Go Pack!

Kate knew that today's game against the Atlanta Falcons was going to be a nail biter, so she decided to put on her Green Bay Packers cheerleader outfit that Mimi gave her in hopes we could pull out a win. Unfortunately the Pack lost in a close one, but boy did she look cute!

Shake it to the left. Shake it to the right.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Happy belated Thanksgiving! We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! We certainly did! It was spent with family and accompanied by great food and a rousing game of Pictionary. Of course it was extra special since Kate is now with us. She is definitely on the top of the list of things to be thankful for this year. She brings so much joy to our lives and we can't help but smile when she's in our presence. In addition to our little lady, we are also thankful for the following:

- our wonderful and loving families
- our great, supportive friends
- good health
- jobs during this difficult economic time
- food on our table and a roof over our heads
- clothes on our backs
- and cameras so they can capture the wonderful photos below!

Giving Daddy The Stiff Arm

Family Photo

Turkey Tush! Gobble, Gobble!

Kate's First Halloween

A few weeks ago Kate celebrated her first Halloween! It was a fun-filled, busy day to say the least. Given the fact that we were sick two weekends before Halloween and then had rainy weather the following weekend we weren't able to get to the Pumpkin patch until that Halloween morning. Never the less, we actually very much enjoyed it since there was practically no one else there. We were able to enjoy it as a family without tons of people all around us. The three of us each picked out a pumpkin and upon Kate "selecting" hers and Mom holding it up with Kate to pose for a picture, our little Peanut dove right in and tried licking the Pumpkin! Oh, that would be our Baby Kate's.

After that, we went to our friend's (Bob & Mel) house and Kate had a play-date with their 3 month old daughter named Anna. It was a wonderful time with great food, tasty drinks and a glorious Packer victory! After the game, we rushed home in order to get there in time for the trick-or-treaters to arrive and for myself to whip up some of my (now) famous spiked cider for the neighborhood adults. Once again, the cider was a huge hit. I can tell we're starting to get a reputation as the "Cider House" because our doorbell never stopped ringing that first hour. Every trick-or-treater in town (and their parents) seemed to be at our house that first hour and then the final couple hours were dead. Coincidence....I don't think so!

We did have time to do a little photo shoot of Kate in her costume and her earlier Halloween outfit. As you can see, Kate went as a Strawberry. Enjoy the pics!

Kate plays in her Jumperoo before trick-or-treaters arrive

Our little Strawberry

Strawberry Kisses!

Kate & Mimi enjoy Halloween

Get Well Soon, Uncle Greg

On Tuesday, John's brother Greg underwent jaw surgery which required the surgeon to break his jaw and completely shift his entire mouth forward, backward, left and right. John, Kate and I visited him in the hospital that evening and while we felt completely helpless, we were glad that Kate was able to bring a little smile to his face. She even picked out a "Get Well Soon" balloon and brought it with her to give to him.

Greg and Kate have always had such a special bond. He was at the hospital the day she was born and she quickly learned that Uncle Greg's arms were just as cozy as could be. You could see and quickly sense the instant love he had for her and as parents it just warms our hearts to witness that love each time they are together.

We love you very much, Grey, and we hope that your road to recovery passes quickly!

Hi Uncle Grey! :)

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