little hands

It's hard for me to believe, but Anna Kate has been pretty coordinated at grabbing her toys for a while now. It took Trip much longer to learn this skill, so it feels like she is growing up too fast!

AK is doing so much better these days. Shortly after my post about how difficult things had been, she miraculously started feeling better. I still don't know if she just outgrew whatever was causing her so much pain, or if her reflux medicine just took a few weeks to kick in. She is still on the medicine (because I am too afraid to take her off of it), but I hope she won't have to take it for long.

Thank you for everyone who has been praying for her and offering words of wisdom. Praise the Lord for a baby that feels better and for little hands learning to grab!

bless you!

"popsittle"

(After washing up with the garden hose)

Trip and I have a new after-nap ritual.

Anna Kate is typically still sleeping, so we go outside and enjoy a strawberry Popsicle. This is the messiest ritual! So, we follow it up by playing with the garden hose. I usually end up getting as soaked as Trip, but it sure is fun!

I love how having kids gives you an excuse to act like a kid again! I love Summer time, Popsicles, and playing in the water!

trett's graduation

We made our first big trip as a family of four last weekend to Missouri for my brother Trett's graduation. This was quite the undertaking with two kids. We drove 16 hours both ways, and I am happy to report that both kids did really well. Anna Kate slept most of the time and Trip only lost patience at the very end of the drive (at which point we couldn't really blame him).

It was fun to be able to introduce Anna Kate to the family that hadn't met her yet. We only wish we could have stayed longer than 2 days! Although no matter how much time we get with family, it is never enough.

Trett graduated from the University of Missouri's business school and is off to China for a year. We are all proud of him, and can't believe that the next time we see him Anna Kate will be one and Trip will be three! We love you Trett - Congratulations!

Missouri Morning

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

(May 2009)

(May 2011)

We traveled to Missouri last weekend for my brother Trett's graduation from the University of Missouri (more pictures to come). We also went up to Missouri when Trip was around 2 months old. I love the picture of Trip above and wanted to get a matching one of Anna Kate in the same outfit.

These were taken in the living area of my parents' house shortly after sunrise. There are two-story windows that look out onto the backyard full of trees. The light coming through the trees seems to mesmerize little ones. It also provides some great light for taking pictures.

The "Kathleen's"

Last Sunday we were able to have a wonderful lunch with J's family in San Antonio. His cousin, Katie, is also named after their grandmother. So, I took the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the 3 Kathleen's.

Anna Kathleen seems to be taking after her cousin and great-grandmother with her blond hair.

She was totally at peace while Mimi was holding her.

Trip & Anna Kate 2-month comparisson

Height: 23 inches (75th percentile)

Weight: 12 lbs. 3 oz. (75th percentile)

Height: 22 inches (50th percentile)

Weight: 12 lbs. 12 oz. (75th percentile)

growth picture and more

Since my last post, things have improved with Miss Anna Kate slightly. I'm not exactly sure why, but I am hopeful that things will only get better from here.

I love these pictures of her because you can see her long eyelashes and her sweet smile in the top one. Of course, my favorite is the one with Trip giving Anna Kate a kiss. She seems to be getting more used to her loud big brother, and he continues to be very sweet with her.

Two Month Update

(Growth picture coming soon)

Height: 23 in (75th percentile)

Weight: 12.03 lbs. (50 - 75th percentile)

The truth. I would love to report on Anna Kate's likes, dislikes and some fun memories ... But sadly, the first two months of her life have been mostly filled with tears :( The peaceful moments are still few and far between despite our optimism that her reflux medicine was doing the trick.

At AK's 2-month checkup yesterday she managed not so scream for the entire 30 minutes - which I am sure made our pediatrician doubt my sanity. Then, they gave her the vaccines and she cried (of course), but not even close to as hard as she cries normally. I told the nurse so, and she said Anna Kate must be in a lot of pain if she is crying that hard.

Seriously - not to harp on this - but she often screams so hard that her cheeks are covered in tears and she can't catch her breath. I feel helpless. I am helpless. There is nothing worse than not being able to comfort your baby.

It was also a little depressing at the checkup when the nurse asked if Anna Kate was smiling, recognized her parents, followed objects with her eyes, made baby talk ... etc. My answer was, "No, she is either asleep, or she is screaming in pain." Every time I get an email about my baby's development each week, I am sad that she hasn't had the opportunity to interact and grow the way most babies do.

On the bright side (and still keeping my fingers crossed), today was the first day since she turned one week old that we went an entire day without screams of pain. So, I praise the Lord for that and I am praying that tomorrow will be the same.

8 Weeks