Mackenzie's 2 Year Old Potraits

I am so behind on blogging and I promise to catch up soon but for now I just had to share these pictures of Mackenzie taken by Kristin Hollensworth a few weeks ago.

I saw Kristin's work on the Berry family's blog (thanks for the referral Rachel!) and called her ASAP to schedule an appointment. Matt and I decided (aka I used my southern charm to convince him) that having Mackenzie's portraits done each year was really important. Thanks to my persuasiveness (ha!), we have newborn portraits, 1 year portraits and now 2 year portraits. Thanks for seeing the light babe!! :)

I love this one with one of her wall letters in her room!

My FAVORITE!!!

Kristin was so great with Mackenzie and I love that she was able to capture her personality on film! We couldn't be happier with the way they turned out. 

Click here to see more of her work. Thanks again Kristin - the portraits are perfect!

"The Words I Would Say"

I am a new K-LOVE listener (for all of you who don't know what I'm talking about, click HERE and listen for a while) and have absolutely fallen in love.  I listen to this station as much as I can (it's 96.9 in Little Rock) and I can say that it really makes my day better.

Anyway, I am listening at work right now and just heard the most amazing song.  It's called "The Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets.  I think it's about a year old, but it's new to me and it made me think of Mackenzie. I can't wait to share it with her later when I pick her up from daycare, but I also wanted to share it on here for our memories.  This is the best video I could find on Youtube.  Enjoy!

Mackenzie, these are the words I want to say to you...I love you so much! -Mommy

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way

Daddy's Hat and Mommy's Bracelets

Mackenzie came across a few accessories this morning:  Daddy's hat and Mommy's bracelets.

After she put them on, she checked it all out in the mirror and

decided that she looked really pretty so she let me take her picture.

In fact, she looked so cute with them on that she thought she should go outside so everyone could see!

Breakfast

No doubt about it, breakfast is Mackenzie's favorite meal of the day!  She wakes up wanting milk, cheerios, yogurt - whatever she was dreaming of the night before.  This morning was no exception and Mackenzie was talking about fruit snacks while I changed her diaper.  I was a few seconds behind her running into the kitchen and when I turned the corner, this is what I found:

At first, I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or scold her.  I held back my smile and grabbed the camera (come on - this was just too cute not to get a picture!).

She was so proud of herself.

After snapping a few shots, I gently explained that she couldn't hang on the drawers.  We'll see how much good that does...

Here she is eating her cheerios & yogurt melts while her waffle was "cooking" in the toaster.

Then she started to unbutton & unzip her sleeper.  I'm not sure what her fascination with undressing is these days, but I'm trying not to give it a lot of attention in hopes that she'll get bored with it!

I love this sweet face.

Oh!  And check this out!  Matt left a canvas with three different colored paints on the island in the kitchen with a note that says "To make a memory."  He explained that he wants us to put our footprints and handprints on the canvas - how cute & sweet is this Daddy!!!  Love you babe!

Our favorite colors and pink for Mackenzie.

21 month update

Another month has passed...and fast too!

Mackenzie, you are 21 months old.  I have three months left to say your age in months...then I'm going to have to say "My daughter is two."  As in "two years old"...whoa!

You weigh about 27 pounds and are getting much taller!  You are in 24 month/2T clothes although a few of your 18-24 month things still fit.  You are still in a size 5-wide shoe - you have very small feet!!

You're wearing size five diapers when I can keep them on you.  Your favorite thing to do these days is to strip those off every chance you get!

You are still obsessed with books, which I love.  You will let anyone and everyone to read to you and you really enjoy reading to your babies as well.  It's a very sweet sight!

You are enjoying the warm days and love being outside whether you're running around, riding in your wagon or helping me take out the trash.  The last time Nonna was here, she put bird feed outside of your window so that you two could watch the birds and squirrels.  You LOVE looking out your window and trying to find them.  You even clap your hands on your thighs and say "'mere!" (aka "come here!").

You are talking so much and Daddy & I are amazed at some of the things you are picking up.  You are learning so much at school - some of it's wonderful and some of it's not so wonderful ("mine!!!")  :)  You can almost sing the entire ABC song without help and count to ten.  But you have also started throwing fits and banging your head on the wall/floor when you don't get your way.  You only do that every once in a while and I'm pretty sure that ignoring those things is showing you that you won't be getting any attention when you do that.

You are singing a lot - some are songs I recognize and others sound like you're just having fun!  You are also still enjoying dancing - in class and at home.  You love music regardless - something else I am so grateful for!

Your favorite toys are still your stuffed animals ("babies") - you love, love, LOVE taking care of them and putting them to bed.  Nothing makes you happier than laying out a big blanket and piling up each and every baby/blanket/silkie you own on top of it.  You will make several trips from your room to the living room to get this accomplished and you are always very busy making sure they are all asleep!

You are such a wonderful gift Mackenzie.

We love you,

Mommy & Daddy

Kisses for Babbles

Mackenzie thought Babbles needed a bow

Reading to Babbles

Her favorites babies: Mac, Puppy & Babbles

And now they all have bows!!

She wanted to take a picture of her babies - so sweet! 

I think I'm going to print/frame this for her room.