Looking Back at 2010

What a year. Most would agree that we packed quite a bit into this past year. We brought in the year on a Florida beach while on our honeymoon. Upon our return we received news that Evan survived the lay offs. I was 4 months pregnant when I turned 26 years old- an experience I never thought I would be blessed enough to experience. Evan brought in 28 years as we discussed buying a house on Tumwater hill. Weeks before Makenna's birth we took a "mini-moon" down to Seaside, Oregon- which marked my first time visiting the state. Thankfully, we closed on our first house on Tumwater hill just 3 days before Makenna was born. On June 29th we welcomed our healthy baby girl into the world. Makenna Skyler's birth and the moments since then have been the highlights of our year. The beginning of September I began nannying for our friends, allowing us to avoid putting Makenna in daycare while enjoying seeing Makenna & Lucas' friendship blossom. On September 18th we held our Celebration of Love with family and friends, showing off the newest member of the family. Makenna dressed as a ladybug "trick or treated" for the first time. We handed out our first pieces of candy from our very own home to "treaters". Thanksgiving we spent with extended family at Aunt Renee & Uncle Chuck's. Makenna's first Christmas overflowed with love as, Gran joined the rest of the family in celebrating the holiday. We enjoyed yet another delicious meal with family over the holiday, although some members were absent. Smathered through those last 6 months Makenna starting sleeping through the night, gained nearly 10 lbs., started eating solids, started drinking water from a cup, smiles from ear to ear, babbles non-stop, is able to sit up unassisted, gives raspberries, blows bubbles on her lips and is able to roll over. 2010 has definitely been a memorable year. I can't imagine how it can be topped. Here's to 2010 a year full of great memories, lessons learned, tears shed in joy and sorrow, growth of character, new love and here's to the possibilities that 2011 has in store for us! Love and blessing to you and yours in the new year and always.

Half a Year Old

Makenna is six months old. Wow! This milestone seemed so far off as we enjoyed the heat of the summer with our tiny baby girl. The thought of her sitting on her own, babbling sweet nothings, smiling, rolling and eating solids seemed to happen with a blink of an eye. We are further exploring the world of solids and are now eating: plain rice cereal, rice cereal with apple, avocado, sweet potato, carrots and peaches (although Makenna is not a fan she is more apt to eat it when mixed with cereal). Makenna is also drinking water, but she hasn't quite figured out the sippy cup and a bottle is just too "juvenile". So Makenna drinks from a cup. She has really figured it out over the past week and just cracks us up watching her and the amount of backwash it produces! We are adjusting to the change in her diapers. How I miss the days of breast milk poops. Onward we go though as our little girl grows up. Over the past week or so her tongue seems to be on the outside of her mouth more than in. :) The child is also fascinated with textures, running her hands over anything nearby. You can imagine her joy in having the Christmas tree to play with. Her 6 month well-baby check-up is on Monday and I am looking forward to see numerically how much she has grown. As always, the shots are not something to look forward to.

Day 25- MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

A freshly groomed Wayne dog poised and ready to assist in the opening of presents!

Merry Christmas Makenna!!

Day 24

Santa arrived early at Grandma & Grandpa's! Makenna with her first doll! Notice how she is pulling its hair. She sure knows how to make friends! :)

Day 23

This is what I came home to after making a quick run to get dinner :)

Day 22

Serious about cereal.

Day 21

"All I want for Christmas is to WALK like Lucas!!" - Makenna's conversation to Santa :)

Day 20

"I don't wanna play the piano momma!!" - ode to my childhood :) hahaha

Day 19

Toes are suitable replacements for her entire fist! :)

Day 18

In lieu of a very momentous occasion for Day 18 of Makenna's photographic advent I am posting multiple photos and including others beside Miss Makenna.

Today Makenna met for the first time my dear friend Megs (she was my neighbor when I first moved to Anacortes), her husband Jonathon & their daughter Harlow, who is only one month younger than Makenna!! It had been 2 long years since our last meeting and it did my heart good to see my dear friend!






Hopefully the girls won't spend their entire childhood living states away from one another- we are working on Jonathon!! Until that time however they will remain cross country buddies and little pen pals!

Day 17

Visiting the Christmas Tree at the Capital :)

Day 16

First taste of carrots. Verdict is in....she approves!

Day 15

Day 14

Day 13

Day 12

Chewing on her Seahawk!

Day 11

Day 10

Day 9

Day 8

Day 7

"What happens at Grandma's stays at Grandma's!" - so true :)

Day 6

Day 5

Day 4

Makenna's first snowshoe outing!

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

24 Days of Christmas!!

I have decided to take on quite the project. Am I crazy for adding to my already full load???- probably! I always loved as a child having something to look forward to in my advent calendar- okay honestly this is the first year I won't go running to my calendar to see what goodies my mom had in store for me those 24 days leading up to Christmas. It is now my turn to ensure Makenna has her own special memories surrounding the felt advent calendar. For the next 24 days this blog will also serve as an advent calendar of sorts. At the end of each day will be a photo of Makenna from that day. What better treat than a snap shot of our precious Makenna! Hopefully, for those that stop in from time to time to see what we've been up to, you won't be too bombarded by these daily posts. It's my hope it will be a sweet way to end each day- a glimpse of Makenna. So with that, Happy 1st of December and the first day of Makenna's photographic advent. :)

Flirty Five Month Old

Makenna has entered into her 5th month. Some things remain the same, while other aspects of our little one are changing- too quickly I may add! First off she can barely fit into some of her 3 month wardrobe comfortably, while 6 month garments have a little wiggle room. She is still the life of any party. She loves being around people and even being passed from person to person. Still a lover of music demanding it be on during car & stroller rides. She can roll over now in both direction and from stomach to back and vice versa, however she doesn't roll very often. Tummy time lasts only so long now before she gets quite upset about not being able to crawl. Personally, I think she only wants to jump up and start running. She is still sleeping great at night. Usually asleep by 8-8:15pm and awakes Monday-Friday at 6:15am. This past weekend when left to her own devices she slept until 7:40am two mornings in a row!!! We are very very blessed. Enough with the bragging. Just last night I made my first batch of baby food (carrots, bananas, & avocados). Makenna is still just eating rice cereal, but the rest is soon to come. One thing has not changed since her birth...she is a joy and her smile lights up all that encounter her.