Baby's First Christmas

We went to visit Kirk's Poppy, Lisa , Tanner and Great Granny Walker on Christmas Eve after mass. Cousin Holden, Uncle Brandon, and Aunt Chanda were there, too. Kirk had a great night and got LOTS of presents!

Kirk is with Daddy in his Christmas Eve pajamas. There was a little reindeer on the booty, too!

Kirk fell asleep on our bed with his baby glow worm from Great Granny Dean. Kirk wore his sweater coat to Great Granny Dean's Christmas party. Pretty cute, huh?

Big Week!

On Monday, December 21st, Kirk and I had our first overnight trip to the Gibson's in Lexington. Kirk and I had a good trip and Suzana was so happy to have him at her house. She was a big helper and wanted to take good care of him. She threw away all his dirty diapers and wanted to give him his pacifier when he was upset! I was a bit nervous about taking him away from home (and Daddy!) overnight, but it went well. We had a fun day on Tuesday at Barnes & Noble for story time. They read "The Night Before Christmas" (the same book we have at home!) and Santa came to see the kiddos. Kirk was fine on Santa's lap, but Suzana just admired him from afar. We bought some new books and then did a little shopping. Kirk wasn't too impressed with the shopping, he fell asleep!

Kirk with one of his presents from the Gibson's...Scout the puppy can be programmed on the computer to sing and play games. He even sings a song that spells his name! We love it!

Kirk & I at story time at Barnes & Noble.

Kirk is four months old!

It's is really hard to believe four months have gone by. Kirk has had a busy week. He got shots on Wednesday (ouch!) and had his first bite of cereal on Wednesday evening. He also went to his first Herd basketball game on Saturday (and I FORGOT to take a picture!) and had a great time. We went with Martyn, Trista, Ady, and Neuhaus. He got passed around to everyone and sat quitely starting intently at the court the whole time. It was good to see everyone and we especially enjoyed spending time with Ady; she's growing up so fast. She liked "baby Kirk" and is such a big girl these days. I think Kirk really likes basketball and we're looking forward to the rest of the season!

We're looking forward to eating our "solid" foods....just rice cereal for now, but it's something new and fun to do. He's enjoying his new jumper and he will stare at the pictures in books as I read. He laughs out loud and kicks and splashes a lot in the bathtub. He is so much fun!

Jeremy fed Kirk some cereal...I'm sure he'll get better with this whole spoon thing with some practice!

Kirk's first bite of cereal...I'm pretty sure he got more on his bib than in his mouth!

Kirk is enjoying his pirate shoes that Rachael got him. He also likes showing off how big he is!

Pictures with Santa

We decided to get pictures with Santa with cousin Bella at the mall today. Both babies were very good and told Santa that all they wanted for Christmas was a good night's sleep for their parents....haha! It was fun and both of them look so cute in the picture. We know our family will love the photo of the two of them together. Hopefully, we can make it a holiday tradition for the cousins!

Kirk loves Christms!

I think Kirk is going to love Christmas as much as his mama! He loves looking at the lights in our house, especially the ones on the tree. For those of you who love Kirk enough to buy him a Christmas present, he has a very short list this year:

• 3-6 month or 6 month pajamas (we like the warm ones with feet)
• toys that light up or play music
• 3-6 month or 6 month clothes (we like easy pull-on pants and onesies)
• bath toys

Of course, we will love anything that he receives and we are so thankful that he has so many people in his life who love him so much!

Kirk is happy by the Christmas tree.

Hanging out by the tree...

Kirk loves to look at the Christmas tree at our house. He also loves to sit in his Bumbo chair and look around. Here he is enjoying both!

Busy Baby

Grandma Kirk sent one of Kirk's Christmas presents a little early. We got his Baby Einstien jumper/activity center on Wednesday last week, and we just couldn't wait to put it together to see how he liked it. He loves it! He can bounce, play music, spin around, and grab for toys. His little feet barely touch the ground and we have to put a blanket around him since his little body doesn't quite fill up the seat. He laughs and coos at the toys and has a great time. Thanks so much Grandma! We love it!

Cousin Isabella's Baptism

Isabella was baptized on Sunday, November 29 at St. Joseph. Jeremy and I were her Goparents, and I guess that makes Kirk her God-brother? HA! Both of the babies were very good throughout the mass and ceremony and little Bella didn't make a peep. She looked precious in her gown-the same gown worn by my Aunt Terry and all of the "Kirk sisters." We were so glad that we could be there for her special day.

Bella, Erin, Zac, and Monsignor after her baptism. Monsignor offered to put some oil on her little "bald spot" to help some holy hair grow! I don't think that would have worked anyway. Ha!

Bella with her Godparents, Aunt Kelly and Uncle Jeremy.

Rainforest TV

Kirk has been hanging out in his crib lately (not to sleep, of course) watching his "rain forest TV." It's apparently an enthralling display of cute little rain forest animals and sounds. He stares at it, makes faces, laughs, and squeals. Jeremy and I love watching him and are so proud of how strong he is. He holds himself up for 10-20 minutes and is sad when the "show" is over!

Kirk's first Marshall game

We took Kirk into the staduim for the first time on Saturday, November 21. We thought it was a good time, since it was our last game of the season. He was a trooper through the tailgate and stayed almost the whole first quarter! It got pretty cold, so we headed home. Next year we'll be chasing him all over the stands!

GO HERD!

Kirk and Mama wearing their shades while tailgating on Saturday.

Kirk hangs out with his Daddy on Tuesday nights to watch Daddy's favorite TV show, Sons of Anarchy. Adam and Kate got the matching shirt and bib. Don't they make a cute motorcycle gang?

Kirk is three months old!

It is hard to believe three months have gone by! Kirk is growing so fast and changing each day. He smiles and laughs all the time and we've even found a few tickle spots! He can roll over from his belly to his back to the right and left and can lift his head up high and look around. He's started noticing things more, and stares at mobiles and faces. He has started noticing the TV and watched a little bit of football with his daddy. He has started sleeping through the night more and has developed his own little schedule. We are amazed at what each day brings us with him and we are so thankful that he is in our lives.

Go Herd!

Kirk has been a tailgating trooper this football season. These pictures are from Satruday, November 14. Kirk's onesie says "Future Herd Lineman" and the front and "Walker 77" on the back. Adam and Kate got this for him....needless to say, his daddy really likes it.

Kirk's first walk in Ritter Park on November 8, 2009.

Goodbye, Titan

Saturday, November 14, 2009 Jeremy drove Titan, our 8 year old dog, to Cincinnati to be transported into Indiana by the Louisville Weimaraner Rescue. It was the hardest thing we've ever done. Since Kirk came into our lives, Titan had become destructive in our home and was adding a lot of stress to our lives. We just don't have the time or attention that he deserves anymore. We worried about Kirk's safety and sadly decided that the best thing for all of us was to find Titan another good home.
We had Titan since he was 6 weeks old. Jeremy and I were dating when he brought Titan home. Titan is the first pet I ever had. Jeremy gave Titan my engagement ring to bring to me when he proposed. I remember sleeping with him the night before I got married and scratching his belly the morning I went into labor. He has followed me around for 8 years, snuggled with me when I was sad or sick, and licked my tears when I cried. It was so hard to do, but I know he is in a good place that will give him the time, attention, and love he deserves. We will be sad for a while, but we have to remember how much joy our new precious boy will bring us. Titan will always be remembered and loved. He left an 80 lb. hole in our hearts.

Kirk's Baptism

Kirk was baptized at St. Joseph on October 25, 2009. We were blessed to have lots of good friends and family with us. We were especially thankful to have his Godparents, Aunt Erin, and Adam. Kirk did really well through his first mass and only cried a little during the baptism.

Happy first Halloween!

Kirk, Jeremy, and I enjoyed our first trick-or-treat together. Kirk had a love/hate relationship with his lobster costume. We had TONS of trick-or-treaters, like we always do. Aunt Erin, Uncle Zac, and cousin Isabella came to share the day with us.

It is hard to believe that our baby boy is almost 3 months old! Time has flown by during my maternity leave and it's almost time for me to go back to work....scary! We have a wonderful babysitter that I trust, but it scares me to miss so much of his little baby life. He does something new everyday, and I will cherish the time we have with him. He has truly shown me the meaning of life and I have never known love like this before. Please keep us in your prayers as we make the transition from home to work.