A True Big Girl Bed

Several weeks ago, we turned McKenzie's crib into a toddler bed.  From what I recall, we did this because we had just gotten rid of the pacifier and we were trying ANYTHING to make her feel better about her sleeping arrangement.  Also, I think we saw her throw that long leg of hers over the crib rail...

After finding out that Baby Owens #2 was another little girl, we decided to use the nursery furniture for little Annie and get McKenzie a new bed.  Thanks to Mom, she has a very cute quilt that matches her room perfectly.  Thanks to Carter, she has her favorite purple fleece blanket and big, fuzzy pillow.  And thanks to McKenzie, she has adorable flower sheets that she picked out all on her own.  So, here it is!  When we first showed her the bed, she had a pretty funny look on her face... part excitement, part "what the heck is going on?!"  She pretty immediately got in it and covered herself up.  I guess the true test will come this evening.

And after two minutes, filled with all of her goodies!

Besties

Like it or not, these girls are pretty much best friends.  Although it may be by default since Kelly and I hang out so much, they really do seem to have fun together.  Even if fun sometimes includes a fit or two because that toy that hasn't been played with or even noticed for the last two months is suddenly "MIIIINE!!!"  But once we get through the reminders about how to share, Brinley and McKenzie generally have a great time together.

Brinley's house has the best (and most!) riding toys.

Fun with hats. 

We have aprons, now what?  Oh yeah, riding toys!

Brinley getting right in my face.

Ma-dy

After a long day with Mommy, McKenzie is usually quite excited to see her Daddy.  Unfortunately, her transition to calling him Daddy can sometimes take quite a while.  For the better part of two hours, she refers to him as "Ma-dy." It's as though she remembers mid-word what to call him, but decides to just go with it anyway.  It's quite hilarious.

By 9:00 last night however, she had his name down.  We had a long night at the softball field and were playing on the bed as we attempted to put pajamas on McKenzie.  Brant gave her a gentle push into a pile of pillows and that did not sit well with her.  She expressed her feelings pretty well by saying, clear as day, "that's not nice, Daddy."

Today brought the second day of Mother's Day Out.  Because Annie's arrival is closing in each day, we want McKenzie to get used to either of us taking her to school.  So, Daddy took his turn today.  Brant called me after he dropped her off and said he thinks she only cried because the little girl that went before her cried.  Based on what I heard when I picked her up, I don't think that was quite right.  Before the door even opened, I heard her crying, "Dadddddyyyyy."  It was very pitiful.  Once she saw me, she said "I miss Daddy.  Daddy don't drop me off."  And as we pulled into the driveway, "Daddy doesn't miss me."  Heartbreaking!  I guess when she's used to Daddy taking her to donuts and the park on Saturday mornings, it's a rude awakening when he drops her off and leaves.  

Got a Minute?

At the very end you can barely hear it, but she calls me over and says "take a picture."  Guess she felt like her spinning efforts deserved some recognition.

A Little Break

Yesterday, we finally had a break in the heat.  So for the first time in a while, we headed out to play in the back yard.  McKenzie had fun swinging on her own.  And I had fun taking a few pictures and relaxing outside.  With baby #2 inching closer each day, I'm really starting to realize how precious this time is with McKenzie.  I just hope it stays cool (and by cool, I mean not 100 degrees, which doesn't seem to be asking a lot) so that we can continue to get outside and have fun.

Love those little curls!

She never fell out of the swing!

Whistling on her way to see Daddy!