Silly Baby!

Finger Painting is Fun to do!

Makenna--10 months

When the days sometimes seem to last forever, it doesn't make sense that time should fly. Yet fly right by it does. My little girl will celebrate her first birthday in only seven more weeks, and suffice it to say that this Mama has a hard time believing it. So, before I forget (I'm good at forgetting these days) I want to write down some things about the Little Miss.

Makenna crawls really fast. It doesn't take her long to get where ever she wants to go. And she'll come find me when I'm not within eye sight. If I've disappeared into the bathroom for even a moment, I'll hear the pitter patter of her crawling on the wood floor down the hallway, and then her banging on the door and calling to me. She loves to climb, be it up on the fireplace hearth or on top of the bathtub in Mom & Dad's bathroom (I caught her all the way around the back of the tub this morning!) And watch out if the gate is left open, because she can climb up a flight of stairs without a problem. (The problem is going back down.) Her latest trick is standing all by herself, for longer and longer periods of time. Yes, she's going to be walking soon. She also loves the sound of her own voice, loves to screech, and makes sure that we all know she is an active participant in all conversations.

Her big brother is her best friend and biggest annoyance (except maybe for getting her diaper changed).

She loves Cheerios, yogurt, Club crackers, and milk. She loves reading books and tearing up paper/magazines. She puts everything in her mouth and has earned the nickname of vacuum cleaner. She's mastered drinking out of a sippy cup and drinking with a straw. She waves bye bye, gives kisses, and will pat my back when I give her a hug. She snuggles only when she's sleepy and about to be put in bed. Oh, how I love this little girl named Makenna.

Her hair is long enough for pigtails!!

Such fun with a balloon!

Bed Head!! Her hair was so randomly crazy this morning
that I had to take a picture and capture the memory.
(And a lovely expression to boot! I'm sure she'll thank me one day.)

Nature Center

 About a year ago we stumbled upon a wonderful program geared towards preschoolers that is sponsored by our local Nature Centers. So, twice a month we gear up and head for either Fountain Creek or Bear Creek Nature Center for a morning of fun, learning, and a hike outside. I honestly can't recall all of the topics the kids (and adults) have learned about. (Last week it was animal defenses. The time before it involved the five senses.) But I can tell you how much Jacob is learning and how much he enjoys himself when we go. Makenna is still small to pay much attention, but I know she loves being outside when we go.

Riding in the backpack on a CHILLY hike.



Jake-man!



Watching the leaf "boats" floating under the bridge



Storytime with Miss Nancy

Shaking hands with Tiger the tarantula

Daddy got to hold the HUGE spider

So, of course, Jake had to have a turn!

Little Miss Busybody

And then I had to get in on the action. :)

the Zoo

 The weather here has been gorgeous this last week. Sunny and warm with little wind. It was a wonderful week to take an afternoon off and head to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with the kids.

Makenna rode the carousel too!

Spring is in the Air!!

Aren't they pretty? The daffodils are starting to bloom. Purple and yellow crocuses too. And the tulips and hyacinths are poking their way up out of the ground. Bright and sunny colors warm my heart after a mostly cold winter. Then again, March is supposed to be the snowiest month in Colorado (not true thus far!) Let's just hope the snow doesn't kill my beautiful flowers.

Gilligan's Island

Jake, like any three year old, I'm sure, is in love with water and anything that goes along with that. Boats, surfing, swimming, goggles, etc. He's been surfing on an open cardboard box. He goes swimming in the big bathtub with Mommy's swim goggles on (he calls them "gobbles"). He plays with toy boats in and out of the bathtub. And though it is from my generation, his new favorite story is that of Gilligan's Island. He can even sing you the theme song by heart! (Just be sure to turn the volume up on your monitor...he's being a little camera shy.)

**I should add a post-script to this blog post. Jake asked me one day, "Mom, was Jesus there too? (on Gilligan's Island)" No, I said. Why do you ask? And his response was, "Because Mary was there." LOL