happy for them. It was a wonderful weekend--we went to a swim lesson with Kate, went to Duke gardens and took some photos, had lunch at Lindsey Berutti's soda fountain, had our nails done and went shoe shopping for Kate. I wish we lived closer:(

Bebe

Kate loves the baby doll Mom and Dad gave to Beedoh and me to tell us we would have a new family member. Kate hugs "Bebe" and rests her head on her. She rocks her in the rocking chair and puts the phone up to her ear. She is adorable!

h

I am so disappointed Kate won't let me put cute ribbons and bows in her hair anymore. If I even pretend to put something in her hair, she reaches up and pulls it out. I managed to put her hair in pigtails for about a half an hour today--just long enough to snap some photos of Kate and Bebe

Birthday Video

Happy Birthday Kate!

I can't believe my little baby is 1 year old. She is walking and chattering in her own language and has been so happy the last few weeks. We were in CA for Val's wedding over Memorial Day and then we were in Seattle for Kate's first birthday on 9.7.08 (ignore the date stamp on the photos). Kate and I are quite the travelers! Kate has made 23 individual flights, nearly all of them we have done alone-without Daddy. I'm exhausted! Kate spent her first birthday with Nana, Great Nana, Papa Craig, Great Grandpa, GiGi, Great Uncle Mark, Great Aunt Judy, Brent, Ella and Lilly. She spent almost an hour climbing in and out of her stroller and laughing over and over again.

Today we had a party for Kate. Her friends Ryan, Addison, Mimi, Irene and Anthony and their moms and dads all came to our house.

Kate wasn't too interested in her first cake, but she loved the pizza!

11 months

I can hardly believe Kate is 11 months old. I remember last year at this time being very pregnant and hot in the NC heat. We get the first 2 weeks of August off each year, and last year I spent my 2 weeks getting ready for Kate and finishing up our wedding scrapbook which I figured would never get done otherwise. This year we took a trip to CO for the first week. We stayed with both Kent and Debbie and my parents. Kate got to meet Great Gagy, which was wonderful for both of them. We went to the county fair and had popsicles naked outside.

Kate loved playing airplane with Papa Kent:

...and cuddling with Papa Craig.

She enjoyed being pulled in the wagon by Uncle Alex...
and having her toenails painted by Aunt Beedoh.

She spent lots of time outside playing on the slide...

and going for a dip in the hot tub.

Everywhere she went, she left her mark...

Kate is walking all over the place now and is very stable. Only the occasional crash now. She is very independent and enjoys her new freedom. She has also started saying her official first word: "Hi" and will say "Hi Dad" on the phone. We are having so much fun with her, especially now that she is interacting with us more and more.

While we were gone, Loren surprised me with new wood floors throughout the main level of our house. I was shocked! They are beautiful! In addition, he cleaned the bathrooms and refrigerator. I've got to leave more often!!

I admit I'm a little nervous to go back to school for the fall. My schedule is not as good as it has been in the past and I don't get as much time at home. I am trying to have a positive attitude and keep reminding myself it is only about 3 months...