The Pylant Girls...

Can you guess where we were?

2011-08-23T04:34:00.000-07:00

CHUCK E. CHEESE!!

Julia Kate has been so excited since they opened the new Chuck E. Cheese in Monroe. When Kelsey was in the hospital and she and Jason would travel west on the weekends we would take her to the Chuck E. Cheese in Bossier City. We haven't been brave enough to go to the Monroe location until this weekend. One of her sweet friends, Milo, had a little get together for his friends there! So, our family of four traveled to Monroe for a FUN afternoon with the Mouse!

Now don't get me wrong I am all about having a good time and the girls laughing and running around with 200 of their closest friends, some wearing shoes, some not, and having the biggest time. BUT, our Sunday visit will do us in for a while! Julia Kate and Jason played games and won 40 tickets! YAY for Julia Kate....her prize was a little bitty box of NERDS!

Kelsey had a good time too, she was the only one brave enough for a picture with Mr. Cheese himself. They also had a carosel that was just her size, she loved to ride and fussed when I would take her off!

We definitely made memories this Sunday afternoon. We all four did enjoy it when it was all over, after an hour and a half, we were done. One trip to Orange Leaf to finish the afternoon and we were headed home......with Julia Kate planning our next trip!

Six months....where did you go?

2011-08-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, after a sweet friend told me she looked at our blog, did I realize it has been 6 months since I posted? What? Wait a minute, where is the new and enthused Nora from New Year's? You know the one that was going to post at least weekly? I think she is somewhere between piles of laundry (both clean and dirty), changing diapers and making doctor's appointments, and working...you know "real work" (the kind that brings a tangible paycheck) :) I had/have the best of intentions and I know that my poor girls are going to wonder what happened in this last six month span if I ever am able to use this blog as a journal. So I am going to attempt to catch us up to present day and then attempt the whole blog updating again!

First of all, our sweet Julia Kate is starting 3 year old preschool at Temple in Winnsboro on Monday! We are all still stunned that she will be four in October! I can still remember exactly where we were when Jason looked at me and said "Aren't you scared?"...after all the talk on us becoming parents for the first time. She is the absolute joy of my heart and the best big sister a little sister could have!

We were blessed enough by Dad (our pool boy) to have a blue, blow up swimming pool in our backyard this year. She has loved swimming "in the pool", hopefully next year she will take swimming lessons. JK and Dad planted, tended and reaped the benefits of a garden this year. We enjoyed tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers and a few squash. The squash didn't last long with our HOT days this summer, JK wasn't really a fan anyway...maybe next year!

Julia Kate attended Camp Darby for the first time this year, well it was the inaugural year! Camp Darby was held at Uncle Dennis and Aunt Darby's house on Lake St. John. Julia Kate joined her cousin Paige and a few "cousin-in-laws" for three days of fun with Aunt Darby, Uncle Dennis and her MK. This was her first camp experience, swimming in the lake and making macaroni crafts! She had a blast!

JK has made every doctor appointment with us for Kelsey. She absolutely loves to stay in a hotel and eat at Chili's. When I asked her where she wanted to go on vacation she said "Let's just go to Shreveport and stay in a hotel"....she is such a trooper. She loves to ask for me to "bring Kelsey in my room, we gonna play restaurant" or babies, or kitchen, or anything that will keep Kelsey's attention and JK will be in charge.

Now she is off to "school". She told me last week that she wasn't going to school, she was going to Temple! We have been back-to-school clothes shopping and she is set! I will keep you posted on how the transition goes, today was her last day at MeMe's house. She has been there since she was 8 weeks old, a lot of transitioning for us all.

Kelsey is 22 months old and weighs close to 20lbs (rounded up) :)

She is doing wonderfully, physical therapy four times each week, occupational therapy once and speech therapy once. We are blessed with so many precious therapists that love Kelsey just like she was their own. I have come to realize that it has to be a calling, like becoming a NICU nurse, it is a ministry and you have to be a very special person. Kelsey will sit independently for maybe 30 seconds, sometimes longer depending on what she is focusing on and how well it is working. She does crawl/scoot on her belly if you hold her trunk, she isn't bearing weight yet on her arms and legs fully.

When meeting with her CP doctor and therapists we have always discussed communicating. That is on the top of my list for "wants" with Kelsey. Now, to say that I don't want to belittle walking or sitting or standing, because I absolutely want her to do all of those things. BUT, I want her to be able to communicate with us, whether verbally or otherwise. I have spoken with mothers whose children couldn't communicate and that was one of the hardest issues to work through. If she is in a wheelchair for the rest of her life, that really isn't that big of a deal, but if she can't speak to us or communicate with us, that is an entire different story. She is learning to say so many different words and I know that her big sister is aiding in that every day, good or bad :) Kelsey can say Mama, Dada, baby, bye, MeMe, bath, no and thank you. She is doing great!

Kelsey had eye surgery at the end of June to try and correct her crossing. Dr. H, her eye doctor, in Shreveport, cut the inner muscles of her eyes to try and help them straighten. Well, we went for a 6 week checkup yesterday and we are back in glasses and dilating one of her eyes everyday. Hopefully when we go back in 8 weeks he will see much improvement.

In these last six months I have read a wonderful book by Ann Voskamp on being thankful, on FOCUSING on being thankful and seeing God in the small things too. Sometimes, a lot of times, I am running all day long and missing what He has for me to see. A few of the things I am thankful for are: sweet sisters laughing in the car on the drive home, wrinkled itsy bitsy toes after bubble baths, warm breezes, brownies baking, sore cheeks from laughing.......I am learning to stop and just stand still, sing another verse or read another story and cherish. I am learning to cherish.

Here are my reasons:

Is it Spring time yet?

2011-02-21T10:37:00.000-08:00

I thought I would catch y'all up on our last two weeks all at once! This is the face I came home to this past Saturday after working. Jason had fixed Kelsey's swing so that she could sit in it comfortably and she was having a great time! She would just sit and watch Julia Kate play and she loved to swing! She really is such a happy baby!
Now, this is little Miss Growny, Jason said he couldn't find one single short sleeve shirt for her to wear so he gave up....she started out in a turtleneck and when he made her take that off she ended up in her Saints shirt (from last year's playoff games) and her leggings with pink boots! In this picture she is trying to blow up one of the 500 water balloons she has, thankfully she can't quite grasp how to fill them up and tie them so she just acts like she is going to blow them up! She is facing Kelsey, you can see K's bouncy seat in the background. I do believe she was rotated from seat to swing watching her sister all afternoon!

The Sunday before Valentine's we had a birthday party in Monroe and on the way we had to stop at Lowe's for a few items. I let Julia Kate choose a Valentine's treat and she choose an herb garden! You know, the kind with little pots and even smaller seeds and then you close it up and put it in the windowsill to watch grow! Well, last Monday night she and her Daddy started the process. This is Julia Kate with the finished product, she is so excited about her parsley and basil. (As of one week the basil is the only one that has sprouted...but we are hopeful) Jess, when you are home maybe y'all can swap herb growing tips :)

This is Daddy getting all organized, he poured the seeds out on the counter and counted them out to make sure there were an even number of seeds in each pot....JK concentrated too!

Tiny seeds = too tempting not to touch, I laughed as Jason said "Don't mix the seeds!" So we may end up with basley or parsil.....I'll keep you posted!

The birthday party we attended was at the Children's Museum in Monroe. It really is a fun place for little ones to play and run off energy! This is Jason and Julia Kate in the canoe, she thought it was hilarious!

This is what they saw looking forward....at one point our MeMe (babysitter) and most of her kids were in the canoe together! Great fun!

Her is Kelsey playing in her rigged playset! This is her longsitter which helps stretch out her legs, Jason figured out how to get her toys to stay close enough for her to reach. Notice her open right hand...yay!

More serious Kelsey......

Finally, our new outifts from MK! And the best picture I could get...we have to work on that!

Thanks for checking in with us and for praying for our little family!

Nora

2011

2011-02-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

I don't know why I can't get my writing to be at the top, but in case there is anybody reading this just scroll down to read our update and please leave a comment to I know there is someone out there listening!!

Warmer weather last Saturday had JK outside swinging.....we can't wait for spring!!
One of their "play therapy" sessions!

Kelsey sporting her eye patch!

Kelsey with her glasses...notice both hands are occupied. As long as she has something in her hands she is ok for maybe 30 seconds. Jason told her the other night if she grabbed them with her right hand he would let her take them off (her right hand is her weaker hand).....it took her maybe one minute and she reached up and grabbed them!! All he could say was good job Kelsey!

Ok, so it's February 6 and this is the first post of 2011. Actually it's the first post in a few months! I have been meaning to sit down and post since I love to read other blogs and I CAN see how this blog would be a wonderful "memory book" of our lives! The truth is our life is wild and crazy and some nights making time for supper, baths and just living together has us all at our wits end....but I do enjoy looking back and seeing where we were last year or two years ago, etc!! So, for my one faithful blog reader, maybe two ;) here is an update!

The week of Thanksgiving we were discussing Kelsey with one of her therapist and she said, "y'all do understand this is neurological, right?" Well, Jason and I have always known that there was a chance Kelsey would have cerebral palsy but now we finally have a specific diagnosis. To some people this may be scary, and I am definitely not saying we aren't scared, but for us it was such a relief in a way. Now we have a game plan and we know that we are doing exactly what Kelsey needs to help her live her life! We have a neurologist in Baton Rouge, a CP expert at Oschner's and a wonderful system of therapists at MMPT in West Monroe!! We are so blessed to have this team of great people loving on our baby girl. She is doing great with her therapy, she is now wearing AFO braces that help her ankles, it positions her foot in a 90 degree angle instead of her constantly pointing her toes. She is supposed to be wearing glasses, we just got those this week, but as of yet she isn't a fan!

Julia Kate is wonderful and she loves "her little baby sister"....which is what she has recently started calling Kelsey. Sometimes I will hear her start to say Kels...my little baby sister. They have "play therapy" and she is the first to congratulate Kelsey on any accomplishment! Julia Kate is three going on thirty! We laugh constantly at her conversations, we never know what to expect! We got her hair cut last week, 3 inches! This was her first real hair cut and she was so excited.

These are a few pictures over the last few months. I do hope you enjoy and I promise to at least have one post each month.....maybe an extra here and there :)

Josie Claire....

2010-10-27T07:27:00.001-07:00

We have had so much fun celebrating Kelsey's first birthday. I have also been thinking alot about Josie Claire this week, as I do everyweek. Kelsey is beginning to jibber jabber some and I wonder if she and Josie would have "talked" back and forth to each other? Julia Kate absolutely adores her baby sister, she wouldn't have known what to do with two! This is a song by the group Selah, it is titled "I will Carry You, Audrey's song" and it was written for Todd and Angie Smith's daughter, Audrey, who passed away a few hours after birth. It is such a wonderful song for all of us, too! (for some reason it wanted to double space between lines so I just separated the verses with commas)

There were photographs I wanted to take,
Things I wanted to show you,
Sing sweet lullabys,
Wipe your teary eyes,
Who could love you like this?

People say that I am brave but I'm not,
Truth is I'm barely hangin' on, There's a greater story, Written long before me, Because He loves you like this.

I will carry you, While your heart beats here, Long beyond the empty cradle, Through the coming years, I will carry you, All my life,I will praise the One, Who's chosen me,To carry you.

Such a short time, Such a long road, All this madness, But I know, That the silence, has brought me to His voice, And He said,

"I've shown her photographs of time beginning, Walked her through the parted sea, Angel lullabys, No more teary eyes, Who could love her like this?"

What an amazing thought! One of the highlights of my life was carrying that sweet baby girl. But I can't even imagine what she is seeing now! One of my daughters, walking through the parted sea? Or seeing Mary? Or Jesus? What a blessing it is to know that although she isn't hear laughing with her sisters, she is there learning to smile just the same!! I am so thankful that He loves us all more than we can imagine and provides for us more than we can comprehend!

Lazy Weekend

2010-08-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

Our weekend was wonderful, we had no plans which meant Saturday we never left our house! The month of September has our weekends full which we are excited about but we sure enjoyed lounging around this weekend! Saturday morning: Julia Kate came to tell me that Kelsey was talking in her bed and woke JK up! So I turned them on a movie to watch and they were good to go!

I wonder what this conversation was about?

Two cousins who have the best time together!

Kelsey has two bottom teeth and it is extremely difficult to get a picture of her without her hand in her mouth....but her hand is better than her wadded up dress!

These are a few pictures of the girls in their dresses yesterday before church. My camera lens fogged up walking from inside to outside so they are a bit blurry. Julia Kate had a new MK original and Kelsey is wearing JK's Easter dress from 2008 (when JK was 6 months old). Enjoy!

Kelsey at 10 months

2010-08-27T07:18:00.001-07:00

Kelsey is now 10 months old! She is growing so much! Her favorite foods are sweet peas and applesauce. She can sit up assisted and is becoming more vocal. Julia Kate loves to talk to her and Kelsey has started talking back, which thrills JK! Kelsey now smiles at us when we talk to her and laughs when tickled. Her favorite is when Dad tickles her belly, she laughs and laughs, which makes us laugh! Her hair is a blondish-red color and she is getting more and more everyday. We are so blessed and thankful for this precious baby girl and these first 10 months we have had together!!

Fun! fun!

2010-08-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

I can't believe the summer is almost over....but we are enjoying a little cooler evenings sitting outside. Last night Jason came and told me Julia Kate wanted me to watch because she was sliding down her slide by herself! This is a pretty big accomplishment since her slide is high and she goes really fast down it. After a couple of test slides by Daddy, she took off!

"Are you watching Mom?"Getting set.....and a few instructions from Dad.Ready! You can see the smile on her face! And down! She is learning to lean back a little and not fall face first into the ground as she comes down. And, yes, she is wearing big girl panties, we have just ended our second week of only panties! Julia Kate is just now getting big enough to really enjoy her playhouse/swing set that her Daddy built for her first birthday....now I wonder what he is planning for Kelsey?

New Photos!!

2010-06-17T15:56:00.001-07:00

Here are some of the recent photographs taken by the talented Desirae Gooding......check her out at www.dngphotography.blogspot.com We had so much fun at our first official photo shoot of both girls together! Enjoy!!!

Happy 6 month birthday Kelsey!!

2010-04-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

As I sit here on this Sunday evening I can't believe it's been six months since Kelsey was born. I can remember every act of that night and the precious days to follow. Kelsey is doing great, she weighed 11 pounds at her six month check-up and is beginning to "talk" to us. She loves to smile at her sister and I heard Jason telling her this morning "not to laugh at him!"

God has blessed me beyond measure with these two girls. I had the pleasure of carrying a third baby girl and I think of her this evening, also. She will always be such a sweet part of our family. Here is Kelsey beginning to talk to us and show us her smile!

Hope you enjoy!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T17:18:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Easter! The girls and I went to church with MK and Granddaddy! Ben, Paige and Hays were there too. Jason was home with the stomach bug. Here are a few pictures from our day.....

Photo Shoot!!

2010-03-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share a few pictures from our mini photo shoot. Kelsey is 4 months old!!! I can't believe she is growing so fast! She weighs 9lb 11oz! God continues to bless me everyday as her Momma, I am so thankful He has shared both of these baby girls with me! Hope you enjoy!

Is it Spring yet??

2010-03-08T07:51:00.000-08:00

We had a great weekend!! The weather was gorgeous and Julia Kate had a ball playing outside! Kelsey went out for a few minutes...she is patiently waiting the warm weather! Here are a few pictures from our weekend....

Friday evening I let JK go outside for a few minutes while we were waiting on Daddy to get home. We played ball and she picked flowers...this is her blowing her flower.

Saturday was a little more fun for Julia Kate because she could play outside while Daddy was working around the yard. This is her planning her garden, she would come to the door and tell me "Come on, Momma" and I would walk out there for her to tell me everything she and her Daddy were going to have in their garden!Then, we broke out the bubble gun. This was an impulse buy at the Boardwalk in Shreveport one of the first weekends JK came to visit! She loves it, of course, who doesn't love bubbles?And Kelsey has found her thumb! She is a great baby, hardly ever cries but sometimes when she is hungry and Momma doesn't have everything ready for her to eat, she gets agitated! She cries and apparently neither Daddy or Julia Kate were close to give her the paci!! These are from yesterday morning. Daddy and JK went to church and this is a corduroy overall that I found her at a consignment shop. She choose it to wear and as you can tell....."cheese!!" is what she loves to do.

Now, you have to excuse the sideways of the video. Last night as I was cleaning up the kitchen Julia Kate was playing with her refrigerator alphabet. She does this a lot but last night she started singing too! The battery is dead on my video camera so I had to use my regular camera, so just listen!

Saying goodbye...

2010-02-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of our last afternoon at the hospital. Kelsey and I "roomed in" on Wednesday night and then Dad was there to bring us home Thursday, February 4. Rooming in is where it's just you and your baby in kind of like a hotel room. The nurses come at the beginning of each shift and check the baby, but all night and most of the next day it was just Kelsey and me hanging out!This was Kelsey's last night in the unit. Mrs. Holly rocked her...she said she was fussy and so they HAD to rock!
Wednesday afternoon we made our way to the "bonding room", Kelsey rode in her little bed.
Thursday, while Jason and I went to eat lunch the nurses played dress up! Above is Miss Carlyn and the tutu is from her...Kelsey's going home present! We loved Miss Carlyn!Getting a little love from Mrs. Judy.
And finally.....getting the final check from Dr. Elrod. These nurses and doctors took care of Kelsey just like she was their baby, or at least that's how they made me feel. That means so much to a Mom!She had to be pushed out by Mrs. Susan, the unit clerk! She was a hoot and we enjoyed her so much! This was the last walk down this hall for me while Kelsey was still "in-patient", well kind of. It was a surreal ride on the elevator and walk for me, it's funny how for 3 1/2 months you get used to something, knowing it will be over but then it really is!

And then, snug in the car. It rained the entire way home!! Such a dreary day but such a sweet homecoming!!

Ok....ok...

2010-02-25T11:30:00.000-08:00

I feel like I have completely lost my perseverance to blog regularly in 2010....well, maybe I have just misplaced it! Or maybe it is directed elsewhere these days! Anyway, Kelsey and I have been home now for 3 weeks. We don't really know what to do....well I don't. Kelsey is enjoying napping and being loved on by her big sister! I spend my days being a stay at home mom which is my dream!! I know that April 1 will come before I can turn around and I will have to return to work, but for now nobody say anything and maybe it won't come, right?
From the moment we got home, Julia Kate has been the sweetest big sister....she "loves" on Kelsey and then moves on to whatever is next. She says, "sweet baby, Mama, sweet baby". You can see in these pictures the love she has for her baby sister and Kelsey is just enthralled with JK.

And what better way to initiate Kelsey but to let her play too!! This has only happened once, now we put the babies next to Kelsey to play!

You can just see the excitement!! She gets so excited that she smiles so hard, her eyes close and she just "squeezes" Kelsey! These two are precious!

More pictures to come...I just didn't want the post to go on and on and on and on.....

Two girls....new beds!!

2010-02-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been trying to find something that Kelsey can use now and will be the same for her when we go home. Yes, that's right, that is still the plan.....remember perseverance! And we are persevering everyday to arrive home soon! But, back to the original thought, I found this "nap nanny" and Kelsey loves it! The nurses have it in her bed elevated so that she can watch tv, movies in the afternoons. She can also watch her mobile or whatever is going on in the hallway, but as you see sometimes it is just too much and she gives in to sleep.

And, since Kelsey and I are persevering to get home, JK finally has her "big girl bed" and she is so excited. When I was home last Thursday we got it completely set up, she hasn't slept there yet but loves to talk about it. She helped me pick out the bedding and accessories. I can't believe she is in a big girl bed, they are both growing too fast!
Before long I know I will blink my eyes and they will both be in this big girl bed giggling under the covers! I am so thankful for these two and enjoying every day!!

Go Saints!!!

2010-01-26T17:41:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon we went over to Warren and Elaine's to watch the game! We bought JK a Saints t-shirt and she was so into it!! She would yell "Go Saints!!", it was too cute! Well, her wearing a Saints t-shirt and hot pink leggings is too cute! Her Uncle Steven captured this video, you can hear us all laughing, she was the highlight of the game. Who knows what she will be doing by Feb. 7??!!

6 days and counting......

2010-01-25T10:19:00.000-08:00

Sweet Kelsey is now in her sixth day of no bottles!! Last Tuesday we had a scare with NEC, which is necrotizing enterocolitis(the death of the intestine tissue), usually caused by an infection in her intestine/bowel. So, the doctors stopped her feedings and started antibiotics for 10 days. Thankfully, God continues to bless us and Kelsey did not develop the infection. However, as precaution must continue the antibiotics and no feedings until this Friday!! Poor baby!

This morning the eye doctor cleared her to go home.....if her eyes were the only issue. He said she is healing great from her surgery.

She now only has to resume her feedings and then we can go!!! But, in the mean time she has 4 more days of antibiotics through her IV and no food, she is learning to enjoy new things to pass the time. Her sweet nurses secured her a pediatric bed which is more like a baby bed (in size) and earlier today she was napping in the bouncy seat while Barney played on the tv! She weighs 7 lbs 7 oz and is a perfect baby girl.

Look Y'all...No Oxygen!!!

2010-01-14T20:58:00.000-08:00

I absolutely am thrilled to write that Kelsey has now been off of her oxygen for 10 hours!! She is doing great. She is taking every bottle and even had a bath tonight....without any problems! My original due date was January 20, so each day we are getting closer to the full 40 weeks. She is doing remarkably well.

MK and JK arrived this evening and we went to visit. Anna Kate came and she and JK partied in the lobby while MK and I bathed Kelsey. She took her bottle and then we traveled down to the newborn nursery window to see Anna Kate and Julia Kate. It was so sweet.

I am so blessed to have these two precious baby girls.

Eleven Weeks Old!

2010-01-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday marked Kelsey's eleven week birthday!! She is doing great, now 6 lb 10 oz. The eye doctor saw her yesterday (she has eye exams every Monday) and decided to do laser surgery on her eyes because of Retinopathy of Prematurity. This ROP occurs in preemie babies and the procedure is fairly routine. The doctor performed the surgery at 4 yesterday. Kelsey had to be put to sleep and back on the ventilator. The surgery took about an hour and was successful, her eys will be checked next Monday morning and we will know more then.

She fought the intubation so they had to sedate her twice!! She was completely doped up but it didn't take her long to start moving around. She was wide awake during her bath and able to be taken off the vent during the night. She is now back on her low flow nasal cannula on the settings she was on prior to surgery yesterday.

When I visited this morning this was awake and sucking her pacifier, poor baby hasn't had a bottle since Monday morning at 9! She will get 1/2 bottle now and then hopefully a full bottle this afternoon. For the time she is in an isolette because of the surgery but should be back in her little bed in her "room" by tonight.

When Jason and I went to see her prior to surgery she looked huge! Just like a newborn! She is 39 weeks gestation this week! She is growing like a weed, the nurse practitioner actually said, "weight really isn't our concern anymore!"........thank you God for our sweet baby girl!
Before surgery.Immediately after....After bath.....relaxed Completely tucked in.....

Word of the Year!

2010-01-06T12:30:00.000-08:00

For any of you that I have discussed some of the blogs I read, you are familiar with MoJoy. It is written by a sweet lady from West Monroe. When I was reading her blog the other day she introduced me to a "word of the year" idea. It actually came from a blog that she reads! So, I have spent the last few days trying to decide on a word for 2010. You can head over to http://www.mojoy.blogspot.com/ and read the post and the comments, there are some very good ideas!

Anyway, I have choosen PERSERVERANCE as my 2010 word. I looked up the definition and it is defined as: determined continuation with something; steady and continued action or belief usually over a long period and especially despite difficulties or setbacks.

One thing I have learned in the last 10 weeks is that God is at work in so many lives that sometimes, well alot of the time, in our "normal" everyday life we don't get to see! The perseverance I have witnessed by tiny miracles of God and their parents is absolutely overwhelming. The devil is active and throws us curveballs all day long and is just waiting for us to fall flat on our face and not get up.

But, Romans 5:3 reads, "...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Then, James 1:12 says "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

There are so many that have said to me "She is such a fighter", referring to Kelsey. Well, she is persevering each and every day!! Just take a look......

If for no other reason but for my family I have been called to persevere. This is very much a learned trait and every single day God reminds me of who I am and who I am called to be. So, for 2010 I am committing to persevere, to continue despite difficulties or setbacks.

Hop over to MoJoy and choose a word for you this year! It's sure to be lots of fun! I have to say that committing to this blog is going to take a lot of perseverance!!

Nora

A Brand New Year!!

2010-01-04T20:28:00.001-08:00

Well, I have not posted anything on this dear ole blog in 6 months! And as many of you know we have had so many things to talk about! So I have resolved to use this as a journal of sorts for our new life with two baby girls.

Ten weeks ago today Josie Claire and Kelsey Elise were born. At 28 weeks I went into premature labor and the girls were born weighing 2 lbs and 2 lbs 5 oz. Josie Claire woke up in Heaven that Monday morning and now Kelsey is 6 lb 4 oz! I was blessed to have carried Josie Claire for a sweet 7 months and now Kelsey continues to bless me everyday. God is working a miracle before my very eyes and I feel even more blessed to be able to share this with my family.

Kelsey and I are currently residing in Shreveport. She is in the NICU at Christus Schumpert's Hospital and we are renting a room in an extended stay hotel. I usually go home one day a week to spend some quality time with Julia Kate, usually playing baby dolls or cooking in her kitchen. She is a fabulous 2 year old that entertains us all!

I had the pleasure of giving Kelsey her bottle tonight. She is now receiving a bottle every other feeding and seems to tolerate well. She is on 48% oxygen on the lowest flow setting (1/8 liter). When they send babies home on oxygen it is at 1/8 liter and 100%......our prayer is that Kelsey comes completely off before heading to Crowville. She is well on her way to that!

I am looking forward with great anticipation for what God has in store for our family in 2010!!

Kelsey ......now 6 lbs 4 oz!!

And....her big sister Julia Kate...future chef!

Fun times in the pool!!

2009-07-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

This is the video I meant to upload (see earlier post), it is a little longer and you can hear Julia Kate talk more in this one. Enjoy!!

Sand box, swimming pool and grins!

2009-07-15T12:05:00.001-07:00

I finally remembered the cord to attach my camera to the computer so that I could upload some pictures!! We have been enjoying the summer, starting this week I have been feeling some better and starting to get a little energy back. These are a few pictures and video from the last few weeks, please ignore how loud my voice is, I was speaking right into the camera microphone (unintentionally).

Julia Kate loves her swimming pool, especially sliding. Of course she isn't quite brave enough to go down by herself, I think that's from one incident where she completely went under and was traumatized. But she will go over and over and over as long as her Daddy assists!

One afternoon we stopped by GrandMary's for a short visit....first it was to the swing and then she quickly found the wagon. She is the queen, it doesn't take her long to have someone pushing her around.

Check out her arms.....this was after she pitched a fit to keep riding after we said it was time to go and GrandMary decided "Oh I will just ride you over to the car!"Her "Aunt" Elaine bought a sandbox for her house and Julia Kate loves it! I wasn't sure if she was going to like the sand everywhere, but she does. She is covered from head to toe everytime.

One of her favorite activities is riding on the golf cart. Uncle Steven cooked for us and she had Ally riding her around the yard!

Julia Kate and I visited at Papa J and Mrs. Rachel's house the afternoon of the 4th! I wasn't sure about her in the big pool but she loved it and got to swim with Aunt Anna Kate!Not sure about this conversation but JK is looking very seriously at Aunt Anna Kate....who knows!And last, but not least, Jason planted watermelons in one of this gardens. Well, this was the first melon, not too sweet but impressive just the same! I asked JK to show me the watermelon, if you look close you can see her little finger pointing! She is Daddy's helper watering and tending to the garden.

I promise to try and update more often, I know, I know we've all heard that before!!

I had a doctor's appointment last week and everything looks perfect. The babies are growing like they should, we were able to see four arms and legs moving around. It is still surreal at moments, but then you see them moving and it makes it all real again! We have an appointment on August 18 to hopefully find out the gender of the babies. Please continue to pray for our family.

Summertime!!

2009-06-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I have been a little behind, ok a few months behind on posting. But, we have had a lot going on......

Julia Kate is now almost 20 months old and yes, she is going to be a big sister! Jason and I are excited, scared and a little overwhelmed at the fact that we are going to be welcoming two new additions to our family sometime at the end of this year! We have actually gotten used to the idea a little bit and have begun discussing baby rooms, etc. It took us a few days getting used to the idea of having not only another baby, but two more! We are delighted and pray for a safe pregnancy and for two precious miracles.

Julia Kate is growing way too fast. She absolutely would live outside if we would allow. We bought a little plastic pool at Wal-Mart and she loves it....I will post pictures later. She loves to run around the yard talking about everything she sees. Of course, her favorite word is "Noooo", kind of drawn out at the end. You can ask her if she loves Dada or Mama and the answer is always, "Nooooo" but just this weekend she has started, "uh-huh", so who knows! It's amazing how she learns.

I guess that's all, I will try and post some pictures later today or tomorrow. I have been pretty exhausted by the time we get home in the afternoons and by the time JK is in bed I am not far behind her! Please pray for our family and our new additions! Love to all, Nora

Azaleas in bloom....

2009-03-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

It seems this time of year the blooming flowers catch my eye wherever we go. Sunday night Julia Kate and I noticed the gorgeous blooming flowers at our sweet Uncle Craig's, so I pull in but no camera....on Monday we headed to town for a quick photoshoot. The flowers were the perfect back drop, however JK was more interested in smiling and waving at the cars passing by.......I think her favorite spot was on the top step in the front, you can see how excited she was! Thanks Uncle Craig!

Tulips...2009

2009-03-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Saturday we took the girls to this sweet lady's yard. The tulips are gorgeous. Paige did great, little Missy on the other hand got tired quick! These are just a few pictures...I will try and load the others later.

Dinner wtih Baby Sy

2009-03-24T10:32:00.001-07:00

I have not taken the time to properly introduce our sweet cousin Sy. Sy is now almost 4 months old and Julia Kate adores him. Last Friday night we went over for supper to Chad and Mary Marr's house, their older boys were gone so it was just JK and Sy! She got to jump on the big boy's trampoline - first time ever and she loved it. Once inside, after finding the baby, she insisted on Sy being on the floor so that she could "Mama" him....she would rock the bouncy seat and make sure his paci was within reach! Aunt Marr even got JK her own chair next to him. These are a few pictures of Julia Kate and Sy.....

Is is March already?

2009-03-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

I do know that Christmas is over and Easter is almost here. However, tax season has me working way too much and not taking nearly enough pictures! I have had several, sweet, but demanding requests for pictures. I just got back from eating lunch at MK's, here are a few pictures. MK got Paige and Julia Kate bunny ears and the girls love them. They are both growing too fast, but are such joys to witness! (And they both adore their GrandMary!)

Julia Kate has developed many new tricks and hopefully I will have some video to post this weekend. She is such a card.....

Thanks for being patient and for caring about our little family.
Nora

2009-01-07T10:01:00.001-08:00

Happy 2009!

2009-01-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

Happy 2009 to everyone! I don't make resolutions because I have a hard time keeping them. BUT, I am going to try and update our blog at least once a week this year. I have so many pictures to share.....we had a wonderful holiday season. God has blessed and continues to bless us with wonderful family and friends.

Julia Kate is now 14 months old and running around everywhere. She loves to read, she gathers books and comes to me or Jason wanting to read. She also loves to read to her baby doll. She is constantly jimber jambering, telling us all kinds of stories! ......wonder where that comes from :)

Here is to a blessed 2009 to all of you. Thank you for caring about our family....np

Merry Christmas Season to Everyone!

2008-12-04T12:06:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! It's been a few weeks, well maybe a little over a month. But, we have been very busy! I am going to post a couple of different posts today that will show you all what we have been doing! Here are a few pictures from this week: Julia Kate and I have been trying to decorate for Christmas! Of course, really I get items out and she has to play with them. She is mesmerized by the snow globe. It's a little heavy for her to when it stops she knows that Mama will shake it up so she can watch it over and over and over and...........Of course it doesn't take long to move on to something else........note the toys, who knows what Santa should bring?Then, it's just too much!I have started dressing her in footed pajamas at night with the hopes that she will stay nice and warm since she has a tendency to throw her blanket off and wake up! This is one pair, she wouldn't model for me, you can see her Daddy's toes in the picture and I'm sure they were having a very important discussion since she is very serious looking! Then, this is a new MK original. I had to try it on her Tuesday night. Well, Tuesday Julia Kate also received 6 shots! Bless her heart, two in each thigh and one in each arm. But, she was a trooper and allowed me to play dress-up anyway. When I was taking these pictures, I noticed her upper lip on the left side looked funny and sure enough it was swollen. She looked so pitiful - we still aren't sure exactly what happened, it was ok by morning.
She says a few words, mostly "Mama", "Dada", and "ball". However, I can say, "Where is (in this case) the teddybear?" and she has that little finger pointing! Or flipping pages, she loves to "read" her books and flip the pages!

The Birthday Party!!

2008-12-04T11:24:00.000-08:00

We celebrated with her friend, MaKenzie on October 30th at "Miss" Betty's. When I got here, Betty had their high-chairs sitting together and they were ready to party! I brought cupcakes and we sang Happy Birthday and then blew bubbles. I even took balloons! We absolutely LOVE our Mrs. Betty. Now when we turn in her driveway Julia Kate squeals from the backseat! This is our Mrs. Betty.....I couldn't get JK to look at the camera, but this was still such a sweet picture.When we got home on the 30th Jason was working on her swingset, so she got an early birthday present and Daddy let her try it out! I will post more pics later, she loves her swing! Jason pushes her really high and she loves it!Then for party night: We had our family over and Jason grilled hamburgers. Since I wasn't the one taking pictures, all that I have are her opening presents and eating! But, really what else is there? I made regular yellow cupcakes with both cream cheese and chocolate icing. Our precious friend Mr. Todd insisted on Julia Kate eating some chocolate. Well, at first she ate it one finger at a time..........But then, she savored every bite! I can't believe we had her very first birthday party. The entire time surrounded by our family and those special friends which I include when I say family, it was surreal. God has shared this special blessing with us for these years and we are eternally grateful to call her our baby girl.

Happy Birthday Julia Kate!!!!

2008-10-31T06:57:00.001-07:00

Today we celebrate Julia Kate's first birthday! I can't believe she is one, it seems like yesterday we were anxiously awaiting her arrival. Here are a few pictures from the past year, she is growing too fast. They aren't in any particular order - they were random pictures I had on my computer here at the office. We are having family over tonight for a special birthday celebration. Jason is going to grill hamburgers and we are having special birthday cupcakes.

My trusty old camera died last week and I just got the new one in Wednesday, thus the reason for no posts. I will try and post some maybe this weekend. JK dressed up Wednesday night for trunk-or-treat at church, she was a flower, the cutest flower you have ever seen!

Happy Halloween to everyone -- Happy Julia Kate's Birthday to everyone!! She is the absolute joy of mine and Jason's hearts. Thank you all for your support and love to our family over this first year of many exciting things, here's to many more!! Nora

The Pumpkin Patch!

2008-10-20T11:03:00.001-07:00

Friday afternoon - MK, Julia Kate and I made a trip to West Monroe to the pumpkin patch. I have around 150 pictures from our 30 minute visit, but I have chosen a few to share. Julia Kate is a people watcher - it was hard for her to focus on smiling for the camera because there was so much to see! I hope you enjoy these pictures. She loved the pumpkins, the two we came home with are outside our backdoor and she stands and points at them. We are loving fall!

In the picture below she is focused on I-20, all of the traffic was mesmerizing!

Candy Corns......

2008-10-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from last Sunday, Julia Kate was wearing her new MK original: Candy Corns. For some reason she didn't want to look at me, there was something more interested in the back yard. I love sharing pictures!

She is also learning to point. I think this one was just, "No pictures Mom, just fix my lunch!"

11 1/2 months!

2008-10-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

Julia Kate is 11 1/2 months today! It was one year ago tomorrow that I went to the doctor and we scheduled the induction. It seems like last week. I was looking through some old pictures and I can't believe how fast she is growing. We are trying to learn the spoon, she does really good for a minute. But then, we all know it's so much fun to just use your fingers! We are weaning from the bottle, she has done great. She loves her sippy cup and thank goodness she never took a paci - one less thing to worry about.

She is paying more attention now to her "babies", but everyone once in a while you will catche her just trying to eat their nose! Yesterday she started saying, "Uh-oh", it's hilarious. (of course she does it on her Daddy's cue)

I am planning her birthday party: hamburger cook-out with family. We have been swingset shopping, she loves to swing and bless her little heart, she deserves her own!

Happy Wednesday to everyone!
Nora

Is it already October?

2008-10-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

First of all let me apologize for the month of NO posts! I can't believe September is over and October is here. Fall is shaping up to be a busy time for us. Julia Kate is pulling up on everything and last week I bought her a little walk behind baby stroller that she pushes. I know it won't be long and she will be everywhere. I have posted some pictures from the last month, she has discovered the "baby" in the mirror and loves to talk. She also enjoys watching the wind blow out the window. You will grin at the dum-dum pic, she came home from the babysitter's with pigtails and her first dum-dum! Her personality is so funny, I can't believe it has been 11 months since I became her Mom!
Giving kisses - she is learning to blow kisses. Pretty sweet.

This is her new ladybug dress from MK - she is growing up so fast. Happy October everyone! nora

Where did time go?

2008-09-18T10:57:00.001-07:00

Well, I am trying to figure out where the last 3 weeks have gone? I have intended to post new pictures every day but work has been crazy and life after work, well I know you understand...
I am going to try and post new pictures Friday night. Julia Kate is pulling up on EVERYTHING! It seems like yesterday she started crawling!

It has been cool here the last few mornings which signifies that maybe Fall is arriving, I can't wait! I will post as soon as I can, thanks for your understanding!

Love, Nora and JK

My definition of "vacation"

2008-08-27T19:04:00.001-07:00

When I think of the word vacation I think: sleeping late, eating good food and doing absolutely whatever we want whenever we want to do it! Well, today captured that. We ALL slept until around 7:30 (which is late at our house), we relaxed this morning inside and then went out for a great lunch. After lunch we put on our swimsuits and headed for the beach. Julia Kate also wore her "sun hat" courtesy of her good friend Mr. Todd. (this is the only hat she does not immediately try and pull off) She loved goofing off and people watching. This week we have laughed I don't know how many times at how she loves to people watch! Everyone tells us what a quiet baby we have and we respond with, "It's only because she's so nosey!" (maybe I should say curious?)

Before coming back from lunch we made a special trip to Dollar General to purchase a sand castle building kit. JK's dad was so sweet to go down to the water and get the "good" sand and bring it back to build the princess a castle right at her feet.
Well, I haven't figured out how to crop these pictures before uploading them, but this was the sweetest! Jason carried her out to the water and then they sat and watched the waves come in. She would sit and as they came in do her hands up and down in excitement. She enjoyed the water.
Then, she had enough. She and I walked down the beach to watch Jason catch crabs and she just gave it up. She laid on the towel for 45 minutes and just slept. The wind was blowing, the waves were crashing and it was very peaceful.

After three days of phone calls, Jason was finally able to book us a dolphin cruise. We rode for about 45 minutes looking for dolphins and we finally found 2! We all three enjoyed the boat ride. If you look about 1/2 inch above the date to the left you can see a gray strip, that is the dolphin. That is how we saw them live, too. Everyone would yell, "There's one, there's one!", but by the time you looked it was gone.

Jason's crabbing: At first this afternoon he started out with the sand castle shaped bucket dipping crabs, but then he made a run to the neighboring souvenir shop and came back with a shell net! He did catch two blue crabs which was fun. You can see them here, he had a great time and Julia Kate and I had fun watching!
THE CATCH!!!
I have tons of pictures, but these have been fun to share. We leave tomorrow headed home, but we have had a great time getting away. Julia Kate has been so much fun and Jason and I are so blessed to be able to watch her grow each day. Thank you for allowing us to share her with you, she is our heart! See you back in Louisiana........nora

Shopping.....and the beach!

2008-08-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from yesterday and today. Yesterday we traveled to Foley to the Tanger Outlet Center because it was raining. When we arrived there was a local news crew that approached us for a couple of questions, so......Julia Kate and I were on the local news! It was hilarious, we watched it at 5:00 and laughed the entire time. Around the outlet stores they had these little rides, you know the kind that used to be in front of the grocery stores for 50 cents? This was the first ride for Julia Kate. She is pretty serious about her driving.This was right before we were leaving...she really wanted to stay. She and her Dad were having so much fun exploring store to store.Then, this is from this morning's trip to the beach. She is wearing her swim suit cover up the was the cutest. She was also wearing her jelly shoes.......such a doll!After the beach we opted for the swimming pool for a little while. This was more our speed. We bought her this bikini because it has a life jacket that attaches to it, I think the face is saying, "Mom I can't believe you are taking this picture of me!"This is from this afternoon's trip to the beach. The only way Jason could get her to look at the camera was to wave to her, she is too busy paying attention to everyone/everything else than to focus on the camera.Before we came in I tested her in the water. She was fine as long as her back was to the waves. When she was facing the water it was a little overwhelming (and for me too), the waves are loud and fast. I hope you enjoy these, we have had a great time so far and we hate that tomorrow is our last day here. Stay tuned, there will be more later..........

The Beach

2008-08-26T18:43:00.001-07:00

I am having trouble uploading my pictures so here are two from today. I have tons! We went to the beach and pool this morning and this afternoon. We had great food for lunch and supper and had a great day! I will try and upload more tomorrow, but I had to share the bottom one, it's pretty special!

First Family Vacation....What Fun!

2008-08-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

So, Jason thinks I packed the whole house and maybe I did a little, but Julia Kate thought it was perfect. She was snug as a bug on the way to the beach! Granted, we had to remove something from either side before we could get her out! This was the scene......
We arrived around two o'clock yesterday: blue skies and sunshine. We drove through rain around Mobile but everything looked great when we arrived at the condo. Julia Kate was so excited to get out of her car seat, of course she had to check out the bed first!For supper we went to LuLu's, which is owned by Lucy Buffett (Jimmy's sister), it is like a big warehouse that is open right on the water and they had live music last night. The food was great and Julia Kate clapped along with every song! We are already deciding on tonight's destination.Then it started raining after we got in last night and the weather was a little bad during the early morning hours. Today's forecast is rain, rain and more rain. This is Julia Kate in her portable booster seat ready for breakfast. She is just too cute not to share. (Take note of how two of our pictures are around eating....we are all about the food, well at least me and JK.
This is the view from our balcony this morning, the rain has stopped for about the last hour but you can see the wind blowing the palm trees! Julia Kate is taking her nap. We are thinking since it is raining outside, what do we do?? SHOP! We are headed to Foley to the outlets! Check in later.....I am going to try and update!

2008-08-22T12:08:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention the new picture of Julia Kate in her tennis shoes. MK, Julia Kate and I traveled to Shreveport last Friday and found these at The GAP. This was Tuesday morning before going to Mrs. Betty's house, I thought she was the cutest in her ruffle skirt and hot pink shoes!

2008-08-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!! We have had a very busy week and everyday I have forgotten to bring my camera and upload pictures! So, I will catch you up on our week and share this one pic with you. This was Sunday before church in a new MK dress. You can also see the drool on her chin, she is getting her seventh tooth in!!

Julia Kate and I stayed home Wednesday because Mrs. Betty is on vacation. Today she and her Daddy are having a play date! We have spent each night this week getting ready for our vacation. We leave Sunday for Orange Beach for 5 days. We are excited. Jason is bringing his laptop so I will try and update with some new pics. This is our first family vacation.

Julia Kate is doing something new everyday. Her new thing is squealing, she loves to get your attention that way. She is pulling up and walking along the furniture or chair rail or bed. I know I'm going to look up tomorrow and she will walk across the room!

Sorry I don't have more pictures, I will definitely have some this next week. Say a prayer that we have beautiful weather and a wonderful first vacation!!

Thoughts from the weekend....

2008-08-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

Our weekend was wonderful...I am sorry that it is Wednesday and I am now updating. I know this picture may be a little gross, but Saturday Julia Kate had potatoes, carrots and gravy for lunch! I cooked a roast with the trimmings and we were having left overs, she insisted on trying them and she was very enthused. Although she would have none of it for supper! We spent most of our Saturday cleaning out our extra bedroom which Jason refers to as the junk room. I was busy cleaning out a cabinet and Julia Kate played patiently all day long. She scoots everywhere so it didn't take her long to find me and this mirror. It was so sweet, she discovered this other baby and played for quite a few minutes! She talked and even tried to give kisses, and yes she gives open mouth kisses!

Sunday morning, we were running late as usual, but I tried to get a few pictures of JK and her new dress (an MK original). She did not want to cooperate and smile for the camera. These are the best two that I got, but they are pretty precious.

This week has flown by so far, when we get home in the afternoons, it's time to eat supper, play and have a bath before bedtime. Julia Kate and I have watched some of the olympics, swimming & gymnastics would have to be our favorites. That is in between crawling down the hall and back, down the hall and back..........What a wonderful blessing it is.......Nora

We are crawling...scooting...becoming mobile!

2008-08-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

Julia Kate is now scooting. She puts her arms in front of her and pulls while pushing off with her feet. It's pretty funny! Last night she was playing in the living room and I sat down across the room and she turned and started scooting. I hope that you can see her, I recorded it with my digital camera. (You have to ignore my voice, I don't know how to turn the audio down)

Jason was looking for her and discovered her under the coffee table, I couldn't grab my camera fast enough and she was already out the other side. She has become very adventerous! If you look closely you can see the curve in her cheek: she grins the entire time!

I thought for sure she would start crying after making this tumble, but no, she just got up grinning and scooting along. Then she had to have a bath! I took these pictures because her hair has gotten so long and when I am washing it, it stands straight up!

I hope everyone has a great Thursday!

Weekend Happenings....SAT & SUN

2008-08-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday: When I got home, Julia Kate had decided that she wanted to go to the Winnsboro Rodeo. My baby brother, David and our friend Heith were riding Satruday night so I told her that we could go. Jason fed her supper and I had gotten some new baby food for her to try: green beans with rice, easing into the solids ~ this was her reaction. So, of course her Daddy told her she didn't have to eat it, I mean look at that face and those hands.!!Then it was off to the rodeo: this picture is of David getting ready to ride, my camera didn't focus so good, but he is the second cowboy hat from the right. Julia Kate is mesmerized when we go to a rodeo - there are so many people to watch! David came to see her after his ride and she couldn't stop looking at his hat. She isn't used to seeing him with such a big hat! But, it was a sweet picture of her and Uncle David so I had to share.

SUNDAY: Julia Kate had been playing on her pallet in the living room after her bottle when I stepped from the kitchen around the corner thinking Jason picked her up and she was in the recliner with him. Well, no, she was under the coffee table. I said, "Julia Kate what are you doing?" This was my response, "Caught in the act!!"She hasn't fully started crawling. She puts her arms and head down and scoots with her back feet, but she gets anywhere she wants to go. I was in the kitchen and turned around to see her focused on her high chair. If there is anything that she might can pull up on, that becomes the ultimate goal. She is working hard to get there.......Then she got her feet under the bar and she couldn't figure out how to pull up and get her feet our at the same time.......
I added this pic because you can see her toy cell phone. It is so funny, she pushed it toward the kitchen where she was going. She loves the phone!!
Sunday night: We traveled to MK's house for supper with David. He left this morning going back to college in Fort Scott, Kansas. There were a couple of extras there for supper so we had one take our family picture, rarely is there an extra set of hands. I think this might be our first family picture with everyone since Julia Kate arrived! Of course, she's waving to the camera!

I think that wraps up our weekend, a little more hectic than usual! Stay tuned this week, I will try to post more pics! Nora

Weekend Happenings...FRIDAY

2008-08-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

We started out our weekend playing outside. Jason mowed the yard Friday evening and Julia Kate and I took a stroll down the driveway and then decided to check out the flower beds. She was so intrigued witht the pinestraw! You can tell by the far away glance that she was closely watching her Daddy on the lawnmower.
She decided to pick some up, just to see what it felt like. I was so proud of her not putting it straight to her mouth!
Still thinking......then I get this look when I had to tell her, "No, Julia Kate we don't eat pinestraw!"
Then, it was funny that I said no!

I have't figured out how to post all my pictures and then make comments. So, to see more of our weekend - check out the next post.

An ordinary evening.....

2008-07-31T06:08:00.001-07:00

Well, just another evening at our house. Our pool is currently out of commission so we are spending our evenings mostly playing.....Julia Kate has started doing patty cake on command, it's pretty cute!!

When Jason picked her up from Mrs. Betty's (our beloved babysitter) she told him that Julia Kate was trying to pull up on everything so I put her in the baby bed to test her skills and check it out! First, she thinks about it, then she says this isn't so hard and finally........

"Hey Mom, I did it!" She was so excited.
Then she spots her bear.
"What is this thing?" "Let me check him out"

She was fascinated with her bear. (she loves it Uncle Craig!) Then she decided to pull up on the ottoman, but did not want to smile for the camera!

We played, took a bubble bath then off to bed. I hope y'all enjoy these pictures, I love sharing. As you can see I am not a great photographer but I'm thinking that practice at least makes you better, so there's hope!

Our friends, Matt & Garson just had a precious baby boy, Cole Trigger, Monday night. There blog is www.teamwoodard.blogspot.com, check out their new little one.

Have a great day!

20.5 lbs!

2008-07-30T05:54:00.000-07:00

We went to Julia Kate's 9 month check-up yesterday and she weighs 20.5lbs and is 30 inches long! I was excited about this, the doctor told me to keep doing what we're doing, she was doing great. When Julia Kate and I left the doctor we went to St. Francis to visit our sweet friends from church and their new little one, Beau. Beau was born Sunday night and weighed 9lbs 11oz, he was precious. Julia Kate was so sweet and even showed him how to do patty cake!

After we got home and had supper it was just about bed time so I don't have any new pictures, but I wanted to share this short video. This was about three months ago, we were in the kitchen after supper and she started laughing at Jason. It is too sweet.

I also included two pictures of Julia Kate in her kitchen sink bubble bath. And yes, she is washing her spoon. She loves to stick things under the running water and watch the water! I hope everyone has a great day, Nora.

Cheese anyone?

2008-07-29T07:16:00.000-07:00

Julia Kate has started eating solids...well kind of. Cheddar cheese is the snack of choice and she loves it! She has five teeth, note her concentration on picking up one little piece at a time. When we get home in the evenings she thinks she is supposed to have a snack so here are a few pics from last night.

Then, after her snack she had to try on her new shades, we are going to the beach in a few weeks, and a girl has to have her shades!

I tried to get her to model her new pj's but it was bedtime and she was NOT into it. Jason and I both tried to get her to look at the camera and she would have none of it. But, when her Daddy said ok, let's go, she started waving.

So, the first post is jumbled. Be patient, I will learn how to do this. This is our growing girl! We have our 9 month checkup this afternoon. Any guesses as to how much she weighs? I'll let you know tomorrow. Have a great day, Nora

Here we are.....

2008-07-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I have finally committed to attempting a blog. I have had intentions since Julia Kate arrived and now that she is nine months old, what better time to start? Please be patient, I am not at all computer savvy, but I will do my best to post our life events and pictures as often as possible. Thank you for visiting. Nora