The gift of family

I have always been amazed at how quickly time can pass you by, and so I've made every attempt to be a part of every minute in a quality way with Kenna and Matt. Needless to say, that has left little time for blogging. It just seems to be one of those easy choices, and I'm glad I have the option. :)

So what's been going on?! Let me catch you up to speed.

Kenna had a wonderful first birthday with family and friends in town. My sister Yun came to visit for two whole weeks, and my brother Sung, his girls Katelyn adn Kylie and my mom came up for a little over a week as well. Matthew's mom and dad brought Kenna's great-grandmother Frances down for a few days, too! Matt took a couple of days off, and I had the best vacation ever with just having family here and being able to relax and laugh together.

Kenna had a great time getting to know everyone, especially my sister. Some of my best memories are of Yun and Kenna antagonizing each other. Well, it was more Yun antagonizing Kenna, but you could tell Kenna really enjoyed it. Honestly, I was thrilled to have an extra set of hands and eyes to keep on Kenna, so Yun was a HUGE help! We swam in her little pool, and took her shopping and went for walks. Kylie and Katelyn were fabulous in helping too. They were great in walking Kenna around - being closer to Kenna's height I'm sure it was easier on their backs than mine and Matt's. Still Kenna has her favorites, and sometimes only mommy will do.

Sung was awesome and took some wonderful photos, and I could tell mom was so happy to see how big Kenna had grown and how healthy she is. It was sad that dad could not come up as well, but he was needed to mind the business and it was a hard choice. We went to KI, rode roller coasters, some saw the Reds play, shopped, and ran around. I was so proud of Kylie who rode some really big coasters with us. Each night we watched movies and I must have gained 10 pounds from all the cooking - fabulous!! I am truly grateful for the wonderful time we had together as a family!

For Kenna's brithday we had a bit of a bean feast - cupcakes, pretty marshmallows, petty iced cookies, a big two-tiered strawberry and white chocolate torte, and an ice cream bar. It was funny to watch the cupcakes trying to rise in the oven; they looked defective like weird mushrooms. Thank goodness for icing! Kenna wore her pretty pink dress and didn't hesitate to dip her finger in her cupcake for a taste. She even tolerated her birthday hat (what we parents do!). With friends gathered around, it was a great feeling!!

After the birthday, Kenna had her one year check up and began to transition to formal day care. She finally came on the charts at 90% height, weight and head. LOL! Now she wears sizes 2-3T, and I'm really hoping we can stretch some of these clothes into next spring too (fingers crossed!). Ah, who am I kidding?! I would enjoy shopping for more clothes, even if they aren't for me! I can't lie. It's Matt who has his fingers crosses more than I! :)

Kenna's first day at daycare was a few hours in an afternoon. She actually fell alseep on the way, so hanging out with her became a mute point. Funny part was she woke up about 10 minutes after Yun and I left. Yes, she cried and was so glad to see us when we came back. We did this for the next couple of days leaving her there longer and longer each day. Overall, I think it's the best way to help transition, as by the end of the second full week she no longer minded us walking away.

I was sad when everyone finally departed. Matt's parents and grandmother, my mom and Sung and the girls and then eventually my sister. Admittedly I cried when I rode the escalator up and away from security with Kenna after seeing Yun off. It never seems to amaze me how hard not having family close by is day to day.

Kenna has been enjoying day care. Almost every other day she makes something creative like painting pictures and noodle art and sand art (yes, layers of colored sand in a bottle!) and vases and on and on. Honestly these would be things I would likely never break out as crafts for a 1 year old, but that just goes to show me what I know. I've been really impressed with the staff and the activities they plan, and most importantly she seems to really like her teachers Ms Carolyn and Miss Tiffany. The one thing that hasn't been so great . . . the cold she caught on day two. Runny nose for a month now, and both of us on anti-biotics for sinus infections (sacastic yeah!). I hear ya, all you moms that are telling me how great and immortal her immune system will be in 3 years of whatever! Now, not so great with the gooey nose and the congestion that keeps her and us/me from sleeping well. Interestingly, she's the youngest kid in her class room and the only one without a hardcore vice (blanket or pacificer). The thumb still goes in at nap time.

Kenna has certainly become quite the adventurer. We always knew she seem to have no fear. Recently she has taken to opening drawers and doors and emptying the contents on the floor. Sometimes she'll put them back. She wants to climb every chair and dive off like a pro. Maybe we should not have watched so much of the Olympics? :) And she is sooo ready to walk on her own. And I am sooo ready for her to walk on her own too! I know. I know. Almost every parent tells me I don't know what I'm saying, but in this case I do! Her walking and me watching vigilantly is better than her walking with me and my back bent over watching vigilantly. See, the difference is subtle but one involves no back pain.

Her vocabulary is growing as well. So in addition to "ma-ma/mi" and "da-da" and "uh-oh" and "no," she nows says "ball" and "up" and "bye" and "hi."

Kenna is no stranger to bumps and bruises. She rams into every piece of funriture like she's a bumper car and seems to like to head butt people. She also watches MMA and UFC with me and likes to whack people in the face. I told the daycare she is a bit "heavy handed", and now they are working on "easy" and gentle" patting. Some days she does well, and others not so much. So as much as I dress her in pink and frills, I think she's a rough and tumble kind of gal.

Now, we're in the process of weaning her off bottles . . . down to just 1 at night!! We're almost there!