Watch me grow- 9 weeks

9/24/11
9 weeks old
11.2 lbs
23 inches long

Oh what a week! This past Friday was Catie Grace's Two Month Birthday.  Happy 1/6 of a Birthday Catie!! :)

Back before we even got married, Kelly and I both prayed about it and both felt led that I was to be a stay-at-home momma when we eventually had children.  While I was in college, the Lord introduced me to Emily and Tre' Lee through a close family friend and I started watching their little boy, Chase, as a part-time job while I finished up college. Once I graduated from UK with my bachelors, Kelly and I knew that the 'normal' and some people would argue that the 'smart' thing for me to have done would have been to go out and start applying for a 'big-girl-job', but Kelly and I felt differently.  It was then that we again felt confirmed that I was to stay at home once we had children, but it would be at least a year before we knew we would have a baby.  I treasured my job and knew how much it meant to the Lee's to have someone available at all times so it was then, after I graduated that we decided that I would continue to work for the Lee's and not pursue a 'career'. Once we had Catie, we decided that I would continue watching Chase about 10 or so hours a week to help give us that little bit of extra income to allow me to continue staying at home and to continue to allow Kelly to work with 4H and children. I have now watched Chase for over 3 1/2 years and Emily and Tre' are precious friends of ours.  Emily is so much more than an employer; she has become one of closest friends and she is a strong prayer warrior.  The Lord has truly made it a joy to work for them and its one of those jobs where if I miss a day, then I feel like I have missed an opportunity to see one of my good friends :)
So after recovering and getting in a good routine with Catie, Thursday was my first day going to watch Chase without Catie tagging along.  I had been bringing her with me when I went out to watch Chase for the past few weeks, but on Thursday Catie stayed with her Nahna.  It was then that Catie had her first bottle of expressed milk.  I think the moment was harder on me as her Momma than it was on Catie.  For the past two months, I have been purposefully trying to avoid situations where I would have to give her a bottle which is partly why I would always take her with me.  Catie has literally been attached at my hip.  But I knew she would eventually need to be given a bottle if I was ever going to run errands or go to the gym without her and it was easier to get things done while watching Chase if I didn't have Catie.  (And it also gave my mother some time with her grand girl).  Catie did well while taking the bottle, and I was so relieved that she easily made the transition back to nursing once I got home. 

On Saturday, Kelly played Mr. Mom as I went back out to the Lees for a few hours.  Kelly had actually been looking forward to the opportunity to keep Catie by himself for a few hours.  In the four hours that  I was gone he folded two loads of clothes, did dishes, cleaned litter boxes,  and straightened up the kitchen and living room all while taking care of Catie.  (And I honestly think he did everything one handed because Catie Grace doesn't do too well being put down).  During that time, he gave her 6 ounces and she again did fine transitioning.  What a blessing the friends and family in my life are!! :)

After Bath time giggles

Catie LOVES bathtime and we took advantage of that to get TONS of pictures, but this was when she had had enough with the flashing from the camera.

Well, this past week Catie also has started consistently showing recognition and excitement when she sees either Kelly or I or her Nahna and Grumpy.  Once we come into her line of sight, she gets a big cheesy grin on her face and will track us with her eyes if we start to move out of her immediate line of vision.  It brings me so much joy to see her light up with excitement when Kelly walks in from a long day at work.  :)

sweet little smile

Eyeballing her Daddy

Locked in on her daddy while he fixes her shirt (Had to have the UK centered on her shirt) lol

  

This past week, Catie also attended a cookout with about 15 other people at her Granny and Papa Rexroat's house.  It lasted from about 6-9 and she was an angel during the whole thing! She just laughed and smiled and put on a real show for everyone there.  Catie Grace LOVES having an audience!! 

Kelly teasingly giving Catie a chip

Granny Rexroat with Catie

Daddy or Uncle????