Dayle and Lauren - thanks for the inspiration to finally do something with my blog header! Dayle, I enjoyed yours so much that I used the same layout! That picture of Karoline is just so beautiful!!! Thanks for the motivation and inspiration - both of your blogs look great!
Mom/Nonna - Thank you so much for putting our new blog header together! We love and miss you so much!!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. -Proverbs 3:5
Friday, January 30, 2009
One sick baby!
As most of you know, Mackenzie has had something of a cold over the past...well, two months. Last night, we could tell that something wasn't right. Mackenzie was extremely fussy (which is just not like her) and felt hot to the touch. After taking her temperature and getting a reading of 99.9 degrees, we figured she was teething, gave her some Motrin to help bring the fever down and relieve some pain, and went to bed. It's not that we weren't worried, it's just that we'd been told three times in the last month by doctors and nurses, that she just had a cold and she'd work it out eventually.
This morning, we woke up to a screaming baby (again, this is not like Mackenzie) who had 101.4 degree temperature. Being new, worrisome parents, we jumped in the car and headed to the Arkansas Children's emergency room.
The admitting nurse took her temperature and got a reading of 103.5! At that point, I was officially worried. I was really expecting her to say something more along the lines of "She only has a low-grade fever and is probably teething. It's good that you brought her in, but there's nothing wrong. You can go home now." Needless to say, that didn't come out of her mouth. She said that it may be pneumonia, which made my worries even worse and sent us back to a room.
Dr. Craft (super nice guy!) and the nurses did a great job of taking care of her...and us. They sucked her nose out with a vacuum-like contraption, gave her some nasal spray, did a breathing treatment with a mask over her face, put in a catheter to get a urine sample, and then took chest x-rays using a device to hold her still that looked like it may have been used for torturing people in the past! Did I mention that they also had to use a stick with a hook on the end to clean out her ears? That was probably the worst part for her!
The final word was that Mackenzie has an upper respiratory infection and a bilateral ear infection. She has some pain medicine and antibiotics for her ears and they say the URI will have to clear out on its own.
Matt and I are so thankful that it's nothing worse. We are so grateful to have a (mostly) healthy baby - especially after reading about situations like Harper's. Her parents have gone through so much and I feel like sometimes we take Mackenzie's health for granted. If you haven't already, please click on the link to the right to go to Harper's blog and read her inspiring story. She is doing much better now, thanks to all of the prayers her family has received, but it has been a long, hard road for them. Their story really puts things into perspective.
Well, I better get to bed - I am starting to run low and need to recharge for Friday!
This morning, we woke up to a screaming baby (again, this is not like Mackenzie) who had 101.4 degree temperature. Being new, worrisome parents, we jumped in the car and headed to the Arkansas Children's emergency room.
The admitting nurse took her temperature and got a reading of 103.5! At that point, I was officially worried. I was really expecting her to say something more along the lines of "She only has a low-grade fever and is probably teething. It's good that you brought her in, but there's nothing wrong. You can go home now." Needless to say, that didn't come out of her mouth. She said that it may be pneumonia, which made my worries even worse and sent us back to a room.
Dr. Craft (super nice guy!) and the nurses did a great job of taking care of her...and us. They sucked her nose out with a vacuum-like contraption, gave her some nasal spray, did a breathing treatment with a mask over her face, put in a catheter to get a urine sample, and then took chest x-rays using a device to hold her still that looked like it may have been used for torturing people in the past! Did I mention that they also had to use a stick with a hook on the end to clean out her ears? That was probably the worst part for her!
The final word was that Mackenzie has an upper respiratory infection and a bilateral ear infection. She has some pain medicine and antibiotics for her ears and they say the URI will have to clear out on its own.
Matt and I are so thankful that it's nothing worse. We are so grateful to have a (mostly) healthy baby - especially after reading about situations like Harper's. Her parents have gone through so much and I feel like sometimes we take Mackenzie's health for granted. If you haven't already, please click on the link to the right to go to Harper's blog and read her inspiring story. She is doing much better now, thanks to all of the prayers her family has received, but it has been a long, hard road for them. Their story really puts things into perspective.
Well, I better get to bed - I am starting to run low and need to recharge for Friday!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Sweetest Thing
Okay, so I know that it's almost 3:00 a.m., but the sweetest thing just happened (yes - even at this hour) and I want to remember it always.
I woke up to see Mackenzie wide awake and on her belly at about 2:20 (Side Note: To any new parent, I highly suggest investing in a video monitor. We received ours as a gift and it is one of the best things we ever got!!). I went in her room to see what was going on.
She was having trouble holding her head up to see over the crib rail and she kept rubbing her face on her Silkie, so I'm not sure why she woke up because she was obviously very tired. I got her out of her crib, changed her and assessed the situation. She wasn't crying, so it couldn't have been her teeth keeping her up. She wasn't acting hungry or anything that I could tell, so I laid her back in her crib. She let out a little cry like something hurt so I picked her back up and before I could decide what to do next, she laid her head on my shoulder....and she stayed there. All she wanted me to do was hold her!
I swayed with her few minutes to see if she was going to squirm or whine a little more, but she didn't let out a peep. I then sat down in her chair and rocked her. She just snuggled me the whole time! She didn't fuss or squirm, she just wanted to snuggle. It was one of the sweetest moments we've ever had - even if it was at 2:30 in the morning!!!
Mackenzie, you truly brighten my life. I may never know why you were up at this hour, but thank you. Moments like that mean everything in the world to me and this one, I will never forget. You are the greatest blessing and I love you so much!
Love,
Mommy
I woke up to see Mackenzie wide awake and on her belly at about 2:20 (Side Note: To any new parent, I highly suggest investing in a video monitor. We received ours as a gift and it is one of the best things we ever got!!). I went in her room to see what was going on.
She was having trouble holding her head up to see over the crib rail and she kept rubbing her face on her Silkie, so I'm not sure why she woke up because she was obviously very tired. I got her out of her crib, changed her and assessed the situation. She wasn't crying, so it couldn't have been her teeth keeping her up. She wasn't acting hungry or anything that I could tell, so I laid her back in her crib. She let out a little cry like something hurt so I picked her back up and before I could decide what to do next, she laid her head on my shoulder....and she stayed there. All she wanted me to do was hold her!
I swayed with her few minutes to see if she was going to squirm or whine a little more, but she didn't let out a peep. I then sat down in her chair and rocked her. She just snuggled me the whole time! She didn't fuss or squirm, she just wanted to snuggle. It was one of the sweetest moments we've ever had - even if it was at 2:30 in the morning!!!
Mackenzie, you truly brighten my life. I may never know why you were up at this hour, but thank you. Moments like that mean everything in the world to me and this one, I will never forget. You are the greatest blessing and I love you so much!
Love,
Mommy
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Mirrors & Bathtime
January 21, 2009
Mackenzie's love for mirrors and baths continues to grow! Every time she sees herself in a mirror, we have to pause so that she can admire her reflection...I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come! I happen to think it's hysterical and I love the fact that she's realizing that we aren't in the mirror. When Matt or I make a funny face, she'll turn to look right at us. Ahhh, developmental milestones - gotta love 'em! :)
Here are some pictures from our playtime in front of the mirrors and then bathtime:
Mackenzie's love for mirrors and baths continues to grow! Every time she sees herself in a mirror, we have to pause so that she can admire her reflection...I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come! I happen to think it's hysterical and I love the fact that she's realizing that we aren't in the mirror. When Matt or I make a funny face, she'll turn to look right at us. Ahhh, developmental milestones - gotta love 'em! :)
Here are some pictures from our playtime in front of the mirrors and then bathtime:
Hey Mackenzie!!
Stinkin cute...
Checking herself out in the mirror...
Reading with Daddy
January 20, 2009
We had a relaxed morning (sort of) since Mackenzie's doctor appointment wasn't until 9:45 a.m. Matt decided that he and Mackenzie should read a book together to pass some of the time. They read "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" by Dr. Seuss and I think they really enjoyed the first 10 pages or so. It wasn't until much later that Matt realized it was a longer story than he anticipated, but they had fun anyway!
I got a few pictures as well as some video of Mackenzie trying out a new trick. She is getting stronger and she's able to push up on all fours for a little while. Recently, she's even started rocking back and forth - it's super cute and I'm so glad I caught in on tape!
Daddy and Mackenzie reading together in her room!
As you can see, Mackenzie is very interested in the story and Daddy's hoodie strings!
Cutie Patootie!
January 10 & 11, 2008
Mackenzie has been very blessed to have many people in her life who make sure that she is always looking her best! I just wanted to post a few pictures of some of my recent favorite outfits that she's worn!
One of the cutest outfits EVER!
What a sweetie
Mommy and Mackenzie!
Mommy and Mackenzie!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Poem to share...
I got this from a March '08 post from The Walker's blog and I just LOVED it. I really should remember this - maybe it should go on the fridge!
Excuse This House
-Author: Unknown
Some houses try to hide the fact
That children shelter there,
Ours boasts it quite openly,
The signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
Little smudges are on the doors.
I should apologize, I guess,
For toys strewn on the floor.
But I sat down with my child
And we played and laughed and read.
And if the doorbell doesn't shine,
Her eyes will shine instead.
For when at times I'm forced to choose
The one job or the other,
I'd like to cook and clean and scrub,
But first I'll be a mother.
Excuse This House
-Author: Unknown
Some houses try to hide the fact
That children shelter there,
Ours boasts it quite openly,
The signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
Little smudges are on the doors.
I should apologize, I guess,
For toys strewn on the floor.
But I sat down with my child
And we played and laughed and read.
And if the doorbell doesn't shine,
Her eyes will shine instead.
For when at times I'm forced to choose
The one job or the other,
I'd like to cook and clean and scrub,
But first I'll be a mother.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Mackenzie is 7 months old
Mackenzie,
Today is your 7-month birthday! I can't believe how big you're getting...I know I must sound like a broken record! I am so proud of you - you are sitting up 100% by yourself and starting to "creep" and you are within DAYS of crawling (Mommy can feel it!). Every day you are getting more and more personality and it's so fun to see what you like and don't like. You are starting to "whine" more and I haven't figured out if it's because you're really whiney or if you just found a new sound and are trying it out!
You are eating Stage 2 foods and loving every bite of it! You are definitely an eater and we haven't found anything you don't like. You are in 6-9 month clothes, but you can still fit into some 3-6 month things. We are still working hard to get you through all of your clothes. Mommy is retiring outfits after two wears so we can get to everything! You are even giving some of your old stuff to Ms. Wanda at daycare so that she can share it with needy families.
You love to play with the roll-around balls that you got for Christmas because they are fun to chase. You are also still enjoying the Musical Stage from Aunt Erin. I think one of your very favorite things to do is looking in a mirror. You get very excited and jump up and down and giggle when you see yourself or Mommy and Daddy in the mirror.
Mackenzie, we love you so much. You light up every single day in our lives and we feel so blessed that you have chosen us as your parents. Muah!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
On a side note: I know that the following pictures all seem the same, but they make me smile because I can hear her giggles when I look at them! We had so much fun taking these:
Cheesing for the camera
With Babbles
Her new smile!
Laughing it up
Hanging out...
Such a sweet girl
Giggling...
Really giggling!!
She loves Babbles!
This is the most precious face I've ever seen
Today is your 7-month birthday! I can't believe how big you're getting...I know I must sound like a broken record! I am so proud of you - you are sitting up 100% by yourself and starting to "creep" and you are within DAYS of crawling (Mommy can feel it!). Every day you are getting more and more personality and it's so fun to see what you like and don't like. You are starting to "whine" more and I haven't figured out if it's because you're really whiney or if you just found a new sound and are trying it out!
You are eating Stage 2 foods and loving every bite of it! You are definitely an eater and we haven't found anything you don't like. You are in 6-9 month clothes, but you can still fit into some 3-6 month things. We are still working hard to get you through all of your clothes. Mommy is retiring outfits after two wears so we can get to everything! You are even giving some of your old stuff to Ms. Wanda at daycare so that she can share it with needy families.
You love to play with the roll-around balls that you got for Christmas because they are fun to chase. You are also still enjoying the Musical Stage from Aunt Erin. I think one of your very favorite things to do is looking in a mirror. You get very excited and jump up and down and giggle when you see yourself or Mommy and Daddy in the mirror.
Mackenzie, we love you so much. You light up every single day in our lives and we feel so blessed that you have chosen us as your parents. Muah!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
On a side note: I know that the following pictures all seem the same, but they make me smile because I can hear her giggles when I look at them! We had so much fun taking these:
Cheesing for the camera
With Babbles
Her new smile!
Laughing it up
Hanging out...
Such a sweet girl
Giggling...
Really giggling!!
She loves Babbles!
This is the most precious face I've ever seen
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Leopard Print & Bathtime
One of my many New Year Resolutions was to stay up-to-date with the blog, so I'm posting some pics that I took of Mackenzie tonight. She wore a super cute leopard print outfit to daycare today and I just had to get some pictures of her in it! Thanks to Aunt Lauren and sweet Sydney for passing it down to us. :)
I also wanted to get some more pictures of Mackenzie's bathtime. She's such a big girl now that we have moved baths from the kitchen sink to the bathtub. She learned how to make the water splash and we relocated immediately! She loves to sit up on the "big girl" side of her bathtub so she doesn't have to lay back anymore. Now she can play with her ducks (she has 6 and her favorite is the one below that lights up - another sweet baby shower gift!) and splash as much as she wants....and she does (see below)!
Sitting up!!
Trying to crawl!!
So cute!!
Hehehehe....
Beautiful girl!
Sweet smile
HAHAHA! It looks like she meant to do this!
Splish splash!
She loves her duck!
Smiling again!
I also wanted to get some more pictures of Mackenzie's bathtime. She's such a big girl now that we have moved baths from the kitchen sink to the bathtub. She learned how to make the water splash and we relocated immediately! She loves to sit up on the "big girl" side of her bathtub so she doesn't have to lay back anymore. Now she can play with her ducks (she has 6 and her favorite is the one below that lights up - another sweet baby shower gift!) and splash as much as she wants....and she does (see below)!
Sitting up!!
Trying to crawl!!
So cute!!
Hehehehe....
Beautiful girl!
Sweet smile
HAHAHA! It looks like she meant to do this!
Splish splash!
She loves her duck!
Smiling again!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Greenville, MS Trip
January 4, 2009
We finally made a trip to see my family in Greenville, MS on Sunday! My Aunt Anne and Uncle James live there and everyone met at their house. John Austin was home from school in St. Augustine, FL; Ashley was home from school at Mississippi College; Meemaw, Aunt Linda & Uncle Dan came from Clarksdale, MS; Pops is staying there for a couple of weeks to recover from his lung surgery; and Dad, Tracye, Jami, Ethan, Trey, Matt, Mackenzie, and I came in from Sherwood. We had quite a few people there and it was a blast!
I don't get to see this part of my family very often and it was so wonderful to get to spend time with all of them. My Uncle Dan is recovering from a stroke and looking great! Pops is also in recovery - he had surgery to remove the upper left lung due to lung cancer. He looked great as well and I'm so proud of him - he is such a strong man! I love you both Uncle Dan and Pops!
Mackenzie was very excited to see everyone. She had not seen my Meemaw, Pops or Aunt Anne since she was 9 days old...which wasn't that long ago if you really think about it. She is growing up fast!
To my family that reads this - I had so much fun spending time with you all. I am so blessed to have each and every one of you in my life! I love you all more than words can say. Hopefully we can do this again soon!!
Family pic on the back patio
MUAH!
Mackenzie loved the puppies!!
Mommy, Mackenzie & Weepaw
Aunt Linda and Meemaw (twins!!)
Uncle Dan, Aunt Linda and Meemaw
Aunt Anne taking a picture of me taking a picture :)
Mackenzie loves rides on Daddy's shoulders
Anne and Meemaw
Dad, Anne and Meemaw
Dad, Tracye, Anne, James
John Austin, Ashley, Anne, James
Meemaw and her grandchildren (minus Ashlea and Scott)
Everyone (minus Pops who was napping)
Everyone's funny faces!
We finally made a trip to see my family in Greenville, MS on Sunday! My Aunt Anne and Uncle James live there and everyone met at their house. John Austin was home from school in St. Augustine, FL; Ashley was home from school at Mississippi College; Meemaw, Aunt Linda & Uncle Dan came from Clarksdale, MS; Pops is staying there for a couple of weeks to recover from his lung surgery; and Dad, Tracye, Jami, Ethan, Trey, Matt, Mackenzie, and I came in from Sherwood. We had quite a few people there and it was a blast!
I don't get to see this part of my family very often and it was so wonderful to get to spend time with all of them. My Uncle Dan is recovering from a stroke and looking great! Pops is also in recovery - he had surgery to remove the upper left lung due to lung cancer. He looked great as well and I'm so proud of him - he is such a strong man! I love you both Uncle Dan and Pops!
Mackenzie was very excited to see everyone. She had not seen my Meemaw, Pops or Aunt Anne since she was 9 days old...which wasn't that long ago if you really think about it. She is growing up fast!
To my family that reads this - I had so much fun spending time with you all. I am so blessed to have each and every one of you in my life! I love you all more than words can say. Hopefully we can do this again soon!!
Family pic on the back patio
MUAH!
Mackenzie loved the puppies!!
Mommy, Mackenzie & Weepaw
Aunt Linda and Meemaw (twins!!)
Uncle Dan, Aunt Linda and Meemaw
Aunt Anne taking a picture of me taking a picture :)
Mackenzie loves rides on Daddy's shoulders
Anne and Meemaw
Dad, Anne and Meemaw
Dad, Tracye, Anne, James
John Austin, Ashley, Anne, James
Meemaw and her grandchildren (minus Ashlea and Scott)
Everyone (minus Pops who was napping)
Everyone's funny faces!
First Biter Biscuit
January 3, 2009
Mackenzie had her first "Biter Biscuit" and she absolutely loved it. Some friends recommended them and said that their kids loved them. I think they're for older babies, but Mackenzie was well supervised (Mommy and Daddy were basically zoned in the entire time!!) and there was plenty of documentation with Mommy taking pictures and Daddy recording everything with the video camera! I think she really enjoyed it. The mess it made wasn't TOO BAD...but it was close! Well worth it to get these pics!
Just starting out...
"This is yummy! Why haven't I had this before?!?"
A few minutes into it....
And this was the final product!
"Where did it go?!?"
Mackenzie had her first "Biter Biscuit" and she absolutely loved it. Some friends recommended them and said that their kids loved them. I think they're for older babies, but Mackenzie was well supervised (Mommy and Daddy were basically zoned in the entire time!!) and there was plenty of documentation with Mommy taking pictures and Daddy recording everything with the video camera! I think she really enjoyed it. The mess it made wasn't TOO BAD...but it was close! Well worth it to get these pics!
Just starting out...
"This is yummy! Why haven't I had this before?!?"
A few minutes into it....
And this was the final product!
"Where did it go?!?"
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