*M*G*J*

This was from Mckenna's latest "photo shoot". I think I have used 6 rolls of film (I know no one has used FILM in forever, but you can do so much more with film...) trying to get a couple good pictures of her for her birth announcements. This one is one of my favorites. I then have been trying to learn how to use Photoshop. I am not good at all, but this picture is kind of fun!

We are all doing really well. Jeff started some of his masters classes on Thursday night (he is doing a joint degree program- Law school and Masters in International Relations). I think he will really enjoy these classes, although they are all at night :-( Mckenna will be two months old in a week. She is growing so much and is SO fun! She is also becoming a much better sleeper- hooray! I am doing great! Being a mom is wonderful and I am finally in some what of a routine. I can get things done and still enjoy all of my time with my little snug bug! Woohoo!

Baby Hog...I mean Aunt Rylie

Any one who knows my little sister, Rylie, knows that she LOVES babies. When I was in Arizona in April Rylie, my mom and I stayed at my sisters house. If you were ever looking for Cassi's then 6 month old, Anndi, all you had to do was find Aunt Rylie. Also, when Cassi was visiting my family in Utah Rylie insisted that all three of Cassi's daughters (INCLUDING the 9 month old) sleep in her room! Those are just some examples of what a great aunt Rylie is to her 4 beautiful nieces, but it is ALMOST impossible to get a baby away from Rylie with out a fight :-) So, while they were here in San Antonio Rylie hovered where ever Mckenna happened to be.
On Sunday morning (the Sunday we bless Mckenna) I fed Mckenna and then laid her on the floor to go back to sleep while I got myself ready. Rylie was getting ready with me for awhile and then once she finished she disappeared from the bathroom. When I was finally ready I walked back into our room and this is what I saw........

Rylie layed next to Mckenna and they fell asleep together!!!! It was the cutest picture!!!

It was so great having Rylie ( AND MY PARENTS) around because I always knew Mckenna was getting enough attention- maybe even too much attention!!! Although, my parents and Tyler may say they didn't get to hold her enough :-)!!

Our big baby!!!

Scary eyes!!!

On Tuesday Mckenna turned SIX weeks old!!! I can't believe how big she is getting. Time flies!! We weighed her today and she weighs 10 lbs 12 oz. SHE IS HUGE!!!! She is starting to develop a little personality. She is starting to smile at us all the time and really recognizes our voices and faces. It is SO fun!!! We love having her around all the time! Anyway, I thought I would post some more pictures of her!! Enjoy!

Blessing Day!

Blogger is being so weird. So I know that this text is all weird, but here it goes anyway! On the 10th we blessed Mckenna. My family was able to come out from Utah and from Houston, and Jeff's sister and family came too. It was such a beautiful blessing for an even more beautiful baby. My amazing sister had Mckenna's dress made (her Grandma-in-law makes dresses) and it was absolutely gorgeous! I couldn't have asked for a better day (except for maybe having Jeff's parents here too :-) We missed you, Mom and Dad!!!) She was crying while we were trying to take pictures of her- so she has her paci in her mouth for tons of pictures... it is kind of cute though!

Prettiest baby!
Tyler, Mom, Dad, and Rylie
Jeff and I with Mckenna
You can kind of see her dress. It was so long and absolutely beautiful on her!
4 generations! Me, Great Grandma, Mckenna, and Mom

Getting ready for her big day! Isn't the slip almost as beautiful as the dress?

Putting her dress on!!!

Isn't this picture ADORABLE!

Great Grandma Ayers holding Mckenna

One Month

Mckenna turned one month today (well, since it is now past midnight it was actually yesterday that she turned 1 month...) We can't believe she is growing up so fast! I will hopefully post pictures tomorrow (after I sleep for a couple more hours before waking up with her).

Also, we are blessing Mckenna on Sunday- SO my family is coming out!! I can't wait to see my parents and my two little siblings! My aunt, grandparents, 2 cousins, and an uncle are all coming out from Houston too! It will be a fun little party!!!

One last note- I just finished "Breaking Dawn". I wasn't to sure about it in the beginning, but I ended up loving it! What did everyone else think about it? Now what should I read? Any good suggestions? Now that my two favorite series (Harry Potter and Twilight) have concluded I don't know what to read next :-)!

HAIR

I am always looking for someone to cut my hair. In AZ I had a wonderful lady who did it for several years (until she had twins boys...) In TX I have found a lady who does a a pretty good job, but it took me 9 months to be brave enough to go to her! I am sure all of you woman understand how hard it is to change hair stylists :-)! BUT, if any one in Arizona is looking for a new stylist or just doesn't know where to go.... Check out my great friend Brittany's hair care blog http://www.brittanyshaircare.blogspot.com/ I am sad I don't live closer so that she could cut my hair because she does any amazing job! Both of my sisters just had their hair cut by her and they turned out ADORABLE!!! You can see pictures on her blog of some of her work. Also you should know that while in school she got first place in the Vidal Sassoon competition (or whatever they call it). I am sure if you go to her you will love it!

Again check out her blog at

http://www.brittanyshaircare.blogspot.com/

The Thoughts of a First Time Mom....

I wish that there was SOMETHING that could fully prepare a woman for the wonderful experience of becoming a mother. I was a nanny and also spent many hours with my nieces, but not even those experiences prepared me 100% for becoming a mother! The past three weeks have been amazing! I have discovered many things about myself as a wife and mother. But, even though I have learned that I can do a lot, I have also discovered that I can't do EVERYTHING! At times it has been so frustrating that the laundry isn't folded, the desk is a disaster, the hospital bags are still not unpacked and who knows when I will have time to accomplish any of those tasks! Last week I was so frustrated that I couldn't manage my normal life/duties and a baby. I was giving Mckenna a bath and I finally broke down. Jeff was so sweet and gave me the best advice- He told me that never again will I have a 2 1/2 week old Mckenna and told me that I should enjoy every minute with her now instead of worrying about what is getting done and what isn't getting done! I realized then that I was so frustrated and worried about what wasn't getting done that I wasn't taking the time to enjoy every moment that I could with my new little baby. From that moment on I have taken every minute that I can to enjoy Mckenna. Now I savor each moment that I get to spend with her instead worrying when I will be able to put her down for a nap in order to fold some clothes! That little piece of advice has helped me to enjoy being a mom even more. It hasn't solved all of my problems because no matter what the laundry and dishes need to be done, BUT I no longer stress that things are not getting done! That one piece of advice has become the little thing I needed to know in order to be a better mom. I love holding Mckenna and even miss her when it is Jeff's turn to wake up with her and I stay asleep. I love her little smiles (even if they are just gas...) and all of her silly baby noises. I love to watch her sleep and love having her close to me! Becoming a mom has been the best experience and I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have been given to have Mckenna in our family!

So all of my wonderful friends who are getting ready to have their own baby- Take Jeff's advice! Enjoy every second you get to spend with your little one and when you are able to spend that precious time don't sit and wish that you were doing something else (even if it REALLY needs to be done).

*** But for some reassurance... it does get easier right? haha! Will I eventually be able to get things done???