She's (the) One

We celebrated Lila Kate's first birthday two weeks ago. That's important for so many reasons. Not only did we find out that she can eliminate eggs from her laundry list of food no-no's, but we remincsed about where we were a year ago ( I was in the delivery room waiting for a partition, a dividing curtain, that never came) and how wonderful it was to gather our extended family together on a Sunday afternoon just to celebrate life in one of its most simplest stages.

I've been remiss in my blogging, and I have no legitimate excuse. I can blame TiVo, my office responsibilities or UT's porous defensive (and offensive) lines for my online absence, but I would be kidding myself in doing so.

Lila Kate has really enjoyed her Kindermusik class. Not only is it a great chance for she and Mommy to get out of the house, it creates a wonderful opportunity for our family to listen to the take home CD at every meal. Three times a day. Although it does distract LK from throwing her food on the floor (a real treat for the dog), the repitition of "Welcome to Today, Friend of Mine" and the "Train goes down the Track, Chug-a-chug-a-chug." has become nails across a chalkboard. It's especially nice when I'm stuck in traffic, or on hold, and one of these songs pops into your head. These little ditties are like termites, once it's there, good luck getting rid of it!

LK has become quite the talker. Her vocabulary extends past Mama and Dada, Abby, and her new favorite, No! She also likes to point and refer to almost everything as an apple. She also expresses excitement when she says "Wow!" and "Yeah!". I'm convinced that she's learned the word No not from being scolded when she throws food in the floor, but from overhearing her daddy watch the flailing Vols football team.

I'm humbled daily how fatherhood has changed me as a person. I've always felt responsible, even more so when I bought a house, said "I do" to the one I love, and started my own business. But this responsibility of being a parent is so much more. I have a new found selflessness that didn't exist 13 months ago. I realize now all the things that my mom, dad and grandparents sacrificed to care for and nuture me and my sister. I'm thankful for that, and I'm excited to return the favor.

Enjoy the fall,

KP

LK at Kindermusik class with Mommy.

Gameday

Oh, what a beautiful morning! It's finally football time in Tennessee.

I love this time of year. Not only to we get a reprieve from the heat, but we get to watch football. And this season, we get to see four UT home games in a row. Our family loves to tailgate, and I look forward to nothing more that spending time with my wife,grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, Mom and friends during Saturdays in the fall. It's truly a special time.

This is also always a day that I miss my dad. His birthday was this past week, and I always think about the great times we've had at UT games. I remember holding his hand when I was 5 walking into the stadium. I got much of my fanaticism from him when it came to sports. He was as big of fan of the Vols as any of us.

When the band opens the T and Coach Dooley leads the team through for the first time, I'll have a tear in my eye remembering my Dad and the great times we shared at UT games. But I also have so much to be thankful for. My grandfather will be sitting right behind me, in the same seats he's been in for over forty years. I'll kiss my wife, and miss my baby who will be at home with a baby sitter. But I'll smile knowing that I'll get to hold her hand when I take her to a game really soon.

Go Vols!

KP

We're back!

After a six month blog hiatus that included two beach vacations, doctor's visits (including the dog), and multiple Vol football player arrests, we're back to update you on our lives. LK hasn't really done much since our last blogpost. Oh wait, she has teeth, is sitting up and rolling around (no crawling as of yet), saying Mama and Dada, clapping her hands and waving bye-bye. She has gained weight while Mommy and Daddy has lost some. She's changed just a little bit. It's been a good six months.

I apologize for the long hiatus, but I was caught up in enjoying our life. Not that I didn't want to share our joys with all of you, but we've been so incredibly busy. Busy learning how to be a Dad, realizing that LK watches my every move, and what an incredible responsibility that Amanda and I have to teach her and help her grow through the years. I promise to post more frequently (maybe not as much as the Wild Webbs or the Carvers) but definitely will put more stories and pictures of our baby girl.

Stay tuned,
KP

Merry New Year!

Lila's absence from the blogosphere has not gone unoticed over the past few weeks. My apologies for our extended absence. I had plans on updating you all on our lives last week until the abrupt change at the helm of the Mighty football Vols got me incredibly distracted. We are pleased with the hire of Derek Dooley, a man who looks like George Quarles and sounds like Zell Miller. His coaching pedigree is strong, and his coaching and recruting moves thus far have shown much promise. Here's hoping for some great effort this fall from the team.

Now on to the purpose of this prose: Lila Kate. She passed the three month mark last week, although I have told Amanda that I will only refer to her age in weeks as to not get confused. She'll be 14 weeks old tomorrow. She's the size of a Christmas goose, weighing in at 15 pounds. She's babbling, holding her head up, grabbing for toys, all the things that a baby should. She continues to sleep well at night, much to the jealousy of many of our friends. We're excited about her baptism this Sunday and having many family members from near and far there to participate in that special ceremony.

I'm constantly reminded every time I look into my daughter's eyes of the responsibilities that I have, and how lucky I am to be a father, husband, son, and grandson to so many special people. The tragedy in Haiti this past week reminds us not only to help those in need, but be thankful for God's grace. Rather than pout or complain about how bad things are in our lives, I chose to drink from a glass that's half full and treat each day as God's gift to me. Life is too precious to be petty or pessimistic. I have an infant daughter that reinforces that each time she smiles at me.

Life is good today,

KP

01/18/2010 - Lila Kate's reaction when I told her she got to have milk for lunch.

12/31/09- Will Carver, Briarcliff paparazzi, is taken down by Spiderman (aka Cooper Webb). THWWAPPPP!

They are avid followers of the blog. Always good to keep your reading public engaged. That's what Blount Today does for Andy White.

01/17/2010 -Trial run to test stability of newly assembled high chair. Lila Kate likes this shot because it doesn't make her head look as big.

12/31/09- Game night: Hoops win, Hokies loss. But lots of fun with the Wild Webbs and the Carvers. LK hasn't regained interest since Bama loss during week zero.

She looks like a cross between E.T. and the Flying Nun. Thanks to Grandma's camera light for the added special effects!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

Lila Kate enjoying her first Christmas. She got some really neat toys and clothes from Santa and all her grandparents and relatives.

She's really beginning to show her personality as evidenced by these youtube videos....

http://www.youtube.com/user/tubcaulk1997#p/a/u/0/6a4EqHg5d9Y

http://www.youtube.com/user/tubcaulk1997#p/a/u/1/Uuyvbas8Ddo

We had a wonderful weekend with too much good food, great times with family and many wonderful memories.

Happy New Year!

Feliz Navidad!

Sorry for the long delay between blog posts. The Painter family has been actively preparing for the Christmas holidays. Amanda worked feverishly with Junior Service League to prepare and pack toys for 1,400 needy Blount County kids. They do amazing work, and I am so proud of what she's done as President of that organization this year. Please visit the attached link to hear more about what she does and also to see a great photo of many of the important women in my life. http://www.blounttoday.com/news/2009/dec/16/packing-day/ .

We finished up our performances of the Cantata at church last weekend. If you're in the East TN viewing area, it will be rebroadcast on WVLT (Channel 8) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so check your local listings. Kudos to Terry Wilson and the FUMC Chancel Choir for such an awesome cantata experienc.e It was also incredibly special to have David Knoll and Sarah Shepherd back with us, as well as David and Susan's daughter, Olivia, playing percussion with the orchestra. We continue to keep the Knolls in our prayers.

Lila Kate passed her 8 week checkup with flying colors. Thanks to Dr. Heather for continuing to give us some great care to our daughter and comfort to her parents. LKP is 12 lbs. and 10z., or the size of a medium sized turkey. She's 90th percentile in weight, height and of course, head circumference. She's sleeping like a baby should, averaging 1o to 11 hours night. Last night, she went almost 13 hours. Amanda and I are reveling in the amount of sleep that we're getting.

We're looking forward to sharing Christmas in our newly expanded family. We have many gatherings planned in the coming week. We are truly blessed as we pause to mark the birth of Jesus. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Congrats to our friends, Todd and Whitney Davis and John and Julie Elder, and Charles and Mary Beth West on their new arrivals this year. With nine new babies born in our Sunday School class, we're excited about all the playdates and fun times LK will have with her new friends.

Look kids, a deer!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Six Week Report Card

Lila Kate turned six weeks old, or 42 days, yesterday. She has changed dramatically since we first saw her on October 13th. She's changed our lives for sure as well. She's over 10lbs and her head circumference is in the 90th percentile (definitely a trait she gets from me!).

We are really sleeping through the night now. LK averages about 8 to 8.5 hours between feedings during the nocturnal hours. She really is a pacified and happy baby. It has made our lives so enjoyable. She's smiling now, holding her head up, and enjoying her activity mat. Here's a photo of her enjoying some play time:

We're excited about our first family Thanksgiving. We'll have three meals with relatives over the next three days, so bring on the elastic waistband pants!

Yesterday, I figured out how to upload video from my iPhone to Youtube. Now I see how everything from tea parties to touchdowns to train wrecks end up on the Web. It's caveman simple. Here's a video of Baby Lila that I took last week:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhnmjS5XMRs

And also one of my niece, Addy Grace Johnson, helping my mom in the kitchen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uwycd7DeQ8

LK is getting her fill of the new Bon Jovi CD. We also cranked up some Trans Siberian Orchestra in preparation for the Decking of the Halls that will take place at 319 Danielle Court on Friday.

Congratulations to our dear friends, TJ and Erin Castello!. They welcomed their daugher, Sophia Lucille, into the world on Sunday night. We're excited that Lila Kate has a playmate in the ATL suburbs. We can't wait to meet her.

Amanda and I are truly thankful for this precious child and all of the blessings we've received. We wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Go Vols,

KP