Growth spurt

Last night, when dressing you for bed, I was struggling to snap the onesie in place. Once I finally did, I looked up around your neck and noticed that the neckline was low along the chest and very stretched. I could have sworn that onesie fit you last week! You are growing!

Squish Squash

Yesterday, we introduced you to squash, Katy. You did not like! On the first bite, you wrinkled up your nose and turned your face. I believe we got three more bites and that was it, for the evening.

HOWEVER, when I mixed the squash with sweet potatoes, tonight, I couldn't seem to feed you fast enough! I seriously felt like I was SHOVELING the food into your mouth! Every time I paused, you would reach for the spoon and open your mouth, wanting more. Our little eater... :-)

Cradle Cap

Tonight, we discovered you have cradle cap, Katy :-(. With all of your hair, it's been hard to see your scalp! You don't seem bothered by it and from all of the websites I was reading, it is a normal occurrence. No wonder you like your hair brushed...

Baby Einstein Videos

Katy (and Daddy) watching Vincent Van Goat on the Baby Einstein Videos.

Mesmerized

Our friends, the Jacksons, loaned us some Baby Einstein videos for you to watch, Katy. We decided to try one out, tonight, and see how you liked it. We picked an art themed video (big surprise)- flashing, swirling colors, objects that move and make noise- you were MESMERIZED!! There were several points where you jumped and startled when something sudden happened on the TV screen. Such as when the jack-in-the box popped out of the box- you didn't seem to like that. We let you watch the video for fifteen minutes. After viewing it, you were so mellow and calm. HOWEVER, after laying you down to sleep, tonight, you've woken up several times eyes closed, wailing in your sleep as if your are experiencing a nightmare. Maybe it was too much stimulation for right now...? We might try again, later ... :-/

We have a winner!

Katy's Ear

Daddy's Ear

We finally figured out what physical trait you inherited from Daddy (besides hair that sticks up)- his ears!

See Saw

A funny phenomenon occurs, Katy, when you roll over onto your tummy. If your head is up in the air, your bottom stays down. When you get too tired to lift your head, and it's resting on the ground, your bottom goes up and starts wiggling. It's hilarious to watch- almost like a see saw or scale- head goes up, bottom goes down, bottom goes up, head goes down.

200th Blog Post!

This is the 200th Blog Post on All Things Katy! In honor of such a milestone, I thought it'd be fun to record some other numbers here.

Since your birth (to date);

...You currently wear size two diapers.

...You currently eat every three hours, five ounces at a time.

...We have introduced you to eating rice cereal, bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes and peas.

...You still have that double chin and now you have cute baby rolls on your legs.

....You currently wear size 3-6 month/6 month clothing (very quickly outgrowing clothes!).

...You've been known to wear at least two outfits a day due to excessive drool, dirty diapers and spit up.

...At your four month well baby doctor's visit, you weighed 15 pounds, three ounces and measured 24 3/4 inches long. This puts you in the 90th percentile for weight height (who would have thought??!).

...I have used one 4GB, two 1 GB SD cards for the Nikon and one 4GB Memory stick for the "Katy Kam." That is just way too many pictures to count- at least close to 3,000 pictures.

...So far, you've experienced three seasons- winter, spring and summer. You've celebrated St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day.

...Due to the HOT summer that we are experiencing here in NC, we installed a window AC unit in your room and we try to keep the temperature in your room at 75 degrees.

...You currently go to bed at 7PM and wake at 6:30AM every day (sometimes waking around 3AM for a feeding).

Big Girl Bath

Rub-a-dub-dub, Katy in the tub

Because you are getting more mobile and squirmy, Katy, we decided to try out the "Big Girl" bath chair that we borrowed from our friends, the Batys. You kept trying to sit up and get out of the pink infant chair that we had for the bath- Squirmy Katy + Water = Trouble. So, here you are enjoying your bath (notice I didn't have to give you the faux mohawk so typical in most baby bath pictures ;-P).

Chin wagging- Daddy's Beard

Often, when Daddy holds you, Katy, you like to study his face and look at his features- hair, eyes, mouth. One of the things you like to do is tug at his beard, It's almost as if by tugging on his beard, you are verifying his identity. Now that you have a stronger, steadier grip, your tugs are a little harder and a littler longer. Ouch (for Daddy)!

Wiggle Worm

You have gotten so good at rolling over, Katy, that you like to do this all the time. Especially when we are changing your diaper. We put you down on the changing table and you instantly want to roll over onto your tummy. Now, normally this is a good thing and we encourage rolling over, but when changing your diaper, it tends to make things a little more difficult....

Farmer's Market

"To market, to market..."

"Are you sure you have to puree this squash before I eat it, Mom?"

We went to the Farmer's Market, this morning, Katy. When we arrived at the market a couple of minutes before eight AM, there was already a line of cars waiting to get in. We were able to find a nice front parking spot, though! We pulled out the stroller, strapped you in and went for a stroll through all of the fresh fruits, veggies and homemade goodies. We bought fresh corn on the cob for tonight's dinner, tomatoes, green peppers and we even found a baby squash for you (to make baby food)!

The Princess and the Peas

Katy enjoying her peas

This evening, we fed you peas. At first you kind of stuck out your tongue but then you really got into it and seemed to enjoy them. Yummy, yummy time!

Crib Recall

Dun, dun, dun... it was bound to happen! With all the recent product recalls- a lot of them being drop-side cribs- we were bound to be affected by a recall sooner or later. Today was our turn when two million cribs from seven manufacturers were recalled due to malfunctions in drop-side cribs causing injury and entrapment to babies. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37893325/ns/today-today_health/. So, we looked up the crib information and serial number, logged onto the manufacturer's website and ordered the free repair kit. The kit is supposed to lock the sides of the crib in place and is expected to arrive in two to three weeks. Don't worry, Baby Girl, your safety is our number one concern!

Eighteen Weeks Birthday

Katy, 18 Weeks, June 24, 2010

Katy loves to bat at the porcupine/hedgehog (we're not sure what it's supposed to be) on her excersaucer.

"I love to eat!"

Today you are eighteen weeks old, Katy!! After our super busy week, last week (with company, family visit, Game night, doctors' visits, etc.) it was nice to have a routine week, this week.

This week was pretty quiet as far as "discoveries" go. You continue to entertain us with your smiles and giggles- baby smiles ALWAYS brighten our day! Jumping in the Jump-A-Roo entertains you which in turn, entertains us (watching you bounce and laugh)!. You "bat" at things, now, and can anticipate a result. You have a very strong grip and you use it to shake a rattle, hold onto Mommy and Daddy's shirt and to tug on Daddy's beard (ouch!).

You've learned to blow raspberries (separate blog post) and splash in the tub (separate blog post). You've discovered your feet and you like to play with them in the tub.

Feeding you solid foods has been going well. So far, no reactions to any of the foods we've fed you. The moment we put you in the high chair you start kicking your legs and waving your hands in happy anticipation of what's to come next- FOOD!

Miss Megan at King's Keep always report that you are a good girl at daycare. You like to talk to the teachers and you have fun jumping and bouncing in their exersaucers and Jump-A-Roos. A new little boy started this week, so you are no longer the "new kid on the block."

Daddy and I continue to teach you signs for simple words and phrases- food/hungry, thirsty, more, all done, Mommy, Daddy, sleepy, Good girl, Pretty girl, baby, daughter, I love you. So far, you just look at us when we do the signing motions and we're not really sure if you understand that we are trying to talk to you through our hands.

You love, love, love to sleep on your tummy! The moment we lay you down in the crib you roll to your stomach. You tend to move and scoot around in your crib a lot, Katy! Sometimes, we'll wake up to find you 180 degrees opposite from when we first laid you down!

Speaking of sleeping, you currently go down to bed around seven PM after a good feeding. You wake up around three AM for another good feeding and then I wake you up to get you ready for the day at 6:30 AM. When I wake you up, you tend to be extra cuddly and smooshy. Ahhh, if only you could stay this small for awhile longer...

Splashing Around!

We are back to liking the bath, Katy (thank goodness!). So much so, that you figured out how to "hit" the water with your hands and feet so that is makes noise and you "splash" around. You get this big grin on your face when you splash around and we can't help but smile back (even though we might be a little wet from all of the splashing! :-)

Piggies- Katy Discovers her Toes!

This evening, when you were sitting on Daddy's lap, you discovered your toes! You wiggled them around, grasped them with your hands and stared at them. I'm sure you'll soon be showing off your flexibility by sticking them in your mouth.

Raspberries

Tonight, when Daddy blew you raspberries, Katy, you responded by puckering up your lips and making raspberries of your own! You've been studying him for a couple of days, and you finally figured out how to make the sounds by yourself!

Cabarrus Creamery

Welcome to the Cabarrus Creamery! ;-P

"Decisions, Decisions..."

"Mmmm, that ice cream was tasty! All done!"

Tonight, we introduced you to the Caburrus Creamery, Katy! Daddy and I LOVE ice cream and we hope you grow up to love it, too!

Sunday Afternoon Stroll

Sunday Afternoon Stroll

Despite the hot North Carolina temperatures, Daddy and I decided to take a walk to the Cabarrus Creamery (because no Jones Family holiday is complete without ice cream!). Because you have better head control and are showing more interest in looking around you and observing your surroundings, we decided to strap you into your stroller without the carrier. You looked like such a big girl, Katy, in your stroller!

Sweet Potatoes for our Sweetie!

"Hmmm... this is something different... not so sure about this...?"

Messy Face

"Mmmm, mmm, good! I like sweet Potatoes!"


Katy (trying to) feed herself (Thanks, Rudolphs for the Froggy dinnerware!)

Today's menu included sweet potatoes. We had left over sweet potatoes from our Father's Day Grill out for Pop-Pop Tinkey Friday night. Katy, we strapped you into the high chair (you get really excited when you put you in your high chair nowadays!), pulled out the Froggy bowl and spoon (gift from the Rudolphs) and dove right in. At first, you made a scrunchy face at the new taste and texture but after awhile, you got into it and really seemed to enjoy the sweet potatoes! We have found that the thicker the food (whether it be sweet potatoes, rice cereal, etc.) the more you like it and are willing to eat the offered food.

Happy First Father's Day!

Proud Papa on Father's Day, June 20, 2010

Today is Father's Day and it's Daddy's first Father's Day. As we do every Sunday, we went to church and helped out with the nursery. Then, we picked up Sticky Fingers to go and enjoyed a nice meal of ribs and potato salad at home in honor of this special day. Daddy is the "fun" one and he loves to make you smile and giggle, Katy. He is so good at taking care of you, Katy. Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Hasbro Game Night!

Game of Trivial Pursuit, Bet You Know It

Last night, we hosted our Hasbro Game Night! While you were peacefully sleeping, Katy, we had lots of fun playing the new Trivial Pursuit, Taboo and Catch Phrase! We've decided that we like the newest edition of Trivial Pursuit much better (than previous).The only bummer of the evening is that the A/C decided to stop working right before the party started. Other than that, we had fun laughing, playing, and snacking with friends!

Hotel Jones- Grandma and Pop-Pop Tinkey Stay the Night

Katy shows off her mad jumping skills to Grandma and Pop-Pop

"Pop-Pop, you make silly faces and noises!"

Grandma holds Katy

Grandma and Pop-Pop Tinkey are on their way to spend the week with Josh, Delinda, Kayla, Hope and Eric in Pennsylvania. Since North Carolina is the perfect midway point, they stopped and spent the night, last night. Due to heavy traffic and bad weather, they didn't roll into town until after you had gone to bed, Katy- they were not happy about that! They did get to spend some quality time with you, this morning, though. You showed off your jumping moves and "talking" skills. When it came time to leave, Grandma threatened to kidnap you!

Four Months Well Baby Doctor's Visit

Today was your Four Month Well Baby Doctor's Visit with Dr. Greg Guerriero. Daddy got to take you to the doctor, today. He picked you up early from daycare and took you to Suburban Pediatrics.

You now weigh 15 pounds, 3 ounces and measure 24 1/2" long. This puts you in the 90th percentile for both height and weight. You received three shots- one oral and one in each cute, chubby leg. You weren't too keen on the shots, Katy! Dr. Greg went through a list of "milestones" to be watching for before your six month visit- rolling over, talking to objects, holding your head up stronger and better, starting to eat solid food- and you've ALREADY hit them at four months! We always knew you were advanced for your age!

Roly-Poly

You are on the move, Katy! You are rolling over like a champ in every direction. So, we decided to lower your crib to ensure that you are safe at night. You move so much in your sleep that sometimes a leg or an arm get caught in the crib rungs and wake you up. This morning, we woke up to find you sleeping on your tummy. Daddy said you were a tummy sleeper from the beginning.

Guac and Roll

"Daddy sure makes silly faces to get me to eat!"

"Open Wide!"


Big Girl Katy holding the spoon by herself

Today, you had your first veggie- an avocado. To date, this has been the most successful food we've given you. Once again, we pulled out the Magic Bullet and mushed up the veggie until it was a mushy, pureed green mess. You got all excited when we strapped you into your high chair. You opened your mouth in anticipation of the food. Most of the food made it INTO you, rather than on your bib or down your front and you didn't make any faces when we fed the food to you. You even reached for the spoon and wanted to hold it for yourself!

Seventeen Weeks Birthday

17 Weeks, June 17, 2010

Jumping is FUN!

Snoozin'

Today, you are 17 weeks old, Katy! You are officially four months old, tomorrow (June 18, 2010). Every day you grow bigger and stronger and each week is filled with an exciting new "first."

This week, you really got the hang of your Jump-A-Roo. You realized that if you jumped up and down, you moved and toys on the Jump-A-Roo would shake and make noises. Today, we put you in your Jump-A-Roo and you go so excited you actually got some air (i.e. you legs left the ground) you were jumping so hard and so high! All the while you were jumping, you were giggling and talking to yourself. Daddy and I had lots of fun watching you have fun in your toy!

We introduced you to food, this week (separate blog posts). You had your first fruit (banana) and your first veggie (avocado). With each new food that we introduced you to, you seem to be more at ease. You even anticipate liking it and wanting more by opening your mouth and not making scrunchie faces once the food hits your tongue.

Not only are you roly-poly, Katy, but you are rolling around like a champ. Daddy had to lower your crib just to make sure you are safe at night (separate blog post). You are on the move!

This past week was a busy one with friends visiting, doctors appointments and dentist appointments. Not to mention a yard sale last weekend, Grandma and Pop-Pop Tinkey coming this weekend and Father's Day this coming Sunday!

Visit with the Collins Family

Meg and Heather

Meg gets to meet and hold Katy!

Meg's youngest son, Jud, and Katy play together

Seven years, two weddings, and four children (between the both of us), and many moves around the world, later, Meg (Weaver) Collins and I finally got to meet up again! While our times together are too infrequent and never last long enough, it was so good to break bread together and catch up with Meg and her sweet family, tonight!

The last time I got to see Meg was at her own wedding to Mark (Daddy and I were just dating at the time), seven years ago. I have known Meg since I was in second grade and she babysat myself , Josh and Hope.... so, I guess we've known each other for almost 22 years- WOWOWOWOW! It's so nice to have meaningful friendships that withstand the test of time and distance.

Banana-Rama (First Fruit)

Making Baby Food in the Magic Bullet (Thanks Tiffanie and Ryan Smith for the Bullet!)

"I'm not so sure about this..."

"This isn't my regularly-scheduled lunch!"

"Okay, I guess bananas are alright..."

Today, we fed you your first fruit, Katy, and it was bananas. Yes, that's right, your first fruit was bananas (this shows how much I love you, Katy, because anybody who knows me knows that I do NOT like them!)!! After reading up on what to serve as a first fruit, bananas kept showing up as a safe, sweet treat to serve. Considering I have some food allergies, we wanted to avoid things such as apples, carrots, pears and peaches (which are pretty much all of the first foods you feed a baby). So, that left bananas.

We pulled out the Magic Bullet, a shower gift from our friends the Smiths, mushed up the bananas and fed it to you. Daddy put a little on his finger to feed it to you, at first. You weren't so sure in the beginning, but after awhile, you actually kept more IN you and barely drooled any ON you. You were more successful with eating the bananas than in your first attempt at rice cereal (separate blog post).

Jump, Jump, Jump-A-Roo!

Katy exercising her legs and having fun in the Jump-A-Roo!

Bon Voyage, Jared and Bethany!

Hail, Hail, the Gang's All here!

Enjoying some good ol' American grub at Five Guys

Today, we said (temporary) good-bye to our good friends, Jared and Bethany Reeves. They will be leaving us for six months and we will miss them! We wish them the best of luck in their endeavors and can't wait to hear all about their adventures when they return!

Kinetic Kids Sundays

Two Great Kates (Don't they look like they are conspiring together?)

No holding hands until you are older, Katy and Henry!

Every Sunday, Daddy and I now help with Kinetic Kids during the second service. We attend the first service and then I watch over the little ones in the nursery (including you, Katy) and Daddy plays "bouncer" -slash- check-in at the entrance of Kinetic Kids. You have fun playing with all of your friends, Katy!

Hot, Hot, HOT!!

North Carolina is hot, hot, HOT, today! This whole weekend has been quite warm. Today, it reached well over 100 degrees with the heat index- we almost felt like we were back in Florida! Because of the high temperatures, getting into and out of the car from church was not fun because the car seat gets really hot and blocks a lot of the AC from getting to you, Katy. Your little nose beads up with sweat the instant you are too hot (kind of like my nose). You let us know that you weren't happy with the higher temperatures by crying, that is for sure!

Yard Sale

Katy participated in the Yard Sale by being our "cute factor." No, baby wasn't for sale- she's OURS and she's a KEEPER!

Today, Daddy and I got up very early (five AM!) to get everything set up for our first ever Jones family yard sale. We've been gathering things for the past couple of weeks and cleaning and pricing items all this past week. The weather was warm (in the 90s!) and sunny and we had quite a crowd of early bird shoppers show up before seven AM. Daddy did most of the wheeling and dealing as I took care of you, Little Miss. Daddy did such a good job preparing, interacting with shoppers and cleaning up/clearing out all the leftover stuff afterwards! The yard sale was seven AM to noon with eleven AM to noon being half off the sticker price. This "blow out" sale wasn't as popular as we thought it would be- the majority of our shoppers showed up before ten AM. After the yard sale was complete, Daddy loaded up the car and took all the leftovers to Salvation Army to donate. Overall, we had a VERY successful and profitable yard sale. This is pretty impressive considering most items were not priced over five dollars!

2010 Parents Magazine Cover Contest

http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/2010-parents-cover-contest/1940800057/?photoId=1937500189#morephotos

We are going to put all of those baby pictures to work for us, Katy. I've entered you into the 2010 Parents Magazine Cover Contest. While the judges get to pick the cutest baby to grace the pages of their November magazine, there is also a "Reader's Choice" finalist. So, we are asking all of our friends and families to follow the above link to our album and "like" each of the six pictures (you can do so once per day, per picture) for a chance to win. Might amount to nothing but we sure think you are CUTE!

Sixteen Weeks Birthday

16 Weeks, June 10 2010

Teacher Katy at the podium- With two grandmothers and two aunts as teachers, teaching is in her genes! ;-P

Exploring the Jump-A-Roo (Thanks Keys for loaning us another great toy for Katy!)

Morning cup-o-Joe

Big Girl Jeans (Thanks Great-Aunt Mariella for the cute top!)

Today, you are sixteen weeks old, Katy! Every day you are growing bigger and more independent. You are exerting your personality and letting us know what you do and do not want to do.

Your big milestone for this past week was the fact that you rolled over (separate blog post)- tummy to back and back to tummy. You did this twice when you were about six weeks old, but you hadn't done it since. Now, you have more control and seem to be using your baby strength to move and roll and scoot.

This was your second week at King's Keep Daycare. You seem to be doing fairly well there. Though, I'm convinced that you don't nap very well there- too much going on! You do go through the clothes at daycare! Every day you seem to come home in a different outfit than the one I dressed you in to go there. At least that shows that the teachers are quick to change you and not let you sit around in dirty clothes.

This week you graduated from baby swing to exersaucer (separate blog post) due to your increased mobility. We've had you in both the exersaucer and the jump-a-roo. You don't quite bounce, yet, but you seem to be interested in all the new toys and play-things.

Last week, we started feeding you rice cereal every other night. At first, you'd just kind of smack your lips, make a face and then drool most of it down your neck. However, this week, you seem to have gotten the hang of it and seem to actually get more rice cereal IN you, rather than ON you! Look out baby food, here comes Katy!

While clipping your nails this week I accidentally clipped your thumb- the one you like to suck! You got all pouty and cried, making Mommy feel very bad. We had to swaddle you up with that arm pinned to your body so you wouldn't suck your thumb during the night. Needless to say, you were restless and none of us got much sleep that night.

Bath time doesn't seem to hold that magic that it once did. You've been very fussy and downright upset when you bathe you at night. Tonight, bath time was manageable, though, thanks to some help from bubbles- Daddy washed and I blew bubbles to entertain you and distract you.

This past Sunday marked the beginning of Daddy and I helping out with Kinetic Kids during the second service. We attended the 9:30 AM service and then I looked after the babies in the second service and Daddy helped check kids in.

When I wake you up in the morning, I like to tell you what day of the week it is and then tell you what is going on that day. For example, I'd tell you that it's Sunday, and we are going to church. We are going to see you friends at Kinetic Kids and we are going to help out during the second service. Hopefully, this is starting to teach your the passage of time and days of the week.

We also like to sign simple words to you like hungry, girl, pretty, all done, milk. With enough repetition, we are hoping that you will learn these signs and be able to use them appropriately to communicate with us (even before you use your big girl words). Since we believe we have a little smarty pants on our hands (we may be a little biased), I'm sure you'll be signing like a pro in no time! :-)

Since Daddy and I have been getting a little bored with reading you Goodnight, Moon and Guess How Much I Love you, EVERY night before you go to bed, we've branched out and started reading you Berenstain Bear books. We already had quite a collection and it's fun to read them to you! We still read the other books, too... we love you to the moon and back, Katy Grace!

Splish, Splash- NO Bath for Katy!

Tonight, when we tried to give you a bath, you wailed and wailed, Katy! It was so pathetic and sad. We looked all over your body to make sure that nothing was cut or bruised and causing you pain- we couldn't find anything obvious. We checked the temperature of the water and the froggy thermometer said it was in range. You did this last night when we tried to give you a bath. You used to LOVE bath time and Daddy could get you giggling and splashing. We are puzzled...?

My, How They Grow!

Katy and Henry Sunday, April 25, 2010

Katy (and Daddy) and Henry (and Amy) Sunday, June 6, 2010

Our friends from Kinetic Church, John and Amy McGuinness had a sweet baby boy, Henry, two months after Katy was born. We hope that they will grow up to be good friends! Here's a comparison look at their first meeting back in April and then just this past Sunday!