5 months old

Dear Moriah,

It is so hard to believe that you are 5 months old today. I feel like I've known you for so much longer than 5 months! You are still just as sweet and pleasant as ever, and you are getting more and more fun with each new stage. Your awareness and depth is so much more present than even a month or two ago. It's amazing how much you can communicate with your eyes, your facial expressions, noises, and body language! We've had a blast so far this summer...Here's what we've been up to:

* In early June, we went to Tootsie and Pop's so that Daddy could paint their deck and do some trim work on the house. You, me, and Tootsie played and hung out while Daddy and Pop worked. You started rolling over from your tummy to your back "on purpose" and much more often while we were there. The only problem is you'd start out sleeping on your tummy with a blanket, then roll over to your back and kick off the blanket. I would hear you babbling and carrying on in your playpen and have to get up to cover you back up and put you on your tummy. You did that trick several times you stinker! Other than that, you are still sleeping great!
* You made your 1st trip to the lake the Sunday we got back from Gilmer. We were really some traveling girls, let me tell ya! That weekend we went to spend with Emily, Halle, and Whitney for a girls only getaway. You took a little time to adjust to napping at the lakehouse with the noises you're not used to, but pretty soon you were loving it and having a great time! I also had to adjust to having an infant with me and not just jumping in and swimming at any time. I'd wait till you were napping, then bring the monitor out with me and put it on the deck so I could hear you while I floated around with the other girls. We also went to the lake the weekend of Daddy's birthday and celebrated with the Griffins and Tootsie and Pop. Another fun time! I can't wait for many more adventures at the lake with you! You really enjoyed playing with Em and the girls as I knew you would!
* You had your 4 month check up on June 7th (you were actually 4 1/2 mos but I wanted to wait till summer to bring you in). You were 15 lbs (more than twice your birth weight) and 25 3/4 inches long! You're in the 55th % for height and 67% for weight. Who knew you'd be such a "big girl" after all the problems we had with you losing weight early on! As your daddy says, you've got more rolls than a bakery! But they are the sweetest things and so fun to kiss and tickle! Dr. Barret was very pleased with your progress and it seems you are right on target with your development so we are very thankful for that. The only downer of the visit was of course your shots. You gave a good cry when you got them, but then calmed down and fell asleep within minutes of getting into your carseat. We had no low grade fever, irritation, or reactions so that was great.
* You went to Azleway with me and "helped" me work a couple days last week. You did really good and were very friendly to Mama's coworkers. You let several ladies hold you including Mrs. Rambo, Ms. Juanez, Ms. Michelle, and Ms. Annette at the ranch. You were definitely ready for your nap after all the socializing, though, and you fell asleep on the ride home.
* We've gone walking several times this summer with your stroller-either in the early morning or later in the evening when it's not so dadgum HOT!

Things You're Doing Right Now:
* still sleeping about 9-11 hrs per night (thank you Lord!). still taking about 3 naps per day. no complaints here!
* taking a bottle every 3 1/2 - 4 hrs (about 6-7 ozs per bottle). We're going to work some cereal into your diet very soon. You've tried it at Tootsie's and liked it!
* babbling, laughing, and shrieking/squealing when you get excited! you especially like to get loud and rowdy with your Daddy...(big shocker).
* you are quite the social smiler and have such a sweet, beautiful smile!
* you can roll over from your tummy to back but haven't mastered rolling from back to tummy yet
* you are sitting up with support
* when you're on your tummy, you like to raise up on your forearms, lift your chest up and look around.
* in general, you are just so much more alert and aware and involved
* for the last couple of weeks, you've been chewing a LOT on your fingers and also your thumb. you're drooling more as well. wonder if we have a tooth coming in our near future??
* you love to grab and put things in your mouth!

Moriah, you are such a gift. You are sweet, beautiful, funny, patient, friendly, you have a sense of humor, you're very observant, and you're an effective yet polite communicator. I can't wait to see how your personality continues to blossom and grow. We love you so much and hope this summer lasts forever! ; ) Love Always, Mama

Here's a pic of Moriah in her Aggie Cheerleading outfit her Grandma got for her. I'll do my best to post more pics soon.  Gig 'em Ags!

God is Up to Something in Uganda!

Please click on this link to read about what AMAZING things have been happening with Parental Care Ministries, which helps orphans in Uganda, Africa. Moriah's pediatrician, Dr. Mark Barret, is a main leader in this ministry. The things that are happening are so inspiring and exciting! Here's the link of the latest article:

God Is Up to Something in Uganda-PCM

(BE SURE AND CLICK THE VIDEO LINK at the bottom of the article that shows the orphans worshipping...AMAZING!!!!)

Last Week of School, Pate Reunion

The last week of school was a busy week preparing for Graduation. Lots of errands to run, lists to make, things to scratch off those lists, etc.

Ahhh, scratching off the To Do List...what gratification!...i'm a "scratcher offer" rather than a "checker." There's just something about crossing each item out completely that is a slight rush for me. Much more than a mere checkmark for goodness sakes!

Moving along, it was a very hectic week that ended with a wonderful, sweet, special, classy Graduation ceremony. After the ceremony, however, i discovered my cell phone had been "borrowed" by one of our sweet angels. i managed to get it back after doing a little Sherlock Holmes, but when i got it back, ALL MY CONTACTS AND PICTURES WERE GONE! ALL 300 SOMETHING CONTACTS AND PICTURES SINCE THE DAY OF MORIAH'S BIRTH! Deep breath. i had a big talk with the young man today about stealing and how it affects the person you steal from and WHAT THOSE PICTURES MEANT TO ME and i may have cried during that little speech and i'm not really sure, judging from the blank look on the youngster's face, if anything got through to him. but at least i got it off my chest! 


After Graduation Friday, we took our sweet "baby" Esteban out to eat as a celebration since he had no family show up to be there. One funny moment from that: When Billy handed him the bread (we were at Outback where they serve that delicious brown bread--not sure what it's called), Esteban said "Oh no thanks Dad, I don't like chocolate." Cute, huh?

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early to feed Moriah and then get our stuff loaded for the annual Pate Reunion. It was our first "extended stay" with the baby (meaning more than one day-ha) in a place other than a family member's house. And I have to say it went pretty good. Of course there's always the continual reminder that you are now operating on the baby's schedule, not yours. Our life currently revolves around eating time and naptime and while i wouldn't want to have it any other way, it does take some adjusting to. Especially when you're going to do an activity you've always done before.

i.e. Swimming- we waited till she woke up from her nap to go, then got to the pool later than everyone. After arriving, we really went "all out" sitting on the concrete, holding Moriah on the edge of the baby blow-up pool and letting her feet and legs dangle in the water. i then took her to the shaded area when it got too hot, only to go back to the room about 10 minutes later as she was ready for another nap. Ahh, the life of a 4 month old! I know the Big Slide is in our future here in a few years, but right now we are partying on the sidelines! And having a blast nevertheless! : )

Moriah enjoyed meeting her cousins, aunts, and uncles that she hasn't met and seeing the familiar faces of the ones she already knows. I think all the noise and commotion was good for her, as she's used to living in a quiet house with two (well, make that one) quiet adults. Poor thing jumped and startled so many times the first time she was around Ryan's kids, i thought her nerves were gonna be shot! She became a real pro with all the racket this weekend and hardly jumped at all!

It was a wonderful time had by all and i was reminded once again what an awesome family we have been blessed with. i hope we will continue to have our reunion for many years to come and i've even pledged to find some t-shirts for next year...we are really gonna have some soul with our Family Reunion t-shirts yall!

The only downer was that every food i've ever loved was there (hello Mama's Chocolate Chip Cookies, Yummy Hamburgers, Tons of Snacks, and Homemade Cheesecake) so i wavered a tad from my Weight Watchers points. Not sure my walking and "virtual jumprope" will cover for it but we shall see.

i call it "Virtual Jumprope" because i don't actually have a real jumprope right now, but i jump up and down and do my arms around as if i do. i can jump both feet at the same time or do the running technique. i can crisscross and even do the double jump! don't hate. my virtual jumprope was free, and best of all, it never slaps me in the calves!

On that note, i better "call it a post." More pics to come soon. Gotta fold some laundry before this baby wakes up from her nap!

Double Ear Infection and Pics

Well, that "first fever" ended up being a middle ear infection in both ears. Poor baby! You could tell she was in pain and uncomfortable but she would just whimper and it was pitiful! At one time, she and I were both boohooing as I rocked her in the recliner-haha I know I'm a drama mama. Thank goodness I took her to the doctor Monday "just in case." Guess I'll know what to look for next time with her symptoms. The medicine started kicking in and she's been feeling better thank you Lord! Last night (Tues night) she slept through the night for the first time since Friday. What a difference a night's sleep makes!



And here's a few pics from the last couple weeks that I hadn't posted yet...

This is how I found her during her nap a couple weeks ago. Her new trick is to "scoot" to the corner of her crib! She loves to be cuddled up against the bumpers. Cool trick, Moriah, but it scares Mama!

Climbing on her favorite jungle gym- Daddy!

After church a few Sundays ago (we were color coordinated but I didn't even realize it until someone mentioned it to me at church). I'm just glad to get us all dressed and out the door on Sunday mornings! (Moriah has decided that's her favorite time to take a big poop)!



Talking with Tootsie

Tootsie, you crack me up

The 2 youngest cousins- Karsyn and Moriah, with Tootsie

Mo and Pop are Aggie fans! Whoop!

"She's sitting in my spot!!!"

Ok, that's better!

The Cousin Paparazzi!

Kyleigh loves to hold Moriah and does such a good job!

Sweet girls

"Where's Karsyn?" Moriah isn't sure, but she's thinkin about it. Hmmm...

First Fever

(This is one of those I'm basically documenting for me, so it's not too interesting!)

Moriah started getting a little fussy and I could just tell she was uncomfortable yesterday about 4:30am. She has not woken up in the night since 9 weeks old, so I figured something was going on. She was congested and snorting and whining. She wasn't running a fever yet, but she was unsettled and I could just tell she wasn't feeling well, so I went ahead and gave her a little Tylenol, as well as doing the "snot sucker" and doing some nasal Saline drops. Yesterday afternoon her temp gradually increased, and by last night it was 100.7. I realize no seasoned mother would even bat an eye at that temp, but it was our first fever and I got my first dose of seeing my baby not feeling well and it wasn't too fun! My parents had gone on a date in Tyler and happened to stop by, so I was glad my mom was there with me (and you too, Dad! heehee). Mom held Moriah while I called the doctor and they gave me some good tips, and I was relieved to know I was already doing most of what they suggested. They said I didn't need to bring her in unless her temp got above 102, or if it was lower than that but she was inconsolable or had alot of trouble breathing, wasn't eating, etc. She was still eating ok and although she was uncomfortable and "whimpery," she was consolable. In the night she got fussy again about 3ish, so I went in and checked her and it had gone up to 101.8. She was clammy and not feeling well at all. After changing her diaper, doing her nose drops/snot sucker, and giving her some Tylenol, I snuggled her up with me in the recliner and we both slept until 7:30, at which time she was ready for a bottle. Her temp went down to 100.7 and then at 10:30am it was down to 99.7. So we will see if it keeps going down!

Billy was such a big help. He was just "there" to help or support however I needed and to get something, which is exactly what I needed. I did notice, however, that "thing" you hear about when a baby wants their Mama when they're sick! It's so interesting, because she adores her Daddy! But there was one time in particular he had given her a bottle and she was getting fussy, and when I walked in the room, he was rocking her gently and she was still just fussy and unsettled. I got her and she just stopped. I rocked her and hummed and she just settled in and fell asleep. Billy does such a wonderful job and she loves him so much.  But I experienced that moment where she really wanted me when she was sick, and it was a special moment. (Not to take anything away from Billy, I know the day is coming when she'll want only Daddy!!)

All of this was a big reminder that we are so blessed that Moriah has been so healthy these last 16 weeks. I realize many parents go through so much with their babies and childrens' health issues, and I can't imagine what that must feel like. I got a very teeny tiny glimpse of seeing my baby "unhealthy" and it is truly a helpless feeling. What a reminder that God is in control and He has them in the palm of His hand. Our children belong to Him and each day is a special blessing that He's "loaned" them to us! May I be a good steward of each moment, day, and year we have with precious Moriah!

Mouse Pad

Blank Project Mouse Pad

Click here to browse Shutterfly's modern graduation invitations.

View the entire collection of cards.

Please Pray for Baby Thomas's Family

A friend of mine at church named Susan has a friend she asked us to pray for. This precious mother found out early in her pregnancy that her baby had a fatal disease, and that he would either die in the womb or shortly after birth. He was born on April 29th and went to be with Jesus yesterday evening. I cannot imagine the pain they must be feeling. Here is the link to her blog: http://www.thelittlejourneyofbabythomas.blogspot.com