Fall Family Photos ... From Stone Mountain

I still have one bag to unpack and one more load of laundry, but looking at my pictures from our four-day trip to Atlanta* seemed more entertaining.

As you can see, it seemed like fall, especially at Stone Mountain, where the leaves had started to change colors despite Georgia's drought. It was a little warmer than October should be, but the pumpkins, leaves and lake atmosphere helped usher in some sense of autumn.

I got a bit obsessed with the covered bridge over Stone Mountain Lake and the surrounding area.




Meanwhile, Greg got in a little fishing.


We took the skylift up to the top of Stone Mountain (See the skylift in the top picture ...) and then walked the 1.4 miles down. The second shot is a view from the top. Then there are Greg and Cate walking down. Cate loved that Baby Bjorn. It was the first time she'd been in it.




Like I said, Cate loved the Baby Bjorn. I think it made her feel a part of things ... deciding where to go, drinking water and playing miniature golf.




We took part in Ride the Ducks. You've probably seen them before. It's a ground tour vehicle that can go in the water too. Pretty fun. Well, Cate didn't love the life jacket she had to wear. But not long after we had it on her, she decided to make the most of the extra cushion. The periodic quacking didn't even get to her.


I had been wanting to find a pumpkin patch to take some fall pictures of Cate. I already looking forward to next fall when she can appreciate the fall festival type activities. So is Greg, who is especially looking forward to going through a corn maze with her.

But for now ... we have these cute shots.



And, lastly, Greg and I -- well, really Greg -- had mastered taking pictures of the two of us when we'd be places together. You know, put our heads together while he had the camera in his outstretched arm ... well, it's a little more difficult with three people!

Trading complaints for blessings

I complain too much. No doubt. I've been trying to think of the blessings around me when circumstances make me want to complain.

THEN ... this morning while watching "Today" I learned about A Complaint Free World. The goal, which started with a challenge from Rev. Will Bowen to his congregation at Christ Church Unity in Kansas City, Mo., is to go 21 straight days without complaining. People have had to start over with their counts. And with each complaint, a purple bracelet moves to the other wrist.

Visual reminders help me. I'm sure I'll have to start over, but I'm going to try. And if nothing else, maybe I can learn to complain less. I ordered some bracelets tonight because, as the Web site says, "Scientists believe it takes 21 days to form a new habit and complaining is habitual for most of us. ... The purple bracelet is a powerful tool to remind you of how well you are creating your life with positive intention."

three words

I saw this on someone else's blog, and I liked it is so much I wanted to do it.

Where is your cell phone?: on the table
Husband?: he's my complement
Hair?: needs a cut
Your mother?: constant, strong, giving
Your father?: likes to work
Your favorite item?: Media Center Extender
Your dream last night?: many random people
Your favorite drink?: Diet Dr Pepper
The room you are in?: office/scrapping empire
Your fear?: letting family down
What do you want to be in 10 years?: an improved me
Who did you hang out with last night?: Locklars in Atlanta
What are you not?: make up wearer
One of your wish list items?: remodeled kitchen area
What time is it?: just after 8
The last thing you did?: answered silly question
What are you wearing?: comfy walking clothes
The last thing you ate?: yummy Quizno's salad
Your life?: better than imagined
Your mood?: tired yet thankful
Your friends?: they're like family
What are you thinking about right now?: too much pressure ...
Your dream car?: dark blue Trailblazer
What are you doing at this moment?: shortening my thoughts
Your relationship status?: Hill turned Taylor
What is on your TV screen?: recorded The Bachelor
Last time you cried?: it's been awhile
School?: Murray State University

YOUR TURN ...
Either post a link to your blog with your answers or copy and paste this into a comment. Come on, be creative ... just for a few minutes. Then you can get back to important things.

The return home ... with one bag too few

So I just got home from Atlanta* and I realized as I was unpacking the car that the scrapbooking goodies I had purchased at Jo-Ann this weekend were in TWO BAGS, not just the one I picked up at the counter after checking out. So about $30 worth of embellishments, two packages of my favorite chipboard letters, buttons and refill pages are not with me. That bag is somewhere else. But not at the store. I checked. I think I even begged. The nice lady said they keep the stuff people walk off without, but my bag didn't seem to be there.

*We actually didn't go to Atlanta. Just all the urban sprawl associated with the city. We went to my cousin's wedding in Kennesaw, shopped at an outlet mall in Dawsonville, ate dinner at another cousin's house in Suwanee, went to a Barnes & Noble in Snellville, stayed a couple extra days at Stone Mountain and visited some friends between Tucker and Decatur.

Pictures from my trip to come ... I need to go start laundry and quadruple-check for my Jo-Ann bag before Cate wakes up from her nap.

laughing, planning, growing

My house was comfortably chilly when I woke up this morning, and it's stayed that way most of the day. I got to break out some of Cate's fall clothes, which I've been waiting anxiously to do. She's cracking me up today because she keeps taking off one sock. Then the one that's still on is barely on. After a couple of times, I assumed her feet must not be cold, and she's been barefoot since.

So we're leaving in the morning for a little trip. First, we're off to Kennesaw, Georgia, which is one of many Atlanta suburbs, for my cousin's wedding. Then Sunday and Monday we're going to explore Stone Mountain. It'll be nice to have a break from home on what will be Cate's first vacation.

Speaking of firsts ... I think I've failed to mention that Cate's two bottom front teeth came through a week or so ago. They're still working on coming all the way in, but they're there.

wishes and blessings

Today is one of those days I keep thinking, "I wish ..." I follow those dangerous words with something frivolous, pointless, unnecessary and beyond practical. BUT instead of focusing on an immaculate house, closer family, my wishful shopping list or costly home improvements, I want to focus on the blessings of my day.

The weather is beautiful. Like October should be. I'm wearing a new pair of corduroy pants in honor of the so-called cold front that wiped out the heat wave.

The park is a good place for lunch, especially with friends and family. I also ran into a fellow stay-at-home mom who hosts a mom's group that I've attended once and plan on attending again.

Subway makes tasty pizza.

Cate has been making this cute face by chewing/sucking on her bottom lip. Like a fish face.

I love my TiVo-wannabe because daytime TV is generally unappealing.

My swing is comfy, especially with a good book.

YOUR TURN ...
What has been a blessing in your day?

More scrapping ...

Just ignore this post if you don't care about scrapbooking. But I know have (at least) two readers who care because they share the hobby. I know I like to see their pages (Hint, Shelley ...) so I'm only assuming they don't mind seeing mine.

So, now that I'm done with that disclaimer ...

This is a page I scrapped on Sunday.

(Not) So Happy Together

Today I watched Ethne for awhile while Angela took Elijah to speech therapy. Quite a mama's girl, Ethne wasn't pleased when Angela left. So she curled up on the couch and eventually went to sleep. During that time, Cate woke up.

SIDENOTE: While they both were sleeping I was watching "Jon & Katie Plus 8." Have you seen that show? All I can say is: Wow. Talk about a crazy house of which that mother somehow seizes control. A set of twins AND a set of sextuplets. Wow.

So, anyway, once both of the girls were awake, we went outside to swing. And Cate was really into Ethne ...


But Ethne wasn't too into Cate.


So much so, Ethne tried to shrug Cate off.


So I moved Cate.


But Cate didn't understand.


Sure, I'm biased, but I don't know how Ethne resisted those big, beautiful eyes.


Later, after Angela had returned, Ethne showed more love toward "Baby Cate."

Five Months

Cate is five months old today. And she's up to 16 1/2 pounds.

belong

Our first family portraits are now in the scrapbook. That makes it official, you know!


(Click to enlarge.)

Happy Friday.

Ladies Man

This is Luke, he's almost 18 months old. He loves trucks and has beautiful curls. When this picture was taken last night, he had just finished giving Cate, whom he affectionately calls "Date," a "hug," which involves laying his mess of hair on her. She's gotten to where she grabs it.

Our friend Kelly has "fake" relatives. In college, she'd be talking about Aunt So-and-So and we'd ask about that family, and she'd respond, "Oh, she's not really my aunt." Like family friends, if you will.

That's Luke. His parents Jaclyn and Bryan are our closest friends here. We all went to college together, and we're thankful that we're all still here together. (Well, you know, we came back after a couple years elsewhere. But now we're all here.) So Cate has Aunt Jaclyn, Uncle Bryan and Cousin Luke.

Luke is so sweet with Cate. That K-sound at the beginning of her name just stumps him. When she cries, he looks over like he's checking on her. When Jaclyn and I walk, he sometimes looks at Cate and talks. Who knows what he's telling her, but these days it's safe to assume it involves a ball or a truck. He gives her many "hugs" in a row and will return her toys to her after he takes them.

I'm thankful "Date" will have a surrogate big brother in Luke.

awake

So, I've been on a roll lately ...
Call it inspiration. And some good naps by Cate.


And I feel really brave for using pink and red together. See how scrapbooking takes me out of my box?!

Telling stories on the massive World Wide Web

So I was reading another blog today, and while reading the comments to her recent post, I started thinking about my motives for blogging, especially about Cate.

I started my blog in 2001 as a way to keep up with friends. Well, OK, mostly Ryan convinced me to. (And he barely updates his anymore, but that's another matter ...) Anyway, I'm glad I did. It's a great record-keeping tool for me and a great way to keep in touch with friends and even make new friends.

And, regarding Cate specifically, it's an efficient, fun way to keep others posted on her progress. Yes, she's my daughter and I think every smile is precious, sometimes giggle inside when her bottom lip quivers before she cries and never can completely capture how I feel about her in photos or words. Even so, I try to at least touch on the surface.

Cate was a much prayed and hoped for baby. By us. But also by many of you. (That's you plural ... even though I still don't know how plural because of you lurkers who don't comment! Another matter, again ...)

God blessed us with Cate, and I only hope our story helps someone else. I don't mind sharing. And in this day and age, this is how. Come to my house, and you can see my scrapbook up close and personal, not just through snapshots on here.

Should I worry about letting to much information out on the World Wide Web? Maybe. But I also trust that putting our stories -- the big ones and the day-to-day moments -- out there might help someone else cope with whatever else is going on. Should I worry about how Cate will react one day to knowing her baby moments are chronicled here? Maybe. But really I think she'll be glad to have my blog (and scrapbooks) because Lord knows I wouldn't otherwise remember details.

The blog is for me. The blog is for Cate. The blog is for you.

What do you think?

Playin'

Cate is finally OK playing on her belly ... for a few minutes. Last week she rolled over from her belly to back for the first time. And she's done it a few more times this week.



But she doesn't hesitate to let me know when she's ready to be back on her back ...


where she likes it.

Am I finished?

I scrapped this layout yesterday. But I feel like it's missing something. (Click on the image for a larger view.) Any suggestions?

Celebrate Sisters

(Click on image for larger view that will allow you to read the journaling.)

This is a page I finished last night. I really love that "Celebrate" stamp I used. I bought it, along with some other Stampin' Up stamps, at a yard sale this weekend. I don't use stamps much, but these seemed to be ones I could use often.

Happy October!

Here's to hoping it feels like October soon! While 87 degrees is nice, I'm ready for cooler temperatures that make it really feel like fall.

a conversation

While I was giving Cate a bath yesterday evening, Greg came into the bathroom to talk to me.

Greg: I forgot to tell you something.

Kristin: (Thinking that maybe we were supposed to be somewhere or that I needed to do something for him before Monday morning.) What's that?

Greg: UK is ranked eighth in the country in the new poll.

Kristin: Yeah, I already knew that.

Greg: If Kentucky can win Thursday night at South Carolina, Game Day might come to Lexington the next week for the LSU game.

Kristin: Yeah, South Carolina is a big game.

Greg: Yeah, we really need to beat the 'ole ball coach.

Greg exits and I finish up Cate's bath.

A lovely celebration

Greg was in a wedding this weekend. His childhood friend Sam married Pan Ke, a girl he met when he was teaching in China a few years ago. Their story is sweet, and so was their day.

Cate was a good sport throughout the ceremony and reception.

After sleeping and eating during the ceremony, she kissed and drooled much of the reception. Kisses in this case involve Cate's slobbery mouth opened up and pressed against our cheeks. Sometimes she uses her hands to cup our faces before she plants her wet lips on our faces. Then she'll pull on my hair because she notices it nearby.



Pan Ke has seen Cate a few times recently since she's been in Murray finishing up wedding plans, and each time she just loves on her. It's really sweet how she takes to her. Here they are during the reception, after Pan Ke had changed from her white wedding dress to traditional Chinese attire.

Talk about comfort ...

Twizzlers are a comfort food to me.

My mom, sister and I like to take them on trips. Jaclyn and I like to eat them as spirit food when we're cheering for the Cardinals. Greg just likes them.

Well, these particular Twizzlers offer lots of comfort and spirit because they're the longest Twizzlers I've ever seen. Almost 18 inches. That's almost a foot and a half.

TV paused to parent

Even though I'm not working at the newspaper anymore, I still get that "It's Friday!" feeling. And I'm glad about that. During the week, it is harder for me to remember what day it is, but for some reason Fridays still feel different.

Maybe it's just because Greg and I stayed up late watching TV. We were just so excited for all of "our shows" to premiere.

Our TV watching was paused while we had a conversation about parenting. See, we were at Jaclyn and Bryan's house watching TV. First, "Survivor." Then "Grey's Anatomy." Then "CSI" was on tape. Well, Cate was fine, eating and sleeping during the first two, but then she really uncomfortable/irritated before we started "CSI."

Keep in mind 17-month-old Luke was sleeping in his bedroom not too far away. So when Cate was screaming, all I kept thinking was, "She's going to wake him up." I just really appreciate how good a sleeper Cate is, and I don't want to interrupt other people's sleeping children!

So, we ended up leaving. We did have "CSI" and "The Office" recorded at our own house. And I was having conflicting thoughts about parenting.

Yeah, who knew a night of TV could lead to an analysis of parenting philosophies.

For us, we want Cate to be part of our lives. She's obviously our priority, but she doesn't need to run our household. Really, that idea is more applicable later when she's moving around, talking and making toddler decisions. But she's part of this family. We're the parents. Yet we want her to be flexible. And she is. She's a laid-back, easy-going baby who smiles and jabbers so much more than she cries. But she's also 4 1/2 months old.

Some background here is twice this week we went to Greg's cousins' soccer games, which went past Cate's usual bedtime. She didn't really mind, and just feel asleep on my lap. Although with the cheers around us, the sleep was slightly interrupted. But, still, she was good, and ended up going to sleep for the night a little later than usual when we got home. No complaints -- from us, the parents, or her, the baby. But it was sort of like last night was the third time this week that she was ready for her bed and we weren't at home. Like we were pushing her too much to be too adaptable.

I'm probably over-analyzing this. But it's important to me to make parenting choices now so we can be consistent as Cate gets older. Greg and I are on the same page about being just a bit wiser about our evening plans in relation to what else has gone on in a given week. Despite the tired tears from Cate, I'm glad Greg and I talked about this for awhile last night.

After, of course, George told Izzie he loves her too. And Derek and Meredith had break-up make-out session. And Mark needed a friend. Cristina seemed lonely, even though she thought she was free. And Alex seemed bitter for even Alex. Oh the storylines that will unfold this season.

And, don't worry, the CSIs found Sara. And when she woke up from her unconscious state, she wasn't alone. Grissom was with her.

Most surprising, to me, was Jim and Pam. They really are together. I didn't expect their relationship to be addressed on the season premiere. "The Office" has a tendency to draw out storylines, keeping us viewers waiting to find out what happened. But not this time, and it was entertaining.

You know, it's funny that I just summarized my initial thoughts from three shows -- a medical/soap opera drama, a crime drama and a mock-umentary comedy -- and relationships are all I mentioned. You can tell what's important to me. Although, Izzie caring for the injured deer made me laugh, as did Michael Scott hitting Meredith with his in the parking lot.

Happy Friday.

Swinging with the Big Kids

Here are some shots from our lunch at the park. Cate enjoyed swinging as did her cousins Elijah and Ethne.





And then she was ready for a nap.

At Home with My Baby

This is the pile of books that I'm thinking about reading. Well, I've actually started "Professionalizing Motherhood." It's a good choice for me. This is my ninth weekday home with Cate and I've only dealt with the self-applied pressure of thinking I'm not doing enough around the house one day. And that same day I did like three loads of laundry while Cate was napping.

OK, so this is probably the place I should admit I've watched the whole third season of "Grey's Anatomy" over the past week and a half in preparation for last night's series premiere of "Private Private" practice and tonight's season opener of "Grey's." So I'm a little addicted.

And, for the record, I give Addison's new show a thumbs up, mostly. I wasn't wild about the psychiatric storyline last night with the woman counting the tiles in the store after she was reminded of her son who died from brain cancer. It just seemed sort of out of place with the rest of the show, but it wasn't enough to make me turn it off. And I'll record it again next week.

Cate and I are in a good routine. And it's been a nice mixture of being at the house and getting errands and other tasks down outside the house. Today we even went to the park with Angela, Charles, Elijah and Ethne. Greg met us up there for lunch and brought Quizno's.

I find myself talking more about poop, the deals I found at Target last weekend on Pampers Swaddlers and Similac formula, how Cate slept the night before and the chores I found time to complete. But, you know, I don't really miss talking about the drug busts, crazy phone calls with so-called news tips and whatever meeting is on my agenda for the day. I loved that stuff when I was doing it, but I love taking care of Cate even more.

You know, she makes the best faces when she's eating and just after she's woken up from a nap. She's giggling more and even likes the silly songs I make up. My little Cate, she's a wiggle worm ... is a popular song I sing when I manage to put her diaper on while she's kicking on the changing table. Kicking out of pure happiness, I should add. It's her new thing, along with giggling.

Gradually, I'll make it through those books. And I'm in the mood to scrap some too, so hopefully I'll have the time to be inspired. But more than anything you should know that I like it at home with Cate.


So the cute onesie Cate is wearing today is courtesy my mom, who along with my sister and myself, can pretty much quote all of "Dirty Dancing." We'd probably all agree that the last scene when Patrick Swayze brings Jennifer Grey up on stage to dance to "I've Had The Time of My Life" is the best part of the whole move.

But just before that scene ... Johnny bravely tells Baby's parents: "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

cheers and poop

Two stories from our weekend ...

First, Cate helped root UK to victory on Saturday evening. FOOTBALL victory. An on-the-road, conference victory.


OK, so she went to bed before the game was over, but she was in the spirit at the beginning.

Then on Sunday, we went to Clarksville, Tenn., to visit Cassie and Zac because they were there for Austin Peay's homecoming. And a 75-minute drive is better than a 4 1/2-hour drive. So we got to the restaurant about 15 minutes early and I decided to change Cate's diaper.

Good decision.

When I got her out of the car seat, I laid her down on the back seat and realized poop was literally coming out of the bottom of her shorts and onto her leg. The mess was totally out of the bottom of her onesie and through her shorts. And she hardly even wears shorts or pants. I just kind of dressed her up for her Aunt Cassie. Good thing because otherwise the poop would have been all down her leg even worse and all over the car seat.

Lovely.

So I took the shorts off. And I couldn't salvage them. First of all, I didn't want them stinking up my car and I didn't have a Zip-loc or anything to put them in. Also, they were like caked with poop. (Although I probably shouldn't use the word "cake" and "poop" in the same sentence.)

I took her onesie off, which, remarkably, barely had any evidence on it. But enough evidence I didn't want to put it back on her. I quickly realize we didn't pack an extra outfit. Here Cate is 4 1/2 months old, and for the first time ever I don't have an extra outfit with me. Thing is, it's the first time EVER in those 4 1/2 months I NEEDED an extra outfit.

Remember that we were early to the restaurant. So I called Cassie and told her that we were there but we were leaving because we had to go get Cate something to wear. She said they were checking out of their hotel and close to Wal-Mart.

So, instead of packing a mostly naked Cate back into the car, we just waited for Cassie and Zac ... and an outfit.

baby in blue

My baby girl can pull off baby blue ...



At least I think she can!

It's official!

We had our final adoption hearing in court yesterday afternoon. It was an informal formality. We know both our attorney and the family court judge. While addressing Judge Mattingly, I accidentally called him Rob because that's how I know him. And then our attorney, Rick, stopped the formalities one time to take a picture of Cate because she apparently looked especially cute laying on my lap chewing on the stuffed bear that the court clerk gave her.



Then we had friends and family over last night to celebrate Cate. We grilled 32 burgers and only had one left by the time the party was over. My family wasn't able to come -- that's what I get for planning a party on a Thursday night -- so they sent those pretty flowers pictured above.

Cate, meet Cereal. Cereal, meet Cate.

We introduced Cate to rice cereal yesterday. After adjusting to eating the thicker substance off a spoon rather than liquid through a bottle, Cate seemed to like it.

I would have taken pictures of her first bite or at least first "food" feeding, but my camera batteries were dead. Yes, batteries. Plural. Both dead. And I couldn't find my charger. Still can't find the charger. The batteries are these special Kodak batteries than only can be charged in the Kodak charger.

So I ordered another charger that happened to be on clearance on Kodak.com. I just paid for regular 3-8 business day shipping. Then I borrowed my in-laws' camera. So I took some pictures this morning. Also this morning, I got an e-mail from Kodak saying the battery charger would ship in the next 24 hours. Then this afternoon I had a box from Kodak on my porch.

Yep, the charger that I ordered yesterday online arrived today. I really have no idea how that happened.

But I really need an explanation.

So, back to the real point at hand. We introduced cereal to Cate's life. And you can see Day 2 of the experience, thanks to my in-laws camera.



And a comment on the bib: She has one for every day of the week. They came in a pack, courtesy Jaclyn and Bryan. In addition to them being cute, they remind us of a scene from one of our favorite movies.

It's certainly not the MOST memorable restaurant scene from "When Harry Met Sally ..." But in this one, Sally was telling Harry about her break-up with Sheldon.

Sally Albright: Well, if you must know, it was because he was very jealous, and I had these days of the week underpants.
Harry Burns: Ehhhh. I'm sorry. I need the judges ruling on this. "Days of the weeks underpants"?
Sally: Yes. They had the days of the week on them, and I thought they were sort of funny. And then one day Sheldon says to me, "You never wear Sunday." It was all suspicious. Where was Sunday? Where had I left Sunday? And I told him, and he didn't believe me.
Harry: What?
Sally: They don't make Sunday.
Harry: Why not?
Sally: Because of God.

Well, we have a Sunday bib. And I'm sure we'll have to use with the way Cate likes to stick her fingers in her mouth between bites of cereal.