Kate and her first time with balloons

August 2010

I love my girl!

Her laugh is contagious...and genuine most of the time but she's mastered the fake laugh as well.

She loves her Daddy!

For some reason this was her position of choice

Always ready for the camera with a funny face

Celebrating one of our favorite ladies...Happy Birthday Kristen Krop!!!

16 weeks

New York City Overnight Date

Earlier this month we went to New York City for our first overnight away from Kate. My parents were in town for a visit so they graciously stayed with Katerbug. She clearly had a great time with them and I'm quite positive that was their favorite part of the trip. We enjoyed our time in the Big Apple without a child. Unfortunately I didn't get ANY pictures besides this one. We saw Wicked on Broadway and it was AMAZING! The music was phenomenal and I just love the theater. We enjoyed eating our way through the City as usual. It was so nice to be able to jump from store to store without a stroller in tow...or to navigate the subway without a stroller as well. We had a great time but missed our Katers. We knew she was in great hands though and enjoyed our time just the two of us again.

Have I mentioned???

I'm not sure that I've mentioned on this blog that....we're expecting Baby Ross #2! I'm due February 13th and now in my 15th week. I put the ticker at the top of the blog but realized I never actually made a formal post. This pregnancy I've not been nearly as sick which has been wonderful! Everything is going great and we find out September 15th whether we're having a girl or a boy. We've been talking it up to Kate and telling her there's a baby in belly and now when we ask where the baby is, she points to my belly! I don't think she completely understands of course but the seeds been planted.

Here's a belly shot for my Mom who's been asking to see my progression. :)

14 weeks

Kate you are 21 months old today and it’s hard to believe you’re growing up so fast! Sometimes it’s hard for a Mom to see the actual growing process in a child but today I saw how much you have matured and learned. We had music class that we have missed this summer and you jumped right back in, but I could tell you followed directions SO well, did hand motions with each song, and just showed that she was growing up in so many ways. You are saying more and more words. You will tell us all kinds of stories in your own language and I know you’re saying something VERY important but I just wish I knew what it was! There are several things you LOVE right now…

· S Sitting in Momma’s lap and cuddling, giving hugs, and kisses.

· S Saying “Bye” in the MOST Southern accent and waving and blowing kisses

· DDrinking milk, you LOVE this stuff!

· YYou have several favorite toys but you are still very much attached to your bears…it used to be just one but somehow we’ve added another to your collection and heaven forbid we forget one!

· YYou are very sensitive, you care for your friends, and you actually share pretty well. Just today you noticed your friend, London’s, bear was on the ground and you tried handing it to her but she didn’t seem interested so you found her Mommy and gave it to her. Sometimes you’re so sensitive you get easily offended when I have to reprimand you, you don’t like you’re Momma to have to say, “No, ma’am” in my stern voice. You will fall apart and hug me until I can reassure you that I love you. :)

· YYou love to run into your Daddy’s arms when he comes home, give him kisses and hugs.

· YYou wake up around 8am, take a nap around 12:30pm, then wake up around 3pm and go to bed around 8pm. You are a routine-kind-of-girl. In fact, at nap time I just have to say, “Is it time for night, night?” and you go running to the stairs and say “night, night” over and over.

· Y LOVE to dance and clap.

· Y Would be outside every minute of the day if I let you

· Y Eat really well, veggies are not a favorite but you have your staples: grilled cheese, bananas, strawberries, peaches, oranges, grapes, hot dogs, mac n’ cheese, pb & honey, and you’re like your Momma in your love of crescent rolls. J

It’s hard to believe you’re 21 months Kate, just 3 months shy of being 2! OH MY! You bring SO much joy to our lives and we can’t wait to watch you grow to be a big sister. We love you Katherine Bailey Ross!!!