26 weeks

 Baby #2

Lennon

Not quite sure what happened to the second picture, but you get the idea.

25 weeks

 Baby #2

Lennon

We have had a lot of company sofar this month that will continue through the holidays. That means Lennon is used to be held by someone for 24 hours a day. That is also why she is no more than 6 inches away from me in this picture. That is going to be fun come January when everone goes home. 

24 weeks

 Baby #2

Lennon

Driving about

23 weeks

 Baby #2

Lennon

Last pictures for L

Here is the last blog post from Carly for Lennon's "Don't Blink Project". I am going to miss having her picture taken every month.

22 weeks

 Baby #2

Lennon

I hope that everyone has a safe and happy thanksgiving. And, it's totally fine if you eat too much. Doesn't count tomorrow. Cheers.

21 weeks

 Baby #2

Lennon

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Lennon had a fantastic day on Saturday. It still blows my mind that she is one already. The link to the right will take you to her party pictures. We had an ice cream bar and had had family and close friends over to help celebrate her day.

Happy birthday, Pumpkin.

I cannot believe my Lennon is going to be a year old on Saturday! Happy birthday, Lennon. We love you so much!

20 weeks

 Baby #2

Lennon at 20 week

Half way there. I had my ultrasound this morning. Another girl will be joining the McKee clan! Super excited she will have an older sister and two other girl cousins to grow up with, all so close together in age. Going to be crazy when they all get a bit older.

19 weeks

Baby #2

Lennon at 19 weeks

It's been requested that I post these again. I don't know that I was going to actually, but I am here to please. Here is week 19. This is when I started taking pictures with Lennon. For a starting point, I posted a picture of me with Lennon the same week..

11 months

I cannot believe we will be taking her 1 year pictures in less than a month. Go here to see my girl and her grandmas.

10 month pictures

It's hard to believe we've only got two more months of photos. Then Lennon will be 1. Amazing. Go here to see her 10 month photos and the updated slide show.

Because I don't have enough to do

Another one is on the way. I decided it would be fun to be pregnant from 2009-2011. Sounds perfectly logical, doesn't it? I always said I would like to have kids close together, so I got my wish! I am hoping it's another girl, so it's probably a boy. Which wouldn't be so bad either. I kind of thought we had decided 2 kids was a good number, and the other day Kenny said that if we have another girl, he would like to try for one more, to maybe have a boy. Uh, what? Yeah. Let's see how this one goes first.

Kenny and I are super excited and Lennon is, of course, clueless. My due date is march 30th.

9 months old!

Here is Carly's blog post with Lennon's 9 month pictures. So cute.

Where are all the manners?

We went out to dinner tonight with some friends. They go to this place often, so they know a lot of the people that work there. The owner's mother (I believe) came over to our table and started to talk to Lennon. She was rubbing her cheek with her hand. Does anyone else find this incredibly disgusting or is it just me? I don't really want strangers touching my baby, and especially not on her face. A bit later she came back with a carrot. A raw carrot. She tried to hand it straight to Lennon and I intercepted it right at the last second. No thanks, lady. I am going to go ahead and say no to the choking hazard. Thanks. Then she decided she wanted to hold her, so she picked her up and walked around with her. The woman asked me her name and then turned to Lennon and said (in a baby voice), "WOW. Why would your mommy give you that name? You don't like it, do you? Nooooo." I could care less if people don't like her name, but is it really necessary to insult it two seconds after being introduced to her?

I totally expected people to be inappropriate when I had kids. I see it all the time with my friends. But, it still amazes me when it actually happens.

Wiggle worm

Today Lennon turns 8 months old. She has become so much fun. I am not saying I hated when she was a tiny sack of potatoes, but I do have to say that I like this stage so much better. When they are developing their little personalities and figuring out how to do new things every day. It's great to watch. She has always been a strong, active baby. Ready to run since the day she was born. I walked into her room yesterday to get her up from her nap and saw this (above). The only problem is, she hasn't figured out how to get back down yet. Our other challenge is changing her diaper. Holy Lord. I have to pin her down with my left arm and try to change her before she wriggles out-and she does! Extra speed is needed when it's a poop diaper. My arms look fantastic, great muscle tone. Carrying around a 20 lb baby will do that to a girl, I guess. I just wish I could carry her with my ass. Tone that shiz up.

8 months old

We had a pool party for Lennon's 8 month pictures. Go here to see them-enjoy!

7 months

Please go here to see Carly's post with a couple of Lennon's 7 month photos.

6 months

Please go here to see Lennon's 6 month photos and also a slideshow that I LOVE.

Peas? Gross!

I'm sure babies do it all the time, but I thought it was hilarious that peas make Lennon cringe. I've seen babies gag on new foods, but never shiver with disgust.

Sidenote: Her face is not usually this messy. I do, in fact, know where her mouth is.

5 months old

Here are a few picts from her 5 month photo shoot. Enjoy!

The food revolution

If you haven't watched Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, you are missing out. He went to Huntington, West Virginia to try to change what schools are serving their kids. He is trying to help schools get away from the nasty processed foods that our kids are being served daily and make a switch to healthier, made from scratch, choices.

I have a link on the right side of my page where you can sign a petition. Jamie would like to take his petition to the White House to show the President and First lady how many people really care and ask for their support.

For more details, go to his show on ABC.com or click on the link to the right.

Well.....Um.....

This whole blog thing of mine has really been in the pooper lately, no? All that gets posted anymore are sad tales or monthly pictures of L. The reason? I have this thing where I am afraid to voice when things are going well with Lennon. I don't like to talk about it with other people and I especially don't want to blog about it. I am afraid that the second I voice it, it will change, and not for the better. When people ask me how she is, I just say great. I don't want to get into specifics. It's totally ridiculous, I know. I can't help it. But, if something is not going well, I figure no harm in talking about it. So, to sum it up that is why my blog sucks as of late. I guess you could say it's a good thing really.

I need to just write about other things and then it won't be an issue. I could talk about the fact that we get to go to St. Thomas in less than 2 weeks. Or, that Kenny now works in the Springs again and instead of having an hour drive to work, he is only 7 minutes away. Or, I could talk about the fact that his birthday is coming up pretty soon, but he gets no present from me. Why? Why am I a horrible, mean, uncaring wife? Because of wheels and tires. That's why. Ask him for details. Thank God the wheel and tire situation is over. It was becoming totally divorce worthy (not really).

Alright. I will try to be better.

My living science experiment

I feel like, lately, my baby is a science experiment. .8mL Zantac first thing in the morning. Feed her but then give her 2oz. of formula. She may drink it. She may not. Up for an hour. Nap time. Does she need .3mL of Mylicon today? Have I tried the Karo today? A tsp. per bottle. Oh she won't drink that? What about the Miralax? A teaspoon of that in 2-3 bottles/day. Right. Then make sure to apply her ointment (prescription) when I change her diapers. Another nap. Then feed and maybe another bottle. Repeat one more time. Ready for bed? .8mL more Zantac and ointment on the diaper rash.

My days are consumer by measurements and clocks.

4 months old

As you all know, this month has been a little rough on all of us. We are still trying to work the kinks out. I hope to have my happy little girl back soon.

Go here to see her 4 month pictures
Password: shakespeare

Board up the doors and windows and cut the phone lines

Well, my Lennon is still not 100%. The medication she is on for the reflux seems to be helping (it's the second one we have tried), but she is still always tired and is not eating that well. I tried to go about my day yesterday and we went to lunch. That lasted about 15 minutes and then she started to cry. So, we came home. This is so not normal for her. I haven't talked to my family or friends in a couple weeks and I just don't want to do anything. I want for her to be back to her normal, cheerful, adorable self. We had another rough night last night too. I'm not sure what's going on and it is so frustrating that I can't figure it out or fix it. When I tell the Dr. that she is always tired and not eating much, he seems to not be too concerned about it. I know this will pass sooner or later, but it's really rough on everyone and just makes me so sad.

My poor girl

The good news is I did not break my baby. The bad news is that we think she has reflux. We went to the Dr. on Friday and she's now on medicine for it. It has not started to work yet, but we should hopefully see some improvement in the next couple days. Fingers crossed. It's been a long couple of nights. We are on night #3. Wish us luck.

She did it!

Two days before she turns 4 months old she decides to roll over! Big day at the McKee household!

I've already failed as a parent

Approximate schedule before last Wednesday:
Wake up at 7:45am. Naps at 10 and 2 which she took in her crib. Only fussed for a second and then fell asleep. Adorable and smiley during the day. Barely fussed at all, if any. Bedtime at about 6 so that when the time change happens this weekend, it will be 7. I was planning ahead.
She was great sleeping through the night waking up once or twice and then going right back to sleep.

Last Wednesday to last night:
I was trying to get her to go to bed on her own. I would put her down and she would cry. I would check on her every 10 minutes to reassure her. It started to get better, then it got worse.
During the day she was always tired. Naps were messed up. She wasn't smiley and was always rubbing her eyes because she was so exhausted. Last night I put operation "cry-it-out" on hold until she is older. I went and got her and held her until she fell asleep, about 10 minutes. Then she woke up at 2:45am. I fed her and put her back down. She cried and stayed awake until 5am. Not normal. I have totally wrecked my baby.

Today, Wednesday, a new day:
She woke up at 8am and I just put her down for a nap. She fussed for two seconds and is asleep (I think). I will put her down in her crib tonight for bed and if/when she starts to cry, I will get her. I will hold her and rock her until she falls asleep. Then I will walk her up to her room and put her down. Hopefully, I will get my happy, non-exhausted baby back.

I've already failed.

UPDATE: Not asleep for nap. Screaming.

Music to my ears

Today's the day. Today is the day I got a giggle out of my girl. I have been waiting for this moment since the day she was born. Nothing is more adorable than a giggling baby! And not just one, I got her to do it for a good minute! She's been on the brink for a few weeks now, but it broke loose today. So stinkin' cute.

3 months

Lennon is 3 months old! She is just a doll and growing like a weed!
To see all her pictures from this month go here.

Password: shakespeare (case sensitive)

Angel Hair with Roasted Fennel and Mozzarella

So good I had to post it! I also added chicken.

1 medium fennel (anise) bulb
1 whole garlic, cloves peeled (and cut in half if large)
2/3 cup diced canned tomatoes
1 Tbsp fennel seeds
1/8 - 1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 lb angel hair pasta
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup - 1 cup of diced bocconcini cheese (fresh mozzarella)
1/3 - 2/3 cup of fresh grated parmesan

Cut fennel into small pieces (omitting frizzy parts and cutting out the core). Toss fennel, garlic, tomatoes, fennel seeds, half of the olive oil and the red pepper flakes and then spread on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 to 450 (depending on your oven) for 35 to 45 minutes. Fennel should be tender and a bit browned. Cook pasta, drain and toss with remaining olive oil, roasted mixture, basil, mozzarella and parmesan.

Babies are not like dogs

I have caught myself thinking, more than once, "Oh, Lennon is asleep. Now would be a great time for me to run to the grocery store." Like, I should leave her in her crib to run to do errands. Yeeeaaaaaaaah. Clearly, I have not done this because I am a fantastic mommy and I know you can't leave babies in cribs to go out and about. Even is they can't get out of their crib. And even if the dogs are really good babysitters.

Artichoke & Spinach Alfredo Chicken Lasagna

Jar of Alfredo sauce (I use 1 1/2 jars)
3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
14.5 oz artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
4 oz crumbled feta cheese
10 prepared lasagna noodles
2 cups packed raw baby spinach leaves

Combine chicken and next 4 ingredients. Spread small amount of alfredo sauce in bottom of 9x13 pan. Top sauce with 5 noodles, 1 cup of spinach leaves, 1/2 chicken mixture, and 1/2 remaining alfredo sauce. Repeat layers. Bake at 350 covered with foil for 45-50 minutes. uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes.

Snip, snip

I am talking about me, not Kenny (Kayla!). We would like to have more children...

Last night around 7pm, I got the urge to chop my hair. I wanted to do it months ago, but was told to wait. Everyone said cutting your hair when you're pregnant never ends well. It would have been fine, but I took the advise of well-intentioned friends.

I got online and began to look for a cut I wanted. I looked though my magazines. I had an idea, but I wanted an updated version of it. I called/texted/emailed friends and family to get their advice and opinions-thanks guys!

It can be a good or bad thing to have a mom that used to cut hair for a living. I called her up, and she came over around 9pm. I think I may cut a bit more off in the next couple weeks, but we will see how this works out first. It's not the exact style I wanted, but I like it. I just have to figure out how to do it.

Having my hair long was stupid. I couldn't just wash and go. I had to actually do it. It's curly, but needed to be tended to if I wanted it that way. I think I did it once in the past two months. It took me a good 30-45 minutes to blow it dry and then I had to use a straightener, which took another 20 minutes. I do not have the time or energy for that. I have always liked my hair long, but I need someone else to do it for me every day. (Sidenote: my mom did my hair every single day until I was well into middle school, I would say. I never knew kids did their own hair! She would blow it dry and style it 7 days a week. Wish she would still do that now, actually.)

I will post a picture when I actually get ready and do it. Today, the three of us are just hanging out. Pictures will not be taken.

Domesticated already

I have decided that I am going to make weekly menus. I have always wanted to do it, but never have. I am actually really excited about it. I am trying to stay price conscious though. I can't get carried away, which would be easy to do. The scallops for $25/lb are going to have to wait.

If you have any great recipes, pass them along! I will also post some of the good ones on here from time to time.

2 months

Carly was here this past week to take Lennon's 2 month pictures! And since she was baptised beginning of the month, I had her in her dress for most of the time. The link to the left has some more pictures!

She also went in for her 2 month appointment on Thursday. It was shot month...so sad.
She is 64% in weight and 89% in height. Who knew she would be tall?

Best.day.ever.

On Sunday, Kenny and I sat down and took a look at things. And when I say things, I mean our finances. Last week I wrote about how I did not have a choice when it came to going back to work. My good friend (thanks, Linds!) pointed out some other options that could possibly work out so I could stay home. Well, they worked out! I get to be a stay-at-home mom! Money is going to be a little tight, and I am still looking for something to do part time from home, but we can make it. It is going to be so worth it for our family and I could not be more thrilled about the whole thing! A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I have no stress anymore. I was so worried about trying to get her on a schedule before I headed back to work. I was worried about a million other things like what I would need to buy for the woman that was supposed to watch her to worrying that everything would go well from day to day when I wasn't there.

I am so grateful that I am now able to raise our daughter, Lennon, full time. I have the best job ever.

Mom brain: Part deux

I have turned the corner and am now a full blown idiot. This morning, when getting ready to feed Lennon, I set my cup of coffee down on the bed. It was not an empty cup. We can all see where this is going. Not two seconds later, the entire cup spilled, soaking into the relatively new temperpedic mattress. Why would I think that a cup could stand upright on a mattress that I was sitting on?

About an hour ago, I was getting ready to do some laundry. I had on a green robe that was rather disgusting so I took it off right before I started the load and threw it in. Along with my cell phone which was in the pocket.

So now we have a new Bissell green machine (that I used to clean the mattress) and I am without a phone.

I can't do it

I can't do it. I can't go back to work. I absolutely have to go back, but I just can't. I don't want someone else watching her. I don't want Kenny watching her. I am sitting at the dentist office right now waiting for my appointment. It is Kennys first time with Lennon, alone. Is he capable? Completely. Does he have a single clue on what to do with her? Not one. He is a fantastic dad and helps out with her when he is home with me, but I am always there and I know what she needs. Before I even walked out the door this morning, she was crying for way longer than was necessary. She was hungry and Kenny was just lovingly rocking her trying to put her back to sleep. I know he will get it figured out-practice makes perfect-but I don't want him to have to. I want to be with her every day. Me.

The only way this is going to happen is if I:
1.Find a work from home job
2.Find a job where I can bring her
3.Win Powerball

Everyday I get more and more depressed about the fact that I have to go back to work the beginning of February. It breaks my heart.