Brahm's Lullaby and our Nighttime routine!

One of the greatest blessings of so many babies in one year for our family (4!!), has been getting advice and watching family members raise babies, and seeing what works for us and our little Kate.  One thing I have really taken from Cassie is to establish a nighttime routine for a refreshing night sleep for both baby and mom and dad.  It's really cool to watch Abby go to bed if you ever get the chance- she needs her "Lovey" (only used to go to sleep), and sometimes her daddy to sing the Aggie war hymn.  In a combination that seems to be as potent as Nitequill and warm milk, the girl is out usually within a few minutes.  And, if she isn't, she plays by herself until she goes to sleep.  Now I'm sure there are a few rough nights, but for the most part, Abby is a wonderful sleeper!  I was telling Cass, though, that I hope she grows out of at least one of her night time routines, or else she will be a college freshman wondering why she always falls asleep when she hears the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band (and Uncle Jake really wouldn't like that)!

I write all this to say that we have worked hard to try to start a similar routine now that Kate is almost 2 months.  Lately, I have been putting her to sleep for her naps drowsy, but still awake to see if she can put herself to sleep.  And, she usually does!  Luckily, we haven't had any meltdowns from her yet, and I know it will be hard when she does cry, but it seems to work for us to let her fall asleep on her own.  The last few nights, we have done the same:  Jake will walk with her for about 5 minutes to get her sleepy (he's really good at the 5 S's), we pray with her, and I make sure to put her aquarium on playing Brahm's before I leave her room.  The last two nights, she has slept for more then 7 hours!

As we listen to the lullaby in our room through the baby monitor, I have started to say a silent prayer that goes along with it.  I know now, everytime I hear the lullaby, I will be brought back to these times: a beautiful era of watching our newborn daughter grow, learn, and be joyful in her own little way.  God has blessed us so much with such and abundant life.

My prayer for Kate to the tune of her favorite lullaby:
So Goodnight, and God Bless
May you sleep with the Angels
So Goodnight, and God Bless
I love you, My dear.

Kate, asleep before we could put her down!

The smell of Chrism....

will always be a reminder of a wonderful day- June 19, 2011:  Kate's baptism and Jake's first father's day!  This morning when Kate woke up to eat, I immediately smelled the sweet and poignant smell again, and it instinctively brought a smile to my face.  I don't even want to bathe her!  I made sure Kate wore her bonnet for awhile so that it would soak up the smell of such a beautiful sacrament. The baptism was so beautiful.  We were blessed to have the same priest that married us, Father David, baptize Kate.  He was great, and gave a wonderful homily about how our faith has been passed down from generations to generations, and is the best thing we can leave our children.

When we asked Father David to baptize Kate, he suggested that we have the ceremony on Father's day.  I'm so glad he did.  Mom hosted an amazing bbq for all the fathers on Saturday, and being the party host that she is, did the same for Kate on Sunday.  We had all kinds of family join us, and were blessed to have a guest all the way from Tennessee- Jamie!  Many thanks to everyone who made the trip to make Kate's baptism special- All three of my grandparents, my uncles and aunts, my cousins, the Congers, Chelsea, Hilary, and Jamie. 

What an a rich faith we have.  God Bless Kathryn Kay!

Jumping on the bandwagon- Our engagement story

I have loved reading the engagement stories of dear friends this past week.  I decided to play follow the leader and share Jake an I's story!

First, a little background info: 
In the summer of 2008, I had graduated and was working at the Pines, and Jake was taking his last few classes at A&M.  We had been dating for almost three years at that point (with one brief hiatus; which if you ask Jake about, he will happily explain to you the "big mistake" I made in dumping him  ;) ).  I knew an engagement was coming, but I didn't know Jake had already asked my dad and was working hard to afford a ring! 
Fast forward to October.  We both had just moved to Dallas.  I was still looking for a job, and Jake was working at Macaroni Grill.  I finally got an interview, and on Wednesday of that week, I was offered a job teaching Social Studies at West Junior High in Richardson.  I thought it was the best day since I graduated...but little did I know, the coming weekend was about to wrap up the best week of my life- now overshadowed by our wedding and honeymoon, and the birth of Kate. 

Now, the actual engagement story taken from my knot page.  Which, by the way, was so fun to go back and visit!  I haven't looked at that for almost 2 years :)  Excuse the third person usage.

Jake and Courtney had planned on joining Courtney's parents to watch the Aggies battle Kansas State on Kyle Field. As the game ended (badly), Jake told Courtney that he would meet her outside the stadium since he "had to go to the bathroom." Though Courtney thought it was slightly ridiculous that he couldn't have done this during the game so they could get home and out of the heat, she reluctantly agreed. When she and her parents were leaving Kyle Field, she saw her Aunt Rita and Uncle Lindy all the way in from San Antonio standing with a rose. They gave the rose to Courtney, along with a card that had instructions on it for Courtney to trust during the next journey, signed by Jake. It led her to another spot on campus where Chelsea, Courtney's twin sister was standing with another rose, and another card. Courtney was led to spots on campus that meant alot to the couple throughout their dating years, where her sister Cassie and some of the couple's closest friends and suprise guests (like Jake's mom all the way form TN!) were waiting with roses and more clues with sweet messages. The trail ended at St. Mary's chapel where Courtney and Jake had spent many hours in prayer. Jake met her outside, led her in the doors, where he asked her to be his wife. She, of course, said yes!
Jake surprised Courtney again by having almost a hundred of her friends and family waiting at her parent's house to congratulate and celebrate with the couple!


What a great day- and what a great decision on my part to say yes to a man who strives to lead me, and now our daughter, closer to Christ everyday.  And, he does a great job of calming down his "fireball" of a wife on a pretty consistent basis.

Proof of Kate rolling over!

Here's a video from Aunt Jamie showing Kate rolling over!  I promise she sounds much more upset then she actually was- but I do think she learned to roll over because she hates being on her tummy.

So proud of our little girl!

Summer in the Poulsen House

This week has been the first where I really feel like it's summer break, and not just me on maternity leave!  We are so glad to have Jamie, Jake's twin sister, staying with us for the week.  It's been so fun introducing her to Kate, and I love having someone to talk to during the day!  I mean, Kate's great...but not much of a conversationalist.  We are working on it.

This week also brought a special date- Jake and I's second anniversary!  I can't believe how fast the time has flown by.  Jake has always told me that the most memorable best man 's speech he ever heard was the advice of the best man to the couple that this day (their wedding day) shoudl be the day that they love each other the least- that their love should grow everyday.  While 2 years ago I didn't think I could love Jake more because of how enamored I was, now, I realize how small that love was compared to what I feel now.  Because of God's love, we have been able to love as he does- a love that grows and never stops.  So, watching Jake be an amazing husband, and now, an incredible father, my love for him overshadows mightily what I felt on June 13, 2009!! 

Enough of the mushy stuff.  Here is a trip down memory lane.  First, a picture from our very first date.  Well, maybe our second date.  It's up for debate whether our first date was at midnight yell, or the Hall (a dance hall in College Station).  Either way, this is from the hall.



In college, we spend alot of time supporting each other at our various events: for Jake, it was Corp events- mainly marching in the band.  For me, Jake would come to as many lacrosse games as he could. 

And, in honor of our anniversary, a few favorite wedding pictures!

Kate's a month old!

Kate-  This month was the most amazing month of Mommy and Daddy's life!  You have grown up more then I ever thought a baby could in 4 weeks.  You have made some amazing accomplishments and we can't wait to watch you grow even more in month 2.  First of all, you are an amazing eater.  You were up more then a pound from you birth weight by your second week!  You make feeding very easy, and Mommy very much enjoys our time together.  You also sleep better then I thought a newborn could!  At night, you sleep at least 3 hour chunks, but usually its 4-5 hours.  You have even slept up to 6 hours at once a few times.  Kate, you are a very vocal girl!  From occasional screams out of nowhere, to the latest- grunts all the time- you want to be heard!  I have a feeling you will be very outgoing like both your parents.  You love bath time, but only if we work very hard to keep you warm!  Either Mommy or Daddy has to keep dumping water on you while the other one scrubs!  Lastly, and I just couldn't believe this-  you rolled over at the end of your first month!  The Mercers, and Aunt Cassie were there to see it, and I think we all thought it was a fluke!  But when I called in Gigi and Peepaw to see if you could do it again- you did!!!  And, you fit in a third roll by the time you went to bed that night.  Daddy is still waiting to see it, and you are trying very hard to show him your new trick. 

We love you so much Kate, and everyday we thank God for our beautiful little girl. 

Your one month picture in an outfit Gigi made you!!

We've almost made it a month!

These past few weeks have flown by, just like the first two of Kate's life.  Kate experienced a few firsts since I last wrote: 

She took her first road trip!  Along with Cassie, Chris, and Abby, we drove out to Big Sandy to meet the newly ordained Fr. Hank Lanik!  We were blessed to get to join him in celebrating his very first mass as a priest.  Hank was the camp director at The Pines for many years, and had a huge impact on all of the Mechler's lives....and I will venture to add our husbands in that group as well.  Cass and I were talking after the mass and we were discussing how the weirdest part of seeing Hank as a priest was that it really wasn't weird at all.  He's played the role of a spiritual father for so many years, that him as a priest just makes sense!

My view from the backseat of our road trip!

She smiled for the first time (we think)!  She was sitting with Uncle Chris and gave him 2! big smiles.  Mommy and Daddy are still waiting for the second smile directed towards us :)!

After her first smile!

She slept for 6 straight hours!  Jake and I were hanging out with friends from camp playing Settlers, so we didn't get to experience the greatness of 6 uninterrupted hours of sleep, but it was pretty neat knowing she is growing up.  Before we know it, she will be sleeping through the night.

I have been reading Baby Wise to get some ideas of how to establish in Kate good sleeping patterns from the very beginning.  Since she is still so little, right now we are working on good patterns:  starting with a full feeding, then awake time, and ending with a nap.  I can already see a difference when I make a conscious effort to follow this pattern:  she sleeps better at night and seems to be less fussy during the day.  We are now learning what kind of toys she likes too to keep her entertained during her awake time.  It started with a frog bouncer seat when she was born, but Kate knows the trick now- that we are trying to get some work done when we put her in it....so the frog is no longer working.  I just figured out that she likes the fisher price aquarium that is on her crib...so I put that near a receiving blanket and let her watch to her hearts content.  Yes, that's what she is doing right now as I write this :).  Kate also loves bath time.  As long as Mommy and Daddy keep her warm, she is a happy camper.

After bath time!

Loving her aquarium!

All in all, the first month of Kate's life has been amazing.  We have been blessed with such a sweet, loving, and mainly content daughter.  Who could ask for anything more?