Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, David!

Today is David's 1st Father's day. I hope he had a good day. We were actually driving most of the day. We spent the weekend in Shreveport with David's brother, Ben and his family. We had a great time, and I'm already working on a post for that...its gonna be a long one! :)

Anyway, I wanted to post a little about David on this Father's day. He has been such a help to me since Norah Kate was born, and has really changed my attitude, for the better, on MANY occasions. I know without a doubt that this experience was only as great as it was because of him. I love you, David! I know that David is already a great Dad, and that will continue in the future. I was reminded of that again this weekend when I saw how he interacted with his niece and nephew.

So, David had already picked out a watch for Father's Day, but we HAD to get him a little surprise, so I found this cheap "Smoothies" cookbook for him. He is really getting into smoothies, so I thought this would be great! Norah Kate looks like she's really enjoying it too! :)

So, we are just winding down for the night and trying to get things back in order after being gone for a few days. I want to say a big HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to my Dad and Father-in-law too. I am so lucky to have these men in my life. Enjoy the day!

Who's excited to be 3 months old...

THIS GIRL!!!

Okay, so I'm way behind on this post...but its been a progressive thing. Download a few pics here and there and now I'm finally adding the text! Our little Norah Kate was 3 months on June 6! Here are some stats, etc.:

12 lb 3 oz

25 inches long!

Eating every 3.5 hours

Sleeping ALL NIGHT! from 10p - 7:30a

She is starting to laugh some now which we LOVE...we work really hard to get her to laugh. :) She is also pushing up on her arms, turning over from stomach to back, and reaching/grabbing toys (just starting). She L O V E S Chula...especially when Chula licks her in the face...she just smiles. (We are trying to teach Chula not to lick her in the face, but its not working well so far)

Family Picture (NK has her eyes closed, but she's smiling)

So...one of my sweet patient's parents from St. Jude, The Nasons, sent Norah Kate this Baby Einstein exersaucer as a gift. Well, Norah Kate is just now able to "kind of" sit in it. I put her in it the other day and she "found" the toys. I laughed so hard because it was like the greatest thing to her. Here are some pictures...you can see what I mean.

"Wow, Mom! Where did THIS come from?!"

Smiling at the toys!

"Oh my gosh! This is the coolest thing I've ever seen!" Thanks Nasons!

We are really having a great time with Norah Kate. Tomorrow we are leaving to head to Shreveport to see David's brother, Ben, our sis-in-law, Kristen, and NK's cousins Isabella and Brooks. I can't wait to see how all of the kids interact.

Playdate!

Norah Kate got to meet her friend, Ava, last week when we were in Pocahontas. Ava's mom, Ashley and I have been great friends since preschool, so it was fun to see our daughter's together. Here are some pics:

When Lauren & I were young my parents "adopted" a college student from Williams Baptist, Johnna. She has been like a sister to us and we've been able to keep in touch throughout the years. She sent Norah Kate these PJs, and I think they are so cute!

Well that's all for now folks! See you soon!

For Ron

David and his Dad, Ron planted this grass in the backyard. We wanted him to see how good it was looking! Thanks for your help, Ron!

A Journey...

...to Henderson!  Last Thursday morning Norah Kate and I embarked on our first journey together.  I say "journey" because I don't think I quite realized how long and involved it is to travel with an infant!  My grandmother lives in Henderson, KY and fell on Mother's day and broke both wrists.  We wanted to spend time with her, and felt that this would be a good time for Norah Kate to meet many of her relatives.  Well, let me tell you...Norah Kate could not have been a better traveler!!!  David had to work, so it was just the two of us.  She slept most of the way, and only cried the last 15 minutes of the trip!  (I really don't blame her for crying at the end...it had been 6 1/2 hours since we left Memphis!)  ...which brings me to the next part of the "journey" - Man! It takes a long time!  Usually David and I can make it to KY in 4 1/2-5 hours.  Well, we made it to Dickson, TN just in time for me to feed her (in the car - nice).  Then I wanted her to be able to get out of her seat for awhile, so I ate lunch at a Cracker Barrel in order to let her move around and play.  It worked out perfectly because by the time I finished eating she was starting to yawn.  So, we got back in the car and she feel asleep again.  Oh!  Also - I think trying to use a public bathroom when you have an infant with you is like a bad algebra problem.  It reminds me of the one where there are 4 people on one side of a river and two boats on the other side...how do you get everyone to the other side without anyone getting wet? Well...you get the idea...but we survived!  My mom was able to ride back with us on Monday, so that was very nice and took a ton of stress off of me.  :)  

I was able to spend some time with my good friend from college, Kari.  She is 27 weeks pregnant with her first little girl, Naomi Grace.  Norah Kate can't wait to meet Naomi at the end of the summer.  It was so nice to see Kari again and catch up a little.  We never have as much time as we'd like though.  :)

Here is Norah Kate with my cousin, Ross, and his wife, Sarah.

Norah Kate and Mary Ruth...our "other" grandmother.  :)

Norah Kate & her Great Great Aunt Norma Jean

Norah Kate & her Great Great Aunt June

Norah Kate with her cousin, Dawn  (not real sure why it's sideways)

Needless to say, Mama Joyce did not want her picture taken this trip...due to her black eye and the bruises.  That will have to wait until next time.  Mama Joyce is doing really well and we are thankful that the fall wasn't any worse.  

And for the surprise from the trip...check out this video!  

It takes a minute to see Norah Kate's trick, so be patient.  So exciting!!!

Quick Post

Hey Everyone!  Just wanted to give a quick update.  Norah Kate took her first big trip this past week/weekend.  My grandmother fell and broke both wrist, so we went to Kentucky to spend time with her.  Norah Kate did AMAZING!!!  I hope to have pictures up soon.

...on another (SAD) note...  I have to go back to work this week.  Boo-hoo!  I am going back to 2 nights a week at St. Jude, so tomorrow night I will be there.  My mom will come down to keep Norah Kate while I sleep during the day Thursday.  I know that will be a big help.  I am sad though for this time to be over.  

~Look for pictures soon~

Talking to my toys!

Norah Kate has started "talking" this last week...so I wanted to share it with you all.  Check it out below!  (P.S.  I'm so happy that she found the toys on her swing because she never liked her swing before this...now she loves it!  Yeah!)