Is She Talking?

This week at Katy's two month check up with her pediatrician, the nurse was questioning me about Katy's development.  After a couple of questions about sound reflexes, the nurse asked, "Is she talking?"  I wanted to answer by saying, "Yes, but her opinions on the situation in the middle east are quite immature."  I was good, however, and simply responded by stating that yes, Katy is making cooing noises.  

Beautiful Baby Katy

Eight days old is a lovely time for pictures - so soft and cuddly that no one minds if you pee and poop on them during the photography session.  All photo credits go to the talented Nichole Alvarado of Dulce Baby Portrait Studios.

Nichole Alvarado of Dulce Baby Portrait Studios

Nichole Alvarado of Dulce Baby Portrait Studios

Nichole Alvarado of Dulce Baby Portrait Studios

Nichole Alvarado of Dulce Baby Portrait Studios

Nichole Alvarado of Dulce Baby Portrait Studios

Nichole Alvarado of Dulce Baby Portrait Studios

Nichole Alvarado of Dulce Baby Portrait Studios

Nichole Alvarado of Dulce Baby Portrait Studios

More pictures of Katy at Dulce Baby Portrait Studios.

Texas Names

Before Katy was born, Chris and I heard a radio segment by W.F. Strong titled "Baby Names," one of several segments in a series called "Stories From Texas." The segment discussed baby names based on Texas cities and counties.  Chris and I loved the idea. We were both born in Texas and have lived here all or most of our lives.  We went to college in Texas, we met in Texas, and we were married in Texas.  Life as a Sias started in north Texas, and we have since lived in West Texas, Central Texas, and South Texas.  Texas has been so good to us and we love this state!  After hearing the radio segment, we decided to name our baby after a place in Texas.

Chris and I also wanted our baby to have a name that began with the same phonetic sound as our names.  We read the "C" and "K" section of alphabetical listings of Texas cities and counties a few times and setttled on Carson for a boy and Katy for a girl.  

While I was pregnant, Chris and I referred to Katy as Carson.  We did not know her gender and I suspected I was carrying a girl, but we still referred to her as Carson.  When I finally gave birth, Chris had the privilege of announcing the gender.  While the doctor transitioned Katy to my chest  following the birth, Chris gave Katy a quick look, was surprised to see that Carson was actually Katy, and proudly announced, "Meet baby Katy."

That's how Katy got her name, and we haven't called her Carson since.    

Delicious Naps

Eight Weeks and Counting

Katy is eight weeks old today.  Her accomplishments so far include her first bath, her first visit to church, and meeting both sets of her grandparents.  She loves to kick her legs and look at faces when she is awake, she makes the cutest cooing noises and tiny smiles, and she recently discovered the joys of a playmat.

First trip to church.  She was so bored she slept the
whole time.

First bath took place in the kitchen sink.

Meeting Grandma and Papo for the first time.

Meeting Gigi and Pops for the first time.

Because Katy has limited means of communication, her body language is especially interesting.    Sometimes when someone is moving or shifting her, she will narrow her eyes, furrow her eyebrows, and stick her hand up with her palm out, as if to say, "Wait."  Often when she first begins eating, she will close her eyes, raise her eyebrows, and tilt her head back slightly as if she has discovered something wonderful for the very first time.  If she is particularly fussy when she begins eating, she will try to fuss and eat at the same time, resulting in funny, rhythmic grunting noises.  When her tummy is full or near full, she sometimes lets out a grin and soft sigh.  Most of the time, however, Katy looks pretty serious when she is awake.  I often wonder if her serious faces are simply the by product of an overwhelming task - absorbing a new world - or if they are indicative of something bigger - her emerging personality.

Wait.

Silly faces.

Serious face.

Looking serious again.

One amazing thing about Katy is her lack of fear.  She is helpless and completely dependent on others to care for her.  Despite this, she is so beautifully innocent that she has no reason to fear others will take advantage of her helplessness or hurt her, even when someone new is holding her for the first time.  Her trust is limitless.  It is no wonder the bible says,

People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kindgdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Luke 18:15-17.

Happy Katy.

Feed Me

Just a few days after Chris and I brought Katy home, she was sleeping in her swing in the living room with the baby monitor resting in her lap.  Chris was in the living room with Katy, and I was in the bedroom.  I noticed the other end of the baby monitor on the dresser and decided to have a little fun with Chris.  I picked up the baby monitor, pressed the talk button, and slowly said, "Feed me," in  a quiet, shaky, high-pitched voice.  At first I thought Chris didn't hear me, so I repeated my line.  That's when I heard Chris' confused and somewhat scared response.  Turns out Chris did hear me the fist time; he didn't respond because he was afraid his daughter was possessed.   

Baby gear can be fun.