GREAT NEWS!

Sorry for the frightening close-up, but we can't help but smile like great big goof-balls! Read on!!!

We had an appointment with the PPCM guru in Miami today, and get this.........................I was misdiagnosed! I don't have PPCM! I can have more babies!!!!!! Long story short, my original echo (which was initially read at 30%) really shows an EF of 55%. I'm fine! In fact, she said that my heart looks great! Needless to say, teamburton is over the moon with excitement, and we are SO thankful! Thanks to all of you who have been faithfully praying for us...we love you!

week-in-review

Mama Burton returns to work Wednesday, so I wanted to capture just a few of our funniest moments of our last week of summer to share with all of you...the devoted members of the Kate-is-Great fan club. I'll only be working part-time, but I'm still dreading the separation. Kate will be absolutely fine. It's her neurotic mother we all need to worry about!

funny girl

Kate had no trouble at all getting herself into this predicament, and no help from mom either. She wrapped herself in this blanket (her favorite) by turning in circles on the floor. And she LOVED it! Even when she toppled over, she just giggled away! What a funny girl!

mommy's little helper OR daredevil extraordinaire????

then......

and now!

kate update...10 months and counting!

I can't believe that Kate is 10 months old. Truth be told, I'm in denial. I just can't stand the thought of my baby turning one! I went to visit a friend of mine in the hospital this week; she had just delivered a beautiful baby girl. My heart hurt just a little as I left because I can hardly remember Kate being that tiny. I can hardly remember the sound of that first cry. And I know that one day not too far from now, I'll have a hard time remembering my 10-month-old baby's cry and her laugh and her babble. Seems like God would give us mommies (superheroes, according to my husband) some extra storage to hide away all of the little wonderful moments.
Well, enough of that. Kate has been one busy baby these days. Once again, I'll catch you up on all the major (and perhaps just a few minor) events:

• Kate is now 20 pounds
• She is crawling everywhere and has just recently learned how to climb on top of things, like the dishwasher door while mom is trying to load dishes, for example.
• Her head, which was only in the 25th percentile at birth (thank you, Lord), has now caught up with the rest of her body. The recent trip to the crazy grandparents helped us along there.
• Kate has acquired a new nickname from Pops, Lazy Susan. She entertains herself by sitting on the floor and sort of walking her feet around so that she spins in a circle. The cuteness doesn't quite get across in writing...maybe we can load video to the blog???
• How could I forget......SHE HAS A TOOTH! And, geez louise, did she work hard for it.
• Trying to think.........oh, Kate is swimming...sort of.
• Everywhere we go, people stop and ask us if Kate is always this sweet. Yes. She really is. She has the sweetest spirit, the most curious personality, and the cutest smile I've ever seen. I know I'm biased, but people, I'm telling the truth. She's the best thing going.

bubblemania

it wasn't me!

I know Kate looks guilty, but I'm pretty sure Aunt Stacy or Uncle Adam is to blame.

spending quality time with the GREAT grandparents

Kate had a great time visiting with Papaw and Nana. Papaw, notorious for his orneriness, managed to behave himself while Kate was in town. Things went so well, in fact, that I hoped Kate might have inspired some real change. But alas, his sweet spell was short lived, and Papaw has since returned to his cranky ways. I love that man.

smooches

I've told Kate about giving out free kisses, but what can I say, the girl is a smoochaholic. And who wouldn't want to kiss on Aunt Stacy? What a cutie! (You, too, Ivan!)

good times at gold hill

While visiting with Grandma and Granddaddy Burton, we all had Sunday lunch in the quaint little town of Gold Hill. It's a historic village outside of Salisbury with a darling (yes, I said darling) restaruant, Miss Ruby's. Stephen and I once gave serious consideration to getting married in a barn across the street from the restaruant, so it was neat to share the town with Kate. As you can see, she soaked it all in from the comfy perch of her daddy's shoulders.

burton family reunion

Man's best friend does not easily forget his former family. While home, we enjoyed a quick reunion with our one-and-only D-dog...Dillon. He recognized us immediately, and it was really nice to see him again. He's doing wonderfully well with his new best friend, Larry...he has total run of the house, he is king of his castle. And though we miss him, one look at my white t-shirt after leaving reminded me of why it's a much better arrangement for all.

bon apetite

before.........

.....and after!

Thanks NanaNana for this delicious dinner!

what a BLAST!

Kate's first Fourth of July celebration went off with a BANG! Our fearless one sat on the lawn and watched the fireworks for a good 30 seconds...just long enough for us to snap this cutey-pie pic!