09/22/00-03/01/12
Friday, March 2, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
2 little girls= Loud and Louder
My subtitle to this post should read my girl's nicknames are "Loud Leila & Screamin' Skylar"
Our house is LOUD. People are always amazed that Skylar can sleep in public places, but our house is unbelievably noisy so it is just white noise to her. Leila is 3...enough said. At 4 months, Skylar started SCREAMING at the top of her lungs when upset or excited. It is ear piercing. The irony is when she hears an extremely loud, startling noise, she cries.
Skylar is five months old on February 29. She is so cute. She has a beautiful smile and laugh and a wonderful disposition. Gorgeous blue eyes! She wakes up happy. (Nope, still not sleeping through the night.) She can roll around all over the place and push her arms and head up. She figured out the jumperoo last week and can jump like crazy. It is sooo cute. We started rice cereal last week and she LOVED it. Skylar did not even hesitate and ate the whole bowl (a whole 1 TBS!!) She is on a break from it for a few days since she started having gassy crying spells again and I want to determine the cause (please don't let it be my much-needed coffee in the morning...)
Skylar likes to be held, upright, and especially held so she can stand on her little legs. She sleeps on her tummy with her bottom in the air, which is how my parents told me I slept as an infant. She goes nuts over her bed when it is naptime (when placed in her bed will immediately roll over and go to sleep) and Patrick's mom said he was the same. She LOVES her left thumb. My mom calls it her "be happy" button--and it is. The right thumb will do, of course. Sadly,(for me) she knows who her mommy is which means she knows who is NOT her mommy and will cry if handed off when she is sleepy or cranky...sigh.
She likes walks in the Baby Bjorn--Shrek is still hanging in there so we try to take him as much as we can. She loves her sister and thinks anything Leila does in hilarious. Leila is so sweet to her sissy and will entertain her for me while I am cooking dinner.
As sweet as Skylar is, she is also opinionated and is proving to be another high-maintenance child.... I love my girls and I love being home with them. We have so much fun! But mama is tired!! Leila does not nap and Skylar's naps are still not super-scheduled due to always running around for Leila's stuff. We were very strict with Leila's sleep schedule so I hope Skylar can adapt--we promise to do or best for her with what we have... Skylar is in her beautiful nursery now so hopefully I will get more sleep soon.
I have to close with an update on Shrek (aka "Shrekie-pooh" or "Shrekers".) He is still alive. It has been 3 weeks since we were told he had only days left. He is not doing great, but he is still eating, going on walks, going in and out his doggie door, and hanging out with us. The vet said he is "not in pain" and that the "quality of life" was still there. I am not kidding myself, it is coming soon, but I love him and love him being with me. He started a steroid after seeing the vet that day which has slowed the growth of his tumors for the time being. So he takes his 5 meds a day and eats his $2 cans of dog food and he is ALIVE and doing WELL. I guess as well as you can be with terminal cancer, that is. My talented sister-in-law, Courtney Griffin, has taken some beautiful photos of the girls with him to preserve his memory. I could barely look at them they were so beautiful. Thank you, Courtney! (www.courtneygriffinphotography.com.)
Our house is LOUD. People are always amazed that Skylar can sleep in public places, but our house is unbelievably noisy so it is just white noise to her. Leila is 3...enough said. At 4 months, Skylar started SCREAMING at the top of her lungs when upset or excited. It is ear piercing. The irony is when she hears an extremely loud, startling noise, she cries.
Skylar is five months old on February 29. She is so cute. She has a beautiful smile and laugh and a wonderful disposition. Gorgeous blue eyes! She wakes up happy. (Nope, still not sleeping through the night.) She can roll around all over the place and push her arms and head up. She figured out the jumperoo last week and can jump like crazy. It is sooo cute. We started rice cereal last week and she LOVED it. Skylar did not even hesitate and ate the whole bowl (a whole 1 TBS!!) She is on a break from it for a few days since she started having gassy crying spells again and I want to determine the cause (please don't let it be my much-needed coffee in the morning...)
Skylar likes to be held, upright, and especially held so she can stand on her little legs. She sleeps on her tummy with her bottom in the air, which is how my parents told me I slept as an infant. She goes nuts over her bed when it is naptime (when placed in her bed will immediately roll over and go to sleep) and Patrick's mom said he was the same. She LOVES her left thumb. My mom calls it her "be happy" button--and it is. The right thumb will do, of course. Sadly,(for me) she knows who her mommy is which means she knows who is NOT her mommy and will cry if handed off when she is sleepy or cranky...sigh.
She likes walks in the Baby Bjorn--Shrek is still hanging in there so we try to take him as much as we can. She loves her sister and thinks anything Leila does in hilarious. Leila is so sweet to her sissy and will entertain her for me while I am cooking dinner.
As sweet as Skylar is, she is also opinionated and is proving to be another high-maintenance child.... I love my girls and I love being home with them. We have so much fun! But mama is tired!! Leila does not nap and Skylar's naps are still not super-scheduled due to always running around for Leila's stuff. We were very strict with Leila's sleep schedule so I hope Skylar can adapt--we promise to do or best for her with what we have... Skylar is in her beautiful nursery now so hopefully I will get more sleep soon.
I have to close with an update on Shrek (aka "Shrekie-pooh" or "Shrekers".) He is still alive. It has been 3 weeks since we were told he had only days left. He is not doing great, but he is still eating, going on walks, going in and out his doggie door, and hanging out with us. The vet said he is "not in pain" and that the "quality of life" was still there. I am not kidding myself, it is coming soon, but I love him and love him being with me. He started a steroid after seeing the vet that day which has slowed the growth of his tumors for the time being. So he takes his 5 meds a day and eats his $2 cans of dog food and he is ALIVE and doing WELL. I guess as well as you can be with terminal cancer, that is. My talented sister-in-law, Courtney Griffin, has taken some beautiful photos of the girls with him to preserve his memory. I could barely look at them they were so beautiful. Thank you, Courtney! (www.courtneygriffinphotography.com.)
What a cute doggie. You can see his tumor on the right side of his face.
Sweet babies
This is just a great picture. Age 3 going on 20.
Yes, she is adorable.
This is Skylar's serious face. There is a lot going on in there for such a tiny little person.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Saying goodbye to our buddy
Well, this is it. We got the saddest news today that our buddy's days are numbered. Poor Shrek fought the good fight but the cancer won. He has days left until we are going to have to say goodbye. Please keep us in your prayers. He was my first "baby" and certainly means a lot to us. After his last stay at the vet, we can tell now he is tired. I think he is ready too.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
A belated McKinney Christmas
I am aware we are well into the new year.... but blogging is so low on my list of things to do right now. Sleep is a much higher priority. Baby is still not sleeping through the night (boo!) She is on a good daytime schedule now though, which makes everything run smoother. Leila's schedule keeps me busy--preschool, dance, gymnastics, playgroup, playdates. And on top of that I am busy with my own activities.
Skylar's 1st Christmas was wonderful. She made the day easy. It was so much fun with Leila understanding more about Santa and the nativity. We are blessed to both have our parents nearby so it is a busy day but we get to celebrate with everyone. Santa was good to both of the girls--yes Skylar needed her own presents! Santa brought Leila a camera and Mrs. Potato Head, among other things. He brought Skylar Mr. Potato Head so they can play together. Skylar also got some Weebles from mom & dad--we had to get our baby something of her own.
We saw the whole family at my parent's, including four dogs: Shrek, Missy, Lucy, and puppy Aspen, who is bigger than all 3 other dogs. At the McKinney's, Mary surprised the guys with "McKinney & Sons" Dozer Company hats, which is hilarious since my father-in-law just bought a bull dozer! It was a great holiday.
Little Skylar (almost 3 months here!) balances pretty well in the bebepod. Just a little bit of cushioning needed.
Skylar's 1st Christmas was wonderful. She made the day easy. It was so much fun with Leila understanding more about Santa and the nativity. We are blessed to both have our parents nearby so it is a busy day but we get to celebrate with everyone. Santa was good to both of the girls--yes Skylar needed her own presents! Santa brought Leila a camera and Mrs. Potato Head, among other things. He brought Skylar Mr. Potato Head so they can play together. Skylar also got some Weebles from mom & dad--we had to get our baby something of her own.
We saw the whole family at my parent's, including four dogs: Shrek, Missy, Lucy, and puppy Aspen, who is bigger than all 3 other dogs. At the McKinney's, Mary surprised the guys with "McKinney & Sons" Dozer Company hats, which is hilarious since my father-in-law just bought a bull dozer! It was a great holiday.
The 4 of us on Christmas Eve. Never wake a sleeping baby, not even for a picture opportunity.
Daddy got Leila tools (hey, every girl should have some!). We heard all morning "I want to tool something." Ha!
I couldn't get enough of this ridiculous flower head band. Thanks April!
My sister Lisa with her fiance Jerry holding Skylar.
All of the cute doggies. Why did we even try to get them to pose??
Aunt Courtney with Skylar. Both look gorgeous!
McKinney & Sons... Dozer work done right!
Skylar with her Mimi, who gave her the adorable gingerbread outfit. Poor Skylar looks terrified in most of these pictures!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Countdown to Christmas
We are having the best time preparing for Christmas. This year Christmas is extra exciting because well, for one we have a darling new baby, and secondly because Leila is really into it this year. And because I still have my dog around to celebrate with us.
Leila and Skylar-- so far they look nothing alike. Time will tell. Skylar's hair photographs red but it is a light brown--for now.
Leila at her school's Christmas program. She was front and center, as usual. Last year she was for her school program AND the church program and I missed recording it both times! But this year I got it.
We made spiced sugar cookies and they were delicious. We had a blast. Little did I know dad does NOT like spiced sugar cookies, he likes regular. Oops.
Decorating is the best part aside from eating them
We made gingerbread houses too.
Had to get extra icing, I wonder where all of ours went??
Leila has been using my camera a lot, which means she is going to LOVE her big Christmas present from Santa (hmm, what do you think it is??) She takes a lot of interesting photos, such as this one above and the one below.
Snow in Kemah!
Making a REAL snow angel
And a REAL snow man, with dad's help
Beautiful Baby Skylar @ 2 1/2 months. She is such a little doll and a wonderful baby.
Enjoying brunch with dear friends. Sweet Gracie on the left (9 weeks) is crying while Skylar (12 weeks) is laughing, as Gray, Leila, Luke and Jamie look on.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Santa Pictures
We tried twice (twice!) to get good pictures of the girls with Santa. Now, even preparing for these pictures is no easy feat. A preschooler and an infant must be groomed from head-to-toe and dressed in their Christmas best, all the while praying there will be no spilled drinks or spit up in the time it takes to drive to Santa and get the picture.
Posing with Santa at Leila's School
Brunch with Santa (and Mrs. Claus) at Sweetwater Country Club with my dad
Leila was an absolute angel. And Skylar, well, she slept like one. Both times. So much for my perfect Christmas card picture. These pictures, however, are priceless all the same...
Posing with Santa at Leila's School
Brunch with Santa (and Mrs. Claus) at Sweetwater Country Club with my dadThursday, December 15, 2011
Sadder News about Shrek (but he is still here!)
We got the devastating news last week Shrek had a tumor that had to be removed immediately. Even worse, it was on his cheek. He had surgery last Wednesday and came home that night. He had continued to lose weight and along with his other ailments was of grave concern to the vet. He is recovering slowly but his face looks 100x better. The surgeon did a great job. The good news is, being a shar pei, he had lots of extra skin around the tumor for the surgeon to use when sewing him up. The bad news (well, a small piece of all of the bad news) is that the tumor was on his face so he could not remove enough skin around it for a clean and total removal. This means it is a waiting game as it will most likely return. Luckily, the type of tumor Shrek has is not that kind that spreads.
Shrek means a lot to us, me especially, and I am so happy he will be home for Christmas. Last Tuesday I thought they were going to tell me his cancer had spread but for now he is hanging in there. He is currently on 6 (six!) prescriptions and 3 supplements. But you know what? He still loves life and is a fighter. The surgeon said if it was his dog, he would do the surgery and bring him home too.
I wanted our Christmas card to be special for Skylar but since this is probably Shrek's last Christmas, he is in the picture too. Anyway, Skylar slept through every single photo shoot for the card anyway! Wake up, sleepyhead!
He is such a funny dog. He sneaks on the couch when we are not home. He eats any grocery left on the floor--including flour (yuck!) He loves bread and has stolen hot dog buns and taken the bag outside twice (we didn't learn the first time.) He is always in the way, who knows how many times we have stepped on him or accidentally kicked him. He is extremely gentle with children and let Leila pull on him and hug him and even sit on him. He is basically a really great dog, despite all of his quirks.
We have a lot of funny stories about him. When we first got him, we took him to the beach. We were on a walk at dusk with Shrek on his leash. A couple with 2 bigger dogs not on leashes were coming towards us when their dogs ran up to Shrek, growling. He had one pinned to the ground by the throat in about 2 seconds. The woman ran up and said something about a "mean little dog" but our dog was the one on a leash and her 2 dogs charged him! Patrick likes that story because it shows what Shrek could do with that huge mouth of his. They were bred for fighting originally.
I have 2 favorite stories. After Hurrican Ike, my parent's fence blew down. When I went to stay with them because we had no power, Shrek got out of their backyard. I drove around looking for him in their unfamiliar neighborhood. When I found him, I got out of the car and called his name. He started running as fast he could in the other direction. I followed him back to my parent's house and when I pulled up, he was sitting by the back gate like he had been there all along waiting for me. Except he was panting!!
My other favorite story is about when Leila was a baby. We did not know how Shrek would do with a baby. He was great. He used to sit between me and the door when I was rocking her, protecting us. One time we took her and Shrek to a friend's house. She was in her car seat. A huge great dane-lab mix puppy walked up to her car seat to investigate what was inside. He jumped up and knocked that dog to the ground!
He is an amazing dog, and as anyone who has dogs know they are part of the family. He always knew when I was sad and would let me cuddle with him or pay me extra attention. He was around me all of the time during my pregnancies, like how they say dogs know something is different. Also, I am the one who feeds him too though...
This picture was taken in the middle of the night during Skylar's 1st month. Shrek could not find his bed in the dark and I woke up to find he had crawled into the laundry basket!! And yes, it was clean laundry. He loves to be on something soft.
Shrek means a lot to us, me especially, and I am so happy he will be home for Christmas. Last Tuesday I thought they were going to tell me his cancer had spread but for now he is hanging in there. He is currently on 6 (six!) prescriptions and 3 supplements. But you know what? He still loves life and is a fighter. The surgeon said if it was his dog, he would do the surgery and bring him home too.
I wanted our Christmas card to be special for Skylar but since this is probably Shrek's last Christmas, he is in the picture too. Anyway, Skylar slept through every single photo shoot for the card anyway! Wake up, sleepyhead!
He is such a funny dog. He sneaks on the couch when we are not home. He eats any grocery left on the floor--including flour (yuck!) He loves bread and has stolen hot dog buns and taken the bag outside twice (we didn't learn the first time.) He is always in the way, who knows how many times we have stepped on him or accidentally kicked him. He is extremely gentle with children and let Leila pull on him and hug him and even sit on him. He is basically a really great dog, despite all of his quirks.
We have a lot of funny stories about him. When we first got him, we took him to the beach. We were on a walk at dusk with Shrek on his leash. A couple with 2 bigger dogs not on leashes were coming towards us when their dogs ran up to Shrek, growling. He had one pinned to the ground by the throat in about 2 seconds. The woman ran up and said something about a "mean little dog" but our dog was the one on a leash and her 2 dogs charged him! Patrick likes that story because it shows what Shrek could do with that huge mouth of his. They were bred for fighting originally.
I have 2 favorite stories. After Hurrican Ike, my parent's fence blew down. When I went to stay with them because we had no power, Shrek got out of their backyard. I drove around looking for him in their unfamiliar neighborhood. When I found him, I got out of the car and called his name. He started running as fast he could in the other direction. I followed him back to my parent's house and when I pulled up, he was sitting by the back gate like he had been there all along waiting for me. Except he was panting!!
My other favorite story is about when Leila was a baby. We did not know how Shrek would do with a baby. He was great. He used to sit between me and the door when I was rocking her, protecting us. One time we took her and Shrek to a friend's house. She was in her car seat. A huge great dane-lab mix puppy walked up to her car seat to investigate what was inside. He jumped up and knocked that dog to the ground!
He is an amazing dog, and as anyone who has dogs know they are part of the family. He always knew when I was sad and would let me cuddle with him or pay me extra attention. He was around me all of the time during my pregnancies, like how they say dogs know something is different. Also, I am the one who feeds him too though...
This picture was taken in the middle of the night during Skylar's 1st month. Shrek could not find his bed in the dark and I woke up to find he had crawled into the laundry basket!! And yes, it was clean laundry. He loves to be on something soft.
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