The Collier Chronicles

Caden Scott & Updates

2011-09-22T21:11:00.002-05:00

I know it has been a very long time since I have blogged and certain people don't like looking at the same post from last time over and over again. Since I have gone back to work, I have been incredibly crazy busy! I stay at school late most days. Come home nd do dinner, clean, type up lesson plans and grade papers for a couple hours, and try to do family time, while being 9 months pregnant and exhausted!

I have had a TON to blog, but simply no time. We have been doing lots of nesting on the weekends. We're pretty much ready! Just need a few more items and clean/organize a few more things.

Had an apt today. Caden is no longer breech!! Hoping he stays that way. I am dilated to a 1, and 50% effaced. About 3 1/2 weeks left! We are so excited and can't wait! I'm a little freaked out about how I'm going to handle 2 kids, but millions of people do it and they all figure it out. I know I can also do the same. Although I am convinced I won't ever get to sleep and will be spending the next several years in a zombie zone.

Real quick...so blessed to have a job! It feels good to teach again. I am starting out the year very stressed, but it feels good to be back. I'm glad that I'm in 3rd grade because it is a grade I have taught before and am familiar with. Really trying to still "move in" and get organized, plus type up 3 months worth of lessons. I'm only a week ahead. I have lots to do!! I just never seem to have enough time to do anything! Although I have accomplished A LOT, there is just so much to do!

Out new church, Faith Baptist in Iowa Park, is going great! Makenna has 5 little girls her age that she LOVES to play with! 4 of them are potty trained and wearing panties, so I'm encouraging Makk to be a follower! She absolutely loves it though. She asks us to go to church on non-church days. When we drop her in the nursery, she jumps down, runs to the gate, lets herself in, and we have to beg her to wave by and blow us a kiss. It definitely makes me feel at peace and comfortable that my baby girl loves the place, the people, and that the people love her! We are also making a lot of great connections and developing friendships. God is really blessing us right now! Lots of changes for out little family!

My back is absolutely killing me! It seems it doesn't hurt when I have taken a bath this week, so I'm off to read a book for pleasure (what's that mean?!) and relax my back muscles. I'll try and upload some pictures when I get a chance.

Jessica took some awesome belly shots. Can't wait to share them! There is a really sweet one of Makk hugging and cuddling Bubba Caden. Priceless!

New pics of Caden!

2011-07-22T14:16:00.002-05:00

My apt went well yesterday!! My placenta looks perfect! No more shelf shape or blood pools! Praise be to Jesus!

He is weighing about 2 lbs 8 oz, that is in the 60%, and still a week ahead of schedule. So looks like I'm going to have a big baby!! That would also explain why I'm so much bigger this time around!

My glucose test went well yesterday, without a hitch. I actually like the red sugary juice! I didn't even get close to fainting or anything like I did with Makk. Then I went to El Chico's and had an amazing lunch!! I will go back in 3 weeks at my 30th week, then every 2 weeks after that for 6 weeks, then it is every week until he comes! It is getting sooooo close!

Here are some amazing pics of Caden. Makenna went with us and I think she really enjoyed it! She kept looking from my tummy to the screen saying "Bubba Caden in Mommy's tummy." It was so cute! She also had to hold my hand through most of the procedure. Caden is quite the tap-dancer. He kept doing a little jig with his feet. Maybe it's the Irish coming out in him! I think there's Irish somewhere...He is also breeched right now, but there is time for him to turn. This is what also happened with Makk, and she finally turned. I did some special exercises, don't know if they worked, but it can't hurt. So I wi ll do those again.

Here is a sweet pic of his face. It's kind of difficult to see. He kept turning away.

A profile pic. We couldn't get his legs and feet in there.

His sweet little fist! He was waving to all of us. Makk thought that was neat and I think she might have waved back. She definitely said "Hi Bubba Caden!"

His sweet foot, which I'm sure I will hear stomping around before too long! Also is the reason why my bladder gets kicked so hard!

Caden is still a boy!!! I had a tiny tiny fear in the back of my head that what if the last sonogram was wrong. No need to worry!!

We are so excited and can't wait to meet our Caden!

Jumping for More Joy!

2011-07-22T14:00:00.004-05:00

Wednesday morning we met some family at Jump for Joy. Makenna can't get enough of this place! Good thing I bought that gift card! It was a deal where you pay $12 for a $50 gift card, kind of like Restaraunts.com. What a great deal!!

Here's a nice action shot of Makk.

Clambering out and very happy about her thrilling ride!

Here she is trying to keep up with all of the big kids! She was way too slow for them and they kept going around her!

Makk and her Grandmommy going down the slide together. What fun!

A new friend, Sam, who came to visit from Las Vegas. She came down with Grandmommy.

Riley had a blast too! She is our cousin.

Another great action shot! Makk really loves this place and it will be sad once school starts up because we won't be able to go anymore. :( Open jump is just during the week. But in a way that is good because the reason we can't go is because I have a job!!!

While shopping the Mardel teacher sale yesterday, Thursday, I saw 2 new co-workers, including one on my 3rd grade team! It was exciting to see many people and get some great things for my classroom!

Caden's Nursery

2011-07-20T16:17:00.007-05:00

We got it painted! That was one of my goals before school started back. I knew I would not have the time or energy once school starts, and also, it won't be much longer until he is born after school starts. Below is the progress of the painting.

From the beginning, I wanted to do cream on top, blue on bottom, and a brown stripe in the middle. Paint was going to cost so much that I thought maybe I will just do all blue with a brown stripe. So I started to just paint the blue over what was a goldish, peachish color from the previous owners. Then Brady mentioned that our leftover paint from our living room actually matched Caden's bedding. So then I added the bottom tape for the stripe. Took a lot of measuring and time but worth it!

I have now taped off where my stripe will be. This took A LOT of measuring and time! But that is what I had my heart set on!

A completed project!

A completed project with the bed and bedding set up!! I topped off his room by painting all the door frames and baseboards. It really needed it!!! I have now painted every baseboard in my house almost!

I looooove it and could not be happier with the results. We have the big things done. Paint-check. furniture moved in-check. Bedding in-check. I can put up the valances later. I have to figure out drapes and a new curtain rod, but that will be easy to do. Also, completing the decor and wall hangings will be easy to do later. Can't wait for Caden to be here!

My sonogram is tomorrow. We are taking Makenna and I am so excited about it! It is really important to me to include her in on the process so that she knows Caden also belongs to her. I don't want her to feel left out or pushed aside in any way. I've been talking this up for weeks about how we will see him on a tv, but will be like a camera looking in Mommy's tummy. Not sure how much she understands, but very excited all the same. I want to try and record her response tomorrow, but not sure if that will be allowed. Will send more updates tomorrow...if I have time. I have 7 apts/events tomorrow, beginning at 8 AM for the one day Mardel teacher sale!!!!

Bubba Caden

2011-07-14T14:33:00.005-05:00

This is my last week of my 2nd trimester! Next Tuesday I begin my 3rd trimester!! I have a huge apt next Thursday. I am getting another sonogram to check on my placenta. It is a shelf shape, and has some dark spots like pools of blood. Nothing huge, but could potentially be later. So I'm not worried about it. I'm excited to get to see Caden again!! I also have to do my glucose test. It will be very boring sitting there for an hour, so I will have to bring a good book!

Caden's bedding came in today! Hip Hip Hooray!!!!! I lloooove it! I'm hoping to paint his room tomorrow.

His comforter. So sweet!!!

Part of his bumper pads.

His window valence.

His diaper holder, although I don't know if we'l use it. It just came with the set.

His crib sheet.

Found this dress today on Zulily. I looooved it instantly! Brady will be mad, but I couldn't resist!

Me this past week at 26 weeks preggers.

So we have been trying to potty train. It is frustrating and we have tried every trick! Makk really likes Barbies now. So we told her that she can have one if she goes in the potty. After making herself toot on purpose to laugh at herself, a little poo came-TMI! We counted it and got Barbie last night. I thought it would encourage her to keep going. We looked at some more at Target today to show her what she could have if she would just go! This will get expensive, but we are using her left-over birthday cash. So this is her first Barbie that she picked out. It is a dog-walker Barbie. She has played nonstop with it!

Got amazing deals today at Target! I take pics of some of my loot then never blog it. I am today! I got all this for $6.79. I saved $12.80 with coupons, plus the additional $5 or so because I bought items on sale.

Aveeno baby lotion $2.04
2 cans of Aussie hairspray $1.62 for both
UP Brand panty-liners (I'll need them one day) $0.14
Sharpies- Free- again!
Glue sticks $0.20 a pkg
Flash cards $0.47
Dice $1 (I always need dice in my classroom.)

What great deals!!!!

BTW------I HAVE A JOB!!!!!! I officially will teach 3rd grade in City View!!!!!!!!! Praise JESUS!!! I just couldn't give up. I had to continually trust Him all the past year and not worry, which is really hard to do! Spending time studying Romans has really helped me not only grow closer to Jesus, but to trust Him at all times and not freak out with worry. Scripture is very comforting and necessary for our lives. It is so easy to get caught up in worldly troubles, when all we need to do is trust God and rely on Him, and to do these things without expecting God to bless us with worldly treasures or security.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths."

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."-Those desires may not turn out to be the same in the end. When you are delighting in the Lord, your desires may and often times will change to match up God's desire for your life! Some very important life lessons I have learned along the way through the help of many Godly mentors and teachers, and God Himself!

Have a blessed day everyone!

Jump for JOY!....

2011-07-12T16:10:00.004-05:00

...and that is exactly what KK and Collin did! They also did a lot of sliding for JOY too! We had a blast as usual. It amazes me how big KK is and how she can do all this big girl stuff. I didn't have to help her on anything, except the biggest slide, which I didn't get any pics of. Below is a sequence of her sliding.

A couple of times she would fall flat on her face at the end of the slide, but don't worry. It never slowed her down!!

Collin also loved this maze with the slide at the end. Him and Makk play well together!

Big Girl Makenna going through the tunnel. This is how you enter the maze that leads you to the slide at the end.

Happy Collin!! A couple of years ago when we found out Makenna was a girl, she was immediately promised to Collin as his future wife. Then Collin had twin little brothers, so he needs to step up his competition! HA!

We had a blast and can't wait to go back!

4th of July Play Time

2011-07-12T10:47:00.003-05:00

I loooove this pic! I finally get a good one of her smiling instead of acting up!

Our attempted family picture. Not interested!

She loved playing with Riley's baby and stroller. What a little Mamma! Maybe she is practicing for bubba Caden!

Makk and Riley on Riley's swing set.

Makk had to swing like Riley. This is her first attempt to swing like a big girl. She did pretty good holding on!

My attempt at a 4th picture with Makk and Mommy. She had better, more intereting things to do!

Happy July 4th 2011!!

2011-07-12T09:38:00.005-05:00

Below are pictures from the last 3 4th of July's in Makk's life.

Look how little and adorable she is in her first one! She was only 2 1/2 months old. I can't get over how sweet and little she is! She was a lot quieter and easy back in those days!

i love her sweet, peaceful, sleeping face!!

This smile is too precious!!

I can't find the pics from last year, but she did wear this blue-jean outfit with 4th of July bows. What a difference 1 year can make! She is running around like a wild banshee!

Loved this dress! Got it last year clearanced out, along with the heaband. She looked sooo cute!

She had a lot of fun swimming and hanging out with the family.

How cute is this pout?! Great job Mio for capturing it! It is difficult to say no to this pout, but I find it easier each day as we roll through the terrible two's!!

We had a nice and relaxing weekend. We spent Sunday swimming at GigGi and Pops. Then Monday we went to Meme and Papa's for a birthday dinner for Aunt Dee who turned 20! No more teen years for her! Makk really loved playing with Riley at Meme's. They played dress up which included lots of jewelry and 6 pairs of princess shoes, and barbies who lived in a very tall Barbie house. Makk loved playing, but I think Riley got a little wore out by Makk's nonstop chatter!! HA! For those of you who don't know, Riley is Makk's 4 year old cousin, so to her, Makk is kind of a baby. But Makk I think proved her wrong!

We are very lucky to have such a large and wonderful extended family to celebrate holidays with!

BLog Blog Blog

2011-07-09T18:41:00.002-05:00

I have a love/hate relationship with my blog. I love having it and love when I blog, but I hate the actual sitting down to do it. I get all these fabulous ideas, but never, or rarely, do them. What sets me back is uploading all the pictures. That is the most difficult and time consuming part. If I could do it from my phone, I would blog all the time!

I have literally spent over 5 hours creating photo books for Makenna because today Walgreens has a special free book. So I have created two books, covering from right after she turned 1 (April 30) to December 31. My thinking was to go ahead and scrapbook the first year of her life since I printed out all the pics and bought a ton of stuff, then do digital all the other years. I love scrapbooks and the cute stickers and decor, but it gets very expensive and takes up a lot of time and space! I think I will be happy with photo books. We'll see in a couple weeks how they turn out!

Caden's bedding has been ordered!! It has been shipped as of today. Can't wait to start painting his room!!

Matt, the Great

2011-06-15T12:51:00.004-05:00

I want to sincerely apologize to my good friend Matt Kennedy, who we call Huncle Matt (short for Honorary Uncle). We had a fabulous time this weekend not only with the Dodsons, but also Matt. I could have sworn that I included him in on my weekend blog, but I guess I left him off by mistake. I want to dedicate this entire blog post to Matt, the Great. I wish I would have had my camera with me so I could jave taken more pictures. All I had was my phone, so I didn't get very many, otherwise there would be a lot of pics from this weekend including Matt. Although I did get one of him. He was putting Makenna on his shoulders in the pool, but you an't even see his face or really a person under Makk. So Matt, please accept my humble apology as I dug though 3 years plus of pics to find ones that were more you, and not just a bunch of group shots. And there were some specific pictures of you and Makenna from when she was little, but i couldn't find them (tear). I really wanted to focus on the Great Matt Kennedy. Enjoy as you reminisce through the past. We can't wait for birthday weekend in a couple weeks. I will be sure to have my camera and I'm going to get as many pics as possible then create another huge blog that is all about you!

Thoughtful Friends

2011-06-14T16:48:00.002-05:00

When we got home Sunday, there was a very sweet gift waiting for Caden. Our wonderful friend Jessica had gone to a shop and saw this lovie and couldn't resist. Thanks JEss! We love it and can't wait for Caden to use it!

Weekend at the Dodson's

2011-06-14T16:32:00.004-05:00

We had so much fun at the Dodson's! We went swimming, and the kids played hard together. They ran and ran and followed each other around.

This is my fave pic because it looks like Makenna and Brock are holding hands. They both kept climbing into the chair and sitting next to each other. It was adorable! It's crazy how big both of them are now! Not really babies any more!

She was liking sitting next to her Daddy!

Makk looooved to sit on the float and hang out. At this part, she and Deborah were hanging out on it. It was a really fun, large float. There were some closed holes in the middle for drinks and a larger one for a mini cooler or something. It was just big enough for Makk to sit in it and "wash her feet, hands, legs, Mommy's legs," etc. She had a blast! She also was doing very well at swimming. She was doing lots of good kicing, blowing bubbles, going under water, and being thrown really really high by Daddy!

Great CVC Deals!

2011-06-13T14:32:00.004-05:00

I've been trying to blog my coupon shopping deals but haven't been very good. I begin using the products before I take a pic. Yesterday I went to CVS and made a mistake. First of all I got a free $9 razor! It was on sale for $8, you get $4 RR and I had a $4 coupon. ow I had help from the Krazy Coupon Lady with this stuff. Well be careful if it says one per household. If it does, then you CANNOT get the extra RR, so I had to immediately return the 2nd one, which they put on a gift card. Same thing with my Cetaphil face wash. On sale for $8.29, you get $2 RR, and I had a $2 mfc coupon. So I got the first one for $4.29! Because of my goof with the one per household, I got the 2nd Cetaphil for only $6.29, which is still a good deal. I have to use that face wash being pregnant according to my OBGYN.

Below is what I got today at CVS at a different location.

A few weeks ago there was a great deal on these Suave products. Now I don't ever use Suave, but if I can get it dirt cheap, I most certainly will! The wash was on sale for $2 each, and the deodorant for $1. Plus if you spend $10 in Suave products, you get $3 RR back. Combine that with 2 BYG1 free body wash, and 2 $0.50 off deodorant, you end up paying $3.08, and get $3.00 back in RR. I actually spend $2.26 and got back $3 (I had some change left on a gift card from my mistake yesterday), so I made money!

I had another raincheck for these free Preparation wipes from a few weeks ago. On sale for $3.99, and you get $3.99 in RR, so FREE! Can't turn that down! There is also a deal with Tic Tacs where you buy 2 and get a third for 1 cent. Combine that deal with 3 $0.75 off 1 Tic Tac and they cost I think 4 cents a piece (I think that is what the Krazy Coupon Lady said). I used my RR from my previous purhase, so my total was 26 cents! And I received $4 in RR, so I made money!! That is an awesome deal! You can see there is a caramel. The rule is you can't have more coupons/RR than products, so there are these yummy caramels for 33 cents at the register to even it out.

So I have learned a lot of rules at CVC: pay attention when it says "limit 1 per household". This doesn't mean per transaction, it recognizes you when you scan your Reward Card. CVS does do Rainchecks, so get them!! I actually need to get two this week myself. There is a chance to buy free Motrin and Bayer asperin, but both locations were sold out. You can't have more coupons/RR than products. You may have to go to more than one location. It never hurts to ask them when their truck days are if your product is sold out.

Also very important, follow the Krazy Coupon Lady and couponbomb.blogspot.com. I actually went to school with Emily who is the Coupon Bomb, and she inspires me! There is also the DFW Coupon Mom that I sometimes look at. It's hard to figure it out on your own! 1 more good tip, get lots of inserts from the newspapers! I get them from several family members, Thank you GiGI, Grandmom, and Papa! I also go to several websites to print coupons off, like Target, Bettie Crocker, Coupons.com, and lots of others, including the product I want website. KCL will give you lots of links to find internet coupons.

Now that I have rambled on and on and on, I will leave you. I hope this all makes sense! It's helping us a lot and it is a lot of fun! Also, aren't you proud that I blogged 3 times today?! A new record for me! I still have a lot to blog but I will save that for later this week. I am about to get one of my tutees???? A student I tutor, I guess is called a tutee? Maybe I need to be tutored on terminology! So long friends and family!

PS I forgot to mention that I saved over $20 today! I spent less than $3 for over $20 worth of products!! And got $3 back in RR left over for my next purchase!!

Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty

2011-06-13T14:24:00.006-05:00

Here are some random pics of Makk of her recent adventures.

This is her sweet dress with matching American Girl doll that she had gotten for Christmas. She wore this to church a few weeks ago, but didn't get any better shots. I will have to try again so that Christine Collier can have an awesome 8x10 pic!!

Makk really enjoys her Dress-Up Trunk! She loves digging around for the perfect outfit of the day, although it changes a lot! She gets all dolled up and tells me she's going shopping!!

This is Makk's first time ever to ride a quarter (or 2 quarter now) machine. We were at Toys R Us and had a couple quarters so we asked her if she wanted to ride. She loved it! We'll have to go back for the elephant!

Birthday Bash!

2011-06-13T14:15:00.003-05:00

Here are some pics fro Collin's birthday. He had a Finding Nemo party which of course involved swimming. KK had a blast!!! She loved playing with the "big kids," who were between 4 and 6ish. The little girls really loved KK and helping her in the pool. I was very impressed how she continually would climb in and out of the pool, go up and down the slide without any help. We had to trick her out of the pool in order to eat dinner, and to leave to go home to bed. She had the best time!! Of course I missed many great photo ops. I was too scared to have my phone by the pool, and I forgot my camera. Every time she came down the slide, she had the biggest smile on her face and was laughing, but she was always turned away from my phone when I tried to snap a shot.

Clothes for Caden

2011-05-31T15:23:00.004-05:00

I have picked up a few outfits I found clearanced out. I know I have a while, but the thought of not having anything for Caden yet freaks me out! And I found some really cute outfits that were very cheap.

Couldn't pass up the Little Brother onesie I found at Target!!

Saw this at Sam's a few weeks ago and told myself I had to go back if we were having a boy. It is red and white and says HERO like Holliday!

Another cute Sam''s find.

Great deal at Old Navy! The lighter blue one is for next summer though.

Loved this sweater I found at Old Navy. He will be born end of fall when it is getting cold, so he will need warm stuff. I thought this sweater was great because he could wear it over short sleeve onesies if it gets too warm inside.
Plus, when I got home, realized it was Dallas Cowboy colors!!

More Pics of our Love Bug!!!

2011-05-24T20:23:00.001-05:00

It's a .........!!!!!

2011-05-24T19:57:00.001-05:00

Boy!!!!! Yea Caden Scott Collier!! We love you!!

For two years I have wanted to have a "Gender Party" using a cake to reveal the gender. I got the idea either right after we already knew what Makenna was, or right after she was born. The oldest Dugger, Josh, and his wife did the cake reveal on the Today Show and I thought that looked like a lot of fun! So I decided that I would do that for my next baby and my heart has been set! In other cases, the doctor calls the baker and it is a surprise for the parents also. I can't wait that long, and I'm saving a lot of money by making it myself. So that is the story surrounding the big reveal tonight!

Baby Collier

2011-05-23T20:39:00.003-05:00

We'll find out what this little Love Bug is tomorrow!!! Can't wait! I feel like a school kid the night before the first day of school who won't get any sleep!

Afterthought....It will be a tough decision on DWTS! I am rooting for Chelsea and Mark though!

Coupons and more

2011-05-23T20:25:00.003-05:00

So, I have been watching Extreme Coupons on TLC and have been reading a couple of different bogs/FB messages. And since I am an unemployed teacher who desperately needs to save money, I have decided to try this coupon thing. I have always tried to use coupons in the past to save a few bucks, but never really had a dire reason to. Well, after months of not much of an income and eating through our savings, I am gonna join in with the Krazy Coupon Mom, Coupon Bomb, and others.

Last week I got some great deals! I found deodorant at Walgreens for 49 cents each using manufacture's and store coupons. I also spend $44 or so and saved like $36 at Albertson's by only buying things on sale and using coupons. Unfortunately grocery stores in WF son't double or triple coupons, so I can't save as big as these other coupon queens, but I'm gonna try to do my best!

This is what I scored today!

On my debit card, I spend a little over $16, which isn't bad for this, but I really spent $8 because I immediately got back $8 for the contact solution, which ended up being free! Instead of spending $6 on hot dogs, I spend $2 using the B1G1 and a manf coupon. Walgreens was having some great coupon deals in this week's add. I have to go back and get Pure Silk shaving cream for 49 cents because they were sold out. I am also proud that I scored 3 boxes of cereal for about 1.25 each, when they are usually over $4 each! So instead of spending about $43, I spent $8 and some change!!! I need to mention that I also used $4 Walgreens cash I got last week from the deodorant, so I guess you can look at it like I spend $12 which is still good on this loot!

It's a..........!!!

2011-05-23T20:22:00.004-05:00

Makenna's Party Part 3

2011-04-27T11:09:00.003-05:00

I'm trying to upload more pics, but twice now it has failed. I think it is a Blogspot problem. I will try again later.

Dotor apt went well yesterday. In 4 weeks we will find out what we are having!!!! I have to get a lot of blood work net Tuesday, blahhhhh. Also at my next visit in 4 weeks I have to do the 1 hour glucose test. The good thing about it this time is that I don't have to fast like I did last time!!!! I can't stand not eating, preggers or not! I also have an insufficient weight gain?! I think partly because we got sick about a month ago (food poison or stomach bug) and I lost several pounds. So I have gained all that back, but according to dr scales, I've only gained 1 pound so far.

I guess that is all for now. About to head to work to be a hall monitor for TAKS test. At least I get to read a book all afternoon. :)

I'll try and post pics again later. Hopefully it will be working then!

Please pray for a great job opportunity for me!!!

Makenna's Party Part 2

2011-04-26T10:35:00.003-05:00

I found the cord!! Where was it? In my camera bag of course!!!

Makenna eating her uniced cupake.

Blowing out her candle.

Decorations...

Her giant cupcake cake.

All the 77 cupcakes I made, plus 18 from McKinnley's!! What a weekend!

Stay tuned for a few more pics of the fun she had with her gifts and guests!! About to go to dr....

Makenna's Party Part 1

2011-04-26T10:07:00.002-05:00

Makenna had such a blast at her party!!! She reacted a lot better and more excited this year than last year. She loved every gift she opened up and had to immediately wear it or play with it right then. At first she didn't want to blow out her candle, but then she saw me do it a few times, and she decided that looked like fun. She then had to blow it out about 5 times in a row! And of course she had to eat an unfrosted cupcake!

We had so many friends and family come! We really appreciate all the fellowship and love and awesome gifts everyone brought. We are very appreciative of everything! Makenna really enjoyed playing with the other kids. They had a BLAST on the trampoline!! We need to have Lawson and Collin over for more jump time!

I have some really cute pics, but I unfortunately did not get very many of the party itself. So if anyone has any, please share them with me! I can't post pics right now because I can't find the cord to connect the camera to the computer. I think Brady has it with him at work. I will try to get him to find it and bring it home so I can post pics today.

I'm about to go to my doctor's apt. I think this will be another 10 min sit down talk with my doctor about any questions or concerns. I wish I could get a sonogram done today so I can maybe see what we're having! I did accidently squish the baby yesterday when I was bending over at Walmart to see a price tag on diapers. He/she got pushed to the top right and I had to push him back down. It was really weird and a little painful. I'm not too concerned, but that could be my segway into getting a sonogram today!

Please check back later!

Baby Update

2011-04-23T11:35:00.002-05:00

I forgot to mention this in the other post, but then decided I wanted Makk to have her own post and this baby to have his/her own post! I am 14 1/2 weeks along. So far, everything looks good. I am soooooo hungry all the time!! I really crave what I call boy food like meats and carbs. Sweet stuff doesn't sound all that good to me. I ate super healthy with Makk, like a lot of fruits. This child, I am way more hungry than I was with Makk. I am way bigger sooner than I was with Makk. In fact, this morning I was already asked when I was due! At 14 weeks! I haven't gained any weight until this week, but I think I gained like 4 lbs in a week! Although I did weigh after a biiiiggg meal of fried foods from Parkway Grill!

I have a ton more energy and it feels GREEEAAT! Just like Tony the Tiger would say! I can get more done and accomplished. Makk is very sweet to the baby most of the time. She kisses my belly sometimes and says she loves the baby. She hasn't made up her mind if she wants a bubba or a sissy. It changes a lot for her. I on the other hand would be ecstatic about either! I really have boy feelings though. The Dodson's think we are having a girl. The heartbeat last time was 165, which according to the Old Wive's Tale means a girl, but i have talked to lots of people where it wasn't true for them. I found out last time not to trust the Chinese Calendar! We'll see. I have an apt this Tuesday, then again 4 weeks later where I should find out what we're having!!
Can't wait!

I feel sooooooo blessed to be pregnant right now and for it all to be going smoothly! The Lord is so good, not just for this reason, but for many other countless ways. Like I said, it was a tough year last year and I don't care what we have, I just want a healthy baby. It was at this time last year that I had my first miscarriage, like a week before Makk's first birthday. Looking back, we have gone through a lot last year. It is crazy how much can happen in just a single year. Anyway, thanks for reading and I will keep updates coming.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Makenna!!!

2011-04-23T11:01:00.004-05:00

I cannot BELIEVE that Makenna is 2!!! These last two years have absolutely flown by! She is not a baby anymore, but a little girl!

There are many things that she can do that she couldn't a year ago. She loves to hop around, run, climb (even very tall ladders!). She can id her alphabet letters and many of the sounds, count to 13ish, knows what circles are and kind of triangles, can sing songs like Twinkle Twinkle and Jesus Loves Me. She really loves music and art. She is very creative! She like to take old toys or things around the house and invent new things with them.

She loves girlie things! She loves all kinds of jewelry, mostly the expensive ones!! Looooves my shoes and boots. Not only can she put on my shoes, she also knows how to put on my bra (Yikes!), and make-up. Just this morning she grabbed my eyeliner and put it on her eyelid. No, I don't allow her to wear make-up, she just is VERY quick and sneaky!!

She talks allllllllthe time! She can say anything and everything! She will repeat whatever you say, so be careful! She really likes to narrate our lives. As I, let's say, get dressed, Makenna will dictate what I'm doing exactly while naming my articles of clothing. It's really funny. Also, 3 weeks ago, Brady got a haircut and we went with him. Ever since then, Makk keeps saying "Daddy Haircut." Sometimes she will even rub his hair while saying it! She hasn't given that up.

Everyday she does funny and really smart things and I tell myself to blog it, or remember it later to blog, but of course, I can't remember now.

Last night our good friends the Dodsons came up from Fort Worth to spend the night and hang out. Deborah made the absolute cutest cookies for the party. See the pic below. Makk and Brock played together a lot and got along well. We got Makk a table and chairs for her birthday, and gave it to her this morning. She sat down, then pointed to the other chair and said, "Brock chair." She wanted Brock to sit with her! I though that was so sweet!

She also likes to tell us who she loves. She will say very clearly, "I love Mommy. I love Daddy. I love Baby. I love Jesus." My heart just melts, especially when she loves Jesus! She really likes to read her Bible. She will get her Bible and tell me "Read Bible." Sometimes she wants me to read it, and other times she will "read" it herself. I guess that is all for now until her party. I guess I will upload some pics we have so far of the weekend! These are from this morning when they woke up, so still in pajamies. Can you tell that cupcake is the theme of the party?!

Birthday Wishes

2011-04-05T09:25:00.002-05:00

I was asked what Makk would like for her birthday. Well, I'm sure anything will be perfect! I do know she is already getting a dress-up trunk with play clothes like tutu's, a ballerina outfit, and those little plastic shoes. We are looking for her a little table and chairs. I would love to find her a white wooden one, but we may not find one cheap enough and good quality. So things that I think she would love and you can't go wrong:

~Bubbles, like a bubble machine. I've seen them cheap at Target. Other bubble wands, solution, toys...
~Outside toys, like water toys you can hook up to water hose, or other water/sand toys for a water table or swimming pool.
~A Tag Jr System with Tag Jr Books ***
~Plain white sandals, maybe the squeaker ones. She wore her one's from last year almost on a daily basis and got lots of use from them. Size 6
~If you get her clothes, she is a size 24 months or 2T.
~I saw some cheap outdoor toys at Walmart in the seasonal aisle she may enjoy like the little bowling set, sand stuff (a sand box would be fun!), etc

That is all I can think of for now. I contemplated asking for just money so we can buy her a toddler bed for when the new baby comes. But there are several scenarios I'm playing through my mind, trying to figure out the cheapest option. We haven't landed on one yet.

Hope this helps for those who have asked like Grandmom. Your presence in her life and love are also great presents to her (as cheesy as that sounds)!

Did I mention some no bake oatmeal cookies or chocolate drop cookies? Maybe that's just for me!

Fun with Friends

2011-04-05T09:16:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago we had a play date with Lawson. We hadn't seen them in quite awhile. The last time they played together, Lawson was trying to take KK's bows and push her down while biting her! Now, he was nothing but hugs and love!! It was so sweet! I think KK remembered the past because she was very cautious of him! But they played very well together, and jumped. In the 2nd pic you can see Lawson hugging KK.

We went to Jump for Joy with our cousins Logan and Carson. Unfortunately, I didn't get very many or very good pics of all of them because I spent a lot of time chasing them around. Never very many face shots. They had a blast!! KK loooved it and didn't want to leave!

April wind....I mean showers...

2011-04-04T14:44:00.002-05:00

It is soooo crazy windy!!!! What happened to the nice calm showers to bring May flowers?

Well, a lot has been going on since I last blogged. Makenna has the flu, then pneumonia, the Brady and I a stomach bug or food poisoning. I've been planning for Makenna's birthday which is right around the corner. April 23, that is in 2 Saturdays!! I just about got everything completed except the cupcake liners and toppers. This will be a cupcake themed party!! We are doing it low key this year. Keeping it fun and simple and home-made.

Also, we are expecting another baby!!!!! The due date is Oct 18. I should find out end of May what we are having. I will be 12 weeks tomorrow, Tuesday. I am so excited to be out of the first trimester. I keep having horrible dreams about miscarrying and it scares me to death. I am a very open book, but some stuff I keep very private and don't consider it blog material. I will go ahead and share since this is a happy time and I feel I am a little more recovered that I had 3 miscarriages last year. One in April right before Makk's first birthday, Sept 25, and Dec 10. It was very heartbreaking and I wish no one would ever have to suffer through losing a child, no matter what stage you are at. It was a really difficult year for me last year dealing with those, plus moving, job changing, etc. But I am praising Jesus that I am pregnant again and just hoping everything will be perfect and smooth and easy like it was with Makenna. I don't think I could handle losing another child.

Speaking of the job change, my position as a library aide was cut due to a shortfall in the budget. I really really need a full time job with benefits, preferably teaching. That is a big prayer request. Financially, I have to have a job, and as quick as possible. I applied to be a summer teacher in June, but haven't heard back from that yet. I'm hoping that will work out.

There are just so many things to say and so many pics to show, that I will have to do it in multiple blogs.

A couple more things I ask your prayers on besides the health of this child and a job are directions for Brady's (and my) ministry opportunities, and my friend Jessica who is hosting an Autism Run for the first time. This has never been done in Wichita Falls, and Jessica and another lady are taking on this wonderful task. It will be the last weekend in April, the 30th, at Wichita Lake Park off Fairway. There is a run or walk you can do. They also need sponsors and volunteers to hand stuff out or hold signs. April is Autism month, so I hope that everyone can get involved, even if it's just offering prayers! More to come!!

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T20:59:00.004-06:00

Here are some Valentine's pictures of out little Lovebug....who has been throwing the biggest fits./ Today, she pulled out a clump of hair while she was in time-out. But she definitely has many sweet moments. I did make her shirt! I lucked into the leggings at Kohl's! The tutu was made by my friend's mom when she was 6 mo old! It happened to still work. Tomorrow is her party at school, so I had to wash this outfit tonight (which she only wore a couple of hours today anyways) so that she can wear it for her party, minus the tutu. The tutu might be a little much for school. I'm excited I get to go to her little party! The jewelry was a V-Day gift from GiGi and Pops. She wouldn't take it off and had to wear each piece all day!!

New Year's Eve 2010

2011-01-22T11:17:00.005-06:00

For some reason, my blog is being weird and only showing URLs, so i can't comment on these pics. But here are our friends celebrating New Years! The 3 girls are Deborah, Dana, and me. I look so short compared to these fabulous ladies! Then There is Makk and I, and Brady and I. We had a lot of fun! Landon and his wife Dana came to hang out. Deborah, Kevin, and their son Brock spent the night, along with Matt who I am hoping to hook up with a wonderful Christian lady. Makk and Brock loooved playing in her ball pit together. After that, Kevin and De had to go buy Brock his own! Thanks for coming down guys!

Christmas #7

2011-01-22T10:48:00.004-06:00

I uploaded some pics today and saw that I need to blog about our last Christmas we had. My family from Arkansas came down Jan 1 to celebrate!

Here is Makenna and my brother James. She was very content to sit with him!
Makk with my sister Kristen. James and Kristen are 16 year old twins!
James, Makk, Your's Truly, and Kristen. Unfortunately I'm not looking at the camera.
Siblings and my Dad.

Makk with her Nana and Popsie!

Makk got 4 of these dolls, each a different color. And each came with little shoes. Makk kept putting them on her toes. It was so funny!

We had a wonderful round of Christmases and it was so good to see my family that I rarely get to see!

Show Us Your Singles! Matt Kennedy!

2011-01-21T10:38:00.005-06:00

There is this really cool blog called Kelly's Korner which you can find at http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/. Each year she is having a Single Blog where people can post people they know. There are 3 success stories from last year where 2 couples are already engaged and maybe another couple on the way!! So, this is for my friend Matt, who is close to my in-law family. He is also Honorary Uncle to my daughter, which I shortened to Hunkle Matt! Here is a bio that I wrote up about him!

Matt Kennedy is a 28 year old who is currently head coach of women's track at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He is homegrown in Texas and is therefore a natural gentleman and a respectful man. His hometown is in Wichita Falls, Texas. He enjoys coaching, refereeing basketball, hunting, and hanging out with friends. One of his favorite restaurants is Texas Roadhouse. He also loves to spend time in Oklahoma City where he has many friends and favorite hang-out/dining spots. He was previously a coach at Oklahoma Baptist University.

He enjoys going to concerts to listen to Texas Country. He is also a very good 2-stepper! He is lots of fun to be around and always brings a smile to your face. If you ever have spent any time hanging out with him, you have probably been spotlighting out in Dundee! He loves anything to do with the outdoors.

As I said, he is a very nice guy and needs a sweet girl who won't take advantage of him. He's just waiting to meet Miss Perfect, and don't be surprised if he spoils you! My married friends and I so badly want him to meet the right girl and fall in love, so with his permission, we have posted this for him. If you are interested, please email me at vanessacollier06@gmail.com. My sister-in-law also blogged about Matt. You can also read her blog at http://amandafouts.blogspot.com/2011/01/show-us-your-singles-coach-k-aka-matt.html. Thanks!!

Tantrums

2011-01-10T13:59:00.002-06:00

I don't have pics to post this time b/c I still need to dump pics from my big camera and need to find the cord. Makenna has entered into the dark side...the terrible two's that is! Yeah it is a little early by 4 months, but she has figured out how to work the system to see what she can get away with.

One little example comes from yesterday while I was cooking dinner or something. Brady and Makk were in the play room playing with her kitchen. Brady was showing her how to put the plastic hotdog wiener inside the plastic bun. She began to put it in her mouth, but too far in where she was about to choke. Brady pulled it out and told her not in the mouth. This went on a few times until she said "Ear." So Brady gave it back to her and she put it in her ear! When she saw it worked, she would slyly put it back in her mouth until Brady took it away again. Then she repeated "ear." She again she put it in her ear! It was so funny to us that she would try that just to get the toy back. At 20 months old, she should not be logically thinking out ploys to get her way like that!

As I said, we have entered the dark side. She is throwing tantrums like I have never seen! Sometimes it's over trivial things. So we have enacted "time-out." We've only used it a few times, but she doesn't like it. Basically, she sits in her room facing the wall for a minute or so while one of us sits behind her. Then we try to logically explain her bad choices=bad consequences and we need her to make good choices and be a good girl. I know your thinking a 20 month old doesn't understand that. But this is the same girl that realized she wasn't allowed to have her hotdog unless she put it in a different body part, so came up with ear. She actuallyunderstands a lot! It's kind of scary. I hope we get through this stage very quickly!!!

Happy 2011!!

2011-01-01T22:03:00.002-06:00

A new year is hear, do I hear a cheer? Hoping that 2011 is an amazing year for all my friends and family far and near. I can't continue this rhyme because I'm running out of time!

Below is another pic of Makk's trampoline. She doesn't like us to zip it. She starts screaming "no!" when we do.
Here's my little ragamuffin!
On Monday, we went to North Richland Hills to visit our friends the Dodsons. This is their handsome son Brock who is 10 months. Yes, we let them take a bath together. Don't judge! They had a blast! They kind of ignore each other for the most part.
Below Makk is pointing to Brock saying "Brock."
They both must be staring at the same thing which seems to be intriguing!
We started potty training this week and it has been very successful! We are on day 4 and she has peed and pooped many times! Hope it stays consistent and easy and we don't have to drag this out. Hope everyone has a wonderific new year!!!!!!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-31T06:48:00.007-06:00

I baaaaackkk...well, I hope so! So very sorry for the long absence. Since I last blogged, we bought a house and moved and lots of other things! We got a new computer since out last one stopped working. We have an iMac and we loooove it! It makes everything like uploading pics and what not so much easier and faster!!

I have uploaded a lot of Christmas pics from my new camera which has a built in usb port that plugs directly into the computer. Cool, right? I have a whole lot more pics, but they are in my big camera and we can't find the cable to connect it to the computer right now. So enjoy these for now and stay tuned for more!

Below is Makk posing in front of our tree in her Christmas p.j. shirt which was so cute that I let her wear it as a real shirt.

Below is our advent calendar. Makk would move the star each day, with my help. I would say, "Makk, let's go do our calendar!" Then she would run over to it and pull out the star!
This is her own little tree that we put her ornaments on. It's a little sparse now, but will be filled eventually with her specialty ornaments such as her Holiday Barbie.
So I was trying to print out some pics from Walgreens since Sam's Club was broken. We had a little time to kill, so we went to Albertsons. Makk saw the buckles in this cart and so we had to ride around in it. She loooved it!!

Here is our annual pic with Santa!!!! Makk actually walked over to him on her own and allowed him to pick her up. She kept pursing her lips and this was the best one, but Santa's eyes were closed. We did practice before this. Several times while we were at the mall, we would walk by and wave. I guess it worked! She was never scared of him.
This is while we were waiting to see Santa.
Here she is rolling around on the floor. She tries to act like Molly, her furry cousin, who rolls around everywhere. I totally made the dress she is wearing by myself, and I'm very proud! I sewed it all by myself , but Grandmom gave me lots of pointers.
She loved putting a straw in Pops' mouth!
This is Christmas morning at our house seeing what Santa brought. I don't have very many pics, mainly video.
She got some bath crayons which she loved and you can see the markings in the background.
Here we are at Granny Nic's Christmas in Loving, Tx. She is Makk's only surviving Great great grandma! Teri wanted to wrap Makk up and take her home! Good thing I never turned my back on them two! ;)

We do a huge Chinese Christmas each year, and all the presents are on stage. Makk decided she needed on stage to be front center of all the attention!
Riding on a saddle.
Makk with Granny Mart and Granny Nic. Believe it or not, this is the best pic I got!
Her trampoline Makk got from GiGi and Pops! One of those awesome Back Friday deals at Sam's. Makk looooves it!!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and will have a happy New Year filled with many blessings!!!

The Eyes of Texas are Upon You....

2010-10-07T23:51:00.003-05:00

Well, we're a little disappointed, but I'm going to go ahead and put up these pics. Only because I think Makk looks soooo adorable! This top one is my absolute fave pic in a while! We watched the game at my grandparent's house where 5 OU fans, who I happen to be related to, were also there watching. We all kept it nice and loving, but it was a little embarrassing we lost!

Can you see the curls? It's always hard to capture in pics, but I was hoping you could see them!

She is wearing UT Squeaker shoes we found at UT back in March when Brady and I went down there for our anniversary.

Again, this child loves to read! The teacher in me is cheering!!

I love this beautiful little girl!!

What happened to September?

2010-10-07T23:37:00.002-05:00

I am not sure where September went. So sorry that I haven't blogged in such a long time! I have several coming up. Here are some play pics of Makenna. I do have lots of updating to do, but I will do that over the next few blogs.
Makenna and her GiGi playing and having lots of fun!

Makk and I go to Sikes Lake a few times a week to walk around. This was one of the first times we went to just feed the ducks and Makk liked running on the bridge.

Feeding the ducks. She loves to say the word duck and to quack. She used to combine duck and quack, but now she has separated them again.

We still had Makk's bday gift cards, so we bought her a Cozy Coup when it went on sale. She looooves to sit in in and read books. Sometimes she wants the floor in, and other times she wants you to take it out so she can push herself backwards in it. She is reading her fave book above, Fish Kisses.

She sure does love her car! She also likes to beep the horn, and she likes to say the word beep using the hand motions. She learned it from The Wheels on the Bus song.

Repulsive Friday

2010-08-27T20:43:00.003-05:00

I think I may try to do a new thing now called Repulsive/Impulsive Fridays. I will either share something repulsive from the week or impulsive. From the title, you may guess that something repulsive happened. All week Makk has had yummy issues and very runny diapers. On Monday when it began, we had to change outfits a couple of times. The first exlosion happened on Mommy and Daddy's bed. I didn't see anything on the bed....until 3 days later! Her poo has been yellow, but if she leaked on her clothes, it just looked wet and had no color. Each night when I get in bed, Brady is already There and the lights are off. Yesterday I was digging through the bed to find a book I had thrown up there away from Makk. As I was digging, I saw the yellow spots, several of them including on the pillow case! I had been sleeping on that for 3 nights!!!! Needless to say I yanked those sheets off so fast, sprayed the spots with Dreft, then washed them in my Clorox 2 and Tide. I have never felt so dirty, even when I accidently stuck my finger in her pooey diaper!

Today I had my first sub job. It was in kindergarten. It was fine, but totally different from my almost 3rd graders I just left! One little girl told me she loved me, and I did get several hugs. I felt I made great connections with an awesome staff and will hopefully be busy with more jobs!

Now I'm headed to bed because I am beat! Even after the little nap I had to take when I got home!

16 Months

2010-08-24T08:29:00.003-05:00

I'm a day late posting this. I got so busy yesterday ironing, groccery shopping, laundry, etc.

Makenna, you are now 16 months old. You weigh about 21-22 pounds. You wear size 12 mo sill. Some clothing is sized 12-18 mo and you wear it, but it is a little big. There are so many things you have learned to do in the last few weeks. You can say about 30 words and phrases. This includes naming some alphabet letters. You can look at a "E" and say what it is, along with a few others. You can also look at a letter and make that sound. Your two favorite letters to look at and sound out are the M and the F. Yesterday you had your very first visit to McDonald's. You had the chicken nuggets and apple sticks. You ate maybe a 1/4 of your meal. When you looked at the Happy Meal box, you saw the M arches and started going "mmmmmmm" for the sound an M makes. You really loved your toy. It was a litle Madame Alexander doll. You kept petting her and saying "baby." You love sound effects too. Yor newest sound/word is saying "ouch" when you bump yourself on something or fall down. You actually growl the word. You like to growl a lot! You really have had a language explostion this last month.

You actually follow directions very well. When I ask you to look at Mommy, you always look. We've been practicing putting your dirty clothes in your hamper. When Momma asks you to do this, you carry them into your closet and throw them in. Then I ask you to close the door and you shut it until you hear it click. If I say, "Give this to Daddy," you carry the object through the house until you find Daddy. Not only do you listen so well to Mommy and Daddy, you usually obey too, but not all the time! You can be VERY headstrong at times, well, all the time! My favorite is when we are about to eat and I say let's pray, then you put your hands together in prayer form. It makes my heart melt! I hope and pray that you will one day love Jesus and trust in Him.

It has been very cute watching you learn habits from Mommy and Daddy and mimicking them. This last week you have enjoyed getting a hanger and an article of clothing, and trying to hang it on a hanger. You haven't succeeded yet, but when you do, you will be a very big help! But you know the purpose and concept. Yesterday you picked up a piece of paper off the ground and went and threw it in the trash without me telling you to. You just knew it was trash and it belonged in the trash can. And maybe you learned this one from Mommy and Daddy, but you will pick up a book, sit in your chair, and flip through the pages "reading" it for very long periods of time. We are so excited you have a love for books! Right now your favorite books are No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, Elmo books, Jesus Loves Me, and Fish Kisses. There are many more you enjoy reading, but those are the ones we read the most.

You are very active! You have to always be moving! The only time you sit quietly for any length of time is while reading. You love to climb, spin in circles, log roll on the floor, jump, swim, and run run run! You also love to jump on beds like the monkeys do. We sing a lot and many of our songs have actions such as the Monkeys on the bed and If you're happy and you know it.

You're favorite foods are fruit (especially blueberries, strawberries, mandarine oranges, grapes), cheese of any kind, cereal bars, multigrain cheerios, yogurt melts, gerber fruit snacks, goldfish, most crackers, black beans, rice, all pasta, sausage, corn, toast with grape or strawberry jelly, and that is all I can think of right now. You have started eating raw broccoli the last week and enjoyed it too.

You bring us so much happiness and we couldn't possible ask for a sweeter little girl!

I have many cute pics to post, but I have to find my cord that hooks my camera to the computer.

The Last Night

2010-08-13T00:16:00.002-05:00

Tonight is officially the last night I am spending in my first home. It is a sad, but exciting time as we embark on this crazy and unpredictable journey. Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers, we still need them. I will miss North Richland Hills and the friends we made here. I will miss my wonderful team I taught with at such a wonderful school. Eagle Ridge will always be like a home to me. I will miss this wonderful street of Irongate Dr. I loved the friends I made here, the street parties and parades, and the support when Makenna was born. This was her first home and it saddens me that she will never remember it, but hopefully the pictures will speak a thousand words and show her how wonderful her first year of her life was here.

Now we move on to the next chapter of our lives. Don't know what it involves and that scares me to death because I like to be in control. For once, I am totally not in control. I am learning to be humble and dependent on God through this season of uncertainty. But through all the uncertainty that lies ahead such as a job for me, where will we live, etc, I can be certain of this: I have a wonderful Heavenly Father who loves me so much, I have a loving and supportive husband, a beautiful healthy daughter, and a LOT of extended family who loves us unconditionally and is very supportive of us and always willing to lend a helping hand. Of all these things I am very thankful.

Fun with Friends!

2010-08-04T20:29:00.004-05:00

Well, I didn't get the job I had interviewed for, but it's okay. I think I need to learn some more Spanish! Makenna and I have spent a lot of this week in North Richland Hills, packing up the house since we are closing in 13 days!

We had a play date today with our neighbor Ella. They had so much fun playing babies and dress-up. Makenna was actually feeding a bottle to a baby doll! She was able to easily put the nipple in its mouth easily. It's like she knew exactly what to do when she picked up the baby and bottle! It was so neat watching her play. Ella tried to dress Makk up, but she wasn't as interested in that. Makenna even was saying Ella's name today!

We also visited Moni and Makk didn't want to leave her! It kinda broke my heart to see how much Makk had missed Moni and how much she loved her! Makk would have stayed the night with Moni had I let her! But they are planning to have a play date just them two this Saturday when we are moving stuff, which will be very helpful!

I'm pretty proud of my packing efforts. Almost my entire kitchen is already packed! Everything just about is off the walls, curtains down....It looks pretty empty and sad! I still need a job in WF, and we're not quite sure about where we will live. So we're (mainly me because Brady is always laid back and full of faith) really praying for a peace about the job and home situation that something will happen real soon. I am sad that I only have 13 days or so left that ties me to here in NRH. It has been our home for 3 years, and the only home Makk has ever known. I'll definitely miss her room with the pink and brown walls!

She was loving the Magna Doodles!
"See how good I draw, Mommy?"

"Here Baby! Drink your bottle."

"This is how you feed the baby."
"The baby goes in here."
"Come on Ella. Let's go to your room and play."
"Here we go!"
One last pose before we left. We have been so lucky to have a sweet neighbor friend like Ella. I told her mom, Abby, that if we lived here the next several years, I can see Makk being Ella's little shadow!

4th of July

2010-07-27T21:03:00.005-05:00

I never posted a 4th of July blog. Better late than never! It was also a special day because my little sis turned 19!!

I love this festive bathing suit! She wasn't too happy about being held at the moment. All she wanted was down to run around!
I didn't get a 4th of July outfit this year. Couldn't find one I really liked, then they were all sold out in her size! So I paired festive bows with this bluejean outfit!
Always on the go!
Her special shoe bows I couldn't resist!
I love this annoyed look, "Are you kidding me? You can't be serious!"

The bottom two pics are of last year 2009. Makenna's first July 4th ever! She was a little over 2 months old. My how she has changed sooooo much!!

Dr.'s Apt

2010-07-27T20:44:00.003-05:00

Both Makenna and I went to the dr today and both of us got shots! Makenna hated her two shots, but I think she is done until she is 4 yrs old. She was 31 in long, 68%; weighed 21 lbs 3 oz, 25%. I was surprised by the weight because I don't think she looks like one of those really skinny babies that you worry about. I guess all that running and swimming slimmed her up. For the first time she was allowed to get a toy from the treasure box after her shot. She got a rubber fish, to which she made her fish face, and a ball.

I went for a Z-pac to clear up allergies. I also updated my T-Dap shot that I haven't had since I was 14. It includes tetnis, whooping cough, and I don't know what else.

We had an amazing breakfast at Dixie House this morning with the Hursts minus Billy. I did take a pic of the amazing cinnamon roll that is topped with ooey gooey butter, icing, and pecans. It really hit the spot!

Tonight after her bath, while I was rubbing lotion on her and putting on her pj's, I asked her what a cow said and she mooed! Then I asked what a puppy dog said and she panted. Then she quacked when I asked what a duck said! She did it right in a row without skipping a beat! She hadn't done that before and it was the highlight of my day. It even beat out the cinnamon roll!

What's New?

2010-07-26T20:51:00.003-05:00

Well, lots of things! We have moved, or are in the process of moving to Wichita Falls. Brady was transferred at the bank. Our house in NRH is under contract; our option period ends tomorrow. I had a job interview last Thursday for a 3rd grade position. Apparently a lot of people interviewed for it, so not sure what will happen, but it is God's Will no matter what. I have taught third grade before for 2 years in North Carolina, so it won't be scary in that sense. We want to purchase a home in WF, but can't do so yet until our house sells and I get a teaching job.

Makenna has her 15 month check-up tomorrow morning. It will be our last time to be at the office, and we won't even get to see Dr. Nash because she was so booked up! I am very sad and hope to find a good Ped. in WF that I will love just as much.

Makenna is growing up so fast! She loves to swim, spins in circles, jumps, will follow directions like if you tell her to go get something or give something to someone, she can. The other day I asked her to open the door for me. She put her hand on the doorknob and tried to turn it! Of course she couldn't turn it, but she knew exactly what to do! It is just so amazing to see the wheels turn in her head and see how God created such a wonderful, intelligent, perfect little girl! There are many more stories, but I could go on and on.

Makenna and her Daddy swimming!

Daddy is already teaching his little girl how to shoot some hoops!

She decided to sweep the pool!

This past week we have had so much fun playing with cousins and friends. Somehow, they are all boys! We need some more girls to be born! We had a fun weekend with the Bailey's. They came over and swam with Connor (Makenna's little man she is supposed to marry)-3 yrs old, and Holden and Preston who are almost 5 mo old. Makenna loved playing with them, and their toys! They are such dear friends to us!

Makenna and her cousin Logan. They are a little more than 2 months apart.

Today, Makk and I went to see the Dodson's. For the first time, we got to see Brock eat his cereal. He loved it! It really took me back. It seems it was just yesterday Makenna was eating cereal for the first time. We will see a lot of them this weekend since the men are having their Fantasy Football Draft...Boooo. Us girls and babies will do our own thing! We really miss seeing the Dodson's like we used to and will be very sad when we close on our house because they have been the best of friends to us!

Here is Brock eating his cereal tonight!

Before Makenna's apt tomorrow, we are meeting the Hursts for the most AMAZING cinnamon roll! I will have to take a pic and post it tomorrow! We love the Hursts and will miss them too. God has really given us some great friends, memories, and a special time here in the metroplex. I'm excited to see how God will bless us and provide for us in the coming weeks in the Falls! Stay tuned for pics!

She loooves her water gun!

Don't you love her headband with the flower? Moni went to Seattle and got her this and a pink one. We loove them! It looked so perfect with this dress!
I give up! I'll get dresses!

After I read and write in my notebook!

First Trip to the Zoo!

2010-06-25T15:30:00.004-05:00

We had a blast at the zoo yesterday! Us and GiGi first went to McKinnley's to have breakfast which consisted of strawberry cake!! Yummmm!!! Then we headed off to the zoo. It was a perfect day to go. It was a little cloudy and not crowded at all. But it was very hot! I was so hot that I had upper lip sweat! Makk's cheeks were red the whole time although we were in shade, I put a hat and sunscreen on her. I also kept her very hydrated. I won't bore you with all the animal pics, but here are some of my favorites!

This is my most fave!! She kept herself busy fastening her buckels.

She did not like this!
Such a big girl coming down the steps. She is absolutely fascinated with steps!
She enjoyed watching the fish.
Her first carousel ride! She wasn't so sure about it. We had to first pet the horse and love on it.

Every time we would go around, she would say hi and wave to GiGi once we got to the other side!
Such a big girl standing at the window. I think these were monkeys.

And of course, walking down by herself...with a tad bit of help.

See how hot we look?! I do mean temp wise only!

I had to put a monkey pic in because they are Makk's fave! I loved this one where they are loving on each other!
Makenna and Makk before we went into the zoo.

Thanks GiGi for taking us to the zoo! We had a blast. Makk loooves her pink monkey!!

Smiles Sweeter than Sugar!

2010-06-21T13:35:00.004-05:00

Here are some of my favorite smile pics from the past couple of months. She loves to put her tongue out a lot! She has been so much fun! She is growing and changing every day. Some of her favorite foods are: black beans, blueberries, peaches, mandarin oranges, Gerber fruit snacks, yogurt melts, Gerber puffs such as cheese puffs and zesty tomato, Mum-Mums, pasta with or without sauce, peas, corn, sunflower seeds, ketchup, and many other things. She also really loves Chic-fil-e. I'll get her a single chicken strip meal with fruit instead of fries, and she'll eat the entire thing!

She says many words such as mama, dada, bye, hi, yeah (all the time! She says yeah when she wants something), night night, bath (ba), Elmo (sometimes it is mo-mo), and almost book, dog, GiGi. She has also mastered the art of fit-throwing! She's pretty good at being dramatic. Yesterday when we picked her up from the church nursery, she saw us, walked half-way, and stopped at a rocking chair, putting her head down on the seat and crying. One of the ladies had to carry her the rest of the way! It was the funniest thing how she was too sad to make it the rest of the way! It broke my heart, but Brady and I could barely contain our giggles at the pathetic and dramatic scene!

She has learned to brush her teeth by herself, jump (but her feet aren't coming off the floor yet), climb, run, close every door, gets my cell phone and says hi as she holds it up to her ear, put buckles together like on a shopping cart seat (in fact, she gets mad if you put her in and buckle it for her. She has to do it herself!), waves, gives high-fives, tries to eat with a spoon, and so much more. Everyday I am so amazed just watching her! Just a year ago she was learning how to smile and laugh. She was just a baby lump, and now she is her own person who acts very independent and has to do everything herself! She is truly a joy!

A New Grad!

2010-06-21T12:45:00.007-05:00

Makenna graduated from Waterbaby 1 swim class!! Here are some pics of her skills! By the end she was to go under water for 5 seconds, which seems like an eternity! Also, she was jumping off the side of the pool, which means she was sitting there and falling into my arms! She slid down the slide and even figured out to close her eyes! We sang a lot of songs and practiced blowing bubbles. The first week she kept opening her mouth wide open when she went under water. During the 2nd week, she learned to close her mouth and spit water out of it when she came up. She looooves the water! We made a couple of friends and had the best experience. I really enjoyed our instructor, the facility itself, how it was indoors, and the salt water pools were kept at 90 degrees!

My lovely little lady

2010-06-03T22:45:00.002-05:00

I have to share these pics real quick!

Water Days! Here we go!

2010-06-03T22:13:00.004-05:00

Here are some water pics from yesterday! Too tired to write much. Hope you enjoy the pics!She's running away!
Throwing the can over and over again.
Trying to keep up with the big boys!
Such a big girl!
Can't believe how big she is! When I pulled up, I thought to myself, who is that big girl running around? Oh! It's my Baby!!!!

1 Year Pics!

2010-05-24T22:22:00.002-05:00

We had Makenna's 1 year pics done last Thursday. I took the day off work...I really needed a mental health day! I really enjoyed the bonding time, although, Makenna did not nap that day except 30 min in the morning, and a few minutes in the car later. But she did very well despite the tiredness. Check out these pics!!

http://www.photoemotionphotography.com/727618615/oneder/

This weekend, Makenna learned to climb on a stage. Not only that, but it was a stage at a clothing store, right by the front window. So Makenna would climb up on top, walk to the window, and hit the glass to get people walking by's attention! She was loving all the attention!!

She also has learned to sing "Old MacDonald"!! She will go "E-I-E-I-E-I.." Not quite saying the "O" yet! My future American Idol! Yeah right!! Those skills don't run in her genes, but her voice sounds angelic to me! She has also perfected "Bye-bye."

When I picked her up today, her and 4 other, older kids on the street were playing with water guns. There were a couple of buckets of water, and they were all huddled around them, filling up their water soakers. Makenna was butting her way into the group to be a part of the action. She looked so big toddling around with the big kids!! She especially loves Ella, our almost 4 year old neighbor. They have the best time together! They both cried Friday when we all went in for dinner. They wanted to stay out and play!! It was adorable!!

More Birthday Blogging

2010-04-29T06:58:00.005-05:00

I have posted some more birthday pics. Unfortunately I ran out of memory in my camera, so I will have to snag some more family shots from GiGi's camera.Daddy, Mommy, Makenna, and Auntie Dee.
Moni and Makenna
Meme, Riley, Mommy, Makenna, and Papa.
Daddy, Mommy, Uncle James, Makenna, Popsie, Kristen, and Nana.
Makenna finally enjoyed her party when she got to sit in her chair, chew on a crown, and throw some balls! Makenna had a blast with Christine as they threw balls around.
She wasn't ready for her wagon ride just yet! She looooooved it the next day and afterwards!
Poor, pitiful sweetheart!
She loved her Bible, among all her other fun gifts.
She really loved that frog!
Of course she loved her goldfish! Wait a minute...a frog, goldfish, this doesn't sound like a sweet princess party for a sweet princess!
Daddy helps me feel better after Mommy made me try my cake.

Thanks again for everyone who came and helped us to celebrate. It was a wonderful first birthday!!

Updates: When we went to the dr, she weighed 22 lbs 12 oz, and was in the 40%. She was almost 30 in long (29 3/4), 67%. She is running around, literally!! I can't keep up with her! She is in to everything she can get her hands on! It's amazing the places she can get to and the things she can reach for her small size! She also has 4 teeth now and 2 on their way in the front, and swollen molars in the back.

Some of her favorite food is still any kind of fruit, but it has to be fresh. She is kind of a fruit snob! fruit cups are good enough unless it is from Chic-fil-e. She also still loves any kind of beans or peas, especially black beans and lima beans. She is now really loving chicken from chic-fil-e. I've been getting her some kids meals, but she still isn't allowed to have french fries.

Some of her favorite activities are walking around, playing for hours in her ball pit, taking baths!! We will say to her it is bath time and she takes off running toward the bathroom saying "ba, ba, ba". She can't say the /th/ sound yet. I signed her up for waterbaby 1 classes in June. I am thinking that she will love it since she loves her bath so much, at least I hope so! We already have 5 bathing suits for each day of the week! Now we need some cute towels, maybe that are monogrammed. That is my newest thing I am searching for.

BTW, talking about her dr.'s apt, they were going to give her a chicken pox shot. I declined for now, but can have the option again at 15 mo apt. What is everyone's thoughts on this subject? Dr. Nash said it is to prevent complications from the chicken pox, and that it isn't just about the inconvenience. I don't mind having a chickenpox party when she is a couple of years old-early preK to get it out of the way. Again, I would really like to hear everyone's thoughts, ideas, beliefs, facts....Thanks so much!!!

Happy First Birthday, Makenna!!

2010-04-25T20:44:00.005-05:00

Makenna is now 1 year old!! I can hardly believe it! This has been the best and exciting year of our life! It has truly been a joy watching her grow and discover new things! Saturday she said "bye-bye" for the first time! Before it was 'ba-ba". Now she is really sounding it out! Also, she was trying to say bath tonight but came out "ba". She looooves her baths! We have to spell out the word now if we aren't giving it to her directly.

Well, we had a very busy and exciting weekend! So many family members and friends came and it really made us feel loved and special! I was uploading the pics in a certain order, but blogspot added them on top of each other for every new group of pics I uploaded, so it is all messed up. Oh well!

In the above picture, Makenna is sitting in her special chair she got from her Aunt Shelly, Uncle Jody, Christine, Zach, and Honey-the-Rescue-Dog. We love it and she has loved sitting in it and pulling up in it! It is so adorable! Thanks!!!!!
This is her little cake. Market Street did a fabulous job!
GiGi made this cute poster!
Makenna felt a little overwhelmed and was kinda clingy to me. She got better though. I did make her tutu, onesie, and bib. We were just about to sing to her.
This sums up the cake part! She cried after I stuck some icing in her mouth. She really isn't a fan of sweets!
This was her favorite part of opening up presents. She loved her goldfish from Nana and Popsie!
The birthday outfit was build around this adorable party hat that she received from Judy Dodson at her baby shower last year. It is soooo adorable! We love it! Thanks Judy!!
Makenna's special banner. I didn't realize it was hard core vinyl. I could cover up all the 1's somehow and use it every year! Yes, it was a princess themed party!
Here is her highchair.
Here is a close-up o the party hat.
Her yummy cake that Market Street made to match her napkins.
This was Makenna's first cake on her actual birthday. She loved the sprinkles!!
Then she dug in!
It made her mad to feel it on her hand, but she kept doing it!
GiGi got her this special outfit to wear on her birthday. Of course Makenna pulled off on of the buttons in the tree!

I have some more pics, but it is getting late. Thanks again to everyone who came and helped make Makenna's first birthday a very special one. I can't wait for all the next ones to plan themes for! She is the best thing in my life along with Jesus and Brady. I truly cannot imagine my life without her. I just hope she will always let me cuddle her and love her and give her as many hugs and kisses as I want! Yeah right! Thanks again everyone!

Easter Egg Hunt

2010-04-08T23:02:00.003-05:00

Here are the rest of the pics I promised. The Blogger was still not cooperating, so I had to upload only a few at a time. And the pics are a little out of order. Last Saturday, we went to Deborah's parent's house to hunt eggs. Here are those pics!

Her eggs were filled with gerber snacks like cheese puffs and yogurt melts, and cheerios!
She was eating the grass!

She looooved the grass!
She enjoyed those colorful eggs full of yummy goodness!
She's so proud of herself!
She liked to put them in the basket, then take them out.

I have tons more, but it is taking forever to upload them! Hope everyone had a happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T21:36:00.005-05:00

Happy Easter everyone! Praise Jesus that He rose from the grave! We had a wonderful church service this morning! Today was Makenna's first time in the Duck Class. They had to move her up. In this room they have one of those tables with the 6 chairs in them. She is such a big girl now! She seemed to really enjoy it! :)

Yesterday we went to Deborah's parents house to egg hunt. Really, the big kids hunted and I took Makenna on the side of the house, rolled her eggs out for her so she could pick them up easily. She loved it! She loved the fake grass most I think...until she discovered her yogurt melts in the eggs! And her cheese puffs!

Today, we just relaxed around the house after church. Then we took a nice family walk on the trail by our house and played at the park. We slid and swung, but Makenna wasn't too into it today. What she really loved was when I mooed at her! She could not stop laughing at the cow noises!

Okay, I had a tooooonnnnof pics to upload but after two failed attempts, I tried just this one, and it worked. I'm going to bed and will try again tomorrow!

April Fools!

2010-04-01T19:54:00.003-05:00

No jokes today! We have really been enjoying the sunny and warm weather! I washed all of Makenna's 12 month clothes and was so ready for her to wear them! Well, she has sure looked cute and summery this week. I try to take a pic of her each morning before we all head out, but she doesn't always cooperate. Here are some pics!From this morning. She was not too happy.
I love this seersucker dress!
Trying her cupcake from McKinnely's!

Look how she walks! She is taking up to and over 10 steps! Unless she is being stubborn and sits down to thwart our practicing!

8 steps and counting!

2010-03-21T21:39:00.002-05:00

I have such a cute and heart warming video (at least it is to me!) of Makenna walking about 8 steps to a toy. She has been walking all day! Walking circles around our large ottoman and between the couches, and going from the ottoman to her bouncer! She is so big! Again, I have to get Brady to download the video for me, and when he does, I have about 4 of them!! All pretty short. I am so proud of my little girl!!!

Keep praying for our House members to use wisdom and discernment when voting.

Happy St. Patrick's Day...a little late

2010-03-20T21:03:00.005-05:00

Good news! After 3 days of turning my house upside down, we found the camera battery charger!!! I'll just say it was in a bag not belonging to me. So I have it charging. My neighbor, Abby, took some cute pics from our street parade, so I go her picks to upload. Here they are! Here is part of our small parade with Ella from across the street. She looves Makenna!

She isn't so sure about all of this! She has nothing green, so this shirt with some green letters will have to do!

Her first baked good! A home-made 4 leaf clover sugar cookie with green sprinkles. No, I didn't make it. Makenna loooved it!!

I love this one!

Here is how her stroller was decorated for the parade.

The happy family!

Makenna is a big girl now and wanted to walk the parade, not ride!

She's trying to shak me off to do it herself!

Makenna wasn't up for pics today. Ella could barely stand still long enough to snap this.

The lei was very tasty!

Makenna took 4 1/2 steps today! She is doing very well. She loves to walk around our large ottoman and in between the ottoman and the couch with a hand on each. We also had to lower her crib today. She was pulling up on it a couple of weeks ago. So we figured it was time. We went ahead and put it on the lowest setting so that we won't have to mess with lowering it again.

Her new foods she has tried and loved are french toast, cheese quesadilla, peaches (we tried them before, but she really likes them this time), and of course her black beans are ranked number one! I still have to get Brady to download the walking video. Please stay tuned!!

Can you believe we got snow...AGAIN?! If we received 1 1/2 in today, then we beat the record for most snow ever!! Crazy!

Ahhhh, the warm and sunny days!

2010-03-19T14:41:00.002-05:00

I have some bad news. My camera battery died and I have turned this house upside down looking for it! So I can't upload pics yet. We have had a very enjoyable Spring Break! Brady and I went to Austin to celebrate for our 4 year anniversary. We had a lot of fun eating at Hula Hut, going to UT, and just walking around Austin. We even got to sleep in! Woohoo! Makenna stayed with GiGi and Pops and had a lot of fun being spoiled.

Makenna started taking some steps a couple of days ago! She can take about 3 at a time!! I got a video with my phone, so it isn't very good quality. Today we discovered that she really enjoys manaise and ketchup! She enjoys very falvorful foods! She won't eat anything that involves a spoon anymore. So for breakfast, we eat toast with a little but of grape jelly, or cheese melted on top. She also enjoys cheese scrambled eggs and of course, lots of blueberries! She eats pretty healthy! I gave in to pressure and let her try birthday cake at two different times, and she wasn't interested at all....yet anyway. I'm not complaining!

Okay, I just tried to download the video to the computer, but Brady downloaded a new internet and gmail site and I don't know how to save it without buying some program. I will have to wait until he comes home tonight!

I am a little mad. I went to the Plant Shed and bought some Impatients to plant. Well, it is supposed to freeze tomorrow with chance of snow flurries! Seriously?! On the first day of Spring?! So I will not plant them until I guess Monday when I get home from school. I am sooooo sick of this snow! We already have to go to school Good Friday due to 1 of the 2 snow days. Anway, hopefully this will be the last of it! Check back again tonight!

4 of the Most Wonderful Years!

2010-03-11T22:30:00.002-06:00

Today is mine and Brady's 4 year wedding anniversary! I truly have the best husband in the world! He is very sweet and thoughtful and selfless. He is also one of the smartest people I know! He also puts up with my craziness at times! He is also the best friend I have ever had! So much has happened during our short 4 years of marriage (almost a decade of being together!), and I would not trade a single moment! Moving back to TX and having Makenna were huge changes that only brought us closer. It sure was fun just the two of us, but Makenna makes us feel a little more complete! She is such a joy! And she sure loves her Daddy! It was "Dadda" all day according to Emily. He is so sweet and protective and loving with her. Seeing how good of a dad he is gave me a new reason to fall in love with him all over again! As cheesy as that all sounds. So anyway, we celebrated today by going to 5 Guys Burger and Fries. It was delicious! I was craving a good burger today! Our real celebration will be next week during Spring Break. We are going to Austin for a night and then eating at our fave place there: Hula Hut! It is also very yummy!

I was going to post some pics, but it is very late. I have to say that I kind of felt like a bad mom yesterday. For dinner we went to Little Caesars and got the $5 pizza. You can't cook for that cheap! Well, I gave Makenna her own slice and she ate the entire thing minus the crust! She loooooved it!! She has had pizza before at her sitter's once or twice, but I think it was a frozen pizza, which isn't as greasy. Tonight I did not get her a burger or fries! I cooked some whole wheat pasta, black beans, ans some cheese cubes. She downed it and looked like Black Beard, the pirate, after it was all said and done! So I had to take her to the bathroom to wash her off. The paper towel dispenser was right by the sink. As I washed her left hand, she use her right hand to discover how to wave at the sensor and make the towels pop out! Then she had the sense to grab at it to pull it off! It's like she knew exactly how to operate it! All coincidental, but she seems to be smarter than the average bear! I think she may be teething again. Her two bottom teeth are getting pretty tall...if a tooth can be tall!

Going to bed to get some energy for one last day of school before Spring Break! Woo-hoo! And it is a half day with kids! Although I am sooooo ready for break, I know I will miss those sweet kids! Okay really going to bed now. Didn't read this over or check for spelling or clarity. So please forgive me if it sounds like I rambled, because I did!

Finally!

2010-03-08T20:29:00.007-06:00

Okay, so I typed first then I uploaded the pics. For some reason I cannot copy and paste the writing up here, or highlight and drag it. It may be this computer. So all the writing is at the bottom. I only posted pics since this past Friday. The first couple are when Makenna fell asleep at Kevin and Deborah's Friday night after we took them dinner. She was sooo tired!

See Makenna's spaghettios!

See Makenna's speghettios in her hair, nose, eyes, chin, neck, etc...

You can kind of see her two teeth.

I just love this pic!

She loves her shopping cart. I can't imagine why. She loves to push it, but she needs help and I couldn't take a pic and help her!

Her fave...blueberries!

Her new fave way to sleep!

I could not get her to smile Sunday morning.

Happy birthday Daddy! Are these presents for me?

Cousin Christine and Makenna had a lot of fun Sunday!

We tried to get a family pic, but Makenna wasn't cooperating very well. It's not bad though! I loooove my family! I am the luckiest lady in the world!

Today was still a little hard, but GiGi was sweet and texted me a couple of pics of Makenna today. It sounds like she was a perfect angel today! But of course she would be! It is Makenna we're talking about! I will get to see my baby girl tomorrow! And, our staff meeting was cancelled, so that means I get to rush home right after school to see my precious girl!

On another topic, since high school, I have always wanted to be picked for jury duty. I always thought it would be a lot of fun. I guess I have watched too much tv. Well, my day finally came! But it was for Wichita Co, where I haven't lived in 5 years. So I called the court house today and I just mail my card in stating that I don't live there. My day finally comes and I can't do it. It was very weird that they chose me since my driver's license and voter's registration are both in Tarrant Co. The more I thought about it, I would be an awful pick because I am way too opiniated and, eh-hem, a little judgemental of people (on trial). Maybe someday...

Here are the pics I have been promising. I'm not going to write a lot because it would take forever. Plus Brady informed me that noone cares about what I write. People just want pics. So I'm going to give the people what they want!...kind of!

Happy Birthday, Babe!

2010-03-07T20:34:00.003-06:00

Today is my hubby's 27th birthday!! We had a great celebration with lots of family. Although, it was very sad for me because Makenna went home with GiGi and Pops for the first time....for 2 nights!!!!! I may or may not have cried when she left, but most definitely did! I have never been away from my baby! It was very hard. I have to be at school for over 3 hours tomorrow night, so I needed someone to be with her, and it was easier for Makenna to go back with GiGi and Pops tonight since they came down for Brady's birthday. Last night was also my last time to nurse her ever, so it has really been an emotional weekend for me!

I'm ready for Tuesday when I can see my baby again! Unfortunately I have a staff meeting after school, so I can't rush home to see her. :(

Makenna is doing some more new tricks! She is shaking her head no, and blowing lots of spit bubbles! I attempted for the last time to give her some baby food yesterday, and she totally gagged herself and gave me the worst look ever! She is completely done with baby food! Today we ordered her a kids meal for the very first time. We went to Sonic and got her a grilled cheese with a banana and apple juice. She like it okay. She hasn't been too hungry these last few days because she has been a little constipated. I did the thermometer trick this morning and it worked a little. As I am writing this, I am again sad and am missing her like crazy!

Anyhoo, this Thursday is mine and Brady's 4th wedding anniversary!! Each year we go by the traditional gift list. Brady has already ordered me a gift and he is sooo excited about it! It's so cute to see his face light up when he talked about getting it ordered! And my m-i-l says that I will love it! I can't wait!!! Now I have to still figure something out for him. I have an idea, although it doesn't involved flowers. Anyone out there have an idea?

I know I still haven't posted any pics. I have a ton of super cute ones! Including the last two nights of Makenna sleeping on her tummy with her tushy up in the air! I will one day go into the office and post them. Please stay tuned!! Good night and God bless!!!

Cruisin'!

2010-02-26T20:47:00.002-06:00

Same story...it's late. I'm tired. Sitting on the couch with the laptop. No camera close by. Still no energy to get up and get it. Makenna crawled forward for the first time today!!!! She also got her 2nd tooth last weekend. She is walking around like crazy! Well, while holding on to our fingers. She is pulling up a lot very well. She is holding on to an object, reaching out to another piece of furniture and walking herself to it. Today she was sitting on the livingroom floor, which is laminate wood, and she was using her heels to turn herself in circles. She was totally doing donuts on the floor! We had a good laugh! I just can't believe how big she is getting! We are barely nursing and it is a little sad, but I've accepted it. We nurse a little right when she wakes up, and right before bed. I know I need to cut one of those, then the other, but I'm want to hold on for a few more weeks! Is that bad? I know she isn't getting much because she will drink 5-6 oz of milk afterwards.

Also, Makenna is now 10 months old!! I am already planning the birthday party!! Trying to decide where to have it: A, B, or A and B.

Deborah, my best friend, was induced yesterday. After a long day, baby Brock Andrew was born at 8:33 PM!! He weighed 8 lbs even and was 20 in long. He is so perfect and handsome!! I got to hold him a long time last night and forgot how small they are! I wasn't able to go up to the hospital tonight because Deborah was very tired, but we are going in the morning. Can't wait to see him again! It doesn't seem that Makenna was smaller than that 10 months ago. So many little memories of the hospital came back last night. Just remembering her newborn cry, how she only slept on my tummy because she hated the cradle. It seems like it was yesterday, and also that it was a super long time ago. It made me excited to do it again!...but not too soon!

A Long Absence

2010-02-20T09:00:00.002-06:00

Family and Friends:

I am very sorry about my very long absence from blogging. We have been very busy! This is our first relaxing weekend. Last weekend we lost power for 3 days, and lost lots of food. I should have waited to stock up at Sam's! Oh well, it could definitely be worse.

Makenna's first tooth came in Thursday, the first night of our power outage. She slept with us in our bed and we all cuddled up tight to keep warm. That is when I felt the sharp point of her first pearly white! She never ran a fever or acted in pain. It surprised me a little. I've been abole to sneak a peek, but it is very difficult. She keep covering it with her tongue. I've noticed this past week that she is rubbing her tongue over her bottom gums, feeling her tooth. She seems a little confused as to what this strange thing is in her mouth!

She is talking non-stop! It is now "mamama" all the time and "dada" all the time. She really enjoys screaming this also. She thinks it is a lot of fun to scream, to growel, to garggle, and so many other noises. She cracks herself up! At her sitter's, she will have a screeching contest with the 5 month old! They just laugh at each other! She is also giving high-5's, waving, and can kind of say "hi." Two weekends ago it really sounded like she was saying "dog" to Molly and Shelby, her furry cousins. She learned "nananana" a couple of days ago, so I know anytime she might learn to tell me know!

She is pretty mobile. She is standing all the time. She can walk around furniture a little. She LOVES to walk back and forth between momma and dada while holding on to us. She hasn't taken a step by herself yet, but she can stand by herself for over a minute. She can crawl backwards, and can roll around everywhere. Her most favorite thing is to stand holding on to different thins.

I have started weaning her :(. I had to because I have just about ran dry. Yesterday was my last day to pump at school (woo hoo!). That really was a pain and not very convenient. I'm down to just nursing her when she wakes up in the morning and right before she goes to bed in the evening. She isn't getting hardly anything because I will give her 5-6 ounces of formula in the mornings after I nurse her and she drains it down. She will be 10 months on Tuesday, so I feel very fortunate that I have made it this long! Now I am ready to go by some new bras that don't invloved nursing!!

I have many pics and videos to post, but I am currently sitting in the living room on my laptop and all the pics are in the desktop computer. When I get unlazy today, I will go upload some pretty pics! For now, I think I may go take a nap and try to survive my upper respiratory infection, headache, and almost pink eye infection. Tata for now!

Snow days=no power for over 37 hours

2010-02-12T23:21:00.000-06:00

9 Months!!

2010-01-31T20:32:00.004-06:00

Family and Friends:

I am very sorry that I have not blogged in the last week or more. Makenna turned 9 months old two Saturdays ago. She had her apt last Thursday. She checked out great! She measure 18.12 lbs-50% in her weight, 70% in height, and 30% in head. She is falling beautifully along the curve. Dr. Nash felt her gums, said one felt a little swollen, so it could still be a while until we see a pearly white. We've been teething since she turned 3 months old!! When will we see 'em?! The poor baby had to get her finger pricked and enough blood squeezed out to fill two small tubes to do standard testing like for anemia. It was aweful!!! I had to hold her down and she absolutely did not like it. She gave me pitiful looks like "Mommy, why are you letting them do this to me?" It just broke my heart! But we made it through! Here is Makenna with Dr. Nash. Again, we have the best pediatrician in the world!!

Below is her battle wound from the finger prick. Surprisingly, the band-aid didn't really bother her that much.

I have some more pics and info to share. I will try and share that tomorrow. I've got to get a good night sleep for another busy week ahead.

Please pray for my Papa, Bill. He went to the emergency room yesterday for extreme abdominal pain. They ran some tests and think it might be related to his pancreas or gall bladder. They sent him home with nothing and told him to contact his regular dr. That will happen tomorrow hopefully! Pray that it isn't too serious and can be easily treated. Also, my cousin Scott is in CA in bootcamp for the Marines. Please pray for his well being and safety. Thanks!

I'm the Next American Idol Part 2

2010-01-21T20:58:00.002-06:00

Here is the video I wanted to attach but couldn't unzip to upload. Notice how she lets go, but still is remaining standing. Viewers need to be aware that she in no way received any help during the making of this video. Enjoy!

Sunny Days, Keepin' the Clouds Away

2010-01-21T20:37:00.003-06:00

Today was such a beautiful day! Makenna and I decided to go to the park. We had a great time going down the super tall slide. We haven't done that since she was about 4 months old or so. Then we swang together. I showed her how to pump her legs in and out. Then I put her in the baby swing. She looooved it! I stopped her at one point to take a good pic. She tried to pump her legs to make herself go! You can see it half way through the video. She is such a fast learner!!

I went to pick her up right at 4:00. She was asleep and had been for an hour. So I decided to go home, change clothes, and do some laundary until she woke up. At 5:00, I walked over there and had to wake her up! You might be saying, never wake a sleeping baby, but you don't understand. She took a 4 hour nap this morning from 8:30-12:30!! And Emily had to wake her up at 12:30! She has never done that before. She slept a good 11 hours as usual last night, so it's not like she should have been that tired. I guess she is going through a growing spurt. The last couple nights for dinner, she has had Easy Mac and loves it. She even had some pizza for lunch yesterday! It was a frozen pizza, not like Little Caesar's, but my first reaction was to freak out. That is what she wants to eat, and we are supposed to be moving in that direction, so I guess it it okay. I did try a stage 3 jar tonight: Earth's Best Spaghetti with cheese sauce. She loooooves pasta and cheese, so I figured she would love it, but she didn't show much interest in it. She prefered my penne noodles I cut up on her tray that she could pick up and feed to herself. She is a funny little girl!

Some new things she has picked up this last week or so is giving Brady and I big kisses on the mouth. She has done this in the past, but now she will wrap her hands around our neck, say "awwwwww" and plant a big wet one on us! It is sooo adorable and loving! It's my favorite part of the day, no offense to Brady! She has also started to prefer laying tummy to tummy on us and laying her head on our shoulders. Since day 1 she has been too busy and nosy to want to lay her head down on our shoulder, but she seems to enjoy that closeness now.

Well, I'm off to pump and go to bed. Sweet dreams!!

I'm the Next American Idol!

2010-01-19T21:28:00.004-06:00

I have to admit that I really enjoy watching AI. Tonight I didn't really see anyone that really stood out. I am rootin' for Vanessa Joe from last week. She was the blond bridge jumper from Tennessee who got her dress from the Dollar Store for $4.50. My heart broke for her and I want her to make it! Plus she has the best name ever! 24 also started back up with lots of intensity. The last scene from last night gave me the chills and made me a little sick! Can't wait until Thursday for the Office!!!

We had a busy, but awesome weekend celebrating Deborah, Kevin, and Baby Brock. It was one of the loveliest, most eloquent showers I have ever been to. I had the honor of helping to host it for my sweet friend.

Makenna may be teething for real this time. Friday, Karen, my mom-in-law, came down and spent some time with Makenna. She was sleepy all day, a little blah, and had a 100.8 temp. Gave her some Tylenol and the fever went away. There were no other symptoms at all. I read through my books last night and they said that it is a myth that a fever can be caused by teething, and that it is just a coincidence. A fever always indicates an infection or virus. I am not so sure I agree with this, nor do any moms that I talk to. But no pearly whites poking their heads out yet. She has been happy all weekend though. Lots of clapping, motor boating, saying "dadda", bouncing, and laughing. Her new favorite game is to see how long she can stand by herself. I took a video of her at her music machine. Of course I couldn't capture her singing in her microphone. She discovered that her voice echoes through it, and she kept kinda yelling into it. I think she is practicing for her AI audition!!

Sunday night, we went to eat dinner at the Black-Eyed Pea. I ordered the vegie plate so that Makenna could try some of my food. I tried to feed her food to her first. She wasn't very interested in her cereal or green vegie. She absolutely loved my mac-n-cheese, whipped sweet potatoes, green beans, and pieces of chicken. She is growing so big! Tonight I made her some Easy Mac to add to her dinner. She loved it of course! What kid doesn't?! She had a hard time picking it up because it was so slimy, but most of it made it into her mouth. I helped her eat some since I also love it! I'm adding more and more big people food each week. She still absolutely loves her breakfast of banana oatmeal and fruit of some sort, and her afternoon Yo-Baby yogurt. I think I may begin weaning her. I only pumped 2 and 1/2 oz of milk today...the whole day! I was hoping for her to go from me to cow's milk, but I made it pretty far and am thankful Makenna got the best for the first 9 months of her life. I am really nervous about weaning!

The vote is in...Scott Brown (R) won the Senate seat in MA!!!!!!

Food for Thought

2010-01-10T21:49:00.002-06:00

Thanks for the comments! I realized that some adult food is better than no food! Here are some of the foods she has decided to eat this week instead of her own food: half a grilled cheese sandwich, stew with beef and carrots and potatoes, three cheese tortellini with alfredo sauce, spiral pasta, chow mein noodles, and I can't think of what else. I have to say that I was not there for half of it. She still really loves her fruit and cereal, so that is good. We learned that when she is upset, just give her some yogurt melts or cheese puffs and her juice and she is happy as a lark!

Some other grown up things she is trying is standing. Lately, so doesn't so much want to be in her bouncer as she does in front of it, standing up, holding on to it. She is testing the waters with how strong she is. She will let go with her right hand, then at the same time grab again with her right, and release with her left. She will go back and forth forever like this. Last night, I took her socks off and had her stand without holding on to anything. She stood for a good 30 seconds! I was really impressed. I tried to make her crawl again today, and she wouldn't have it. She just rolls over. She would rather stand and walk. She can kind of pull up. If she is sitting on the floor, she can't pull up. But if she is sitting on a little something, like part of my leg, she can pull herself up.

Thursday we had a bad weather day so Makenna and I got to snuggle up and have quality time all day! It was great!! Friday when she went back to her sitter's, Emily's house, she got to not only play with the two brothers, Connor and Dillon, but their older brother Jarron who is in preschool. When I got there to pcik her up, she was laughing, and in the best mood ever! The boys, especially Jarron, was hugging and kissing on her and she like it! It doesn't need to be said, but Makenna really likes getting a lot of attention! The boys were sad she had to go. This moring when we dropped her back off at the nursery at church, she freaked again! It was bad. I am so glad that she does not do this with Emily or I would have to not work I guess. It was not good. It is weird because she just started it 2 weeks ago. She has always been okay being left in the church nursery (she had been to 3) before. When we walked into the foyer, she started to pout. It really broke my heart! I hope this does not go on forever!

Christmas Craziness!

2010-01-04T20:36:00.011-06:00

Here are are Christmas celebrations documented below. I regret not getting more pics of family members, but know they did so I will have to steal theirs. Although we did document a lot on video. Our first celebration was the weekend before Christmas on the 19 & the 20th (my birthday!) with my dad. They came down from Arkansas to celebrate Makenna's first Christmas and my birthday. Nana and Popsie really spoiled her!

I only wish I got more pics of Makenna with her

Aunt K and Uncle J.

Here is our array of nicely wrapped gifts. 9/10 of them are for Makenna!

Here are her gifts she unwrapped...with my help!

Below is what she found what Santa dropped off!

I made a big Christmas breakfast for us which included chocolate chip pancakes. I made a heart shaped one (minus the chips) for Makenna. She ate a couple of bites.

Celebration #3 was at GiGi and Pops' house. We barely made it that day!

She really loved her rocking chair!

Here she is in front of all her gifts.

This is why we were snowed in for 3 days! Makenna's first white Christmas!!

Many of the drifts were very high!

She adores her Pops! She cracks up immediately when she sees him!

Notice her package pj's she is wearing on Christmas morning. She was the best present!

Lovin' her Pops some more!

Her stocking from Santa. She loved the Gerber cheetos the best I think!

Her rocking chair again.

What a nice family pic if I do say so myself!

Meo and Uncle Jo Jo got her this singing music maker that lowers to a sitting position or raises to a standing position. Makenna loooooved this!! Of course, her new fave thing is to stand, so this was perfect! Plus she really likes to make music.

Still can't crawl!

Another great family pic...I don't know how this got down here!

Her Aunti D!

They had a lot of fun. Deidra babysat Makenna so we could go celebrate Pops' 50th birthday!

There are like 15 totally cute pics of these 2! I wish I could post them all!

Celebration #5 (I didn't get any fam pics of #4) with Meme and Papa.

How cute!

Celebration #6...The last one! We are at Grandmom and Grandad's. What a house full of fun! She had a blast watchng her boy cousins wrestle and beat each other up. I have to say even the adults were amused!

I wish I got more pics here, I think GiGi did though.

Thanks everyone again for helping to make wonderful memories for my sweet baby girl! Can't wait until the next one. She will really get into it!! Maybe she will even be wrestling with her boy cousins!

Today's news: Makenna still won't eat. She refused to eat her lunch today at noon. She screamed when she was put down in her highchair. She fell asleep from 12:15 to 2:00. Woke up, say Connor eating a grilled cheese sandwhich, decided she needed that, and so ate half a grilled cheese sandwhich herself! What am I to do?! She ate a little dinner for me of rice cereal a apple chicken. Way after her dinner, I was eating mine, 3 cheese tortellini with alfredo sauce. She decided she needed my food. I gave her a little bite, and she loved it and wanted more. Next thing, Brady was taking a drink of ice cold water out of his glass and Makenna needed a drink so bad. So she drank from the glass. She is 8 months going on like 10 years old! Why does she think she is bigger than she is? How can I get her to eat normal, healthy food? Do I force her baby food on her, or find alternatives like a grilled cheese?! Help!!

Out of Time

2010-01-03T20:20:00.002-06:00

I will have to post pics later. We had a wonderful Christmas! Makenna really enjoyed her very first Christmas which turned out to be a white Christmas. We were snowed in and Makenna never left the house for 3 days. We had 6 Christmases! So Makenna had lots of practice opening up gifts. Her favorite part was the bows and the tissue paper. She got lots of wonderful and thoughtful gifts from so many wonderful family members. I want to thank everyone so much for being so sweet to my baby girl on her first Christmas. We got lots of wonderful pics and video footage that we will always cherish. The hard part is figuring out where to put everything!

Lots of new things occured over the past two weeks. Makenna turned 8 months old, got her first infection and had to go to the dr to get medicine, learned to clap her hands, eats meat and lots of other table food. She has learned that she loves mac and cheese, chic-fil-e, pasta, gerber cheese puffs, and whatever else any adult is eating. She has also developed this intense separation anxiety. When I dropped her off at the nursery at church this morning, she freaked out and did her terrified cry. Normally she loves it. We are worried how tomorrow will go with her sitter, Emily. We really hope Makenna will eat, sleep and be happy! I will really try and upload a bunch of Christmas pics tomorrow. Again, we had 6 gatherings, so lots of pics.

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year! I am very thankful for the many blessings from 2009. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in 2010! I am curious if anyone made any resolutions. I am keeping up the tradition for me and not making any, because I can't keep them! Instead, I am resolving to not make a resolution, that way I know I can keep it!! I can't wait to hear what other people are doing. Check back again tomorrow, or the next day, or later this week. I will get those pics up!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2009-12-15T21:13:00.005-06:00

I absolutely love CHRISTmas! I also love to say "Merry Christmas!" I am not one for celebrating "winter" or saying "Happy Holidays." When you look on a calendar, what do you see? Christmas! And I love every day leading up to it. I love the smells, the food, the shopping, the decorations, the time with family, all the fun pictures!! There is so much to love and be thankful for this time of year. I think this will be the most exciting Christmas yet since it is my first time to be a mommy and spoil my baby rotten!! I have had so much fun shopping for Makenna and everyone else. I have also enjoyed dressing up Makenna in festive outfits. One day last week, we took a lot of funny pics. Makenna was having a hay day and looks like she will be a future commedian. One day she may be embarrassed about the following pics, but they crack me up! I almost peed my pants laughing so hard at the images!

This one is more normal. She is reaching for the camera. She likes grown-up toys! Does the bow look familiar?

This one she is laughing and smiling so prettily, but I cut off part of her face because I wasn't looking through the viewer. I was doing whatever I could to make her laugh and clicking the button.

This is the start of the series.

I actually think I have a baby pic of myself making this same face! How coincidental. It isn't the cutest, but it is funny!

Here she was in the middle of making her motor boat noise.

Don't you love her shirt. Hmmm....I wonder who purchased this for her. Did I here a GiGi? I really do love it! It is adorable!

She discovered she really likes the tree and ornaments. Good thing she isn't crawling yet!

This one fits perfectly in her hand! And it is shiny. She really loves anything shiny...wonder where that came from?!

Ho Ho Ho!

2009-12-09T21:09:00.003-06:00

As I promised before, here is Makenna with Santa. This was the very first pic they took. After this, she looked at me confused, then cried. It was nap time, she hadn't really had her morning nap, so she was tired. I thought this was pretty sweet though of them looking at each other.

Christmas cards have gone out with our family pic. I hope I didn't forget anyone. Please let me know if you haven't received yours in a few days. We went last Saturday and had our pics made. It was a mess! Although we made an apt, we had to wait an hour. Makenna held up pretty well and we got a great fam pic, and one of her by herself. I have also taken some cute pics of her dressed up in Christmas gear, but my card isn't working in the computer tower. Not sure what is up with that. I would ask Brady for help, but he has his headphones on, listening to music and playing Play Station. Makenna is very snotty, and it is starting to turn green. I have her elevated, the vapor mist going, I'm sucking snot out, and using the nasal spray. Any other ideas? Should I take her in...although we went to the dr Monday to get her round 2 flu shot. I'm so glad that tomorrow is Thursday! That means a fun Office Christmas episode! I loved last weeks...Dwight "In a perfect world I would have 10 fingers on my left hand so that I could use my right hand for punching." He cracks me up!

Gobble, Gobble!

2009-12-08T16:50:00.004-06:00

Makenna had her very first Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful week! We got to see lots of family, and she said her 2nd word....dadda!! Now all the time it is daddadaadaadaa. Occasionally there will be a momma. Here are a lot of pics. Not much time to type, so I will keep it simple.
Our family!

The only 2 girl greats. Makenna ans Elaina.

Everyone on the Wilkirson side....all 27 of us!

Our growing family.

Meo and Uncle JoJo.

All the greats.

Makenna and Logan. Both of their first Thanksgiving!

GiGi and Pops!

Meme and Papa. They forgot to pose.

Auntie Dee and cousin Scott. It was reaaly hard to get him to smile! He is off to training for the marines. Prayers for him are appreciated!

Aunti Dee (my sister).

Granny Mart gave Makenna a tube to play with and she loved it!

Papaw gave her a singing dog. She loved playing with it!

Makenna and Logan's first meeting. She talked and screamed at him (in a happy way). Her loudness scared the poor little guy! Makenna loud and talkative, hmmmm, imagine that!

Bath Fun

2009-11-24T22:15:00.005-06:00

Tonight we tried a new bath chair that Moni let us borrow. I wasn't sure if Makenna was going to like it, but take a look below!

She had a blast! Back at Halloween, Milea gave Makenna this really fun bath toy that is a fountain. Makenna has been playing with it the past couple of weeks, but tonight she had more freedom to really grab at it!

You would think that the water spraying her in the face would bother her, but it hasn't yet! She is such a sport!

I was looking back at her very first bath pics. She has grown soooo much in so many ways! She was so tiny, and angry at the whole ordeal! I can't beleive all the dark hair she had.

7 Months Old Today!!

2009-11-23T21:20:00.006-06:00

To celebrate Makenna turning 7 months old, we did a lot more shopping! We also visited Santa Clause. Makenna was very patient during our short wait and was amused and laughing out loud at the little girl (about 10) behind us who wore a santa hat! When we got up there, I handed her over and she just stared at Santa. That is the cute picture we kept. Then she started crying after a good minute or so. She was already very tired and it was close to lunch time. After I picked her up and gave her back her dolly, she was happy again and went to chewing on the dolls braids. I purchased the pic on a cd so that I have copy rights, but I am intentially not showing the pic yet. Stay tuned! We stayed a good long time at the mall. We had lunch with our friends, then we went to the little kid playground. On the way we stopped at Gymboree and Makenna fell asleep as I bounced her in my arms. She took a good 45 min nap or so. Then it was time to nurse. Not just for me, but also for the other 2 out of 3 moms I was with. So what did we do? We three sat side by side on a bench and nursed our babies under our Hooter Hiders! My friend Cara even had the exact one as I did. It was quite a sight! We really were discreet and didn't draw any attention to ourselves.

Then we headed off to do some more shopping. One of our many visits was to JoAnns Fabric to look for supplies to make a stocking. I did not have any luck. None of the employees could help me. I befriended some grandma who I enlisted, not intentially, to help me find fabric. I had no such luck. Our next stop was to a boutique called Apple Annie's. It is a super cute home decor cutsie shop. I ended up finding a stocking that I envisioned in my head and knew it was the one as soon as I saw it! Here it is below. I just need to get it monogrammed which may be tricky because of the fabric. Sorry Laura that I won't be able to help you out. :( You should definitely go for it!

Saturday I found the cutest bow and socks for Christmas! The bow is from a store in FW called Spoiled Pink. It is a super cute shop with lots of girlie stuff. Can't you tell by the name?! The socks are from Swoozies. They have a lot of cute things! I found a cute top from GAP today. I had the most difficult time finding a Christmas shirt for Makenna. There isn't hardly anything for little girls her size!

This is the first pic I ever posted when I began to blog. She has changed sooo much!! I really can't believe that she is already 7 months old! Baby Center emailed me the 7-12 month milestones. I was reading it with Brady and I was telling him that I cannot envision our little angel walking! She is my sweet little baby. The thought of it just blows my mind away!

Christmas Time Phase 1

2009-11-22T20:20:00.002-06:00

We put up our tree tonight! I am sooo ready for the Christmas season! All the smells, food, and shopping to buy people the perfect gifts! Dr. Seuss's The Grinch Who Stole Christmas was on t.v. tonight and helped to put me more in a decorating mood. I have a fetish about Christmas movies. I love them!! We did some shopping this weekend and got some really cute things! Tomorrow we are going to the mall to see Santa! I am meeting 4 other friends with their kids for lunch, then we will see Santa. I searched yesterday for the perfect shoes and found them at Nordstrom Off the Rack. I found the perfect velvet bows today at Kids to Kids in Keller, plus some black tights. Karen, my wonderful mother-in-law who is always planning ahead, bought Makenna the cutest Christmas dress back in January on mega clearance!

Here is her cute dress below!

Tonight I introduce Makenna to apple juice. She loooooved it!!! I didn't give her very much, and of course added lots of water. She sucked it down! I also introduced Apricots and Apples, which she loved. When it came time for her 4:00 snack which is yogurt, I had to give her my strawberry shortcake Yoplait yogurt. I had planned on going to the store to buy her more Yo Baby, but we fell asleep together during the window of time I had, and woke up right at 4. So all I had was my strawberry shortcake. She had never tasted anything like it before, but she absolutely looooooved it! Afterwards, I did go to the store and buy more Yo Baby. I debated btw the strawberry-banana/strawberry-apple pkg, and the vanilla/banana pkg. I went for the latter because I know she loves it.

She barely would take her sippy cup out of her mouth!

See, I didn't give her very much of it.

Makenna also took a little nap with Daddy today during the Cowboy game while I went bow shopping. She enjoyed watching until sleep got the better of her. Of course Daddy did not sleep!

I have had a dilemma about getting her a stocking. I have looked in many stores and online. I haven't found the perfect one yet that I want to have monogrammed. As I lay in bed at 6 AM this morning nursing Makenna, it hit me. I can make it! I don't know why I couldn't do it. Find a pattern, cute it out, sew it....A cinch! So I have been designing it in my head all day. I am hoping to make it this week. I guess we will see!

We made it!!!

2009-11-20T19:34:00.003-06:00

So glad that today was the last day before Thanksgiving break!!! Whew! I know I can make it to Christmas, then that will be half the school year over! Crazy, huh? I am very excited about this week because I get to spend the entire week with Makenna! Also, FOOD! And SHOPPING!!! I am so ready to start. Still trying ti work out the kinks for Black Friday. It is a tradition every year that we meet at Whataburger at like 4AM to be at the first store before they open at 5AM. Now with Makenna this year, I'm scratching my head trying to figure it all out with the nursing and pumping. Here are a few pics of this past Monday when GiGi came to visit for the day. We tried to dress her appropriately! If only her shirt said "GiGi" instead. Glitter fell from the tutu and landed everywhere!! It was worth the cute pics we got! :)

6 month Pics are in!

2009-11-17T21:06:00.003-06:00

I have several cute pics and a couple of videos to blog, but tonight I will just share the link to see Makenna's 6 mo pics. Jessica did a FABULOUS job! She has a new and improved blog. Here is the link to see Makenna's pics! Thanks Jess!
http://jbaileyphotography.com/blog/?p=142

Clickety Clackity

2009-11-15T21:18:00.005-06:00

Here are two beautiful pics that Moni took last week. Makenna apparently loves this car thing that you push her in. She gets to steer where she wants to go. Once Makenna gets old enough, I will most definitely buy her a Power Wheel car of some sort because that is what every good mother does! :) Or maybe I want her to have one because I never did...

Yesterday we tried a new meal. She loved it! I was afraid she wouldn't like the meat, but she gulped it down!
I forgot to blog about our mall trip last Saturday. We walk in as soon as the mall opens to beat the crowd. We always park by Macy's because it is more centrally located. As soon as we walk out of Macy's, we see all these roped off lines, a stage with a runway, and a photography station set up complete with the black backdrop. And there were a lot of people there! We walk closer to the front of the mess and we see signs that say "Children's Model Search". I ask Brady immediately if we should enter Makenna in! He says he isn't sticking around to participate. We were there on a quick mission to buy Brady some new jeans. He wanted to get in and out as soon as possible. So we walk around and I keep thinking about it. We finish our shopping and head back towards Macy's. By this time there are hundreds of parents and kids! There were also several women dressed in their black aprons walking around handing out forms. I jut new they would approach us and beg us to sign up our gorgeous daughter! Me feeling were a little hurt that they did not. We left the mall and I still considered it, so I called Deborah to get her opinion. After talking to Carrie Cooley www.thecooleyfam.blogspot.com later, because she was going to enter in her daughter Reese, kids have to be older than a year. That made me feel better about not getting asked to participate! So we decided that maybe next year we will enter in Makenna and Reese!

Below is a video of Makenna clicking her tongue. She is loving all mouth noises! Tonight she soaked my shirt by making tooting noises! She also really loved her bath again! Woohoo! Tomorrow will be a fun day with the Gig!

Oh My Makenna

2009-11-12T19:51:00.004-06:00

I gave Makenna a teething biscuit for the first time yesterday. She had had one before at Moni's. This was my first time to see her. She loooooved it! She ate the entire thing. There were some small pieces stuck all over her, but she woofed it down!

Today I dressed Makenna in another warm outfit since it has been so warm this week. It will be her last time to wear it. I found some cute shoes that she has worn once and put them on her. She looked adorable! Of course they didn't last long on her feet over at Moni's.

We have been practicing getting on our hands and knees. Yesterday I really noticed that she stayed for a prolonged amount of time. This is us doing it again today.

She really looks like she's headed for the Sonic cup! She loves any to-go cup. I was hoping to entice her to crawl! It almost worked.

Although she isn't crawling, she is sitting up very well!!

We had to take a bath tonight because she had banana all over her. The last few weeks she has HATED her baths. Tonight she LOVED it! She never cried, but actually laughed! She was making huge splashes with her hands. Water was all over the big tub and the floor. She was really having a hay day. She also loved her 3 duckies. She tried to grab all of them and eat them. On her next bath, I will try some of her other fun toys. I wish I had videod her bath because it was so much fun to watch her. Who woulda thunk it? I will video her next one just in case she has the same amount of fun!

Good news...I may get to keep my refrigerator in my classroom! This has been an ongoing saga for me and my colleagues. I really need mine for my breastmilk. I will have to fill out a medical form and wait for approval, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! The rest of them have to be out by Thanksgiving break. I have a huge sign on mine that says "This fridge contains Breastmilk!" With Breastmilk underlined several times. Hopefully if they come check our rooms over the break they will see my sign and understand. More updates to follow!

What a Mess!

2009-11-10T20:19:00.004-06:00

Makenna decided that she was going to be very messy Sunday night! I love her look here. Who me? I didn't do anything.

Here are some pics from the birthday party on Saturday. I didn't get very many and the kids wouldn't cooperate. Here is a series of pics of Makenna in her party hat. Carrie is helping to hold her. The first one Makenna is sitting by herself.

You can see orange stains all over her dress above. As soon as we got in the car and got buckled in, she spit up her lunch! I didn't care at this point. I just tried to wipe most of it off and got goin'.

Not a lot of exciting things has happened the last couple of days since she was drenched in Dr. Pepper! She really tried to eat my Chipotle tonight. She even stuck her hand in my burrito and grabbed some filling! She didn't eat it though. I did put a pin drop of guacamole (without any other add-in) on my finger and put it in her mouth. She didn't care much for it. She will be 7 months old on the 23rd. Should I be giving her some stage 2 foods with meat now? Her dr said we could move on to that, but not sure exactly when. I am considering giving her her first meat meal of turkey on Thanksgiving. I thought it would be appropriate. I know that I have seen those baby food jars of turkey and stuffing. That stuff stinks that worst though! Any thoughts?

Happy Veteran's Day tomorrow! I am very thankful for all the men and women who have sacrificed to keep our country safe and to protect our freedoms, including my Papa who served in the Navy during the Korean War. Thanks Papa for your hard work and sacrifice! I love you! My cousin Scott will be going to bootcamp in January to be a Marine. I pray continually for his safety and am very proud of his selfless choice!

Other Random Pics from the Past 2 Weeks

2009-11-03T21:37:00.003-06:00

I totally meant to post this blog on Thursday...Friday at the latest. Ooops! It has been very busy as usual. I will go ahead at share events from the weekend. We went to a birthday party for a boy turning 1 and Makenna got to wear a party hat! It was cute! Saturday night, we went with Kevin and Debo to IHOP to eat dinner. I have been dying to try the Holiday Pancakes! I had gingerbread and they were delicious!! You know that fear that every mother has while out to eat about a waiter or waitress dropping a tray of food or drinks on their baby? Well it happened! Our waitress totally dropped a Dr. Pepper on Makenna! Luckily the glass didn't fall on her. It stayed on the tray and most of the ice cold drink and ice cubes fell in her lap. I am very thankful nothing landed on her head, and that it wasn't anything hot! I could have easily freaked out, but I didn't. The waitress freaked out WAY more! She felt awful, and I felt bad for her. Makenna cried a little I think out of shock and the cold wetness on her legs. I picked her up, stripped her down, and she was happy as a lark! Luckily I had a whole other outfit complete with a new bow in her bag and everything was good again. We had to completely dump her carrier out and wash her cover, but in the long run, it all turned out fine.

Here is Makenna with Abby, Granny Mart and Papaw's dog a couple of weekends ago. Makenna enjoyed playing with her!

It looks like they are having a staring contest. I think Makenna won!

One lazy Saturday we sat around in our comfy p.j.'s and played!

She was sooo happy!

She was loving relaxing with her Daddy. She kept patting him to make sure he was still there.

This is our first time to ever use our portable seat. I received it at a shower from a lady who is a grandma and she said they are wonderful. The previous weekend (2 weekends ago) I had to feed Makenna standing up at the Dodson's house. So last weekend we took this chair to the Norris's to feed her. It was great and it takes up hardly any space to travel with. Makenna wasn't so sure about it, but that is because she just wants to be held.

Tonight we went to Target to exchange 24 season 6 for season 7 because I bought the wrong one. Unfortunately they didn't have it which is a big bummer because they were on sale for $12..99 each. Amazing! Today it was back up to $37.99. Anyway, I was just browsing at the kids movies and I discovered a movie I have been searching years for!!!! Disney's a Christmas Carol!!! I loved that movie when I was a youngster and wanted it for my children. I searched really hard last year at every store, and on Amazon. I can't believe that I found it tonight! It seems silly, but it just made my week! I am sooooo ready for the Christmas season! I want to put our tree up so bad and decorate, but Brady won't let me until Thanksgiving week. I wonder how Makenna will like everything and if she will be crawling by then and get into everything......

Food Firsts

2009-11-03T21:23:00.006-06:00

Makenna has eaten a lot of new foods in the last week and a half. Likes:bananas from the container, green beans, applesauce, carrots. Dislikes: real bananas smooshed, peas, yogurt (makes her spit up).

Makenna really like any kind of cup or drinking device. She sees it and immediately wants it and goes for it!

She gets really excited about big cups!

She just needs to figure out the straw.

Although her face looks like this, she really does like them, especially mixed with her rice cereal. And especially more than her peas!

She looooooooooves her bananas!!!!!

She ate the entire tub!

She wasn't sure about this new item.

She actually really enjoyed her banana yogurt the first day. It was mainly the 3rd day she wasn't a big fan. She could have also jsut been full. But she did spit up a lot after eating it.

Tomorrow we will try banana with peaches and oatmeal. Maybe we will try the yogurt again. Some vanilla yogurt.

We bought a fun birthday gift today for a b-day party this Saturday. Makenna really wanted it for herself! So glad tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!!!!!

Pretty as a Princess

2009-11-03T21:09:00.004-06:00

This last weekend we went to have a birthday dinner to celebrate Deborah and Lauraleigh's birthdays. Here is Makenna posing with Deborah. It took a long time to get this pic because Makenna kept grabbing Deb's earings.

Grabbing the earings. She likes shiny things!!

She really loved her doll that Deborah and Kev got her for Halloween. Can you see Deb's cute baby bump?!

We are taking some fun pics at Deb's parents house. They have an amazing backyard. Makenna looks like such a big girl!!!

I love this swing they have. It is painted so cute!

Here is one of their many barns in their yard. I adore these pics! She hated sitting in the grass.

She is curious about the grass though.

She didn't quite like the swing. She was done at this point, and was hungry and tired.

My baby is so beautiful! Thanks Deborah for once again taking some amazing pics! You really should take up photography as a hobby.

Makenna had her first day with the other 2 boys at Emily's. It went very smoothly and perfectly. Makenna wasn't too clingy. All their feedings were staggered. Makenna would sit in her bumbo, and Connor, the 16 mo old, would keep bringing Makenna toys. He would put a toy on the bumbo tray, she would knock it off, and he would bring her a new toy. Apparently this went on for quite some time. So they were able to keep each other entertained. She smiles when she sees Connor. I think she may have her first crush!!

1st Halloween!

2009-11-03T20:54:00.003-06:00

I am very sorry that I have waited to blog. But just you wait because I already have 4 blogs saved that I will release the rest of the days this week! So keep checking back for some sweet pictures! The weekend before Halloween, we went to WF for Makenna's 6 mo pics. I have only seen a few, but they sure take your breath away!! I will post them later when I receive them.

While we were there, we went Trick-or-Treating to all the grand and great grandparents' houses. Makenna got lots of treats!! Below she is enjoying one of her treats from GiGi. This is her first time to try the Gerber Puffs. She still doesn't quite know what to think of them, but they sure are fun playing with in the highchair! Notice her new fall sweater with the pumpkins. She wore this in some of her 6 mo pics while we were at the pumpkin patch!

I love how the puff is hanging out of her mouth!

She is peeking into her pumpkin she got from Grandmom!

Here is our Halloween pose for pics we sent out. Her costume actually did not bother her, surprisingly.

I looooooove this of Makenna and her Daddy! This was the Friday before Halloween! Her t-shirt underneath actually has a pumpkin face on it, too!

She's walking down her runway to model her outfit!

She's definitely working it here!! I really love this pic also!!

Today, we went to visit Emily who now has Connor, 16 mo, and his baby brother Dilan, 6 weeks. Makenna will start with them tomorrow. We visited for about 30 min. during that time connor was making toot sounds with his tongue. Later this evening after we returned home, Makenna started doing it too! She had never done it before until she saw Connor do it today. It was sooo cute!! I have a feeling she will learn lots of things that little boys do! :) She may always look like a princess, but will be rough and tough underneath all the frill....hopefully! :)

Makenna's Half Birthday!!

2009-10-23T21:42:00.000-05:00

Today Makenna turned 6 months old! I cannot believe that she was born half a year ago, and that in 6 more months my baby will be a year old! Oh my! It was been the best 6 months of my life! Being a mother is truly fulfilling. I'm pretty sure God called me to be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. I want that 1950's mentality! So move over women's movement! JK!

Makenna was enjoying her sippy cup until she saw her Daddy toss a football up and down. It really got her attention. She loves her Daddy!

Makenna and Mommy's close-up.

What? I have a half birthday present? She really liked the paper!

What is it? I am so curious!

Hmmmmm.

An outfit Moni picked up in Seattle at a specialty shop. Makenna will definitely look unique and noone else will have one like it. Her first (and only) half birthday present!

Here is my journal Moni wrote for Wednesday, the day we had our 6 month check-up. She can now eat table food, yogurt, puffs, cereal, etc. She can also move to three meals a day and drink water out of a sippy cup. Eventually she will have her milk in a sippy cup at meals. She can also move to stage 2 foods. It has all happened so fast!

After I picked her up, we went shopping and met Daddy for dinner at Chile's. 2 for $20. Can't beat such a great deal! She is showing off her Juicy Coulture shirt GiGi got her in Vegas.

Here's the full outfit with her jeans Daddy picked out at Nordstrom off the Rack. Doesn't that sound like a place Brady would have a blast at?! He did a really good job! She is wearing boots for the first time.

Here is a close-up of her furry boots. It has been getting pretty chilly. I loooooove her mary jane socks, but am thinking it isn't enough to keep her footsies warm. So I picked up a couple of pairs of shoes at Babies-R-Us last weekend. I really love these because they are cream and can go with almost anything, and they are a nice sweater-like material that I think looks more classy than other boots. All for $11.99! What a great deal! She also didn't mind them.

Can't wait for her 6 month pics to be taken this weekend. Stay tuned!! There will be lots of treats for the eyes!

Going Green

2009-10-22T21:39:00.000-05:00

I am very tired, so I won't type very much. We tried peas, our first green vegie, on Wednesday. Here Makenna is posing with her peas.

She looks a little unsure!

Here is her bite.....

Here is her reaction!

And here is her "Why, Mommy?" face. She has never tight-lipped me when eating...until now!

Here we are at the dr's office posing in her room. She already got weighed and is now 15.8 lbs! She is in her 50% of weight and height. She put on over 3 lbs in 2 months! Woa girl! Daddy came to this apt. He wasn't too thrilled about being in the room when she got her 4 shots. But we all made it through okay!

Here is our chunkie monkey posing with her awesome pediatrician, Dr. Nash. She really is the best dr! She loves Makenna and that makes me happy!

We also tried a sippy cup on the same day. She was diggin' it!

The spoon was her favorite object, now it is the sippy cup! Apparantly they can have them and water starting at 6 months. Crazy, huh? She took right to it. More to come tomorrow on her 6 month birthday! I guess we need a cupcake with half a candle!