Turkey Day, Birthday, and Football Day

What a busy Thanksgiving weekend! Not only did we celebrate Kathleen's first Thanksgiving, but it was also my 29th Birthday on the 26th. This was our year to spend Thanksgiving with my family. Since my parents are now in Richmond on a more permanent basis, they joined us for Thanksgiving at our house. Grandma Philpot came too! Oh...and Thank-you to Popa and Abu for my Thanksgiving outfit! :-)

We decided to break in Katie's high chair on Thanksgiving Day. She didn't eat in it, but she was content playing with her toys while the rest of us had a nice meal. Thank you to Aunt Sally for the high chair!
Apparently Katie was also feeling the effects of the Turkey....she and Daddy napped together on the couch after our Thanksgiving meal!
On Friday, we had the family over to celebrate my birthday, cut my cake, and open cards and presents. Below are a few pictures from the celebration...

One of the best parts about my birthday was that Katie got to spend some time with her cousins. Uncle Rob, Aunt Kat, and Cousin Claire joined us....as well as my cousin Angie and her two kids Brayden and Ali.

Each year, the Saturday after Thanksgiving the Hokies battle the Wahoos....one of mine and Matt's favorite traditions. Normally Matt and I spend the week of Thanksgiving placing bets/wagers on which one of our teams will win the game. This year we spent the week arguing over which team's colors Katie would wear on game day! My, my how things have changed in the Barnes household. We decided that the only fair thing to do was let her wear both! :-)

This is the ONLY time that I will ever say that UVA clothing looks cute....

Matt, his dad, and his brothers all headed up for the game around 1 PM. My dad, Katie and I watched the game together from our house. See Grandpa and Katie hanging out during the game....

A Special Day...

Today is an important day for our family because seven years ago Matt lost his mother, Kathleen Southard Barnes, to breast cancer. I never had the chance to meet Kathy, but in this time of Thanksgiving I'd just like to say a few things to her...

Thank you Kathy for raising such a wonderful son, who I'm so lucky to have as my husband. And thank you for giving me a little peice of you in Miss Kathleen Marie.

3 Months Old!!!

The past month has been a busy one! Matt and I celebrated our 5-year wedding anniversary and Katie had a month full of firsts! She got her first helmet, her 1st visit with many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and friends, her first Halloween, and her first trip to Maymont Park.

Monday I go back to work and this weekend has been a bit emotional for me. I'm going to miss my little girl so much! But - I know that Grandma, Grandpa, Popa, and Abu will take great care of our Katie Bug. Below are a few pictures marking some of the milestones of the last month....and some of the new toys/games Katie is enjoying these days.

This first set of pictures show some of Katie's family and friend who have visited over the past month. First is Katie with her Cousin Brooke.

The picture below is of Katie and her friend Libbie. Can you believe these two were born on the same day?!?
Below is Katie and her friend Danny (who is about 3 months older than her). During their play date Katie took over Danny's play gym, Danny tried to eat the foot of her sleeper...and at the end of the day they called it even. :-)

Happy Halloween - NOT!!! Katie wasn't very cooperative in letting us get a good picture of her in her Halloween costume. She appears to be saying...."Please stop taking my picture and get me out of this outfit!!!"

Me, Matt, and Katie on our 5-year Anniversary.

Me, Matt, and Katie at Maymont Park. You may notice I'm "wearing" Katie in the Moby. Thanks so much Uncle Joe, Aunt Tara, and Cousin Brooke....Katie spends a couple hours each day in the Moby! :-)

Love the pic below....Katie and Daddy during bathtime! Bathtime is - BY FAR - one of Katie's favorite times of every day. She's never cried in the bath...and we hope she continues to enjoy this nightly ritual.

Within the last week we started letting Katie spend some time each day in her Bumbo Chair. She is still a bit wobbly, but she's getting used to it. Its a whole new way for Katie to view the world! :-)

Another new development is that Katie is now "playing" with her toys. She can bat at her animals and try to grip and hold them. Her hands hit what they are aiming for about 50% of the time.....we are still working on the whole hand-eye coordination thing! :-)