Pumpkin Patch 2010

This is the first picture that you can really see how pretty and strawberry red her hair is!!

We love the fall!!

Sydney's class sings a song called "Witches Brew" and we bought it on ITunes last week. If I never hear it again- it will be too soon! She is loving it!!! She asked if she could wear her "witches brew dress" to school yesterday :).

The Boyds come over Saturday to watch the second half of the Razorback game (please don't mention it to my husband! He is just now recovering!) and to meet baby Kate. Of course, the big girls loved playing. At one point, all three of them were pulling suitcases around the house "heading to the airport". I asked where they were flying and they all agreed Florida. Sounds good to me too!!

And Saturday Kate got her first bottle! Sydney has been waiting for 2 1/2 weeks to get to help give the baby a bottle, so she had to be right in the action.

I have always loved the Fall, but this year seems especially sweet and fun with a new baby!! I love the colors and smells, Razorback football, pumpkin bread, mums, and the anticipation of the upcoming holiday season. Oh, and Holiday House and shopping and wrapping and cooking.... Now if the weather would cool down a little more, I would be in Fall Heaven!

Baby Kate- 2 weeks old!

My sweet baby Kate is 2 weeks old now!!!
She is really sweet and pretty chilled out, unless she is hungry and then get out of her way :).

She is sleeping pretty well, I am up with her 2-3 times to feed of course, but she loves to sleep in her nap nanny (see below) and I think it is helping with tummy pains/spit up.

Sydney is really sweet with the baby, and wants to help hold her, change her, and basically be an extra Mommy when possible. Now Sydney is having some trouble obeying her parents at times though, but I know this is a major transition for her too. We are trying to find the balance between understanding and discipline!

This is Kate's favorite spot- Daddy's arms in his comfy chair!

Dancing Queen

Dance has started back up for the fall and Sydney is still loving it. She takes 30 minutes of ballet and 30 minutes of tap now, and was very proud of her new leotard on Thursday night :).
Love you my little Dancing Queen!!!!

39 1/2 weeks pregnant and an orthopedic shoe= LOVELY!

So, this is Kate and I at 39 1/2 weeks along- I think 2 days before she was born. If you look beyond the bulging belly you might see a white sock and a black orthopedic shoe. Note to self: just because you are nesting and insist that your husband put new batteries in the bouncy seat, do not leave it anywhere near where you might walk. Since you can't see your feet, it is all too easy to trip over it and break a toe. Yes, at 39 weeks I tripped and broke a toe on my left foot, had to go to the ER and have it reset (without pain meds!) and now I have to have it taped up and wear this dorky shoe for a month. The ironic thing is that the ER doctor advised "taking it easy for at least a week, with my foot propped up." To which I replied "Um, sir, have you seen my chart?!? I am having a baby this week!" It really is feeling much better, as long as I keep it taped up and keep that stable shoe under it. I tried to wear my cute leopard flip flops yesterday and my toe ached by the end of the day, so probably not the best thing- yet! Looking forward to fall boots and cute flats, when I can wear both shoes!

The last few days...

We got discharged from the hospital on Sunday and were ready to get settled at home. Kate's bilirubin was checked on Monday and it was already going back down, so other than a weight check on Friday we are looking good!!!

Sydney seems to be adjusting well to life with a newborn in the house, and wakes up asking "Where's Kate?". She got some snuggles in after bath last night and was loving life. Sydney has had a few moments of really wanting her Mommy's attention, which is hard for me when I can't drop everything like I normally have!

Our little family was heading to the park on Tuesday and Poppa Gene met us there for some sunshine and swings.

Props to Julie Carothers for the the baby k'tan recommendation- I love it already! Never thought I would be a mom who wears her baby like an accessory, but here I am at 31 eating my words and loving it!

My cutie-pie brother John and Kate getting in some snuggle time before dinner

Kate Emerson Walker

Kate Emerson Walker
October 1, 2010
12:30 pm
8.1 pounds, 21 inches long
Red Hair!!!
I really think she has her own "look"but she really favors Sydney too!

Long story short, I progressed very quickly on Friday morning, from a 1 to a 9 in basically an hour and a half, but after I got an epidural the contractions stopped and gave me a chance to literally catch my breath. Delivery was a great experience (ok so not all of labor was though!)

My parents brought Sydney up to meet Kate and she was excited and nervous and acted similarly to how she acted Christmas morning- a little overwhelmed until she got comfortable. She brought Kate an adorable elephant that she picked out all on her own a couple of weeks ago and she got a new baby of her very own swaddled just like Mommies baby.

Don't worry, a real baby was not harmed in the taking of this photo :). This is Sydney's baby and I am holding Kate

Sydney was very happy Kate has red hair like hers and Mommies

Baby Kate riding to the nursery with her elephant

Sydney came back to see us today and was all over the room and into everything, especially the snacks Aunt Erin brought. She did get some baby lovin' in on Kate and Mom too!

We are loving getting to know Kate and both of us are doing well. We should be heading home tomorrow, as long as her bilirubin levels are fine. I will work on getting more pictures of Kate up soon! Every good and perfect gift is from above and Brent and I could not be more thrilled with our latest blessing!!!!!

Some of our visitors!

Thanks to everyone for coming to visit! I haven't been good at snapping pics of everyone but we have been showered with love and our family of 4 is so blessed with people who love us!!!