Ritz Girl

While I meant to post this last week, I just realized that I never posted photos of Kinsley's first weekend stayover at a hotel. We've been traveling all summer, but have been at condo's and friend's homes...this was our first stay at a hotel. Or should I say, resort. And one heck of a resort at that. Yes, just 2 weekends after Carrie Underwood's wedding, we found ourselves at the very same Ritz Carlton at Lake Oconee. Philip had a work convention up there...yes, that would be the same convention that was held in Hilton Head the year before...where God decided it was time for Philip and I to add a #3 to our family. :) Anyway, to celebrate the anniversary of Kinsley as a little seed in my belly, we all had our first trip to the Ritz. Starting her out young, right? I know. And our summer of travel continues next week down in Seaside Beach, FL with my family...our annual trip, and I cannot wait! Maybe I'll actually step foot on the beach this trip...

Just hanging out with mommy and daddy by the spa!

Sound asleep on her own loungechair by the pool. Judging by the oooo's and awww's from people around us, she was a hit!

Too hot. Heading back up from the pool into the AC. Ahhhhh....

Family pic at lunch before heading home.

Kinsley and daddy on the way to Gaby's by the Lake.

Ready to head home!

Well, almost ready...we couldn't leave without buying a little something to remember the weekend by...Kinsley's first baby doll!

A few more firsts...

...Saturday night was my FIRST night away from Kinsley since she was in the hospital in NICU. She stayed with BeeBe and Papa, while Mommy and Daddy got a little one night getaway with friends at the lake!

...and Monday was Kinsley's FIRST day of school at The Goddard School-Sandy Springs! It is now day #2, and she has been doing great! Smiling and cooing and laughing and playing! She is absolutely exhausted when she gets home, even falling asleep in the car on the ride home both days, and sleeping so hard at night that I have to wake her up in the morning! She's making lots of new friends, and I am right around the corner at work, so I have a great piece of mind about where she is. And at not quite 5 months old, she has already started their "curriculum" learning...English, Spanish, sign language, music, arts & crafts, and reading. I get a full rundown at the end of each day of the activities that she completed that day, as well as an up-to-the-minute report of each diaper change, feeding, tummy time, and nap. It is great! So far, this is going as well as I had hoped. I said that I would rethink this situation if she showed the slightest sign of distress or change in mood, but she is so happy when I pick her up and drop her off! And I really like the teachers and the other mom's I have met so far. Here are a few photos of her first day!

Ready to leave for school!

With one of her teachers, Ms. Jamie.

Playing on the mat with two of her new friends!

Showing me that she's content as I try to leave without tearing up too much! We both did great with this big first day!

A few milestones

• Kinsley's first laugh was on Saturday July 17th! Philip was playing with her and she let out her first chuckle...I mean, it was a full-on, hearty laugh. And of course, I cried...it was just one of those "firsts" that you as a parent are glad you are there for. And I didn't have my camera, so instead here is a sweet pic of baby girl and her daddy...the first one to make her laugh...really, really laugh.

• At her 4-month doctors appt, she was 12 lbs 11.2 oz...she jumped from the 3rd percentile for height and weight to the 25th percentile in both height and weight...that's starting out a 5 lb preemie...and on the "regular" growth charts!!!

• We have officially moved on from the orange pacifiers from the hospital, to what I like to refer to as "big girl paci's" ... different product, same magical effect... :)

• Also equally as adorable? The fact that she tends to fall asleep sucking her fingers / hand from time to time. I give you, exhibit A:

• Kinsley also tried out some of her bouncy toys around the house for the first time this past week, and it seems like she likes them - so far!

And notice the hand in the mouth below?

This may be yet another milestone-in-the-making...I believe that we are now officially "teething"...ohhh boy.

Tummy time...

#18 on the Top 20 Baby (Girl) Names for 2010...

...is Kinsley.

Here's the list below...it should be interesting to see how many kids in Kinsley's class when she starts school will have these names...we already know a #8, #12, and #15! :)

Welcome Tenley, Harper, Castiel and Bentley: The Hottest Baby Names of 2010

by The Name Lady (Subscribe to The Name Lady's posts) Jul 13th 2010 11:52AM

To answer that question, BabyNameWizard.com tracked the names that hundreds of thousands of name-searching parents looked for most. They've given us an exclusive peek at the hottest names of 2010 so far -- the names that rose the fastest from a year ago. The fast risers might not be common now, but we're likely to hear more from them in the years to come.

The #1 fastest rising girl's name is Tenley, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Kinley, Tinsley and Kinsley also made the top 20. Together, they point to a signature sound for the year's baby girls. Also keep an eye out for Everly, which placed two different spellings in the top 20.

For boys, the country's love affair with "-n" names is set to continue. More than half of the hottest rising boy's names end in that super-popular letter. Look for a fresh crop of surname names, too, especially luxurious ones like Sterling, St. John and Bentley.

The top 20 fastest rising girl's names are below.

FASTEST-RISING GIRL'S NAMES
1. Tenley
2. Harper
3. Everleigh
4. Martina
5. Sookie
6. Navi
7. Charlotte
8. Eloise
9. Lorelai
10. Ursula
11. Briella
12. Kinley
13. Tinsley
14. Mhairi
15. Leighton
16. Maelle
17. Ever
18. Kinsley
19. Lux
20. Everly

Trip to SC / GA / FL

What a whirlwind it was last week...10 days on the road, starting in Charleston for the 4th of July weekend with Philip's family...then staying over in Savannah with Kristy, Christian, Mark, and Kelly and seeing Kelli and Raymonds new place there as well...then off to Amelia Island to stay with Jennifer and John in the days leading up to Jenny and Casey's wedding in Jekyll Island...whew. See what I mean? It was a lot of driving, a lot of cities & states, and all totally worth it! Kinsley did great...we were constantly unpacking and packing and off to someplace new, but she was a champ. I have always heard that if you want your child to get used to doing something, do it early. So far, she is proving to be a great traveler. We are just sure to keep somewhat of her routine the entire time...making time for daily naps, bathtime, and consistent bedtime..and she even slept through the night every single night on the road. So lesson #1: keep to a routine. Here are some other things that we learned along the way:

• Leave for a car trip right after finishing a bottle.
• Baby = LOTS of stuff to pack, but we used every single bit of it!
• I have never loved our Honda Pilot more...great car.
• Add 1.5 - 2 hours to any trip over 4 hours. Period.
• Never underestimate this winning combination: Mylicon drops + paci = silence.
• When that doesn't work, feeding baby a bottle while in the carseat works wonders.
• Kinsley loves her Sleep Sheep in her crib, so thought we would try it in her car seat...worked fabulously!
• While traveling, Cracker Barrel is one of our favorite spots to stop, eat, (shop), and let everyone, esp. Kinsley, stretch...it was our favorite place pre-baby, and still is post-baby.
• Speaking of places to eat: it's amazing to me that some restaurants do not have changing tables in the bathroom...seriously...changing tables in all public restrooms should be "code."

Anyway, here are some photos of our recent adventure!

Playtime before the trip to Charleston.

Ready for her first long car ride!

Pooltime!

Mary and Aunt Ann with the twins, Philip blowing up a float, Kinsley just a swinging away by the pool!

This is how Kinsley spent most of her time at the pool, swinging under the shade by the ocean (and fan) breeze. Ahhhhhh.

Mommy and Kins

First time in her new float in the pool...it was suprisingly cool water, and caught her a little off guard...look at that face!

All 3 of us in the water!

Daddy and Kinsley taking a break from the fun.

Phil feeding Kins, getting ready to leave for July 4th festvities.

Family photo on the 4th!

A new favorite piece of jewelry! So special.

After bathtime

Getting ready for bed after the 4th

Out at the marina before dinner

So sleepy

All the little ones together...Kinsley and her cousins: Julian, Lilly, and Alex

Mary & Tom and all 4 grandkids

Stanford family shot! All together!

Kinsley with Kelly and David

The 3 Stanford girls!

In Savannah with Kristy and Kelly (and her baby boy on the way)!

Our favorite family pic...at least it's near the beach...maybe we'll get some photos on the beach during next month's trip.

Me and Jennifer

Up close

That is one fully-loaded stroller!!!

All tuckered out

Me and the beautiful bride!

Would you just look at those cheeks!

Just before the wedding ceremony

Family pic at the reception...nearing the end of our trip, heading home the following morning.

And then finally, home sweet home.