Growing Up~ 4 months!

Our little girl is gowing up so very fast! She is already 4 months old! I feel like we waited a lifetime to meet her... and now the time is flying by! We recently went for our 4 month check up. We had to get 4 shots :(. But daddy took off work to come and lend a helping hand. Kathryn is now in the 71% for height (she started in the 10%), 45% in weight (she started in the 5%), and 52% for head circumference (she started in the 4%)! She is going to be a string bean like her daddy!! The peditrician said we could start solids... so last week she had rice for the first time. She was not too sure what to do with the spoon- and most of it came back out... but she seemed to like it! We finally put together her highchair (thank you Ronnie :), and have started giving her a little bit when we eat dinner. I think she still prefers her milk.... but I think the new food will grow on her!

It seems like Kathryn is changing everyday! In the last 3 weeks, she has started laughing and is really starting to show her personality! The first time we heard her laugh was when she was watching Maddie and Dooley! Her favorite time of day is in the morning when she wakes up (she is like her daddy!). She has started to "talk and giggle" to herself in the morning while she waits for us to come and get her (this is a welcome changed from the screaming we used to hear in the morning).

The days of the non-stop high pitched screaming and fussing are finally behind us (for the most part)! Praise God!!!!

She is begining to explore everything with her mouth! In the last 2 weeks she has started to grab and hold onto things. She now takes all of her toys straight to her mouth! It really is too cute! She is really starting to recognize people as well. She smiles and giggles when mama bear, papa bear, pops, and grandma walk in! She is one spoiled and loved little grandbaby! She gets lots of hugs and kisses!

Big news: Joel and I (and the rest of the Tarpley fmaily)- went to the Virgin Islands for vacation (and a wedding)! Ms. KAthryn stayed here at home with mama bear! We were very sad and nervous to leave her.... but everything went very well! Joel and I got some much needed time together and R&R, and Kathryn actually learned to go to bed earlier while we were gone! We called home several times a day at first... and then we adjusted and enjoyed the beach! We went on a sail boat for the first time, and I swam in 20+ feet deep water!

We saw sea turtles and sting rays! The water was the most beautiful that I have ever seen! It was like we were swimming in a gigantic pool!! It was a wonderful getaway!

Halloween has come and gone! Kathryn was a little pumpkin AND a horse (for aunt Donna)! We went to our church fall festivle- she wore her horse outfit and was a hit!

Fall is in the air, and the Holidays are right around the corner! We are exctied that Uncle Loren will be coming home for Thanksgiving! Hopefully I will find the time to make another post before then!

Until next time.....

Love,
Amanda, Joel, & Kathryn
(Oh, and we can't forget Maddie and Dooley)!