Dentist, Zoo's, and Brother's.... Oh MY!

Wednesday was McKenzie's first dentist appointment. I LOVED the staff. They were super patient- the doctor was VERY friendly and gave us tips and pointers without me prying for it.

I wish I could say Kenzie had just as great of a time. She hated it. She bit him and me while he was looking around. Thankfully, her smile is cavity free and she won't need to go back for 6 months! Hopefully, she'll be over this whole fear of doctors and dentist and nurses and etc, etc, etc, by then! My work has a perk for the month of September- Free Zoo passes for me and a guest all month long! We've been several times. The first time we went it was just her Daddy and I. She begged and pleaded to go on the merry go round and then REFUSED to ride it(see few photos down). So she sat in the handicapped seat. Oi.

The 2nd time we went after her dentist appointment with a few friends and their kiddo's who are McKenzie's age. This time she asked to ride the horsey. Must have been positive peer pressure???

She LOVES the zoo. LOVES to see the monkeys. Refuses to touch the petting zoo animals, but was quite willing to touch a rooster. Uhmm, little girl, he'll take a finger off- the stinky goat wants the food only!

I never realized how wimpy she can be. Rides, characters, animals(other than cats and dogs), strangers, weird environments, and she's on me like glue. Thankfully, she typically warms up in a few minutes. She's quite apprehensive about her environment- it's almost like she has to soak it all in- ensure it's safe- and go for it.

She's the BIGGEST girly girl I have ever seen. She's slept in a tutu for about a week straight now- constantly ask how pretty she looks- and fights over wardrobe changes daily! It's insane!

Her brother is about 25 days away from making his debut. We're ready. I'm ready. She's ready. Though I am nearly positive she doesn't understand the role of big sister as well as she thinks she does.

Here we go! Hold on for a soon to be wild ride!

And he has a room......

Duane finished the baby's room. In case you're having trouble reading his name will be Brenton(Brent for a nickname) Isaac.


I LOVE the room. The colors are great! We ran out of hangers hanging his clothes. His drawers are stuffed! All we need now is a baby BOY!!

McKenzie- You're 33 months old!

Sweet Mercy Little Girl, you'll be 3 in 3 months(and 4 days since I wrote this a few days before your 33rd month)! It's all really hard to grasp. You've transformed from itty-bitty newborn, into a fast paced toddler, and slowly into a gorgeous little girl.


I say this nearly every time I write one of your letters and I'll say it again. You'll never fully grasp the concept of how much you've blessed our lives. They call babies subsequent to loss "rainbow" babies. You really are our rainbow baby. You're the calm after the storm. You're the reminder that God blesses us and loves us daily. You've taught as about what parenthood is really about. We love you. More than I can often wrap my mind around.


You have a sweet soul. You remain fiercely independent. You're wise and stubborn. You're feisty and hysterical. You can do something so wildly wrong and flash your gappy grin and we instantly forget the chaos you've just done. I suppose that's what being a two-year old is all about. We're on your roller coaster called life; we've hit lots of bumps and had some bruises and tears along the way- but we're enjoying this wild ride, little girl.


The last three-months we've had lots and lots of changes. The paci or "ginky" as you've lovingly called it is history. You could have cared less much to my shock. You sold that paci for 2 new toys and never looked back. Ironically yesterday you were reading a book about babies and you asked for the paci when you saw a baby in the book had one. You flashed this ridiculously ornery smile and said, "I'd like a ginky please!" You crack me up.

You've also moved from a crib into a big girl bed. You go to bed now(after weeks and weeks of fighting) without too much fuss. You often wake to sneak in our room. You REALLY want to sleep in your baby brother's bed. You think it's the best thing ever. We have to remind you that his bed is for babies and yours is for big girls. You remind us that you'd much prefer being a baby! *Sigh*


You talk a ton. You never seem to stop. You also sing. You insist that "Mary had a little lamb" is really "baby" lamb and nothing we say can steer you from this! Remember me telling you that you're stubborn? You sing your ABC's and can count to 20. I have to laugh and your pronunciation of the numbers once we're into the teens!

You wear undies 24/7 now and never have an accident. You're quick to point out when someone, "pee-pee's on themselves"

You're favorite food is eggs(dang recall) and cheese. Favorite shows are still Max and Ruby and Dora. Favorite color is pink. Favorite toys are dolls.

By the time we write your 3 year old letter you'll be a big sister. I cannot wait to see how you react to baby Brenton. You don't really get that my expanding baby isn't just called a baby brother- but there WILL be a baby brother in the house for you.

You wear his clothes, steal his diapers for your dolls, and use his things to be motherly to random stuff animals. I really hope this is indicative of what kind of sister you'll be. Please remember adding another person to our family means another person to love, not less love for you.

We love you to the Moon and Back!

Mama.....

Recent Pics-

Family

Yesterday my Grandfather died. He was 97, lived a fantastic, full, healthy life. With his death I realized that I no longer have any living grand-parents.

It has me thinking a lot about family. How ridiculously precious each unit is. Probably because Zoey's death "anniversary" is right around the corner. Four years.

I find myself flooded with the emotions that family brings. How amongst all the chaos some members bring(myself included) how each person makes us whole.

I think about Duane and McKenzie. I daydream of Zoey and her very important role(albeit short, but valued). I think how Brenton's birth will complete my own little family.

Each link has value- it can't be replaced. With death we learn how to adapt to their absence, but we never forget their existence.

Raising... Uhmm.... ME!

Anyone who knew me as a little girl often reminds me that McKenzie's vivacious personality is a replica of what my Mother dealt with when raising me. She's independent to the core of her being and quite stubborn. She often goes deaf when we use the word "NO" and we quickly have learned that in 90% of situations the best way to deal with one her of many naughty behaviors is to ignore her.

Along with ignoring her we give lots and lots and lots(notice, lots) of praise for good behavior. So far this method seems to be working; however, we still have noticed a lot of gray hairs in both Duane and I head.

She's exhausting. But we love every inch of her wild, stubborn personality.

We're still working on getting her to stay in her own bed. Her bedtime routine is bath, teeth, bed. We're often seen quietly putting her back in bed- without a word. Just as soon as she's put in she's back out. And the cycle repeats. She's quickly 'assumed' that if she shuts the door when she pops out of bed that we'll ignore the fact that she's awake. She's wrong!

One day we'll be grateful for her strong willed personality. We won't have to fear about her being bullied or being a push over as she grows. Getting there though is a LONG road!

On a funny note from this weekend- in the last week she has seen 2 old pacifiers. Today she saw one in a drawer- she got SO excited. Exclaimed, "My Paci is back!" Oooh- the yellow one! Hurry up, put it in your mouth!" It never did make it to her mouth and it was quite comical to see.

Big girl bedroom

We finished Kenzie's big girl room today! Wish us luck for bedtime. We're waiting on a cute decal for above her bed- but other than that we're done! Next is Peyton's room! Walls are a minty green. Hard to see that in the photos.