Tubes.

Today was the day that Ben and I have been dreading/ anxiously awaiting for sometime now. After many (too many to count) ear infections, and a hearing test that indicated Mackenna had substantial hearing loss, she went in for surgery this morning. We were nervous about her going "under," but so excited about how much better this would make her feel. She had fluid drained from her ears, and tubes put in her ear drums to allow them to drain properly. Her hearing future looks bright: 100% hearing, and hopefully no more ear infections.

Ben reading Mackenna the last book she might not hear the words to.

Mackenna right before she left.

Arriving at the hospital.

Poor little bugger, she was NOT happy to be changed into scrubs and forced to wear an ankle bracelet. Not even the Barbara Bush teddy bear stopped these tears.

Dad didn't want to let go.

It's all over. Here she is waking up from surgery.

Mackenna, you were such a trooper today. I know you will never remember this experience. But someday you will "hear" about it. (Pun intended.) 

All the nurses couldn't believe how sweet you were, and people were coming in to the recovery room left and right to comment on how beautiful you are. The Doctor who did your tubes confirmed that this was the right decision, after he saw how much fluid he drained from your ears.  We love you. 

My kind of sandwich.

Let me preface this post with a few things. 1) I LOVE sandwiches. I could go to a 5-star restaurant, and if a sandwich was on the menu, I'd likely choose it over any center cut filet. 2) I eat dinner alone roughly 40% of the year, since Ben travels often for work. Given these two statements, it's safe to say that this sandwich will be a frequent meal choice for me. It's amazing. Ben wouldn't think so, given that he isn't a fan of avocados. But if you are normal, and you actually like avocados... read on.

Here is my twist on a plain- ole- grilled cheese.

• Start out with some fresh, homemade bread. If you are in Maine, I recommend the Bow St market in Freeport. They make their own marble rye (and other varieties) bread, and it is without comparison the best bread ever. Here is a link to their website: http://www.bowstreetmarket.com/
• Slice avocados, tomatoes, and red onion.

• Layer your fixings, with a slice of provolone on each side. 

• Butter each side of bread and grill on medium-high for 4 minutes on each side.

Slice and dig in! 

Mackenna & The Boys

A few precious moments from dinner over at the Wescotts house. Mack and Jack sharing a snack, and the two redheads playing together. Someday they will look back on these moments and smile.

Ready to go!

Someone woke up very happy, and excited to go see her Aunt Abby for the second time in her life! A lot has changed since November.

Today is a great day, since Ben comes home from a long month of being on the road for work, and we start our trip to Kansas for the McGuire wedding. We are anxious for our first family vacation!

Reminder

For those that subscribe to my blog via e-mail, ie: You get posts delivered to you from signing up on my blog:
If you reply to the e-mails that are sent to you, by noreply@blogger.com, I won't get them. This is an automated e-mail server that sends out blog posts on my behalf. It is a wonderful service, but you can't reply to it. So if you ever have "responded" and I didn't reply, now you know why. My e-mail address is BBSiemen@gmail.com if you would like to comment on an e-mail post!

XO,
Bethany

...Well maybe I am feeling a little better now.

Despite not having a great day (see previous post) Ben surprised me with a beautiful Mothers Day gift. A necklace in Mackenna's birth stone, Sapphire. Boy am I glad you waited until September to come out Mackenna. A peridot (August) just wouldn't have been the same.

Someday this necklace will be yours Mackenna!

Happy Mothers Day!

I am lucky to have two wonderful mothers who have taught me a lot about life. Today I am celebrating my first mothers day with my little girl who has the flu, and has given it to her mom as well. I haven't had coffee in two days, and Mackenna isn't hungry.. Something is definitely wrong. We have been sleeping most of the weekend. Even though we are sick, I wouldn't want to spend my day with anyone else. Ben has been such a great help for us.

Here's to hoping next Mothers Day is better!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

25 Things About Me

1.  I eat any food except bananas.
2.  I will drive up to 10 minutes out of my way to find a full serve gas station. 
3. I don't like odd numbers. Moving on to question number 4...
4. My last meal would be a cheeseburger. 
5. Ben and I are saving to build our own house in 2014. 
6. I am a crazy planner. Refer to the above statement. (What I didn't mention was that I have the month that we will move in, on my calendar.) 
7. I am a sucker for pumpkin-flavored anything. Beer, coffee, candles, potpourri, anything.
8. I was a lifeguard and swim instructor for 5 years.
9. Mackenna was the only girl's name that Ben and I agreed on. 
10. If we have a boy, we are going to name him Branson. If we have a girl, I guess it'll have to be Mackenna Jr, unless we can agree on another name. 
11. I worked in Cumberland County Jail for 1 year as a college internship. It was my most enjoyable work experience to date.
12. I hope to start a photography business.
13. I don't have one best friend, but I have the best of friends.
14. As long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a grown up. I guess you could say that I am what I always wanted to be.
15. I love to run.
16. I listen to rap music when I'm in the car alone. 
17. I brush my teeth with hot water.
18. I only read non- fiction. I have a lacking imagination, so fiction has never clicked with me. 
19. My favorite movies are documentaries.
20. My dream car is a Lincoln MKX. 
21. Ben told me he loved me after we had been dating for two weeks. 
22. The first website I go to every morning is www.pressherald.com. I am a junky for local news.
23. So cliche, but I've always wanted to swim with the dolphins.
24. I have a tattoo.
25. I currently have braces.

Thanks for the idea Jen!

Eight Months

I'm 8 months old!

• I eat what mom and dad are eating for dinner, just mashed.
• I love yogurt.
• I am in a big girl car seat.
• I can pull myself up to standing.
• I love to watch people clap, and I'm slowly learning to clap on my own.
• I say "dada" and "HI."
• I'm growing like a weed.
• I sleep with a blanket, and hold it in my hands the entire night.