Copyright, Shmopyright!

Enjoy some one month pictures... although she couldn't be bothered to wake up for any, I think they're pretty darn cute. It's okay though, I mean this is how she spent most of her first month anyway:






I left Kate with Rob again last weekend, as I had my *LAST* class in Cheyenne. I am relieved to be done aside from my final project/paper, but I will definitely miss the friends I made. I also got to see the musical Wicked with my mom, and it was, well, wicked. I really liked it! As for the kiddo, she was great for daddy and he even brought her to two services he played in on Sunday. Thanks to Angie, Heather and Kelly for taking care of her. She just had her 2 month check up yesterday and is a whopping ten pounds, two ounces. She got some immunizations and has been cranky with a fever, but is doing fine otherwise. I felt really bad when they gave her the shots- I had never heard her cry like that before. I think she held it against me for a minute, but got over it quickly. I felt bad all day, but I know they were for her own good. I might need to drink less cow's milk or eliminate it from my diet altogether because she is reacting to it (trust me, you don't want those details.). We started using cloth diapers a few weeks ago. Are we nuts? Perhaps. At least she is sleeping like a champ these days, giving me a nice six hour stretch, then getting up to eat and going back to sleep for another couple of hours. She is definitely her parents' kid in that she loves her nappers, as I call them. Speaking of nappers, I think we'll go enjoy a little snooze right now.

Mother's Day Weekend

This weekend we got to visit with our friend Steph. It was fun to catch up with her and have her meet Kathryn!


Some of the Christopher clan also came out to visit, and Kate got to meet her "cousin" (actually 2nd once removed), Jared. K and I also got schooled in a vicious game of Texas Hold 'Em, but I was too busy holding the baby and my cards and losing to take any pictures of that.






On Sunday, we got the local family together (Grand Aunt Janice not pictured) to celebrate mother's day. We made a potato bar and took it easy with them- my kind of day!





















It was strange experiencing mother's day as a mom for the first time, but it gave me a chance to stop and reflect a little. I love being a mother. It is the hardest and best thing I have ever done or will ever do. When we found out we were expecting, many people warned us that our lives would change. It's true, but it is such a welcome overhaul. I love knowing that she needs us so much and being able to fulfill her needs. I am a less selfish person- a better person- now that I have a child. I cannot imagine what life would be without her. She is such an integral part of Rob's and my life now. I knew it would make me appreciate more what my parents went through with me and my brother, but I didn't realize to what extent. I am forever grateful for having such loving parents who taught me by example. We tell her we love her all the time, and if Rob and I are together with her, often we will answer back for her "I love you too, Mommy". She smiles at us, trusts us, and seems happiest when we are near, but I asked Rob the other day if he thought she could really love us already. I feel somehow that she does, but I wonder what an eight week old can feel. Rob told me he distinctly remembers being a small infant and knowing he loved his parents deeply. I don't know if she will remember these times... most likely not, but I do know she loves us. I have to trust her like she trusts me, and just know it. I've heard it said that having a child is like having your heart walk around without you. Well, she's not walking yet, but she definitely takes my heart with her wherever she goes.

Horses, horses, horses, horses...

You know, from Sleepless in Seattle when she's singing Jingle Bells in the car?

Anyone??

I digress.

Aunt Shelly came for a very fun visit last weekend. She bought Kathryn her first pony, which is super-cool because not only is she a veterinarian, but also an avid horse jumper! We will have no objections to buying another one someday as long as it's name is "My Little".



We subjected her to Rob's and my favorite movies (The Big Lebowski and Waiting for Guffman, respectively) and Auntie Amber and cousin Jade even came up to join in some of the festivities. Kathryn loved all the attention; this kid loves to be held and adored!


Shelly also taught us how to make a delicious salad and pasta dish. We enjoyed it for days after she left. We also went to Cici's, which had some pretty good pizza and the best cinnamon rolls ever. It was a pretty popular place with the kids though, and it made me cringe just a little thinking of future requests for birthdays at Chuck E. Cheese... and probably a pony... the things we do for our kids!

Visiting Kinfolk

Today Grandma Ann came up to visit with Uncle George and Aunt Jackie. Kathryn seemed so happy to meet her aunt and uncle from Utah and to spend some time outside in the shade. Grandma worked her baby magic and got a lot of grins as well as lulling Kathryn to sleep...




After waking up from a long nap she had so much energy, we decided it was tummy time. All in all, it was a great day!

Our "little" girl weighs 9 pounds, 3 ounces or so now and is finally filling out her "newborn" clothes and even wearing some 0-3 month outfits. We have figured out the eating thing and I no longer have to give bottles or pump unless I want to... life is so much easier now! I cannot say enough good things about the breastfeeding clinic at the hospital and all of the help they provided over the last 7 weeks. I don't say this to brag, but to encourage others who have had a hard time. I have probably been 20 times (usually at their request... I think maybe they just wanted a Kathryn fix!). When I feed her there, I feel such a sense of support and community from the other women there for the same reason. I highly recommend it! All three of us have minor colds right now, and for the first time, our baby actually shed a tear this week. It was so sad! I have to use the bulb syringe in her snotter nose, and she just hates it. The good news is that I know what she loves- eating and bath time, and when she's upset either one of those will usually make her happy again. Oh yes, and of course the beloved binky. I have been trying to pay more attention to the cats as time allows, but I think they still feel a little left out and have really banded together:

Making Faces

Our little girl has become quite expressive! I have suspected for a while she has been smiling socially, but yesterday she removed all doubt. She loves grinning at me and Rob, but I have yet to see her so excited for the camera. I guess it doesn't smile back or cheer her on or sing silly songs or make bad jokes for that matter. Today she is no longer officially a newborn. I have a feeling she will always be our baby though... She weighs in at 8 pounds 12 1/2 ounces and seems to be getting longer. She is also working on holding her head up. Chez Mama is open 24 hours a day of course, so I'm pretty tired... I had vertigo a couple weeks ago, but having Rob care for her and taking a long nap cured me. I also had to leave her with Rob for the first time this weekend because I had class (thank goodness I only have one more left). It was hard, but I knew she was in good hands so I didn't totally freak out. Okay, maybe just a little because I missed her.