Springtime in Kentucky is FABULOUS!

I'm so glad that we have a baby who LOVES being outside, because spring is especially wonderful in Kentucky this year. Everything is super green and this week we've had perfect weather. On Memorial Day, mom and I took Katelyn to the park to feed the ducks. It was the first time she had done that before and she so intently watched the ducks and geese. I told her that the ducks say quack and when we were walking away she said "cack, cack." What a smart girl!!Katelyn playing in the grass...she loves the grass.
She learned how to cruise around the corner of the coffee table this week. She's getting more courageous...we've had a few wipe-outs. Bonk!
My friend Megan and I have been trying to meet on Fridays to let our kids play for a bit. Her son, Jeremiah, is two. There's a park right by our house in a new subdivision. I love it because there's lots of green space and a neighboring farm. Katelyn's been watching the Baby MacDonald DVD that's all about life on the farm...so she's liking barnyard animals these days.
This is a great "day at the park in Kentucky" picture. So fun.

Last night our pastor had the community dinner that is normally at his house out at the community garden the church has been doing behind the school. It was so fun and Katelyn loved hanging out outside with all the other kids. One of our African church members made goat skewers on the grill...I even tried a piece...tastes like chewy pork. There were several families from the neighborhood who came out and it seemed like everyone was having a great time. I love it that when the weather gets better everyone spends more time outside and is ready to socialize. This is definitely my favorite time of year.

100% loved!!

I don't think that it's possible to love this baby more. We are all having so much fun with her. She is such a great baby and has such a fun personality. Even when she's being demanding she's pretty funny! (I'm sure that will wear off.) Dad, Katelyn and I went for a walk downtown yesterday and we let grandpa take us out to lunch. We're so nice! Here's grandpa and Katelyn at Triangle Park. She loved all the fountains downtown. She's a water girl. We need to get her in some swim lessons soon.Doesn't her shirt say it all??!! Josh and I just love her so much...and so does everyone else for that matter. The journey to adopt a child was filled with so much heartache along the way. It's so nice to have a house filled with laughter and joy. What a blessing this little girl is and she is truly worth every second we waited for her. I wouldn't trade her for anything! Oh and she's a genius...see how she got a whole side of the rubix cube done! ;)
Look at that little smile.
I just couldn't resist! I styled her hair in the bath last night. I laughed so hard I almost fell over. Someday when my teenage Katelyn comes home with hair like this someone needs to remind me that I started it.
Katelyn figured out today that she could roll consecutively...not just from side to side...so she can travel to get something. It's funny to watch her roll all over the living room floor. Our home is no longer The McDonald's house...it's Katelyn's playground. This girl wants to walk so bad. Her little legs are always moving. She flies around in her walker and can cruise back and forth along the coffee table. She can't navigate around the corner yet. She doesn't want to sit at all anymore...she wants someone to hold her hands and walk around the house. Mom and dad are headed up to Michigan on Tuesday for a couple of weeks. I'm not sure what I'm expected to do without the extra four hands!!!! They've been such a HUGE help, we've all been spoiled...especially princess Katelyn.

I've been reprimanded by my family for not posting more often. They're addicts for the Katelyn fix. I can hardly blame them. I'll try to be better...but in my defense, behind these sweet little pictures is a full time job, a house to clean, laundry to do, meals to cook and a VERY active little girl. Sometimes a week goes by and I feel like it's only been a day!

Katelyn the Explorer

Katelyn just has to touch everything...smoosh it...feel it in her fingers whether it's a noodle or dirt. Thank goodness she loves bath time, because she needs it by the end of the day. I think she's ready to help in our church's community garden this summer. I'm just going to plop her down and let her go at it. Who needs to rent a tiller when you have this girl?? She's also queen of the faces. She has quite an assortment of silly faces. This one is her gorilla face. Who's the queen of the jungle??


Katelyn is 11 months old today. She is moving around so much more. Her legs just constantly wiggle. She's standing at the table and walking with us when we hold her arms. She's rolling now and everyday she does something new. It's pretty amazing to watch. She's just blossoming and is really getting used to her new family. I think she even likes us. :)

Grandparents rock!

I know I haven't posted all week, but we've been busy hanging out with grandma and grandpa. Katelyn is so blessed to have all four of her grandparents around. Josh's parents live here in Lexington and my parents live in Arizona, but they're retired and are here visiting. They're enjoying their new granddaughter and having them around has been fabulous for me...such a big help!

How big is Kateybug...so big!

Katelyn was cutting her top two teeth this weekend which was just so much fun for all of us. Yikes...no one warned me about teething! But the past two days she's been like a whole new child...she's been animated and fun. Our friends lent us their walker and Katelyn tears from one end of the kitchen through the dining room in a split second...it's like demolition derby in here!! She's confidently standing at the coffee table. She's not cruising yet, but it won't be long now!
How sweet is this face???!!!!

Happy Birthday Brandon!

How is it possible that Brandon is 12??? Where did the four year old go??? Daddy picked out a fishing pole that comes with lures and stuff. We had a picnic at the park with the family. Brandon got to party with his cousins. The kids all had a blast. We were so glad the weather cleared up so we could go. Everyone else was watching the Derby so it wasn't that crowded!
Here's Nanny Mona with the grandkids.
And of course a couple of pics of the peanut. She's workin it in her overalls.
Yep, pickin at the grass. I told Josh we could just set her down in a different spot in the yard each day and he wouldn't have to bother mowing...Katelyn would just pull it all out.

Parenting 101

A sick baby requires 240% of your undivided attention and you must figure out how to do all other household chores without putting the baby down.If you can get the baby to leave your hip, one of these contraptions is LOVELY! (Thanks Crissmans for the loan!!! We owe you!)
A healthy baby means you can leave your house! Whoo hoo to that. Going to the park ROCKS!
If your baby likes to play with grass and is afraid of the playground, so be it. Seize the day!
If you thought you'd still have a life that doesn't revolve around 21.2 pounds of baby, you were wrong!! If you are looking for Melissa, she's not available, please press 1 followed by the # sign for Katelyn's mommy.