Halloween Preperation

It's been an eventful past couple weeks since Shelly has gone back to work, which (by the way) she's very much enjoying. As I mentioned in the previous post, Kate started daycare at Tiny Town last week Tuesday. While the first day was beyond tough for both of us, Kate also had a difficult time adjusting to sleeping with 3-4 other kids making noise. After a couple days though, she acclimated quite well and is now getting her typical naps in and everything is going great.

In fact, the past two days we received our first projects from "both" of her daycares. On Tuesday, Kate and Mimi worked on the following pumpkin together and gave it to us:

Then, when Shelly picked her up from Tiny Town yesterday, Kate had made us the following "Happy Halloween" art project:
The only downside to the past couple weeks was that our little Lady got sick for the first time. It started off with a runny nose last Friday and by the time Sunday rolled around, Kate was not a happy camper. All day Saturday she didn't nap for more than 15 minutes, and although she slept through the night she was plenty upset when she woke up Sunday morning. We worried it was an ear infection to go with a cold because every time we put her down on her back (which she normally loves) she would wail. Not only that, that evening she woke up four times during the middle of the night crying, which is not like Kate at all. I was able to take her to the doctor the following morning and fortunately about an hour or so before we left, Kate seemed to be doing quite a bit better. Our doctor confirmed that she had a slight ear infection in her right ear, but it looked relatively minor. Kate was prescribed Children's Amoxicillin, and ever since that evening she's been back to her normal, happy-go-lucky self...and we couldn't be more thrilled.

Well as most of you know that live in the area, we had a brutal weekend weather-wise and due to all the rain we had to postpone our trip to the pumpkin patch until this weekend. We're very much looking forward to going together as a family and we'll post about that as well as Kate's first Halloween early next week.

Have a great Halloween everyone! Here's a few more pictures for your enjoyment:

Kate Smiles with her Pumpkin

Move over Anne Geddes
Alright! A New Brown Bow!
....And A Pink One!
Papa Joe & Kate Share A Laugh
Kate & Mom Enjoy a Hug Before Her First Day Back at Work
Sleeping Beauty (Too Cute not to Post)

Picture Me ROLLIN' & Mommy's New Job

So much to report from the last few weeks, I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll start by congratulating Shelly on her new job! As of last Friday she's accepted an HR Coordinator position at Shopko Headquarters. While we thought she wouldn't start until next week she actually starts this morning! Both Kate and I are so proud of her and know she's going to be great in her new position. Since the moment Shelly and I started dating, I've always said she was built for HR and almost 10 years later, it looks like I was finally right. :) Congrats love, we couldn't be more proud and excited for you! As for Peanut, she'll be partying with Mimi (Deb) today and tomorrow and as of this point will start daycare 2-3 day's per week starting Monday.

Speaking of Peanut....when she heard the news on Friday that Mom got a new job she was so excited for her that she decided to roll over from her back to her stomach for the first time! Kate was playing in her Baby Einstein Playmat while Shelly was making her a bottle in the kitchen. Low and behold, Shelly walks back and realizes Kate is laying on her stomach....which is not how she was no more than a minute earlier! Shelly was so excited and proud, but was also a little bummed that she didn't get to see it for the first time. No worries though, Kate put on a repeat performance not much later for her and Shelly caught it all. Later the following evening I was fortunate enough to see her do it and she hasn't stopped since. Just this morning, I was making her a bottle in the kitchen only to come back and see she had rolled over on her stomach once again. Right away when I noticed, I gave her a huge smile and cheered/applauded her to which she shot me back the biggest grin. It was wonderful to say the least and we can't say enough how proud we are of her progress. She's not only a wonderfully easy baby, she's so smart and is reaching all her milestones well ahead of schedule.

Next, I've been meaning to post this video for the past couple weeks and for that I apologize. Kate is now tall enough and strong enough to play in her excersaucer. A special thanks to Aunt Jill & Aunt Gail for giving it to Kate. As you can see....she loves it!

Finally, here's another picture of our little lady sporting her new Pumpkin hat made by Mimi. Look at that face!
We've got plenty of things going on the rest of this month so we'll be posting often. The three of us plan on going to the Pumpkin patch this weekend, which we're very much looking forward to. Until then, take care everyone!

Dear Daddy

Dear Daddy,

I miss you so much and I can't wait until you get home. Even though you left on Monday and will be returning on Wednesday night, it just isn't the same without you here. I miss the funny faces that you make, the way you hold me tight and the way you make me fly like this:


I am so glad that you were here for a little bit on Monday to help me celebrate my 5 month birthday. Yes, I am now 5 months old! I love this picture of you and I before your departure:

Mommy and I are so proud of you for working so hard every day. We know that you sacrifice a lot in order to make us happy and we can't thank you enough for that. I just can't wait to see you so I can sit on your lap once again. It's the perfect place to be!

Have a safe trip home tomorrow! I can't wait to see you! I love you so much!

Love,

Your Little Peanut

Rice Cereal Time!

Last night, Kate "enjoyed" her first Rice Cereal experience. After a little learning on all three of our parts, Kate ate extremely well. In fact, she "finished" all of the recommended first feeding amount that we gave her. Enjoy!

4 Months!

A week ago our little lady turned 4 months old! John and I are still shocked at how fast time has passed and it's evident as her size and facial features continue to change. She had her 4 month check-up this past Tuesday and again, we are so blessed and fortunate to inform you that Kate is doing great. She weighed in at a whopping 15 pounds which put her in the 80th percentile for children her age. She is 25.75 inches long which put her in the 95th percentile. Needless to say, she gets her height from her daddy!

Unfortunately the doctor's visit also meant a couple of shots as well. John was able to make it to this appointment which meant that she received lots of hugs and kisses from the both of us immediately following the procedure. We had a heartbreaking evening as she continued to cry until the Children's Tylenol kicked in, but once it did she was able to sleep. We were relieved when she woke up the next morning and she was back to her normal self.

Due to Kate's growth, our doctor also gave us the okay to start her on rice cereal and she can now use her exersaucer! We will give her the rice cereal later today and she already enjoyed her first exersaucer experience! We will post pics later of both events, but until then feel free to enjoy some family pics that were taken on Kate's 4 month birthday!

Kate's First Weiland Summer Party

Kate got to enjoy her first Annual Weiland Summer Party less than 2 weeks ago. For those of you who aren't familiar with the event, Shelly and I have been hosting a Summer party for all of our friends and immediate family every year since we graduated college. With us all moving around once we graduated, this day has become very special to us since it's just like old times! The day includes wonderful food and drinks, a Water Balloon Launching Tournament, Tequila Volleyball, Lawn Games and Fireworks to cap the night off! The day was beautiful with warm weather and blue-bird skies!

We want to thank everyone for coming and just say one more time how much we're looking forward to next year!

Kate woke up and "eagerly" awaited our guests' arrival
Team 1 *SHOOTS* at the target during the Water-Balloon Launching Tournament

(Papa Joe, Jeff Flemming and Bill Knueppel)

Shelly, Cassie Knueppel and Paco Arnoldussen take aim and FIRE!
Enron (Aaron) Knueppel enjoying the day....and his cocktail.
Tony Zar and his son Eli play in the grass.
Kate's Grandpa & Grandma Burch Smiling for the Camera.
Tequila Volleyball Time!
Deb and Aaron smile in front of "Steve" the Kegerator.
Paul Rudnick, Tony Zar, Myself and Jeff Flemming

Kate: The Sleeping Machine!

About 3 weeks ago, nights in the Weiland household took on a dramatic change. We haven't posted about this, likely because we were probably too nervous about jinxing our recent fortune.

Anyway, the day after Kate turned three months old Shelly and I woke up in the morning to a perplexing situation. Kate's bedtime is usually right around 8:00 or shortly before, and the night before was no exception. The following morning at 5:30 AM, I woke up and took a look at the alarm clock. Realizing I hadn't gotten up with Kate last night, I turned to Shelly and asked if she had gotten up with her because at this point we were accustomed to getting up roughly twice per night. Shelly thought for a moment and stated that she hadn't gotten up with her and assumed I had. I reassured her that I didn't and the two of us both got a worried look on our faces before hopping out of bed quickly to go check on her. We got into her nursery and sure enough, there she was just sleeping away....content as can be!

We were so thrilled for her and excited for us! Going from 3-4 hours to 9-1/2 hours overnight was unbelievable! While we knew this was likely an exception rather than the rule given she hadn't slept through the night before, we were still quite happy. Well, the next night rolled around and sure enough, Kate slept for another 9 hours. The following night she slept for 10-1/2, followed by 11 the next night! Since that first night, we've only gotten up with her once during the middle of the night and she's continuing to sleep anywhere between 8-11 hours every night.

It sure was amazing how I felt 3-4 days after getting full-night's sleep. I completely forgot what it felt like to actually be....rested. So this post is a shout-out to our little Sleeping Machine! Thanks so much Kate...we love you!