Merry Christmas!

We've been blessed with another wonderful Christmas. We've had a great couple of days. 2010 has been so good to us. Thank you family and friends for your love and support this year. We love you all!

Kate's First Playdate

Kate and I visited Parker and Presleigh Sisney, twin son & daughter of my friend Brooke Sisney, on Thursday, 12/23/10. Parker & Presleigh were born on October 25, 4 days after Kate. Brooke and I have been on almost the exact same schedule for IVF and our pregnancies, so we really enjoyed trading stories and staying connected over the past year. In Brooke's words, "yay for us older moms!".

Kate is 2 Months Old!

Kate celebrated 2 months of age on 12/21/2010. She had an appointment with the pediatrician and she weighed in at 8lbs., 6oz., and has grown 3 inches in length! Dr. Payton was very happy with her progress. Kate also had her first round of immunizations, which were not fun. She got THREE shots in her thighs. She cried real tears and mommy and daddy felt like crying, too. On Wednesday she was very sleepy, but thankfully no fussiness, fever or other side effects!

8pm versus 3 am

There are many differences between 8pm and 3 am.  I won't belabor the obvious ones.  But here are my top things I find different.

1. An unannounced rubbing from the cat against a bare leg.  A warm welcome at 8pm.  At 3am, it's more of a mini heart attack.

2. Any infomercial by the Sham Wow guy.  At 8pm, amusing.  At 3am, either I'm going to kill him or order 4 shaw wows... mood dependent.

3. Baby farts.  Much funnier at 8pm.  They smell worse at 3am.

4. 40w bulbs.  At 8pm, I can barely see to do anything.  At 3am, "it burns!"

5. The barking neighbors dog.  At 8 I'm annoyed... at 3am, I'm ready to make the owner look like the Sham Wow guy.

6.  Mixing a bottle.  At 8pm, it's a simple exercise.  At 3am, I used 4 spoons, two bottles, a strainer, half a roll of paper towels and had to change shirts.  I left the kitchen so covered in formula powder that it looked a cocaine factory.

7. Changing a diaper.  Again, 8pm = simple.  3am, I wiped her bottom with the burp cloth.  Whoops.  Then I forgot to put the diaper on, and buttoned her up.  Good thing I noticed there was less "junk in the truck" when I picked her up and corrected my mistake.

8.  And finally, feeding.  At 8pm, a simple exercise and one that needs to happen fast because there is a lot to do.  At 3am, it is something to be relished.  It feels like just you and her in the world.  Yeah, sleep deprivation can suck, but being alone at 3am providing for a little one is indescribable.

Peace.

Kate's First Visit with Santa

Kate met Santa for the first time on Friday, December 17th. She has been a very good girl this year!

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is now one week away. I've been busy finishing up the shopping, and I've only wrapped about 6 presents. I thought I'd share the photo from our Christmas card that was taken on Thanksgiving. Kate was exactly 5 weeks old on Thanksgiving.

Little Kate is growing fast. Bryon and I both have gotten smiles from her in the past 2 weeks or so. I can't describe how wonderful it feels to get that sweet smile from her! We've even heard a little coo here and there.

Tuesday brings her 2 month birthday and we go to the pediatrician for a check up and shots. I am already dreading the shots, but I am looking forward to seeing how much she's grown. At her last appointment she weighed 7lbs., 6oz., so I'm sure she's over 8lbs. by now. She's gotten longer too. Her "newborn" size clothes fit almost perfectly right now!