Easter 2012

During Easter weekend, we attended our churches Easter service on Saturday. It was a beautiful service, full of love and celebration of our Lord and Savior. On Easter Sunday, we woke up early and read Kenley the story of Easter. We then lead her downstairs to stumble upon all the goodies the Easter Bunny left her :) After looking through all her treats, we headed to the backyard for an egg hunt. Kenley loved looking for eggs! Blaine ended up hiding the eggs over and over so she could continue the hunt...note to us hide more eggs next year! :) Later on in the day, we went to our good friends house to enjoy a delicious Easter meal and some fun in the sun!

Easter Love

On Easter we celebrate love,
love coming down from heaven,
love blanketing the earth
in a transforming embrace;
unique and infinite love,
giving more than we can imagine
for us, to cleanse our sin,
a perfect sacrifice, Lamb of God,
the walking, talking Word.
He is teacher, role model, friend,
this God in human form,
dying, then rising from the dead,
proving all who believe
will also rise
to have eternal life, with Him,
Lord of all.
Oh, Happy, Happy Easter!

By Joanna Fuchs

Kenley's 2nd Birthday!

Our little sweetie is now 2 years old! I still cannot believe how fast the last two years have gone. I absolutely love this age! She is such a sweet, loving, friendly little girl, with a little bit of sass :) This year we decided to have a very small, low-key birthday party for Kenley. I made the cake, yes you read that correctly! This is the first cake I have ever made, and I must admit it was quite tasty. I bought a few decorations and in Kenley's words, "Ta-Da" her party was ready!

Kenley's Party!

Kenley and her buddy Logan checking out the candy!

She melts my heart! 

Blowing out her candles! 

Opening presents!

At Kenley's 2-year-old well baby check up, she weighed 21 lbs. (below 3rd % ile) and was 32 inches long (25th % ile). 

Within the last few months/weeks Kenley has learned and grown so much. Below are some of the things she is doing, activities she enjoys, and some "firsts":

• Speaks in sentences and has been for awhile now.
• Can say her ABC's and count to 15. Is beginning to identify letters and numbers.
• Can identify several colors and shapes. 
• Loves to sing. The first song she learned to sing was Baa Baa Black Sheep. She is able to sing several  other songs by memory.
• Loves to zip, buckle, and button items.
• Tells you she lives in the state of California. 
• She is able to identify Blaine and I by our names. 
• She continues to enjoy reading, completing puzzles, and building with blocks.
• Wore her first braid in her hair on her birthday!
• Is now in a big girl bed!
• Is taking big kid vitamins!
• She loves to push her baby dolls around in her baby stroller.
• Enjoys coloring, playing with stickers, and painting.
• One of her favorite activities is playing outside. She would play outside all day if we allowed it.
• Loves jewelry and is always wanting to play in her and mommy's jewelry boxes.
• UGH, TV! This child LOVES to watch Dora, Mickey Mouse, Blues Clues...you name it she loves it!

Mommy and Daddy love you, Ken Bug!

Aquarium of the Pacific!

Last weekend, we went with some friends to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Our friends have a little boy Kenley's age, and the two of them had a blast. On the car ride to the aquarium, the kids were beyond excited talking, non-stop, about the dolphins, sharks, and other sea life to be seen. I love to watch Kenley and Ty play, talk, and explore new adventures together. They're beyond cute!

Fish!

Touching the jelly fish!

Checking out the huge crab!

Hello starfish! 

Having so much fun with daddy!

Looking for the seals.

This is just the cutest picture of the two of them!

Looking at the sharks and stingrays!

You would have thought it was their first time seeing ducks :)

Touching more of the aquariums sea animals. 

One last look before leaving.

Very tired after a full day of fun!

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 :) 

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! 

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. 

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!