There hasn't been much going on in the Ramsel household the last few days.  I am still recovering and James has started a new class that will last throughout the week that he can add to his list of "continuing education" or something like that.  It has been really nice having him at home in the evenings with us instead of working nights.  :)

Well, I guess I should mention one thing going on.  Mini's is teething.  Yes, the dreaded teething.  Kathryn is such a sweet, happy baby that when she starts crying, whining, or just not acting happy you know something is up.  The little one only has two bottom pearls, and we have been waiting for her tops to come in for quite some time.  I really think this is it and they will come soon, because they are really hurting her.  You can kind of see an iridescent hint of an upper right tooth if you have the chance of her letting you open her mouth.  She isn't too fond of you touching her gums, unless you are brushing her teeth.  Yes, brushing her teeth!  That little girl LOVES to have her teeth brushed.  Yes, I know she only has two but we practice good oral hygiene in our family!  I got this rubber tube that fits over my finger with little bristles and toothpaste that tastes like yummy apples and bananas and it has been a hit ever since!  She loves having her gums brushed, it is just so cute!  When I am cleaning her ears and blowdrying her hair she has to hold on to her toothpaste or she gets irritable.  :)  Such a sweetie.  Anyways, because of this teething it has been incredibly hard not being able to pick her up, so I have cheated.  A LOT.  Oops, no one tell!  I just can't not hold my baby girl.  But I do it smart (if it is possible) and avoid straining.  Well, enough talking, and more pictures!  Here are a few I have taken over the last couple of days of us having fun.

Kathryn riding forward-facing and Mommy hanging out with her in the back ;)

My sweet little angel had a cut on her nose that lasted for DAYS!

Daddy blowdrying K's hair.  Let's just say she had a good time ;)

At Central Market with Grandma Ma enjoying the cool weather

Wearing cute piggy tails with bows in her hair, LOVE IT!

Grocery shopping.  Mini's knows where the funds come from LOL

Forward Facing Car Rides

James and I bought Kathryn's big girl car seats about two months ago, anxiously awaiting the day she finally weighed 20 lbs and was 12 months old.  Her birthday came and went and we took her to the pediatrician to see how our big girl had grown.  Well, big isn't the word I should be using when I refer to Kathryn.  At her 12 month checkup she was still not 20 lbs!  At the advice of our doctor, we left our brand new car seats in the box to wait for her to grow a little more.  Well, today we decided the chunk is ready to forward face.  James treated me to a pedicure at his mom's salon so what a perfect opportunity to try the seat out, right?  Well, let's just say Minis LOVED her new car seat!  The whole ride she was giggling and putting her hands on the window.  So adorable.

A pedicure was exactly what I needed after a stressful week.  Kathryn had a great time hanging out, in fact such a great time that she ended up passing out on her daddy.

It's not often that a 12 month old will fall asleep on her mom or dad, so when it happens, you just have to cherish the moment.

After my amazing pedicure we were headed back home.  Although Kathryn slept through most of it, she was pretty cranky when we got to the house.  Check out these classic faces!

Another day in the life of a Mini :)

Recovery

This past Friday I had my very first "major" surgery.  I've told only a few close family and friends because it is not something I wish to publish for the whole world to know about (and you are wondering why I am blogging right?).  My surgeon did an amazing job and I am already tremendously pleased with the results.  This has been something that I have wanted to do for a long time  and have thought long and hard about the consequences that could occur.  After 4 days I am healing perfectly, all thanks to my wonderful husband and family.  It is not enough to let my body heal, but I have my baby girl, husband, 3 dogs, and house to take care of.  That is a lot of responsibility I am handing over to my husband alone.  My sweet sister Natalie came down to be my nurse the day of my surgery and to help out with Kathryn.  My mom also watched her this past weekend on days that she does not normally have her (she is a Godsend).  James' parents cooked us a delicious meal and brought it to our home tonight and played with Kathryn while I rested in bed (how wonderful is that!).  We are so loved.

The hardest part about this whole thing has been the inability to hold Kathryn.  It has been pure torture watching her blue eyes fill with tears every time I walk by and don't offer to hold her.  She is thinking to herself, "why won't mommy pick me up?  What have I done?"  It makes me cry just thinking about it.  Hopefully in a few days I will be cleared to hold her again.  I keep telling myself that healing properly is the most important thing, and that this is only temporary.  But if you could only see those eyes...wait I will show you so you can melt with me.  :(  Despite that horrifically sad face, Kathryn has had a wonderful few days with her dad, grandparents, and aunt.

Pure torture, right?!?

While mommy recuperated in bed, Kathryn got to try her first sippy cup of juice.  Don't worry, it was all water with a tiny bit of crangrape juice.  James and I felt so bad that I was ignoring Kathryn she got away with a lot of things she wouldn't normally have.  :)  She is the queen of this household...

Even though I couldn't hold my Minis, I am still able to sit with her on the bed.  So while we watched Teen Mom, Kathryn read an US Weekly magazine.  Don't judge me people.  I know what you're thinking.  Yes I like that TV show (it is hilarious and sadly very real) and yes I love that magazine (mainly for the pictures and fashion ideas).  Kathryn is already my best friend so why not share with her my fav magazines and TV shows?  :)

Grandma K came over so that daddy could go to Lowe's and do other "manly" things away from the house.  Mommy was also able to rest without worrying about the Min.  Every dad needs to get away, especially when he has been cooped up in the house with two four (including dogs) women for 3 days straight!

Today was the first day I felt well enough to leave the house for an hour.  I went to the hair salon to get my hair shampooed for the first time in 3 days (eww gross I know but I can't do it myself!)  My mom took Kathryn and I to Rosas for Taco Tuesdays while James went to tune our lawnmower.  It was so nice enjoying a lunch with my mom and Kathryn, who of course is the life of everywhere we go and a flirt to everyone she meets.  I mean come on, who can resist this face??

Such a Ham

Well,  I've just ingested 6 different medications so I think it is time for bed.  LOL.  Thank you so much to all of you who have sent prayers, well wishes, and happy thoughts my way.  I am doing FABULOUS thanks to each of you!

Kathryn's 1st Birthday Party

On Saturday, September 11, James and I celebrated Kathryn's 1st birthday party.  Yes, her FIRST birthday!

You would be surprised at how much work goes in to planning a birthday, especially for a one year old.  This was her very first party, something that I wanted to be very special and filled with family and friends.  It was a full party alright- around 45 people to be exact!  Her theme was cupcakes- something girly, simple, and classic.

Kathryn's cousins and friends played in the pool while the adults looked on and tried to stay some-what cool in the shade.

We had Joe's lasagna and pizza catered and it was fabulous!  My mom expected to have leftovers, but it was picked clean by the end of the party.

                            

When it came time for dessert Kathryn wasn't so sure what to do with her mini cake. In fact, I think she hated it!  Oh well, all my mommy friends tell me that is the norm and she will like it better on her second birthday.  I mean what can I expect, I never feed the kid sweets!

      

After cake we opened up all of her presents.  We are so lucky to have such generous friends and family!

  

                         

And no party is complete without a birthday hat!  Specially made by Grandma Ma...with love!  :)

                      
                         


        



Thank you to all our friends and family who made this day SO special.  She is such a lucky mini!

Kathryn's First Birthday

Yesterday was my sweet baby girl's first birthday.  I'm sure most parents look forward to this monumentous day; however, I feel more like I've been dreading it.  I did not want my baby to turn 1.  She is a toddler now, who no longer drinks formula and is able to eat all foods.  Who will be walking running soon and talking back to me with her sassy tone.  Where did my sweet, innocent, tiny infant baby go?  The one that slept all day, had sponge baths, and who I could lay on my bed and take a shower without worrying about her rolling off?

Anyways, back to Kathryn's day.  The morning started off with a bottle and some Dora.  Then we took her in to her playroom to check out her new slide.  At first she was a little scared, but she warmed up to it quick.

                           

             First time on her new slide                                                                       Sliding down with the help of dad

Trying to climb up

Happy girl with her new toy

Goofy girl wanted to climb up the slide!

Unfortunately, I had to go to work so playtime was over with mom.  Kathryn enjoyed a wonderful day with her daddy, and even got to see Gorgeous who brought her a present and a cupcake.  You know it's your birthday when your parents let you have a cupcake for breakfast!  :)  After I got home, Kathryn, James, and I went to see Aunt Crystal and her new baby boy Hiram Cash.  Yes that is right, Kathryn's new baby cousin shares a birthday with her!  Afterwards, Kathryn took a nap while I got the house ready for the cookout with Grandma Ma, Pa Pa, and Aunt Nanny.  James grilled some yummy salsa burgers with beans and potato salad which was followed by a chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream cake.  Let's just say.....Minis LOVED it!

This baby LOVES attention :)

Getting a taste from dad

Not so sure about this ice cream....

Trying out the ice cream

Yay for sugar!

Birthday's aren't complete without presents right?  Kathryn had lots of fun opening her presents playing with the tissue paper out of her presents.  She made out with lots of fall clothes, a tea set, a plush birthday toy, squeaky shoes, some books, a bath toy, and a bear that she can draw on when she's a little older.  Also, Grandma Ma made her an amazing birthday outfit for her party!  It looks just like the outfits out of Ella Bella (our favorite baby boutique) but what's even better is Grandma Ma made it and personalized it!

Birthday outfit from Grandma Ma

Opening presents with Aunt Nanny

Playing with her toys

Mommy and daddy's everyday present :)

All her loot

Tomorrow we get ready for another big day, the birthday party!  Pics to come ;)

Big Girl Bathtime

Being that Kathryn is almost one year old, I figured it was time to let her have a bath in the big girl bathtub. No more whale tubs or ducky baths! This was a big deal for me, because I feel like it is just one more step to her getting older. With her baby bathtubs she was always confined to a small space where she was safe to play without getting hurt. Now, being in the big girl bathtub, she has all the opportunity in the world to hurt herself, such as falling and hitting her chin (as I did when I was little). Well I guess I need to get over myself, because Kathryn had such a great time! No anxiety over the change in atmosphere; actually quite the opposite.  She loved running her hands under the faucet, searching for toys underneath the water, and even made an attempt at standing up (I quickly told her to sit back down).  Below are some pics that capture our fun bathtime adventure. :)

Cool Dude

She loved putting her hand under the faucet

Reading to Mommy

Uh oh...no standing in the tub!

My mohawk baby

The Bathtub Evolution

                  

                            One week old                                  8 months old                                   1 year old 

Baby Steps (First Steps)

Just yesterday Kathryn stood up on her own without assistance from her toys, daddy, or myself.  Today, while playing with Aunt Natalie, Kathryn took her first steps towards me.  She is still very wobbly and I would never consider her walking, but these are her first "baby steps" towards it!  I am one proud momma!

Standing Up

I have been waiting for this moment for the last month....another big milestone, complete!  Congratulations baby girl, you can now stand up all by yourself.  Next step....walking!  :)