Kate's first birthday!

Here's the birthday girl!

Why is everybody staring at me?

YUMMY!!!

Kate had a wonderful first birthday today. Thanks to all that participated and sent well wishes. We are truly lucky to have such great friends, family and a happy little princess! More pics to come. Love, Allison

June in Minnesota

Agggghhhh!!!! It's cold again!!

Hello! Once again I've been slow to update this blog. Well, here are some recent pics. Kate had a friend over this weekend. Luke is a month younger than Kate but a LOT bigger! Luke's Mommy and Daddy were moving out of their house on Saturday, so he came over to play. Luke and Kate had a great time. Unfortunately, the weather changed drastically (typical Minnesota) and it was cold and rainy. Today we only had a high in the 50's. So we've put on the fleece again, as you'll see! Everything is going well. Kate got her cast off and the arm is healing nicely. I got my job approved and will be guaranteed through June 2010. Chris is trying to recover from a recent bout of pneumonia! It's the side effect of having a one year old and a pediatrician at home! Anyway, speaking of one year olds...Kate turns one on June 21st! We're getting ready for a cook-out birthday party. We can't wait to see Mimi, Poppa, Aunt Sarah, Nannie and Pappy. They're all coming in town for the big day! We'll be sure to post pics of the party. Talk to you soon.

Love,

Allison

Kate and Luke

Luke brought some new toys. Kate didn't want him to take them home!

Channeling her inner Elton John

See you later!!

Oh no! Look what happened...

Yep, Kate broke her arm :( We don't really know how it happened. We're guessing she just landed on it funny when she fell trying to walk. She never took any major falls here or at daycare. And she never acted like anything happened! She never even cried! The only clue was that she wouldn't put weight on her left arm when she crawled. We went to the ED last night but just got the cast put on this afternoon. Unfortunately both bones were broken and one went into the growth plate. So we're going to have to keep a close watch on it while it heals to make sure she doesn't have problems in the future. She's doing great with it right now. She's trying to get her balance back with cruising! We'll keep you posted on her progress.

Our trip to Chicago

We just got back from a whirlwind trip to Tennessee and Chicago. Chris had some research accepted for presentation at the American Urology Association meeting in Chicago. So Kate and I went to Nashville for a few days and then met up with Chris in Chicago. The weather didn't cooperate very well, but we still had a good time. Kate enjoyed the stroller rides when we were able to get out of the hotel. But most of all, she LOVED the pool. We suspected this with all the fun she has at bathtime. It will be so much fun to take her to the beach in a couple of weeks! Enjoy the pics. We'll talk again soon.

Windy City Baby!

Across the street and lake from the hotel

All dressed up for dinner...

Maybe I'll take a nap first!

Ready for my first dip in the pool!

This is great!

Kate is soooo big!

Having fun with Kendra!

Bye from Chicago!

Good times in Tennessee

Kate on the piano

Kate and I just spent time in Tennessee for a few days. I ran (or attempted to run) the country music half marathon with Sarah and Emily. It was a beautiful, sunny, HOT day! It definitely wasn't my best but we still had a great time. Kate had a blast. Aunt Rachel came down from Cincinnati for a visit. She got to ride horses for the first time. It was a fun time. Enjoy the pics!

Beautiful girls...Kate and Aunt Emily

Poppa putting little Kate on that really BIG horse!

Kate with her Aunt Rachel

Kate walking on the grass...not used to seeing this in Minnesota!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! We just got back from a fun weekend in Kansas City. We visited with Nannie, Pappy, Aunt Rachel and her friends Sarah and Morgan, Sissy, Weenie, Aunt Susan, Stephanie, Sara, Aunt Judy, Uncle Bob, Pop, Grandma, Uncle Michael, Mary Helen, Deano, Alyson, Greg, Jim and Emily, and the Galloways. We also introduced Kate to the folks at KC Eye Clinic and she finally got to meet our dear friend Harriet! Can you tell we had a very busy weekend!?!? Luckily our little angel was laid back and took it all in stride. She had a visit from the Easter Bunny and got some nice new toys. Here are some pictures to enjoy. Hope you all had a happy Easter.

Love,

Chris, Allison and Kate

Kate on Easter morning
My first bite of cookie!
Exploring Nannie and Pappy's house

All dressed up, but soooo tired!

My pretty Easter dress

Playing with her new bunny

Hanging out with Sissy

Pappy is so funny!

March Madness

Hello from the Hettinger's. I know it has been a really long time since I updated, as many of you have pointed out! :) We have been busy as usual. Kate is getting bigger and changing everyday. By getting bigger, I mean heavier. Definitely not a lot taller! She's a shorty...only at the 16th percentile for her height! We think it makes her look even cuter as she crawls around and walks along the furniture. She's trying really hard to walk, but hasn't taken any steps by herself yet. In other Kate news, we've been having a really hard time with ear infections. She's gone through several antibiotics and we can't get them cleared up. So we are going to have her hearing checked tomorrow and see the ENT doctors on Tuesday. We may have to put tubes in her ears. We'll see how the appointment goes and keep you posted.
Work is going well for Chris and Allison. Chris is getting close to being done with his fourth year in residency...one more to go! He's on the job search now. We're hoping to narrow things down in the next month or two. I'm still in limbo about my job for next year. With the economy in the tank, Mayo is tightening up everything. They are still hopeful about renewing my position, but still haven't told me anything for sure. It's a little scary not knowing, but I have faith it will work out.
Anyway, here are some pictures to make you all happy! Talk to you soon.

Cheerio Kate

I'm so EXCITED!

Hi Mama!

I love my ugly cat doll

Here's Kate updating our blog :)

Would you like a cheerio?

Ready for March Madness! Go KU! Go UT!

Do you like my hat?

Tennessee Baby!

Ninja Kate