Milestones to Celebrate

These are the things parenthood is made of that none of the books warn you about:

1) We have been pooped on.
2) We have been peed on.
3) We have been spit up on.
4) We have both changed up to three diapers in a matter of minutes.
5) Kate sometimes looks at us with the most skeptical of expressions.
6) Dinner time is her favorite time to cry/eat/poop.
7) We love every minute of it (well, almost every minute!).

Thank you, Poppy Harper!

Jeff's father made Kate the most beautiful piece of furniture in our entire home - a baby bassinette! We are so proud to have it and we show it off every chance we get! Kate just loves it too.

1 & 2 Week Pictures!

Kate has quickly become our little "Monkey" (we call her "Monkey" with the utmost of affection). We're taking weekly photos of her with her stuffed monkey friend to show her growth. Here is the one-week shot along with the two-week shot. Sure enough, she's getting bigger!

Bronco Sundays in Denver!

Jeff has a new partner to watch Bronco games with him!

She's Smiling!

Some claim it is a result of gas, but either way - she's starting to smile more and more! We think she's as "cute as a bug's ear"!!

The Branch Family Visits Kate!

We have had several installments of the Branch family here in Denver since Kate's birth (which was only about 10 days ago!).

First Kristin came for Labor Day weekend, 1/2 of which we were in the hospital for. Having Kristin here was great - she did everything from keeping us company in the hospital to bringing us meals while we were there. She also videotaped Kate's first trip home as we left the hospital and helped us get settled in the first day here at our house. Here's a picture of Kristin and Kate!

Then Karen (a.k.a Nana Branch) came to help Jeff, Kate and I get settled in to our new lives. She is going to be here for just over two weeks and we couldn't be more grateful. She has proven to be a complete expert in baby care and quieting a fussy baby as well as laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. She has been such a blessing to have here in this time as we adjust to the demands of a newborn.

Joe (a.k.a Papa Joe) showed up for a day or two later in the week and thoroughly enjoyed holding Kate as she slept and cooed at her grandpa. His claim after being here is that Kate really doesn't cry when he's holding her!

Uncle Matthew then came along (see the post below for his words of wisdom!) to spend time with Kate. Mateo's favorite pasttime while he was here became carrying Kate in the Kelty carrier - he spent much of the weekend wearing Kate whenever she woud fuss or would like to be held. We had a great time hanging out and Matthew was sure a big help - including taking over two late-night feedings & changings so that Jeff and I could sleep more!

That's about it for now, but I'm sure there will be more visits from this social family! Enjoy the pictures!

guest blogger: Uncie Mafflew

10 things I learned upon meeting my neice:

1) Little Katie, although only 10 days old, is already as smart as a three week old.
2) Gentle swaying is much better than violent shaking, but is not as immediately effective
3) Babies generally don't even know how to play tic-tac-toe until much later in life
4) Although really cute, babies aren't ready to ride on the back of dogs until at least the 5th week
5) Katie loves farting so much, its the only thing that she smiles about thus far
6) Babies are made of meat
7) Newborns can't talk, no matter how much chocolate you promise to give them
8) Baby powder does not actually turn babies into powder
9) Babies' livers aren't fully developed and cannot process alcohol like an adult, so NEVER allow a baby to drive after drinking, even after only one beer.
10) The privledge of helping raise a child is a wonderful, fufilling gift. I am truly excited to have little Katie in my life, and am looking forward to being an influence on hers.

For photos, copy and paste into your browser:
http://flickr.com/photos/7123649@N05/sets/72157600232619491/

Poppy and Lulu Harper Visit the Hospital!

Lucy & Dean Harper (aka Grandma & Grampa Harper, aka Poppy & Lulu) as well as Uncle Andy came to the hospital to visit Kate. It was so nice to see them and have them be a part of our birth experience. Here are some pictures of their time with us!

The Big Day at the Hospital!

So, here's the scoop. We ended up having to have a cesarean birth, and the end result was a perfectly healthy little baby girl! Jeff and I both had a great experience at Rose Hospital in Denver and we couldn't have been happier with the whole thing. Here are some picture of how the day went.

Look Out World, Here's Kate!!!

Name: Katherine Nicole Harper
Born: Thursday, August 30th
Weight: 8 Lbs, 1 Oz.
Length: 20.5"
Remarks: Plenty of hair on this newborn!