New Traditions

This year we are starting all kinds of new traditions with McKinley. Not that we needed to have a daughter to do that... but somehow she just makes it more of a priority! So this year on Thanksgiving morning, we got up and out of the house to participate in the annual Give'N'Gobble... a 5k walk through Sherwood. They gather food for those in need, and it is a great excuse to start the day by burning some calories! There is a 5k and 10k run too... maybe we'll work up to that in future years? (Ha!) This year though, we just enjoyed a leisurely stroll of just over three miles. It as a lot of fun, even despite the pouring down rain.



Our little racer, with her own race bib! : )

Giving Thanks

We have so much to be thankful for! Jeff and I discussed many times over the last week how thankful we are for each other, and for the life God has blessed us with. Of course, McKinley was number one on that list! She is such a blessing... such a treasure! I still have to pinch myself sometimes... all of my dreams have come true! I have a wonderful husband and a fabulous daughter that I get to stay home with. It doesn't get any better than this! All praise be to our God from whom all blessings flow...

4 months!

McKinley was 4 months old yesterday. We can hardly believe it... has it really been 4 months already? On one hand, it feels like it has been way longer than that, that McKinley has always been a part of our family. And on the other hand, it feels like she was just born last week. Funny how you can feel both things at the same time.

Anyway, she is a happy and healthy girl! We went to the doctor today and she weighs 12 lbs 12.5 oz and is 24 inches tall. She's such a big girl! She only cried after the second shot... but then was fine. Of course, she has been asleep since we got home. But she sure was a trooper.

So, just for posterity sake, here's what she's up to at 4 months:

You can hold your head up pretty well, although you seem to get tired of it after a few minutes.
You are trying to rollover, but very unsuccessfully so far.
You can clasp your hands together and love to try and get them both in your mouth at the same time.
You are starting to bat at or grab for things that are hanging in front of you. You love your bouncy seat and all that comes with it.
You can lift your head up while you are on your tummy, but you haven't quite figured out how to get your arms underneath you to support yourself. You do a great Superman impression.
You are in a size two diaper and are growing out of your 0-3 month cloths.
You love to squeal at the top of your voice and will jabber non-stop in the mornings once you've woken up a little.
You don't like to wake up in the mornings, just like your mommy, but once you do you are ready to start playing!
You don't cry much unless you are tired... but you don't cry just to cry or fuss.

You are a delight in our lives McKinley... we love being your parents!

McKinley has found her voice

Sorry this is long, but it was just too cute to not share! McKinley apparently didn't want to go to sleep and was talking to keep herself awake. She's spent most of this morning doing the same thing! I love it!

Just because

Look at that red hair!

I LOVE THIS SMILE!!!!

Meet Mr. Frog...

There isn't any rhyme or reason to these photos... I just like sharing pictures of my daughter. I think she's the sweetest thing ever!

Um... Huh?

This is the expression we get most of the time...

Halloween

Here is our sweet girl on Halloween. She was a Tootsie Roll... thanks to her Nana. : ) Mom and Norm were here for a few nights and it was a great time. The visit was too short as always, but the good news is that they'll be back for Christmas! Yeah!

We took McKinley "trick or treating" to a couple of our neighbors homes. Nope, we didn't collect any candy, just showed her off! This is our cute little family. Thank you Lord for this wonderful blessing. I love being a wife to Jeff and a mother to McKinley. It is my biggest dream come true! : )