Oh how they grow!

10 things I love about Henry

2009-07-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

in no particular order . . .

his smile that peeks out behind his pappy
when he snores
the way he snuggles my neck if he's really sleepy
his giggles
when he talks or sucks his lips in and hums
when he sucks his thumb (shh, don't tell anyone)
the determination in his eye when he's chewing on my hand
the way he's always sticking his touge out but only on the left side of his mouth
how darn excited he gets when he's trying to grab something that he knocks it away
after nusing and he gets that milk drunk smile as if to say "thanks mom"

10 things I love about Katie

2009-07-09T05:55:00.000-07:00

in no particular order . . .

she introduces herself to virtually everyone! "Hi my name is Katie. What's your name? Nice to meet you."
the way she talks about her friends. Although she's never been to a daycare, she seems to be able to make friends very easily. So when it's time to leave the playground / play date, she likes to talk about the friends she played with
when she breaks out into song at the grocery store
how polite she is. I take it for granted when we're at home but I always notice and appreciate it when we're out and about.
it's July and she's still God blessing Santa Clause! (I think he really made an impact on her and has a lot to live up to!)
her rock collection. She HAS to pick at least one up from everywhere we go!
how much she loves her brother (at least for now!)
the way her voice gets real squeeky when she pretends
the way she runs. Anyone who has seen it, knows she has more hip and elbow action than her feet can keep up with!
when she wants to snuggle and says, "I love you mommy!"

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-06T05:09:00.000-07:00

Notice the dark clouds behind the fireworks! We got poured on! Thankfully they went ahead with the show between showers and we got home early.

Airport Reunion

2009-07-04T19:56:00.001-07:00

We have had a wonderful long weekend with Scott home. No one missed him more than Katie!

I Survived!

2009-06-30T08:27:00.001-07:00

Well I survived! I've made it 30 days as a single, stay at home mother of two! With only a short period of temp. insanity during the first few weeks. Scott comes home today and I couldn't be happier.

(not a picture of us but sure looks like it! HA!)

No inhibitions!

2009-06-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

Need I say more!

How cute is he?!?

(thanks for all your help Jenna)

In the summertime, when the weather is hot . .

2009-06-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

go swimming with friends,

eat popcicles,

run around half naked,

and don't forget to share your toys with your brother!

milestones

2009-06-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

Henry rolled over this past weekend! (11 weeks old)

Play Date

2009-06-10T19:59:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun today with Jenna, Caroline, Will, and Jack! Thanks for the play date and we can't wait to do it again.

Katie LOVES to swing, so that was our first stop at the park.

Doesn't every kid like to play in the dirt.

A little time on the slides

Henry, just hanging out watching all the fun.

Having a little fun of his own!

Nursing Henry - everybody has to eat right?

Back to the swings with Jack

Someone got tired of having her picture taken

A quick tea party with mom before we leave

Pizza for lunch

Nap time. . .

for Henry at least

girls will be girls

Fell asleep on the way home planning her escape back to Jenna's house

Nothing says summertime like...

2009-06-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

a traveling ice cream van!!!

Katie sees and hears the ice cream man every afternoon and runs to the window (although she was more interested in the fact it has stickers all over it than what was inside). Well, I gave in and got us a drum stick to share. First of all, what a rip off! And second of all, I was unsure the toothless man could count back the change from a $5 bill for a $2 drum stick (and he certainly wasn't going to get any help from the 500 lb woman on a snack break in the front seat). But it was worth every dollar of it just to see this face!

PURE BLISS!!

This weekend was full of swimming,

(ice water takes a little getting use to)

(okay floaties and a tube may be too much but she forgets she's only two)

(working on his pool side "tan")

(suckers for everyone!)

family reunions,

and baseball games.

("go team! . . wait, where's my stickers?")

(don't worry Henry, it'll get more interesting when you learn the rules)

Henry's first giggles!

2009-06-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

Last night was the first time Henry actually chuckled at something funny! It was so precious. I must say I have a real crush on this little man!

Katie's ABC's

2009-06-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

Now that I got my video to upload, I had to go back and post this one of Katie singing her ABC's! And how cute is Henry tring to steal the show! She thinks it's funny now but it won't always work that way.

Summertime ingenuity

2009-06-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

Before you see this video, let me explain how this went down.
First, I saw these kids playing up and down the street in front of my house on these tiny motorcycles. They caught my eye because they were in everyone's driveway. Then, I saw a young mother walking around the block with her baby in a stroller. This too caught my eye because I should be out doing that instead of eating cookie dough like I was. The street got quiet for a few minutes but then I hear the motorcycle again. My eyes peak out the window and in disbelief . . . I see the stroller being pulled behind at a relatively high rate of speed - and IT TIPS OVER!!! As the young boy is nonchalantly picking the stroller up, I realized that there was no child passenger (thank goodness). Once my panic subsided, I couldn't help but laugh and get out my camera!! Later, he got tired of pulling around an empty stroller and convinces his sister to go for a ride. Thankfully she was too heavy and they called it quits!

Time flies

2009-05-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

Today is our seven year wedding anniversary and it seems like yesterday and forever ago. Our marriage started off rocky when Scott was deployed to Pine Bluff (yes, AR) after just 3 months together. He was able to come home for a day or two every two weeks or so (which doesn't seem bad once you've been married for a few years) but we were young and just starting our life together so it was difficult. Then just as things were starting to settle in, he was deployed again but this time it was to Iraq. He was gone for a year and a half (12 months in country) but we really grew as a couple, thanks to long (and expensive) phone calls and, on occasion, web conversations. This is were I must thank Jenna and her wonderful and patient family for giving me a seat at their dinner table at least 4 nights a week! We were able to conceive Katie on a welcomed R&R visit home and she was born just a few weeks after his deployment came to an end. She was baptised in the spring of 2007 in the same church that we were married. Now, just yesterday, Henry was baptised in the same church and our life couldn't seem more complete.

Everything's funner in jammies

2009-05-14T06:32:00.000-07:00

Famous last words "I need my baby Henry!"

Where's Waldo?

So sweet

I looked everywhere for her!

There were 4 in the bed and the little ones said . . .

2009-05-05T05:56:00.000-07:00

My first thought when Scott brought Katie to our bed at 4:30 a.m. was "oh no you didn't!". She hasn't been sleeping very well for the past few nights but usually he goes to her bed to sleep. I was up feeding Henry of course and was too tired to question his decision. Then just as I was getting Henry back to sleep and in his cradle, Scott's alarm started going off - and thanks to snooze, keep going off for the next 20 minutes. So Henry was having no part of going back in his bed. I couldn't believe my luck!!! I managed to get about an hour of extra sleep and when I woke up, I really couldn't believe my luck. My two precious babies snuggled up my bed. Sometimes I get so caught up in the chores of life that I forget that they will only be little once. That all too soon, they won't fit in my lap or need me to kiss their hurt away. Scott will probably laugh at me for taking another picture but when they are all grown up and thumbing through the CD album of their life, I hope they laugh and remember a childhood full of love and good times together. (But tonight it's back in their own beds!!)

From colic to cute

2009-05-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

Right when I was ready to call it quits on maternity leave and go back to work . . . .

there's a light at the end of the colic tunnel. Every night Henry thinks he should SCREAM from about 7:00 until 10:00. I think I've figured out what he likes (a tight swaddle and mamma's boobs) and things have been better for the last two nights. I have felt so bad for Katie and not spending enough one on one time with her but. . .

finger painting seemed to make us both feel better! It was so funny. She doen't really like to be dirty so when I was explaining the concept of "finger" paint, she wasn't sure about it. But once she got into it, let's just say I had to carry her straight to the bath tub. She was so proud of her masterpiece and couldn't wait to show her daddy when he got home.

She loves him so!

Being a Big sister is serious buisness

2009-04-23T05:41:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was a potty training success! Katie stayed DRY all day! She's really taking this big sister thing seriously. Now, today we're going to have lunch with my parents before they head off for their fabulous European trip (so jealous). So we'll see how she does on the go. I guess I'll pack several sets of clothes and towels. Wish us luck!

potty training update

2009-04-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

(a picture from last summer when I thought we were going to potty train)

Okay Monday went better than expected. Here's the play by play
9:00 woke up and was hesitant at first about panties but then was excited
9:45 first small accident that she didn't know about or didn't tell me - not sure which
10:15 bigger accident in the floor and started to freak out afterwards
10:45 big accident again in the floor but tried to stop it with her hands (yeah gross)
11:30 she got a strange look on her face so I asked if she needed to go to the bathroom and YES success!
12:30 got another strange look on her face and told me she needed to go to the bathroom success again!
2:00 nap and a wet bed (I know, I know should have went with the pull ups at least)
5:00 stood in a puddle and cried while outside playing
6:30 I had gone inside to feed Henry and Scott brought her in with wet shorts
8:00 bed time and a diaper

Tuesday she went to Kim's house in a diaper, sat on the potty a few times but nothing

Now it's Wednesday and we're back in panties. It's been about an hour and a half and we're still dry. Lets keep our fingers crossed but a towel close by :)

Potty training???

2009-04-20T06:12:00.000-07:00

Just some fun pictures.

Okay, today is the day! Katie is still asleep but when she wakes up she's putting on panties! I think she's ready (she tells me when her diaper is full and needs to be changed and she doesn't like to be dirty) so I hope this will go smoothly. I'm sure I'll still have to clean up several accidents but I'm ready! Let's just hope she is too.

Easter eve

2009-04-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

let me just say before i get started - i'm trying to nurse and keep an eye on katie with play dough while i blog, but this is my life these days!

Thank goodness for nice weather on sat. we were able to hunt eggs and snap a few pics. It took a while for Katie to warm up to the idea of the Easter bunny. She HATED the bunny at the mall - go figure! But once we learned the Peter Cotton Tail song and relized he would bring toys and candy, he's been great. (Side bar - Katie has now lined up the tubs of play dough and is jumping over them screaming "I win the race!" Henry is still eating!!!!) The egg hunt was so much fun - thanks mamaw and papaw. Katie was so funny, she would just put her bucket down and run around trying to carry as many eggs in her arms as she could before dumping them and moving her bucket to a new area. She had a great time. Although it rained on Sun. we still braved it and took the kids to church. Henry did great, sleeping most of the time and looked cute for everyone to ooooh and ahhhh over. Katie walked a fine line between melt down and precious. She just keep asking to walk to the front of the church and get blessed and couldn't understand why we couldn't just go up there any time we wanted. But we made it and it was a good day.

smile for the camera

2009-03-29T18:20:00.000-07:00

i couldn't help myself

Lovin' the pappy

2009-03-28T11:03:00.000-07:00

Henry and Katie....look alikes?

2009-03-26T18:42:00.001-07:00

Do you think these babies look alike?

Happy Birthday Henry

2009-03-26T11:31:00.001-07:00

Henry Ethan Pettigrew
8lbs. 2oz.
20.25 "
Everyone is healthy and happy! More to come from Heather later.

18 hours and counting!

2009-03-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow's the big day! I can't believe this day is finally here. I don't know if I'm just in shock or if I'm crazy but I feel pretty calm. I just can't wait to see this little man and share him with our family and friends. I think I'm most concerned with Katie and how she will react to the big day - especially after we wake her up a 5 am. I recieved a card a few weeks ago that really touched my heart. It said "Babys have become an everyday event that sometimes we forget that each one is a miracle". I hope to never forget what miracles both of my babys are to me.

Last minute belly shots - as not to forget just how big and beautiful I was two day before delivery.

Katie's belly shot - lets hope she doesn't think mommy looks this big in a few months!

The big 2!

2009-01-22T18:35:00.000-08:00

Say it ain't so!! Katie had her 2nd birthday last week and I thought I was going to be okay with it but I guess with all the pregnancy hormones, I admit . . .I cried (just a little). It's not just that she's 2 but she also got her big girl bed. She just looks so tiny in it! Not to mention, it's a good three feet off the ground! The first night was rough (typical things - she can reach the light switch -you can guess how that went- and her head getting caught UNDER the rail) but she's doing much better these days. Her birthday party went as well as expected. First she sprayed water into the front of the t.v and screwed up the screen (it's gotten better but everyone still has a cone head). Then about an hour before the party began, she followed me into every room and threw herself on the ground in a fit. Then just like magic, she heard the first guest arrive and it was all better. She was her happy self again. Her favorite thing to say these days it "one more ______ mommy". Usually it's one more Mickey Mouse or one more time which can drive you crazy! But tonight as I was putting her to bed it was "one more kiss, mommy!" MELT!

Baby news- Not much going on. Everything is going great. But I must say, my good manners are wearing thin with comments like: HOW far along are you? Are you sure you're going to make it? Do you think your doctor will put you on bedrest? You're REALLY growing. I just want to scream at them "I'M GROWING A BABY HERE!" Yes, I've got a belly but really, just let a girl be. This is suppose to be a blessed time. Be supportive or leave it alone. Other than that, I love being pregnant.

Oh the things that they say!

2009-01-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

Okay. . . my sweet and innocent little girl has been officially corrupted by her father! While helping her daddy make cornbread, Scott happened to spill some of the mix. His response was "oh crap" to which Katie responded, "oh crap. . .oh crap. . .oh sh@t". Yeah that's right, the day has come. Scott at first thought I didn't hear her but OH was he was wrong.

We have been trying to prepare Katie has much as we can for the upcoming arrival of her new baby brother. She got a couple of baby dolls with bottles for Christmas and of course we talk about Henry being in mommy's belly. Well, recently we came across some of her old bottles and I was trying to explain to her that those weren't for her dolls but they were for baby Henry. Okay, she got that but now every time she gets her hands on one she wants to pull up my shirt and stick the bottle in my belly button and ask "baby Henry hungry?" I thought I'd spare everyone a bare belly picture. . .

2009-01-03T17:59:00.000-08:00

HAPPY 2009

Oh how they grow!

2008-11-04T15:54:00.000-08:00

I cant believe how much Katie has changed in just one year. I know she's still little but it's gone by so fast.

Last year:

Happy Halloween

2008-11-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

We almost missed Halloween this year. When we picked Katie up from Kim's house she was still napping. Of course waking her up didn't go smoothly and then the nose started running at full force. But luckily after some meds and play time things perked up for us. I didn't get any award winning pictures but she had soooo much fun once we actually started trick-or-treating. She RAN to each door saying her version of trick-or-treat but once we knocked all she could get out was thank you before she was running for the next house. It was really cute.

I just had to add these pictures of Katie with her faviorite pjs and boots. She would wear the boots to bed and everyday if I let her!

Hi!

2008-10-14T17:58:00.000-07:00

Hi is about all I have time or energy to blog about but I just wanted to move up the blog list! HA!

Take two

2008-08-03T05:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some better shots of her face.

Photo Shoot

2008-07-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we took Katie to my parents house for a photo shoot and these are some of my favorite. I haven't had time to edit or enhance any of them yet but I thought I would share. There are no shots of her looking because she was to preoccupied with the horses.

This is her trying to entice the horses to come closer by screaming "JACK"! Very ladylike right?

Careful with the fingers. Fearless I tell you! She screamed NO when she had to get down. Here's a few for you dad! I have so many great memories from my childhood and by the looks of things, so will Katie.

This is from a few days ago. I was busy blogging and she was entertaining herself with stickers!

Again, turn your head for a minute and she'll find trouble and/or dirt!

I'm pregnant!

2008-07-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, our family has been blessed again! We just found out that Katie is going to be a big sister! As of today, I am 4 weeks and 2 days. Finding out so early is both a blessing and a curse! It seems like March 30th is a lifetime away and for this little one, I guess it is. My first doctors app. is Aug. 5 and I'm hoping we'll get an ultrasound picture to share with everyone. Thanks so much for all your well wishes!

Grandma's House

2008-07-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

We are so thankful that Katie will grow up knowing and loving both sets of grandparents. It has been a Sunday ritual for Scott and I our whole relationship, to go to church, visit his parents for lunch and visit my parents for supper. Katie is creating so many lasting memories for all of us. I was just lucky enough to capture a few with my camera (witch is starting to become an essential item every time I walk out the door - you never know what's going to happen)

She helped pick the garden but started eating the squash before we even made it inside. So there was no waiting to slice the cucumber! We were just lucky to peel the top half and wash it off before she started in on it!

We feed the extra cantaloupe to the horses.

So proud!

She waited all day for her daddy to get home from drill. She put the boots on herself and I helped with the hat!

Such A Big Girl!

2008-07-12T10:10:00.000-07:00

Everyday Katie is finding some way to remind me that she's growing up. Last night she dug out a bottle of fingernail polish (passion red) and pretended to paint her toes.

I guess we're also starting to potty train. It wasn't really on my mind to do right now (at 18 months old) but if she's going to tell me that she is pee-pee, I guess I'll take her. She would sit on the big potty and now I've bought her a smaller seat that fits on top. She seems to really like it and even started using it as soon as we got home. I bought her first box of pull-ups today!

I don't know what we'll do if something ever happens to Ginger the "horse". This poor dog is VERY loved.

Summer Fun

2008-07-11T05:58:00.000-07:00

This summer has been so much fun with Katie. She's growing up so fast that my camera shutter can't keep up! I just know that if I blink, she'll be off to college! The school year is fast approaching and I have such mixed feelings about going back. As an individual, I need the routine of getting dressed and out of the house (and oh yeah, there's that whole making a difference in the world and steady paycheck!). As a mother, I so desperately want to spend every moment in the floor, surrounded by toys, with Katie's arms TIGHTLY around my neck saying "I love you" (although she sounds more like one of those talking dogs that you see on funniest home videos).

Play Date

2008-07-10T17:50:00.001-07:00

Play dates are hard work! Yesterday Katie and I went with Jenna and her kids to school to survey our situation and get a list started of tasks that needed to be done before the beginning of the year. We didn't get much done.......our room wasn't clean yet and the kids were in to everything! So we decided to ditch that idea and head to the mall to eat lunch.

This idea was no better than the first. It was all fun and games.......until.......some random three year old boy picked Katie up and tried to cart her around. She didn't like that so much! After some crying and little snuggling, she was ready to head back for the playground. Then it got really busy. There were kids everywhere, and it was hard to keep track of a busy one year old! Especially a one year old that thinks it is funny to just run away and disappear! The kids had fun though. We knew it was time to go when Katie stopped playing dead in her tracks, squatted.....and became quite red faced!

We went back to Jenna's for naptime. We layed nap mats out for all the kids to lay on. Katie was NOT having any part of napping. After trying tirelessly to get her to just lay down (that's the first step, right?) I gave up and we headed home kicking and screaming. Oh, the drama of a toddler!

Katie loved riding with her friends....and.....got to watch Dora in the van!
Caroline and Katie shared lots of stickers.
Cleaning mommie's classroom was hard work!
These blocks were so much fun!
Katie was to busy watching out for random kids who could possibly trample her to look at the camera!

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-02T08:42:00.001-07:00

Cozumel

2008-06-30T08:47:00.001-07:00

Cozumel, Mexico. The land of blue skies, white sand, and BAD drinking water!

Thank goodness we had a rail on the window or we would have just rolled over and down nine stories in the middle of the night.

CHEESE!

Although the hotel didn't have a "beach" the water was beautiful.

Who needs toys when you have a cousin and an empty cabinet.

Katie's first beach trip was not as photogenic as I had hoped. The air was hot, the sand was hot, and the water was rough.

X-carte was a beautiful place . . once we got there. We had to WAIT an hour for a ferry, then we had a one hour ferry ride across to the main land, and a 45 min bus (that's right as in public transportation) ride just to get there.

There was a lot of walking throughout the park/zoo. Stroller?...ha! Daddy's such a sucker.

Katie loved the aquarium

Mayan Ruins

The show was fabulous but once Katie tumbled head over heals onto the people in front of us and came up with a HUGE goose egg on the back of her head, it was time to call a taxi.

As you can see, the first boat trip was very calming. We went snorkeling and to a private beach.

Although the private beach was covered with horseflies, Katie did learn to love the sand. The surf was much calmer here.

Our second boat trip was a success. We caught fish! The only problem was we caught both fish within the first 45 min and then nothing for the next 5 hours! Meanwhile, everyone was getting sea sick.

There were two platters of fish. . . and that was only part of the larger fish! It feed all 11 of us for two nights.

It's the last night and we survived the week. . . time to celebrate!

Ahhh. . .

2008-06-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody. I don't know how good I will be at a blog but I'll try.