Honoring Those Who Have Served

In recognition of Memorial Day, we traveled to Tahoma National Cemetery where Kyle's Grandpa Dale is laid to rest.  Both Travis and I know Grandpa Dale would have been extremely fond of his little granddaughter.  It was no surprise to us that she was all smiles once we arrived.  It was a beautiful day and had special meaning to honor those who have served our country.  

Heads Up!

Similar to all newborns, Kyle has been working on head control.  This involves quite a bit of tummy time.  Last week, she finally reaped the benefit.  Here is Kyle holding her head up high and loving it.  The smiles and praises from me were very well received.

Random Events

A collection of random pictures from the past couple weeks.

Don't let the silly monkey outfit throw you.  She has a mean left hook.  

Every night, we swaddle Kyle up.  It creates a bit of a straight jacket experience.  However, she seems to be content and sleeps well.  Although you definitely know when she wants out in the morning.

Although Kyle has a traditional piggy bank to support her Iowa roots, we figured it was also best to have one for any future vices.  Since she's our little angel, I don't suspect any money will be going in there for quite some time.

A morning of fan watching can make a girl tired.

Although bath time is okay, Kyle loves taking a shower.

Catching up on daily events with Dad on a typical rainy morning.

It is good to be me.

My, She has Grown.

Kyle  has several outfits that she has both in newborn and 3 month size.  She is definitely out of the newborn clothes, and I am starting to suspect it will not be too long before we are moving onto 6 months.  However, the two shots here show how much she has grown.  The first was taken the very end of March.  The second was taken mid-May.  

Is this Heaven?

Kyle took her first trip to Iowa last week.  Although I would have loved for it to be under different circumstances, it was wonderful to see my family and show off our little girl.

Since it was Mother's Day, Kyle and I got a sweet upgrade to first class for the trip.  She seemed to love travelling in luxury, while I appreciated the extra assistance and space it provided.  Kyle was an excellent flyer, spending the majority of the time sleeping.  However, she did wake up to be sure to smile at folks as they got on the plane and to also appreciate the finer points of the various airports.  Several people commented they did not even know she was on the plane.  I would have to say the trip was a success, and I am thrilled since it likely will be one of many.  

Once we arrived in Iowa, Kyle got reaquainted with Grammi and Grampi.  In all my ears of traveling through the Sioux Falls airport, my father has always met me at the bottom of the escalators.  Yet this time, he was actually at the top.  I guess I know where I stand.  Kyle though was all gummy grins to see them again.  

Three generations for Mother's Day.

Even more thrilling was the fact Kyle got to meet her cousin Rhapsody, Uncle Chris, and Aunt Melissa.  She loved spending time with Rhapsody, who was a great big cousin. Rhapsody read Kyle all her favorite books, sang her Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and made sure she had adequate food and burping.  Plus Rhapsody was extremely diligent at ensuring the cap was always on Kyle's bottle.  I suspect these two are going to be great friends. 

Someone (who will remain nameless) possibly got a little jealous when her mom held Kyle.  

Kyle also got great hugs from Great Grandma Helen.  This was an extra special treat since Kyle is Grandma Helen's fourth great-grandchild.  Number five will hopefully be here in July.  

In between meeting all these people, it is hard to believe Kyle had time for anything else. However, she did get to to experience a bit of Iowa weather with highs in the 80s.  I think Kyle may take after her father in not being a fan of heat or sun.  Her mom loved the fact she could finally break out one of her little dresses.

Our new Okoboji sun hat.  First of likely many Okoboji outfits.

All in all, we had an amazing trip and are so excited to return.  It may not be Heaven, but Iowa seemed just as nice.  

Two Months+

Kyle technically turned two months two days ago on May 11.  However, since we were visiting family I was unable to post.  She celebrated the day in her usual style with big gummy grins, which have become a regular site the past couple weeks.  This is especially the case in the morning when she will stare at the ceiling fan and chat.  Kyle is now sleeping between 6-7 hours at night followed by a short cat nap with mom before she is ready to face the day.  She is becoming more active during the day, often spending quite a bit of time in her play mat watching the lights or batting the toys.  She coos with excitement.  Kyle loves things that play music or have sounds.  Often she will lay and do what we call her exercise routine which involves kicking her legs and big giant stretches with a little boxing thrown in.  At times, she becomes a bit too excited which leads to some spit up.  This past month she has started focusing on objects a bit more and definitely recognizes her mom, which pleases me.  Kyle continues to be extremely mellow, loving to cuddle up with either her dad or I.  She rarely fusses and even went on an extended plane trip with few folks even knowing there was a baby on the plane.  Several folks commented on what a doll she was - we certainly think so.  

At her two month appointment, Kyle continued to display her height having grown to 23 7/8 inches (96%).  Her weight blossomed to 12.4 pounds (75%), and her head continues to be on the large side - 15 7/8 (97%).  This is probably why her mom's favorite hat is beginning to be a little tight.  Sadly this meant her mom had to retire many of her newborn clothes, but luckily we have a whole bunch of cute outfits to model in the months to come.

A New Perspective

Last weekend, I purchased Kyle a bumbo.  This is essentially a plastic seat for babies that holds them in an upright position.  Since Kyle has pretty good head control, we decided to give it a shot the other day.  As the pictures show, she loved it.  Kyle just sits and stares at so many things around here.  She is definitely taking it all in.  

Happy Mother's Day

On this day, Kyle and I are in Iowa spending the day with my mother and honoring my grandmother.  I now truly understand what really goes into being a mom and am grateful for the love and encouragement I received from the women in my life.  I don't doubt for a second that Kyle is going to have amazing support from the women in her life as well.  Thank you to all the moms we love.

Grammi Jan

Grandma Donna

Great Grandma Linda

Aunt Amy

Great Grandma Vi

Great Grandma Helen (Garmer)

G.G. 

What do you think?  Does Kyle have Great Grandma Irene's nose?

Aunt Melissa and Rhapsody

She may not be a Mom, but she is a great Aunt Stephanie.

As for the blogger, she could not be more thrilled to be a mommy.

 

All Our Love

Today our family lost a very special person.  My Grandma Dorothy (Kyle's G.G.) passed away.  When I found out I was pregnant, there were few folks as excited as G.G.  She was also the only person who was convinced I was having a little girl.  Grandma Dorothy counted down the months and days waiting for the new addition to our family.  She was so happy when Kyle entered our lives.  I could go on about how amazing G.G. was, but instead I'll save those stories to share with my little girl someday.  

I wish that she could have met Kyle in person.  However, I know she is smiling with my grandfather and watching over both of their great grandkids.  We love you.