August 2006

Emma Kate has loved having her mommy around every day to play with:

 

 

 

Today Emma Kate Kate had her second doctor’s appointment. She was a champ this week and gained 10 ounces! That brings her weight up to 5lbs 13oz. She also grew to 17.5” (a half inch in a week!). The doctor said she looks as healthy as can be and told us that we don’t need to bring her back until her 2 month checkup.

Tonight she’s been really good. She hasn’t cried at all. I don’t mean to say that like she’s usually not good. She was just fussier than normal the last two nights, and I’m guessing that was because she had gas. It certainly wasn’t her fault!

Grandpa went home Sunday night because he had school today, but Grandma is staying with us all week. We certainly appreciate the help! Next week will be so much more exhausting without anyone here to assist with feedings, diaper changes, laundry, and other household chores. Does anyone else want to volunteer to stay here? We’ll give you a bed to sleep on and let you watch anything you want on TV!

It’s about 5AM and Emma Kate and I have been up all night. She’s eaten a bunch, burped, had wet and poop diapers, and let out plenty of gas. For any of you who don’t have babies, don’t believe anyone who says that a baby’s poop doesn’t stink. That’s FAR from the truth. And I believe the gas smells even worse than an adult’s. All you can do is laugh about it, especially at five in the morning. Fortunately grandma’s getting a shower and she’s volunteered to take the next shift. I really don’t know how we will manage once the grandparents go home at the end of the week. How does anyone cook, keep a house clean, wash clothes, work, and take care of a baby? I’ll be posting in a week to say whether or not it’s possible!

Emma Kate was delighted to get a visit from her friend Brittain Friday evening. Brittain brought her mom and grandmother with her, along with a wonderful Ritz Chicken Casserole and a big batch of special recipe brownies that she slaved over for hours!

Alison shows off EK to Valerie and Jackie:

EK shows off her newly acquired bottle holding skills:

Alison and Emma enjoy a fun playdate with good friends Valerie and Brittain:

Be sure to check out Brittain’s blog to read her story and meet her family.

Emma Kate had a blast spending the week with her Nana & Papaw. She was sad to see them go back to Knoxville this afternoon!

Papaw & Emma Kate:

 

Just chillin’ with my grandparents:

 

Nana, Papaw, & baby:

 

When Emma Kate was first born the nurses kept joking about how long her umbilical cord was. They called it her “jump rope” (as you can in one of the videos!). Well, on 8/26 (this post was backdated) the rest of her umbilical cord fell off and now she has a belly button! Yay! No more jump rope!

Warning: If you’re tired of seeing pics of Emma Kate, then just skip this post.

Emma Kate loves to dance in her sleep:

Not much bigger than daddy’s hand:

 

Sometimes she doesn’t mind getting her diaper changed:

 

Do you think she’s daddy’s girl?

 

“Oh my!”:

Wishful big eyes:

 

 

The look of hunger:

Right before Bradley & Alison go out to eat (El Charro) for the first time post-pregnancy:

 

Nana babysits while they’re gone:

 

Macy drops by to meet Emma Kate on her way back from GSU:

 

She’s keeping the thumb close to her mouth just in case she needs it:

 

Alison has been recovering wonderfully from the surgery, pregnancy, and all of the sleepless nights and days. However, yesterday she strained a muscle in her abdomen and now she can barely get up on her own. She walks around fine but just using her stomach muscles to move up and down is very painful. The percocet isn’t seeming to help any!

I’ve had to work part-time this week, so we’re both thankful that her parents could help out. However, we’re both dying to see some of our friends. I know Alison has cabin fever and is really ready to be part of the normal world. If any of you are in the Williamson area, please call us up and drop by. (Note: this doesn’t apply to people reading this blog that we do not know!)

Emma Kate is sleeping about 20 hours a day which is what the doctors want. She burns too many calories while she is awake. She has a very healthy appetite and would eat all day if she could!

Thanks to all of you have posted comments on the website and have sent emails. I think we’ve had 80 friends leave very nice comments and an additional 100+ people send emails. I don’t know if we’ll have a chance to write all of you back, but I’m going to try. Thanks to all for showing your love and concern. We truly appreciate it!