Mackenzie takes Manhattan

This past weekend we headed back to NYC to celebrate Don & Kenzie's birthdays.  We decided to head down Saturday so we'd have a full day Sunday and part of Monday before the game. 

After Kenzie's nap we headed into the city.  And after a quick detour to Brooklyn we finally made it to Central Park.

The weather was sunny but freezing -- around 20 degrees, but it felt like 0!  Mackenzie just strolled along the whole day, taking in he sights, and made friends on the subway.  

By then we were in need of some warmth, so we did some shopping at FAO Schwarz and purchased a handful of Swedish fish for $7 bucks. Since the sugar high was just not cutting it, we then headed off to a late lunch.  Kenzie was so good the entire trip, but she sure does let you know when she has had enough.

Then it was a mad rush to Battery Park before sunset.

Finally we were back to the hotel for a little pizza and a very late bedtime for Kenz.  But look at those rosey cheeks!  This girl loves hotel rooms, but  I don't think she had 2 or 3oz of her bottle before she crashed! 

Day 2:  Oh boy!  Kenzie's first Knicks game outside of the womb.  At 9 months pregnant I uncomfortably sat through a Knicks game on a Christmas trip to NYC.  We were both really excited to have Mackenzie with us this time.  

Even though she completely missed nap #2, she loved it.  She high-fived anyone within an arms reach of her, including all of the people sitting around us.  She also danced and clapped along to all of the music.  There were a few moments of surprise and nervousness at the loud cheers, but she quickly got use to it -- and no tears!  She's all ready for an Indian's game this Spring. 

Birthdays and Anniversaries

January 19th, 2011 -- 1 year ago today, was our due date.  I can't believe how much has changed in just one year.  To be honest, I've been having those serious heart squeezing flashbacks lately.  Last week I was driving for work over near my Ob's office.  I thought about how I was making that drive every week.  My heart felt like it was going to burst with a mixture of sadness, love, and missingness.  

And American Idol started up this week.  I turned on a recording from the DVR this morning.  A year ago I use to do the same thing, in the wee hours of the morning during late night feedings with Kenz. 

I think Mackenzie has been sensing my need to squeeze her any chance I can get.  She's been extra snuggly.  This morning she even snuggled on my chest, just like she use to! 

So tonight we decided to celebrate  Donny's birthday  the same way we did 1 year...pizza and wings.  Unfortunately our night didn't go as planned (at first).  First we took a little trip to the radiologist's office.  Funny story now, but at the time....pretty scary.  While playing with Donny's wedding ring, he noticed it was gone.  We looked everywhere...everywhere!  So the only thing we could think of was she swallowed it.  So after a few tears, we headed off to the ambulatory center.  They were expecting us, and I have to say, so happy to see Mackenzie!  They greeted us with a "There's that hungry baby."  Sadly neither Don or I could go back to assist, which instantly brought the tears back.  But they came back with our smiley baby quickly, and with no noticeable ring in her belly.  All the ladies were raving about Kenzie...specifically her cheeks, and pouty lip, and how observant she was of everything around her exam room. 

So since all was okay, we headed off to Torella's 1 year later.... 

Our sweet baby Mackenzie Leigh could not be anymore perfect!  So lucky, blessed, and overjoyed to have her join our family. 

Chicken wing picture + baby! 

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

Project 52{2}

52{2}

motherhood is:

cheesy

Life these days are filled with  

cheesy made-up songs, faces, & dances.

But if you get this smile, 

the cheese is worth it. 

Merry Everything

Well the tree and decorations are long gone (besides that straggler little Christmas tree I just spotted last night!)  But anyway, better late than never....Kenzie's1st Christmas.  To say Kenz was spoiled would be an understatement!  Just take a look see!

 Lets start with our own family of 3 Christmas Eve traditions.  This includes Christmas cookies, Christmas PJs, and Daddy reading The Night Before Christmas.  Don and I finished the night with It's a Wonderful Life (movie not blogging).

Christmas Morning

See those keys!  Kenzie LOVES them.  We probably could've gotten away with just the keys, because as you can see, nothing quite tops them!

 Then off to Grandma and Grampa Burchs

Clearly Daddy is more interested then Kenz

 On to Grandma and Grandpa Dickinsons....

 And to all a Goodnight!!

Project 52{1}

The whole idea of me starting this blog, was to document our pregnancy for family and friends near and far.  It has become something I look forward to doing, stress about if I have fallen off the wagon, and know I will completely cherish in ten years (or ten minutes) when I have forgotten every little detail, I hope to remember. 
One thing I have realized over the past year, is how quickly things can change.  And as hard as it is to see Mackenzie get bigger and bigger each day, I've decided to embrace it and document it even more.
So after much inspiration from Shawna over at Styleberry, (just dive in - her blog is amazing) over the next 52 weeks (hence Project 52) I will be posting one photo around one theme.  And what consumes my life right now...motherhood! So this will be all about those little things we often oversee.  And of course Mackenzie AND Grady and Fausto will be making appearances.  After all, these babies were a test drive to motherhood.  They taught me how to take deep breaths, how to worry, and how to love unconditionally.

So here we go...installment #1

52{1}

motherhood is:

pure

Those big blue eyes,

round and rosy cheeks, and tiny hands.

 pure love

Bright Lights Big City

So where have we been?  Well both Kenzie and I have been sick since Christmas.  This has been Kenzie's first cold, and yes it is horrible to hear her coughing fits in the night, and equally as horrible gross to hear/see her sneeze that quickly slurp up green boogs.  But our happy baby is still relatively happy and playing and getting into everything!  She has been a little clingy, and a little sassy and attention needing, but hey we all are when we are sick.  But we are finally all starting to feel better, and now with the crazyness of the holidays behind us, we are back on a schedule and back to some blog time!

So lets go wayyyy back....to the beginning of December when we took a trip with the whole Dickinson/Charboneau clan to NYC.  Don and I headed out a night early so Kenzie could sleep through the trip and we could wake up bright and early to visit our touristy stop! 

We then did the usual NYC at Christmastime fare...!

Let's play a game...lets pretend grandma isn't taking a picture.  

 

A little Southside Seaport

A little snack in front of Macys

Andddd I think Kenzie has had it!

Until next time New York...and by next time, I mean in less than 2 weeks, when we travel back down to take Kenzie to her first New York Knicks game!  Whoooo!!