Sunday Best and Monday Outing

Do you remember Saturday night baths as a kid? Now, don't get me wrong... that wasn't the only day of the week that we took a bath, but for some reason, that Saturday night one was the most important. There's just something about getting all squeaky clean in preparation for church the next day. I probably didn't understand the difference between cleansing my body and cleansing my soul at that time, but it did lay a foundation for giving God my best and showing reverence when I enter a place of worship. I look forward to the day when I can put those pink rollers in Mackenzie's hair after her Saturday night bath (at the rate her hair is growing, it won't be long), and I'll talk to her about who God is and why we go to church. That's the good stuff.. ya know?



Today we went to eat lunch with Steven (in the pouring rain), and then I took Mackenzie to my office to show her off. We'd already been once, but some people were gone, so they have been asking me to bring her back. It's hard to believe I'll be starting work next week.



I was trying to decide if the big white bow was a little too much.



She doesn't seem to like the little one either, but I decided it would stay in better. You can't see them in this picture, but her shoes match the dress. Are you surprised? ;-)

Never say never...

Never is such a strong word. Have you ever found yourself doing something you said you'd never do? I wonder how many times God laughs when we make one of those "never" statements, knowing that someday we'll eat our words.



I used to laugh at my mom because of all of the pictures they took of me as a baby/toddler. My grandmother has a complete album of snapshots- probably all taken before the age of 3. That's alot when you consider they were using a film camera. We take for granted that we can shoot gobs of digital images and never have to worry about paying to have a bad shot developed. I also thought it was crazy that she had videos of me sitting on the couch "reading" a book. I asked her if she didn't have anything better to do. (surely I would never be that bored) Now I understand - she wasn't doing it because she was bored... I find myself taking pictures of M every time she gets dressed and videotaping her doing absolutely nothing because I don't won't to forget any of the little details.



I also thought baby sunglasses were silly. I mean, they don't need sunglasses, right? It's more for the parents' sake anyway, and I would never waste my money on something like that. Hmm... I just couldn't resist...



I specifically remember calling my dad from Bass Pro Shop one day to tell him that there were people actually taking pictures of their kids with the animal displays and fish tanks like they were on vacation or something. He, of course, didn't see anything wrong with it, but I knew I would never do anything like that. Wrong again...



So, the moral of the story is... never say never... but if you do, be sure to document the results with photographs and post them on the worldwide web, so we can all laugh at/with you! :-)

Friday Again

Wow... where did this week go? I can't believe how fast time is flying. I've only got one more week before I start back to work. How am I ever going to leave this face?!?!



Yesterday morning we drove to Teague to have professional pictures of Mackenzie made. Mom, Angela, Nathan, and Madison met us at the studio. Libby (Studio G Photography) took pictures of M & M together in their matching outfits. She also did individual pictures of the girls and some family photos of Steven, Mackenzie, and me. I'm excited to see how they turn out.



We went to the doctor this morning for M's two month check-up. She had to get two shots, which weren't much fun, but everything else was fine. She's growing like crazy! It must have worn her out because she's been zonked out for several hours.

Four Years Ago Today

Four years ago I married my high school sweetheart. We dated for six years before tying the knot in Granbury, Texas. Much of that day is still a blur, but I remember thinking, "Wow...we finally made it." We've done alot of living in the past four years, and there's no one in the world I would rather have spent them with. Happy anniversary, Sweetheart - looking forward to many more!


Wedding Day - July 23, 2005


Leaving the church in a yellow Corvette (thanks Tolivers)


Honeymoon in Negril, Jamaica


New York - August 2006


Thanksgiving 2007


Grand Cayman - April 2008


Christmas 2008 (expecting Baby May)


And Baby Makes Three - May 2009

New Mom Playdate

This morning Mackenzie and I went over to Andrea's to hang out with some other friends and their kiddoes. Technically, I was the only one that's actually new to the mom thing (the others are pro's with toddlers), but Lydia & Brenna have both recently added to their families. Brenna's baby, Everly, is 10 days older than M, and Aubrey (Lydia's baby) is 5 weeks younger than M. I'm not sure the babies were really into the playdate thing, but the moms definitely enjoyed it! Thanks, Andrea, for having us over.


L to R: Mackenzie, Aubrey, Everly


Everly with her cute smile


Will had such a serious face


I had a haircut appointment yesterday afternoon, so Steven met me there after work to pickup Mackenzie. I thought she looked pretty cute in her little hat. Unfortunately, the outfit isn't going to fit much longer :-(

Pics

I've been a little behind in uploading pictures of Mackenzie from the past few days. The grandparents are asking for some new ones!

Happy face


Trying out her Bumbo


Funny face #1


Funny face #2

Life Lessons from a Magnet

When I was little, my mom had a refrigerator magnet that said "So I'm not Supermom... Adjust". It was a phrase that really puzzled me. Was Supermom supposed to be like Superman? Was Mom trying to be Supermom? And what about that "adjust" part? What needed adjusting, and who was supposed to do it? For whatever reason, it was something that I really had trouble comprehending. Mom said I would understand when I was older.

I took Mackenzie to the grocery store a few days ago. This isn't anything out of the ordinary - we get out of the house frequently to run errands. Mackenzie was wide awake, but she'd been awake for several hours, so I thought she would fall asleep on the way to the store. Much to my surprise, I saw two bright eyes staring at me in the rearview mirror the ENTIRE trip to the store. I decided to proceed with the grocery shopping as planned and hope that she behaved. If my life were a movie, that ominous, foreshadowing music would probably have started playing at this point...

One thing I've noticed over the past few weeks is that having a baby makes you a magnet for people, particularly elderly ladies. As I entered the store, one immediately notices us and begins asking me all the usual questions... age, name, etc, and of course, she makes a comment about Mackenzie's hair. I make conversation politely, and then proceed to the produce section, knowing that my best chance for a happy baby is to keep the basket moving. I stop at the avocados, and another older lady stops to comment on M's hair and shoes. We continue shopping, but she's beginning to get restless. I take her out of her carrier and hold her to see if she'll go to sleep. Another lady approaches, and I end up changing positions so she can see her... so much for going to sleep. I continue shopping, holding M with one arm and pushing the loaded buggy with the other. I cross paths with the lady from the avocado stand again, and she smiles and strikes up conversation again. I'm feeling loved but slightly suffocated!!!

I decide it's time for us to leave. M is happy as long as I'm holding her, but it's getting difficult to hold her and maneuver the shopping cart. We checkout and head for the parking lot. I'm starting to feel pretty smug. I've managed to get my shopping done and take care of my 6 week old. Perhaps God looked down and dubbed me "Supermom" for the day. Hmm... cue that ominous music again. As we step out into the bright sunshine, M starts squirming, and her paci falls to the ground. I bend down to get it while still trying to hold onto the buggy. Of course, I'm also stalling traffic at this point. An older lady must have seen my struggle, so she approaches and offers to help. I try to resist, but she's persistent. Nothing like a little "humble pie". She unloads all my groceries while I put M in her carseat and start the AC. She sees my Texas Tech emblem and starts telling me about her grandson and niece that go there. I thank her and then get in my car to leave. As I drive home, I think about that magnet that used to hang on Mom's refrigerator. I guess going to the grocery store with your baby is pretty ordinary. So maybe I'm not Supermom... Adjust!

Happy Friday!

A happy baby makes for a happy Friday - don't you think?

A few new pics

Come on... look at the camera...



That's a little better.



Maybe it works better this way.



Close-up (with too much flash).



Cutie patootie!



Definitely!



Self-pic with Mommy (bff's - ha!)

Photo Shoot with Dad

I found these on the camera this morning. I guess Steven decided to pose Mackenzie with her stuffed animals yesterday. (special thanks to the Poages for the bunny and to Mimi for Curious George) I thought the pics were pretty funny.


Hanging out with my pals... Bunny & George.


George is almost as big as me!


Hmm... I think I've had enough of this.


No, really... move over, Bunny.


I told you I was getting upset.


Here comes my pouty lip to prove it!

Playing Dress-Up

Kerri May (Steven's cousin) hand-smocked this precious dress for Mackenzie, and I wanted to see if it would fit her. Since she looked so cute in it, we couldn't resist taking a few pictures.







Here's one of Mackenzie and me getting ready for Lydia's birthday party.

A different kind of Saturday morning

Here's another video for the grandparents. Steven dressed her this morning while I was still in bed and brought her into our room. She was in a good mood, so we thought we'd shoot some more video footage. Wow... our Saturday mornings have changed!

Facial Expressions of a Six Week Old

Here's one of those posts that's probably only appreciated by the grandparents. At 6 weeks, they don't do much that's "video worthy", but I love her facial expressions these days, so I was trying to catch some of them on film yesterday.

Disclaimer: If your sound is on, you'll probably hear some crazy person speaking in a really "syrupy - sweet" voice (aka baby talk). Please disregard and don't hold it against her!

Showin' Off Those Baby Blues

With the exception of three or four 10-15 minute "cat naps", Miss Mackenzie was awake from 12:30 to 11:00 pm yesterday. That's a really long time for her to go without sleep! Mom & Dad stopped by early yesterday evening, but I didn't ever take any pictures because Mackenzie would get fussy every time I was going to get the camera out. Steven took her on two car rides while I was at Bible Study, but she never stayed asleep. When I got home, she was in her swing, happy and bright-eyed. I fed her, put her in bed, and she finally fell asleep. Mom would probably say paybacks are heck :-)

This morning we both slept in. While she took a late morning nap, I dealt the insurance company over some of our medical claims - that's a whole other story! Steven called and wanted us to meet him for lunch, so I got Lil' Miss Bright Eyes ready, and of course I couldn't resist taking a few pictures - she looked so stinkin' cute. (but of course, I'm slightly biased)

Hanging out with Dad