Opps!

We didn't notice that Mackenzie was "sweeping" near the TV until we heard her knocking on the LCD TV screen with the broom handle. This is what we got when we turned it on.
We learned two things today: 1) Mackenzie has a weird obsession with the broom 2) LCD screens are not child proof.

50lbs down!

I was so excited to step on the scale a few days ago and see that I have officially lost 50 lbs! While I'm a lot closer to my goal than I was 8 months ago, I still have about 12 lbs to go before I hit my first big goal. From there, I'll re-evaluate and see how much more I need to lose after that. This weight loss has been really hard but I have learned to take the challenge head on! When the weather warmed up, I traded in my gym membership for a pair of running shoes and hit the trail! I run between 4 and 5 miles each day ( running about 40 -50 minutes at a time) with strength training every other day and I LOVE it. Here are a few pictures of my favorite jogging trail:

Who would wanna be inside on a treadmill when you've got such a scenic trail?
Here is a before picture of me 50 lbs heavier ( there aren't many- I was pretty good at dodging the camera)
And this was taken a few days ago. Still lots of work to do but I am very proud of my progress. Sorry about the cheesy " self portrait" Mike wasn't home!


I have a doctor's appointment coming up on Friday and I can't wait to see how my blood levels have changed! I'll keep you posted.

A little dirt never hurt anyone

Mackenzie's been having a blast at Grammy's house! Mary has a really pretty yard with lots of different types of grasses and flowers to smell. Mackenzie and Mary's cat Fonzie had fun exploring together. Mackenzie found a puddle and all I can say is "Thank goodness for Oxyclean!" It got all of the stains out!

Fonzie thought he was well hidden...he was not.
Here's how Mackenzie looked for the ride home:
Dirty feet! She's sitting on the washer- I stripped her down right when we walked in the door to soak her clothes.

Poor Elmo

Best friends always take the beatings....

Thanks, Hansford family!

A few weeks ago we received a package in the mail from Auntie Nikki. In it were all of Taylor and Cole's old leapster books and leap pad- a " game system" geared for young toddlers. Taylor and Coley had graciously handed them down to Mackenzie! She sure does love it and drags it around with her off and on through out the day. Here's a short video of her playing with it. My favorite part is her imitating the Zebra!

Check up time!

Today was Mackenzie's 15 month well child exam! I can hardly believe it. When I worked in the clinic , I always thought of the 15 mo exam as the end of the "baby" phase and start of the " little kid" phase. I was relieved because usually the 15 month old kids had a new awareness about strangers and sometimes try to leap off the scale or refused to be measured. Mackenzie didn't have any trouble at all and even clapped for herself when she got weighed.

It's always fun to go back to the clinic although, as time passes, I feel less and less like " an employee" and more and more like a "patient". I feel very, very blessed to have Dr. Baker as Mackenzie's pediatrician. When I started working with him, I recognized right away how fortunate his patients were to have a doctor who cared so much about them. It's very reassuring to know that he cares for Mackenzie the same way.

Here are her stats for the visit:
Height:32 ( which is in the 90th % for her age)
Weight: 23 lbs ( 52 %)
Head Circumference: 18 in ( 59%)


Notes from the doctor:
Dr. Baker was very impressed by Mackenzie's language skills. She has over 50 words that she uses on a regular basis and that other people would understand although there are more than that if you count the words that Mike and I understand just from being around her. He was also impressed that she knows and uses several phrases such as : " Where are you?" and " I see it" .

Mackenzie was due for two vaccines which she took like a champ. Dr. Baker did urge her to " milk it" for all it's worth- something he promised not to do again! hehe. After her shots, it was snack time so the banana I stashed in my bag came in handy!

Her next appointment isn't until September! We've been very lucky that we haven't had to make many sick visit appointments so hopefully we won't have to come back before then.

Here's a picture of Mackenzie as we were heading out the door:

Little Miss Sunshine

We've been helping Grandma Mary get her yard ready for summer and Mackenzie really enjoys being outside , which makes it easier on those who are trying to do yard work. Aside from the distraction of the neighbor's dogs , she likes to hang close by collecting pine cones from Grammy's big tree or picking dandelions and wandering the yard. Since she learned how to smell flowers, she stops to smell ANY " Flowy" she passes by and then exclaims " NICE!" or " That's good!" Here are a few pictures of her hangin' around Grammy's yard.

She got a big kick out of riding in the wheelbarrow!

In this picture, she's talking to Kermit, the puppy next door.

Mackenzie is an on the go kinda girl. She's always looking for an adventure. Recently, we've been pretty busy and there have been very few full days at home, which she loves. Yesterday was the first day in a while that we didn't have any where to be. Apparently, Mackenzie wasn't as excited about a quiet day at home. Just after breakfast, she was found standing at the door just waiting for somewhere to go. When I told her that we weren't going out, she grabbed her shoes and tried to put them on herself! It's a darn good thing for those baby proofed door knobs!