Teeth and Crawling

Wow, what a big week for Kennedy.

On Tuesday, Kennedy turned 6-months old!  In that time, she has made so many developments.  It has been so exciting to see her being born and then develop from a totally dependent newborn into an increasingly independent infant.  Almost as amazing has been the incredible bond that we have developed, not only with her, but with the family as a whole.

On Wednesday, we noticed that Kennedy was cutting her first tooth.  We couldn't hardly believe it has just popped up because she hasn't been exceptionally fussy.  We had heard so many horror stories about children getting cranky when they start teething, but we have been lucky so far.  It was one of the bottom front teeth.  Then on Thursday, we noticed that she was cutting a second tooth right next to the first one.

This week, Kennedy also made the transition to full-on crawling!  She's not very fast just yet, but she's already getting better and better at it.  This weekend, we were able to capture her on the move.

On Saturday, we went to the nature preserve in Plano to have some 6-month/family portraits taken.  It was a pretty neat place with a number of trails to explore.  It is definitely worth another trip.  After our photographer edits the photos, she'll provide us with some digital copies.  We'll definitely be posting them to the blog when they're available.

While we were over in Plano, we made a long overdue trip to see the Smiths (Jason's aunt, uncle, and cousins).  Believe it or not, we haven't made it by to see them since Kennedy was born.  It was sure a nice opportunity to catch up and have dinner.

Trace's Wife Rebecca Holding Kennedy

Marissa Holding Kennedy

The Smith's with Kennedy

Another Week in the Books

On Monday, Rachel was off for Martin Luther King day. Kennedy was still not back to 100% so it probably did her a little good to stay home another day. The girls did get out of the house for a bit and took a trip to Downtown Dallas to visit Jason for lunch. It was nice getting to spend lunch as a family on a week day.

During Kennedy's sickness, she picked up a new trick. She has now fully learned how to whine. After 4 days at home with a sick kid that has learned to whine, Rachel actually was looking forward to going back to work on Tuesday! She did enjoy all the time home with Kennedy but was ready to get back into our normal routine. Kennedy's appetite had diminished while being home but as soon as she went back to school, she was eating normal again. I think she was ready to get back in to the swing of things as well.

On Thursday and Friday, the girls were on their own again. Jason had work events both nights but the girls managed just fine. Since Kennedy was feeling much better, it made it much easier. Rachel even managed to bake some goodies for the bake sale at Kennedy's school that was on Friday.

We can finally share some more exciting news! At Christmas, Tyler and Lynsey told us that Kennedy will be getting a cousin in 2012! Lynsey is due in the first part of August and we are all so excited for them. She is doing well so far. 2012 is sure going to be a busy year with weddings and births!

Last but certainly not least, Grandma and Grandpa Kime came for a quick visit. Dennis is looking into a machine that does laser etching on wood, plastic, metal and various other materials. The company that sells the machines had an open house and just happened to be located in the DFW Metroplex so they got to swing by after the demo. With the grandparents in town, we took advantage of the opportunity of having babysitters and went out to a movie. This is only the second time we have gotten to go out just the two of us since Kennedy was born. We saw the movie The Descendants and it was very good. Kennedy was a little bit fussy for them but eventually went down for the night.

Grandma and Grandpa were scheduled to fly out on Sunday afternoon. After returning their rent car and getting to the gate to print their boarding pass, they found out that all flights to Amarillo had been canceled due to high winds. They had to go back and rent another car so that they could drive home for work tomorrow. They were finally on the road about 4. It was a short visit but we enjoyed it!

The Sickness

We had another good week, although Kennedy hasn't felt 100%.  She's been coughing quite a bit.  Some nights, it has even been keeping her up.  On Thursday, she was sent home with a fever so Rachel took her by the doctor's office.  It turns out that she has bronchiolitis.  We've been giving her inhaler treatments ever since.  Rachel stayed at home with her on Friday since she has to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to daycare.

Kennedy continues to inch closer to crawling.  She'll get up on her hands and knees and then just rock back and forth.  She must know that she should be able to crawl because she'll even get a little frustrated when she has a toy just out of her reach. Most of the time she ends up going backwards in fact!

On Thursday evening, Jason made a trip to San Antonio for a series of meetings on Friday.  He returned that evening. This was a little tough on Rachel since she had to do the whole doctor/sick child thing by herself. This sure makes us appreciate one another that much more! We are in amazement on how single parents do it by themselves!

On Saturday, we went to Chuck E Cheese's for a birthday party.  A daughter of one of Rachel's co-workers was turning four. This was Kennedy's as well as Jason's first time to Chuck E Cheese. They both just stared in amazement at the spectacle!

Kennedy is still not back up to 100% but she continues to get better. The inhalers have provided her some relief and she can sleep through the night again. We are still battling the never ending supply of drainage though. We just can't figure out how someone so small could produce so much snot!

Kennedy continues to show signs of development.

She is getting better and better at holding her bottle.  In the mornings, Rachel has been able to put Kennedy in her play yard with a bottle and she's been able to feed herself while Rachel continues to get ready for the day.

Kennedy has also been improving her ability to sit up.  She can hold herself up for just up to a minute.  She's still pretty wobbly, but getting better.  She's doing well enough that we tried letting her ride in the shopping cart basket.  Rachel had purchased a liner for the shopping cart.  That way, we wouldn't have to worry about her just gnawing on the basket. It has a belt buckle that helps to hold her up.  She really loved her experience.

She is also inching closer and closer to crawling.  She is able to get up on her hands and knees, but just doesn't have the coordination to propel herself forward.  Stay tuned.  We hope to report more progress next week.

Holding Her Bottle

Eating Rice Cereal

Enjoying Dinner

One Our Way Out for a Jog

Sitting Up and Playing

Playing in the Crib

Happy New Year

On Tuesday evening, Auntie Whitney flew into town to help us watch Kennedy.  Kennedy's daycare was closed for the week, but we still had to work.  Since Whitney was still out of school and her work allowed her to take off, it was a good chance to get together.  Kennedy just loves her Auntie Whitney.  At Kennedy's daycare, they had been working with her to sit up on her own.  Since Kennedy had been away for a while, we were starting to get worried that she'd lose her progress.  During her time here, Whitney continued to work with Kennedy and it paid off.  She has continued to get better and better at sitting up on her own.  Sure, she can only do it for a couple of seconds, but it's progress nonetheless.  We also enjoyed getting to visit with Whitney about her upcoming wedding with Nate.  Whitney even asked Rachel to serve as her Matron of Honor.  That was a great honor for Rachel.  Those two have a special bond.  Too bad Whitney doesn't live closer.

Kennedy has also learned to truly jump in her bouncer.  For some reason, she curls her toes under her as she jump, and jumps and jumps.  It's quite humorous to see her jumping full on.  The photo below doesn't quite do it justice.

For new years eve, we didn't really do anything special.  Funny story, we were visiting with some of our neighbors from Bolivia.  They told us that in their country, they have a custom of doing various things within the first five minutes of the new year.  One of the customs is supposed to bring you much travel in the new year.  You are supposed to carry your luggage up and down the block.  We thought it'd be fun to watch and sure enough, about a dozen people came running out of the house with their luggage right at the stroke of midnight.  It looks like a fun tradition.  We might even give it a try next year.

For new years day, we did some much needed house cleaning.  That evening, we were able to have our neighbors, the Chaney's, over for dinner.  It was a nice visit.

Whitney and Kennedy

Wiggling Baby

Happy Girls

Little Cutie

Sitting Up and Playing

Jumping in the Bouncer