Kentucky Derby

Just a few short weeks ago, Justin and I packed up and went to the Kentucky Derby!  We left on a Thursday and had a fun filled weekend, returning Sunday morning.  One of his vendors invited us. Every thing was thoughtfully planned out.  As soon as we arrived we went to a delicious lunch on the river then met up with the rest of the group for a Bourbon tour!

Thursday night we went out for a fun dinner then back to house to rest up for Friday's festivities - The Kentucky Oaks.  That's the big race on Friday. It's for the fillies (female horses). I had only brought one hat, so thankfully one of our friends let me wear one of hers from previous years! We had amazing seats. We were right at the finish line and at the winner's circle.

There was record breaking attendance this day. 

Our group

Next up: The 142nd Kentucky Derby!

The Oaks day was a blast. Lots of drinking and people watching.  I did, however, learn not to wear heels the whole time. My feet were blistered and hurt so bad.  So I started the day in my flats and actually ended up wearing them the whole time and whoever was in charge of the shoe bag.... left it somewhere and my heels are gone :( thank goodness they were just from TJ Maxx and I didn't spend a lot on them!

Bourbon and Biscuits before heading the the tracks

With my stud of a husband :)

Definitely one of the silliest hats we saw!

Delicious mint juleps!

The Derby

We had sent my parents pics of the program and told them and the kids to pick a horse for us to bet on.  We bet on 7 horses and did not win one! Justin had picked the Exgerrator to win the Derby - he did not, but won the Preakness. Right horse, wrong race!  It truly was a bucket list experience.  Justin has mentioned wanting to go back again!

Oh, and must add the pics of the hats Max and Claire made with my mom.  She bought hats and decorations at the dollar store and they each made hats to wear while watching on TV!

Kate's First Birthday Party

I'm a lot late posting about her special day, but here we are!  Since we haven't lived in Cary long, we just kept it small and had mostly family.  Our babysitter and one of our best friends came as well.

Her theme was pink and gold.  I loved how everything turned out and liked how intimate her day was.

I decorated these cool wine glasses with glitter and mod podge!

cute glasses from Target

birthday chair!

Our baby!

Fredrick Five!

My number one punkers!

Waiting patiently for cake :)

Yummm!

sharing cake with Mom!

Presents are fun!

Love my new wagon, especially riding with my cousin, Ann Grace!

Cruisin in my new car!

Love Nanny and Poppy!

A whole lotta pink!

Grandpa and Grandma are the best!

babysitter Lisa!

One of Mom's best friends, Liz!

Her party was great! I still have a hard time realizing our baby girl is ONE! Time slow down!

Kate is ONE!

Our little punkers is ONE! How in the world can she already be one? I think this has been the fastest year ever.  She is amazing.  She has very much picked up the third child role.  She is in the car a lot, taking the big kids to school and practices.  Claire is her second Mommy so she is used to others doing for her. She is our baby!

Number One Punkers!

She is a happy girl! LOVES her Mommy! She is finally sleeping through the night! A little after 11 months, I decided I had had enough of getting up every 2/3 hours. It only took three nights for her to get the memo.  She now goes to bed around 7 and sleeps til around 5:45, with a morning and afternoon nap (a/b two hours each)

She is still nursing.  I can't believe we made it a year! She has weaned herself down to about two/three times a day and I don't mind.  I love our bonding time and will probably miss it when she stops.  She has tried whole milk, but threw her cup.  She is a great eater and can put down some food! She loves eggs, pancake (plain), yogurt, cantaloupe, apples, any squeeze pouch, green beans.. really she eats everything we eat.

She loves bath time!! This rubber ducky is always in her mouth. It's hilarious! She likes to climb stairs, cruise the furniture, play in the pantry, and swing at the park.  She waves and claps and plays peek a boo! When she gets fussy in the car we sing, "If you're happy and you know it" and
"The wheels on the bus" and that always makes her happy.  She got a car that she sits in and we push and a wagon for her birthday (another post) and loves being pushed around in those!  She's not walking yet and I'm not sure I see it happening soon.  She pulls up on furniture and will stand with her walker, but could care less about walking. I'm OK with that! Max didn't walk until he was 15 months.

Max can always make her laugh.  He is so great with her and I love watching them!  Claire is her second Mommy.  She is constantly trying to pick her up and carry her around the house. She loves her so much.  It drives me nuts that she doesn't leave her alone, but I love how much she adores her.

I just had my first weekend away from her. Justin and I went to the Kentucky Derby! (post to follow) My Mom and Dad came to watch the kids.  Mom said she did great.

She had her one year appointment today.  She's still our little peanut!
17 lbs ~ 10%
27.75" ~ 7%
She is wearing mostly 9 mo clothes, but some 12 mo.
Size 3 diaper
Her feet are tiny! I had bought some summer sandals in a size 4 (that's what claire was at a year) and her feet aren't even close to fitting!
She has four teeth but a lot coming in ~ including a molar!

She isn't saying many words yet.  She says "dadadada" and sometimes it is while looking at Justin, others just randomly.  I'm still waiting for her to look at me and say "mama". I think she says "bye bye".  We've been trying a few signs for her, put she hasn't seemed to pick up.

I love my sweet girl so much.  There aren't enough words.  I wish time would slow down. I love every single moment I get with my beautiful girl (and her brother and sister) and can't wait to watch her grow into a little girl!

Life Lately

Since I've been a total slacker when it comes to updating my blog...  here is a little bit of what we have been up to!

Fredirck 5 going to an Easter egg hung

Max, Claire and Kate have been doing swim lessons.  All love it! Kate has surprised me the most. She LOVES the water!

This summer is going to be very busy chasing around these three fish!

 Little Punkers is full of personality and has us laughing all the time! I can't believe she will be one in less than a month. :(  We are going to have a small first birthday with mostly family.  I'm doing a pink and gold theme that has a touch of sparkle!

Kate is finally sleeping through the night!  One night she woke up after two hours and I decided enough was enough and it was time to cry it out.  The first night was really hard, then she just fussed a little the next two nights.  So now she goes to bed at 7 and wakes up at 5:30/6! It is early, but i feel more rested getting a complete night's sleep!

With the weather warming up, we are meeting more neighbors.  It still gets lonely and I still miss Greensboro.  Max and Claire have two little friends across the street that they love to play with.  If they see each other outside they immediately go get their bikes, chalk, basketball, you name it - and it's hard work getting them back in.

Our next two months are so busy.  This week we are going to a Jimmy Buffett concert! I've never been and don't know too many songs, but I'm looking forward to it!  THEN... THEN.... we are going to the Kentucky Derby!!! One of Justin's suppliers from work invited us!  We just got our itinerary and it looks like we are going to have a blast! (side note: I'm having a hard time leaving Kate that long.  It will be my first time away from her and it makes me sad.  We are leaving the day after her birthday.) The weekend after that is the Member Guest tournament at the club we go to and our good friends from Wilmington are coming!! Then in June we are going back home for another member guest!

Kate ~ 11 months

Little punkers is 11 months! That means in less than a month (bc I procrastinate) she will be ONE.

She is full of energy and on the go all the time!  She has found the stairs and heads that way as often as she can ... and she is quick!

We finally decided it was time for her to be sleeping through the night.  Actually, I've wanted it for a looong time, but was finally tired enough to make it happen! It started when she woke up after only being asleep two hours and wanted to nurse.... NOPE. so she cried and cried for over an hour until i finally gave in.  Night two we both did better.  She woke up twice, but didn't fuss for long.  She made it until 6am! We have had two successful nights, and hope for more!

She claps, waves, plays peek-a-boo and does her #1 punkers hand raise all the time!  She loves to laugh and is genuinely a happy baby.  She says dada all day.  She has looked at Justin and said it, but she also says it all her conversations.  I think she says "bye bye" and sometimes it sounds like she is saying "all done".  She is starting to pick up on some sign language.  She signs "more" and "all done"

She loves food.  Some new favorites are: eggs, waffles, broccoli sticks (mix of potato and broccoli), oatmeal and apple slices.

She has four teeth and two side teeth coming in.
She is our little punky. She still wears mostly 6-9 month clothes.

She had her first swim lesson on April 2nd.  She LOVED it and did great!  She is signed up for three more!

I absolutely love every second I get with her.