Oh how the years go by!

Three years ago at this very moment I was holding my baby girl for the first time. She was all I thought she would be and more. I will never forget getting to see Matt holding her and cuddling her as I was wheeled to my room. It was the most precious sight. She was about an hour old already. Mackenzie was just so beautiful and so tiny. I couldn't believe she was ours. God had given us the biggest blessing.

Today, Mackenzie is just as beautiful and still tiny! She's gotten to be a sassy girl but that will never get in the way of my love for her. I am so proud to be her mommy.
Watching her grow and learn has been an amazing experience that I know will only get better. I just wish time could slow down a little. Before we know it, she'll be grown. I say that to remind myself to cherish these moments. Even the tantrums and sleepless nights. It's hard to remember when I'm in that moment. When I see her face, I melt. I love her more than I ever thought I could love anyone.

Mackenzie,

Today you turned 3! You are such a big girl now. My love grows for you every second and I can't imagine not having you here. I love your smile, smell, and every single one of your toes. I could kiss them forever.
I love how loud you sing your ABC's.
I love your quirks.
I love that you want to snuggle before going to bed.
I love watching you play.

Here are some of your favorite things...
Your favorite thing to play right now is "store." You say "See you later, I going to the store. I going to Fred Meyer to get some grapes!"
Your song to sing is "row row your boat."
Your favorite color is pink.
Your favorite book is the Pirate Play Dora book. You learned how to count in Spanish with that book.
And, you love temporary tattoos. You can even apply them all by yourself!

You are growing into quite the little lady. I hope you never doubt how much your daddy and I love you. Always know that we are here for you, even when you think we're not. I love being your mommy and will always cherish your snuggles. I love you to the moon and back.

Simple Saturday for Project Life

I got to meet one of my blog/twitter friends yesterday! Paulina makes such awesome cards and I found that she not only makes those but makes cute note pads too. She brought me goodies and they are SUPER cute. She even brought Mackenzie some treats in a treat box she made. Mackenzie liked her a lot. Afterward Mackenzie kept saying "you got to see your friend mama!" Paulina was in town to visit and do some business with the new scrapbooking store in town. By the way this scrapbooking store has been my lifesaver this week since I'm making Mackenzie's birthday banner for her party. It's turning out very nice and I'll post a picture when it's all done!

Finally Free!

I can finally say that we are a pacifier free home.  We've been talking to Mackenzie for the last few months, or more, that the Paci Fairy will be coming by her birthday.  Well her birthday is in a couple of weeks and we cracked down this week.  It was easier than I thought it would be.  She knows that there are babies out there that need paci's and that the Paci Fairy takes care of that.  She always says she wanted to give her paci to the fairy but when it came down to it, she wanted it and, said that she "needed" it.  Tonight is the third night and she did not even ask for it!  Such a big girl!!  The Paci Fairy will be stopping by tonight with a bear that needs some snuggles.  I can't believe we didn't do this sooner.

Simple Saturday for Project Life

Mackenzie and K. Doesn't this look like it could be an album cover?! I was trying to take a picture of K and Mackenzie just had to stand in front of him. I love this though.

Easter Fun!

I have to say, Easter with an about to be 3 year old is so much fun! We let Mackenzie color eggs for the first time and she did awesome. Never spilled any of the dye. It was almost as if she knew exactly what to do.  She loved the project and was so excited to see the eggs come out a new color.

ALL 3 OF US WENT TO CHURCH Easter Sunday. If you've been following my blog you know that this is a first for us to go as a family and that it's a big deal. Matt decided to go with us and I was so full of joy. It was nice to have the three of us together there. Mackenzie's dress came with a smaller version for her babydoll.  So cute.

We had Matt's family over for dinner along with some good friends of ours. Our friends have two little boys K (2), and N (1). Mackenzie and K love to play together and have so much fun. K goes to the school that Mackenzie recently started attending. They are in the same class together too. We let them find Easter eggs outside, the weather was beautiful. A little chilly but the sun was shining! It was so much fun watching K and Mackenzie run and find eggs. They had a blast.

We finished out the day by playing Rockband. The kids loves "playing" along with their own little instruments. Matt's mom even got in on the action! She played guitar, drums, and even sang. It was a blast! I got some great videos!

Simple Saturday for Project Life

I may not be participating in all the blog stuff about Project Life but I am still taking a weekly picture and posting them on Saturday's.

Sunday wet met my brother in law, Jason, for breakfast. There was trail near the cafe' so the boys went for walk so that Jason could interview Matt for something he is working on for school. Mackenzie and I lagged behind and found a playground. We all met up again after a little while. I love this picture so much. Mackenzie loves her Uncle Jason. Watching them walk together and interact was great. Jason taught Mackenzie how to watch for bicyclists and to stand to the side of the trail. 

Adjustments & Conversations

The last couple of weeks has been a whirlwind.  I love my new job in the recover room.  There is so much to learn and I feel like such a slow poke.  I know that it will take time, especially in this position with no real experience.  I wish I could click my heels and be up to speed.  I continue to have reservations with certain things (medications) and I think it's driving some crazy. I know all will come with time but my confidence has gone out the window.  Please come back!  The hours are variable.  My first paycheck had 38.5 hours for 5 days of working.  I am having a hard time adjusting to this crazy thing called work.  Still trying to find that balance.  I am exhausted.

We also started Mackenzie at a new school this week.  It's closer to our house so I can participate in drop off/pick up. Poor thing was already having a hard time adjusting to me working and not getting home until it's time for her to go to bed.  Needless to say, I was dreading her first day at her new school.   Here is why:

1.  I actually have to do mom things like feed her breakfast and pack her lunch!  This was provided at her previous daycare.  They are a "no nut" facility so we can not take PB&J, her favorite.  No problem, we'll find something she likes! 
2.  Now I am dropping her off.  I have to be to work around 8, the earliest I can drop her off is 7, it takes an hour to get to work.  I anticipated it taking about 15 minutes the first couple of weeks to get her dropped off. 
3.  Found out on the first day that her class room is a "paci free."  I about died.  Yes I admit, she still uses it for nap/bed time.  She knows the paci fairy will be visiting soon though so we are working on it.

I want to add that I am IN LOVE with her new school.  Everyone has been so nice to us.  We got to spend a couple of hours there on Friday to prepare her.  She loved it.  The upside is that our friends take their kids there so Mackenzie already knows 2 of the kids in her class.

To my surprise everything is going so smooth for Mackenzie's transition.  Packing lunches are great, she picked out a Dora lunchbox.  We are having to get up a tad bit earlier these days to make sure she gets breakfast before we leave.  So far so good. Drop off is going great!  She willingly goes to one of the teachers and sees me off.  She cries a bit but no clinging or fighting.  I have been told that it only last a minute or two.  Hallelujah!   I drop her off right at 7 and am out of there by 7:10 and believe it or not, I have made it to work by no later than 8:10.
 

And here's the kicker.
 
She has not asked for her paci once since starting there.  She goes to sleep without it, no questions, no whining.  I can't believe it.  At home it's a different story but she doesn't ask for it until bedtime.  We keep it out of sight.  Paci fairy will be here sooner than later.  I think another Hallelujah is in order.

Switching gears:

I really need to get a journal so I can write down all of the funny things Mackenzie says.  She is the silliest girl.  Here is one of our conversations from yesterday:

Me:  Mackenzie, how many times did you go potty like a big girl today?

Mackenzie:  I went potty four seconds!