Well, Aunt Shannon just got hitched this weekend and the whole family was in town for the festivities (minus Uncle Mike, Scott, and Nic...we sure missed you). Aunt Shannon was beautiful (of course), but I was pretty darn cute myself. Oh, and my mommy looked pretty too!


Next it was my day to shine! Mommy and daddy postponed my birthday celebration until this past Sunday, September 16, so that all my great aunts and uncles could be a part of this milestone. The day began with my baptism at St. Catherine of Siena with Father Mike Mahler performing the ceremony.

I got a little bored listening to the readings, but I sure do love that Psalm 23 (it was my great-grandpa's favorite). Finally it was the time I had been waiting for...I was going to get naked and be dunked in the water. When Father Mike was done, I was so upset that I was ready to jump back in on my own. Bring on the tub toys!



I didn't get to do anymore swimming at that point in the day, but the day had just begun. Moving the days activities to Mima and Papa's house, we all gathered for a large feast provided by Bob's Barbecue--barbecue chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, salt potatoes, and rolls. Yum, yum...something I can sink my six teeth into. The best part was still yet to come!

Not only were we celebrating my birthday and baptism, but we were also celebrating the birthdays of my great-Nanny, Mima, Great Aunt Debbie, and Daddy. Here comes the cake.

I wasn't quite sure what to do at first, but after some instruction I think I finally got the hang of it. I've decided...I like chocolate better.

I also want to thank everyone for all of the great gifts that I received. I can't wait to use them all. Thank you, thank you, everyone.

It was so great to see you all and I can't wait until we do this again.

I Love You--Makenna

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAKENNA!

It's my party and I'll smile if I want to, smile if I want to, smile if I want to...

Baby's First Birthday

It's your first birthday, Makenna,

One candle on your cake;

Proud parents stare in wonder

At each new move you make.

We join in celebration,

As this special date arrives,

For baby has brought pleasure

Into all our lives.

We look forward now to seeing

How you progress and grow,

From the cute and tiny infant

You were one year ago.

So dig into your icing;

Enjoy your presents, too.

The reason for this day

Is a special person--you!
By Joanna Fuchs

Happy birthday baby girl--love Mommy and Daddy!

It's official...we are counting down to Makenna's first birthday...T minus 9 days. Look out August 30, here she comes.

Miss Makenna is certainly a thrill seeker like her mother, much like her cousin Aubrey too! Whatever she may be riding in or on is much more exciting when it goes faster. There is always the trick riding that she does on her pony at Maggie's house (what a hoot to watch...I never knew they went sideways).

You must forgive her serious expression. If she isn't smiling and showing off her four beautiful teeth (the fifth one is on its way), she's typically serious enough for all of us that you can't help but laugh.

Oh, how beautiful, our little princess! I know you won't believe it, but she's developed Russ's attitude...ok, ok, my attitude. She threw her first temper tantrum yesterday because I wouldn't let her play in the cupboard under the sink. The benefit...my kitchen floor got cleaned; all the dog hair stuck to her clothes while she rolled around. I should have known that my mother would be right...I'd have a child just like me! I am just thankful that I have blonde hair (it helps to hide the grey).

Makenna is sure to be over 20 lbs. by now. We made an impromptu visit to the doctors on July 28 (for our first real cold/illness) and she was weighing in at 19 lbs. 6.4 oz. It is unreal to think that she is four times the weight she was when we brought her home. As a side note, a friend of mine just had twins (Cora and Kate) on May 24 (6 weeks early) and the largest was the same size as Makenna was. When I held Cora, I was in denial that Makenna was ever that small.

To all of you who have yet to have children of your own--trust your mothers, aunts, grandmothers, etc.--time really does go fast. Cherish it, all of it!

It was time for Makenna's first haircut (her bangs were getting too long). I think that she looks so much older than she is. I have been warned that the boys will be knocking on our door in no time. My response..."I know where daddy's gun is, and I know how to use it!" Those boys better look out...you don't ever want to mess with anyone's mama!

Family and friends...save the date! In conjunction with Shannon's wedding on September 15, we will have a baptism (1:00 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena) and a 1st birthday party for Princess Makenna on Sunday, September 16. Details to follow.

Until then, god bless. We'll see you soon.

Despite overcast skies and a little bit of rain (more in some areas than others), we spent a delightful Sunday afternoon at Sandy Cove. And although Russ thought that the water was a little too cold, Makenna didn't seem to mind...everytime you tried to take her out, she wanted to go back in.

The kid is fearless of water! She spent so much time in her floaties that her feet looked like little prunes...so impressive for such a little tyke.

Thank you Greg for all of the great pictures...next time we should remember our camera!

Makenna enjoyed her first wagon ride today thanks to Papa. I think she wanted to go faster, but she couldn't find the accelerator.

Happy 4th of July!

Although Makenna's first Independence Day brought lots of rain and unseasonably cool weather, she often sports the colors of this great nation. God Bless everyone, especially those who serve and protect (past, present, and future) our home, the USA!


As for her milestones, once she got going she doesn't want to stop.

• May 22 -- (one week before her 9 mo. appointment with Dr. Rao) two bottom teeth emerged


• Jun 16 -- (day before Father's Day) and she's off...she's mastered crawling and won't let anything stand in her way (ok, so we were wrong about her skipping the crawling phase)


• July 2 -- now that she's found how quickly she can get around, Makenna's beginning to pull herself up on her feet (I can't imagine how tired Russ will be when she starts walking...he thinks she moves too fast now!)

Makenna scored excellent marks at her May 29 appointment with Dr. Rao. She is currently weighing in at 18 lbs. 3.2 oz. and is a lenghty 27 inches.

Makenna, lovingly nicknamed "Pickle" (resulting from the independent, I want that and I want it now personality that she is developing), is the light of our lives; she always has a smile on hand, ready to brighten your day. Although she may be a "mommy's girl" most of the time, she certainly has a place in her daddy's heart (and arms).

We can't wait to see everyone for the wedding festivities in September and will save some time to hold a family first birthday celebration for our princess.

For those of you who have been waiting patiently for the next post, here it is. (I know, I know...I have been really bad about keeping up with it...I will try to do better!)

Makenna will be 36 weeks this Wednesday (can you believe it, 36 weeks already) and has been reaching milestones left and right. Once she mastered the rolling over, there's no keeping her in one place for too long. We're not quite crawling yet, as she prefers to just creep across the floor. Russ and I are thinking that she will skip the crawling phase and go straight to walking (she's been standing since she was 3 mo. old).

Still no teeth. However, she has been keeping me up a lot during the nights. It shouldn't be long now...Dr. Rao was thinking that she'd have them in a couple of weeks and that was at her Feb. 27 appointment. She is growing by leaps and bounds. We have no idea how much she weighs, but I would guess that she is at least 20 lbs.

What an angel. We are so blessed to have Makenna in our lives. We try to take lots of pictures, but Makenna gets upset with the flash all the time. What an expression!

Mommy and Daddy do get to go out every once in a while, but we usually have Ms. Makenna in tow. You'd never know it, she hardly makes a peep. (If all babies were like this, I'd have a dozen. Ok, maybe not that many, but I couldn't ask for anything more perfect.)

Well, it's late so I am off to bed. We'll catch up soon. Don't forget, she'll be watching you.

Grandchildren therapy

After returning from Aruba, Mima was in dire need of spending some quality time with her granddaughters. And of course, Aubrey is always ready to lend a helping hand when it comes to caring for her cousin-sister, Makenna.

I find Aubrey to be extremely helpful, especially during these past few months. Though Makenna always seems to be in good spirits, she is teething and you can tell that it is painful. With any luck, she will have a beautiful smile like her cousin.

Gorgeous! My two angels will be the talk of the town.

Wow, I can't believe it. Our little princess is growing up so fast. Everyone always said they did, and I've seen it with Aubrey, but it didn't really hit home until I had one of my own.

As most of you know, Makenna almost slept through her first Christmas. Glad she didn't miss all the family and fun! I'm relieved that she wasn't in attendance for karaoke night and isn't haunted by the singing of Scott :)

Well, she can't stop smiling (ear to ear) and always seems to be in excellent spirits. We just had our 6 month well visit with Dr. Rao (same doctor that used to keep me healthy). Makenna has really blossomed; she is weighing in at 15 lbs. 3.2 oz. and is 25 1/4" tall. It must be all the solid foods that she is eating. It's even made her hair grow to amazing lengths.

Now that she has learned to control her hands, I sometimes find it difficult to feed her as she is always trying to do it herself. Little miss independent!

February 14, Valentine's Day, brought several feet of snow to the area. However, we all made the best of it and spent a cozy day at home together. Makenna donned a knitted sweater set that a close colleague of mine made especially for her. I'll miss her when she retires in a couple of months.

Take care and God bless!