Today and more

This is the LOVE of our lives! It is hard to believe she is ONE MONTH OLD (yesterday).

Katie Jane brings joy to our house!!!

Need to update since last post, but had a BUSY week & tonight have a fussy baby girl making it hard to type while holding... Daddy took over so I could post some stuff here! THANKS, DAD!

So many pictures, so little time!

But here are some pictures from the last week or so...

Green Day (for Kinsey at school)...Kinsey & Katie! What a pair! 8/14 Thursday (also my parents' anniversary #37!!)

Katie at 3 weeks old! Thursday 8/14 also...

Tyler was also EXCITED to give her a bottle...on Friday afternoon...8/15

Tuesday 8/19 Carl & Karen & Kirsten came to Athens--ironically (or not so) to pay a red light ticket the got when came to visit us in hospital...Due to Carl's surgery he can't lift over 10 lbs so just got to sit with girls....

We set up this picture to have them both sitting up...but Katie flopped over...much cuter!

Quite appropriate pillow too..."It's great to be queen"!!!

KJ at 4 weeks...should have taken photo earlier in day when not so fussy, but she looks cute anyway!

We were SHOWERED twice in the past week...

First was a great shower on Sat 8/16 from our Pathfinders Sunday school class at Athens 1st UMC...Here we got about 300 diapers and 1500+ wipes!! What a blessing! It was a brunch and lots of yummy food! One activity was for everyone to make scrapbook pages for KJ's album...that was LOTS of fun to see everyone's creativity!! Thanks to Kim C. for coordinating & Deana for hosting! It was a great shower!

Second was my beloved Bunco group on Tues 8/19...KJ came to play (not really). She got lots of cute clothes and the group bought us a HIGH CHAIR! :) I love my Bunco buddies! Best news of the nite was that Scarlet is expecting! She had a miscarriage a few months ago, so we celebrated with her! Notice diaper cake (thanks, Michelle) and watermelon baby carriage filled with fruit (thanks, Kim)...thanks to Beth L. for hosting...yummy food! :)

Speaking of showers...this is KJ's bath from this past Sunday morning...Tommy took the pictures & she looks so serious...this was a moment that she was NOT screaming, which is normal bath protocol! :)

That's it for now...of course I have a few hundred more pictures, but I won't bore you with all of those! :)

Mandy

Tuesday sweetness...

First of all, I changed settings so anyone should be able to post comments now...just discovered I could do that. But don't post as anonymous, as I won't know who says what (VERY annoying), so put your name in comment! :)

Can't resist these sweet moments of brother & sister love time. Everyday the boys come home & "fight" over who will hold their sister first! Tyler's moment here...




Tommy got to give her a bottle then burp her... he was THRILLED!!!





You know I LOVE my boys, but I really LOVE being the mommy of a baby girl...only the best one in the world! Tommy took this picture last nite...




Mandy

What a Week!

My apologies for not getting anything posted this week...quite a week!


I don't know if I can even remember it all, but here goes!!


Last Sunday: The boys went to church & KJ & I stayed home...got ready for week, normal stuff...grocery store, etc. Aunt Kelly cooked baked spaghetti for dinner & it was YUMMY!! But KJ didn't like too much...made her a little fussy...but I sure enjoyed !!!!


Beth & kids came up for dinner. Kinsey (as always) was so excited to hold Katie. I LOVE THIS PICTURE OF THEM!!! Kind of professional-like with the light coming in window...etc. LOVE IT!









Hello Kinsey!

Monday: Mostly at home...boys are great to let me sleep in the afternoon! KJ goes to sleep then I do! YAY!


Grandmama & Grandad brought us dinner...they had made homemade peach ice cream & it was DELICIOUS!!





She is...a SWEET GIRL!!!




After dinner, Tyler was holding KJ...here's a guy's life...a girl on one arm and the TV remote in the other.




Another milestone tonight was Blake holding her for the first time!! He had touched her toes but had been timid to hold her. Tonight he wanted to! He was so cute! What a big boy!







Tuesday: Boys & I were mostly home. Enjoyed our "last day" at home before school starts...



Start off with a picture of her in her ALL PINK cradle...such a sweet girl!





For dinner, Richard's 1st cousin Chet, his wife Dusty & their daughters Mary Joyce & Katherine came for dinner. We had quite a time getting a group photo...as you can see...it was great to catch up with them & see their girls. Katherine turned one the next day. Mary Joyce is 3. The adults ordered in Carino's (thanks to a gift certificate from a friend of ours) and pizza for the kids. We had a nice dinner & great visit!

















Wednesday: Off to a dr appt for KJ. Her jaundice seems to be done. Her weight was back up to birth weight almost at 8 lbs 8 oz (birth weight, as you recall, was 8 lbs 9 oz). So a good report from the dr. Beth took me as I was not supposed to drive until Thursday. Of course, the boys came too. They lasted a little while, but ended up going to the car. After the dr's office, I had high ambitions to go to lunch then get the boys' haircuts for school. but quite frankly, I was WIPED! so we drove through CFA then came home...haircuts had to wait... Again I took a nap.




Today is KINSEY's 5th Birthday...Beth took her kids to Chuck E. Cheese. We'd have family bday Thursday nite when Mom & Dad came for dinner.

Thursday: WHAT A DAY!!




Katie is 2 weeks old TODAY!!! I took these pictures of her on our bed...to celebrate! In the first one, you can see how white her tongue is...see below for info...Also, the bunny dress she has on was given to her by our friends Carl & Karen. Today is Carl's open heart surgery, so she wore it in his honor! We prayed ALL day for his surgery! It all went well....go to their website http://www.donath.org/ then click on blog to see updates about his surgery....SO THANKFUL that all went well!






This other picture reminds me of some of the pictures we have of Tag. He was lying in the same position, of course, eyes not open nor did he have a pink dress!! :) It is crazy how much alike they look! I wonder how close their personalities would be...Katie is so laid back & easy going (except these past couple of days--see below) & alot like Tommy was as a baby! She is just so sweet and a good baby!

First, Tyler had dr appt with his doctor to get his meds ready for school. THEN we had to go to open house at school. I was supposed to stay for the 2nd grade parent orientation, but I didn't. We have had Tommy's teacher Mrs. Smeltzer before, so felt ok about not staying. By then I was WIPED and ready to come home! Everyone oohed & aaahed about KJ. After lunch, the boys let me rest! Then I had to take Tyler to Pump it Up for a birthday party. Thankfully, I could just drop him off. Then my Mom & Dad were here, so I could leave Tommy & Katie at home to go & get Tyler.

Kinsey's present from us was a framed picture of her holding Katie & I put letters on the picture that says " K Girls" on it. She was THRILLED!








We had pizza & salad for dinner then BIRTHDAY CAKE for dessert. Kinsey was so excited to have her birthday cake!! She directed Pop where to put her candles.



Thursday nite: A sweet Daddy moment....who says she doesn't have him wrapped?!?! (around her little finger that is)...

Friday: Another crazy day! We had to be at school for FIRST DAY by 8:10!! So that was fun to get the 5 of us out the door...thankfully, due to first day issues & new drop off lines, our tardiness was overlooked...I ( as our PTF co-president) felt that I should be at the 1st Day Coffee & KJ did super so we stayed until the end...

Tommy was excited to be an "official second grader" (that is what his sticker said)!!

Afterwards, my friend Stacey came over to catch up then we had to be back at school by 11:30 for pick up...which took forever, again thanks to 1st day issues & new pick up lines...so after I picked up my 2 & Beth's 2 girls, we met Beth for lunch at McD's...again I was wiped. Then I had to pick up my friend Diane who cleans my house (& my parents') now...so while she cleaned my parents' house, I got a SUPER 2 hour nap! Friday nite I even got to escape for 1 1/2 hours BY MYSELF! Went to Michael's & Target...bought myself some books & stuff for kids....who has time to read? Wishful thinking!!! But I love it!!!

Saturday: Fussy day...but at home all day! Richard ran stuff needed to exchange back to Target & Barnes & Noble, got his oil changed, and boys' haircuts....I was just home all day with fussy girl...

Richard's parents stopped by after a Seigler reunion in Ila for a brief visit...

Only photo op today...Tyler holding fussy sis...her shirt is SO CUTE & Says " I am the Little Sister"!!




Sunday: Mom came & rescued me & helped relieve my issues...she & I stayed home while boys went to church (including my Dad)...just rested rest of day...and that catches us up!!! Thanks for reading!!! :)

Thank God for wise mommas!!


Mandy



Personal Health NOTE: At the dr's office Wed, I had noticed that she was starting to get white stuff on her tongue. She also had nursed alot Thursday afternoon after being out Thursday ALOT! Therefore, Thursday night was a rough nite! By Friday AM, I could hardly nurse due to soreness...At the coffee on Friday AM, I found a friend who is a nurse pract. for an OB office & asked for advice...lanolin lotion! I needed some relief & that helped, but her white (yeast she gets from my milk--per our pediatrician) stuff had gotten MUCH worse! So by Sat AM I was ready to throw in the towel on nursing. She was fussy all day Friday (after we were home) & Sat was AWFUL! Sat night I sent Richard out to get bottles, which he fed her Sat nite to give me a break!! It was SUPER not to have to wake up to feed her & I think he enjoyed it...finally today on Sunday, I put together to clean myself really good between feedings. Her bottles last night helped too, so the white stuff is much better today. She has had some water in a bottle too & that has helped to clean out mouth...My soreness is still there, but getting better...the joys of motherhood! :)

Saturday news...10 Days old!!!

To start off our day, Katie Jane slept from 4:30 - 8 AM!!!!! WOW!!! Neither of the boys slept that long until they were AT LEAST 6 weeks old, I am sure! That was amazing! Go girl!


The best part about today was I didn't have to go anywhere! That is Katie and I...No dr. office, no hospital lab....boy, it was nice!

Richard and the boys went to a Seigler family gathering in Madison. So KJ & I got to stay home!! It was nice just to be at home!

I gave her a bath this AM in her real tub! She screamed, of course, but then got dressed up cute in clothes that Tyler picked out. So I took it as a photo op in her cute clothes. I sure do love this girl!

Before Richard & the boys left, Tommy helped Daddy put together KJ's bouncy seat...he had picked it out for her at Target a while ago, so was happy to help Dad put it together and see Katie in it!

After lunch, Mom's longtime friend Evie came by and brought Katie a special gift...her own Laura Ingalls Wilder books. Evie's parents live in Missouri so she stops at the Little House Museum there. She bought her the easy readers books...My First Little House...this is so cool! Laura Ingalls was my hero as a little girl. I read ALL of the Little House books, watched every episode on TV, played dress up as Laura & life on the prairie...so I think that is one of the best presents yet! Thanks, Evie & TW!

After Evie left, I got a good 2 hour nap in!

As I woke up, Nana & Pop were leaving to return to Gainesville to recuperate since they have to return to school on Monday. It has been SUCH a blessing to have them here help me recover & get settled with Katie Jane. We said a tearful good-bye but glad that they are only going to Gainesville....not Korea or Seattle!

Beth and kids came up before dinner. Kinsey FINALLY got to hold Katie...she had wanted to before but was nervous. She just was so excited & giggled. It was so cute!! Had good photo op for Katie and her cousins too...Blake sort of says Katie. He is so funny!

Aunt Kelly (not really aunt, but one of my bestest friends) FINALLY got to come & see Katie Jane. She was out of town last week & had company this past week. So was unable to come & see her...but was so happy to finally get her hands on her!

Kinsey, Katie & Kelly...the 3 K's...finally together!

Of course, can't resist a photo op of another brother/sister moment...Tyler just LOVES his sis!

Friday News....

Wow! Been a long, but super week!

It is awesome to be the mother of a little girl! She is just amazing! To look at her sweet round face, just amazes me every time! She is starting to be more alert when she's awake, which is not much yet...

It is hard to believe she's already a week old...

At her first doctor's appointment on Wed. she weighed 8 lbs 1 oz. Today she weighed 7 lbs 15.5 oz, so she's holding her own on weight. She is nursing very regularly & just doing GREAT!

We have been back to St. Mary's everyday this week for a bilirubin test (for jaundice). So that has just worn me out! But her scores are getting back down to the "safe" zone...Wed was 13, Thurs was 13 & today was 12.6. So, hopefully, today's visit was the last time we'll have to go to the hospital for that! But we got the routine down & the past 2 days, my parents (who took me) made me ride in a wheel chair since all that walking was hard on me with my recovery...

Here are a few highlights since the last entry:

More brother moments from Wednesday...

Kinsey & Blake touch Katie's toes while Nana holds..they are only allowed to touch her hands and feet...not head. They both were intrigued.

First bath at home...Wed nite

We did a modified sponge bath...in her pink (of course) bathtub, but not submerged because still had cord stump...Tyler tried to make her stop screaming by making faces at her...not that she could really see them, but he tried! So funny...She screamed until Daddy poured water on her head, then she calmed until he stopped...I think the water around the head thing just felt like home...(where she'd been for 9 months)...

Important event Thursday: her cord stump fell off! The boys' reaction: "That's gross!"

Had a visit from Spiderman aka Blake Thursday nite too...

Tommy shares his beloved Spotty Dog with Katie Jane. He got this Build a Bear on a trip to Baton Rouge when he was 2.5 with Grandy. It is his favorite stuffed animal ever. He was glad to share it with his sis...

Tyler's last baseball game & trophy ceremony Thursday nite...they lost the game, but got a great trophy. This picture of him playing catcher with good friend James Brinson hitting (for the other team)...makes it hard to know who to cheer for! He was so proud of his trophy...came straight in the door to come & show me & Katie. I am so proud of him! He really loves playing baseball!

Napping with Aunt Beth Friday afternoon. Beth came in after work exhausted from a busy day at the store and Katie was asleep, so they rested together on our couch.

Funny Daddy moment Friday night at home. Just took this & already don't remember why Richard was laughing...but LOVE this picture!

Katie and Tommy aka Captain Cody from the new Star Wars Clone Wars movie...He said to Katie as he was holding her "Don't be scared--it's just me Tommy." He sat and held her for a long time talking about playing in costumes and other such important brother topics! Her eyes were open and she just looked and listened. Too adorable!

I am so blessed! Love being the mommy of 2 super boys and the sweetest girl in the world!

Mandy