Everything's Coming Up Roses

We made it!!! Louie has officially completed the last day of his very difficult three month service.  I'm so proud of his dedication to his patients and his hard work.  I think he might just sleep all weekend!

The consultants have to fill out end-of-quarter evaluations on their resident and Louie's consultant completed his yesterday. He felt that the simple evaluation would not do Louie justice so (brag alert!!) he wrote a letter to the head of the ortho department stating that Louie was one of the best residents he had ever worked with, "his work and evaluations in clinic have been flawless," plus many other beaming statements.  Did I already say I'm so proud of him?

Louie's probably going to be a little perturbed by all my bragging but this really has been the toughest quarter he has completed since he started residency and his complaining was very, very minimal.  If you know my husband, that is quite a feat!   :)

While Louie has been working, Kinsley and I have been busying ourselves with very important things... like learning new tricks!

Have a great weekend!
Love, C, L, & K

New Toys

This week Kinsley got some new "toys." One is for her and one is more for Mama.  She seemed to be getting a little ho-hum about her exersaucer and  I wanted something that would help her practice standing up, so we picked up a LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table.  If I steady her from behind, she can stand and play some beautiful music, OR I can take two of the legs off so it sits at an angle and she is mesmerized by all the sounds and music.  :)

The other fun toy is Kinsley's new "high chair."  We've been using the Bumbo and tray but I couldn't move around the kitchen for fear she would fall over.  This new chair is great because it's connected to our island and the seat itself rotates 360 degrees so I can turn her to face me when she's eating and have her face out when I'm cooking or cleaning up.  I love it!

On another note, a bad cold is going through our little family.  Kinsley caught it first and then passed it along to Louie.  I'm afraid I'm next. I'm praying this is a fly-by cold and that it won't linger long for anyone.

Hope everyone in Texas is enjoying their spring break and we are looking forward to our next trip to South in April!

Have a super weekend!!
Love,
C, L, & K

Taste of Spring

The past few days here in Rochester have been wonderful.  The sun was out, the birds were singing, and the snow was melting.  It actually hit 65 degrees on Sunday! That said, I know there is more snow on the way but Kinsley and I have enjoyed every moment we could.  We went on a couple walks and even made our first trip to a park.  It's rainy and overcast today but it's still 45 degrees and any temp above freezing is alright with me!

With all the melting snow and mud, some new boots were in order.  Louie's parents bought me some new rainboots, or as Louie calls them "muck boots," for my birthday.  They're by a brand named Bogs and I love them! Thanks Strykers!!

Seven Months Old!

Miss Kinsley turned 7 months on Saturday.  She is growing and changing almost daily.  It's hard to believe what a big girl she's becoming!  She is such a great buddy and as long as she is not too sleepy (and it's not past her bedtime), she's pretty much game for anything.  She is developing such a little personality and just her smile makes my heart swell.

Louie has been so busy the past three months that he hasn't been able to spend nearly the amount of time with her that he would like.  The past few days his consultant has been out of town and I've witnessed the most amazing interactions between daddy and daughter... he is definitely smitten. I love seeing the two of them together. A lot more fun times ahead I'm sure!!


At 7 months, Kinsley:
-Wears size 6-9 month size clothing
-Wears size 3 Pampers Cruisers
-Can sit on her own while manipulating toys or books.
-Still loves to bounce. :)
-Loves to grab Daddy's, Mimi's and Shorty's glasses
-Gets super excited over books. We read "There's a Wocket in My Pocket" by Dr. Seuss one too many times on our trip.  Maybe we should have brought a couple more books!
-Is a very good eater. She has tried rice cereal, greenbeans, peas, squash, sweet potatoes (not a big fan), pears, prunes, and banana flavored puffs. Although, most of the puffs don't actually make it in her mouth.
-Drinks about 7 oz bottle/feeding about every 3 1/2-4 hours
-Is great at going to sleep and sleeps for about 12 hours only waking 1-2/night wanting her paci back.
-Is rolling over back to tummy pretty consistantly but still not as purposeful as I would like.  This could be due to the fact that the girl still likes to be swaddled, so she spends at least 12 hours/day wrapped up like a burrito with her arms pinned by her side.  It's amazing how much she can squirm and roll around all wrapped up.
-Likes to sleep on her side - yes, while she's swaddled.  Doesn't look comfy to me, but okay.
-Has really started to belly laugh. (see video below)
-Likes to make this noise where she smacks her bottom lip against her top gum (still no teeth).  She looks like an old lady smacking for her dentures.
-Also likes to stick out her tounge and say "dadadadada."
-Still likes to watch Cars but is now getting bored with it after about 30 minutes. (Boo.)
-Occasionally still get in her swing.  It still has magical powers. :)

Love you Baby Girl!!

Texas Tour 2010

Kinsley and I just got back on Wednesday from a two week trip to Texas.  I apologize because I really was not very good about pictures on this trip.  We visited with so many friends and family members and I kept forgetting to pull out my camera!! Oops!!

We started in Dallas.  My mom met us there and we stayed with my cousins Rand E. and Holly and their kiddos.  They were so sweet to put us up... and put up with us, especially since the day we were supposed to head out of town, I ended up with the stomach flu and we had to stay an additional day.  Holly said next time we want to stay longer, we can just ask, I don't have to get sick. :)  Thanks so much for letting us stay with you Toulouse Family!!!  We also were able to visit with Marcus' mother and sister, my sister Victoria, my friends - Lisa, Kris, and Whitney - Beth and Mike - Lesley, Julie - and my mom was able to reconnect with a friend she hadn't seen in 30 years.  So neat!

After Dallas, we drove to San Antonio, stopping in Austin to see my sister, Sarah at UT.  We went to lunch at Katz' before heading on to San Antonio.  That week, Kinsley and I did some more catching up with family and our San Antonio friends.  We stayed with my mom... so nice to have so much help.  She even let me sleep in one morning! I hadn't done that in, let's see, nearly 7 months. Wow!

Then Kinsley and I were on to Houston to see Louie's parents.  We had a good time visiting.  We are also super excited because Carol is making Kinsley an Easter dress out of this beautiful pink dupioni silk!  Can't wait!

While in Houston we were able to visit some of my teacher buddies.  It was so good to see everyone! :)

So, the trip was great.  Many thanks to all who went out of their way to either come and see us or put us up for a few days!  Thanks!