Miss Kate is 8 weeks old!

Where to start? Right now Kate is lying on her activity mat, hiccuping, and batting at a rattle hanging down. She is content a lot of the time. She LOVES to lay on her changing pad and smile and coo. That is where we have most of our "conversations." Yesterday we hung a swing up out on the patio and she seemed to like that too. She definitely does not like her swing inside or the vibrating seat. She typically smiles when Mark gives her kisses. John can usually get her to sleep better than I can. She does not suck her thumb and occasionally takes a paci. She is not by any means a difficult baby, but I really think Mark was easier as a baby. Kate's eyes seem to have gotten bluer, in fact I think they are probably gonna stay blue. What else to say about our little princess? Oh! Bathtime. She loves the bath. But taking her out? Well don't you know thats the end of the world? It must be like being born all over again based on the way she cries as if you just broke her femur! DRAMA. She cries until she just passes out! (Of course, last night she actually did a lot better and only let out a few little protests!)

Here is a pic John made me take of "the Wingerter hair pattern." He makes me so mad- he's been calling her "Friar Kate" because of her hair! Poor baby!

So I bought a couple of these litttle crocheted hats before she was born. They are still too big but I just love them! They are kinda hysterical and cute all in one! She'll probably kill me when she's older for ever putting one on her head!

Here is the actual sun bonnet that goes with this dress, also way to big right now. But isn't that such a cute picture?

On a side note, we have a silver "W" on our entertainment center. I'm not gonna name any names, but someone in our house thinks it looks better as an "M"!

My two goofballs. Delaying bedtime by putting pull-ups on their heads!

Funny story. A couple weeks ago I decided to try another discipline strategy with Mark. I told him that every time he didn't obey that I would take a toy away. Well we were having an issue with brushing his teeth one night and I had taken three toys away already when I found the below picture. He had already yelled that I couldn't take his blankie away. Well the below picture is the drawer where we keep all of his blankies and he has "locked" it. See he has these silly band bracelets and awhile back he put one on his kitchen cabinet so baby Kate couldn't get into his dishes (this was before she was even born). So funny. He just basically told me I could take every single toy away that he has and it wouldn't make him listen any better - just don't take his blankie. So now being the horribly mean mommie that I am, I don't waste time taking away toys, I just take blankie. Hee...hee.

Isn't she getting bigger?

This is a daily occurence!

Her pretty new name letters!

Gotta document the crazy stuff I dress her in! The skirt/tights/shoes are a hand-me-down from cousin Gracie. So cute! And I love her red flower bow!

Trying to do tummy time. Just wears her out!

Had a similar picture of Mark and Rocky so I had to pose this one. Rocky is so patient although he looks totally annoyed in this picture!

I like this one because Kate is smiling even though she is about to fall on her face and because I can tell Rocky wants to get up so bad but he knows to be still. Don't worry I caught her!

Museum Field Trip

So Mark and I (and Kate) took a field trip on Friday with Mark's play group to the Jasmine Moran Children's Museum in Seminole, Ok. Apparently it is about one million times better than the Kaleidascope museum here in Tulsa. Well it was really cool. I would say it is best for kids 3 and older. There were a lot of things Mark didn't understand but so much hands-on stuff that he loved it! Here are some pics (it will make you want to go!)

Mark and Jake in the giant bubble!

Jake with some antifreeze (or something) and Mark witht the air-compressor (or something). See how much I know about cars?

This room was definitely a hit with the boys!

Another boy room: construction! There was also a magnetic table in this room with nuts and bolts to make creations with, there were different sizes and shapes of PVC pipes to build with, and giant blocks to build with and even put on a pully system so they could see how to move heavy objects. Pretty cool.

The dinosaur excavation room!

Look at the dinosaur he discovered! (This room/sand was also a hit with the boys!)

My favorite room: the crazy mirrors!!!

There is a huge medical section from an ER, to OR, to ambulance, to pediatric hospital ward. Too cool!

Can't forget the giant lite brite!

Mark, still in his doctor's coat, on the bike! As you pedal the skeleton pedals!

See? Miss Beautiful was there too!

Jake and Mark driving the ambulance!

The ambulance is stuck in the wall - too cool! There was an airplane/cockpit done the same way.

Mark and Lily driving the fire truck!

Lily, the cashier at the grocery store!

Mark, the shopper

The Faces of Mark

Well first of all, Opah got Mark the coolest kite the other day! We went to the park on Mothers day and flew it. I think Opah may have enjoyed it the most!

The kite:



Mark and Opah:

Me and my buddy on Mother's Day.

Mark is into building tents all over the house. This "tent" is on our bed and is made with every single pillow in the house!

So the other day I had the camera out and asked Mark to show me his different "faces." Here's what we got!

The mad face:

The sad face:

The happy face:

The scared face:

The surprised face:

The silly face:

And everyone said Kate is gonna bring the drama to our house.......ha!

Kate's one month birthday!

So little miss Kate turned one month old yesterday. I really think she's filling out and as of last week she weighed 8lbs9oz. She is still an angel baby, just an angel baby that cries when she's hungry (during the day only, she still doesn't cry at night!) But I will say, that since she is my mini-me, she also has my lungs. Let me tell you our voices carry and if we want you to know we are mad, well, you'll know it!

Kate loves to lay on her changing table and look up at her fan. She is attempting to make some sounds now and for the past 3-4 days she has smiled at me. She thinks it funny when you kiss her. She loves her brother and smiles when he holds her. Things she doesn't like: pooping or poopy diaopers.

I have a few observations already about having a girl. I was told there would be a lot more drama in our house (really? more than Mark provides?) But even though she barely ever has her eyes open I have already noticed her girliness. She loves to be held, she loves to cuddle and lay her head on your shoulder, she sighs, she whimpers, and she has to have a clean diaper!

Observations about Mark: he loves his baby sister. When she was born he apparently told all the kids at his daycare that they could hold his baby sister. Every night he thanks God for Kate in his prayer. He has yet to ask us to send her back. He hasn't had any jealousy issues yet asking me to put her down and hold him instead. He loves to hold her. When its just me and the kids and I'm nursing Kate he grabs his toys and entertains himself in front of us- wherever we are. So far so good!

Obervations about John: he calls Kate "Baby K-K". He thinks he's a pro at putting her to sleep. She already has him wrapped around her finger. For example, I have wanted a vent/heater in our bathroom for 2 years because I'm so cold natured. Do I have one? No. I told him a week ago that Kate gets cold during her bathtime. Guess what just got installed this morning? I'm gonna start showering in her bathroom!

Observations about me: WAY less stressed this time. Mark and I didn;t leave the house for 3 months. Kate and I have been to the mall about 8 times, to Reasors 3-4 times, to Target countless times, to Mark's soccer practice, to church, etc. Also, when Mark cried I was so stressed - what am I doing wrong, is he ok, etc. Kate cries and life goes on.

Last observation: what awesome friends and family we have! In this last month I have only made 3 meals! Everyone has provided delicious meals and dessert to us throughout the month and they often bring Kate a present too! We are so spoiled!

I think I'll take a picture of her every month on this bear mat just like I did Mark.

And here's Mark at one month. He doesn't have his legs stretched out like she does, but he still looks smaller to me.


Isn't she getting chubby? =) She was trying to talk in this picture.

Miss bright eyes. I think she looks pretty in pink!

Similar shot of Mark at the same age.


And here si the big man now holding his baby sister. I didn't catch it in time but she smiled after he kissed her!

I know a mother's love is blinding, but I think my kids are beautiful!