Happy 1st Birthday Makenna!

We celebrated Makenna's first birthday yesterday! Some pictures are below in a slideshow. It is hard to believe a year has already passed. In some ways, it has felt like a year and in other ways, it has blown by. I suppose much of that "two-part feeling" is due to the many changes our family experienced in twelve months. Looking back we are amazed at how much changed for us right around Makenna's birth. We sold our Austin home on May 1 of 2007. We closed on it a month later, on a Tuesday. Then on the next day, we closed on our Hutto home. Three days later, on June 9, we moved to Hutto.

I remember leaving our Austin home that morning for a mission training I was leading at church. David and Dennis were already gone, loading up things from storage. I was all alone and it felt strange walking out by myself. Kyle had already "moved out," having spent the night before at Mima's or Nana's??? I went to church and after leaving the training, I drove straight to our new home in Hutto. Movers had already moved us in. And I've never been back to the Austin home.

We moved in that Saturday and since we couldn't find the parts to our bed, slept on the mattresses in our room. I remember I was an emotional rollercoaster. My little Kyle was tucked away in his new room, having embraced it completely, which was a huge blessing. It was super-late when we finally crashed. I was set to get up very early the next morning to drive in to the church for ministry. I remember lying there and all these images of Kyle in our Austin home flashed through my mind, one of them being him crawling down our hallway for the first time. And it all hit me. We had moved and our life was now totally changing and would never be the same. I remember quietly weeping for the memories and the door closing on the only home Kyle had ever known. I had to take some time to grieve the loss. I think we had been so busy that I had not had a chance to just process everything.

I got up early and drove in to Bethany and didn't come back to Hutto until very late that night. I think I maybe did my last youth event that night. David was still hauling things out of storage, toting Kyle around. Kyle and I commuted into Austin for the next 2 1/2 weeks, modifying my work hours some to avoid the Mopac traffic. There were "little things" that stick out in my memory. Kyle and I used to watch the squirrels on our back fence in Austin while we ate breakfast. I was sad to miss that. But God provided us with white rabbits in our backyard to watch instead. How funny is that? We didn't have squirrels, but we had rabbits. The video from the day we brought Makenna home shows Kyle running inside to go see the rabbits out the back window. I was at VBS for three days and then put on bedrest for pre-eclampsia, twenty days after moving to Hutto. That day is as solid in my mind as the day Makenna was born.

Makenna's birthday made me look back over the year, not just in terms of her specifically, but how her birth was a huge pivot point in our family's life, in multiple ways, too many for just one blogspot to describe. David and I feel sometimes like we're just "surviving" these first few years. It's like we're simply keeping our heads above water. Praise the Lord that He is lifting us up. There are many amazing joy-filled moments around here, and there are many hard, difficult moments here. But I know we wouldn't trade it for anything. Despite the struggle I face every moment of the day, being both saint and sinner, God gives me His eyes to see what He has fashioned in our home--David, Kyle, and Makenna-- and I can see that it is all very good.

Makenna had a ball at her party last night. She even seemed to be singing with us when we sang to her! She LOVED the cake and had tremendous fun playing in it. She is enjoying "walking" while holding onto someone's hands. Kyle and I have been "helping" her open up her gifts today, doing a few at a time. He is enjoying her toys too! It's fun that they enjoy playing withe the same things.

My love letter to little girl Makenna...

Happy, Happy, Happy First Birthday Makenna--Our life has never been the same since you arrived and has never been more complete for any of us. All our family's changes and new things came into complete focus when you entered the outside world. David became a father of two and a father of a little girl. Kyle found himself between babyhood and preschoolerhood, taking on the role of your brother now. You share the closest blood relation that anyone can have: siblings. And I was on a new road as your mother, learning that my heart just kept doubling every day, to give enough love to both of my children. You made our new house in Hutto our home. The most surprising aspect of parenting two children has been this: As I have watched you each day, I have experienced Kyle's first year all over again. Watching you adore Kyle and seeing you enjoy life is a gift you give me every single day.

Makenna Giving Speeches Already?

I couldn't believe my ears today when I picked up Makenna from the church nursery. Cindy was telling me how Makenna was talking away and I agreed that she chatters quite a bit but who knows what she's saying, other than she! She nodded and said again that Makenna was talking in a full sentence and they understood her loud and clear. Makenna was quite upset today when I left and apparently fussed while I was gone. They told me she kept saying "I want Mama." My goodness! She spoke in a full sentence???? Her baby calendar has a sticker for "first word" and "says mama." I had used the "says Mama" sticker, but she had yet to say another true word. Well, today she said two words, and I am tickled that they were "I want." And so it begins...And how cool she said a full sentence! I just wish I could've heard it!

Dell Children's Must Be a Tradition

Well, if we were Aggies (how blasphemous!!!), our trip to Dell Children's would be a family tradition now. We've been three times in the last twelve months! We took Makenna in around 6 last night because I became super-concerned about how little liquids she had taken in for the last two days and her wet diapers were nowhere to be found. Good news is that she turned out not to be dehydrated--yahoo!--not even close--and tested negative for a UTI (done as a precaution). I also feel educated now about dehydration and how to look for it and what to expect with a child with a stomach virus, how to manage drink intake, how to handle it when it drags on so long. I'm sure other parents are in-the-know, but this weeklong viral stuff is new to me.

So we started really forcing her liquids via syringe and after 2 days now of a dietary supplement to heal her tummy, she has eaten VERY WELL today--more true-to-Makenna form! And has been drinking her pedialyte/gatorade combo on her own. She and I just played in her room for about an hour and she was as happy as a clam but is back down for another nap. I am so glad this is finally running its course.

Our doctor at Dell last night was the same doctor we saw there when Makenna was a week old, when we took her in for a super-swollen eye, turning out to be conjunctivitis. So we almost made it to the anniversary of her first trip to the ER. And hopefully she will be fully recovered by her first birthday which is next Sunday, June 29. We love Dell Children's Hospital--but we've been three times in the last 12 months! (Once for Kyle in November when he were not able to control the wheezing).

All is better in our home now and it has been so good to see Makenna getting back to herself today. I'm about to wake Kyle up from his nap so we should have some good playtime alone too.

Trip Down Memory Lane

First off--Kyle is not sick and is having fun at school this morning, so yeah! Makenna is sleeping the morning away. I hope to get more food in her today as she has lost some weight this week with not eating. My little baby with a buddha belly needs to get her full buddha belly back! While the rest of us try to not have a buddha belly, I want her to have hers as long as possible--too cute!

So I took a trip down memory lane today, way back to age 3 and up. My Mom had given me a box full of my old stuff from school and church that I needed to sift through, save, and pitch. I threw out most all of the items, except for some artwork and progress reports from Kindergarten, along with some attendance certificates from VBS and Sunday School from when I was very young. The progress reports from Kindergarten are what I want to blog about. After reading them, I came to the deep conclusion the absolute importance of the adults and teachers in your child's life, as well as their attention to detail in your child's life and schooling.

Based on my reports, I appear to have been a cautious, shy, and quiet child when I entered Kindergarten. I also appeared to have been a follower. My report at the end of the year notes from my teacher great improvement in the ability to speak in front of the group; I 'startled' her by teaching the entire class a new song. She also noted that I had grown from a follower to someone who leads and is able to take ownership and show confidence in leadership skills. Here is why this amazes me--it is obvious that my teacher paid attention to where I needed to improve. And then she must've been encouraging me and praising me all along the way. She notes how proud my parents should be of my improvement. So I saw with great respect how Kindergarten was a "pivot point" for me. As you might know, I enjoy group speaking and leading groups in projects. But at the age of 5, those do not seem to have been natural skills for me.

I have great respect for the teacher who cared enough to pay attention to me that closely and foster an environment for me to make mistakes in, learn in, grow in. She chose not to label me and only focus on my strengths, but to really be intentional about helping me grow and expand my skills. It shows me how much it matters that Kyle and Makenna have adults around them encouraging them and shaping and nurturing them, and helping them grow in new ways. (I think sometimes our culture has swung so far to only praising kids and not being realistic about how they can grow/improve)That special care can make all the difference in the world. Of course, I could have gone on to become outgoing as I got older, but maybe not.

It shows also the absolute special gifting of a teacher. As we all know, our teachers aren't well-paid, nor are the treated with the respect they deserve. I know after this whole walk down memory lane, I will choose to always respect and support my kids' teachers and others who postively influence them, as I know they are having a profound, lifelong impact on them. It's extremely humbling. I am grateful in a whole new way for the teachers and positive adults who cared about me as a child.

Makenna Feeling Icky

Makenna showed the first signs of a stomach virus at Sea World last Friday and throughout the weekend, there was really no improvement. On Monday, our pediatrician's nurse advised to keep doing liquids and starchy foods and bring her in if in two days, things weren't better. Well, today we trekked into Austin as things were not better. She's been sleeping a TON, very lethargic, and has no appetite. Then when I got home with her and was about to lay her in her crib, she vomitted.

Kyle has been conked out on the couch for the last few hours. He awakened for a drink and while I was on the phone with the nurse again, he fell back asleep. My hope is now that he has not picked up her bug.

It's so hard to see Makenna so tired and not eating. She also hasn't smiled too much the last few days and is always cuddling. She just isn't herself obviously. It's really all new to me because Kyle was never sick. The only "sicknesses" he had were severe allergies (which were bad bad bad!!!). Incidentally, Kyle has multiple allergies which are now treated properly and he does Pulmicort breathing treatments every night and we have been allergy-free for Kyle since November!

Anyway, he never picked up viruses, so this is all new to me with Makenna. Every child is different...Poor thing has been sick twice in the last five weeks. I'll update soon if Kyle is sick too--I am really praying he is not. Drop me a line--we've been cooped up here at the house all week and it doesn't look like things will be changing as we go into the weekend.

Email or blog so I can have more adult contact! Wink! The only contact I'm getting is at evening gym classes and behold, 5:30 am classes which let's get real, I'm not talking to anybody at that hour!

San Antonio Fun

We took a whirlwind trip to San Antonio last week, going to Sea World on Wednesday and Friday with the zoo and the River on Thursday. Kyle really loved the boatride on the river and the train ride at the zoo. And Makenna has fun everywhere we go! She loves the shows at Sea World and enjoys dancing to the music.

Makenna's New "ride"

Makenna moved up to the forward-facing toddler seat today. It's funny to look back and see her in the mirror and equally interesting to see a toddler and preschooler in my backseat! It also heralded the end of a year-long era of Kyle and Makenna right next to each other in the car, with her always facing him. I have a feeling they will both probably miss that interaction. I have to admit while I'm glad for the new seat for her (and the good things that come from a little space between them), it is also bittersweet for me as I know that chapter has come to a close. I have a feeling Kyle missed her this morning, with her being three feet from him now! She also was on her little scooter this morning--I can't believe how big she looks on it!

A Year in Hutto Already!

I can't believe it's been a year since we moved to Hutto! I was giving Makenna her bath and for some reason thought of the date and yup, it's June 9, the day we moved to Hutto last year. A year has flown by! We are thankful to God for our family and friends that helped us move and transition and all the new friends we've made here. Jesus has been so good to our family; I just can't give Him enough praise.

Does living in Hutto make one officially a Hippo? I couldn't remember if a group of hippos were a flock, a gaggle, a colony, a swarm, a band...just kidding...I thought herd was the general name for a group of hippos, but they are also called a "bloat." But apparently ten or more is considered a herd. Well, sorry to disappoint, but this Hutto household is a happy herd of hippos and I'm not planning to have seven more children to be officially classified as a hippo herd. So for now, we're the herd of hippos of whirling eddy cove. What a mouthful! Fortunately, we don't each have to eat 16-20 kg of grass every night (un, conversion is 35-40 lbs!!!!) and we also don't take five hours to eat every night...I prefer sleeping to grazing for my food all night long. So I suppose the moral of the story is I'm glad I am a human and not truly a hippo, just a hippo poser. Have a great night and be glad you're not hunting for grass to eat tonight!

Fun Dancing

The kids had fun today at Jason and Courtney's wedding (Jason is David's cousin). Kyle did the entire Grand March with us and loved every minute of it. He was laughing and shrieking the entire time. Kara, a little girl he befriended, was with her Dad next to us and whenever we linked up with them, she and Kyle were so cute holding hands during the march. When we were talking about the march on the way home, he told us that he wants to do it again sometime. He had fun running wild in the middle of the dance floor too with his friends and was quite upset whenever we made him sit down, whining that he wanted to go be with his friends. Makenna also loved dancing her first dance with Daddy and then had fun dancing with Carly. They were totally wiped out when we left. We all were! I love watching Kyle and Makenna enjoy life--just a wonderful gift for David and me.

Growing Wacky Weeds

So my Granny used to tell me "you're growing like a weed." That must've been well before I hit my stellar height of 5' 2''. I must've been quite the weed before then. Our kids also are growing like weeds emotionally, socially, physically, spiritually, cognitively, etc. They excel at such things. They also excel at screaming, throwing fits, and disobedience. Oh well, not much unlike me. The ebb and flo of disobedience/obedience in our home is enough to drive anyone insane, especially this Mommy. And every day is different. What works one day all of sudden doesn't work the next. I have likened my little guy to Jekyl/Hyde, also hearing other Moms call their kids the same thing--never to their face, mind you! But we chuckle and cringe at the same time because that is what we face every day with them. The point of this rattling of mine is to put a theory out there that I've heard from two Moms recently. Kyle has had one of those weeks of lots of defiance, pushing every single boundary, being plain difficult over the smallest things, and challenging us at every level. Two Moms recently said to me, regarding their own kids, that they have noticed behavioral changes in their kids right before the child hit a "new level" in their development. They were disobedient more or more clingy or just something was 'off.' They then saw the child reach some new milestone. I am wondering what others think. I've never heard this or read about this in any parenting magazine but I'm curious what others think of this theory or if you've experienced similar patterns. I have in mind what I personally hope is Kyle's next milestone, but who knows, maybe it's just Kyle being three. Do their little bodies know something is changing inside or even outside? Are they wanting to do something new but are experiencing a range of emotions but can't label them, therefore the acting out or clinging? Blog back and let me know! Inquiring minds want to know...

Summer is Here!

I am excited summer is here! Kyle recently helped plant flowers and Makenna is ready for a hula!

The Naptime Regimen

While it might seem mundane to hear our naptime routine, I thought it'd be amusing to parents who also have a detailed naptime routine. I move covertly around my home during naptime, attending to the smallest details to ensure children fall asleep and stay asleep. Everything hangs in perfect balance around here as I hope both kids rest easily, without fighting me...so here is my latest Kyle-routine...
1. All blinds closed in living room
2. Blanket/pillow in place on couch of choice
3. TV set at level 4 volume
4. Kyle picks a resting video: James or Percy (Percy put in if James is keeping him for settling down)
5. Kyle tucked in under blanket with Bear
6. Sippy cup nearby pillow
7. Cell phone off
8. Phone ringer off
9. Answering machine volume at zero
10. Doors both bolted at top
11. Ceiling fan on
12. AC on
13. Sign on door to not ring or knock
14...Oh, forgot to mention the loopiest part:
15. Prepare entire meal for self before routine begins. If salad, in fridge with items not to be soggied, waiting on washer in utility room, where like a stealth bomber, finish assembling salad, provided opening fridge door does not awaken sleeping giant. If heated meal, in corningware dish, covered in foil, wrapped in kitchen towel (since it could be 45 minutes before I get back to it).
16. Cup with ice waiting in freezer in garage for me to assemble drink out there, so he doesn't hear me clinking ice cubes... (our kitchen and living room is all one big space, so the refrigerator may as well be next to Kyle in situations like this)

Does this even begin to tap into how OCD this all is??? ALl for a 3 year old to sleep??? Yeah, i could eat with the kids, but if you've ever prepared meals and managed the meals of a 3 year old and 1 year old, you realize you can forget eating with them. That just doesn't happen because you have to remember the time-outs that ensue during mealtime, in addition to potty breaks or as in our case, cleaning up major accidents in the underware during mealtime, not to mention refills, picking up Makenna's thrown food, spooning out "seconds," cutting up more food for Makenna, who never seems to fill up. Never a dull moment around here.

For Makenna--I put her in her crib, shut the door, turn on AC for noise, plus her noise machine. She's pretty easy compared to Kyle! Then I repeatedly creep down the first two steps on the stairs to look at him on the couch. If he's asleep, I creep downstairs and stealthily close armoire doors while turning off VCR (yes, old school tapes from Levi), so that it doesn't make racket rewinding and ejecting. I then begin my mealtime process and creep back upstairs. (In addition, while downstairs and then definitely when I get upstairs, I often am on my knees praying for my children to rest). The Lord and I talk OFTEN about this. Well, I talk nonstop, He nods (probably wanting me to just be silent for once), never growing impatient with my routine request. I love my Father in Heaven.

You're either amused at all of this or you are so "past" this stage that you are right now eternally grateful to have moved on to soccer and baseball frenzy, sleepovers, homework, and summer camp. Parents always give me these knowing smiles when I describe the nap process. I am always amused at hearing their scenarios. Millions of Moms across the globe do some crazy routine every day to get naps squared away...I would LOVE to read an article of people's routines in different cultures. I think we'd all see how linked we are from just this one little family thing!

Just a few minutes ago, I realized I needed to check on the video and see if I needed to turn it off before it began rewinding and I risked the sleeping giant awakening. Like a submarine I moved downstairs and realized it was in rewind mode! I hip hopped to the TV, quickly and gently pulled the doors slightly shut and hit the power buttom just as the machine finished rewinding--whew! That was close! But then the sleeping giant stirred and with the grace of a gazelle, I lept over the ottoman, hoping he did not feel my movement in the room. You'd think I had those Mission Impossible lasers throughout the living room with the way I was moving. I then lept around a corner to hide from Kyle in case he lifted his head. Seriously, I have to do all of this because I know all too well how waking-up-too-early occurs. I was just glad I didn't totally bite the dust on the ottoman as a few days ago, this Ottoman Jumping Queen nearly threw out her back while racing to untangle Makenna from underneath the lamp table. I'm still feeling the painful effects in my back from that clumsy hurdle.

But alas...both children are fast asleep right now, and I get to connect to the outside world...preschool was swell today and tomorrow, fun playdate with Levi, who we have missed seeing since preschool started for Kyle. If you have kids, I hope they rest well today and tonight...and if anyone simply needs a nap, I hope you rest well too...just no sleeping on the job and don't fall asleep on your keyboard--saliva can ruin those things...