Life is getting better around here. Bathtime is playtime and Kate has moved from the infant hammock in the tub to the "big girl" padding. She enjoys having the spray on her head and the rest of her, too. At least that is what I interpret the smiles to mean.
Kate has been spending more time "chatting" with everyone, as can be witnessed in her conversation with Matt. I think she was asking when she will be able to go out on dates, but I can't swear by it.
We may not be so enthusiastic, but life sure is changing around here! Kate is smiling, cooing, and growing much more quickly than I would have ever imagined. On her 5th-week birthday, Kate tipped the scales at 10.13. She has also grown a whopping 2 3/4 inches, so I imagine part of the fussiness really was "growing pains." Much of the fussiness has disappeared, which makes everyone around more appreciative!
Kate traveled to Atlanta for 4 days last week to visit her aunt Fran. She was an amazing little car seat traveler. Other than eating and changing, she slept for the 6 hours both ways, making my trip (and my mother's trip) good. She is still not a fan of her stroller, but what can be expected of an infant? I think her daddy told her to not enjoy the mall because mommy would spend far less.
Kate has also begun to find entertainment in objects besides ceiling fans. She has been swinging more and even playing on her activity mat. We continue to enjoy her changes and can't wait to see what new things happen after 6 weeks! I wish that I could tell exciting changes in her parents, but we are just living through miss Kate!
Time is flying around here. Just when I think Kate is still the peanut I brought home, I pull out an outfit that she has outgrown! People were right...document all photos, videos, etc. as time passes too quickly. Friends have been sending their holiday pictures and I am amazed to see how each family is growing...Jane Johnson will be skiiing this weekend!
Matt is back at work and working night ballgames as well, which is an adjustment for me. Gramsy and Grandaddy asked Kate for a sleepover on Sunday night and she REALLY wanted to stay, so how could I say no? She was an angel, of course, and Matt and I were able to sleep soundly. Drake thought it was a great plan and was quite sad when Kate appeared the next day. I wonder when he will realize she is here for good?
A recent new year's resolution is to take more pictures of sweet Kate as time is precious right now. And to finish all of my thank you notes before I send Kate to preschool!
Matt is back at school now, and I am learning what an "at home" mom does. I am not sure I have a full grasp on reality right now, but I am finding that I no longer am type A about the dog hair on the floor. I am also learning to ignore the smell of formula that is on my shoulders most days. I know that most of you can relate.
We had a whirlwind of a time over the 2 weeks Matt was off and we were adjusting to holidays with a newborn. We had lots of help from grandparents and aunts, too. Matt and I even went out for dinner on our anniversary AND New Year's without Kate!
Kate is finally fitting into her gowns and outfits which means she is gaining back the weight from the hospital. She still is not a great fan of bathtime because of the cold air, but we manage. She has crazy hair that likes to stand on end and most of the time it looks like I have just removed a hat from her head. It is also turning quite blonde, which is fun to see.
Dr. Ottman was right...I was not going to make it to the scheduled date. I went to her office mid-morning on Monday and she sent me to the hospital to be monitored. Matt and I decided to have her arrive that night, and Katherine Marlys Mason came into this world at 20.07 military time on 10 December, 2007. She weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and is 19 inches long. I stayed in the hospital until Friday, and now the Mason family is home. Drake is not sure what to think of her, the cats just stare at her, and basically Matt and I do, too! She is a good eater and sleeper, and I could not ask for a better baby!
I will update with more later as I am sure there will be stories of plenty, but for now, I just wanted to add that she is here!
Stay tuned!
Less than 10 days…10 days. 10 long, wondering-if-we-can-hold-off days. The doctor does not seem to think so. Those words were NOT music to my ears yesterday. Now I am in frantic mode, writing lesson plans to cover the days until that day – just in case. There is nothing like reading my own lesson plans the next morning when I am back at work. I am also remembering things to tell Matt while I am not sleeping (though I have yet to awaken him to mention these things, thankfully).
The tree went up prior to Thanksgiving, because I was aware that we would be busy over break and having totes in the living room was not going to look so inviting. Add to that debacle that our painter had chest paints and drove himself to the hospital FROM our house one day, and you can imagine the chaos we have been living in. Fortunately, he is better, and came back to work this week after a 3 week hiatus. He had a stint put in for 99% blockage. He actually is my old science teacher and a great guy, so it was a scary situation. He does hope to finish the painting this week – just in time for the little one to come home! Other than that, the house is ready for the holidays.
Speaking of little ones, we have finally decided to give baby m, Dixie, Martha Jane, Sally Jane, little girl…a name!!! After much discussion (like 9 months worth), we have decided on Katherine Marlys Mason. Matt chose the name Marlys for her middle name, and since the “original” Marlys was such a great person, I said it would be just fine. She will go by Kate. I did not mention to Matt that by giving her a “Rogers” name that CLH is no longer an option (not that it ever really was), but I have eight years (and a repertoire of camp songs) that will convince him!
Drake was trying to pose for a Christmas picture, but really he was nervous of getting too close to the tree and having it “poke” him. His poor world is getting ready to be turned upside down! He did get a new holiday squeaky toy, so I am hoping that helps him adjust. Isn’t that what you do – buy presents for the siblings?
Speaking of Drake, we had a comedy show at our house this weekend. My bright idea was to take the two cats (15+ pounds each) and one dog (95+ pounds due to sympathy weight from my pregnancy) to the vet at the same time for their routine exam. Since I could not carry the pet taxi that would be weighted down with 31 pounds of cat, I suckered Matt into going, too. We started the fiasco before 8 a.m. I managed to shove Ezra into the carrier and went to help Matt get Abby out from under the bed. Abby was, of course, in a prime spot that neither of us could reach. Matt, using tennis balls and playing a mad game of dodgeball with Abby, was trying to make him run out. He was successful; however, I was not much help when Matt yelled from the other side of the bed, “He is out…come grab him,” as I, too, was on my hands and knees and don’t just spring up from that position. Abby was able to get under the armoire and play the same game from a new location. I finally had an ingenuous idea to get Abby to run into the bathroom where there wasn’t furniture he could hide under. As I was picking him up to take to the crate, I noticed, through the dripping sweat from my brow, that Ezra was parading around the living room. I think Drake was in cahoots with Ez and let him out of the crate, but we will never know. I put Abby in, Matt brought Ezra in, and we finally got the two of them in the crate and into the car. Almost two hours later, we returned to the house. After that, I had to take a nap.
Hang in there, folks, for the call. Hopefully I will defy the doctor’s odds and make it to the 14th, but if not, we will still be blessed with the arrival of little Kate! 
Halloween is right around the corner and there is no way I am buying the candy early. Even if I purchased the varieties I don't like, I am sure I could talk myself into enjoying them. I will be one of the people at Wal-Mart on the 30th looking for discounted candy and hoping I have the willpower to make it through the 24-hour period before the trick-or-treaters appear at my door. Maybe I should just give out pennies and stickers. Wouldn't that excite all of the neighborhood kids (and immediately seal the deal for our child!)?
Thanksgiving comes next...another event focused on food - and all homemade! My brother from Virginia's family is coming up to celebrate with us, which will be a lot of fun! The day after (or maybe before) will be spent putting the Christmas tree and all of the holiday decorations up and out. We didn't do this last year since we had just moved in, so I am looking forward to this. I say that now, of course.
Less than 3 weeks after this time, we will be in "get her out" mode! Though the painting has yet to start at the house, we are getting projects accomplished. The tree is finally out (not an easy ordeal), the electricians have been here to change out fixtures and add new elements to our interior, and once the painting is finished (great timing for home improvements, I know), we will be ready to accept any and all guests -- and small children!
Today was the first real day of fall -- rain, windy, icky. We have had nothing short of exciting in our weather over the last week (Owensboro was even featured on CNN, NBC, and CBS because of the tornadoes that came in a pack of three last Thursday night). We are now starting to cool off and the grass is even starting to show life. Drake no longer has to play ball in a dirt field!
This coming weekend, my dad and Susan arrive for a short visit on their way down to Florida. We look forward to a fun dinner with them - and the time change that accompanies the weekend. Other than that, we don't have many plans.
A few of pictures to accompany the blog -- one of the tree that has been removed (and the screened in porch that took 3 hours to clean) and the other of the fantastic little girl hidden in my belly (and Drake, who appears in most pictures like Waldo. You can even find him on the porch in the first picture)
Fall is supposedly here though it is difficult to notice due to the 90 degree days - and 80% humidity. I have a lot of fall maternity clothing though I am still wearing the summer duds (and am NOT the same size I was when they were purchased)! We are slowly getting the house put together for the arrival of baby m, and soon we will consider names for her. Her crib is ready, which is one less thing to stress about, but now that nesting is part of my ritual, I am frantically desiring to have her diaper bag ready and everything else.
Matt left for Florida today to spend a few days of fall break with his parents. I was going until I realized that 6 hours of sitting at school isn't fun and that 12 hours in the car -- 24 total -- would probably make for divorce proceedings. We have also had a week of bad omens: a tree was being removed from our backyard and a rope broke that was holding the branch, allowing the branch to bounce off the roof, bend the gutter, and land on the porch furniture below, and the same day I took my SUV in for routine service and was told that some part of the transmission was cracked so they were going to put in a new transmission -- under warranty, of course. I picked my car up yesterday and Matt is heading south in it, so let's hope for the best. The tree service is coming back Monday to finish the job (and hopefully provide replacements for the damaged items). An ongoing ordeal that adds humor to life??
Baby m is growing quite a bit right now, which allows me to justify pedicures, naps, and milkshakes; all three making me a much nicer person! She is also highly active and enjoys the music that accompanies dance videos in class - and she especially likes to do dances!
Drake, Ezra, and Abby are hoping for cooler temperatures, too. Drake spends much of his time on the tile or wood floors while the cats snuggle on the bed. Drake is also learning that some of the new toys are not for him, a tough lesson at any age.
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