Just Like Your Daddy!

(Daddy doesn't want to forget this)
Last night on our way home from Bible Study you gave us quite the scare.   I had put you in your car seat, gave you your greatly desired Nuk, and hopped into the passenger seat.  As we pulled out of the driveway, I glanced back at you and you seemed content in the darkness that filled the back seat.  We drove for a bit, and when I looked over the seat you hadn't moved even the slightest bit, but yet your eyes were still wide open.  I thought it seemed a bit funny so I started trying to get you to respond to me, but you weren't flinching.  No reaction at all.  I said to dad, "She hasn't moved at all, and it's kind of freaking me out!"  We were coming to a stop and Dad too was looking over the seat back now to try to get you to respond to us.  I tap your head.  Nothing.  I tapped it a bit harder causing it to bob forward.  Still nothing.  We were both struggling to breath as we wanted to know you were breathing.  In what was probably seconds, but felt like minutes, you tilted your head back and twitched your cute little feet.  Dad yelled out, fit the steering wheel, and breathed deeply.  A few minutes after we were certain you were alive and well, Dad looked at me and said, "I guess she is my daughter after all!  Tabailloux land at its best."  Oh Zaylee girl you sure know how to keep us on our toes! 

Another little fact about this past weekend, you gave us our first sleepless night.  You had finally eaten food, and quite a bit of it at that.  Grandma D bought you some Organic pouch food that you happened to love.  I guess you just don't like the spoon!  After a big dinner for your little body, you went to sleep just as always, but right around midnight you woke up screaming.  I had just fed you an hour earlier, so I knew it wasn't hunger, but something was definitely off.  You cried so hard, and nothing seemed to comfort you which was so hard for us to see.  I offered you some milk, but you quickly refused.  This went on until about three in the morning, and for you, this was a first.  I lost my patience a few times, and dad came to the rescue as per usual.  He took you out of the room for a bit, walked with you, let you calm down, and finally got you to surrender to his snuggles.  When we thought you were asleep we would lay you down, only to be startled by your immediate screams.  I picked you back up, tried to nurse again which lasted for a few minutes, and then rocked you for a while.  When I felt you were truly asleep I laid you down, and it stuck.  About 15 minutes after I was comfortably back in our warm bed, the crying started escalating from your little helpless body.  I rocked and shushed, and within another 10 minutes or so you were finally asleep for the night.  Dad was the best encourager through those few hours, and quickly reminded me that many babies have months on end like that one night of yours.  We have been both blessed and spoiled by your good, happy, demeanor, as well as, your wonderful sleeping habits.  It breaks my heart to hear you cry and not know how to comfort you.  Literally breaks my heart.  My chest gets tight and I lose my patience, which then makes me sad.  It's an awful cycle that I don't care for, so I am thankful you too don't prefer to cry or stay up all night! :)  Love you sweet girl.

I love you a bushel and a peck!

The McKendrick family gets together each year for a trip to an apple orchard.  It is one of my favorite things we do as a family, and I'm so glad this has become a tradition.  This year was Grandma and Grandpa D's first time joining us since 2007 when they left for Honduras.  Grandpa D loves everything fall, but most importantly he loves all the goodies that come along with this lovely season including: taffy apples, apple cider donuts, apple cider, and warm apple pie made in a paper bag.  Needless to say, it is always more fun to go to such places with him as he buys more than we ever would and always shares with the rest of us.  Even if he didn't buy anything, we would still love his company, it is just an added bonus :)

This year we headed out to the country side of Elkhorn, WI to a quaint little orchard called, The Apple Barn.  The crop was severely damaged from the drought this year and they lost more than half their usual produce production.  Apple picking was not allowed this year, as they had to pull the fruit off much earlier than normal to save what they could.  Instead, you could fill up a bag or basket with apples that were placed in big crates fresh from the tree.  The kids were a bit bummed about this because to them, no apple picking meant no tree climbing.  They did however, get to play in a jump house, and hit some balls at the baseball "tent", so fun was had no less. 

We took a hayride, pulled by a tractor "dressed" like a train, to the pumpkin patch.  The pumpkin crop did well as the fields were irrigated leaving many to choose from.  The kids ran wild in the patch, and Grandpa D joined, trying to hunt down the best, most desirable pumpkin he could find.  He succeeded.  So much so, that I thought his was fake when I saw it sitting next to the cart!  Each family got their own pumpkin to carve in our first annual pumpkin carving contest.  Zaylee loved watching all the action, as she rode in the carrier.  She was such a good girl, despite missing her nap for the afternoon.  I love introducing her to all the things we do as a family, even though she won't remember!

We headed home after we gathered our pumpkins.  Chili was in the crockpot ready for us to enjoy, with cornbread and Fritos as well.  The boys watched football in the basement, while the women talked in the kitchen.  It was a wonderful day indeed!

Paul, Zaylee, and I also took a small walk through Camp as this time of year brings out the true beauty of those 48 acres that surround all of my growing up memories.  The trees fill with color, and the grounds fill with piles of reds, oranges, and yellows.  I spent many of days raking pile after pile with my dear friend, Sarah, and jumping in them only to rake it up again.  We made mazes, leaf "houses", and had wrestling matches in pits of leaves.  Paul and I have shared some of those memories too, from our high school days of weekends at camp.  We would all transport leaves from different areas to the center of the pine  trees next to our house, and would proceed to have WWF wrestling fights among the crinkling sounds that filled the cool nights air.  Such wonderful memories!

Have I mentioned I love fall? 

Slow Down!!

The past two weeks have been filled with lots of action from our little lady.  Zaylee prefers the army crawl, and on our floors I can't say I blame her.  She flies across the floor, usually targeting the ONE piece of lint/dirt/hair/wrapper left after the 100th time of sweeping in a day.  There is no worries about her eye sight that is for sure!  She is loving this new phase of being able move at her own free will.  When we hear her in her room, the sound of achievement is coming through the squealing little noises as she is peeking through the rails high on her knees waving her Nuk in the air with glee.  It is the best way to start the day.  The BEST!

Along with army crawling, she is now going from all fours to sitting, back to all fours.  Today the little stinker figured out how to climb the one large step to the landing at the bottom of the staircase.  Every time she does something new, she turns around and gives me the cheesiest grin proving her pride!  Her personality is so funny these days.  After getting up the step, she rewarded her self with some wet, mirror kisses.  Adorable.

We get both sad and excited as we see her learning and exploring new things.  We want our baby to stay little just a bit longer, but its so fun with each new day.  I guess we will just keep having babies!! (Lord willing!) 

Her favorite spot in the house.  She grabs the blinds and swings them back and forth giggling and smiling with excitement!

**Growth Update:  It's been about two and a half weeks since her check-up, and it definitely feels like she is gaining.  She refused baby food, so instead we just started giving her some "table" food in very small pieces.  A few bites is about all she will eat, but its something.  Formula is a no go, which I am thankful for at the moment.  In time I'm sure I will wish she took a bottle a bit more easily, but for now I love nursing and she loves it even more!!  Two extra feedings a day have seemed to put some weight on her so far, and hopefully the food progress will continue to get better and better.  We think she is perfect just the way she is, and hopefully the doctor will agree! :)

Herrick Lake

This past Saturday, our little family of three went on an afternoon date.  It was a beautiful fall day, with warm sun and a cool breeze.  The kind of day that makes you crazy when it comes to outfit choice, due to the fact that one minute you are sweating from the heat of the sun and the next you wish you had a coat to shield off the cold air pressing against your warm body.  Fall is my favorite time of year.  The crisp air, the crunch of the leaves beneath your feet, the smells that travel through the breeze, pumpkin spice lattes, fall scented candles, scarves and cardigans.  I love it all.

The weekend started off with a big to do list, including hanging some pictures that have been waiting patiently for six months now, scrubbing the kitchen floor, cleaning the refrigerator, and other such household things.  The morning started out promising and I was moving along quite quickly with a bit of coffee and pumpkin pancakes in my system.  I look forward to Saturday morning breakfast with Paul, and our lazy one on one time while Zaylee is in her long, much needed morning nap.  Oh how I look forward to Saturdays!!  After we ate too many delicious, fall inspired pancakes, I got to work on the kitchen floor.  I swept, scrubbed, and steam mopped the heck out of it, and was quite pleased with the results.  Paul came up from the basement as I was finishing, and Zaylee was just waking from her nap.  As I was feeding sweet girl, Paul proposed we go out.  I was hesistant as had a list, and had only accomplished ONE thing, but Paul persuaded me and I couldn't resist the idea of a day out together, just the three of us!

We drove down Butterfield Road making our way to Two Brothers Brewery.  We opted to sit outside on the patio to soak in one of the last few days nice enough to do so.  It was perfect, and Zaylee was joyful as always, making all the others on the patio smile.  We ate and enjoyed each others company and conversation.  It was lovely, truly.  On our way back towards the house, Paul decided to pull into Herrick Lake for an afternoon walk.  We parked among the many cars that filled the lot, and started on the trail around the small lake.  Almost two years ago now, Paul took me to that very spot to ask me to be his wife.  It will forever be a special place to both of us, and it was so great to be there as a family on such a beautiful day.  I remember that moment like it was yesterday, and replay it over in my head often.  I'm so thankful to be married to my dear Paul, and feel blessed to be his wife.

It was a wonderful, spur of the moment Saturday date with my two favorite people.  The list was put off until Sunday, and instead we just enjoyed being together as a family.  Perfect weekend! 

Fun on Tuesday Afternoon

Sometimes we both get a bit bored at home, and we do silly things to make us both laugh!  I squeezed her little body something fierce after this little moment, because seriously she is too cute :)  Look at that face!

Aunts and Uncles

Eight Uncles.
Six Aunts.
10 cousins. (one on the way).
Four Grandparents.
One Great-grandma.
You are blessed my darling daughter with a BIG family, and so many people that love you dearly.

Aunt Jenny, your dad's baby sister, just moved to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute.  It has been such a joy having her close by, and watching her give you more kisses than any little baby girl has ever received.  Literally.  Countless, never-ceasing kisses galore!

She loves you, and you love her.  She has spent most weekends with us, whether it be here at home, or in Lake Geneva.  She tells us that she feels at home with us, and that means so much to your Dad and I.  We want her to know how much we love her, and that we are always here for her.  I know she misses Mamie and Papi so very much, and I am just thankful that we are close by and can give her a little TLC when she needs a little taste of "home".  The added bonus is of course YOU.  She can't seem to get enough of  you, and we love how much she adores you.

This weekend you finally started eating for us!!  Aunt Jenny was there encouraging you right along with us, and you actually seemed to enjoy the food being spooned into your cute, wide open mouth.  Sweet potato and corn was the food of choice that day.  You loved it!  Dad does better with feeding you, probably due to the fact that he allows you to get as messy as your little heart desires.  I on the other hand, still want to clean your face after each bite.  I'm working on this, and trying to embrace the "fun" in this new experience, mess included.

 It was a great weekend spent lounging around the house, watching movies, baking, and eating home cooked meals.  Thanks Aunt Jenny for loving sweet Zaylee so very well!! 

 Each of your aunts and uncles are special to us!  Even though some of them are an ocean apart, they ache for you sweet girl, and love you all the more.  We eagerly wait the next time we can all be together again, but until then we will continue to tell you stories of each of them and fill your mind with pictures and conversations through Skype. 

I've Always Loved the Elderly

Last night, we went to pick up our very first Market Day order.  It was so fun walking into the school and seeing everyone getting all the boxes put together, and checking to make sure all the orders were complete.  It reminded me of when I was a little girl, and I would run around the carpet-covered gym floor at Faith Christian on Thursday afternoons, while Grandma helped the Market Day process take place.  I loved Market Day, and am happy to have it in our home now.  Home.  Our home.  Family of three.  It still feels so surreal to me, and I feel so blessed every day as I work in our little home.

Moving on.....

After we picked up our order, I drove over to Dominick's to pick up a few things we needed for the week.  As we were waiting at the deli for our turkey, a sweet older man was admiring you as he walked passed.  I smiled, and went back to ordering some more meats and cheese from the kind lady behind the counter.  We made our way down the aisle's of the store, and the man found his way back to us in the midst of the canned tomatoes.  He asked how old you were, and what your name was.  You were looking beautiful as ever, with your big, flirtatious eyes batting slowly at him with your sweet, gummy smile.  He looked at you and said, "I may buy a lot of things today, but I couldn't pay enough for your smile!"  As he walked away, tears fell down my cheeks as I leaned down and kissed your sweet face.  A mother's love is something that words can not express.

It's beautiful.

My cup runneth over.