Day 57 - Miss Taylor

Support ISU!! Miss Taylor bought Kaycee an adorable ISU onsie! We're so thankful that Miss Taylor is here this week. I can't wait for Kaycee and Miss Taylor to have so much fun.  Hopefully, Kaycee behaves for Miss Taylor! 

My prayer for today is that Kaycee goes to college! 

Day 56 - Clever Momma

Ever heard of a Wubbanub? They're nifty little stuffed animals with a pacifier attached to the end. They looked so neat and had a cute little giraffe. I almost ordered one on the spot! However, I'm crafty... I could make one myself. Miss Taylor and I explored all of our stuffed animal options and decided we would try this giraffe/blankie first to see if it works. If so, I'll make it more permanent! 

She seems to enjoy it. She isn't quite capable of grasping the stuffed animal to hold the paci, but she also doesn't knock the paci out of her mouth as often. 

My prayer for today is that it's not much longer until Kaycee can grasp items and hold the paci in her mouth by herself! 

Day 55 - Mother's Day

Today was Mother's Day. We spent the afternoon at Grammy's house, eating lunch and hanging out together. I loved my first Mother's Day. I spent it celebrating me, my mother and my grandmother as well as Grammy's birthday and Dad's birthday! I love my family! 

My prayer for today is to celebrate many more Mother's Days with my family! 

Day 54 - Caleb's Birthday

Happy Birthday Frunkle Caleb! Today we spent the day celebrating Caleb's life! I'm so thankful for my Framily and how they love the Neals no matter what.  Caleb is 12 years old and every bit of a 12 year old boy! Caleb and Anthony share the love of basketball and Caleb loves on Kaycee any time she's over. We're thankful for Caleb!!  

My prayer for today is that Kaycee's Frunkles and Fraunt become Godly role models for her! 

Day 53 - Mother's Day Dinner

Today is Nana's last day with Kaycee. I'm bummed that we don't have more pictures of Kaycee and Nana, but tonight we celebrated Mother's Day with her. We took her to Red Robin where Kaycee cooed and smiled and made spit bubbles over and over again. She makes Nana so happy! We're so thankful for Nana and the last two weeks she's spent with Kaycee.  She has taken such good care of Kaycee. 

My prayer for today is that Kaycee gets to spend lots of quality time with Nana despite the distance. 

Day 52 - Tracking

Anthony and I took a great video of Kaycee tracking the giraffe. Anthony would go left, right, up, down, back and forward with the giraffe. She was so interested in it and followed it all over. Our little Kaycee is making leaps and bounds in her development!! 

My prayer for today is that Kaycee continues to develop and reach all of her milestones! 

Day 50 - Daddy Time

Kaycee loves her daddy. Kaycee spends a lot of time playing with Daddy when he gets home from work. It's rare that she snuggles in and falls asleep, but today she gave Daddy that treat! I love snuggling her and it makes me so happy to watch my two loves snuggle! 

My prayer for today is that Daddy enjoys the snuggle time as much as Momma does. 

Day 49 - Nana and Happy Girl

This is a picture that Nana took of Kaycee while they played this morning. Its one of the first pictures of Kaycee smiling! I'm so glad that Kaycee and Nana get to play all day long! 

My prayer for today is that we continue to capture these precious moments on camera!!! 

Day 48 - Big Girl Bath

Last night I read several articles online about when to start taking your baby to the swimming pool. Most articles mentioned that it should be several months from now. However, they did give some suggestions on how to get the baby comfortable in the bath. They suggest that you bath the baby in the regular bath tub, if and only if you're in the tub with them. (Kaycee can't sit or hold her head up on her own yet, so it's unsafe to not be in the tub with her). That's ok, I enjoyed the bath!!! 

(Kaycee getting used to the water)

(Kaycee floating on her back)

(Kaycee enjoying a rubber duckie)

My prayer for today is that Kaycee learns to swim and be comfortable in the water.

Baby Birds

There is a birds nest on the light right outside our front door. Every time we open our door or pull a car into the driveway the mother bird goes flying off, but not too far. She sits on the branch in the tree or on the grass close by. Her babies come up for food and I got a picture of all 4 of them!

Winnie The Pooh

She's cute in her Winnie The Pooh outfit! (Although it's way too big for her!)

Day 47 - Smith Day

Today was a full day in Illinois. We left at 7:30am and didn't come home till after 11pm. The day started off with an ultrasound at Northwest. The doctor wants to monitor Kaycee's ureter and today was the first check up. It's still dilated but the ultrasound tech was very positive. She said that it usually goes away and that the doctor will want to monitor it just to make sure it doesn't get worse. Over all her Kidney is functioning perfectly, so she wasn't concerned! 

Then we went to support Emily at Prospect's musical Shrek. Emily was fantastic, and the musical was fun! 

(Kaycee in Shrek ears!)

Then we went to support Caleb at his baseball game. He scored a run while we were there. It was extra windy and I was concerned about Kaycee. But we got her to sleep and then she spent the afternoon sleeping in Frappy's lap. My parents brought the Ergo carrier from Wisconsin, which was exactly what we needed for the rest of the day! 

(Cheering Caleb on)

Then we rushed through Culver's for dinner and ice cream. We made it to Emily's ballet just in time and sat next to Bill and Edna! Emily was beautiful. Kaycee spent the ballet in the Ergo carrier, she did ok until everyone started clapping which was about every 4 minutes. It would startled her and I would take her out. Eventually, I just stood by the door. She only had to go out like 5 times...

(Emily's ballet)

There is an art gallery in honor of my maternal grandfather. I didn't even know it was there. But it was super cool to figure it out while there! 

My prayer for today is that Anthony and I continue to support our family and friends and that Kaycee is loved and supported back! 

Smiley Baby

Kaycee is generally a happy baby! She has even started smiling! When we act goofy in front of her or make eye contact and smile real big she'll smile back. It's my favorite part of the day!! 

I try to make her smile all the time and of course I can never get it on camera. But I will continue to try. I love that little girl and her toothless smile!!! 

My prayer for today is that Kaycee is happy!

Day 46 - Play Time

I know it's a little early to start Kaycee in a play area, but we couldn't wait any more! We're so excited for Kaycee to learn and grow and we want to encourage positive growth. This play area is full of color and exciting new adventures! 

She isn't quite ready for it yet. She doesn't reach out and grab the hanging parts yet, and she doesn't focus on any one part for an extended amount of time. But she loves the colors and even gets distracted from crying, by the colors, while on Tummy Time. She'll grow into it!

My prayer for today is that Kaycee loves to learn!

Day 45 - Daddy's Magic Touch

Tonight, Kaycee fought particularly hard to not go to sleep. It got pretty late and Momma and Daddy were very tired. First, Momma tried everything she could to convince Kaycee to sleep. But eventually Daddy took over. He tried all his normal tricks and nothing was helping. So, he got creative and turned her over. 

(Kaycee's eyes open, Daddy's eyes closed.)

(Kaycee's eyes closed, Daddy's eyes still closed.)

My prayer for today is that Momma and Daddy continue to be creative in solving situations with Kaycee.