Katherine's birth announcement

Even though she was 6 weeks old when I was finally able to get these done, at least I got them done! Somehow, life is a little busier these days!

Happy Halloween!

I feel like we had Halloween for an entire month. Riley had projects at both her in-home daycare as well as church preschool, along with parties, a parade, multiple trips to pumpkin patches. Needless to say, the last couple of weeks of October were busy!

This is her assistant preschool teacher, Mrs. Marva, or as Riley says "Maarrr-ffaaaa." We took them to class in costume, and right after I dropped her off, she was playing with her zipper, and zipped her skin in it, and screamed and had a meltdown. No, I didn't put a t-shirt on her (a normal mom would have) because I thought she would be too hot. Mistake for mom. Well, all classes do a parade around the gym in their costumes, which ended up being adorable.

I mentioned our meltdown. See her class parade below. That's me, in the gray shirt, behind the line of kids holding Riley, because she was having none of it that morning. Poor girl.
In Riley's in-home daycare (M-W-F), they made Halloween shirts, and Kimberley was nice enough to make one for Katherine, so they would have matching shirts. You can't see Riley's all that well, but she uses their fingers as the pumpkins, and then finishes them up with the vines and names. Too cute! Riley insisted on wearing hers multiple times throughout the week.
Renee and Wayne, better known as Naynay and Pop came up to watch her trick-or-treat. Here they are decorating cookies.

Mooing with John and Jamie. Two cute cows!

Getting ready to head out, practicing our "moo".
Naynay and Pop, and even Katherine got out a little.
Jake and Riley.
Our neighbor Bobbie, with her dog Sissy and Riley.

Sitting around

Can't believe she is ready for the Bumbo seat.


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Daddy's girls

First visit from Granny

My grandmother, Granny Ann, was able to come visit last week and meet Katherine. We had a fun visit, and picked up the stocking she will make for Katherine. See the other's she's made for us here. Along with play time and some shopping, we had a great visit with our former chaplain, Rev. Brian Ponder, who is at a church here in Memphis. Katherine slept through the whole 3 hour lunch visit!

Random iPhone pictures

Most days it's much easier to grab a picture with one of our phones, than get Chris's camera. This is just a random collection I'll share.

We were headed to dinner the night before Katherine was born, and this is my last belly picture. Thankfully, I was smaller this time than with Riley. Sorry, I can't link to Riley belly pic from the phone.


Our final picture as a family of three.


Katherine a few days old, having already come to be aware of the camera, and how much we like to use it!


Riley helping me make cookies a few months ago.


She is her mother's daughter! Love me some cookie dough. Chris doesn't share my appreciation, which just means more for me!


Posing, but not thrilled about interrupting play time.


We made it to the first game, less than two weeks before Katherine was born. My doctor thought I was nuts for wanting to go, along with the rest of our families.


Katherine's "Oooo" face. Somewhere I have this same face posted of Riley at about this same age. It's so funny how they have some of the same traits!


Riley riding Chris's tractor at GG and Johnny's. (FYI, this was sent to me, I take no photo credit.)


Riley using her camera to take Katherine's picture, complete with her telling K to "say cheese"!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Katherine - 1 month old

Katherine turned 1 month old today. We were at the doctor's office on Friday with some reflux/stomach issues, and she weighed in at 9 lbs, 8 oz. She's gained almost 3 pounds in a month! CRAZY! We measured her at home, 21.5 in, so the length could vary slightly. She was 20.5 at birth.

So far, this first month, we are working on her sleeping. She has her days and nights figured out, but will only sleep in her car seat, her rocking chair/bouncy seat, or with us holding her. She hates being flat, which could be a product of her reflux, which we got medicine for 2 days ago, and is improving. Other than the sleeping issues, she's a very easy baby. She's not a fan of crying, just grunting, and the occasional whining, but only "screams" once a day, usually during wardrobe change. She could care less about all the noise in our house from the TV, dog, and everything 2 year old related. She is such a joy to have, and is a wonderful addition to our family.

Precious moments

Fall Festival

Last weekend, we went to the Agricenter, for the Fall Festival. They had lots of activities for Riley, and it was a great family outing.

She wanted to hold her sister for a picture. I just love these two girls!

They had pumpkin painting. Riley is becoming quite the artist at her daycare 3 days a week. She comes home with all sorts of artwork, so she enjoyed this activity.

She is such a ham. She won't smile, but will pretend to eat her pumpkin. Who knows where she comes up with this stuff!

They had a petting zoo with an assortment of animals. Of course she walks up to the goat and just sticks her hand at it's mouth without thinking twice.

And luckily they had a cow. She is obsessed with cows, and will be dressing up as one for halloween! I'm pretty sure if she could have hugged it, she would!

Hanging around the house

So, I really do have a valid excuse for not being up to date on my blogging. After a relatively easy delivery, and escaping the stomach bug that many of the family got while visiting for Katherine's birth, I developed a very severe case of mastitis. I won't go into major details, but after about 5-6 days of severe pain, and my body not responding to 2 different antibiotics, I was admitted to the hospital for 48 hours for IV antibiotics. Katherine was 2 weeks old, and thankfully Chris's parents had taken Riley home with them the beginning of that week, because I was so sick. Luckily the IV helped, I recovered, and all is well again.

So with all the extra sickness, we've had additional help, which we couldn't have made it without. We have the best parents, who have been willing to do anything for us this past month. Chris and I have talked many times how blessed we are to have had so much help in getting over this rough patch.

Now, onto some pictures.

This first one needs no explanation. She's just a diva some days!

Nana B spending some quality cuddling time with KG.
Nana B and her 2 girls. Riley is still a big helper.
Riley has learned to "show your teeth" while taking pictures and saying "cheese". Precious! Katherine is showing off her skinny legs and feet!
Have I mentioned we have a diva? I can't say enough good things as to how Riley has adapted to "baby".

First moments for Katherine

Her first bath on the Sunday, after she came home on Saturday from the hospital.

Had to capture the double chin, because she had no baby fat on her at all.

First family outing, the Monday after she was born We are all (not Millie) headed to the pediatrician's office for Katherine's first check-up, and the rest of us got our flu shots. So nice that the pediatrician's office offers parents flu shots.

Katherine was down to 6 lbs 8 oz at this check-up. She was born at 6 lbs 14 oz. No fear, she's mastered gaining weight. More on that to come.

Big sister

So along with Katherine's arrival, came the big sister role for Riley. To be honest, we were more nervous about how Riley's world was about to change than bringing home a new baby. It would be an understatement to say Riley is a great big sister.

She came to visit at the hospital on Saturday morning, sporting her appropriate attire for the occasion.

Riley immediately wanted to hold "baby". Katherine is a mouthful, but we've got baby down to an art!

We were discharged Saturday afternoon (at my request I might add), and Riley greeted us at home before we could get to the front door!

Informing the family of the proper noise level suited for a new baby.

Riley, being the child of order that she is, she constantly is aware that Katherine's pacifier needs to be with her, or in her mouth at all times, the baby blanket is supposed to cover her up, not lay around. My boppy pillow belongs next to her. And she's a big help with diaper changes, etc. Riley has adjusted very well so far. I'm sure we'll have our moments, but thus far, she's done great at her new role!

Happy Birthday Katherine Grace!

Katherine Grace Nichols arrived on September 17th, 1:42 pm, weighing 6 lbs 14 oz, and was 20.5 inches long. My delivery was very easy, and she's the most laid back child I've ever met.