Ok, so I am not keeping up my end of the bargain. I've lost track of the number of times I have been harrassed about the blog and the lack of updates. SORRY :)

Well, so many things have happened since February that I don't know where to begin. In early March, Russ and I took a 10-day cruise to the Panama Canal and left Makenna in the care of her 'surrogate' parents John and Stephanie Crockett. Now the Crockett's just got married in September of 2007, so parenting was a first for them. I think Makenna's good nature gave John a warped sense of how well-behaved children are (Stephanie used to nanny for several families in the Rochester area and is familiar with the antics of children).



As for Eva, Makenna's presence took a little more getting used to.



Mid-May brought the arrival of my nephew, Matthew Joseph Flynn. Proud big-sister and protector of the little one's near and dear to her (including Ms. Makenna), Aubrey Lee takes her turn cuddling with MJ.



I wish that I had some updated pictures of Matthew...you would'nt believe how he's grown. The boy is a few days shy of 5 months and is wearing 12 month clothing. If I recall, he is closing in on the 20 lb. mark (not far behind Makenna's 26 lbs.).

In early summer we received a bunch of great hand-me-down toys, which Makenna loves to play in daily.



Summer was spectacular! The warm days gave Makenna the opportunity to spend a lot of time in the water (and she loves it)! Whether it is in a pool, on the lake, or running through a sprinkler, if there's water Makenna will be there.



(However, she doesn't like to have dirty feet)

On August 30, Makenna turned two. I thought we might get lucky and skip the terrible two's...well, we weren't that lucky. She has her moments but for the most part, tends to be a very independent and helpful little girl. We are currently in the middle of a kitchen remodel and she is always willing to lend a hand (especially when it comes to sweeping).

A week after her second birthday, during an attempt to carry her baby doll and blanket up the stairs, she slipped and broke her right arm. The cast (which she had for three weeks) didn't stop her as she just found new ways to climb with her over-sized appendage. The hardest part was keeping her out of the water!

To wrap things up, Makenna started at the Cornell Child Care Center today. Last night we took a bath in preparation for the start of the new week and her new 'school'. What a little princess!



More soon...I promise!

Well, Makenna officially began walking on October 8 and now we can't keep her still (I'm not surprised). She is so full of energy and seems to be fearless. To prove how fearless she is, we often find her trying to scale the brick fireplace surrounding (I believe she thinks this is her own personal climbing wall).

When Halloween rolled around we were geared up and ready to go...our little girl made her debut as Piglet.

On November 30, we took a trip to Utica, NY for the Polar Express train ride. What a time! So Makenna was a little young to understand, but Aubrey really enjoyed it. Makenna did enjoy lunch at Chuck E. Cheeses. She was however, afraid of Santa (poor guy).

For Christmas, Makenna made out like a bandit. It was great that she had more of an interest in opening gifts (at least the interesting toys...I don't think she'll start caring about the clothes until she's twelve or so).

The three Emerson's rang in the New Year at home...we we're all asleep by 11:30 p.m. How pathetic...you'd think we were old or something :)

Makenna is learning new words everyday. I was a little shocked though when she told me "no way" for the first time. Aside from her rebelious attitude, she loves to give hugs and kisses. It is so cute...I can't imagine life without her. It will be hard to leave her for 10 days while Russ and I head to the Panama Canal (at least she'll be with great people).