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 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!

Can you see it?

 I'm so excited!

See my tooth?

Bottom, right side of my mouth. (And hopefully one beside it soon).

Hannah Kate - Nine Months

I can't believe I typed that. How did my baby get so big? Her Daddy told me today that pretty soon we'll have to call her a big girl instead of a baby. I told him to hush :).

(at least your not to big to still think we're funny)

HK, 

This past month has been a big one. You've changed so much and life has changed around you. We are in Tennessee now, and Daddy starts his job on Monday. Mama is nervous about being in a new place, but hopefully we'll make some friends quickly.

This month you:

• Finally decided you like to snuggle. I melt when you lay your head on my shoulder and wrap your arms around me.
• Wear a size 2 diaper and 3-6 month clothes. You can also wear 6 month in Carter's.
• Got your first tooth! It happened the week we moved in and made for some fun unpacking
• Really decided you like the dogs. Toby is your favorite and makes you laugh hard. For some reason Toby fetching a stick is really funny. The dogs like you more when you can't tug their hair trying to pet them.
• Can say Dada/Daddy and Hi. You are intentional with it most of the time, so I think it counts.
• You are sitting very well now and can stand flat-footed.
• Hate peas with a passion. As in, will intentionally gag yourself if they are in your mouth. 
• Are starting to have separation anxiety, particularly at night time.
• Like the exersaucer, play phone, and a little kitchen. Your ultimate favorite was my cell phone, but you drooled on it so much I had to take it apart to get it to work again. That doesn't deter you from trying to get it though.
• Your eyes are turning from blue to hazel and I think they are on the way to brown. I wish I was a photographer and could have documented it. It was really neat to see daily how they had changed.

Independence Day

We  had a wonderful holiday here! Church was great, Mimi made HK a special outfit, and we enjoyed hanging out with family. Miss Priss was even a good sport about taking a few pictures. I hope your Independence day was wonderful too!

 

Swinging

Someone had a great time swinging for the first time at the park.

She liked her feet tucked in better. Wheeee!

Roll over

Because of Hannah Kate's prematurity, she is behind on her motor skills and trunk strength. We've been working with her to try and help her eventually catch up, so it was pretty exciting when she rolled from front to back a few times today. I managed to record a little on my phone, and since this is also our family journal I wanted to post it. Ignore my high pitched cheering, if it works, it works :).

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

I love watching Hannah Kate discover new things :)

Guess what?

 

My Daddy got a job as a professor, isn't that great? We are moving to Knoxville this summer.

 

See? I already have a shirt with a "T" on it.

Hannah Kate - Five Months

I'm not thrilled with the monthly pictures this time, but they are what they are. I am glad HK is becoming more aware and is in love with her Daddy, even if that means she doesn't like to look at the camera :).

 

Yep, Daddy was beside her :)

And now above her...

and below her. At least there is no question she is tracking now!

This month you:

• Wore size 0-3 month clothes and size 1 diapers.
• Liked to look at the baby in the mirror. You don't realize it's you yet, but always recognize the person holding 'that baby'
• Tried to stick both fists in your mouth at the same time. No success yet, but it doesn't deter you.
• Finally started getting hair on the top of your head. And now you've rubbed a good bit off of the back. Ah well, it's only hair.
• Are the happiest when you are on your changing table. We get the most smiles and coos then.
• Are starting to weight bear on your legs (started 3/8)
• Like your sun toy with links (it crinkles) and your rattle.
• Like to sit up in Mama and Daddy's lap, and short periods in your bumbo.
• Belly hernia is almost gone.
• Wore sunglasses for the first time. Poor winter baby didn't know what to do with the sunlight!

• Rolled onto your side a few times.
• Are getting much better at your trunk strength.
• Are learning to play during baths, and are surprised at the splashes. This one may come back to bite us, but we all think it's pretty funny now.
• Went on your first trip, and it had four different airplanes. Everyone told us what a good baby you were

Snoozing in the terminal with Daddy. Y'all are two peas in a pod.