Tiaras, Tumbling and Toddlers

It is hard for me to believe that my little girl is so into tiaras, dress up and other girly things. I was such a tomboy and she has a big brother...but she is...very.much.so. She does however like to put on her fairy costume and sword fight with her brother. That is more like it!

For Makena's 2nd birthday party we decided to do it at Roach Gymnastics. It was great - 1 1/2 hour party, the whole gym to ourselves, and "coaches" to have the kids to activities or just play with them on all the apparatuses. The favorites seemed to be the foam pit and the trampoline. But the kids (and parents) ran amok walking on balance beams, swinging on bars, and yes, even trying some tricks (the adults). Think some of us grownups may have been a bit sore the next day! It was a great party.

How life changes in two years

My life changed drastically two years ago. At 12:12pm Feb 12, 2008, Makena Lacie Landgraf was extracted from my belly via c-section. She was 8lbs, 5oz and 19.5in.

Not only was she my first (and only) daughter, but now my second child. I was so happy but so scared...how was I going to deal with two kids? How would I deal with a teenage daughter? The last two years have been crazy, hectic, hysterical (good and bad), loving, frustrating...basically wonderful! Took some time to get into the groove, and I know each stage brings great joy and incredible frustration but I wouldn't do without it.

It is amazing when you look back how much she has grown - physically and intellectually. Makena is definitely testing out the terrible twos lately, but she also brings daily smiles, laughter, hugs, kisses and joy to my heart. The smile on her face when she learns a new "trick" or when we congratulate her on knowing her colors, or being able to buckle her seatbelt is amazing.

It is so wonderful to now see Aidan wanting to be the big brother, play with her, teach her and love her. I hope that relationship continues to grow because it melts my heart.

I realized the other day, that sometimes Makena calls me "mom"...not "mama" or "mommy" as it has been. Don't think I like it! Means she is growing up.

Makena is an extremely intelligent, loving, friendly, funny girl and I cannot wait to see her continue to grow in all these areas. Everyone comments on how cute she is, even with her cracked tooth smile. She is just a happy kid!

As I write this I am getting ready to get you from daycare and I know I will get a huge smile, you will run to me, jump in my arms and give me the biggest hug. You might even grab my face and give me a big kiss. That is the highlight of my day.

I love you my little princess "Noonie", our "Macaroni Penguin", "Macadoodles". Thank you for being in my life.

Christmas 2009

This year we traveled to Fountain, CO to spend Christmas with Jim's family. This was our first time traveling by air with both kids, need I say more? Actually, outside of the fact that from start to finish it takes about 8 hours, all went pretty smoothly.

So we had a house full of people - Jim's mom and dad, brother Tod, brother Greg, his wife Meg and their two girls Jennah (10) and Kelsey (6), Jim's sister Kayte and her son Michale (3 mos), plus the four of us! Oh and 3 dogs! Even with all the people there is was a wonderful visit. We don't get the chance to get together very often and do enjoy each other's company.

Makena was enamoured with Michale, Kelsey and Aidan played the whole time, and Jennah, well she took turns entertaining Makena and hanging out with Kelsey and Aidan. A lot of Wii was to be had! Aidan and Kelsey also went to the Dinosaur Museum.

The kids loved playing in the snow and then hanging out in the hot tub.

Christmas eve not a creature was stirring...

Christmas morning was mostly about the kids, and they really did a great job being patient waiting for their turn to open a gift.

During our trip Kayte set up a photo session so we could get some pics of the kids. Makena wasn't really wanting anything to do with it so our session was short lived. Not the greatest pics (really wishing now I had cut Aidan's hair and I had worn a different top) but at least we got some family shots.

When we returned home, we had a second Christmas (so we didn't have to drag all our presents to and from CO) which the kids loved! We also had our only snow so far this winter.

Prior to Christmas we did our yearly visit to Santa - once again, Makena wanted nothing to do with taking pictures with him. Maybe she is a Navajo Indian - they believe that if your picture is taken your soul goes with it?