16 week check-up

I went to the doctor today for my 16 week check-up. Everything is looking great. I've gained a total of six pounds so far (not sure if I can blame that all on the baby, or if the holidays are to blame!). My blood pressure was 110/60. I was very excited about this. My blood pressure ran high almost my whole pregnancy with Makayla. Pray that it stays this low. The baby's heartbeat was strong and was beating 150-160 beats per minute. The doctor giggled and said, "Wow, I can hear that baby kicking. It's really moving around in there." That's exactly how Makayla was!!! :)

I've been feeling great and can't believe it's been 16 weeks already. What a special time in our lives!

Interior Decorator

As I went downstairs to do some laundry, I left Seth watching TV (and supposedly Makayla) and Makayla coloring in her coloring book. When I came back upstairs, Makayla was trying her hand at decorating...with a crayon...on the wall! Part of me wanted to laugh, part of me wanted to fuss, and part of me wanted to say, "Weren't you supposed to be watching her?" Instead, I calmly took the crayon and headed off to find my Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Thank goodness for the magic eraser. It took the crayon right off the wall...without taking off the paint.

Oh, our precious Makayla!

Weekend Get Away

Seth, Makayla, and I headed to D.C. for a quick weekend get away. We stayed just three blocks from the White House, which put us within walking distance from the National tree. I have been wanting to go to D.C. for the past several years to see the National tree, but knew that this year would be the perfect time to go with Makayla's new love of "tees" and "nights" (trees and lights). She did enjoy looking at all of the trees, but it was just so busy. It was hard to enjoy all of the state trees for all of the people. We took her to see the Washington Monument and the American History Museum. We also enjoyed a nice dinner at the hotel before heading off to bed...or trying to head off to bed. Makayla was wound up and giddy. She just kept popping up in her pack-n-play saying, "hi daddy" and "hi mommy" with a big goofy grin on her face. It was hard not to laugh!

Building the stage for the inauguration

Dana and Makayla at the Washington Monument

Ruby Red Slippers

The National Christmas Tree

Seth and Makayla with the Virginia tree

Christmas 2008

Guess who was the first one awake on Christmas morning?! No, it wasn't Makayla. It was me...some things never change. I woke up at 5:00 am ready to roll, unfortunately, everyone else was still sleeping. When Makayla finally woke at 6:30 and had her morning waffle, it was time to open presents. We had so much fun! Makayla really got into opening her gifts...and everyone else's. What was so neat to see was that she really took time to enjoy each gift.

After we opened our gifts, Seth's family came up for brunch. I tried a new recipe called Sinful. It was just that! Yummy! We had a nice visit with them and then it was off to bed for Seth and Makayla. Makayla for her nap, and Seth because he wasn't feeling well (he finally went to the doctor today to be treated for strep throat).

Later that afternoon, it was off to my mom and dad's to visit with my family. I was so sad that Seth was unable to join us. It certainly wasn't the same without him.

Here are a few pictures from Makayla's second Christmas:

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas
and at the Roderick house
not a creature was stirring
not even the pooch.


The stockings were propped on the Dora chair.
It looks like St. Nick had already been there.


Makayla was nestled all snug in her bed
while visions of waffles (her new favorite food)
danced in her head.

Papa playing video games
and I watching The Christmas Story (25 hours on TBS!)
will soon settle down for a long winter's nap.

I can't WAIT for Christmas!!!


A little bit about our day...

We woke up early (as always!) and had waffles for breakfast. We delivered some presents and were off to the neighbors to visit and share goodies. After Makayla got up from her nap, she painted some Christmas ornaments. Later, we headed off the McDonald's for a *special* Christmas Eve dinner...made the little lady happy, and I didn't have to cook. :) Afterward, we trolled the town looking at Christmas lights. Our favorite, by far, was a house not too far from ours. It was all decked out with tons of lights, but the best part was that it was synced up with a local radio station. The lights danced and changed according to the music. Too cool! We got Makayla home. She opened a couple presents, put out her cookies and milk for Santa and some carrots for the reindeer, and she was off to bed. Seth and I finished up some last minute wrapping. What a fun day!


Prepare yourself...I'm about to start a Christmas blog marathon. I've gotten a little behind!

The family picture:
After many shots, we finally got a picture we were happy with to use for our Christmas cards. To quote my mother, "It looks professional." Note: She took the picture. Toot toot! :)

Makayla visits Santa:
I forgot to scan her Santa picture before framing it. Oops! She enjoyed her visit...until she had to sit on his lap. No tears though, so that was good.

The girls bake:
Mom, Makayla, and I started our annual Christmas baking last Friday. Makayla was adorable in her gingerbread apron and hat, and she enjoyed helping stir the cookie dough...and helping herself to M&Ms and chocolate chips. Who's daughter is she?! We did not finish, so it was round 2 on Saturday.


Makayla has breakfast with Santa:
Mom and I took Makayla to have breakfast with her cousins and SANTA! Once again, Makayla was all about Santa when he was off in the distance. She wanted no part of him if he got within three feet of her. This time she would NOT sit on his lap. Silly girl! She did, however, paint an ornament with the elves and listened to a story read by Mrs. Claus.

We have been reading lots of Christmas books in our house. These include stories about Santa, the reindeer, snowmen, and baby Jesus. Guess who Makayla talks about most?! I feel like I haven't done my part as a mother to help Makayla understand the real reason we celebrate Christmas, but it's hard when Santa is EVERYWHERE you go. I know she will understand one day, so for now, bring it on Santa!

I think that brings us up to date. Did I mention I'm excited about Christmas...just a little!!! Tomorrow should be lots of fun!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Mama's Lil' Helper

Just a couple of days ago, Makayla started to use the word "help" both to ask for it and to offer it. She LOVES to stir and mix with spoons and bowls...whatever she can find in the cabinet. When she saw that I was about to make something in the kitchen, she came to my leg offering "help, help." I couldn't deny such an adorable request. So, Makayla and I made some chocolate peppermint bark. In the making, she sampled semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and milk chocolate chips. She didn't meet a chip she didn't like. When we were finished melting and stirring, I let her lick the spatula. What a sight...once again, this scene reminded me of me!

Tomorrow, Mimi, Makayla, and I will begin our annual holiday baking. Makayla will be equipped with her own apron and chef's hat. Know that I will be posting about our adventures shortly.

In Search of the Perfect Tree

On Sunday, we ventured out to our local Christmas tree farm. Makayla was psyched even before we got there. Could it be because I taught her to say, "Christmas tree...Yahoo?" That may have had something to do with it. It was SO cold. I had her bundled up like Ralphie's brother (what is his name?) in The Christmas Story. She loved roaming around searching for the perfect tree. Here are a few pictures from our trip...of course!

It's hard to stay on two feet..it's hard not to giggle at this either!
This is it! I knew when Makayla said, "My, my!"
Dragging out...

Thawing out!

The finished product. Ta-da!

Just because she's so darn cute!

Oh, and one last decorated tree..an edible tree.

More holiday spirit

My mother came to our house this morning to take a family portrait of Seth, Makayla, Foster, and me for our Christmas cards. Getting a 15-month-old and a dog both looking at the camera at the same time is nearly impossible. Thank goodness Daddy thought of the ever precious and simply bribe worthy marshmallows. Both Foster and Makayla cooperated for this treat!

Afterward, Mom and I took Makayla to see Santa. She was so excited! She giggled and waved, chattered and waved some more. She was loving life...until she had to sit on his lap. Thank goodness, for her sake, it was short lived. We did buy some cute pictures (I'll scan them in later). For now, here are a few pictures of her enjoying Santa's scenery.

BEARS!

Makayla has grown quite attached to some Christmas bears I recently pulled out of the closet. Today she insisted that she carry them everywhere she went...to the breakfast table...to the car...to the sitter's, and back home. I had to take a picture of her in the car. Behind the Christmas bears, all you could really see is Makayla's pink hood. Cutie!