Building Those Back Muscles!

Paige is still working on sitting up and she is getting better and better at it every day! I think she really likes this new viewpoint. It is nice not looking at the ceiling all the time...now it is the floor instead!

Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch

We took Paige to the Pumpkin Patch today with a few of our friends! I was really excited for Paige to see all of the animals, but she fell asleep shortly after we arrived. She was only awake to see the goats, but now we know what to expect when we take her back next year. We think she will really enjoy it then because she will be able to do and see a lot (since she will be 15 months old)!

Up Close with the Goats!

In the pumpkin patch...Neil is holding Oliver!

These are our friends that we went with!

We are enjoying a windy wagon ride!

The Sound of Laughter

Paige has started laughing and it is just a wonderful sound! She did it for the very first time on Oct. 5th while we were at our friends' house (the Cavanaughs). I was playing with Paige's feet and touched her cheeks with them...to my surprise she let out a laugh. She did it two times that day.

She did it again today! I put Paige in the sling, but I put her in a new hold. It is the Kangaroo carry, so she was facing outward. I stood in front of the mirror to see how she liked it, and I hopped up a bit. When she bounced in the sling she started to laugh...I got her to do it several times, and she even laughed for her daddy when he got home!

Paige likes massages!!

On Monday, Neil and I took Paige to a Parents as Teachers meeting to learn how to do infant massage. They told us that babies who are massaged sleep better and are less ill (because the massage stimulates the immune system).

Well, Paige really likes it. She doesn't like her belly or arms massaged, but she loves everything else...a lot! Her absolute favorite is her legs and she gives a giggle when we do her feet...I think she is beginning to be ticklish!

Neil's New Car!!

We drove to Warrensburg today to pick up Neil's "new" car! Yes, Neil finally decided on a car! It is a Cadillac Catera, and we think it is great! Paige did wonderful on the drive there and back (considering her past experiences in the car on road trips). Fortunately, Aunt Abby went with us to help on the drive back, since Neil and I were in separate cars at that point. So, Paige had some company in the backseat! While in Warrensburg, we were able to stop and see Aunt Jill too! It was a fun little trip!

Here is Neil and the new car!

Picture time with Aunt Jill

At Aunt Jill's apartment...Paige is not too happy!

Garage Sale at Aunt Abby's

Today we went over to Aunt Abby's house to help out with her garage sale. It was such a beautiful day. Paige really enjoyed being outside and spending time with Aunt Abby.

Although the weather was really nice, the breeze did get a little chilly at times. So, Paige and Daddy went inside to cuddle up for a bit! Paige loves snuggling with her daddy!

Little Cutie Close Up!

14 Weeks Old!

Paige is 14 weeks old today! She weighs 12 pounds and 3 ounces! What a big girl!!

We tried out Paige's Exersaucer today for the first time. Paige is just barely tall enough to touch the bottom. She really loved the toys that surrounded her. Her favorite is the circle of animals that play songs and make noises. She was even able to push the buttons herself...she surprised me!

Sitting Up with Help!

We just started having Paige work on sitting up! I have had her sit up in between my legs, on my lap, and on the couch before, but today was the first time that I sat her alone in her Boppy. One thing is for sure...her back has a lot of strengthening to do before she can do this unassisted. Currently, she slowly falls to either of her sides and to the front...she is very wobbly! It will be such fun to watch her master this! (We are still doing tummy time a few times a day, so hopefully that will help her along too!)


One thing that really gets Paige excited is her Rainforest bouncer! She just loves her little "friends" (Mario the monkey and Leon the lizard) that play and move around on the little activity bar! She starts kicking around, flailing her arms, cooing, and smiling each time she gets in her bouncer...we love to watch her do this! Here is one of her big smiles that she gets from the fun!

Special Time with Daddy

While Grandma and Grandpa visited, Paige helped Daddy look for a new car on the computer.


After the visit and the exhausting car search. Paige and Daddy took some time out for a little nap! Don't they look adorable!?

Loethen Grandparents Visit Again

Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Mark came to KC to visit Paige again. They really love spending time with her and try to come up as much as they can. Here, Paige is spending some time with Grandpa while munching on her fingers...she still hasn't figured out how to get just her thumb.


This morning when Paige woke up she was all smiles! She is always in a great mood when she wakes up in the morning...and today she had a whole crowd of people looking over the side of her bed, and she was thrilled. We took lots of pictures while she cooed and smiled at us. As you can see, she managed to squirm out of her swaddle during the night...she is really good at that.


Paige showed Grandma Kathy how she likes to stand up when someone helps her...I bet she can't wait to do this on her own. Her legs are getting really strong!


Paige likes spending lots of time with Grandma Kathy...and Grandma Kathy loves spending time with Paige too! Here, Paige is munching on just a couple of her fingers...not her whole fist this time!! I promise that I do feed her!!!

3 Months Old!!

Paige turned 3 months old today. I put her in this cute purple dress to take a picture for everyone to see. However, it was hard to get her to sit up and smile because she was very interested in looking down at the polka dots on the dress, and she was also interested in tasting the dress (as she is doing in the second picture and giving us a belly shot). When I first started taking the pictures she fell between the cushions, so I had to use a blanket in the background! She also fell to the side a few times...it was a bit comical! It was like taking pictures of a Weeble!

Aunt Jill

Last week Aunt Jill stopped by for the night. She was on her way out of town and stayed at our house because she had a really early flight to catch. It was really great to see her. As you can see, Paige was excited about her visit too!

Paige's Pumpkin and Sling

Grandma Kathy got Paige this cute little pumpkin that squeaks when we shake it. Paige just loves when we hold this over her and the pumpkin looks like he is dancing on her belly! She enjoys grabbing his legs too!


I got a new sling to carry Paige in. I put her in it and she seemed to like it for the most part. She fell asleep within five minutes. She did cry at first but that is probably because I need a little more practice putting her in it correctly. (She looks a little drowsy in the picture!)

Growing and Grasping

Today Paige grabbed onto her hanging toys on her activity mat and wouldn't let go. She seemed very happy clinging to her toy and turning from side to side...she was so proud of herself (and so was I)!

You can see how well she was holding on in the first picture. In the second picture she is still holding on to that toy, but she is also using her other hand to play with her elephant!


Paige is getting so good at using her hands that she can now hold on to soft rattles and bring them up to her mouth. This pig rattle is her favorite because she can put the snout and ears into her mouth easily.

Weight Update

Paige is 11lbs and 11.5 ounces. Here's another cute smile from her!

Friendly Visit

Yesterday Susan and Oliver came over to visit. Paige and Oliver played on the floor while Susan and I doted over them and took pictures! What fun they are! Here they are doing some Tummy Time...it looks a lot easier for Oliver than Paige.

12 Weeks Old

Paige turned twelve weeks old yesterday! She continues to dazzle us with her cuteness...she is changing every day with what she can do! She is just full of excitement!!

We started putting Paige in her crib to sleep at night. Somehow we got into the habit of letting her sleep in our bed...which isn't all that bad, but we figured we should break the habit before it really becomes one.

The first night was really rough, but it has gotten better. We started on Wednesday, and she woke up several times that night (4 times in the first 2 hours) By 3:00 she was back in our bed again!! However, Thursday night she slept from 10:00 to 3:00, woke up to eat, and then went back to sleep until 7:00! Woohoo!! It was wonderful! Plus, last night (Friday) she slept from 11:30 to 5:00. That was great too, except she was ready to get up and stay up at 5:00am.

Here is a picture of sweet Paige after she has just fallen asleep. This is how she likes to be held when we sing her lullabies. Neil and I think she looks so cute wrapped in her swaddle, so we wanted to show you! Look at that cute face...she is so relaxed!

Here is Daddy kissing Paige goodnight before we put her in her crib. Her room is just a short distance down the hall, but we do miss having her in our room. She is such a big girl...sleeping in her own room!

Weight Update

Paige didn't gain as much weight this week...she is still in the normal range, though. She gained 4 ounces and she is supposed to gain between 4 and 7 ounces each week. So, she is now 11 pounds and 8 ounces. She is smiling and talking (cooing) more than ever! She is also using her hands more and more each day...today she got a handful of mommy's hair and wouldn't let go (maybe she hasn't figured that part out yet...how to let go of something when she wants to!) She is so much fun to play with and just stare at...AMAZING!!

First Trip to Indiana!

We took our first trip to Indiana with Paige because we had a wedding to attend on Saturday (and I was a bridesmaid). On our way to Indiana we stopped in Linn to visit Grandma and Grandpa Loethen for the night, and we headed out early the next morning.

Paige was a real trooper for such a long journey. She did shed quite a few tears because she was in her carseat for such long stints during the drive there, but she did much better on the way home.

During our visit, Paige finally got to meet her maternal grandparents and great grandparents. She also met a lot of other people at our cousin Bernice's wedding. Plus, before we left on Sunday we stopped by her Uncle Brandon's house to meet cousins Nevaeh and Emily. Here we are in this picture!

Nevaeh is 15 mos., Paige is 11 weeks, and Emily is 4 mos.

Here we are at the wedding!

Meeting Grandpa Bill!

Meeting Grandma Jenny!

Sleeping on the way home...a lot less crying this time!

Weight Update

Paige weighs 11 pounds and 4 ounces today! She is growing like a weed!

Photos Today

We got our first family pictures taken today! Paige did a great job smiling for the camera. We can't wait to share them with everyone when they come in!

Rolling Over Already?!

Paige rolled over today! I know...we couldn't believe it either (since she is only 10 weeks old), but she did it! This happened while she was playing on her blanket at her Aunt Abby's house. First, she got on her side and then she kept moving her legs until she just rolled right over onto her tummy...it was amazing!

Good News from Children's Mercy

At her two-week checkup, Paige's doctor heard a heart murmur. It was still audible at her two-month checkup, so Dr. Marx made an appointment with a cardiologist at Children's Mercy for Paige.

Her EKG was normal and the cardiologist said that the murmur sounds innocent. So, we didn't get an ultrasound done. We are going to monitor the murmur as Paige grows, but we are optimistic and hopeful that this murmur will not pose any health issues. The cardiologist believes it is physiological and will probably go away.

Here is a picture of Paige getting her EKG. She slept through it! (The nurse who tried to take her blood pressure about 15 mins before this wasn't so fortunate...Paige cried a lot and really gave her a challenge!)