Say it isn't so!

Our little princess is 7 months old -- really, where has the time gone?!

I don't even know where to start to be completely honest.... I feel like so much has happened in such a small amount of time.

Mackenzie mastered the fine art of crawling the week of Labor Day. Not only did she decided she wanted to master that - she also felt the need to decided to start sitting up on her own. She will put herself in the sitting position from just about any position you put her in. The other day she even pulled herself up on the ottoman - really... I'm just not ready for a walker. Sit your butt down and at least enjoy crawling for a bit, would ya?!? Don't worry - the baby gates are on order... should arrive any day now!

On September 20th Mackenzie started school with Carter. She is in the infant B class room and seems to be enjoying it. She has made a few new friends already -- when I drop her off she heads right for this older little boy and plops herself down and wants to do whatever he is doing. I knew I wanted to go back to work -- it just isn't in my nature to be a stay at home mom, however, now that I'm back in the corporate world, I miss my kids. I do know that I have made the right decision - for myself and our family. Our time now is not quantity it is quality. Of course with Josh working in Greensboro, it is like a three ring circus at our house in the mornings. We are falling into a routine.... thankfully. Carter is pretty self sufficient these days. If he can master getting his clothes on by himself we will be in good shape. Still needs some practice... he came into my room one day last week with his shirt on inside out. Crazy kid.

While Grandma was visiting on Sunday (September 26th) we discovered Mackenzie had her 1st tooth pop through. I had felt on Saturday - and nothing. Amazing how quickly they break through the surface. She seems pretty excited about it -- she is constantly rubbing her tongue over it making very silly sounds. Of course every day this week Carter has wanted to feel it. I think he forgets he has a mouth full of his own.

We have graduated from level one foods and are now onto level two foods for our chunky monkey. She has not stuck her nose up to anything I have offered her. It seems like her favorite thus far is the vegetable dinner.... it smells NASTY. Carter smelled it last night and said "yuck". But, she loves it.

Carter continues to be a great big brother. From time to time I can tell he gets agitated with his little sister -- I guess because she is always right there at his feet. If he is playing Dinosaurs, she wants to pay... big trucks, she is right there with him. I have to keep reminding him to put away any small toys - because she will find them!

Sorry for no pictures with this post.... I will be sure to take some this weekend.

Let's go Mountaineers!

My crew all decked out in their WVU gear!!

It is rough life....

Nothing like a little cat nap.

Quality time... longest post ever!

Mommy and Daddy,

Tuesday and Wednesday were beautiful days at the Lake so we spent a lot of time around the pool.

Granddaddy

Together time!

Happy Kenzie.

Fireman Sam in the pool.

Snack time for little man!

Carter & Kenzie

Bottle time!

Mommy and Daddy,

We had a really fun day at the Zoo on Thursday. Lots of pictures attached.

Granddaddy

Train ride with Auntie Ramie.

Ride time.

Ready for a stroll thru the Zoo.

Ready for 3D movie.

Petting a rabbit.

Napping at the Zoo.

Looking at the penguins.

Looking at the gorilla.

Looking at the big elephant.

Kenzie waiting on the giraffe.

Kenzie taking a break!

Feeding the goats.

Feeding the giraffe.

Carter on a turtle.

Carter on a really big lizard!

Carter checking out the funny bird.

Fun day at the lake....

Strike three!

Playing together.

Lunch time!

Kenzie exploring.

I love my big brother!

Big Mackenzie smile.

Mommy and Daddy,

Sunday was an exciting day at the Lake. Nana helped Carter make a volcano with clay, vinegar, baking soda and dishwasher detergent. We had several eruptions. Kenzie enjoyed watching all the fun.

Granddaddy

Making a volcano.

Carter helping Nana.

Big eruption.

Wow!

Second eruption.

Mommy and Daddy,

We had a good time on Monday and Tuesday. We played in the pool a lot and played with all the toys. Kenzie really enjoyed her tubby. She splashed everyone and everything in the room. Carter had a very minor meltdown but got over it quickly. He got a surprise Tuesday afternoon. The UPS truck delivered a package to me. The driver let Carter get in the truck and look at all the packages. Carter really enjoyed sitting in the drivers seat (sorry, no pictures).

Granddaddy

Yummy!

Tubby time!

Special treat.

Pretty girl.

Playing with Handy Manny workshop.

Minor meltdown.

Kenzie watching Carter.

Jumping in the pool together!

Helping Nana with groceries.

Big hug!

Mommy and Daddy,

Wednesday and Thursday were exciting days. Kenzie is crawling everywhere and is setting up on her own. Carter made two trips with Nana to the Chapin Library. They went to story time, picked out movies and worked on the computer. Great-Granny spent the day with us on Thursday. We fished some in the afternoon. Carter didn't catch anything but enjoyed playing with the worms.

Granddaddy

Stroller ride.

Picking out some movies!

Looking for her big brother!

Listening to a story.

Kenzie sitting up.

Kenzie crawling.

Great Granny feeding Mackenzie.

Great Granny & Kenzie enjoying time together.

Fishing worm.

Computer time.

Mommy and Daddy,

Today was a special day, we went to Monkey Joe's. Carter slid, jumped, rode the cars and played all the games. Kenzie had a good time watching her big bother and riding in BoZo's School Bus.
Auntie Ramie went with us and was a big help. She did all the jumping and sliding with Carter.

Granddaddy

Riding together!

Ready to slide.

Mackenzie & Nana.

In the rescue boat.

Head first down the slide.

Carter & Auntie Ramie.

Big Kenzie smile.

Mommy and Daddy,

Your little girl is growing up. She is crawling all over the house and only stopping to sit up and rest for a short while. She wants to be with Carter and play with his toys. He can't get away from her......she follows him in hot pursuit. She also has found her tongue and uses it to make very unlady like noises.

Carter has really grown up too. He has become very independent. He spent most of his last full day at the Lake in the pool. His new pool game is to jump in the water holding hands with me. I lost count after 27 times today. For the week, we are well over 200 times. I almost went into shock each time I hit that cold water but it didn't seem to bother the little man. My poor hat has been thrown in the pool almost as many times as we have jumped in the pool. Not sure it will make another season. Nana and I both have tried to keep up with him. He has more energy than three boys and we only have the energy of two old grandparents.

We ended our last day at the lake as we always do, a stroller ride and a movie. We may need the red wagon with the next extended stay, Carter is getting a little big for the back of our stroller. Even though our old bones ache and we are a little sleep deprived, we will miss them terribly and look forward to the next time they come to stay!!!

Granddaddy

Follow the leader!

Crawling everywhere.

Bottle with Nana.

Big girl.

Big brother hug!

Swimming practice.

Playing together!

Granddaddy's poor hat!

Jumping together.... again!

Foot or peas?!