I feel like I was just posting about Mcks turning 10 months, and here we are! 11 months now. She's almost a year old. I am still in denial. And I will probably stay in denial for the next 10 years. Maybe longer. With each new thing she learns, I tell myself this is my new favorite stage. But really, this is my favorite. She is so fun. She tries to copy everything we do. There was one night that Jake was laying on the floor and I rolled over and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Not 1 minute later, Mcks scampered over and gave him a snuggle and a kiss on the cheek. It was beyond adorable. This little girl can chow down. I think she probably eats just about as much as I do. And she loves peanut butter. A lot. If I put peanut butter on anything, she'll gulp it down and ask for more. She has also started drinking whole milk and she loves that too. She has started saying words like, "mama", "dadee", "hi", "dog", and she tries really hard to say "duck" and "ball". She still only has two teeth. She walks everywhere. She almost doesn't like to be carried. Almost. She loves her blanket and going on the swings. She loves baths and blowing bubbles in the water. There are so many things she loves. I could go on and on. She still doesn't like her carseat. And she doesn't like getting her face wiped, but other than that, she's pretty much the best baby in the world. We love her so much.
Our Second Trip to Utah
Only a few weeks after we had come home, we got the very unfortunate news that my grandfather had passed away. Wanting to be a part of the funeral, we frantically started searching for manageable fares to Utah. We ended up driving to Little Rock and flying into Salt Lake a week before the funeral. Jake and I had been planning on going on a little getaway just the two of us. But, because of the unexpected flight to Utah, we didn't have the budget for it. So, my parents were nice enough to watch Mcks for two nights while Jake and I went to Park City to go skiing. We found a really good deal on a super nice hotel. There was so much snow! It was beautiful! We headed up Monday night, and came home Wednesday morning.
Park City Getaway
Jake has wanted to go skiing since we got married. Living in Utah my whole life, you would have guessed that I was an avid skier. Let me put that assumption to rest: I am NOT a skier. I remember going once, and I was like, six years old. I may have only been watching. My memory is pretty hazy on the event anyway. Basically, I was a beginner beginner. Jake reassured my he thought I was coordinated enough that I would pick up on it quickly and we wouldn't have a problem. Anyway, Tuesday was dedicated to skiing.
Jake had explained to me how to slow down. Snow plow. That's what he instructed. And I thought it would be easy enough. After getting off the lift for the first time. I learned quickly that "snow plow" really isn't enough to make you stop. Because of how the hills were, there was a downhill slope on both sides. I got of the lift and started sliding down these hills. Hoping to not run people over or to seriously injury myself, I did the only think I could think of to stop. I sat down quickly, hoping to come to a stop. I kept sliding! The only different was my head, body, and poles were now being dragged behind the skis. Jake is (I'm sure trying not to laugh) yelling, "turn sideways! Turn sideways!" Eventually, I did stop. I was a tangled up mess. Not going had I just made myself very wet, I was so twisted I didn't know how to get up. Every time I tried, I fell down again. It didn't help my pride that as I'm struggling to get up, a ski class zooms by almost as flawlessly as singing comes for the Von Trapp family. After one run down the hill, I was convinced I was done. I didn't want to ski anymore. I would watch from the bottom as Jake went through the runs. He wouldn't take that as an answer though. So we kept trying.
I did get better. After an hour or so, I had the "First Time" hill down. I could go down without falling and without potentially hurting myself or others. We looked up some more green runs and decided to give them a try.
I did get better. After an hour or so, I had the "First Time" hill down. I could go down without falling and without potentially hurting myself or others. We looked up some more green runs and decided to give them a try.
These pictures are the view from the top of the mountain. I was expecting to have this run down...wrong. It was a really narrow green run. I had become accustomed to taking wide turns on the bunny hill. Here's the deal though, I'm totally a mental case. I was doing just fine until my mind took over. My muscles: "You've got this. You're fine. This is even fun!" Then my brain takes over: "You're going to die!! You're going to CRASH! What were you thinking?!" Then I eat snow. Ouch. My body, and my pride, aching.
Finally making it to the bottom again, I was, yet again, convinced that I was done. Jake suggested we get hot chocolate and take a small rest. Who can resist hot chocolate when it's only 7 degrees outside? I wasn't that cold though. We were so worried about being freezing, that I think we put too many layers on. It worked out though because it made for more cushioning when I fell.
After a small break, I was ready to try again. We stuck to the two smaller hills for a while until I was feeling confident again. I must say, I was getting some speed (or so I thought) towards the end. We decided to try the larger hill again. We found a different route and asked some workers, they agreed the new trail would be wider and easier to maneuver on: less ice, wider trails, etc. I felt pretty good about that.
After a small break, I was ready to try again. We stuck to the two smaller hills for a while until I was feeling confident again. I must say, I was getting some speed (or so I thought) towards the end. We decided to try the larger hill again. We found a different route and asked some workers, they agreed the new trail would be wider and easier to maneuver on: less ice, wider trails, etc. I felt pretty good about that.
What you can't tell from this picture is that I'm on the ground. Because I crashed...again. This was the least hard of all the falls. I figured since I was down, I might as well take advantage of the beautiful scene. After fighting my way back up to standing, we started down again. Once I fell once, I was expecting myself to fall again. I didn't disappoint. I became too worried about falling. My body just gave up. I think I fell almost 5-6 more times. Some of the falls, I ate snow really hard. At the end of the hill, I had a killer headache from some head-hits, and was just ready to be done. So, we called it a day. Plus, Jake had a work meeting he needed to call in for.
It sounds like I didn't love skiing. That's not entirely true. I did have fun. And I would probably go again. Do I like skiing as much as I like the beach? No. But I'm willing to try it again. I did leave with a greater respect for skiers though.
It sounds like I didn't love skiing. That's not entirely true. I did have fun. And I would probably go again. Do I like skiing as much as I like the beach? No. But I'm willing to try it again. I did leave with a greater respect for skiers though.
Another night of hot tubbing was just what we needed after a long day of skiing. The hotel even provided these fancy robes, which were free with a fee of $90 if they weren't there. (The card actually said that, we had a good laugh). We woke up early the next morning and headed back to Utah County. I hadn't been away from Mcks for more than 2 hours at this point. As silly as it sounds, I missed that little baby! |
Being away from Mckynlee really made me think about motherhood and what it means to me. Motherhood it HARD. There are days that I just feel emotionally and physically exhausted. Motherhood is dirty diapers, sticky messes, constant entertainment (even while in the bathroom). It's teaching, learning, understanding, compassion, frustration, and so many more adjectives. Motherhood is being excited for a few days off, but immediately missing them as you pull out of the driveway and counting down the moments until you can see them again. Motherhood is smiles and laughter, excitement and fun. People frequently ask me how I like being a mother and how I'm adjusting. I sincerely love every minute. Yes, even the hard moments. Mckynlee is the thing in my life I never knew I was missing. She has made me into a better person without even trying. I just love that I have the opportunity and the blessing that is Mckynlee.
Sledding
When we got back from Park City, there was no snow on the ground. Zilch. The following day, it came down in buckets! I was really hoping for snow so I could have Mcks experience it. Arkansas doesn't really get snow. And when it does, it's icey. Not really sledding snow. I was thrilled. I as worried about Mcks getting cold and being miserable, so I put TONS of layers on. Think, "I can't put my arms down!"
At first, she didn't know what to think, but in just a few minutes, she was loving it! I think her favorite thing was just walking in the snow. She liked seeing her foot make a dent in the snow.
We walked in the snow for a few minutes, then we headed to the park for sledding!
She wasn't really sure what to think of sledding.
Then she tried going alone...
Overall, Mcks just wanted to walk in the snow. And she didn't want help. She just wanted to be independent! At one point, she face planted in the snow. I went to help her up, only to find she was eating the snow! She stayed in the snow and just kept licking it. Such a funny girl.
Overall, snow = success!
We also got to see Grandma (great grandma for Mcks) Taylor. It was so good to be able to visit so many family members when we visited. Also, Mcks loved sitting the car shopping cart. I think all stores should have these.
We also got to see Grandma (great grandma for Mcks) Taylor. It was so good to be able to visit so many family members when we visited. Also, Mcks loved sitting the car shopping cart. I think all stores should have these.
Mckynlee was working out with Uncle Kevin in the morning. With help from dad of course.
The Funeral
My grandfather was a good man. I was lucky to grow up near my grandparents, so we were able to see them frequently. Over the past few years, his health had been declining, but he was a fighter. While death is very sad, I'm glad that my grandfather is no longer in pain. His funeral was a lovely service. It made me think. As people were thinking about his life and the type of person he was, they all said similar things. He loved his Savior. And he loved his family. This is what I want people to say at my funeral. She knew who she was, she loved her Savior, and she loved her family. What more could a person really need in life?
The gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a blessing in my life. Because of the knowledge I have, I know that a goodbye on earth isn't goodbye forever. Earth is just a step in the plan. In the Plan of Salvation, we are told to follow a few steps. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Baptism by immersion, the laying on of hands to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to endure to the end. My grandpa made it. He endured. He made it through this life and all the trials that came his way. I will keep his example in my heart as I go through trials. I can endure. I will make it. I can continue on. This life is not the end.
Our trip to Utah, although spurred by a very sad reason, turned out to be a very fun trip. We were so glad to see family and to have a few minutes to ourselves! After a long few months of travel, we were so glad to be home. When we walked in the door, Mcks excitedly pointed at all her toys. She was so ready to be home again! Although she did wake up the next morning asking where Grandma and Grandpa were. We're already excited for the next time we see them!
The everything else
Mcks is going through this phase where she has to be fiercely independent. I was giving her yogurt one morning and she wouldn't take any unless she could hold the spoon. So I decided to let her feed herself. The picture above was at the beginning of the ordeal, and it only got messier from here. For some reason, I hate when she is dirty. But, I think that's something I'll have to let go of as she starts to feed herself more. Just another way I can stretch.
Mckynlee just learned how to drink out of a straw. Up until now, I haven't been able to get Mcks to drink anything, unless she's nursing. But, we're starting to ween. I tried bottles, sippy cups, normal cups, nothing. She'd take a small sip, then spit it out. But, she just learned to drink with a straw. Now I can't seem to get her to stop drinking! It's wonderful. Anyway, we were at Sam's and I ordered a smoothie. Mcks was reaching and reaching to my drink, so I caved and let her have some. Next thing I know, it's her drink now. But don't worry, she did share a little bit with me. |
In the video above, Mcks is on the swings. She LOVES the swings. She will just laugh and laugh. Then she cries when I take her out. She'll point at the swings until I put her in them. So fun! Mcks and I get sick of being inside the house. So, we will often take little outings. One day, we decided to just walk around the duck pond by our house. Afterword, we got a slushie and fries at Sonic. She loved it. And she also loved getting to sit in the front seat with me. |
This day, on the other hand, was a 70 degree day. It was wonderful! We couldn't pass up the opportunity to play outside. Mckynlee did pretty good for a one year old if you ask me. Not bad in the ways of coordination. Also, I'm pretty sure she's saying "kick it". I'm not the only one thinking that, right??
Anyway, life is good. Sooo good. I just wish it wouldn't pass by so quickly. I'm really starting to understand the phrase, "The days are long, but the years are short."
Anyway, life is good. Sooo good. I just wish it wouldn't pass by so quickly. I'm really starting to understand the phrase, "The days are long, but the years are short."