It has been a while since my last post, but come on people, I am busy, I have a baby. Sorry, but having Kate has been my excuse for everything; it’s awesome. But seriously we have been busy around here this past month. Kate experienced so many more “firsts” during the month of November. Let’s see, she had her ears pierced, which was so fun to watch. Not. Of course I knew that she would cry during this experience so I dragged my mom along to do the dirty work (as in holding her while she was stabbed in the ears). Poor baby was so upset, but like anything else she soon forgot about the whole ordeal and moved on.
(Kate after getting her ears pierced)
We had our first Christmas family photo taken downtown by Jennifer Blackwell. Since our last photo shoot didn’t go so well I decided to have my mom and step-dad come along to do the dancing in the background to get Kate to look in the direction of the camera and shed a smile. Well, it kind of worked, out of 100 or so photos there is one photo of Kate smiling. So that is the one that was chosen as our Christmas picture to send out to everyone. Seriously, I don’t know why I think things are going to be different and one day, POOF, she is going to look in the camera, smile, and cooperate during picture time. I thought she would be vain like me and love the camera, but nope, she would rather play with the camera and try to put it in her mouth.
(The Howard's first Christmas Family photo)
We also celebrated our first Thanksgiving with Kate. I wanted her first one to be special. I always try to make things really nice when I entertain but since having Kate, and while being pregnant, I slacked in that department and preferred the paper plates and cups. But this year I wanted it to be great, so I pulled out the nice dishes and flatware and even made a somewhat nice table setting for the family. It was rustic since it was outside and we had plastic chairs. But at least the dishes, flowers, and place settings looked nice. Kate even sat in her “big girl” high chair for the first time and tried my “famous” mashed potatoes. She loved them, and of course she got them all over the place (hair, floor – but at least Blake was around to gobble it up). So I would say her first Thanksgiving was a success, and best of all she was surrounded by all of her grandparents, including her great-grandmother.
(Kate trying her mom's famous mashed potatoes)
(my attempt at making a floral arrangement - they started to wilt the next day, but still looked good in my opinion)
(the table setting)
(Kate with her great-grandmother)
Kate was also Baptized Thanksgiving weekend. I don’t have any photos to share, yet. It went really well. I thought she was going to scream, cry, or fuss the entire time, but much to my surprise, she was pretty good. Thank goodness her cousin Bella brought a balloon to keep her entertained. However, the whole time we worried it was going to pop and scare the crap out of everybody in the church. During the “bean dip”, as we called it, Kate seemed to enjoy the priest pouring water over her head. Phew. She only fussed during the end when it was way past her naptime and it was, you guessed it, picture time! She wanted no part in picture taking, once again. However, overall, it was a success and thank everybody for pitching in to make it a beautiful ceremony and lovely reception!
(Kate with her godmother, Bianca, and her "sweat pea" sippy cup - that is what her godmother calls her)
Lastly, we decided to buy a real Christmas tree this year. Every year we have used a faux tree and Chris and I decided when we had kids we would start buying real trees. So Kate didn’t really pick out the tree and she will have no idea or memories about this event, but at least we have pictures to show her going to pick out our tree. She will have no memories about all of these firsts, but they sure are fun to watch her experience them!
(Kate and I at the Christmas tree lot)
