Baby at the office

Last night Mommy brought you into the office around 5:30 because I REALLY needed to make some phone calls. I brought you in your carrier in the stroller. You hung out in there for a short while, then I had to hold you. If only the people I was calling could see us... I was walking all around the office.. in my socks.. bouncing you on my hip. You thought it was funny!

When my arm got tired I made you a little play area on the ground. You managed to roll enough that you did a complete 180! I couldn't believe how much you are able to move now on your own. Now that you're at Paula's I don't get to see these little things all day like I used to. Sometimes I feel like I miss a lot, but I quickly push those thoughts out of my head & remember to not take a single second with you for granted.

When you got tired of being on the ground, I sat you in one of the big blue chairs in front of my desk. It was the funniest thing. You sat there with Benny forever while I called. I felt like you were a student I was interviewing. I wish I could have you here all the time.

Then, Daddy came in from practice so he could call. He was so excited to see you. You smile SO big for him. I love when you smile. Sometimes I wonder how someone so small could smile so big!?!?! It couldn't be any bigger or any more precious. I love those gummy smiles! When you got a little fussy I walked you down the hallway to see Daddy & pushed you in the stroller up & down the hall a few times.

I brought you back in in the stroller, gave you your bink.. & you fell asleep. You're so precious. I wish your sweet little face was right here next to my desk now..

Sitting.. Leaning.. Grabbing.. Falling

You're sooooooo close to sitting up on your own, Kinsley. When we sit you on the couch.. you LOVE to lean forward & grab your toes. It cracks me up because it looks like you're stretching. You sit... you lean forward (which is when I can tell you're going to be doing it all by yourself soon).. you reach for those little tootsies & sloooooooooooowly start falling over sideways. It's so cute. Usually Daddy or I will grab you & help you to sit back upright, but sometimes we can't get to you in time & down you go. Next thing I know you're on your side.. toes still in your fist. You just love it & think it's so funny.

You're also able to sit in your Bumbo now & you finally like it. It's so sweet. At night, we usually take all your clothes off because #1 it's been hot & #2 you LOVE it. You get sooooo excited it's hysterical. As much as I'm excited you'll be sitting on your own soon.. it makes me sad because it's just one step closer to you not needing me anymore. Daddy says it's okay because we'll be able to play with you more & it'll be fun. I just love you being my LITTLE (but so big) girl!

SO FAR BEHIND

Kinsley,

Mommy is SOOOOO far behind in posting to you. I am so sorry. Life has been HECTIC lately. I was so excited about golf season finishing so we'd all be together a little more. As Daddy was about to leave for his last tournament, he gets a call from Head Coach Tenney (baseball) saying Daddy is Interim Head Coach because he has a detached retina. OHHH BOY!

So Daddy's taking over baseball & life in admissions is NUTTY! We're working hard in being very proactive is trying to reach our goals for deposited students. Currently, I have 59 deposited, but I need 75. I've just been so busy at the office I don't even know what day it is. On Wednesday, I didn't sit at my desk until 2:30!

In the meantime, you've been getting so big & I've been having so much fun with you. When I get home from work I don't like to get on the computer because I want to spend as much quality time with you & Daddy as I can! Oh.. Mommy did finally start working out this week though.. you sit in your swing & watch me and laugh. Jillian Michaels is doing a good job getting me in shape. I bought a new DVD to try out & Daddy impulsively purchased us some new equiptment because he wants to workout too! He's in a wedding in less than a month & I bought an SUPER CUTE dress for it that I'm trying to trim up for. As of Sunday... NO SUGAR FOR MOMMY!

I'm going to update you on Easter & so many other things soon baby, I promise :)

First night without Mommy

Wednesday night, the 13th, Mommy had to head to Wheeling to stay the night for a college fair at John Marshall in the morning. It was my first night leaving you. I was so stressed out. Not because I didn't think Daddy could take care of you, I knew he could, just because I'm used to doing everything. I was stressed because of how much stored milk we would use too. Daddy did such a good job Kinsley. When I came home on Thursday, he had to tell me every single detail of what you guys did. It was the sweetest thing. Here's some of the things you did Wednesday night:

• You hung out in your swing for a long time & dozed off a few times


• He fed you around 7


• He played XBox for awhile & you just watched him & watched him


• If he got up to leave the room, you yelled. As soon as he came back, you smiled. You're so bad!


• You sat on the couch for awhile too. You've been loving that lately. Daddy laughed because he turned around & you were starting to topple over. He fixed you though!


• Daddy sent me several pictures & updates


• Your binky fell out. You grabbed it & put it back in. Daddy was SOOO proud


• You played with Benny & 'yelled' at him. Daddy was going to call me so I could hear you, but as soon as he pulled out his phone, you stopped.


• You had a big poop right after he changed your diaper.


• Daddy bathed you himself for the first time!!!! He did a good job


• He fed you for bed, but you wouldn't fall asleep like you do for Mommy


• He layed you on the big bed with your binky & you just stared at the ceiling.


• Finally, he put you in your bassinet while you were wide awake, turned off the lights, turned on the fan. He didn't hear anything for awhile & he fell asleep

Thursday morning:

• YOU SLEPT ALL NIGHT


• Daddy got up early since he had to get you ready himself


• He had to wake you up when he got out of the shower


• You did your usual grunting & stretch routine (you're just like us & don't want to wake up at 6:30


• Daddy fed you & got you ready for Paula's

You were such a good girl for Daddy. I can't tell you enough how proud he was. I was so impressed with the 2 of you. You guys needed Daddy/Daughter time. I missed you both so much. I cried when I left on Wednesday. It was so hard for me to leave. I was so excited when Daddy brought you back from Paula's in the afternoon. I just held you & hugged you forever. I don't have to leave you again for awhile.. I'm glad.

Never forget how much your Daddy loves you. He told me last night he's wrapped around your finger. It's so obvious, Kinsley. He sings & dance for you all the time. In fact, last night you 2 were square dancing to country music in the living while Mommy got ready for bed. You had so much fun. You just stared & stared & stared while he spun you all around the living room. The 2 of you are my world :)

Daddy's [[ 27 ]]

Last Sunday, April 10th, was Daddy's 27th birthday. He had to leave though for golf.. again. Friday night, the 8th, Mommy cooked him a special steak dinner & we all just enjoyed a quiet evening together. Then, Mommy's friends Jennifer & Jerry came in late that night, you were already asleep. Saturday we had a cookout. It was so nice outside. That's my favorite part about nice weather, being outside.. doing anything! After our cookout, Daddy had to leave for Indiana, PA until Monday. Sunday, Daddy's birthday, was a GORGEOUS day! Jennifer & Jerry left around 2 & mommy did tons of cleaning & laundry. I opened all the windows & put you in a little onsie with no pants. I love when I can see your little leg rolls, they're my favorite. You were such a good girl while Mommy got all kinds of work done. I was so sad though that we weren't with Daddy for his birthday though. I wish he could have been home so we could have gone for walk, had dinner together, & just spent some quality time together. All this time Mommy had a surprise birthday party planned for Daddy. It was supposed to be last Friday, the 8th, but there were a lot of scheduling conflicts. We moved it to today. He thinks it's just for Kevin, our co-worker, because he got a new job. Well, the head baseball coach, Coach Tenney, had something happen to his eye & couldn't go. He asked Daddy if he could so they wouldn't have to forfeit. Your Daddy is such a great man. He dropped everything & bolted out the door to be there for Coach & for the team. He'll be back though this evening around 8 or 9. The stinky part though, the surprise party. I told him on his way out the door that the party was really a surprise for him. He felt bad. But Daddy's a busy & very giving man. I understand. A Daddy's gotta do, what a Daddy's gotta do! Anyway, Paula has a cute little outfit to put you in when I pick you up this afternoon. It's got polka dots & a cupcake on it. Aunt Ashton bought it for you. I thought it was perfect for a birthday party. So we're celebrating Kevin since Daddy won't be home until later so everyone is still coming over later. We're going to have hotdogs & all kinds of other food on the grill. I hope I bought enough for everyone. It's such a beautiful day too so we can go out back to play cornhole, etc. I'm so excited :) I'll post pictures from the party soon!

Sick Mama

Oh Kinsley. Last night wasn't the best we've ever had, that's for sure. Mommy slowly got a sore throat throughout the work day. So by the time I came to pick you up... it was pretty bad & I wasn't feeling great. We came home, I put you in your swing & you fell asleep. Meanwhile, I immediately got in comfy clothes & was ready to attack this thing. I gargled my salt water, made my hot tea with lots of honey, took a Tylenol & went to spray my throat. Bad news, Daddy had a sore throat last week (I think I picked it up from him), & he finished the throat spray. I wanted it so bad but I didn't want to wake you & we were about to get a big storm. I decided to suck it up. So for dinner, I had chicken noodle soup & a strawberry Luigi. All I wanted to do was go to bed. With a baby, I realize that's can't be done, especially since Daddy wasn't there to be with you. So I resorted for the couch, but you weren't having it. You didn't nap long & were especially cranky. The only thing that would satisfy you was me standing up & holding you. You wouldn't even take your binky. I wanted to cry, but I sucked it up. Finally around 8:30, you were happy to sit on my lap on the couch & watch the 'Jersey Shore Reunion' show with me. In a year or 2, trust me, you will NOT be watching such shows!!! We were in bed by 9:40. I was sooooooo tired & just hoped to feel better in the morning. I do feel a little better today. My throat still hurts but not as bad. I gargled first thing & brought some hot tea with lots of honey to work. It's sooooo ugly outside though. Yesterday, it was sunny & 75 degrees. Today, POURING rain & like 39 degrees. Ughh.. I just wish we could all crawl in bed together for the day & just stay there. I really hope you don't get sick. As hard as it is, I've been making an effort to only kiss you on the head. It's supposed to warm up by the end of the week, but still rain. I know April shows bring May flowers but GEESH.. we're going to have to build an ark soon!!!!!

Sophia & Josie

I never got around to posting about meeting Little Sophia in the midst of everything that has happened in the last couple of weeks. I met Josie last year at a WVWC baseball game shortly after Josie found out she was pregnant & just before I found out I was pregnant with you. We talk all the time & compare baby notes. It's so nice to have another mommy to talk to. Sophia & Josie were in town for the week because here Mommy was on spring break & they came to Buckhannon to stay with Sophia's Daddy, Gary. We were planning to spend a lot more time together but as you know, we had to leave unexpectedly. So they came home Tuesday night (3/22). It was pretty late but we were just DYING to see them.

When Sophia came in I couldn't believe how much bigger she looked then you, she was born on October 20th so she's just about 2 1/2 months older than you. I couldn't wait to hold her. I thought she was going to be so much heavier, but she wasn't. She actually doesn't weigh a whole lot more than you, I think 3 pounds more. You're a little piggy, Kinsley! Mommy kept laughing though because Sophia was making the cutest little noises. She was so cute & we were so happy to finally meet her!

You & Sophia just stared at each other for the longest time. It was too cute. This was the first person your size you've ever gotten to meet. I think you liked her. She's your first FRIEND! Poor Sophia was cranky though because she's teething. I felt so bad for her. Josie tried holding you but you started getting cranky because it was around 9:30-10 & it was bedtime for you. Boy did you know it, you were NOT happy toward the end.

Hopefully, this weather will break & we can go to some Wesleyan baseball games & Josie can bring Sophia. You 2 can have playdates together & take in some Bobcat Baseball. I sure know Daddy will appreciate our being there & I'm sure Sophia's Daddy would love her to be there cheering her on too.

Catching up

Oh my goodness, I've been horrible about blogging, pumpkin. Ever since the new job & Grammy's passing, I've felt so overwhelmed. I've been so busy at work & we're trying to get adjusted to our new daily schedule. Plus, it's been so nice having Daddy around more in the evenings that I actually didn't even turn on my laptop at home for a whole week (that's unheard of for me)! And, I miss you so much during the day, I just want us to all spend undistracted time together while we're home in the evenings.

(This was taken Friday night (4/1). Mimi & Grandpa came to stay the night & to babysit Saturday because Daddy & I had to work. We were getting ready to go to dinner & Daddy had baseball on. You were really into it as you can see. I think it made Daddy happy!)

You were such a good girl while we were back in the Valley for the funeral. We were there from Wednesday night & left Sunday morning. It was so nice to have you there because I think it brought everyone some joy during such a sad time, especially to your Grandpa. That makes me happy. Everyone was so excited to see you & couldn't believe how big you'd gotten in the 5 weeks they'd gone without seeing you. You even got to meet some new family & friends like your Aunt Renee & Uncle Justin, Aunt Sue, Jordan, Morgan and our old neighbor Lori. You've even started to take a liking to the pack 'n play so we had that set up in the living room for you. You would just lay there with your 'Benny Bear' & just talk & talk. You're so cute!

Now that we're back in the swing of things we're starting to get better & better with our morning routine. You really like it at Paula's & they just LOVE you! You seem to be having a lot of fun. Another thing you've taken a liking to lately, your pacifier. I have mixed emotions about this. I didn't want you to get used to it so I try to just give it to you.. as needed. It's funny how you hated it & now you take it like it's no big deal. Whatever baby wants, baby gets!.. for now at least.The latest drama of last week was your lack of a poopy diaper. Mommy was so nervous. You hadn't pooped since we came back to Buckhannon. I called the doctor on Wednesday & they said to just wait it out. This is so unlike you, but you weren't the slightest bit cranky. That night I bought you some apple/prune juice to try & help the process. YOU LOVED IT! By 6pm the next day, you had a POOOOOOPY diaper. Daddy sang a poopy diaper song.. we were so excited. I texted Paula to let her know, she said, "Whoo hoo! Go Kinsley! Who'd ever think we'd be so excited for poop?!" But we were... you've been making up for lost time ever since... yikes!

Also, on Thursday you LAUGHED for the first time! You've done it about 4 times since.. it's so cute but I'm the only one that has witnessed it. I can't wait for you to do it for Daddy. Speaking of Daddy, he's in Charleston today & tomorrow with the golf team. It was just you & I last night, we watched the ACM awards together. You literally, watched them. It was ADORABLE! You've also started holding things in your hands in the last week or so. Saturday night I was folding laudry while you sat in your bouncy so I gave you some socks to hold. When Daddy took you out to get ready for bed, you wouldn't let go! This morning I had to get myself & you ready, get you to Paula's & get myself to work. I was nervous if I'd be able to pull it all off without Daddy's assistance, remember everything & get to work on time. I was 12 minutes early!... yessss! Anyway, I miss you baby doll & I can't wait to pick you up this afternoon. I don't know how it's possible but everyday I love you more & more.