On a Tuesday

A full shot of her cute outfit from the Nelsons. She's on the blanket that Cousin Carol Locke made for her.

I was doing my best to get her to look at the camera, not too successful on that one. This was her first time on her tummy for an extended period of time.

A curious look.

After eating Kenzie sat in her Boppy. She wasn't too sure about the whole thing.

We're doing our best to get her on a schedule. This comes with waking her at certain times during the day to eat. This was the look she gave me...not too impressed with the afternoon snack idea.

We spent all day here at the house again. I decided to take some pictures of Mickenzie in her green outfit that Laurie and Kathie Nelson sent. She looks very cute in green, it does much better for her complection when she's screaming...the pink thing is a bit overwhelming when her face is bright red.

Christmas weekend...

I'm already teaching Mickenzie the fine skill of sleeping while watching movies (12/27). This was actually taken during the day, but this is generally the way we wind up in the wee hours of the morning when we're wide awake. I must say that having my parents around to help with Mickenzie so I could actually do my hair was so wonderful...it's amazing how quickly it can wind up wet and in a messy-pony when she makes noise. I'll learn to master the art of getting it all done at some point.

Three generations of "the girls". Mickenzie wasn't really into the whole thing and was hanging on for dear life. (12/28)

I had to take a few pictures of Mickenzie's "pouty face". This face is generally accompanied by some serious screams, and at times tears. At times you can tell her that she's just fine and she'll stop screaming...I hope she's not dramatic in her teen years. Ha!

A self-portrait with Grandpa Mick (12/26).

Mickenzie HATES bath time. I'm always a bit nervous when the phone rings, and it's answered while she's getting her bath. One would think I was trying to hurt her. She's happy until the water hits her...then it's all down hill from there until she's completely clothed and being held again. I'm learning to move quickly.

Kenzie and her Grandma Mick on Christmas Morning.

Kenzie and her dad. I can't believe how hard she's already working at holding her head up. She also arches her back like crazy. It won't be too long before she's rolling over.

Our first family picture on Christmas morning. I can't believe I'm sharing it...look at how nice I look. Uugh!!

Early Christmas morning. Kenzie wore her First Christmas jammies that she got as a gift from Jim and Kathy Bush. She looked so cute wearing them.

Mickenzie with her first Christmas gift. It'll be a while before she can read the book. I'm not sure that she would pay attention for long enough for me to read it to her...maybe when she's 13 (like the bulk of the people who read the book).

What an eventful Holiday week we had. Mickenzie's Grandpa Mick and Grandma Mick (aka GC) came up Christmas Eve to spend the week. Again, it was great having them. GC helped with many diaper changes, and both took turns staying awake until the wee hours of the morning with Mickenzie to attemp to get her to sleep during "normal" night hours. Now that they've gone back to the valley, I get to attempt turning her around....we can do it!

Mickenzie had the chance to meet her Uncle Todd for the first time (12/23). Her UT came down from Silverdale, WA for the Holiday...it only took him six hours to get to Hermiston from Portland (generally a 3 hour drive).

Christmas Eve was spent burning a bonfire at Troy's parents' house, then heading to some friends' to help feed cows (very exciting). If anything, it was great for Mickenzie and I to get out of the house for a few hours, even if all we did was sit in the truck with the heater and nap. That evening we had pizza for dinner. Lora, Curtis, and Troy's parents came over for a while. We allowed Mickenzie to open her one gift on Christmas Eve, which wound up being from her Uncle Todd. I held her as UT helped unwrap her very own copy of Twilight! She also got two new CDs to add to her "Sounds Like Fun" CD...Katie Perry and Natashia Beddingfield. She's only listened to one of them so far, but she seems to like it.

Christmas morning was pretty quiet. My parents, Troy, Mickenzie and I woke up (Mickenzie and I for the second time) at around 7:30 to open stockings and gifts. Mickenzie got quite a few books to add to her bookshelf (her mom is a dork). She also got money from numerous relatives to add to her bank account. That afternoon Troy's parents, Todd, Lora and Curtis came over again. We played some board games and relaxed....all in all...it was a great Holiday for all of us.

Two weeks already?

Last night (12/20) sitting on Dad's lap. Mickenzie was very content for over an hour...starting at the light above the couch is her new favorite thing. She is 13 days old today! Where did they all go? Not that I'm totally biased, but she's a pretty-stinkin cute kid. :)

Mickenzie really doesn't like it when people talk on the phone when they should be paying attention to her. Dad had a phone call...she gives some seriously worried looks.

Mickenzie sitting in her favorite bouncer chair (12/18).

I love this face! This is her "stretching" face...it makes me giggle each time she does it.

This was Mickenzie's first time sitting in her travel swing. She was rather fixated on the yellow bear to her left. (12/16)

Meeting Cody for the first time. Cody kept sniffing all over hear head, then looking at me like, "What do I do with this thing?" He was a bit annoyed when he nudged my arm and I didn't immediately start petting him. I know he and Mickenzie will be great friends in time.

It's crazy to believe that two weeks ago I was sitting in a hospital bed, anxiously awaiting Mickenzie's arrival. Now we're at home, stuck in the house (snow), and eating like crazy. Thankfully Mickenzie has given me a few hours of sleep each night, even if it does mean sleeping with her in my arms. We still aren't too sure about the crib...I'm hopeful that comes with time.

Late nights...

We seem to make quite the mess when we eat at times. Not only that, but we struggle to stay awake.

Mickenzie loves the bouncer that Amy and Jebron gave to her. She sits in it during the day and just looks around. This was actually taken this morning (she was finally awake for a minute during the day).

Last night Mickenzie woke up at 11:30 to a messed diaper and was a bit hungry. It wound up turning into a bond session that lasted until about 3:30. Each time I thought I had her back to sleep, I would gently lay her in her crib, crawl into bed, and within seconds hear her cry. After testing a few of her fingers, she decided that the thumb would be the best.

I'm not sure how we wound up with this one. I think I was a bit tired and was attemping to entertain myself. If only the color of her deep-blue eyes would show inthis picture.

You officially know you're losing your mind when you're taking self-portraits in the wee hours of the morning. We also sang Christmas songs, with some seriously modified words. I need to brush up on all of my songs if I'm going to teach them to her correctly.

All is going well here otherwise. This morning it was -13 (according to the news). We haven't been out of the house since our Dr. appt. last Friday. Thankfully we have a wonderful stove that keeps the house warm.

At last...

Early Wednesday morning with Santa. I heard bells in the hall and had to check it out. Sorry for my stylish hair. Primping in those little bathrooms just didn't do a lot for me. Mickenzie hadn't been awake for long, and wasn't into the whole picture thing at the time.

Mickenzie was a bit sad to see us leave the hospital. She's knew she would miss her "magic call button" to get her favorite nurses to come in.

We have been home since Wednesday afternoon. What a whirlwind this week has been! I can't believe that a week has almost flown by.

Mickenzie is adjusting well to home life. It took her a day of unconsolable screaming, a trip to the hospital to figure out "feeding issues", and to the pediatrician this morning to realize that everyone seems to think she's doing just fine...as Troy put it this morning "her parents are just weenies". At least we aren't afraid to admit that one.

She has yet to meet Cody. The poor dog has been pouting all week. First, being left at home for a few days with my parents and their dog, then having Troy come home and not play with him every night. I'm curious to see how he'll take to her. Then again, people have said that dogs can feel what's going on.

Have a great weekend,

Troy, Sara and Mickenzie

~Baby Mickenzie~

The Marks Family is pleased to introduce you to

Mickenzie Alice Marks

Born: December 7, 2008

Time: 1:12 PM

Weight: 9 lbs 6 oz

Length: 21 in long

The Marks Family is Healthy and Happy!

Mickenzie's First Check-Up After Being Born

Her First Foot Prints

She was a BIG GIRL!

Proud Papa Troy!

The Marks Trio

Mickenzie Was So Tired After Her Grand Entrance Into The World!

This afternoon I went to the Dr. for my last "scheduled" appointment. Not that I need to go into all of the exciting lingo, but if nothing happens "naturally" before Sunday we're being induced. So, I have two full days left before I'm a mom. How insane is that? The wonderful thing is that when I filled out my leave papers with the school district, I stated that December 5th would be my last day. I won't end up losing any leave due to an over-due baby...most excellent. Tomorrow my substitute is going to come in after school and we'll go over lesson plans, etc. It looks like everything is working out quite wonderfully. In the meantime I'm celebrating with my cocktail...Sprite, cranberry juice, and OJ.

Last night we had the name conversation. For a while Troy has been calling her McKenzie. It looks like that may be what we go with, only because we haven't called her anything else. I did tell some students that I was going to name her Baby. They were rather vocal about that being a dumb name, I didn't want to ask them why they thought suddenly I was being serious with them.

We'll be sure to let everyone know when Baby Marks (McKenzie Alice...as of right now) is here.

This probably isn't the best picture in the world (I'll be honest, it isn't), but Troy took it the other morning before school. It gives a good guess as to how big I've gotten, though I don't stick out as far as some people I know. The real date would have been 37 week and 2 days.

Hermiston Shower and Crib Assembly

Uncle Todd and Dad putting the crib together.

Scrapbooking at its finest at the Hermiston Shower.

Grandma Mick and Great-Grandma Jinny.

It's almost time...

It's a bit insane to believe that in just a few short weeks, give or take, Baby Marks will be here. It has been quite a whirl wind to say the least. We've had two Baby Showers to date, one in Canby given my Grandma Mick and Aunt Lora; the other in Hermiston given by Angi and Grandma Marks. It was amazing to see the number of people who attended both to show their excitement for the new arrival. This week some of my students have a Shower planned for the four people in our building who are either having, or who have recently had babies. Some have joked that there must be something in the water.

Baby's crib is all set up in our room, with the spare room being magically transformed into a place for clothes and extras. We were very fortunate to have college friends, Amy and Jebron, gift us with so many items we needed....I love my rocker!