Good- bye Pacifiers!

I've always had a "pacifier complex" with Mackenna. I've always hated that she has used them, but I've known that it is what makes her happy- so I went with it. Since before she was born, I declared that I was not going to use pacifiers. Well than along came Mackenna, with the strongest sucking reflex known to babies. After about 48 hours at home with an inconsolable baby, I gave in to the power of the pacifier. And boy did it work wonders. She was instantly calmed by it, and Ben and I were instantly happier parents. We had every shape, every color, even camouflage and two that were glow in the dark! In the back of my mind, though, I always knew that I would get rid of the pacifier sooner than later.

I thought I could get rid of the buggers by her 3 month birthday. But three months came and went, and we were still giving her the pacifier like candy. Than came the last ten days. Mackenna has had a horrible ear infection, her worst yet. It was very painful for her to suck on anything, because of the pressure it put on her ears. She even went through two days of barely eating... only an ounce here and there.. since it hurt her ears so baldy. Needless to say, she didn't want the pacifier during these days either. So, Ben and I decided that this was the perfect time to toss out the pacifiers. She thought that they hurt her, and is too young to remember that she ever had them. Here they are, right before their trip to the trash! I'm so grateful that we had the pacifiers for her when she was a baby, but I am also glad that we are getting rid of them before she even knew what they were.

BIG girl.

This morning marked the first day that Mackenna has sat in her highchair. (Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair) She is finally feeling comfortable in it, and ate all of her morning oatmeal in it. She even spent the next 15 minutes playing with her toys happily. Looking at these photos, I have to wonder, where did my baby go? She is getting SO big, SO animated, SO curious, and more and more independent. I'm enjoying each milestone of her growth, and six months is sure a fun stage. Look at these photos of her as she figured out how to play and eat in the chair by herself.

Hello, Fridays off....

My first week at work went great, other than being distracted by Mackenna's awful ear infection and all of us being up all night, every night, because of how uncomfortable she was. My new schedule comes with Fridays off, and its my first Friday at home with M and I LOVE it. She is feeling better today so we played a lot, napped a lot, and I have beef stew cooking in the crock pot. It's great to have a quiet day at home without my better half (sorry Ben!) to get cooking, cleaning, homework and some kid- bonding time in. Priceless. I think I will enjoy 3- day weekends even more than I was expecting. Here are some photos I took from our first day off together.

Play Time.

Sisters.

Beef Stew slow cooking.

Happy Valentines Day.

Happy Valentines Day to all! 

The day wasn't anything too special over here at the Siemen household. I worked a 10- hour day, and managed to come home and cook a nice meal for Ben and I to enjoy. We exchanged cards (see the cute, homemade card below) and snuggled with Mackenna. Things are SUPER busy around our house- it is my first week at work, and poor little M is on her fourth ear infection. No Valentines celebration at daycare for this little bugger. This one is a double ear infection, which is no fun. In addition to the ear pain, she has been running a fever between 100 and 102 degrees since Sunday. If it wasn't my first week at work, I'd be home with her. But since it is... we are relying on family (and Ben) to stay home with her. I hope this is the last ear infection she sees for a while.

Ben and I are celebrating Valentines Day on Saturday night, when we are going down to the Old Port for drinks and dinner reservations. I am SO looking forward to a night out with him! I hope you all had a great day with the ones you love.









Valentines Day Dinner: Enchilada Lasagna.

^YUM. Click the link to view the recipe.  

Gingerbread Girl.

Mackenna got this book for Christmas from the Wescott boys and I love it. I've loved reading since I can remember. When I was growing up- I loved reading contests.. spelling contests... anything to do with words and books. One of my favorite moments of the day is reading to Mackenna. Its part of our bedtime routine, and we usually do it right after bath. She is at the age where "book time" can go one of two ways. It either goes really well and we get through the entire book with a happy baby.. OR it doesn't go very well at all- and she is so overtired that she has a meltdown, so we don't get past the first page. This night was a hit at book time. 

Gingerbread Girl, just like Mackenna- our own little ginger top. 

The Past Three Years.

Over the past three years, a record- breaking amount of events have happened in my life. From 2009- 2012, here is a recap of the events that have taken place in my life. In March of 2009; Ben and wrapped up renovations and rented out our apartment building. In April of 2009; We got a little 8- week old puppy and named her Bailey. (After Ben typed in "girl dog hunting names" on Google, and this came up.) In April of 2009; we went under contract on our new home and in a few short months; we closed on the home. In September of 2009, we got married. And than after a "slow year," in December of 2010, we found out we were expecting our first baby. And this past September, we brought home Mackenna.

A dog, house, marriage, pregnancy and baby.

The one and only thing that didn't change in my life was my job. I have worked at Avesta through this all. I've been working at an office that is 5 minutes away from home and daycare, and I've had co- workers that felt like family. Starting Monday, I will begin a new chapter in my career as a as Senior Manager at Preservation Management. I know that it is a great move for me professionally, but it has been a hard move personally. In the end, I know this opportunity for greater earning potential is the best thing for my family. I'm both nervous and excited for this new challenge.

I debated about whether to "blog" about this, since this is largely a happy, family blog, and this topic is personal. But I truly want this to be a scrapbook/ diary that I can look back on someday, and without this topic- it wouldn't be complete. Wish me luck on Monday. And, I'm sure the next three years will be just as eventful as the last three. I don't think we would like our life any other way.

Fondue!

Bored with a regular dinner? Try fondue! Ben & I love fondue, and it's so fun when you have guests over- because everyone gets to participate in making their own dinner. In January, we had Kara & Sean over for a fondue dinner date and it was both fun and delicious.

Kara & Mackenna.

Table spread.

 We had steak, chicken, shrimp & even duck, courtesy of Ben's fall hunt. 

Fondue... it's fun to do. 

Five Months

I'm 5 Months Old!

• I put everything into my mouth.
• I can roll from my back to my stomach, and from my stomach to my back.
• My eyes have turned green.

• I sleep ten hours at night, and my wake up time is usually 6:30.
• I love being read to.
• I take three naps a day.
• I sleep on my side.

• My mom calls me Monkey, Max or M.
• My dad just calls me Mackenna.
• I love to screech and giggle.

• I have tried squash and green beans, and love them both.
• Last night, I put myself to sleep for the first time. No crying, no rocking, I just went into my crib, rolled onto my side and fell asleep. Mom was so happy.