Kaitlyn Ryan

We’re looking forward to doing a little Trick or Treating.

This year is Kaitlyn’s 1st Halloween home!

Happy Halloween! Love, Kaitlyn

Yesterday we went the West Farm Corn Maze. We had a lot of fun. Aunt Katie organized the outing, and there were a lot of us there. Mimi, Papito, Aunt Veronica, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Anthony, Aunt Katie, and the Baxley Family (Aunt Katie’s family). We visited the “Petting Zoo” where Kaitlyn got to see cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and a horse for the first time. I think she enjoyed seeing some new animals. We then looked at their pumpkins followed by a Hay ride. Kaitlyn was tickling her face with a piece of hay and also sword fighting, or hay fighting rather, with Mr. Jerry (Aunt Katie’s dad). After the fun hay ride, we all made sub sandwiches and ate dinner. After our bellies were nice and full, we bundled up a little because it was getting chilly with the sun going down, and went through the corn maze. It was fun, and Sean was able to get us through most of it. We didn’t make it through the whole thing… maybe next year.

Kaitlyn had her 1st dentist appointment yesterday at MUSC. Dr. Mary took a look at all of her teeth, which Kaitlyn did not really like. Then came her fluoride treatment. Dr. Mary was really quick, but Kaitlyn just screamed the whole time. She was fine once it was all over though. Now her teeth are even stronger. And Dr. Mary noticed that her molars are starting to make their way through!

Today was Kaitlyn’s 1 year check up with her Pediatrician. Kaitlyn weighs 22 lbs and is 28.5 inches long. She is in the 75 percentile for head circumference and weight, and in the 50 percentile for height. Her Dr. was very impressed with Kaitlyn, and said she looks like a normal one year old. We are going to continue to work on feeding Kaitlyn more table food, and now we get to start transitioning her to whole milk… horray! No more formula! Poor baby had to have 5 shots though! 4 of them were normal 1 year check up shots, but then the Dr. recommended getting her flu shot, so 4 turned into 5. Luckily the nurse was pretty quick, but Kaitlyn was definitely NOT happy. We also got the OK to move Kaitlyn to a front facing carseat. We went to Babies R Us and Target today hoping we would walk away with one, but even though Sean did all of his research I couldn’t settle on one. So we are still working on picking one out. Here is a quick picture from her Dr’s appointment this afternoon, you can see a few more on my Flickr (www.flickr.com/tori_ryan).

Can you believe it has been one year since our little Princess was born? This time last year, Sean and I had to leave our beautiful baby girl at the hospital and come home to our empty home. The weekend was a whirlwind, an unexpected birth of our little girl, being told that the next 72 hours would determine her fate, and the start of the most trying times for us as parents. I have to say I never doubted that Kaitlyn would come home and be the healthiest baby we could have. Even with “Dr. Gloom & Doom” (that’s what we named the Dr. that told us the next 72 hours would determine everything), the morning rounds with the Doctors with the good and bad news for each day, and the countless drives to MUSC to visit our sweet baby girl. I just had faith that she would be perfectly fine, and here she is one year later, a beautiful, healthy baby girl. You would never know she was 8 weeks early, 2 lbs 11 oz, and overcame numerous obstacles to be here with us today.

Now for the news on the party. It was the perfect Princess 1st Birthday Party! Our house turned into a pink wonderland with streamers, balloons, midieval penants with her initial on them, crowns, wands, pretty pink outfits, and of course lots of family and friends to help celebrate. We had over 35 guests, and though our house may have seemed a little crowded, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Everyone sang Happy Birthday (you can see her adorable expression in the picture above during the singing), then we tried to get her to blow out her candle. We have been practicing for a few months, but I think she was a little overwhelmed when the time finally came for her to perform. That’s ok though, Sean and I didn’t mind helping her out. We then sat her on the table to enjoy her 1st Birthday cake. She wasn’t sure what to do at first. She put one of her hands in the cake, looked at the frosting all over her hand, then wanted me to hold her. I let her eat some icing off of my finger, and once she tasted it she wanted more so she sucked off the icing on her hand. After a much needed wardrobe change to get out of her icing covered outfit, it was time for presents. Everyone was so generous with the gifts. Kaitlyn received so many wonderful toys, clothes, books, jewelry, and so much more. She is thoroughly enjoying all of her presents she received!

So our first birthday celebration is over. Kaitlyn’s first year is already over, and my how if flew by. She amazes us everyday with how smart, beautiful, loving, and just plain perfect she is! We are completely in love with our little Princess. Thank you again to those of you who were able to come celebrate with us! And for those of you could not make it, we missed you and hope to see you soon! She has her first dentist appointment next Tuesday, and her one year check up next Wednesday so we’ll let you know how those go. We’re hoping the Dr. gives us the OK to move Kaitlyn into a big girl car seat! I think she’ll love being able to look forward and see more of what is going on.

For a few more pictures of Kaitlyn’s Birthday, you can visit my Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tori_ryan/