My little low-ride

All within a few weeks of each other, Kendall has learned to sit on her own and to crawl. She is so funny to watch. Especially if we sit her down near the cats, she will roll to her tummy and take off after them, which they don't appreciate. And to boot, she is standing up, too. We can hold her hands and she will stand on her tip-toes. Ahhh...make it slow down!!
I've started planning for her birthday party. What...in...the...world!!!! I cannot believe she is 9 months old already. Anyone have a machine that'll slow down time. I'm freaking out!!! I've been out of work for almost a year, as well. But I wouldn't trade that for anything. I've been really steady working as a substitute but I spend at least 2-3 days each week at home with Kendall. And as a sub, I get to leave as soon as the day is over, no later than 3. I love it. If it weren't for missing out on the benefits and paying back Teaching Fellows, I think I would just sub until she's 5.
I'm also thinking about taking my Praxis for elementary school. Have I really gone mad??? I guess working with all the elementary schools around here has me liking them a little bit more than I did. I really like 1st and 4th grade (take about a huge difference between the two). We'll see how it goes though...not trying to hurry along anything!

update

It's been over a month. So far Kendall has 2 teeth, still rolling, sitting up on her own (but she can't pull herself up yet), we had Valentine's Day pictures done and we got to hang out with her cousin, Robert.

We do have one bad thing that has happened. When we were using Pampers stay dry diapers and they ended up giving Kendall a chemical burn. The poor baby!!! It's still there and we have to watch it. Some people say we aren't changing her enough, but that's not it. She doesn't have a rash, it was an actual burn where it blistered up and everything. But, she was a trooper through it all. Such an angel.
I've been able to substitute a lot lately which is good financially, but I miss her a lot during the day. We have started putting her in the tub to have her bath and she loves it! She splashes and tries to swim. I love her so much.

I hope that she can start crawling and sitting up on her own. She keeps trying to talk, but no definite words yet. I'll keep everyone updated, though.

Toofers

Kendall has her first tooth! It's a sharp little booger, too! I wouldn't have noticed it if she hadn't drug my fingers in her mouth and started chomping. We took her to get her check up last week. She weights 16 lbs and 12 ozs which means she is in the 48% percentile for her age and stuff. She is 27 1/4 " tall which is 75% and her head was also 75%. So she is tall, skinny and has a big head!! But that's just because she has a big brain! I read to her every night when she goes to bed. Right now we are reading the Hobbit, purely for language development. When she is older I'll still read more kiddie books, but I'm just exposing her to bigger words. I don't know when or if she'll ever crawl anywhere. She rolls. I'll set up the quilt on the floor and place animals/toys strategically around it and she'll roll from one to another and play for awhile. She's a happy baby, everyone always says. She very rarely cries, only when she's super tired or super hungry. Otherwise she's all giggles and smiles!! I love her so much. I never knew you could love someone this much! I almost through the vacuum cleaner out the other day because it scared her. That was a horrible look and it made me so sad that I wanted to get rid of anything and everything that scared her. Guess I'm finally turning into a mom???

Lots of firsts!!!

It was Kendall's first Christmas! We had so much fun! Matthew and I opened up our presents on Christmas Eve and Kendall was a pro at opening up wrapping paper! It was soooo adorable watching her do it, of course she was more interested in the paper than the gift, but that was okay. Then we went to Matthew's parent's house and spent the night. We got to hang out with his grandparents (Kendall's great-grandparents). Kendall again got to eat wrapping paper. By now I think she may have ate a lot more than we would like!! At noon we went to my parent's house for lunch. Kendall got to eat turkey for the first time. She seemed to really love it. Then my parents graciously babysat while Matthew and I went to a movie. Then we came home and cleaned...really romantic, I know. It was Kendall's first night away from me. But it was nice. Then we woke up this morning and saw it snowing!!! I love snow since I grew up in Vermont. It was the first "white" Christmas that I've had down here. We drove to my mom's and got Kendall all bundled up and brought her outside. I don't really think she cared about the snow...oh, well!! We braved the roads again and decided we were going to go to Walmart...boy they were packed! But we did a little shopping there and headed to the mall. Got to run into Erin and my old best friend. Then we came home and relaxed the rest of the day. Now Kendall is asleep...I wonder if she is happy to be home and sleeping her in own bed since she hasn't the last two nights?
Well I thank God every day for my little girl. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect gift in my life!!!

Christmas play

Kendall gets to be baby Jesus in the Christmas play tomorrow! Matthew and I have played Mary and Joseph before but it's quite exciting to bring Kendall into this as well!! I think my parents and hopefully Matthew's parents will be able to come as well. I love the fact that she is growing up in the church and we get to participate. I hope that she will continue this when she is old enough to make decisions.
We are also very excited for Christmas this year!! Our first Christmas with the baby. She has a billion and one presents under our tree this year including outfits toys and some summer stuff. I am going to go consignment shopping someday and get her a few more books. We have been reading a lot from the library (since we read every night) but I like for her to have her own books as well. We are going to open presents at our house on Christmas Eve then go to Matthew's parent's house and spend the night. We've done that for the past few years but this year will be new and exciting! Then we will do Christmas with them that morning and head to my parents house for more Christmas stuff! Hopefully we will get to spend some time with Matthew's grandparents when they come up from Georgia.

I finally sent my Christmas cards yesterday. That took forever!! And I misplaced my address book so I didn't send as many as I hoped to. But that's okay.

Alright, I'm going to catch up on some reading then go to bed. Jesus and her parents have to get up early in the morning!

Solid Foods

We've started Kendall on solid foods. So far we have tried: bananas (loves the fresh, but not the mashed too much), peas, carrots (loves), sweet potato (loves), prunes (loves) and some Mum Mum teething things. She really hasn't hated anything yet, which is good. I think I'll try some pears with her tomorrow. I think she'll like them!
We went to the Asheboro parade tonight. My mom and dad were in it with their motorcycles. Kendall seemed to enjoy it except when the fire engines would honk or anything would be realllly loud. She cried two or three times. But mostly enjoyed herself. It was cold! I hope that it snows tomorrow. It would be great to have Kendall out in it!
Not much else is going on. Kendall and I are headed to Lincolnton to see Stephanie for her Christmas party. I know that we will enjoy seeing her!

Baptism

Kendall Paige was Baptized today! It was such a glorious moment! She was dressed in a long white lacy dress with a cute little bonnet. She looked like she was straight from Little House on the Prairie. She only cried a little when the preacher dribbled the Holy water on her head, but I think it was because her bonnet was in the way and it made the water get on her face, which she hates. But other than a little out cry, she was really great! We had a huge lunch after in the fellowship hall. It was so great to have everyone who came! I am soooo thankful for the church family. They even got Kendall a baby bible. It is so beautiful. I am so happy that we go to church there. We always feel a part of the family. Kendall was our preachers first baptism so I know that he'll remember it for a long time! And hopefully, in the far far far far off future, he will get officiate her wedding. I think that would be really sweet!!!

On another note, we went and got our pictures made yesterday. I was a little upset, we had made an appointment for 12 and when we got there they said that they were about 45 minutes behind which I understood, but it was after 2 when we were able to get in there and get finished. I was a little upset because I don't think that the group in front of us had an appointment and they were allowed to go before us. Anyways, though, her pictures came out gorgeous as always!! I love my little girl more and more every day that I get to be with her!

New Teeth??

Sunday Kendall will be 6 months old! Wow...and she is starting to get teeth. They haven't broken through yet, but you can see a little line of them on her bottom gums! how exciting, She got to go in her walker for the first time the other day. She crab-walked (walked sideways) across the living room floor in her new sneakers! Too cute!
I've been blessed that I have been able to work a lot the last few weeks. Especially with Christmas right around the corner!! I may be able to do a little for Christmas this year! I bought Kendall a mini tree and decorated it with red and white ornaments. It even has itty bitty lights on it. Too adorable! I also got a 6 1/2 foot tree for my birthday from my mom so I have been searching for ornaments to put on it. I have another 3 foot tree that will be Matthew's and it will be decorated with all his hobbies he likes. Speaking of which, he just came home...time to start some dinner :)

P.S. Kendall's baptism is on Sunday. We can't wait to share this joyous day with everyone!

Growing up!

Well in the past month Kendall has started rolling over onto her belly and back onto her back, babbling more and we think she's cutting teeth. She likes to chomp down if we have our fingers anywhere near her mouth. We had a great Halloween. I dressed her in a zebra outfit and we headed to Nana's and then to Erin's church to get lots of candy (for mommy and daddy). Everyone loved her, of course!! She was perfect as always. I'm finally working more with substituting and making a little bit through AVON. I can't wait for Christmas this year. I bought Kendall her own little tree (It's like 2 feet tall) and some tiny ornaments to go on it. I'm hoping to get a 6' tree for the living room and put the little trees up around the house and decorate them nicely.
Just counting down til Christmas. I'm so excited to see what we can find for her to open up!! I love my little girl :)

Babble babble babble

My little girl is trying to talk! Oh no! Watch out! Once it starts, it doesn't stop. I am so tickled when she tries to talk. It just comes out, "Ohhh, babbble babble babble" but OH SO CUTE!!!! Love it. When we were in church the other day I kept moving my finger over her mouth as she was trying to eat it and she would make the best and cutest sounds ever. Everyone was laughing at us, I feel bad because I kept interrupting the preacher! I am so happy that we are going to church more regularly. I want Kendall to grow up in a Christian community. We have our church fall festival this Saturday. Kendall will get to go on a hay ride! Super excited about that. I just gotta remember to charge my camera before we go. Also, we have finally set a date for her Baptism. It is going to by November 21st, a Sunday. Our preacher is going to insert it into his sermon for that day. I cannot wait. Kendall's Nana got her a precious Baptism dress. I just have to find her a cute white headband and white flower or bow to go on it. I'm on this bow kick lately, because she looks so darling in them!
We get to go on another road trip next weekend to Hickory. We are going to spend the weekend with my best friend for college. I cannot wait to see her. And her mom gets to meet Kendall for the first time ever! Super excited for this!
alright, all the typing is making my little girl wake up a little bit. Goodnight all!! <3 MFC