HK and Santa

Clearly she wasn't a fan so this was a quick picture before Daddy scooped her up. Santa looked the part but wasn't overly jovial (though he didn't look so grumpy in person).

We are members of our local zoo and they sent us a flyer that Santa would be there this week. Brian was able to come with us and see a few animals too. She was much more interested this time so I'm excited to go back. 

We've got so much

(Here's the pictures from 2010. She's bigger than the turkey this year!) 

so much, so much, so much, so much , so much, so much, so much, so much, so much, so much , so much, so much to be thankful for!!!
 

Thanksgiving 2011

Boot scootin' boogie

Or bootie scootin' boogie :).

Someone figured out a way to move around other than cruising on furniture. Look out world, she's on the loose!

(Sorry it's grainy our living room is really dark.)

Hannah Kate's Laughter

Just a little bit of giggling to make you smile. The quality isn't great because I recorded it with my phone, but it's still funny. Hannah Kate makes you work hard for her laughs, but they are worth it. We are so grateful for the joy she brings to our house!

Halloween 2011

Hannah Kate was a ballerina this year. I originally was going to make her costume but the birthday festivities took over. Luckily I found a tiny leotard at target and I couldn't pass it up. I also had to get a picture of her in the pumpkin. I saw the idea on The Mom Creative a long time ago and was excited to try it one day (admittedly she is bigger, but I still wanted to try it). She thought she was big stuff because she could stand up in it!

More birthday pics

The table

Rice Krispies

Smash cake, chocolate covered marshmallows and pretzels.

Yarn balls

Smash cake

Strawberry cupcakes (both from Sprinkledinkles and very yummy)

Cookie dough dip (recipe)

Pictures for each month of the first year and her yarn letters

Water bottles

Opening presents

Here comes the cake!

She initially was excited and then couldn't get over the goo factor. I love how the frosting looks like lipstick.

The aftermath :)

Overall I think her party was a success. I tried to stick with the colors that are also in her room so we could use the decorations again. We had so much fun with family and getting to hang out. HK even got to meet some cousins for the first time and they were so cute together. Happy birthday baby girl!!

Hannah Kate is one!

The title is a phrase you hear uttered a lot around here. We've been trying to teach HK to hold up one finger. Instead, she will usually smile and shake her head "no". Oh well, she can be my baby forever :).

It's hard to believe that a year ago I was wondering if she would make it. It was a scary time, but we are so glad that God let us keep her. Hannah Kate is a huge blessing in our lives and I can't imagine life without her.

Today is her party, so there will be pictures to come of the festivities. Happy birthday sweet girl!

Hannah Kate - Eleven months

Sweet girl this has been such a big month for you! The change from baby to toddler is starting to happen and you are so much fun. Today we took a few pictures with you hanging onto a chair because that is your new favorite thing to do. You are so proud of yourself and look like a big girl!

 

What a pose!

This month you:

• Added a new smile. You open up your mouth really big and show off your teeth and then scrunch up your nose. If you are really tickled you breathe through your nose loudly. Not a snort, but it is hilarious!
• Tried a jumperoo for the first time and loved it.
• In the middle of the month you finally decided you liked lunch too. You are now officially eating two meals a day.
• Learned to shake your head no. You think it's pretty funny, and though I know it will get old, we think it's funny too.
• This past week you started wearing size 3 diapers. They are still a little big, but you definitely wouldn't have made it through another box of 2's
• Wear anywhere from a size 3-6 to 6 month, and a few 9 months.
• Figured out how a straw works and have nabbed a few sips of Mama's water. 
• This weekend you also figured out how to pull up holding onto our fingers (before you could only get up to your knees). You can't pull yourself up on furniture still, but this was a major step.
• Went on your first trip to the zoo! I don't think you were too excited about the animals, but are quite the people watcher. Lucky for you there were plenty of people to watch :).

Bed Head

Baby girl is slowly making up for lost time in the hair department.

 I cracked up when she woke up this morning with quite a hairstyle! We decided to take some pictures while we got ready for the day.

Now if we can just get it to grow up front we will be set!

HK's stats

 

Hannah Kate had her nine month appointment yesterday, at a bit over ten months. She weighed 16 lbs and was 26.25 in long. Baby girl is now about three percent on the growth charts! She is still behind on her physical milestones, but the doctor was not concerned. The pictures about are her showing off her latest 'skill'. She can't pull up all by herself yet, but she really likes to stand up and hang on. Don't worry, the bed is getting lowered!

Rainy Days

What do you do when it's raining outside and you can't go on your morning walk? You sit on the front porch and let your mama take your picture, of course!

At some point I'll have to take a few pics of our rental, but for now we'll save that gem for another day. The house is eh, but we love the space and neighborhood. Knoxville is treating us well so far!

Hannah Kate - Ten Months

August 28th, this little girl turned ten months old. It's crazy to think that in two shorts months we'll be celebrating her first birthday! I need to get my act together :).

Posing with the stuffed animals has become more challenging. She likes to interact with them now, so they don't stay upright for long. Ah well, I will post them anyway.

This month you:

• Wear a size 2 diaper, and clothing sizes range from 3-6 m to 6 m. You are almost out of 3-6 m, and you've even worn a few 6-9 m (depending on the brand).
• Your second tooth came in within a week of your first one. You are working on the bottom teeth next to them now.

• Learned to rotate yourself around. This is how you position yourself (one foot turned out to the side) to turn around.

• Separation anxiety has started.
• You've added apricots to your repertoire of food. You are still on a orange food only kick which is hard, but at least you are eating.
• You can pull yourself up from sitting with minimal help from us, but don't really know what to do with yourself from there. All in due time, sweet girl.
• Your favorite toys are musical instruments that are easy to hold, a giraffe rattle you like to chew on, and straws! If we have a straw in a drink and come near you, you will kidnap it. 

I know there are many more things you are doing, but that's all I can think of for now.

Rainbow Babies!

One of the things I value most about the journey we've been on since Ethan was born still is the people who have come into my life that I otherwise might not have met.  Tonya has been so kind to me since we lost Ethan, and it's so nice to be able to talk to someone who gets it, from grief to hope and everywhere in between. We were able to get together last week and meet our rainbow babies (rainbow baby explanation here)! Aren't these two cute together? 

They were patient with us as we snapped away, hanging onto their lovies!

"Thanks for sharing your toys Matthew!"

Sweeties. So much hope in such little bodies!

 

 

Thank you for hanging out Tonya and Matthew. We had so much fun!