Project 52{6}

52{6}

motherhood is:
surprising

Surprising that the moment she was layed on my chest, 

it was if the world stopped.  

I knew it was going to be a love like no other.  But I never knew

how much my heart could swell with love, and just when

I think it could burst, she stuffs it further.

No one can ever explain what that love feels like.  

But in that moment when she stared back at me 

with those squinty deep blue eyes, I knew the

meaning of love, would never be the same. 

Kenzie's Winter ONEderland Party

Last weekend we celebrated Mackenzie's Winter ONEderland Party.  I've imagined up this party for months.  I think I picked the theme when Kenzie was a few months old.  I wanted it to be perfect.  I always want birthday's to be a big deal.  Now big deal to me means, themes and specials touches, not necessarily expensive and over-the top.  I just always want to celebrate and make birthdays special, just to reflect how much she means to us, and how much things changed the day she joined our family.

So lets talk party.  Here are all the deets:
Theme: Winter ONEderland
Decor:  The whole color scheme was white, light blue, with a touch of pink (of course we gotta have it somewhat girlie)  Donny and I made 3D paper snowflakes in white, light blue, and pink. We hung these around the room as well as on birch tree branches on the food table.  Puff garland hung around the room and a few balloon bunches.
Eats:  We ordered sub and wrap trays, and chips, from Wegmans.  I also made rainbow fruit kabobs, and a veggie tray.  We had assorted pop, winter themed New York State wines, and a cooler of beer. 
The cake:  We started a new family tradition -- Don designing her birthday cake.  It was a cupcake tower with AMAZING chocolate-gonache filled cupcakes, vanila-raspberry filled cupcakes, and red velvet-cream cheese filled cupcakes.  The top which was all for her, was a tasty, yet healthy(er) banana blueberry cake.
Fashion: Kenzie's sparkly pink tu-tu and sweater were from Gap.  She paired these up with a simple white onsie, white snowflake leggings, and her Ugg boots! 
Guests: Although I was nervous, we were able to pack in 30 of our closests friends and family to celebrate the big first birthday.

Gifts:  Kenzie was spoiled with lots of wonderful gifts, including her first bike and helmet, lots of summer clothes, toys and books, a water table that will keep her busy this summer, a bean bag for reading on, tunnel & tent, and money for her college savings fund. 

So here are some (lots) pics from the extravaganza!

Poor baby isn't up for pictures!

 Lets give the presents a try!  In true baby fashion, she liked the boxes and tissue paper!

The little birthday princess!

 Cake time!

Kenzie's birthday buddies - Quinn and Maya

Perfect 1st birthday for a perfect 1 year old!

Project 52{5}

52{5}

motherhood is:

quirky

The quirks that only we know.
Like needing to hold this food covered 

balloon at every meal.

Or your insta-smile and dance anytime you figure out

how to turn the music on the iPhone. 

I love how much we know you.

Project 52{4}

52{4}

motherhood is:

a blur

Some days the days are long.
But as one year has flown by,
I've realized that
the years are |too| short.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Today we celebrated our little baby's 1st birthday.  I can't believe it... 1 Year Old!
The day began with Donny telling me, "Erin, It's the time that Mackenzie was born."  And as much as I wanted to run in and sing her Happy Birthday, I instead was awaken about an hour later to a singing baby sitting contently in her crib.
Don and I both took off today so we could savor every bit of her.  Our day include some preparations for her birthday this weekend, going out to lunch, and some shopping at Target, the mall, and Wegmans!

So what is Kenz up to these days?? ...

Kenzie's o'so squishable cheeks are in full force, and everyone, strangers included, always notice!
Movin & Groovin -- No, she is not walking or standing alone.  But she does love to scale the furniture so maybe in a few months.
Teeth? -- 2 bottom teeth - with a top one finally popping through.
Smartest baby on the block -- she is signing water, eat, hungry, brush your teeth, book, more, milk, and doggy.
Favorite activities -- she loves dancing, giving high-5s, anything with music, and reading her books always makes her feel better.
Temperament -  she is still the most content baby ever.  She really only cries if she gets hurt, she needs to sleep, or she's hungry.  She has occasional separation anxiety when I drop her off at daycare, but I blame that on her need for food!
Our little foodie -- for the most part she is eating amazingly.  She loves cheese and yogurt, beans and chicken.  She's a also big fan of her fruits and vegetables, although I've notice raspberries, avocado, and sweet potatoes are her favorite!

So sadly, the pack of stickers ends at 12, but I ensure you, the pictures will continue!

Mackenzie with her new birthday gift!

Climbing in and making herself comfortable!

Remember when we had to prop her up in the Bumbo and take the picture super fast?  Now I have to take the picture super fast, to get her before she climbs out of it.  

As you know, I've been a total sap-a-sarous when it comes to Kenzie's 1st birthday, and looking at these two in these two pictures is no different.
I was lucky enough to scoop the birthday girl up and let her sleep in my arms for a few minutes...which also allowed me to hide away in her room crying away, of course.  All the year's memories flooded me.. bringing her home, the day she first smiled at me, her giggly laugh.  I love them all.  She has no idea how much she is loved.
Happy Birthday my sweet Mackenzie Leigh.

1 year later

I can't believe it has been one year since we were in Labor & Delivery Room 1 "watching" the President's State of the Union address.
I've been watching the clock all day, reminiscing where we were this time last year.  So to stick with the re-living, we headed out to dinner at Panera Bread, since that was our "Last Supper" one year ago tonight.  Growing up, I never thought I was much of a softy, but ever since Kenzie's birth, simple commercials and pictures can start the tears streaming.  So of course from the second we walked into Panera, I was holding back tears, and they didn't stop there.  There she was chewing on her straw wrapper -- cute as can be, and all I could do was cry!
I want to rush into her bedroom and scoop up my sleeping baby and snuggle with her all night long.  I can't figure out why I just want to burst out crying, but I'm trying not to knowing Don will think I'm crazy.  I can't figure out what I'm so sad and emotional about?  We have this healthy, giggly, smart, and beautiful baby girl.  She is growing and amazing us everyday, and becoming this little lady with a personality.  She makes me laugh everyday. But I still write this blog through blurry eyes. 
In the past 52 weeks, I've (we've) likely changed 3,000+ diapers, checked in on her every single night before going to bed (or in the middle of the night), I've wondered whether to call the doctor multiple times, fed the dogs more of her food than her, and wondered almost every day how we could ever live without her.  12 months ago I instantly fell in love with a chubby cheeked person I've never met.  And now we are inseparable.  She's the best thing I've ever done.

 

Project 52{3}

52{3}

motherhood is:

sweet

Almost one full year

of loving this sweet baby face.

It's so easy loving her.