6 Months have flown by!

We are officially at 6 months, 16 days! Amazing how quickly Kate Ellen is growing! Her 6 month appt was excellent. Kate tipped the scale at 12 lbs (petite and perfectly healthy) and was almost 26 inches long!  She is now moving all around rolling her way on the floor and just started to show signs of getting up on all fours yesterday!  She has quite the personality and certainly gives me a run for my money! 

We started solid foods and Kate enjoys her 3 square meals a day! 

Next stop, a trip to the ocean! We are heading to Fripp Island, SC in September and will enjoy Kate Ellen's first trip to dip those toes...hopefully the hurricanes will take a breather! 

Other than that, we are all doing well! Paul is keeping very busy at work and he is bringing in new patients every week!  Below are new pics of Kate from her 6 month photo shoot!

Enjoy!
Jen

Sweet Potato Experience

Can you believe it - I am 5 months old this week!

I must say the last 5 months have been the most rewarding and exhausting time in my life. I know everyone tells you to get sleep before the baby arrives, but you never have quite the appreciation for what they are telling you until the baby arrives...it is amazing how I manage considering I was always a grump whenever I had less than 8 hours of beauty sleep before:)

And the other thing you hear is to enjoy this time while it lasts, because it goes by so quickly! That is so true. It seems like yesterday I was at the Dr. scheduling my induction, going out to Francesca's for our "last" date night pre-baby and heading into the hospital on Valentine's Day. And it seems like yesterday we brought her home from the hospital in her cute pink polka-dot sleeper from GiGi Grandma and she was swimming in it...now that sleeper is way too small and packed away. 

In the last 5 months, we have...had a baby, celebrated our birthdays, said our goodbyes to my Grandma, baptized Kate Ellen, 3 road trips, enjoyed lots of company (including GiGi Nana), hosted 2 parties, celebrated our friends new babies, worked at the office with Daddy, made lots of new "mom" friends, attended our 1st July 4th parade, had a date night (just Paul & me) and the list goes on and on...how blessed we are today!

Now Miss Kate Ellen is growing long & lean and is a wiggle worm in her crib, on the floor and always manages to roll over while doing tummy time.  Her giggles are so funny now and she laughs so hard this past week she has started to scream with laughter.  I think the most amazing sound is her giggling...I had her going last night before bedtime and it just makes any stress in your day melt away...

Next week we will be celebrating Marianne & Roger as they say "I do" and we will continue to let the good times roll!

Here are the most recent pics of Kate!
XOXO,
Jen

Not sure if I will be a hunter like daddy - this tutu looks too good!

In my 4th of July outfit!

Daddy & I on our way to the parade!

I found my feet!

Long & lean, America's Next Top Model!

I went swimming today for the 1st time, not very sure about it!

Summer is here! And I am 4 months old!

Well, we have had a busy month so far! A trip to the Chicago Botanic Gardens with Aunt Kristy, Uncle Chad & Sydney. Kate rocked her first pair of sunglasses for summer! A great 4-month doctor's appt for Miss Kate! And lots of time outside taking walks! 

Most importantly we had Kate Ellen's baptism on Sunday and celebrated Paul's first Father's Day!  Kate Ellen did an awesome job at church and slept through most of her baptism. She wore my Christening gown (& my sisters too) and looked so pretty. Kate Ellen's godparents are my sister, Karen and Paul's brother-in-law, Duke.  We had a BBQ in her honor on Saturday and enjoyed the nice weather with our family and friends. 

Now we are in count down mode as we get ready for my sister's (Marianne) wedding!!!  And I am working on my speech as the Matron of Honor!!!:)

Kate Ellen had her 4-month checkup last week. She weighed in at a whopping 10#9oz! (5th-percentile) and 24 inches (60th-percentile) - she is long and lean and a perfect healthy little peanut!  And at the rate I have been getting up the last four nights, she is on a serious growth spurt right now (i.e. very tired mommy)!

Below are updated pics!



Rockin my new sunglasses - thanks Aunt Kristy!



Kate Ellen & Mommy



Kate Ellen & Daddy



Chicago Botanic Gardens - Daddy, me, Uncle Chad & Sydney



Getting ready to be baptized

Hanging on to Daddy



With my Godparents, Aunt Karen & Uncle Duke



I love my Aunt Karen - she sounds like mommy and looks like her too!



Hey people, I was sleeping!!!



Paul, Jen, Kate Ellen, Nonnie & Papa



And Gigi Nana!

Just chillin' in my crib







Tummy time - I am about to roll over...



15 weeks!

Well, Kate Ellen continues to get bigger and longer!!! She is now 25 inches long and just over 10lbs...I have America's Next Top Model on my hands!

We are keeping busy, and working on our sleeping routine...my darling is currently asleep and certain to wake while I am finally updating the blog!  Last weekend we spent Memorial Day weekend at our friends near Galena, IL. Grandma Pat and Grandpa Jim were excited to have Kate Ellen visit and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner on Main St in Galena...Someday, Paul & I will accomplish our dream of a summer home out that way...it is just perfect.

Kate Ellen is finding new sounds with her voice everyday...even at 2am!  She has also managed to learn how to use her hands to hold her toys and bring them to her mouth! Now I have more things at home to entertain her!  She is becoming a master at Tummy Time and even rolled over from belly to back last week in our mommy group.

Attached are updated pics of Ellen from last weekend and FINALLY a family pic to post too!
We are looking forward to celebrating Ellen's baptism in 2 weeks and spending time with family again...so stay tuned for more pics!  We also plan on a photo shoot with her BFF, Sydney Kail next week!

Happy Friday!
Jen

Mommy made me wear this headband

I am learning how to put toys in my mouth!

My face is starting to fill out!

Family time

How do you say no to this face?

Snuggled with Daddy



Mommy & Ellen



Daddy & Kate

I am now 3 months old!

Well, the last 6 weeks have been very busy! Kate Ellen is now 3 months old and continuing to grow and develop quite the personality!  In April we had Kate Ellen's first Easter and she got to meet all her cousins!  Pics are below of our visit with Madeline (9), Paul (6), Bethany (4) & Will (10 months) and Claire (almost 6), Jackson (4) & Meredith (20 months).

We then headed to Newfane, NY (near Buffalo) to celebrate my grandma Dolly's beautiful life of 95 years!  It was Kate Ellen's first international trip (we traveled through Canada) and she made it through customs just fine.  Kate Ellen & I traveled back to Chicago from Troy after the memorial service and although it took 7 hours - we managed OK.

Last weekend we celebrated my sister, Marianne's bridal shower and bachelorette party.  We had a great time and she was in her glory!  Kate Ellen & I traveled alone again and arrived home safe, sound and TIRED!

We are now getting back in our routine and I am happy to say no more travelling until July!  Here are updated pics - enjoy!

cousins Claire & Maddie meeting Kate Ellen




Maddie is a natural with Kate Ellen

All dressed up in my Easter outfit

Getting ready for my big trips to Michigan

Home and 3 months old!!!

Snoozing on mommy's bed a few weeks ago

I am 7 weeks old & growing!

Hi Everyone! Well, time sure does fly by while taking care of Kate Ellen!  She is over 8 lbs now and growing each day!  Still a little peanut, but happy & healthy!  Paul is keeping busy at work and we make trips to daddy's office a couple times a week to say hi!  We are keeping busy and are in 2 mommy/baby groups and have had lots of visitors and play dates already! 

At the end of the month Kate Ellen & I are heading to Buffalo, NY for my Grandma Dolly's memorial service.  My dad is flying into Chicago to drive us and I am SO looking forward to a 5 hour ride to Michigan where I can sleep since Kate Ellen is such a good sleeper in the car...when we are on the highway:)

Here are a few updated pics, now that we are making progress on sleeping in her crib and not in my arms...I hope to have more frequent pictures and updates!

Happy Spring!
Jen

Pretty Girl 04/05/11

Playing at mommy/baby group 04/05/11

Big girl sleeping in her crib....04/01/11

Cousin Madeline S. came to help for the day....03/30/11

I am 3 weeks old already!

Time is flying by! Kate Ellen is already 3 weeks old as of yesterday!  She is doing great and bringing so much joy to this house!  She has been showered with lots of love from family & friends and Kate Ellen is becoming quite the fashionista quickly!

Here are a few updated pics...she is starting to pack on some weight, but thinks she will have to eclipse 8 lbs before we can tell who she really looks like...although, my money is still on Paul!

Enjoy!

Hanging out with Daddy - even though my shirt says "mommy"

Snug as a bug

My first bath - I think I will be a spa addict

Could I be any cozier?

Napping in my crib - rough life