our little puppy love

Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dawwwwwg...

Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog!

Despite being all dressed up like a puppy, Kate still acted like a ham! Who are the cuties by her side? Eyore (a.ka. Amalia) and Doggy (a.k.a. Becka) are two of Kate's long-time friends.

"Ma! What are these things???"

Workin' like a dog!

cute as pumpkin pie

Kate's first trip to the pumpkin patch...what fun!

smack!

Kate is an indiscriminate smoocher...she gives them here, there, everywhere. All this is fine and good for now, but things will need to change in few years! Here, she is demonstrating step one of blowing a kiss. We're still working on step 2.

And this is what I call a good smooch...right on the lips! Kate is so sweet about giving her night-time sugars. When she's really worn out and ready to go to bed, she'll start showering me with kisses...how stinkin' cute is that!

officially one

Kate has officially turned the corner...she's one! And though I've battled a few weepy moments today, I'm mostly thankful...so thankful!

I can't get over how quickly this year has gone by...just one year ago today I was holding this tiny little thing in total disbelief that she was mine and amazed that the hospital really was going to let me walk out with her. And now she's this amazing, 6-toothed, blonde, curly-headed smoocher who has me completely head over heels in love. What's really hard to believe is that she hasn't been in my arms forever. It really has been just one short, wonderful year. Just 365 days. I can't remember life before her; I can't imagine life without her.

So, to reminisce just a bit, I thought we'd take a look at that tiny baby who made her grand entrance just 12 months ago. Yes, her pants are pulled all the way up to her arm pits...she was so itty bitty!

Happy birthday, baby girl. We love you forever.

happy birthday, baby kate!

Although Kate's birthday isn't until Tuesday, we couldn't wait to get the celebrations underway! Thanks to all of our friends and family, near and far, who made Kate's first birthday party so much fun. I wish all of you could have been there to watch her tear into her cake and open up her gifts...she had so much fun! And can you believe that our sweet baby girl is ONE!?!? The year has flown by! I do miss the tiny baby I used to rock to sleep (she's pure wiggle worm these days!), but I have to admit that one's a lot of fun!

kate's new wheels

Thanks, NanaNana, for the cool bike, and thanks, Nana and Pops, for my red wagon! Dad will have a blast pulling me and mom around the neighborhood!

before...

how pretty!

during...

hmm...not too sure about this...

NOW we're havin' fun!

Shew...that's hard work!

after

that was some gooood eatin'!

all for me?!?

a day at disney

Sort of. Teamburton headed up to Orlando last weekend for quick visit with Aunt Stacy and Uncle Ivan. It was only a few hours, but well worth the drive. Doesn't Kate make for a lovely Minney? And Stephen? His is no costume...he really is Goofy.

Meet Kate's new best friend, Monkey. Stacy and Ivan bought this for her at The Rainforest Cafe and the sales clerk couldn't pry the little guy out of Kate's hands. They've been BFFs ever since.

Here's the whole gang at the restaurant...we had a blast and it was great to see my big sis!