Finally...

...Mackenzie got to meet her Grandpa!! My dad's trucking company sent him on a delivery out here from the East Coast. We met up with him on Thursday in North Bend. We haven't seen my parents in 4 years! Can you believe that? I miss them so much! Mom wasn't on the truck with dad this time though so that was a bummer. It was so great to see him. Mackenzie did great meeting him. She pretty much just acted like she kinda knew him but hadn't seen him in a long time. She was reluctant to let him hold her but she sure did smile a lot and let him feed her pears. We only got to see him for a few hours but I'd give anything for 5 minutes with him. He is such a great man, and he has the kindest heart. Now, we just need to get my mom out here! We were going to fly out to Virginia this summer but since Mackenzie is having so much trouble with constant ear infections, we decided that we didn't want to make her even more uncomfortable with the cabin pressure. I'm trying to talk mom into flying out here though. Here are the pictures from their meeting!

Oh boy, here we go..

1 year check up

Mackenzie's stats at 1 year old:
Weight: 17lbs 10oz
Length: 27 3/4 inches
Head: 18 inches

Overall Mackenzie is doing great! She has lost a very tiny bit of weight since she started walking which the doctor says is normal. The doctor would like us to start weening her off of formula and bottle which we have kind of already started. She has been using sippy cups for a while now but she refuses to drink formula out of them. We also started her on organic whole milk about 2 months ago, we can't tell if she likes it or not. She doesn't refuse it but she doesn't like the coolness of it. She will drink that from a sippy cup if it's warmed a little. Picky girl. Her favorite foods are cheese sandwiches, bananas, mandarin oranges, sweet potatoes, oh and her birthday cake. We are preparing to get her the stage up car seat, still rear facing though since she hasn't hit the 20lb mark yet. She is sleeping VERY well and she now does not require me to rock her to sleep which is a very BIG blessing. I do rock her for a few minutes before laying her down. But she is awake when she is put in her crib and she will put herself to sleep. More study time for me! We will be taking her out of daycare for the summer since I will be out of school. I'm looking forward to the time with her more than you can imagine.

1 year ago today

At this very hour 1 year ago today we were awaiting the arrival of our baby girl. As I reflect back on that day my thoughts go right by the labor and straight to the first time I looked at her sweet face. Mackenzie was the most beautiful baby I had ever laid eyes on. My heart just melted when I saw her. I can't believe it's been a year. I can't believe that we waited so long for her, it seemed as though it took forever to look at the 2 pink lines and now just 1 year has gone by so very fast. I am so glad we have our blessing. Here is a picture from one year ago. Happy birthday to my sweet baby girl, you'll always be my baby. I love you so very much, I wish you enough.
Love, Mama

Cake Pictures

Here you can see a timeline of Mackenzie demolishing her cake.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/evakins/sets/72157604747611472/

The big party

Here are some of the most precious pictures from Mackenzie's birthday party today. Thank you to Uncle Jason for taking these great shots! More cake pictures to come! Mackenzie had such a great time, thank you also to everyone that came. You made her day so special!

The final month of the first year!

Gosh, it's almost here! The first birthday. Our little girl has become quite the little lady. What is new for her? Hmmmm well she was walking on her own for 2 days and now she has taken a step backwards but refuses to crawl. She only wants to walk and hold your hand. She had a double ear infection so maybe that is part of it. I came around the corner in the grocery store and ended up behind Matt and her walking down the isle of the store. Do you know where my mind went?? It flashed forward about 20 years from now when she could very well be getting walked down that isle! My heart sank. I want her to stay a baby! I don't think I could ever let her go. I refuse to and now I have made up my mind! :) A couple of other things she is doing is saying "hi" to everyone, she points and asks "what's that" in her own little way, and also tried to put her socks on her feet. She is learning how to feed herself with a fork as well. Right now we put it on her little fork and hand it to her, then she knows what to do. Here are a few pictures! Enjoy!