Well, it's New Year's Eve and I have to admit that I am pretty excited about saying goodbye to 2008. I'm one of those people that really enjoys a brand new notebook and set of pens, so you can imagine my excitement about starting a new year.
2008 was wonderful for many reasons, but some of the most memorable things are Matt and I found out we were having a baby girl, we purchased our first home, Mackenzie Ann Parker was born on my birthday, and we shared Mackenzie's first Christmas!! Oh...and don't let me forget one of the most important things - we got engaged! :)
2009 means watching Mackenzie turn 1, marrying my best friend, being there for my MANY friends who are getting married, and GETTING HEALTHY! I am very excited for all of these new things...even the getting healthy part. I want Mackenzie to grow up eating a healthy dinner that I prepared myself at home every night at the dinner table with her family. That's my main goal for the new year which combines both getting healthy and learning to cook. Wish me luck!
Matt and I don't have any big plans for tonight - I think we are just going to enjoy a night at home where we know we can sleep in the next day! Plus New Year's Day will be busy trying to get a list of "to-do's" done around the house, and then there's always the babysitter factor! :)
Anyhow, I just wanted to write a short note to everyone - please be careful while you're out and about tonight! See ya next year!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. -Proverbs 3:5
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Mackenzie's first Christmas!!
December 25, 2008
Mackenzie - it's your very first Christmas! Mommy and Daddy are so excited about spending this special holiday with you and teaching you what Christmas is all about!
Christmas Eve we spent the night at Nan and Pops house with them and Aunt E. Before we went to sleep, we all got in bed and read The Night Before Christmas which was an early Christmas present from Nan and Pops. When we woke up Christmas morning, Santa had left all kind of presents downstairs under the Christmas trees. As a matter of fact, Mommy would say that Santa and all of his elves went WAY overboard this year! Maybe they will do better next year...
Anyhow, you had a great time opening your presents - you were actually very good at grabbing onto the paper and ripping it off! Of course, you did want to put it in your mouth! I think it's safe to say that your very favorite gift was the Fisher Price Musical Stage that Aunt Erin told Santa to get you. She did a great job picking it out because you love to sit in front of it and smile in the mirror while listening to the music. You also really like the little Elmo/Cookie Monster ball that shakes! Nan and Pops helped Santa pick that toy out and you think it's so funny! Aunt E also got you Baby's First Blocks, books and clothes. Nan and Pops also got you a lot of clothes, books and toys.
You got many more gifts - so many that Mommy and Daddy are planning to stash some of them away to give you throughout the year so that you always have something new to play with. You got lots of clothes, toys and a teddy bear and pony from Nonna and Poppa, a musical storybook from Red, a toychest from Weepaw (yay! Something to stash all of your stuff in!), a cell phone from Aunt JJ, diapers and food from Aunt Lea-Lee and Uncle John, Trumpette socks from Auntie Mary and Uncle B, an adorable "Pink is the new Black" shirt and matching hairbows from Auntie Kelli and Uncle Beau, and too many more to write! Mommy and Daddy got you some balls and blocks, books, a musical table that will be really fun when you're crawling and pulling up on stuff and clothes. This is really not even everything, but Mommy is having trouble remembering it all!
After we left Nan and Pops we headed over to Red's house to have Christmas with Red, Nana, Aunt Lea-Lee, Uncle John, Aikman, Aunt JJ, Ethan, Uncle Trey and Uncle Scott. We had a yummy brunch and a great time opening presents! You were very pooped out by the time it was said and done and I think Mommy and Daddy were both feeling the same!
We spent the rest of the afternoon playing with presents and napping. It was the best first Christmas we could have ever hoped for! We love you so much and can't wait to spend many more Christmases together!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy
Pops feeding Mackenzie her Christmas breakfast
Bogie playing in all of the presents
Pops and Mackenzie reading her new book!
This is precious!
Mackenzie opening her presents - she was very good at it!
And she LOVED what was inside - Elmo!!!
Aikman, Ethan & Mackenzie in front of the Christmas tree at Red's
Ethan & Mackenzie - Aikman needed her mommy!
Haha! He's already being a typical boy :)
Mommy and her sweet girl
Family pic - our first Christmas
"This Christmas thing is pretty cool"
The girls and their canvases that my mom had made for them
She was so tired after our very busy Christmas morning.
Tracye and "the kids"
Mackenzie sitting pretty in front of her Christmas loot.
Really?!?! We're going to have to have a very serious talk with Santa and all of his elves!
She loves her Musical Stage from Aunt E!
Isn't this sweet?
Daddy is really excited about it too!
Wow...
Ridiculous...that's all I have to say about that.
I would also like to take this time to say Merry Christmas to my Pops! Unfortunately, he is spending the holidays in the hospital recovering from surgery to remove his the upper lobe of his left lung due to lung cancer. The good news is that he is doing AWESOME and my dad and aunt are there with him.
Pops, I love you so much and I'm so glad you're doing so well! I know you will make a full recovery soon and we can't wait to see you up and about. Take care of yourself! We love you sooo much!!
Dad, I'm sad that you couldn't be here for Mackenzie's first Christmas, but I know it was for a good cause. I love you so much and thank you for the toybox - I can assure you it will be put to good use! (Did you see the pics above????)
Mackenzie - it's your very first Christmas! Mommy and Daddy are so excited about spending this special holiday with you and teaching you what Christmas is all about!
Christmas Eve we spent the night at Nan and Pops house with them and Aunt E. Before we went to sleep, we all got in bed and read The Night Before Christmas which was an early Christmas present from Nan and Pops. When we woke up Christmas morning, Santa had left all kind of presents downstairs under the Christmas trees. As a matter of fact, Mommy would say that Santa and all of his elves went WAY overboard this year! Maybe they will do better next year...
Anyhow, you had a great time opening your presents - you were actually very good at grabbing onto the paper and ripping it off! Of course, you did want to put it in your mouth! I think it's safe to say that your very favorite gift was the Fisher Price Musical Stage that Aunt Erin told Santa to get you. She did a great job picking it out because you love to sit in front of it and smile in the mirror while listening to the music. You also really like the little Elmo/Cookie Monster ball that shakes! Nan and Pops helped Santa pick that toy out and you think it's so funny! Aunt E also got you Baby's First Blocks, books and clothes. Nan and Pops also got you a lot of clothes, books and toys.
You got many more gifts - so many that Mommy and Daddy are planning to stash some of them away to give you throughout the year so that you always have something new to play with. You got lots of clothes, toys and a teddy bear and pony from Nonna and Poppa, a musical storybook from Red, a toychest from Weepaw (yay! Something to stash all of your stuff in!), a cell phone from Aunt JJ, diapers and food from Aunt Lea-Lee and Uncle John, Trumpette socks from Auntie Mary and Uncle B, an adorable "Pink is the new Black" shirt and matching hairbows from Auntie Kelli and Uncle Beau, and too many more to write! Mommy and Daddy got you some balls and blocks, books, a musical table that will be really fun when you're crawling and pulling up on stuff and clothes. This is really not even everything, but Mommy is having trouble remembering it all!
After we left Nan and Pops we headed over to Red's house to have Christmas with Red, Nana, Aunt Lea-Lee, Uncle John, Aikman, Aunt JJ, Ethan, Uncle Trey and Uncle Scott. We had a yummy brunch and a great time opening presents! You were very pooped out by the time it was said and done and I think Mommy and Daddy were both feeling the same!
We spent the rest of the afternoon playing with presents and napping. It was the best first Christmas we could have ever hoped for! We love you so much and can't wait to spend many more Christmases together!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy
Pops feeding Mackenzie her Christmas breakfast
Bogie playing in all of the presents
Pops and Mackenzie reading her new book!
This is precious!
Mackenzie opening her presents - she was very good at it!
And she LOVED what was inside - Elmo!!!
Aikman, Ethan & Mackenzie in front of the Christmas tree at Red's
Ethan & Mackenzie - Aikman needed her mommy!
Haha! He's already being a typical boy :)
Mommy and her sweet girl
Family pic - our first Christmas
"This Christmas thing is pretty cool"
The girls and their canvases that my mom had made for them
She was so tired after our very busy Christmas morning.
Tracye and "the kids"
Mackenzie sitting pretty in front of her Christmas loot.
Really?!?! We're going to have to have a very serious talk with Santa and all of his elves!
She loves her Musical Stage from Aunt E!
Isn't this sweet?
Daddy is really excited about it too!
Wow...
Ridiculous...that's all I have to say about that.
I would also like to take this time to say Merry Christmas to my Pops! Unfortunately, he is spending the holidays in the hospital recovering from surgery to remove his the upper lobe of his left lung due to lung cancer. The good news is that he is doing AWESOME and my dad and aunt are there with him.
Pops, I love you so much and I'm so glad you're doing so well! I know you will make a full recovery soon and we can't wait to see you up and about. Take care of yourself! We love you sooo much!!
Dad, I'm sad that you couldn't be here for Mackenzie's first Christmas, but I know it was for a good cause. I love you so much and thank you for the toybox - I can assure you it will be put to good use! (Did you see the pics above????)
The Parker Christmas Eve Party
December 24, 2008
Every year, the Parkers host a Christmas Eve party for Brenda's family. It's so much fun each year and this year was no different...well, except that we had a new addition! Mackenzie really enjoyed getting to meet more family and she really loved having all of the other children at the house. At one point, Mackenzie was just sitting in the middle of floor, wide-eyed just watching all of the big kids run around and play.
It was a wonderful night and we enjoyed spending this special time with family! Pictures to come soon!
Every year, the Parkers host a Christmas Eve party for Brenda's family. It's so much fun each year and this year was no different...well, except that we had a new addition! Mackenzie really enjoyed getting to meet more family and she really loved having all of the other children at the house. At one point, Mackenzie was just sitting in the middle of floor, wide-eyed just watching all of the big kids run around and play.
It was a wonderful night and we enjoyed spending this special time with family! Pictures to come soon!
Happy Birthday Tom!
December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve is a big day at the Parker's house! Not only is it Christmas Eve (which equals the annual Christmas Eve party!), but it's also Mr. Parker's birthday! And this year was a very big birthday (hehe!)!
We had lunch at the house with the birthday boy and he got to open his birthday presents. Matt, Mackenzie & I got him a Seagate FreeAgent hard-drive to keep pictures of Mackenzie on and he really enjoyed it! He also got some cologne from Erin and a very special book that made all of us cry! She made it on Snapfish and it's about her and her daddy - very sweet!! Brenda got him some really cool gifts too including a handy screwdriver that plugs right into a socket anywhere in the house for easy access!
We hope you had a wonderful birthday Pops! We enjoyed being able to spend it with you! Love you lots!!
Christmas Eve is a big day at the Parker's house! Not only is it Christmas Eve (which equals the annual Christmas Eve party!), but it's also Mr. Parker's birthday! And this year was a very big birthday (hehe!)!
We had lunch at the house with the birthday boy and he got to open his birthday presents. Matt, Mackenzie & I got him a Seagate FreeAgent hard-drive to keep pictures of Mackenzie on and he really enjoyed it! He also got some cologne from Erin and a very special book that made all of us cry! She made it on Snapfish and it's about her and her daddy - very sweet!! Brenda got him some really cool gifts too including a handy screwdriver that plugs right into a socket anywhere in the house for easy access!
We hope you had a wonderful birthday Pops! We enjoyed being able to spend it with you! Love you lots!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 6, 2008
Aunt Erin invited us to Breakfast with Santa at the Arkansas Children's Hospital and we had a great time! When Mackenzie gets bigger I think it will be even more fun! There were crafts and a calling center where the kids could call Santa (how cute!) and of course - pictures with Santa himself!
Mackenzie was extremely good and I think she enjoyed being in a new place and "people watching". I have always heard stories about how most kids are afraid of Santa, but Mackenzie looked like she was really relaxed while they had their chat. It was adorable! We even ran into a few friends while we were there! I will post the pictures soon!
Aunt E & Mackenzie waiting in line for Santa!
Telling Santa about her wish list!
Can you tell she was ready for a nap? :)
Our first Breakfast with Santa!!
Aunt Erin invited us to Breakfast with Santa at the Arkansas Children's Hospital and we had a great time! When Mackenzie gets bigger I think it will be even more fun! There were crafts and a calling center where the kids could call Santa (how cute!) and of course - pictures with Santa himself!
Mackenzie was extremely good and I think she enjoyed being in a new place and "people watching". I have always heard stories about how most kids are afraid of Santa, but Mackenzie looked like she was really relaxed while they had their chat. It was adorable! We even ran into a few friends while we were there! I will post the pictures soon!
Aunt E & Mackenzie waiting in line for Santa!
Telling Santa about her wish list!
Can you tell she was ready for a nap? :)
Our first Breakfast with Santa!!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Trip to Aunt Rubye's
December 20, 2008
On Saturday we went on a roadtrip with Tom, Brenda and Erin to Wynne, Arkansas to visit Matt's Aunt Rubye! It was a great time with great people and great food! We really enjoyed the trip up in the Parker's new GMC Acadia and the visit was wonderful! Mackenzie I were able to meet a lot of Matt's family which was really awesome. Everyone was so sweet and welcomed me to the family in such a warm way. It felt really good to spend the day with family - especially during these holidays.
Mackenzie was just as sweet as could be, although she did nap quite a bit. I think she really enjoyed meeting everyone as well, especially Madeline! They had so much fun together and Madeline was very sweet to let Mackenzie play with her toys!
The trip back home was a little longer than we expected. We ended up in stand-still traffic on the interstate due to an accident, which we tried to avoid by taking a highway short-cut only to be in stand-still traffic again because of another accident. We finally made it home after about 4 hours in the car and I think we were all ready to take a nap!
All in all, it was a great day and one that I know I won't forget! To Aunt Rubye and the rest of the fam - thank you so much for everything! It was wonderful to finally meet all of you and we hope to see you again soon!
Mackenzie loving on Aunt Rubye
Madeline & Mackenzie
Family pic
Playing with fun toys! 
Nan with Mackenzie
Aunt E & Mackenzie
On Saturday we went on a roadtrip with Tom, Brenda and Erin to Wynne, Arkansas to visit Matt's Aunt Rubye! It was a great time with great people and great food! We really enjoyed the trip up in the Parker's new GMC Acadia and the visit was wonderful! Mackenzie I were able to meet a lot of Matt's family which was really awesome. Everyone was so sweet and welcomed me to the family in such a warm way. It felt really good to spend the day with family - especially during these holidays.
Mackenzie was just as sweet as could be, although she did nap quite a bit. I think she really enjoyed meeting everyone as well, especially Madeline! They had so much fun together and Madeline was very sweet to let Mackenzie play with her toys!
The trip back home was a little longer than we expected. We ended up in stand-still traffic on the interstate due to an accident, which we tried to avoid by taking a highway short-cut only to be in stand-still traffic again because of another accident. We finally made it home after about 4 hours in the car and I think we were all ready to take a nap!
All in all, it was a great day and one that I know I won't forget! To Aunt Rubye and the rest of the fam - thank you so much for everything! It was wonderful to finally meet all of you and we hope to see you again soon!
Mackenzie loving on Aunt Rubye
Madeline & Mackenzie
Family pic
Playing with fun toys!
Nan with Mackenzie
Aunt E & Mackenzie
Friday, December 19, 2008
Mackenzie is 6 months old
December 19, 1008
SIX MONTHS! Wow...
Mackenzie had her six month check up and the doctor says she looks great! The nurse was very impressed with her "lower body strength" - probably because while we were trying to keep Mackenzie on the table, she was trying to roll over and scoot away! She was in a wonderful mood right up until she got those awful shots!
Mackenzie - you were such a big girl at the doctor's office today! You took the shots like a champ and although you cried pretty hard during the shots and for about a minute afterward, you stopped crying without any assistance from a bottle or your silkie (can you believe Mommy forgot that at home?!?!?!). You snuggled with me for a few minutes while trying to catch your breath and would let out a little whimper every once in a while. Then we got in the car seat and went to Mommy's office to meet Daddy where you were all smiles!
You weigh 17 pounds, 13.5 ounces and you are 2 feet and 1 inch long! :) The doctor said you are very healthy and hitting all of the milestones for your age like passing objects from one hand to the other (check!), rolling over both ways (check! check!), sitting up with support (check! Plus an extra check! for sitting up by yourself these days!!), standing with help from Mommy & Daddy (check!), and trying to crawl (check!)! You have had a runny nose for a while now and the doctor said that it's fine to keep up with the suctioning and the saline drops. You also have the green flag to move on to stage 2 solid foods - yay!!
We are so proud of you, Mackenzie and we love you sooo much!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy
SIX MONTHS! Wow...
Mackenzie had her six month check up and the doctor says she looks great! The nurse was very impressed with her "lower body strength" - probably because while we were trying to keep Mackenzie on the table, she was trying to roll over and scoot away! She was in a wonderful mood right up until she got those awful shots!
Mackenzie - you were such a big girl at the doctor's office today! You took the shots like a champ and although you cried pretty hard during the shots and for about a minute afterward, you stopped crying without any assistance from a bottle or your silkie (can you believe Mommy forgot that at home?!?!?!). You snuggled with me for a few minutes while trying to catch your breath and would let out a little whimper every once in a while. Then we got in the car seat and went to Mommy's office to meet Daddy where you were all smiles!
You weigh 17 pounds, 13.5 ounces and you are 2 feet and 1 inch long! :) The doctor said you are very healthy and hitting all of the milestones for your age like passing objects from one hand to the other (check!), rolling over both ways (check! check!), sitting up with support (check! Plus an extra check! for sitting up by yourself these days!!), standing with help from Mommy & Daddy (check!), and trying to crawl (check!)! You have had a runny nose for a while now and the doctor said that it's fine to keep up with the suctioning and the saline drops. You also have the green flag to move on to stage 2 solid foods - yay!!
We are so proud of you, Mackenzie and we love you sooo much!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Happy Birthday Scottie!
Uncle Scottie and sweet Aikman
Love you sis!
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My favorite nephew - he is getting so big!
Uncle Trey and Ethan!
22 cupcakes!!
I wonder why he's so excited?!?
This is a framer
All of the kids and grandkids (minus Matt & Mackenzie)
Sisters - love you both!
This is rare these days!
We couldn't get them to take a nice picture...
The girls minus Mama!
Sippy cup
December 16, 2008
Well, Mackenzie's cold continued to get worse and worse so I called the Arkansas Children's Nurse Hotline (they're so great!!) and they suggested warming up some apple juice to help clear the congestion that seemed to be stuck in her chest.
I've read, however, to be very careful of giving juice in a bottle (some babies start to expect the sweet juice and don't want the formula) as well as suggestions to start trying out a cup early. I know they didn't mean "sippy" cup, but I thought it would be fun to try.
Watching Mackenzie try to drink out of the cup was pretty funny at first because she kept trying to bite down on it, but once she sucked a little and got a taste of juice, she had the technique down. I think drinking out of the sippy cup made her feel like a big girl, so I put her in the man chair to get some pictures.
What a big girl!!!!
She thinks so too! :)
Well, Mackenzie's cold continued to get worse and worse so I called the Arkansas Children's Nurse Hotline (they're so great!!) and they suggested warming up some apple juice to help clear the congestion that seemed to be stuck in her chest.
I've read, however, to be very careful of giving juice in a bottle (some babies start to expect the sweet juice and don't want the formula) as well as suggestions to start trying out a cup early. I know they didn't mean "sippy" cup, but I thought it would be fun to try.
Watching Mackenzie try to drink out of the cup was pretty funny at first because she kept trying to bite down on it, but once she sucked a little and got a taste of juice, she had the technique down. I think drinking out of the sippy cup made her feel like a big girl, so I put her in the man chair to get some pictures.
What a big girl!!!!
She thinks so too! :)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Thanksgiving
Nov. 27, 2008
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with Matt's family in Yellville, AR. A lot of the family there had not met Mackenzie yet and it was wonderful to get to see everyone! Here are a few of the favorite pics:
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with Matt's family in Yellville, AR. A lot of the family there had not met Mackenzie yet and it was wonderful to get to see everyone! Here are a few of the favorite pics:
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