Wednesday, February 29, 2012

All Things Girly!

I absolutely love introducing and experiencing, "All Things Girly" with Kenley. When I found out that Blaine and I would be bringing a baby girl into this world, I was beyond excited. I actually cried with joy! Kenley encompasses all things "girly!" She loves to play with her baby dolls, push her stroller, play in her kitchen, shop, play dress-up, and have her nails painted!

A few weekends ago, we were meeting our good friends for dinner at one of our usual restaurant. While waiting, I asked Kenley if she wanted to get her nails done at the salon. She said, "Yes, mommy Please!" I initially thought, "Yea, right! This is going to go over like a lead balloon!" However, she loved picking out the perfect sparkly K-State purple and sat right down to get, "Kenley's, nail painted!" She was so proud of herself and kept asking to have her nails blown dry all night. It has been so fun watching Kenley grow into a little person. I look forward to many more "firsts" with my little girl.

First time getting her nails done by someone other than mommy!

Such a BIG girl!

Admiring the color!

:)

Wrapping up the evening with her buddy Ty!

I had to throw in this picture of Blaine and Kenley. 
She's telling him, "Daddy, carry you (referencing herself)." 
Yes, she is a princess :) 

Monday, February 13, 2012

Favorite Phrases!

I wanted to jot down phrases that Kenley has been saying lately. Below are a few of our favorites, in no specific order:

  • "Mommy, Kenley nakie girl." This child of ours LOVES to run around in her diaper! The instant we walk in the door she tears off her clothes and runs around "nakie". I, of course, find this to be absolutely adorable! 
  • "Mommy, my mouth is sick. Kenley needs Tylenol." One morning she was coughing a lot and made this statement. Yes, our child demands Tylenol when she isn't feeling well. 
  • "Stay back Bubba. Kenley cranky girl." Occasionally after a nap, Kenley will wake up cranky and want nothing to do with anyone, even Bubba.
  • She loves interactive television shows. While watching Mickey Mouse, Mickey asked, "Do you want to play hide-n-seek?" Kenley said, "YES!" She covered her eyes and counted to 15 with Mickey. Well, Kenley counted more like: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, and 15. She has learned so much and is growing up too fast :(
  • "Pray mommy, pray daddy, pray bubba, pray Paxten, Pray Libby, Pray Blake, Pray Lolo, Pray Jordy.....ect. Amen...Jesus loves!). We love listening to Kenley pray. She frequently will pray throughout the day (typically in the car or while playing with her doll house). 
  • "Shh, baby Bella...no cry!" Bella, Nikki and David's baby was crying, hysterically, at lunch this weekend and Kenley kept making this statement while giving her kisses. 
  • "Back up rooster...Kenley's breakfast eggs!" I was reading her a book the other day and out came this comment :)


Mommy and daddy love you sweet baby girl! 

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Pretend City

A few weekends ago, Blaine and I took Kenley to Pretend City, which is a children's museum in Irvine. Although, I believe the museum is geared a little more toward older children, 3 years and older I'd say, we loved watching Kenley explore the different activities.  We are definitely planning on going again.

Entering the museum.

Putting the baby dolls to bed.

Stacking the stuffed animals.

On the go!

Aww, this little face is so sweet! 
Love her!

The next Mia Hamm :)

Lets go Fishing!

:)

Mowing the stage! 
She found this lawn mower and pushed it all around the museum.

Working in the garden. 

Looking at the chickens.

This was by far her favorite activity. She could have picked apples, oranges, and strawberries all day. 

So fun!

So sleepy after a big day. 




Friday, February 10, 2012

Loving Mondays!

All mommies work whether you stay at home with your little ones, or if you're rushing off to your career outside the home. I have always known that I wanted to be a working mommy, outside of the home, for at least part-time. However, I never knew how difficult it would be until Kenley was born. Not being difficult in the terms of the absorbent amount of time that goes into packing her diaper bag, preparing meals/snacks, gathering her clothing then driving her to and from the babysitters (approximately an hour round trip), but rather the guilt I feel for leaving her. Even though, I know Kenley is greatly cared for, and she absolutely loves going to the babysitters. I still feel a sense of sadness and guilt for going to work. I have been told over time this will begin to subside (it's been almost a year an a half...still waiting :) I love my career, and obviously I love my child more. However, I find myself being a better mommy, because I have a career outside of the home.

This school year I decided to only work 4 days per week, and I am loving the extra time with my little girl! I'm extremely fortunate that the district I work for allows us psychologists to work as many days as we prefer. Plus, I have great hours and get to spend the majority of the later part of the day with Kenley. Yet, I still find myself wanting another day with her (hmmm, maybe next year I'll work three days :)! For now, I'm going to enjoy my extra day with my sweet pea, and not take a moment for granted!

Playing with her clock!

Building a tall tower.

"It broke, mommy!"

As I was putting away Christmas dishes, this picture was taken in January, I heard Kenley saying, "Mmm, Kenley like chocolate!" Honestly, I was kinda ignoring her saying, "yes, Ken you do!" She's only ever had chocolate once, thanks to her great-grandpa therefore I didn't think much of it :) After about the fourth time of her saying this, I decided to look up at her and this is what I found :)

Fun with stickers!

Kenley loves to play hide-n-seek! Here she is hiding from mommy :)

Painting!

Okay, let me explain...Kenley loves to pretend like her brother (our dog Max). 
This day she brought me his backpack (harness) and leash and asked me to walk her. 

Clearly, bubba was confused and rightfully so :)

Multi-tasking: talking to Nana, drinking milk and watching Mickey Mouse!

As you can see we spend Monday's in our pajamas and/or in Kenley's words, "Mommy, Kenley nakie girl!" She loves to run around in her diaper.  

Love you sweet baby girl!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

New Years Eve 2011

This New Years Eve we kept it super low-key, which I must admit I was very excited about! We went to dinner, at one of your usually restaurants, with another couple and then back to our house to play games. We both have little ones so we called it a night around 10 p.m. However, Blaine and I were determined to make it to midnight. Not sure why, because we lied in bed impatiently waiting for the darn ball to drop and then we instantly fell asleep! Fun times in The Clark household :)

One last picture in 2011!

Admiring our little peanut! 

Mommy and Ken walking to our New Years Eve dinner :)

Looking at the ducks!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! Kenley and I headed back to KS for 3 weeks for the month of December (Blaine came to KS on Christmas Eve). We had the opportunity to attend a good friends wedding, a graduation party for my cousin, hang out with cousins and good friends, and most importantly relax! Kenley had 4 different Christmas's this year and she loved it! She opened all of her presents and has enjoyed playing with her new toys.

Christmas in Cali!

Santa Came Mommy!

Hugging Baby Abby!

Dr. Kenley :)

Doodle! 

Checking out her new drawing tool!

Back in KS...going to the wedding!

Christmas Eve at Great Grandpas.

Kenley and her 3 favorite men!

LOVE!

Christmas Morning at Nana and Opa's!

Cute :)

She's one happy little girl!

Christmas at Papa and Grandma Clarks

Our little Family!