Mackenzy's 1st Year!

I can't believe that 1 year ago our beautiful baby girl arrived! Ray and I have grown in to great parents if I must say so myself! Becoming a mom has changed me deeply. It has changed the way I view life, plan my day, and look at my family. The world is no longer centered around me and what I want, but around Mackenzy. I think it's amazing that impatient, only child, never been around babies Aftynne has become so unselfish and giving. Mackenzy's needs always rank above mine because she is my daughter.

Gone are the newborn days of just surviving and trying to make it to the next day or through the night. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful support system because without them [mom, mother in law, and husband] I don't think I would have made it those first couple of weeks! Now where ever we go, Mackenzy just comes along with us!

Carrying her for 10 months, watching my body grow to support her development, and nursing her for an entire year (yay!) was an amazing experience. As a family, I feel like we are easy going and just kind of go with the flow. Mackenzy has fallen right in to our pattern although some days she likes to take control!

So what has happened with Mackenzy over the past year?

Growth: She weighs a whopping 18lbs or so and is around 29 inches tall. She's still tiny but feisty! She has 6 teeth- 4 are all the way in and 2 are poking through.

Personality: stubborn. silly. talkative. shy. strong willed. easy going. intuitive. nosey. curious. busy all the time. strong. playful. caring. a thinker. active. random. determined. observant. loving.

Loves: cuddling. being independent. talking. smiling. attention. walking. hide and seek. peek-a-boo. waving hello and goodbye. playing with Nick. playing with her babies. being around kids of all ages. hugs. kisses. being tickled. climbing on Mama. jumping. reading (ie. looking at books). story time. looking out the window. riding in the car. her paci. laying on Nicholas. cheerios. Gerber cheese snacks. crackers. juice. mommy's milk. yogurt. clapping. mommy's singing. the following songs: "The Wheels on the Bus." "Old MacDonald." "BINGO." "Itsy Bitsy Spider." "Faithfully" by Journey.

Hates: getting her diaper changed. getting her hair washed. going to the doctors. shots. the nurse at the doctor's office because she gives her the shots. being away from mommy. when Daddy leaves to go to work. sitting still. being told "no." not being able to reach something.

Words and Communication: Mama, Mommy, Dada, Daddy, Mimi, Nana, Nick, Hey, Hey Nick, Bye Bye, doggie, dog, Baby, "Uh Oh!" and a other phrases that I'm not sure what they mean- like baba. She also forms "sentences" and uses different inflections. She has sleepy noises, excited squeals, silly giggles, and angry grunts. She will throw a fit it you tell her not to do or get something. She will look at you as she's doing something she knows she's not supposed to do-like take things out of the trash can. She points to objects with her fingers and eyes. Her eyes tell a lot about how she is feeling at the moment. She'll go limp if she doesn't want to do something. She'll cry if you leave her in a room, if she is sleepy and wants to be held, or just wants to be picked up. She follows me and Nicholas around the house. She whispers "Daddy" in the mornings when Ray is still sleep.

Mackenzy is beautiful, energetic, child and I'm proud to be her mother! Happy 1st Birthday!