I LOVE MY DADDY!!!!! 

Finally, Sheena can see some benefit from the little attention stealer! 

A favorite activity.....empty the toy shelf and climb in! 

And this is the reason for lack of posting. My aunt had a baby and he ending up having to go to Cook's, so my mom stayed with her frequently. Therefore, for about three weeks I had a house full of kids! It's was exhausting, but also a blast! Kayleigh loved having so many playmates. 

Okay so I've been a little behind on the posting duties! Sorry! Anyways......I've been told to post a picture of Kayleigh standing, so here it is. I think this was taken near the end of February when she first started standing. The picture is off center because I had to prop the camera on the fireplace. She wouldn't stand long enough for me to get her in position and then grab the camera. Amazing what two months can do....now she can walk for about four feet without falling.  

Don't I have a cute baby belly?! 

Okay so it's been a long while since I have really blogged anything...been busy!

Well, some updates.....

Kayleigh.....

......is pulling up on everything and she can stand by herself! She really wants to take that first step, but is still a little unsure. I caught her pushing around her little dog push-toy today for the first time by herself, so I know those first real steps aren't too far away.

......now has four teeth on top and two on bottom.

..... loves Cheerios (well they aren't the real Cheerios...they are some organic brand I found at Kroger)

......still hates green beans, even ones from the can!

......loves anything orange like sweet potatoes or carrots.

......says, "Mamamamamamamamama", which really doesn't count as a word, but it's so cute.

......crawls as fast as she can towards Justin the second she spots him. Yep, she's a daddy's girl.

.....figured out the "s" sound yesterday, so now she sounds like a little snake all the time!

Justin

......working a bunch of overtime, poor guy!

......actually has a weekend off to do yard work and the weather is supposed to be crappy...grrrrrr.

......is totally wrapped around Kayleigh's finger, but don't tell him I said so.

Me.....

......getting used to doing childcare. I have decided I really prefer toddlers to babies.

......still trying to decide if we are going to try for number two this summer.

......really bad at not having the camera within reaching distance. I have missed so many cute shots!

.....totally addicted to crochet. Gives me an excuse to watch Pride and the Prejudice while Kayleigh is napping.


Here's a little interesting tidbit....when you do a spell check on your blog, it doesn't recognize the word "blogged".....ironic.

See my two teeth!!!! Now I have three more on top!  

Let's just say green beans were not a hit! 

Look! My first driving lesson! 

I know I shouldn't let Sheena do this, but it's too cute. Kayleigh doesn't mind too much...seeing as she opens her mouth for Sheena to clean her tonsils! 

Justin and I have upgraded our security system from early-warning to attack drooling!

We're back! Actually we arrived in Dallas Monday morning at 1 am! We were supposed to leave on Saturday, but the ice storm in Portland caused our flight to be cancelled. So, we didn't leave until Sunday evening. Kayleigh was supposed to sleep the whole time, but she didn't sleep at all! She just wanted to look around at all the other passengers and flirt. If anyone made eye contact, her whole face would light up. Guess I should be happy to have such a social baby. I even handed her to the complete stranger next to me and she didn't flinch!

Our week in Oregon was so much fun. Wednesday Ame, Kayleigh and I braved driving in unknown places to visit some winerys. I bought some really yummy dessert wine for our anniversary! It was a pretty busy week with Adam and April. Kayleigh loved having April there to entertain her. And I have to say I didn't mind it either. Kinda nice to be able to leave the room and not worry about what Kayleigh was getting into. Since she's started crawling, I am constantly having to redirect her attention from places she's not supposed to go. Unfortunately, she is pretty determined to have what she wants. She also cut another tooth while we were up there. And yes, she has figured out that teeth are for biting....OUCH!!!! Luckily it's only happened once and I hope it stays that way.

I feel like life is going at warp speed. Kayleigh seems to learn or do something new everyday! I remember when she was born thinking, "It's going to be forever before she's walking." Yet, even now she is holding onto your hands and standing up. She'll even take "steps" if you help her. I am so amazed at how much she has grown! I started keeping a little boy this week. Tre is almost three months old and so little compared to Kayleigh. Five years from now the four month difference between them won't be noticable, but now it seems like light years.

Kayleigh had a busy week! Not only did she cut her first tooth, but she also officially craweled!!!! After working on it for nearly two months she finally figured out how to put all the movements together. Now she's moving around much faster than she used to. So now my baby has a little tooth and she can get to where she wants to be. I'm a little sad.....pretty soon she'll be screaming, "Mommy, down!" after two seconds of me holding her.

I'm doing laundry today....still have about 4 more loads to do. It's been crazy! Monday and Tuesday of last week Kayleigh and I visited my Granny. Then Thursday afternoon all of us left for Austin to see William and Sammi. We arrived home last night around 7:30 pm.....we left Austin around 2 pm. Traffic was not fun! Plus, in five days Kayleigh and I will be leaving to spend a week in Oregon. Yikes! There's so much to do between now and then. Not to mention, when we get back Justin will still be in Arizona for work and I start an online class, plus I begin watching a little boy on the 18th. Oh, and my birthday is the 20th. January is turning into a very busy month.

Well I must go feed my tummy and folds some clothes. Hopefully Kayleigh will sleep long enough for me to get in a shower!

Here's a picture from Christmas at Abba and Ame's. I think we might have a model on our hands! Look at that perfect pose! 

I really just want to sit around and do nothing today but watch TV and crochet. Must be the cold weather. I had planned to go to Old Navy today, but that ain't happening. We have a $10 certificate that must be used by Friday, so hopefully I can go before then. It was one of those for every $50 you spend you get $10 to spend at another time. In other words, we want you to have to come back and you'll probably spend more than the $10, so we make more money!

Tomorrow is Justin's 25th birthday! I didn't really plan anything though. This time of year is so difficult....Justin is working long hours, plus it's so close to Christmas. Not to mention his mom's birthday is Friday! Craziness! While I'm a so grateful for Justin's job, I have a hard time liking it around Christmas. I really hate that busy season really kicks in right now. I know I should be supportive and not complain, but I want my husband at home more that 30 minutes before we go to bed. And I wouldn't mind being able to travel. Growing up with my dad working for LISD really spoiled me....he had at least a week off around Christmas. Still, I know it's because of Justin's job that I am able to stay at home with Kayleigh. Therefore, I will look on the bright side and be grateful there is so much work for him to do....job security!

Well, guess I should get out of my PJs! Love to everyone!

It's snowing!!!! Guess I need to bundle Kayleigh up and take some "My first snow" pictures! 

yummy bow 

This is how 5 1/2 month olds open presents 

We had Christmas over at Papa and Granny's yesterday. All Kayleigh wanted was the bows! 

Updates!!!!

* Kayleigh really likes teething biscuits! I personally think they are the most disgusting things in the world, but guess I'll just have to deal with that! I gave her one last night and she loved it. She dropped it about every two minutes or so, of course. Then she would start fussing until I put it back it her hand....I really don't like touching them! I can see a certain trend starting....Kayleigh likes to have her way and if she doesn't get it, she lets you know in a very loud way. She has started a nightly routine of crying off and on for about 20 minutes before she goes to sleep. It is the most pitiful cry in the world...you would think that she's hurt or something. I know she is fine because she stops the moment I pick her up and starts again the second I lay her down. My little manipulator! Too bad she has a pretty smart mommy who can see past her little tricks!

* Kayleigh is also sitting up on her own! Yeah! She can't quite get to the position on her own yet, but she sure is trying hard. She's also starting giggling! So cute!

* And guess what!!!! I found out this week that I can actually complete a B.A. degree online through Texas Tech! Justin and I decided I should go for it!!! So after I complete the degree, I am going to get my 4th-8th Generalist Certification at UNT. This way I can go to work once Kayleigh and the next one (yes, there will be another) are in school. Justin and I are super excited about this....mostly because, if I work we'll be able to pay off the house sooner and send kids to college.

* I never thought I would say this.....but I think I could see having another in 2006. At first I was thinking it would be nice to have my body totally to myself for a little while. I'll be nursing Kayleigh until July (maybe a little longer) and then to have one in 2006 I would need to get pregnant in the latter part of 2005 or beginning of 2006. So there would be the possiblity of me being either pregnant or nursing from Oct 2003-April 2007. That's like four years!!!!!
Anyways...Justin said a couple days ago, "What would be the point of getting your body back, only to lose it again ....why not just get it over with!". Also, the closer they are in age the sooner both would be in school and I could start working. That kinda made sense to me. Then again it would be nice to have one out of diapers....I have a book on how to potty train by 18 months, so that might work! It's not official of anything....just me thinking ahead!

Well I think that's enough for now! Love to everyone!

Daddy and his little princess! 

I really don' t like this weather!!! Kayleigh is on her second cold of the season. Snotty babies aren't fun at all! Of course, I am getting quite good at using the snot sucker thingy. Anyways!

I think the carefree days of a non-mobile baby are almost over. Kayleigh is trying to crawl. She gets up on all fours, but isn't quite sure how she's supposed to move from there. You should see the look she gets on her face...it's so cute and yet a little scary. I think my little girl is going to be Miss Independent, which could pose some problems in the future. Something tells me to read Dobson's book on the strong-willed child so I'll be prepared!

In other news.....the Christmas stuff is still in the attic. I'm tempted to just leave it there this year. I mean if I get it out now, I'll just have to take it down in three weeks. But then again I want all those Baby's First Christmas pictures. Maybe I'll just borrow the grandparents' trees. I'm still getting used to not traveling over the holidays. Somehow it doesn't seem like Christmas without the drive to my grandparents. I know Justin and I will start our own traditions soon enough, but in the mean time I miss the old ones. With Kayleigh here, now we have to decide if we are doing Santa Claus or not. Justin's family didn't do Santa, mine did. I really don't care either way....it's just one of those things you don't think about until it comes up.

Laundry is a calling.

I was looking through some old photos and found this one. I think she was about two months old. Don't ya just love that look!

Here's another one with great-great grandmother and Papa. 

Justin and I went to Paducah, TX this weekend to visit my Punkie and Papa. It has been almost four years since I have traveled out to the farm. I love the drive....four hours of fields and small towns! The picture above is Kayleigh, my dad, myself and my great-grandmother. She's 97 years old and still lives by herself! I'm so glad she finally was able to meet Justin and Kayleigh.

I have come to realize...

...my vocabulary stinks. I'm reading Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis and need a dictionary at least every other page!

...I actually prefer cloth diapers to disposable....except at night....I have a little pee pee monster and she soaks them!

...four-month old babies do not refuse to sleep out of spite, so there's no point in getting angry with them.

...becoming a mom has helped me to understand my own mom.

...sometimes I really want a break from Kayleigh and that's okay.

...I am selfish and focused completely on what is best for me most of the time.

...I am much more content when I am focused on what is best for others.

...I can be very critical and I'm not sure how to change that.

...fear has and still does keep me from developing close, intimate relationships with people.

...I need to be who I am on purpose and not use the "That's just the way I am" excuse anymore. (Thanks Bill)

...there are people in my life who really love me.

...I need tell those I love, that I love them more often and I need to use their names when I do it.

Here's the most recent picture I have...it was taken on the 18th of this month. That's her great-grandpa. 

This picture was taken at the end of September! Isn't she cute! 

Here's another....I think I took these last week or maybe the week before. 

Her favorite sleeping position...bootie in the air! 

Here's a picture that was taken a couple weeks ago.  

Okay...well I had typed up a whole post a couple of days ago but the darn internet crashed before I could post it. So, here I am trying again.

Nothing big and exciting going on. Although we sold the Explorer so now I am carless. Kinda stinks, but if it means I get to stay at home with Kayleigh, I can handle it. Although I have found that not having a car makes you really want to go somewhere...nowhere in particular, just somewhere out of the house. I'm going to have to start walking so I don't become stir crazy. I really do feel blessed to be able to stay at home though. I am so grateful that Justin thinks it is important too. There are days when I do miss working...just having something concrete to do would be nice. I think I am going to start putting my FlyLady control journal together. I think a little organization to my weeks will really pay off. I'll probably welcome the addition of a child or two once February comes and I start child care. I met with a prospective client last week and it looks promising. Her baby boy isn't due until January, so I would start watching him until March. I'm kinda glad the babies aren't coming until after January. Kayleigh will be almost 8 months old by the time the first one comes. I can't believe she's already almost 4 months old. I see pictures of newborns and think, "Wow, Kayleigh used to be that small", and then I want to cry because she's so big. I'm weird!

Well I've got housework to do! Bye!

Hello all! Sorry about the lack of posting lately. Our internet service is acting up and getting online is a little frustrating. I'm at my parent's house right now.....cable internet is so awesome! Too bad it's so expensive. Anyways!

Kayleigh is getting so long. She's actually filling up her 3-6 month footed sleepers. She's also wanting to sit up! I put her in the Exersaucer yesterday with a blanket propping her up and she loved it. She is starting to grab at toys and is totally fascinated by her hand. I love watching her look at her hand as she moves each finger and then tries to get her thumb in her mouth.

I had my first paying child care job on Tuesday! I'm watching Kendra's twin girls, Sara and Samantha, for a half day one day a week. I had so much fun playing with them. Although I did find out that almost 2 year olds are not quite ready for play dough...it went straight in the mouth...good thing it's non-toxic! I'm so used to working with 3 and 4 year olds I forgot little kids have almost no attention span. I think the longest time they spent doing any one thing was the 10 minutes it took them to eat snack. It was a good experience though. I'm going to see if I can't get a couple more toys like big legos or something. They loved the baby dolls I have....I even found some bottles Kayleigh doesn't use so they could feed their babies while I was feeding Kayleigh. Having other children around with Kayleigh wasn't so bad and Sheena actually did really well. I think this child care thing is going to be a wonderful experience!

Have a good day everyone!

I don't really have anything to blog about. Life has been pretty normal lately...which I guess is a good thing. Yesterday was a great day! Justin and I got to hang out with two of our couple friends...William and Sammi and Michael and Katie. Michael and Katie just spent a year in the Czech Republic...we had planned to go visit them, but I get pregnant so that went out the window. They are moving to Portland in a couple weeks....Justin and I are definitely planning to visit them there. Skiing is 45 minutes away from where they will live! Justin wants to go next winter and leave Kayleigh here with her grandparents. I almost cry at the thought of leaving her for a week and that's more than a year away. I really don't like leaving her ...I never thought I'd be one of "those". For example....Saturday night our church had a worship event and the music was too loud for Kayleigh, so Justin called his parents to see if they would watch her. (Thank you Ami and Abba for watching me on such short notice). I really didn't want to drop her off....Justin thought is was because I wanted to show her off to everyone, but really I just didn't want to be without my Kayleigh.