Katie Girl - 4 months

Hard to believe Katie already is 4 months old.  She doesn't seem like a "baby" anymore.  I was updating my baby calendar that has been tucked away since about August.  All you have to do is put stickers on the calendar to document milestones about the baby's life.  For the life of me, I couldn't remember what we/she did during the month of September.  It's like my memory doesn't exist.  Good thing I have this blog - but even the blog is hard to keep up on! 

Katie's stats at 4 months:

Weight:  13.35 lbs - 50%

Height:  24 inches - 50%

Head:  15 3/4 cm - 25%

These days, Katie is interacting a lot more.  She has become very well acquainted with Sophie the Giraffe and especially like to chew on the "horns."  What are those on a giraffe anyway?!?  She gives lots of smiles, coos, and sticks her tongue out for raspberries.  She enjoys tummy time, her bouncy seat, and her swing - even when the batteries are low and the music is quite disturbing.  She likes to scoot in circles when she is on her back - counter clock-wise.  When she wakes up from a nap she sometimes has scooted in a full circle.  She'll suck on a binky for a little bit, but prefers her right thumb or left two fingers.  Overall, she is a happy baby - only crying when she is hungry, really tired, or has poops.  She is a good eater - only eating about 6 times a day now, and she sleeps for 12 hours at night (8PM - 8AM) and takes two good naps a day.  I feel pretty lucky!  Our biggest concern is protecting her from her brother who likes to stomp, shove, or pick Katie up.  He knows he isn't suppose to do it because afterwards he immediately puts himself in time-out and then comes back and gives her kisses.  Fun times.

Here she is sleeping in her bouncy seat - doing the "dada"

Co-op

This is our second year with Andy at the Magnolia Co-op.  Andy is on the young end of his class, since his birthday is right before the cut-off.  I don't know who has more fun, Andy or me.  I love the moms who I have met and gotten to know better and I love getting to know Andy's buddies and have them know me.  This year, I get to drop Andy and Katie off and have two whole hours to myself.  It's amazing how much you can get done in two hours without kids : )  I took pictures of the kids on the first day of class (way back in September) and never posted them.  Since we're in our second year - the kids have snack, which is hard enough in our own house!  It has been so much fun watching Andy learn from his friends and hear stories about him when I am not in class.

We love Teacher Gina

Waiting for his turn

Feeling pretty special that he gets a big boy cup

YUM

Misty and Henry

Misty and I have known each other since high school.  Although we went to different colleges - we have found each other at a similar stage of life now with our kids being close in age.  It has been so much fun reconnecting with each other - and we FINALLY met up for a walk that we have been talking about for awhile now.  We also were able to enjoy the October sun before the weather turned.  I look forward to more walks in the future!

Katie all bundled up - ready for the walk

Misty with the boys

More pumpkins

Last weekend, we spent Sunday afternoon at the Johnson's new home.  Carleigh made the best soup and we carved pumpkins.  It was so much fun, especially since Andy actually participated this year.  He still calls pumpkins, carrots, but started using the word pumpkin by the end of the night.  Whenever he sees a lot of pumpkins together he says - look, pumpkin...TWO pumpkins.  Walks these days are filled with pointing out pumpkins...or carrots.  He won't stop talking about it until you acknowledge him. 

After all the pumpkins were carved we lined them up and it was funny to see each person's personality displayed in their pumpkin.  Thanks Car and Allen for a great day with friends!

Katie having her own fun in the bouncy seat

"two carrots"

Helping out - so proud

Uncle Allen with the kids

Andy standing next to his pumpkin

Pretty good for a two year old!



Touchdown!

Every year my dad and I head down on the field for Husky Homecoming.  Andy also has joined us since he was born - making this his 3rd year heading down to the field.  He hasn't stopped talking about it.  Andy is obsessed with the Huskies (learning young - just how we like it!).  During the game, Andy sits intently watching the game - cheers whenever something happens (even when a plane flies over-head), and is a pro at waving his hat during kick-off.  Every day this week, when I go get Andy from his nap, he says, "Husky game - field - run by".  Meaning, he is describing the players running by on the field.  He also adds, "Bapa's lap."  When we drive by Husky Stadium - he yells - FOOTBALL and go Huskies.  When he sees a football game on TV - he says FOOTBALL, TOUCHDOWN.  I think it's pretty darn cute.  I love watching Andy observe and absorb these days - it's so entertaining and so much fun to hold mini-conversations with him.

Also this was a very exciting game against OSU where we won in double OT.  We left at half-time (7:15 start), but were cheering loudly from home.  It was a late night for the kids - but well worth-it!

Katie's first time on the field (and her 3rd game of the season!)

Go HUSKIES!

Kyle's first time on the field with us : )

Halloween Cookies

Betsy and I use the holidays as an excuse to make cookies.  In her new home there are TWO ovens, which make baking even better.  The m's love it - and Andy is starting to understand the joy of cookies a little more.  As usual - we made a big mess and ate a lot of sugar!

Andy caught "sneaking" candy off the counter

Katie getting some quality time with B

Halloween pictures

My finished work (no help to Andy, although it looks like the work of a 2 year-old)

Mags stopping to smile (barely - note the mouthful of worms)

Betsy's cute little bat



11 great-grandchildren

What happens when you try to get 11 great grandchildren to smile for the camera???...chaos!!

October Sunshine

We have had some pretty amazing weather this October, which almost makes up for the lack of sun this summer.  Well, not really, but I am enjoying it while it lasts! The Warmes came over at the beginning of October for some fun in the park, and as you have noticed, I am behind on my blogging. 

Andy loves the park across from our house

Yep, another airplane

Stay tuned for more of the Warmes - but these crack me up

Hmmm...where do they get it?

Locked out

One of my biggest fears came true yesterday.  I went to get the mail yesterday and Andy shut the door behind me - locking him in the house with his sister on the floor.  If it was just Andy, and Katie was in a "safe" place away from her brother, I wouldn't have worried as much.  BUT, I just had given Andy time-out for picking up his sister by her shirt.  There I was, looking in, feeling completely helpless.  I tried to communicate with Andy to open the door, but he just sat on the stool by the door giving me a big smile as he waved at me and said "hi mama!" over and over again.  PANIC.  Luckily our dear neighbor, Mary, has a key and she was home because my negotiation skills were not working with Andy.  Lesson learned.

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend we went to the Carpinito Brothers U-Pick Pumpkin Patch and had a blast!  It was fun to see my friend Misty and their set-up is pretty incredible.  Andy had a blast picking out his carrot (yes, he gets confused about the orange and green) and I'm not sure if Andy or Kyle had more fun in the corn maze.  I still am dreaming about the hot roasted corn - and the fresh veggies were SO good.  We'll be back!  Andy, of course, picked out two BIG pumpkins and struggled to walk in his rain boots.  He doesn't look very happy in a lot of the pictures - but he was too excited and busy looking for pumpkins and at all of the scenery to stop for pictures.  I don't blame him : )

Searching for Andy's pumpkin

Found it!

Looking for daddy's approval

Checking out the veggies

Happy to get his boots off : )

He looks so tiny!

Come on mom!