10 Months - Week 4

This past week was busy! Lots to get ready for and lots of firsts!

Cate has been standing up on her own without support. She gets in a crouch stance and then stands up, usually holding a toy or something. She seems completely oblivious that she's doing it. Then as easily as she stood up, she sits back down. I imagine it will not be long before she attempts her first steps.

Cate came home with a one of her creations from school for the holidays.

Cate has also discovered the stairs, with Daddy's help! We were spending some time upstairs wrapping the last bit of gifts and Mike too her downstairs for a diaper change. he led her back to the stairs and decided to climb up a couple to see if she would follow. Sure enough, she followed and then passed him! She climbed up all the stairs all by herself. Mike hung back a few steps to catch her in case she tumbled, but she never did! Now we need to watch her more closely around the stairs since *someone* showed her what they are for!

On Thursday morning, we all loaded the truck and headed for Shreveport to spend Cate's first Christmas with everyone. We arrived and spent some time exploring Mike's parent's office. Cate discovered the candy canes and decided to enjoy one for herself. She was also bombarded with noisemakers.

That evening we had Christmas with my mom. Cate played with tissue paper before realizing the real treat was under the tissue paper.

We also went outside to enjoy all the Christmas lights Mike's dad put up for her. Her favorite thing was the giant ornaments, which she thought was a big ball for her to eat.

On Christmas Eve/Aunt Christie's birthday, we went to my Dad's house to have Christmas and visit. Cate opened every one's gifts! We also came home with my old My Buddy doll that I got when I was 5 years old.

That evening we went to Shogun to surprise Aunt Christie for her birthday. Cate got to meet a lot of people. She cried when the cook made the big fire on the grill but did rather well with the rest of the night. She enjoyed the grilled veggies very much!

On Christmas morning, we all watched cartoons until everyone else woke up. We passed out presents and played with ribbons, tissue paper and tape while everyone took their turn opening gifts. Cate cut in line and opened a few of her before going down for a nap. Her face was priceless after opening her second gift. She looked so surprised and excited!

Mommy had to open the rest of her gifts since she seemed disinterested after a while. She was too busy taking in everything else and all the excitement surrounding her.

That evening Cate enjoyed some sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and peas for dinner with everyone and played with her new toys and new friend Gabe (Mike's brother's girlfriend's son....got it? lol). She followed him around the living room and kitchen. Then he eventually got down on her level and crawled around following her. It was very cute!

Cate had a hard time going to bed that night knowing there was still much excitement happening without her downstairs. It was a rough night. And a rough next morning. She did not want to nap even though she was very tired. We decided to make out way home with a very fussy Cate the whole way.

Last night and this morning seemed better. But after her up and down morning nap, she's been very fussy and has been crying most of the day. She has a fever, runny nose and cough. She has barely allowed up any pics of her in her new Saints outfits. Poor thing does not feel well at all. At least we all are off this week to take care of her.