4 Months Old and It Comes With Toys...

Kate was 4 months old on Tuesday 3/2. We went to the doctor today for her 4 month check up and she's still growing like crazy. She's 16 lbs and 27 3/4 inches long. She is 95th percentile for weight and keeps getting farther and farther off the growth charts on her length. The doctor said that she's the length of an average 9 month old right now. Here are some recent photos of our cutie.

We are having more fun with her than ever. Kate is a super happy baby and so much fun to play with. This week we got some of her toys down from the attic that required her being able to hold herself up better and she's been having a blast playing with her new things.

She hasn't quite figured out the jumping aspect of her door jumper but enjoys hanging out and feeling like she's right in the middle of things (it hangs between our kitchen and living room)

The frog was the early favorite on her exersaucer, but she also really likes the piano.

I'm not sure that the Baby Einstein people intended for the piano to be played this way, but our little Baby Einstein figured out how to make it work when she doesn't know how to push buttons with her hands yet...

Ready to be a Frequent Flyer

Kate took her first ride on an airplane last weekend...actually it was 4 rides counting our connections each way. We flew into Huntsville, AL on Friday afternoon. Huntsville is just 1 hour from Florence where Nonna and Papa live. Kate could not have been any better on the plane. Each trip she napped a little, ate a little and just hung out a little. All of the passengers who sat around us and the flight attendants on each flight commented on how great she did. She also LOVED being in the airports. She tried to talk to everyone that she saw. We are glad to know what a great traveler she is so that maybe she and Momma can manage some solo trips to Florence this way.

While in Florence we had a great time visiting with Nonna, Papa, Granny and all of Kate's aunts, uncle and cousins. We had 2 birthdays to celebrate--Kate's Aunt Anna and cousin Liza. Both parties were a lot of fun and Kate enjoyed seeing all of her Alabama family.

With Daddy on the plane

Daniel and Liza were crazy about Kate at Christmas when we were in Florence and couldn't wait to get their hands on her this time too. Here's Daniel and Kate...

...and Liza with Kate

Kate with Granny and Mary Emma

We were excited that the Jung's made it in on Sunday for Liza's birthday party. Here's Kate with Camden.

All 8 cousins at Liza's birthday party

The weather was awesome on Sunday. Here's Kate enjoying it with Daddy on the porch.

The birthday girl even took some time out of her busy schedule to hold Kate during her party.

Kate loved getting to spend some good time with Nonna...

...and Papa and we can't wait to see them again soon!

Feet...Who Knew How Wonderful They Are

I just wanted to give an update of what Miss Kate is up to these days. She is quite the Chatty Kathy these days talking to anything and everything that she can. Our newest big discovery has been her feet. She had kind of noticed them before when we would sit her up so that she could see them but just within the past week or so she has marveled at how wonderful they are when she holds them up while laying down. She started out staring at them, waving her arms and sometimes catching onto a toe. Now as soon as we lay her down to change a diaper or change her clothes or pretty much to do anything she pops her feet up and grabs on to her toes. We think it is hilarious. I have tried at least 10 times to catch a good toe grabbing session on video but as soon as the camera comes out she just stares at the camera and forgets about her toes. Here's the best that I have been able to capture...

Kate is really enjoying her story time every day. Several weeks ago we added this to our night time routine. After bath and before her last feeding we sit down and read 1 or 2 (depending on the attention span at the moment) stories. Kate absolutely loves it. We have been amazed how how intently she stares at the books and even figured out what we think some of her favorite things are based on her books. For example, she gets excited and hits the pages of her books that have a lot of pink on them.

We are constantly adapting how we do things based on our little princess and what keeps her happy. We were a big fan of using a sling to get things done early on but she's too big...hard on Momma's back...and too interested in what's going on to use that anymore. So we've been using our Baby Bjorn a little more lately so that she gets to see what's going on. She loves it. This was one of my favorites--cutting up fish for our first Lenten fish fry with Daddy...

She has also had a great time playing with Adi Levy. We have a lot of fun watching the girls interact with each other. Here are some recent pics from our latest play dates with Adi. Thanks to Candace for some of the pics!!

Happy Mardi Gras!

We couldn't let Mardi Gras pass without a post with some pictures of our little queen. The "dress" Kate is wearing is actually a top to a 2 piece outfit that will fit her better in a couple of years. Thanks to the Laperouses for the super cute outfit. We thought it was so cute that we would try to get some extra use out of it by letting it double as a dress while Kate is still so little. Doesn't work exactly right as a dress but we thought it was cute enough...and funny enough to share anyways. We hope everyone passes a good time today. Happy Mardi Gras!

Kate says, "Throw me some beads!"

Happy Valentine's Day!!

We have been having a wonderful first Valentine's Day as a family. Last night we all went out to eat and Pop Pop was even able to join us. We hope that everyone is having a great weekend. Happy Valentine's Day from the Speyrers!

Our sweet little Valentine

Kate playing with Pop Pop last night after dinner.

Bath time continues to be one of our favorite times of day. Just this week Kate graduated from her little plastic tub that fit over the kitchen sink to the big bath tub.

Black & Gold Super Bowl

Our little good luck charm has stuck again. Low and behold the New Orleans Saints have won the Super Bowl and Kate's Daddy was one of the lucky people who got to experience the jubilation in person. Nick flew out to Miami with Uncle D early Saturday morning to and had the experience of a lifetime. Kate and Momma hung back here in Baton Rouge and enjoyed watching the game with friends Scott, Candace and Adi. Candace's family was also in town for Adi's baptism so we enjoyed visiting with them this weekend as well.

Our Lil Dat was ready for the big game

Momma, Kate, Candace, Adi, Julianne and Jude watching the Super Bowl. Kate was staring right at the TV. She is absolutely mesmerized by the TV right now.

Daddy and Uncle D celebrating at the Super Bowl

Kate snuggled up with her new friend that Daddy brought home. Kate 'christened' this bear very quickly...she chewed on his head all night long after Daddy brought him home.

Not Your Average Girl

Kate was 3 months old on February 2nd. Our trip to the doctor for Kate's 3 month check up has confirmed for us that we don't have an "average" little girl on our hands. Kate is weighing in at 14 pounds, which is the 90th percentile, and 25 1/4 inches, which continues to be off of the growth charts. As all good parents do, before Kate was born we prayed for a healthy little girl that would be exceptional...above average you could say...and we are already seeing that our prayers have been answered. Kate is likely to be the size of a kindergardener by her 3rd birthday. All the more of her for us to love!! She is precious and we are having fun!!

We broke out the Bumbo seat to see how she would do. She seems to love it!!

Strolling with Adi and Candace before Momma went back to work.

Watching TV with Daddy

Just waking up from a nap with Momma

Kate's latest trick - rolling from her tummy to her back. In case you can't tell, we are loving being able to video so much so easily thanks to Mommy's new iPhone