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!!!

Girlie Parties

Elli celebrated her 4th birthday with an adorable party for her friends at a boutique in town. They got to dress up like fairies, sing karaoke, get their nails painted...

get their hair and makeup done..

Have a tea party...

And walk the runway...

Happy Birthday Sweet Elli!!! Thanks for including us!

Sunday afternoon Brent's mom had the family over for a wonderful lunch and everyone brought diapers and wipes for us. Sydney loved playing big sister helper! Speaking of diapers and wipes, I am 39 weeks along and still waiting! I was exactly the same way with Sydney- 1 and holding! I am due next Saturday and my dr said she would induce me next Friday if I haven't come in on my own. So... please stay tuned!

Shameless plugs for some of the talented women I know!!!

Brandy Nesselrodt made these adorable Big Sister/Lil Sister shirts as a shower gift! She is linked under the Nesselrodt Family and is working on getting her business blog up and going at www.thesassychickadee.blogspot.com

Wow!!! Elaine Wheat made this wreath for me with the scraps from the fabric flowers on Kate's tree. Her family blog is linked under the Wheat Family and her business is www.designetcllc.blogspot.com. Isn't the wreath great?!?!?

Dayle Carozza made me some amazing bag tags specifically coordinated to my diaper bags. Her family is under the Carozza Family and her business is www.designsbydayle.blogspot.com

Keri Boyd is also so talented and 2 of her latest creations are an adorable bag and picture frame for Kate! Her family blog is linked under the Boyd Family and her business is www.thesparklebox.blogspot.com. Check it out!!!

So, the creator of this pillowcase says she isn't getting into the pillowcase business, but isn't it beautiful!?! Can't WAIT to take it with me to the hospital! And hint hint, she also painted the tree in Kate's nursery ;)

Somer Clark Day is a very talented friend, who helped me create exactly the right tree for Kate's room, but along with her artistic talents, she has made me several pillowcase dresses for Sydney (the white one she wore at the beach and a reindeer Christmas dress for 2 examples). She is working on getting a business site up and going, but her family is linked under the Day Family for a contact!

Krista Geran (Keri Boyd's mom) has helped me with numerous monogram projects over the last 4 or 5 years, and she made me some beautiful burp cloths and a wipes case as a shower gift. You could always contact me or Keri if you would like to order something or get something to her to monogram!

Cathy Caddy (a co-workers mom) also gave me some amazing burp cloths, and I ordered the diaper cover from her. She has several unique gifts and neat monogrammed items, and I have bought sippy cups and adult cups from her, along with a really neat crayon roll for Sydney. She has a business blog and I will update that here asap!

And just to show off, this is a beautiful knit hat that my Mimi made me for Kate! Isn't is beautiful!!! Sorry guys, she only knits for her great grand girls right now :) It will be tucked into my bag for the hospital for sure!!!!

Woo Pig Sooie!!!!

FINALLY!!! It is Razorback Football Season!!!!!!

Oh, the Walkers love the Hogs, especially football Hogs. We are pumped about the prospects of a great season and can't WAIT to see how we do in all of the upcoming SEC games! Last night, Daddy took Sydney to her first Razorback game. She was SO pumped in the car and had a great time, except for seeing the mascot. I asked her this morning what her favorite thing was, and she said "When it was starting and everyone yelled 'Go Hogs'!". I enjoyed some quiet time nesting and picking up the house while I watched the game in the AC, although I hated to miss it! Brent was very hot and she wanted to be carried and/or held the entire game, but overall they had a good time.

Last weekend we spent Labor Day weekend at the lake, and Gigi and Grandaddy totally spoiled us with lots of food, fun and naps for anyone interested. It was WONDERFUL! Saturday night we went over to Poppa Gene and Nanny D's to join in on the Razorback game watch party. They had tons of great food and a huge screen to watch the game, so we were pretty much in hog heaven!

Sydney and my dad playing ladder ball, a game she fell in love with in Wyoming last summer

So now, we are pumped and ready for a win over Georgia next weekend!!!
GO HOGS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!