Smiles At Bath Time

This Really Can't Be Comfortable

Sing-a-long In Action

We've been having some trouble posting video, but this is too cute not to try. Hopefully it will work this time!

Sing-a-long

Since we began dating Andrew has tried to get me to sing with him. He is a wonderful singer and guitar player and likes to do it often, but unfortunately for him, I am not confident in my singing abilities and only do it when I am sufficiently drowned out (in other words, in my car, with the music up very loud, by myself).

Now, finally, he has someone to sing with! Since Katie has found her voice she will coo along with him as he plays and sings. It is the sweetest sound! We tried to get it on video but we're having trouble loading it on here (sorry to everyone who tried to play our previous post but couldn't) so pictures will have to do. I'm also posting some other recent shots of our darling little girl.

Back to Virginia

Nine years ago, when Andrew entered a doctoral program at the University of Virginia, only God knew that his work would one day lead our family just over the Blue Ridge Mountains to a job at my alma mater, James Madison University. Yesterday he accepted an offer from JMU to begin work this Fall as a professor of U.S. history. We're grateful to have found such a good job in such a bad job market and thrilled to be moving closer to our friends in central Virginia. As you can see, even Katie is happy about the move. She's already started wearing JMU apparel and palling around with JMU's mascot, the Duke Dog.

Go Dukes!

These Days

Our little Katie is growing up fast! She turned 10 weeks old on Tuesday and we just took her for her 2 month appointment this week. She now weighs about 12 pounds and is 23 1/2 inches long, putting her in the 75th percentile for height and weight. She continues to be a great nurser, but unfortunately not a great sleeper. I am still waking up at least 2 times every night but apparently this is normal for breastfed babies; her little tummy is still too small to hold enough to tide her over for the whole night. She is able to lift up her head for longer periods of time and is incredibly alert; she's always gazing intently around the room. Her eyes are a beautiful deep shade of blue and her smile still melts my heart. One thing that makes her smile and squeal in delight is when Andrew moves her arms and legs while making silly sounds, almost like rapping. She loves her daddy!

Katie really is a good-natured baby, not too fussy and very flexible. We feel so blessed that she is our little girl!

Change of Plans

It looks like I was a bit premature in announcing Katie's plans for a career in music the other day.  President Obama called yesterday and asked her to come to Washington to help push his health care plan through Congress.  She agreed.  The two have been friendly since Katie worked as an advisor on children's issues for the President's 2008 campaign.  Below is a photograph of an appearance they made together at a graduation ceremony in May 2009.  The President used the occasion to make a major speech on education.  Katie basically wrote the speech for him.  Don't ask me how this is possible, since at the time she was a fetus.  Suffice it to say that our daughter is a truly remarkable little girl.