ZOO DAY

Sunday, May 4th
It was going to be a gorgeous day so I took Mackenzie to the zoo. We got there almost an hour after it opened and stayed for just a couple hours. Our first stop was the elephants, we didn't get to those the last time we were there. She had difficulty looking at them out in the yard, too busy looking at the plants that were right in front of her. We went inside where a large elephant was and she spotted him. Oh boy! I had her in my arms and she was clutching on to me and was not taking her eyes off of him. At one point there was a pole in her way and I caught her creening her neck to see around it. We stared at him for awhile.
Right after that there were some goats to pet so we went in and did that. I think she just thought they were doggies. We went by and saw 2 hippos out and she most likely just thought they were 2 large boulders laying there. If the animals aren't moving around right in front of her she basically doesn't see them. She enjoyed the bats and small birds. They seem to have the most action. Oh and she did stare at the polar bear for a little bit. We also rode the zoo train which she enjoyed that too.
It was a nice day just to hang as the 2 of us. I know she won't remember it but I certainly will.

There is a giraffe and 3 gazelles. I was so hoping he would come over but of course he stayed to the other side.

Loving the Yellow

Friday night I was out doing a little yard work and Mackenzie was outside with me. And wouldn't you know it she went right over and picked one of my new yellow pansies I had just planted the night before! She seems to be attracted to yellow. I should have kept all the dandelions we had in our yard just for her plucking! I will say at least the flower does not go to waste, she hangs on to it for a very long time.

Here is a video of our tap-dancing wind up toy.

Lip Taste Good? 5 months old

I was browsing through some past videos of Mackenzie. This one caught my attention. I like how she's discovered tasting her lip. Although I feel we didn't take a ton of footage at this age, I am very grateful for what I did capture. It did go by fast and it's nice to go back and look at it but I'm so glad to be moving forward with her and not be back at this stage again.

My first choice wasn't to use YOUTUBE as a source for my video but I have been trying to post a video on her blog for some time now and can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. So I signed up with YouTube and didn't post any personal info. Worked just fine through this site. Yea!

April 21st

Had to show off the teef! Seems like not too long ago all I would see is a gummy smile.

Mackenzie has been under the weather but mostly in her diaper area, if you know what I mean. She still has been happy and in a good mood. I took these last night. Mostly she will not smile at the camera but I found that my saying "uuuuuup?" I would get a chuckle out of her. It's weird the things that will get a kid to smile.


She's 16 months and babbling a lot more then she was just a month ago. Not talking yet but she seems like she thinks she is.

I am now starting to notice new things where a month ago we hadn't really seen anything new for quite some time. She is now getting up on the couches and climbing off pretty well. Hiding under the coffee table, playing in the water dispenser on the front of the fridge; good thing ours locks. Spinning in circles, bringing things to us and then throwing them at us. And the latest is putting her DVD's BACK on the shelf. Yes, I said back. Not neatly, but she is trying to stack them on the shelf as opposed to leaving them all over the floor like she has been.

We have 3 different rooms that she has her toys in. It used to be-go to a room-play with toys-make mess-go to next room. Now it's go to a room-play with toys-make mess-and carry toys into other rooms. It didn't seem so bad before on picking the toys up. Now I spend more time sorting before getting them put away. I'm sure it's the same in other households, just new in ours.

OUR FAMILY

Here is a recent picture taken. Mackenzie is 16 months old and she is at that age right now where she doesn't care to look at the camera. Too much going on around her!

Enjoying the great outdoors in APRIL!

Today we went to a little friend of ours 3 year old birthday party. The weather was great, 75 degrees here today and the party ended up being more outside then in. Mackenzie explored and explored AND explored!

OUT IN THE BACK YARD

Thursday night I was out back preparing to mow the yard and I took Mackenzie out there with me. She loves being outside, especially after being indoors for so many months. Mackenzie made a beeline for the fence where some bright yellow dandelions were growing. She sat down and picked them then proceeded to wander all over the yard with them, never setting them down. At one point she was picking up rocks and trying to do that without putting down her flowers. She even brought them inside with her but then quickly released them when I spilled out a few cheerios for her to snack on. I know most kids at this age pack small things around in hands, as I did as well. Most of my childhood I did that and I have heard a story of my brother quoting me, "I'm going to see what I can." I see myself in her in so many ways!

GIVING UP A SMILE

Mackenzie is under the weather right now but still managed to flash me a smile tonight. She has been getting her molars in which is adding up to about a total of 12 teeth.

Enjoying the Spring

Mackenzie loves being outside and it's not often enough that she gets out there. She enjoyed playing with the small river rocks we have out back. She kept carrying one in each hand, she even brought them inside and packed them around. I guess I could just get her a box of rocks for her birthday this year. hehe
Snapped these pics of her today, out enjoying the nice sunshine that showed up.

EASTER 2008 - 15 months

We colored a few eggs on Friday night. Mackenzie wanted to play more in the colored water then anything. Still too young to enjoy it but we colored them for the EB anyway.

Easter Bunny came a day early to our house this year. Mackenzie enjoyed digging in her basket to see what he brought her.

EASTER BUNNY

Went to the Outlet Mall today and the Easter Bunny was there. Mackenzie was curious at first but as we approached she didn't want anything to do with the bunny. Mean ole Mom!

February 18th 2008

Mackenzie is 14 months old. She is walking about and talking. Well, it's her language only. She hasn't said a word we recognize yet. She did the whole Da-da thing awhile ago but we believe it was just her making noises. She does clap and wave bye-bye and gives kisses. More like an open mouth kiss but she understands what it is and I will take them anyway I can get them. Even sloppy! She is also starting these loud squeals and I've heard them now at home, in the car and at the grocery stores. Yesterday she was doing it at the grocery store and an aisle over I heard another baby return the sound. They did that for awhile.

Today it was such a nice day outside I was able to take her out for a stroll to the small park in our neighborhood. She loves walking around and is on the constant go if we let her. Also picking up many things she can get her little hands on.

SNOW ON FEBRUARY 2ND

Mackenzie had more smiles this time around in the snow. We were surprised to wake up this morning to it. So we got out in it asap, never lasts long around here. She has a little bit of a hard time moving around in the bulky clothing. Im sure by next season she'll be out there running and rolling around in it. We hope it snows more tonight.

SWIMMING

These were taken in the pool at the resort. It was a nice getaway and we even had Haystack Rock right outside our balcony window.

This picture was taken in our room. Complimentary robes for us and I brought one from home for Mackenzie that she finally got to wear. It was nice taking a big bubble bath with Mackenzie.

Sad news for us

Steve and I recently received some hard news. I was 5 1/2 months pregnant and the baby boy we were expecting in early June was not going to be able to go to full term. It was devastating news for us and the last 2 weeks have been very difficult.

Just this last week the 3 of us took off for Cannon Beach for a couple days. We stayed at a real nice resort that was right on the beach. Our room was great and the get away was just what we needed. We took Mackenzie on the carousel and also went to an arcade and she rode the horsey machine there as well.