Cate's First Christmas Part 5: a few random pics

(Above) Yes, Daddy bought Cate her own first set of clubs. We think he's hoping for the future "Tiger Woods" of the LPGA:) Or at the very least a golfing partner.

(Below) Loved playing the piano. She's finally getting a little hair...definitely a little:)

(Below) Hanging out with Aunt Laurie.

(Below) Always a smile.

(Below) Aunt Laurie's bib from her first Christmas... yes, Gramma saves everything!

Cate's Christmas Part 4

This is a bit long but will give you a good idea of how funny and playful Cate is. She even cracks herself up. She is trying to climb up on the aerobed, and it sounds like she's trying to climb a mountain. You can also see how persistent she is; never one to quit or get discouraged. Near the end when she's looking at the dog, you may hear her panting...that's her "this is what a doggy sounds like" noise which she tends to do whenever she sees a dog. She had us laughing so hard:)

Cate's First Christmas Part 3

Moving on to Christmas morning: it's true, in case you've forgotten, babies really do like the paper and boxes best. She did like her Stride and Ride Lion from Grandpa and Gramma. She can really go until she crashes into the furniture. And she loves pushing the lion's nose to make music.

Cate's First Christmas Part 2

Of course we took Cate to Trinity Lutheran Church,where she was baptized, for her first Christmas Eve service. We went to the 4PM children's white gift service, and she did a great job taking up her little box of chocolate pudding wrapped in white paper (with a little help from Mommy, of course). She also watched in wide-eyed wonder as the children's choir performed and was entertained by little Liam McKernan (Lindsay's good friend Tara's 2 year old) who was sitting in the pew in front of her. They even shared cheerios during the sermon. Liam also lives in Maine and was back in Ashland for Christmas to visit relatives too, so I guess they have a common bond:) These pictures show Cate all dressed up for church in the dress and shoes Gramma got her. Later she's putting out cookies and milk for Santa wearing her red Christmas pj's. (That's not Uncle Zach snitching the cookies, is it???)

Cate's First Christmas 2008 Part 1

What a wonderful Christmas with Cate and all the family. I have lots of pictures and will share them over several new posts. Let's start with Cate's arrival and her fascination with my Christmas cards. Before she arrived, I had a beautiful Lenox bowl filled with cards but that quickly got replaced with a child friendly basket. She spent many, many minutes (perhaps hours) taking the cards out of the basket, handing them out, and putting them back in the basket. When that didn't provide enough entertainment, dumping them on the floor and putting the basket on her head bumped the fun level up a notch. Sometimes she even stopped to "read" a card. She found it all very amusing. Thank you to everyone who sent the Pappases a Christmas card this year and contributed to Cate's entertainment:)

Dec. 16: Cate is 11 months old

As soon as Lindsay sends me some pictures I'll be able to show you our big (relatively speaking) girl. She still fits into some 6-9 months clothes so you know she's not that big. But she's sure learning lots of new things. She answers "moo" to "How does a cow go?" and "pluck, pluck" to "How does a chicken go?" Her first word is now officially "Da!" for dog. Do you see a pattern emerging? She's definitely her mother's daughter. To heck with Ma Ma and Da Da as long as she knows her animals:)
She also waves bye, puts her arms up for "How big is Cate?" and will give her mommy and daddy a high five. We're working on blowing kisses to Gramma and Grandpa over the web cam.
She's also standing, pivoting, and taking as many as 6 steps by herself. Most of all she laughs, chuckles, dances, and is a very happy baby.
We can't wait to have everyone home for Christmas. I notice Cate has the most presents...hmmm. I bet Auntie Laurie will have something to say about that!
I'll be back later with some updated pictures.

Nov 16: Cate is 10 months old!

Cate is very excited about turning 10 months old. Even though she is getting bigger, her new winter coat is still huge on her. Oh, well, in Maine it will need to fit until at least the first of May:)

Back from Maine (Part 3): Fall visit to our camp

While we were up at our cottage, we drove over to our friends, the Heichels. Here are Lindsay, Cate and Jane.











Mommy and Cate at the cottage














Gramma and Cate at our cottage. (The lake was so beautiful though most of the leaves were down. We were there about an hour. Had our lunch while sitting in the car looking out at the lake. Walked around a bit and checked to make sure all was secured for the winter.)







Gramma and Cate sitting on the front step of the cottage. These posts to the blog go in reverse order. Oh, well... There are 3 new ones so just keep scrolling down:)

Back from Maine (Part 2) - Halloween

Cate dressed up like a little pirate for Trick-Or-Treat. She just visited a few neighbors she knows to show off her baby cuteness:)

Here she is with her very own little pumpkin.

Nov 2: Back from Maine (Part 1)

All dressed up in a new outfit from Donna and Debby.

Brushing her teeth

Getting smooches from Zoe

Looking at herself in the video camera and soothing those new teeth by gnawing on the edge of the coffee table:) She's doing a good job of pulling herself up, standing, and walking along the edge of things. She's even brave enough to walk from one object to the next as long as she can reach out and hold on.

Had a great week in Maine with Cate, Lindsay, and Rick. I played Gramma/Nanny/Housekeeper. They were threatening to tear up my plane ticket and just send for Jay so I guess I was a good houseguest:) Loved all the time I got to spend with Cate. She has changed so much since I last saw her the middle of August.

Now She's Nine...Months that is:)

Cate is 9 months old today, October 16.

Here she is having fun at daycare. She now has 4 teeth, 2 on the bottom and 2 on the top. As you can see, the hair is still a bit scarce. Her latest trick is crawling up on something (like Mommy's legs) and then pushing herself up to standing. She talks nonstop, but I guess in this family that's understandable:)

October 5, 2008

Look how big our girl is getting to be, standing by herself:)





















And here is Cate when she came home from the hospital and then Cate now. How babies grow that first year. What a miracle!

Our little Eaglette

Do you suppose Cate could grow up to be an Ashland University "Eaglette"?:)

Cate is eight!

Cate is 8 months old today. Wow! Where did that time go? Here she's enjoying some playtime in her pack n play.
Ready to go off to daycare and school.
Time for supper.

Cate loves it on the days when Daddy is home with her; the other days at daycare...not so much. Luckily with Rick's schedule, daycare only happens about once a week, two days at most. That said, above are two pictures taken today at daycare. Doesn't look like it's too bad:)

Cate goes to the park

Cate on a blanket in the park by the library enjoying a late summer day.
Cate discovers grass. Something else to pull besides hair:)
Is that some hair growing on that bald noggin?

Cate's rough week

Usually such a smiley baby, Cate is having a rough week. She's doing a few short trial runs at daycare and is none too happy about it. She ran a fever Monday night (teething?) and has had more than her usual trouble settling down for naps (especially at daycare). So...such a tired, cranky baby. Such a sad, sad face:(
But this cooled teething ring really helps and brings a bit of a smile:)

Cate's 1st Lobster Bake

Cate attended her first lobster bake and got up close and personal with a lobster.
Daddy's friend Mike, also a fireman and a lobsterman, lives at this beautiful spot. His lobster boat is in the background. Cate's perched on a lobster trap.
Lovin' life in Maine:)