Kaitlyn: Month Twelve

Katie Bug,

This month's letter is going to be a bit different than before. Your daddy and I both handwrote you letters and placed them in your baby book for you to read later, but I still wanted to post some updates of what you have been up to this month.

You continue to amaze us with how quickly you are growing and changing. Your personality is so cute, and I love that you are communicating more and more.

Sleeping: Usually from 9pm to 7am, followed by another 1.5 to 2 hours more sleep after a bottle. Takes 1-2 naps for 1 hour each (if we are lucky)

Clothing: You are about to move on up to 12-18 month clothing and are now in size 4 shoes. Medium Diapers.

Mealtime: 16oz of milk in four bottles. Sometimes you take an extra two ounces of milk before bedtime. You eat lots of "regular" food now and you have tried so many things. (Kiwi, Pineapple, Apple, Banana, Grapes-your favorite, Strawberries, Melon, Cantaloupe, Raspberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Broccoli, Spinach, Carrots, Sweet Potatoe, Brussell Sprouts, Peas, Beans, Corn, Butternut Squash, Mashed Potatoes, Ham, Turkey, Chicken, a very small amount of beef, pasta, toast…)

Developments:
-Plays "Peek-A-Boo" and "Chase"
-Waves "hi" and "bye" when people talk to you (most of the time)
-picks up the cell phone and attempts a bad version of "hi!" This is too cute
-Stands up from sitting and climbs without help (December 4th)
-Top Left Incisor (December 12th), Top Right Incisor (December 22nd)
-Indicates wants with gestures, imitates some activities (You brought Grandma your bib this week when you wanted to eat)
-Bending over to pick up objects
-Enjoys gazing at her reflection (You love to smile at the baby in the mirror)
-Holds out an arm or leg to help you dress her (You are really good at getting clothes off)
-Eats with fingers

We love you so much baby girl and can't tell you how much you have made our lives more complete. We wish you a wonderful birthday full of fun and can't wait to see all that you learn next year.

Love Always,
Mommy

SeaWorld Christmas

December has been such a fun and busy month for our family. My dad had surgery on his right arm and right foot at the beginning of the month, and he is home with us for three weeks on Convalescent Leave. He has to return to duty January 4th, and we are so excited that he has been here to hang out with us. My grandparents also came down for the holidays and they will be here the 22nd to the 3rd of January. We have been having a great time watching movies, eating out, and most recently visiting Sea World!

Grandma and Grandpa Murray

Shoulder Ride!

ho, Ho, HO...Merry Christmas Y'all!

Gotta make sure we have good luck!

Our Family

Getting Ready for the Christmas Show

Cookie Monster!!!!

So much fun!

Katie had such a fun time looking at everything around her and watching the Sesame Street Christmas!

Merry Christmas 2010

Christmas this year was probably the most special one that I have had to date. I was off for a few days before and after Christmas and it really felt good to just get away from work and spend some time with the ones I love.

Christmas Tree 2010

 For Christmas Eve, Paul invited a few people over to our house. His best friend, dad, my parents, brother and grandparents came over to spend some time with Katie, Paul and myself. Everyone, sans Jason, returned Christmas morning to open presents with us and eat Christmas Lunch. Paul woke Kaitlyn up very early so that he could show her all the presents that Santa had left. She wasn't quite sure what to think at first, but she started catching on after awhile (with a few naps spread throughout). Before lunch, Paul's mom and step dad stopped by briefly to exchange gifts before continuing on to Paul's grandparents house.


Visiting in the Kitchen



Best Friends

"Gam Gam" and Katie

Milk and Cookies for Santa



Katie opening her stocking

Learn and Play Puppy from Uncle Jason

Daddy and Katie opening gifts Christmas Morning

Santa present for Kaitlyn



Daddy sharing his XBOX games with Katie



Best present of all

Four Generations

Our Family



Grandma and Grandpa with Katie



Katie and Uncle Jon



Grandma and Grandpa Murray with Katie

Grandma and Grandpa Gauna with Katie

Katie got a lot of presents!!



Reading Katie her Christmas Card

 

Intermission for Katie



New doll from Grandma and Grandpa

Jon got a new mybook from mom and papa



Kinect for Paul!



Kindle for Grandpa

Cooler for Dad

Kindle for Grandma, as well!

Duvet cover for mom and papa

iPad from mom and papa

Katie with Grandpa Paul

Grandma and Mom helped me make a delicious dinner of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green been casserole, corn, rolls, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs, "the green stuff" (a Murray Family tradition), and lots of yummy desserts. Katie loved all the new food! She even ate a whole tamale!

This is yummy, Grandma!!

Merry Christmas, A Bit Early

Paul and I wanted to do something really special for mom and dad this year. They have helped us out more than we ever imagined, and we couldn't have made it though this year without them (well any year, actually).

Some of y'all know what I had in mind for them this year. It is something that they have never had, and I knew that it was something that mom had been wanting for a long time. Grandma went with me in October to find it and then I cleared it by Paul and Jon for the final approval. Unfortunately, it had to be delivered before Christmas, but it didn't really seem to matter in the end. Mom and Papa were so SURPRISED and super EXCITED!

I kept trying to focus the video, but I didn't realize I had it on manual focus rather than auto focus...oops. I was just so excited to tell mom finally! I hate keeping secrets!

Some other pictures of the day:

Surprise! Santa brought y'all a new bedroom set!!!

Mom was so surprised...which is hard to do!!

Breaking down mom and papa's room

She had no idea they were coming, so we had to move all the old stuff out QUICK.

Katie supervising

ho, Ho, HO!!

New bedroom set going in!

Mom and Papa's new bed and nightstand with new duvet

New dresser

Merry Christmas Mom and Papa! We love you so much and can't thank you enough for all that you have done for us. We could not have asked for better parents.

30 days complete

I am thankful for this wonderful life. It may not always be perfect, but we are so blessed. We have great family, stable jobs, a great group of friends, the most adorable daughter. The things in my life that I am so thankful for are not measured by money, which makes them even better. They are priceless. :o)

I am thankful for the 11 months I have been able to produce breast milk for our precious Katie Bug! She is doing so well and growing up so quickly! :o)