I think she had a good one!

Yep, she had fun.
Makenna's week long celebrations have come to a close and although I am sure she wishes it would continue because we all know how MC loved all the attention adorned on her, it is time to move forward.


Last Saturday we initiated her fifth birthday by having a small family party, Rainbow Style!  

I have to admit that I had so much fun with this theme and I enjoyed making all the decorations and coming up with food ideas..(with special help from pinterest, of course!).  The birthday girl requested Vegetable Stir Fry (one of her absolutely favorite meals...for reals) and we deserted on rainbow cake and rainbow sprinkled oreos/pretzels.  

And with that, she was five years old, even though her real birthday was still another few days away.
Thank you to everyone who sent her cards and gifts to make her feel special. She appreciated it greatly!
I'll be back with more fun memories of last week.

today is the day....

Happy 5th Birthday, Makenna Claire

Dear Makenna Claire,

I'm not really sure where to start as I am so full of feelings on the eve of your birthday.  This birthday is especially emotional for me and I am not sure why, but it's so hard for me to imagine you on the brink of your fifth year of life.  I know that probably sounds so silly to you, especially since you frequently tell me you can't wait to be six, sixteen or even sixty, but someday I am sure you will understand.  We have done so much celebrating of you in the last couple of days and it has all been fantastically wonderful.  But tomorrow, it is official..you are five years old!  Five.  I still remember holding you as a newborn, your first smile, your first steps, those first words as if it was last week or last month... And now you are five, writing words, reading words and reminding me of things that I have forgotten (you have such a vivid memory!).  

You are so outgoing and vivaciously smart.  You are thoughtful...you have a strong care for others...you have a huge heart...and a love for all life.   Just like your Daddy, you make friends wherever you go.  You are not afraid to ask anybody for anything, and do so with such grace, authority and direction that people often think you are older than you are. You are a bundle of energy and prefer to be active and on the go.  You are a musician both with instruments and with your voice, and others often comment that you belong on stage. You are adorably sweet, beautiful, kind and also strong willed, emotional, opinionated and self directed.  You love your family passionately and adore your friends.

Makenna Claire, you are all that and more and I thank you for making me a Mommy. I feel especially fortunate to be your mommy.  Thank you for loving me even when I am not perfect.  Thank you for letting me see the world through your eyes. Thank you for being YOU.

I love you with all my heart and soul, and being your mommy is one of my greatest and proudest roles in my life.  I am so, so proud of the little girl you have become, Makenna Claire.

Happy, happy fifth birthday to my acrobat, my MC, my sweetie girl. I hope your birthday is as magical as you are. Love you to pieces sweetheart.

With so much love and admiration, 

Mommy 

xoxo

Wasn't this just yesterday?

Five years ago on this day, I was 42 weeks pregnant, anxiously waiting the arrival of our baby and proudly waiting for something I wished for since I was a little girl...to be a mommy!

Five years ago, I thought she, or he, was going to share her, or his birthday with a mardi gras celebration, since it was fat tuesday after all.

Five years ago, I checked into the hospital in the early morning with friends and family slowly gathering in the hopes they would meet our new family member on today, February 20th, 2007.

Five years ago, I was induced because this baby's time in utero was up whether he or she liked it or not, and his or her day to be welcomed into this world was finally here.

Five years ago, I labored all day, pretty comfortably with the help of an epidural and we counted down the centimeters, knowing we were all getting closer and closer to having our  baby.

Five years ago, around 11pm, after about 15 hours of labor, and stuck at 7-8cm, having to lay on my side in a particular manner in order to keep my baby safe, the dreaded "C" word was mentioned.  After crying at the potential loss of what I thought was supposed to be, I made the first decision of many to ensure that this child is well cared for and I signed the papers that would ensure a safe delivery for my baby.

And at 1:07 am, on February 21st, our beautiful baby was born into this world and my tears became one of ultimate happiness, joy and the purest of loves. Instantly.  I still remember Scott saying..."you were right honey, we have a daughter!"

Five years ago, we became a family of three, just the way were meant to be.

And tomorrow we celebrate her fifth birthday.  And this momma still has tears in her eyes at just the thought.   Five.  Already?

But I know that my baby girl will always be my baby girl and I too am ready to celebrate and jump into this next chapter in her life.

Enjoy your last day of officially being 4 sweetie baby...because tomorrow is your official birthday!

love day

happy valentine's day

We hope your day is full of love and sweet things. 

Love, Kelly, Scott, Makenna Claire and Rylan

Friday Fun Days

Makenna goes to preschool Monday-Thursday.  And although she doesn't go until the afternoon, our days still go by so quickly leaving Friday the only day to really have open to do something adventurous. I am trying to put everything aside on that one day...have the laundry done, not too many errands to do or a specific to do list.  It's a day to turn it all off and concentrate on them, the kids.  We have dubbed this day of the week, Friday Fun Day, and last Thursday night while putting Makenna to bed she reminded me it was almost Friday Fun Day.  And she was right!

 So after some quiet morning play time, which Makenna elected to educate her babies, we bundled up and headed to the DuPage Children's Museum.

Rylan had just woken up from a car nap but don't let him fool you...as soon as we walked through those doors, the happy face came back!  We played with trains, rode on a "train", and crashed trains.  (Notice the theme, at least for Rylan?)

While Rylan and I played with the trains some more, I look over to where Makenna was visiting a therapy dog.  Of course she was all about the pup and had already spent a great deal of time loving on this puppy, but I now see that she has asked the volunteer lady to read her a book.  I had to laugh, shake my head, as it was just another makenna moment.  She isn't afraid to ask for a thing, and I love that about her.

When we were done playing at the museum, we headed home and Rylan swiftly fell asleep with a sucker in his mouth. 

So Makenna and I did some puzzles and then whipped up a cake.

And when Rylan awoke soon after, we settled into a little show time, snuggling all together.

Now that's doing Friday Fun Day, justice wouldn't you say?
Makenna's final question of the day?  "Can we have a Saturday fun day too?"  
Ha ha ha...Smart girl, she is.


And now our Monday is off to a good start as well.  Happy early Valentines Day. xo,K

Monday Randomness

To get back into the routine of blogging, today is a post full of randomness.


Yesterday MC woke up with a cold so today she is home and we are having a party of three all day.  Hopefully school will be back in the weekly schedule tomorrow. Boo to bugs!

I am in the midst of planning this little girl's birthday as well.  Five years old already...really?


And that also means that we soon will have someone celebrating his half birthday as well.  Wow..time flies.


We are still having the mildest of winters here in Chicago, so the kids and I haven't experienced our usual cabin fever.  I don't think we have gone a week without a park playdate which is unheard of during the months of January and February. Although it is just great, I can't help but think of why our weather has been so war and that makes me sad.  Global warming is very much a reality.

Kind of on that same note and so much more, Scott and I have decided to not only decrease our carbon footprint on this world, but to also take the biggest step that we can conceive to maintaining our healthy lifestyle.  After watching the documentary Forks over Knives, we have decided to not only become vegetarians, but also vegan, and have been eating a plant based diet for the last couple of weeks.  We aren't eating any animal byproducts- no dairy, no eggs, and of course, no meat.  And you know what?  We are feeling amazing and enjoying so many of the surprising side effects along the way.


Cravings...nope, all gone.
Energy...an abundance of it!
Endurance...we are both back to working out for up to 90-120 minutes at a time.
Food....has never tasted better, cleaner or fresher.


And experimenting with recipes has been so tasty and fun!


I have always leaned toward a vegetarian diet myself, but I still consumed turkey, chicken and occasionally fish.  I could always imagine myself going vegetarian, and often said if it was easier to do, I would do it in a heart beat.  To go vegan?...never in my wildest dreams.  I loved dairy; everything from yogurt to cheese to ice cream always had my name written all over it. However, I never really realized all that went into producing these foods, that it really could be harmful to my body, or just how badly the animals are treated in order for us as humans to have an excess available to us.  After watching the documentary together, Scott and I silently and independently came to the same conclusion and our heads were already wrapping around the concept.  Wow. Powerful. Convincing.  We have since surrounded us with mountains of books, seeking all the knowledge we can find and arming us with all that is to know about being vegan.  And the excitement continues to grow. I know this isn't for everyone, but I think everyone could be enlightened by watching this movie.  I am amazed at how many people we have met that can relate to our same story.


 Anyways, off to go back to my sick baby(its)...one who is, and one who just wants to be like his sister.

Be back soon. K