To my baby

Sarah Kate,

You are now 6 months old and you are growing so fast. I am loving every minute of being your mommy.You are rolling over and just about sitting up and really close to saying "DaDa" I think. Although that makes me just a little bit jealous, I am so incredibly proud of the relationship you have with your daddy. You are definitely a "daddy's girl"! You are even starting to cry for him and reach out if he's standing nearby while I'm holding you.

You love putting everything in your mouth. And I mean everything. You get so excited when you see something new. Your little mouth opens wide and you squeal and wave your arms and legs. Those little blue eyes just twinkle. You think your big sister is the funniest thing ever. I have to say she's the winner at getting you to laugh. The rest of us just sound like babbling idiots making silly noises to entertain you. You love your new dolly from Nana the best of all your toys. You stay content sucking on baby's hat for what seems like a long time.

You just had another great check up with Dr Scott. Daddy took off work this time so he could be there with you. We actually made a little bet about your weight the night before. I WON! He guessed 17 pounds and some ounces and I guessed 15 lbs 13 oz. You were exactly 15lbs 13oz. So now Daddy owes me a lengthy back rub! You got your first flu shot and a few boosters. We can hardly stand to see you cry.

I love it when you fall asleep in my arms. I love the way your sweet breath feels on my cheek and how your little body melts against me. Dr Scott told us if we have any hope of you sleeping through the night, we have to stop holding you to go to sleep. Although I've just been dreading it, you have been such a big girl this week and have only fussed a few times.

When you wake up in the morning, you are the sweetest girl . You look up at us with little sleepy eyes and smile the sweetest little smile. When Daddy goes in to get you, I can hear yall talking to each other before he turns the monitor off. He says, "Good mornin, Sarah Kate" and you say good morning right back!

You are everything I prayed for, precious girl. I wanted another chance to be a mommy again so badly and God sent you to us. You are the perfect little girl for me and your daddy and the perfect little sister to your brothers and sister. You have tied our family together in the most amazing way. I have never felt closer to your daddy or been prouder to call him my husband. You are truly a blessing and for that I thank Him every day.


Love Mommy

My oldest and my youngest

These are some of my favorite pictures of my first born and my last. Landon is 14 and even though he can be a stubborn teenager at times, he is the sweetest big brother to Sarah Kate just like I knew he would be. He's gonna be such a good man, full of love and honor, a provider and protector, just as God wants. I'm such a proud mamma!

My handsome boy. . .

Watching Saturday morning cartoons with her bubba. . . .

This was the first time he held her. She was 2 days old. He wouldn't hold her till the visitors stopped and he had chance to look her over. We turned around and found them taking a nap together. How sweet is this!

4 months

Look at my big girl now! Sarah Kate is 4 1/2 months old now and growing so fast. She's rolling from front to back and back to front. She loves the sound of her voice and someone has taught her to blow raspberries. It's super cute except when she does it eating her carrots. Here are some pictures from her 4 month check up. She weighed 13 pounds and 10 ounces and is 24 inches long!

Yucky yucky shots. . . .

She saw herself in the mirror for the first time. It was so adorable. She talked to herself the whole time we were there!

This was one of the last warm days we spent outside. I can't wait till winter is over!

Cutest Flower!

Sarah Kate was the cutest little flower for her first Halloween! It was such a fun time. We started out seeing Nana and Great Grandmother and then caught up with Meemaw and Peeps at the first annual Bushnell Bonfire! Cousins and 2nd cousins and 3rd cousins were there. It was much fun. The big kids did a hayride and we made a quick trip to the festival in Atoka. Since we are too little for candy just yet, she got some little Halloween socks and sock monkey stickers in her boo bucket. She had no idea what was going on of course, but stayed warm and comfy in her costume! I can't believe next year she'll be walking and maybe even saying trick or treat!

Nightgowns!

Okay, first I'm going to take this opportunity to say "Hi, i'm SarahKate's mommy and I've become an ebay junky"! After discovering that they don't sell those little Carter's gowns in sizes bigger than 0-3 months, I went hunting for some on eBay. I have found yet another brand that I've fallen in love with. Mary James makes the sweetest little nightgowns with the bottom open. (That elastic is gettin hard to fit over SK's round belly!) They come with adorable little appliques or you can have them monogrammed! Of course they are pricy like the Kissy Kissy gowns at the Frog, but they are oh so cute! I can't wait to get this first one in and try it out!

3 months!

Sarah Kate is now 3 months old and life is good. She's almost sleeping through the night. She's been getting up about 4am for the past week so things are looking up. She's gotten soooo big. She's outgrowing lots of her 0-3 month clothing. I'm having loads of fun shopping on ebay. I have bought several smocked outfits way cheaper than it's costing me to make one. I'm "working on" two dresses right now. One with strawberries and one with frogs. Hopefully I will get them done before she outgrows them! We changed to faster flow nipples this week and started apple juice. She is so alert. She's has lots to say and gave mommy a big laugh this week. Lots of milestones. . .





We are super excited about our first Halloween. We are having a bonfire at Meemaw's. That is, if, the burn ban is lifted. Right now that's looking like a very big if. My neighbors, Pastor Jim and Mrs Stephanie, are also having a fall festival. It will be lots of fun and include a very tiny guest. They are expecting baby number 4 any day now! Sarah Kate will have a little friend, maybe Sadie and maybe a little boy with no name yet!





Daddy is going out of town for two weeks! We've tried to prepare him with an overnight visit with Aunt Karen. But even that was hard, so Sarah Kate and I may have to sneek a mini trip to Murfreesboro for a couple of nights!





4 months is coming up fast. We are scheduled to see Dr. Scott for our next set of shots on the 11th. Mommy is not looking forward to it but it must be done!



Our first pictures didn't turn out so well so if anyone has suggestions I'd appreciate it. Unfortunately, I have money tied up in a baby plan already but worth the loss I guess to have pictures I love instead of ones that are just okay.



Lastly, we are enjoying the last of the warm days. Winter is coming and we will be hibernating indoors for the next few months. Yesterday was so beautiful, we decided to nap right on the front lawn!

Prayers needed!

My family needs your prayers. I'm asking everyone I know to pray for my newest cousin, Kristian Gray.

Kirk and Kristi Gray of Conway, AR had a son, Kristian, born Wednesday, October 13th. Kristian was born at 32 weeks. He was taken early due to a large amount of fluid around his tiny heart. At 32 weeks, he weighed 7lbs. They drained 90cc of fluid from his heart. For a brief time, they were hopeful as the doctors said little Kristian's heart was functioning normally. Just a few short hours later, they found out that the baby has bleeding on his brain. Kristian is now struggling to survive.

My heart is aching for this mom and dad. I can only imagine their pain and for that I am thankful. I look at my sweet girl's face and realize how blessed we are to have such a healthy, beautiful girl. As a mommy, this story hits so close to home. Please pray for Kristian Gray, that God may heal his little body and work a miracle before us. Pray for strength and wisdom for his mom and dad as they are sure to have many difficult decisions coming there way. I have never prayed in my life like I have for this little boy. Sometimes faith is so difficult for me, but I know his little life is in God's hands. Please keep my cousins in your prayers!