11 months

This seems a little backwards, since I just wrote about how we are getting ready to celebrate birthday #1 around here! Makenah will be one next week, but I realized I never posted about being 11 months old. I have some cute pictures to go with it, so I'm going to do it anyway. Be warned, there is a lot of Makenah coming up, but, that is to be expected. 

On February 4th, Makenah turned 11 months old!

The excitement just continues around here, as Makenah is into everything! She pulls up everywhere, cruises around the coffee table and furniture, and crawls as fast as she can to where she wants to go.

She loves to play with her toys. She likes to stand up next to her toy box and empty it out. And equally as exciting are the cabinets in the kitchen and her bedroom. She will empty them and check out what is in them over and over.

She's got a lot to say these days. Mama and Dada are the most recognizable words, but she sure babbles, squeals, hollers and oohs/ahhs a lot. She is also catching on to imitating, so she is learning lots of new things. She will also make sounds back at us, wave, clap and do patty-cake, shake her head "no", and tell you "how big" she is.

She sleeps like a champ at night and during nap time. She has always required a lot of sleep, and we are really proud of the great sleeper she has grown into.

Makenah has seven teeth, and number eight is on its way in. You can see a few of them here. A wide, toothy grin, with a cute gap in the middle. Love it. 

Here is one of her shadows. It took awhile, but Makenah and Casey are definitely aware of what the other is doing these days. Makenah will occasionally take one of Casey's toys, but he mostly leaves hers alone. I think he sometimes wonders why she can touch his stuff, but when he goes for hers, he gets redirected immediately. He's a good boy.

Another sign of the big girl she is, is her ability to feed herself, and eat most all table foods that can be made into safe, kid size bites. She is a good eater, but definitely has her favorites. She drinks from her sippy cup like a pro. 

It's been a full month, with so many new and exciting things going on. It seems like at this age, they are learning something new everyday! I'm sure she is!

Right next to us the whole time...

Happy 11 months, Makenah. You are getting "sooo big!"

We love you!

It was almost time

We are planning a celebration around here!! 

In about a week, (next Friday) Makenah will be ONE! How fast does a year go?! I know that most all parents think that, and I have found it to be so true! I can't believe it! 

She is the sweetest thing, and we just love love love her to pieces!! You can bet there will be more posts to come about this celebration ahead!  YAY!

So, what was going on a year ago? It was almost time, and we didn't even know it.

Exactly one year ago, February 24th, Bryan took this picture of me. 

 I was 35 weeks.

(Interesting side note: Did you know Bryan got roped into my master plan of taking a picture every week to document the pregnancy? Yep, every week, multiple shots. We did it. You have been spared the bare belly shot. What a wonderful guy.)

Makenah surprised us a week later.  

We were ready!

I had felt the need to do some preparing during that week. 

The house had been cleaned, we put in the carseat, my bag was packed (mostly...you can ask Bryan how much I decided I wanted to add when it was actually time to leave. :), Makenah's room was ready, and I had wrapped everything up at school. And then, in God's perfect timing, Makenah came!!!

Such fond memories of all that getting ready. I loved that time, preparing, anticipating when she would come. It makes me so happy just thinking about it. 

So far...

It's been pretty quiet around here picture wise, but we've been up to a lot.

This past weekend we had Bryan's family here. It was especially great to have all the brothers together, even if they were doing dangerous, brother type stuff. 

I mean, come on. This does not look safe at all. 

This is my husband, flying through the air on his dirt bike. It makes me nervous that I can't even see the ground. (How cool does that look though? :) 

There are lots more pictures of the guys. I hope to get some of those posted to show.

We also enjoyed a great church service and Sunday dinner out with family, bible study with our dear small group, and mom's group (Mom's Carelink at First MB) for Makenah and I. We are looking forward to having friends over tomorrow, and some family time on Thursday and Friday.

Here's a picture of Makenah this past weekend. (I was going to say that this is something I think that she looks so cute doing...but then I laughed because I really think everything she does is cute! Ha!) It's a little dark, but I like it anyway.

So here it is...I think it is so cute when she stands and looks out the back door. She usually does this when Casey goes outside, kind of to say, "hey, where is he going?" 

Friday

Just a few smiles to start the weekend! 

Is this pretty weather going to stick around? I hope so!

Sweet Makenah + the great weather + Bryan having some days off= a great week.

We had a good one around here. Lots of walks, playground time with some wonderful friends, family time, grilling, winning a rec league volleyball championship (with Braum's afterwards :), and seeing my parents this week and Bryan's parents and brothers this weekend.  

Have a good weekend!

Our Valentine

We've got a cute little Valentine around here. 

She's been busy today! 

Heart shaped pancakes for breakfast. She loves pancakes, just like her mommy!

Oh my, what a grin! Makenah has six teeth now, and you can see 5 really well here. This picture makes me laugh. Love it. 

Our sweet valentine.

Of course, Casey had to make sure he was right where we were. As usual. Maybe even a little more than usual. He sticks pretty close to Makenah when she is getting into things because he doesn't want to miss out on anything. 

Bryan pretends to put Makenah on Casey's back for a ride, and she giggles so much every time. Casey is a good sport. 

Hope you had a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Friday was my mom's birthday!

We've been looking forward to celebrating with her, and tonight, we got to do just that. The family came over and we opened presents and then went out to eat a delicious supper.

My mom is just awesome! Some of the things I love most about her are the way she is so easy to talk to and such a good listener. She is so funny, too! She says such funny things and makes jokes that make people laugh.  My mom is also so generous--to family, friends, the community, and those in need. She is caring, kind, thoughtful and sweet. And, she is SO supportive--I know she is always there for me. We all love her so much!  

Makenah helped open her birthday present and something for Valentine's Day too.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Frosting:: Inside and Out

Wasn't the last snow we got so pretty? It was so clean, white, light, and fluffy looking. It reminded me of white frosting on everything. The accompanying winds blew some nice drifts by our garage and front porch. It was a good thing the snow was light, cause it took lots of shoveling to clear these places off!  

I'm still anxious to get Makenah outside to play in the snow a little! It has been SO cold out--maybe we can catch some of this snow before it melts on one of these nicer days coming up. 

And, here is the inside frosting. I was looking for another occasion to make sugar cookies! Valentine's Day seemed like the perfect time, and I got to have fun decorating, too. Makenah helped me make them yesterday morning (helped=emptied the tupperware cabinet, banged measuring cups, played with the mixing spoons :)

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday morning

Here are two favorites from this morning. 

Makenah has always enjoyed "peek-a-boo," and we could make her giggle pretty good when we would hide our face and pop out at her. She seems to be getting into doing it herself, and will hide her face behind a piece of clothing, a toy, or something she is holding. The two funniest things to see her peek-a boo with are her clear highchair tray and her clear plastic plates. She gets really silly holding them in front of her face, and then she slides it down and peers out...like we couldn't see her behind it the whole time. Ha! 

"Where's Makenah?!"

Casey was definitely ready to come in!

Makenah was keeping and eye on him and checking out all the snow outside!

Staying warm

What a quiet week it has been. Not many activities outside of the house, which has allowed us to stay cozy and warm here. We've been doing lots of playing, lots of reading, baking, and taking care of this cold Makenah has. She is in pretty good spirits when she is awake, but sleep is hard. Poor thing. 

Hope you all have had a good week!

Snuggling in

We're staying warm today. I still found myself anxious to see if today was going to be a snow day for the kids and teachers! :) 

We are watching the swirling wind and snow from the windows. Makenah thinks the cold glass on the back door is so funny. (Who would think?) We stand and look out, and every time we touch the glass, she giggles. "Brr, that's so cold!!" I say, and she laughs! 

Sweet Makenah woke up with a runny nose and slight fever this morning. Another reason to take it easy and stay cozy inside. Hope she feels better soon. 

Bryan was on call last night. He made it home safe this morning, and gets to spend the day with us at home. After a long night of taking care of patients in the hospital, a day snuggled in at home sounds great to all of us.