At Kate's orthopedic appointment on Friday, Dr. Prince looked at the x-rays and said she is looking better than she expected! The leg length difference had grown slightly closer together, so she felt that it would be best for Kate to learn how to walk without any extra assistance like a shoe insert or shoe lift. She said this summer when we meet again we will probably have her fitted for a shoe insert and then later we will get a shoe lift. Dr. Prince said it is common for leg discrepencies like this to change often as she grows. I am thankful that it has gotten better and not worse during a time where she is needing to be balanced the most (with learning how to walk). So that is the latest! Tomorrow Kate goes to her geneticist, Dr. Immken. It should be fairly brief as she is basically monitoring Kate's growth. God is taking care of our little Kate and she is in great hands at Dell Children's!

Happy Love Day!

We wish all of our friends and family a sweet Valentine's Day! We LOVE you!

Presidential Conversation...well, sort of...

When Barack Obama was inaugurated we had the news on quite a bit (as I am sure that you all did). So, Nathan's interest was peeked. I talked to Nathan about it--just a little and pretty much talked to him about how George Bush was finished being President of the United States and was now living in Texas and that Barack Obama is our new President.

So, now I can ask him: Nathan, who used to be the President of the United States, but has now moved to Texas?

Nathan: GEORGE BUSH!!!

Me: And who is our new President?
Nathan: BARACK OBAMA!!!

A couple of days ago Nathan was saying "Barack Obamamamama" in a sing song voice and I asked him: Nathan, watcha doing?

Nathan: I am saying Barack Obama in Spanish!

Genius...I know! :)

Kate's update

Today, Kate went in for her 12 month well-check. She weighed in at 22.4 pounds, was 31 inches long--a healthy, happy baby! We also learned today that even though her APF tumor marking levels were at 60 at the beginning of January, they have since dropped to 17. Great news! Corey and I are looking forward to Friday, where we will take Kate to her orthopedic, Dr. Prince (at Dell Children's). She will get a more accurate x-ray at this appointment, since she can stand on her own now. She will also talk to us about getting her fitted for a shoe lift for her right leg. Yeah!

Just something I am experimenting with...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Birthday and Basketball

What a busy, fun-filled day February 7 was! Nathan had his 3rd basketball game at the Activities Center and it was TEAR FREE!!! This little guy came alive today! He was running as fast as he could across the court, smiling, listening to his coaches help him with plays! We were amazed at the complete and total turn around! He had quite the audience, too, with Granny, Papaw, Poppie, Mimi, Allie, Rylie, Kate, Mark (0ur pastor), Truett and of course his Mama (Corey helps coach his team)! We are so glad that he had such a fun time out there today!

Our little Kate turned one today! I actually made it through the "Happy Birthday" song without tearing up--she is too cute for me to just not laugh and smile at when I am with her...

She was just very happy-go-lucky all day with a morning nap and a long afternoon nap, she was ready to party tonight! Take a look at some of the action shots from this memorable Saturday:

Reflections about "baby" Kate

I keep having these moments where I mourn that Kate's first year is almost over. Literally, my throat aches and I think I am going to start to cry! I keep remembering holding her when she was so teeny tiny and thinking I can't believe she f-i-n-a-l-l-y here and I can finally see her face to face! Her little characteristics, her girlish features--already there.

I remember when Nathan would look up at me and get real close to her and say, "Mommy, we have a baby!" Like, he too, could not believe she had arrived. Kate has been an incredible blessing to our family. She has taught us to love more and laugh more. Corey and I always look forward to catching a glimpse of Nathan and Kate interacting together. It is one of those silent, sweet moments that we share together. Life has definitely become more challenging, but we would never trade it for the world. Here are a few pictures from Kate's first year.

Flower Power

So, check out this adorable hat that is a combination of http://www.etsy.com/ and a soft and sweet hat from my friend, Lis, whose mother knitted it for Kate on a whim. Wasn't that so thoughtful?
Kate is a little doll in it! Blowing sweet kisses your way!

Messy Monday

So, we had one of those let-loose, messy days. Nathan worked on a birthday gift for Kate. That turned into, "Hey mommy, wouldn't it be fun to paint my tummy next?" So....I did...and it was fun. He offered to paint my tummy, but I opted for a lovely "spider" painting on my hand. :) I'll show you the completed project later.
Kate thoroughly enjoyed her pasta tonight. The proof is in the pictures. After dinner and a warm bubble bath, I lathered them in lotion and put on their pajamas. While Kate was in my room, I was distracted momentarily by Nathan in the kitchen. I returned to my room...walked into the bathroom and found a large bottle of Johnson's and Johnson's Baby Shampoo-cap off-poured out all over the floor. In the middle of all of the thick, soapy goo was a happy Kate spinning her hands in circles through the shampoo, sliding her thighs (remember...the long pajamas are already on her) in it and smiling as she globbed handfuls of it into her already washed and dried hair. Needless to say it was quite a sight and quite a mess (although our bathroom smells divine). After a second bath for Katers, I was ready to call it a night. I am sad to say I did not grab the camera for the shampoo pit.