One Stormy Night

Living in Nebraska has definitely been a change in weather for us. While living in constant rain in Washington, I used to say to John, "if it is going to rain all the time, I wish it would at least storm a little bit". Watch what you wish for, right? For the last month or so, we have had numerous severe thunderstorms, most of which happen in the middle of the night. Lucky for us, we chose to live in an apartment with big bay windows in both of the bedrooms. We thought they were different, and would let in lots of light (both of which are true), but what we didn't realize is that they seem to magnify the noise outside. We have all been woken up in the middle of the night (Makenna included) several times during the last month during big thunderstorms. So far though, we have only had tornado watches and thunderstorm warnings, but no tornado warnings. Well, at least not until Saturday night.

John and I were woken up at 2:30 am with the wind and rain on our window. We got out of bed and peeked out the blinds to see the action. As soon as we climbed back in bed, the tornado sirens started going off. We quickly turned on the news just in time to see the map of our area, with the tornado symbols exactly 2 miles south of where we live! We jumped out of bed, threw on some sweatshirts and shoes, and prepared to head to the storm shelter. When I went in to grab Makenna, she was wide awake, lying on her tummy just looking around. I grabbed her, threw a big blanket over her head, and we ran down the 3 flights of stairs to the car. We jumped in and drove over to the storm shelter (a.k.a. the workout room underneath the apartment complex office). There were probably about 15 people in the room already, with the news on, and as we waited, about 35 more people trickled in. Luckily Makenna didn't seem to mind the middle of the night festivities, and enjoyed just looking around at people, and at her reflection in the mirror. After about 20 minutes, the worst of the storm had passed, and our trusty weather man gave the all clear to come out from shelter.

After feeding Makenna and putting her back to bed, I laid awake for another hour and a half before I was finally able to fall back asleep. I guess it took awhile for the adrenaline to wear off. Thankfully the tornado stayed to the south of our neighborhood, and although it did cause quite a bit of damage, no one was seriously injured. It was a pretty exciting night, but one that I hope we won’t have to repeat for awhile. From now on, I am definitely going to watch what I wish for!

Where is the pause button?

Have you ever wished that you could pause your life for awhile? Lately I have been feeling that way about Makenna. She is 6 months old now, and is such a joy. I feel truly blessed to have such a healthy, happy baby. She is doing all kinds of new things: sitting up, rolling all over the place, eating solids, getting her first 2 teeth (on the bottom), jumping up and down when she gets excited, and giving kisses (she may just be trying to eat my cheeks and chin, but I like to think that she is giving me kisses). She loves to play tickle games, pat-a-cake, and look at herself in the mirror. She loves her daddy. When John comes home from work, Makenna just stares at him wherever he goes, and smiles whenever he looks at her. She also loves other people, especially other little people like herself. At church last week we had people fighting over the row behind us because they wanted to have Makenna smiling at them.

Is she perfect? Of course not. She only takes cat naps (45 min. max), she loves to pull hair (mine and John's), she would definitly rather be held than play on the floor by herself, and she has her fussy moments. However, overall she is a better baby than I could have ever hoped for. If only I could find her pause button!

Makenna's 6 month stats:

Height - 28 inches 99%, Weight - 19 lbs. 14 oz 98%

Did I mention that she was a BIG, healthy 6 month old baby?

Mommy's Messy Eater

Makenna's first meal of carrots.

Our Wisconsin Trip

Last weekend, we took Makenna on her first road trip. John's Grandma Steeno passed away, and so we drove to Wisconsin for her funeral. It was about a 9 hour drive, and besides a major diaper blow out 10 minutes into our trip, Makenna did great. We first stopped in Steven's Point, WI to visit John's Grandma Pawlowski on the farm. It was the first time that Makenna met her Great-grandma.

Makenna and her Great-grandma Pawlowski

The next day, we headed to Fond Du Lac, WI to meet up with the rest of the family. It was so nice to be able to meet most of John's extended family that I had never met. They were all so wonderful, and it was great to be able to spend some time with them.

We are so glad that we were able to attend the funeral services for John's Grandma. I am also so grateful that we made a trip to Wisconsin last March so that I could meet her.

Makenna and her Grandma CeCe and Great-aunt Kathy

On the way home from Wisconsin, we decided to drive through Chicago and stop at the Shedd Aquarium. We were surprised how much Makenna enjoyed the aquarium. She LOVED looking at all of the colorful fish, and got so excited. It was fun just to watch her. Overall it was a really great trip, and we are so glad that we went, and that Makenna was such an angel for us!

I was tagged with...the FIVE LISTS!

5 things on my To Do List:

1. Exercise - Makenna is 5 1/2 months old, and I have yet to get into a regular work out routine!

2. Go Grocery Shopping - I enjoy going shopping, but I hate making a grocery list; is that weird?

3. Write in Makenna's baby book. You would think since I only have one child I should be able to keep up her baby book, but I am behind already!

4. Write in my Journal. I am so bad about writing, I really need to get into the habit again.

5. Print Photos. I love having a digital camera, but all of my pictures are still on my computer.


5 jobs I have had:

1. Office gal for a small Retail Merchandising company.

2. BYU clogging teacher - this was by far my favorite!

3. BYU operator (being able to do homework while I worked was a great plus).

4. A Scrapbook store (I think I spent more money than I earned).

5. The GAP (they had GREAT discounts for employees).


5 places I've lived: (I only have 3, I guess that is what happens when you are born and raised in the same house.)

1. Omaha, NE

2. Vancouver, WA

3. Provo, UT


5 favorite snacks:

1. Fruit Snacks - I try to tell myself that they are healthy since they are "fruit".

2. Apple with Peanut Butter

3. Fudge bars

4. Cereal

5. Any type of Candy

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire:

1. Buy a house. I can not wait until John and I live somewhere long enough to buy a house.

2. Travel all over - I love to visit new places.

3. Save a bundle for MBA school, kids, retirement, etc.

4. Buy a big family car; maybe a Honda Pilot.

5. Pay someone to do my hair everyday. I know that sounds weird, but I love getting my hair done at the salon, and I wish that someone else did it for me everyday.

5 things you may not know about me:

1. I am extremely ticklish all over.

2. I am addicted to gum. I probably chew at least 5 or 6 pieces a day, and get pretty upset when I run out.

3. I am terrified of spiders. I always make John kill them when I find them. The only way that I can get close enough to them to kill them is if they are on the floor, and I can just throw a shoe on them.

4. I have to have a fan going when I go to sleep; I even pack one with me when I travel.

5. I love to pick at things (just ask John).

5 things I LOVE:

1. John - I couldn't ask for a more thoughtful husband, and he is so funny, and he makes me happy.

2. Makenna - She has been such an angel baby, and we are so blessed to have her as part of our family.

3. Makenna's laugh. John and I decided that Makenna's laugh is our new favorite sound. I would jump around like and idiot all day, just to hear her laugh.

4. Dance - I hope that dance will always be a part of my life in one way or another.

5. My family - I love having a sister that I can talk to everyday about anything, and I love living closer to both sides of the family.

I tag Amanda, Josie, Angie, and Hilary.

So Big!

Makenna is getting to be SO big. We took her to the doctor for her 4 month visit last week, and she is in the 99th percentile for weight (I think technically she is off the chart), and in the 97th percentile for height. We think she is as big as her cousin Kate, who is 3 1/2 months older than Makenna! I've decided that it might be because I eat too much ice cream. Either that, or John is feeding Makenna ice cream when I am not looking!

She is also in the stage where she seems to be doing something new everyday, which is so much fun.

Here are some of her latest accomplishements:

Sitting up by herself, although she usually starts to tip over after a few seconds.

Playing in her "Activity Zone"

Trying to roll over; she can get about half way.

Eating cereal (I love that face!)

Discovering her toes.

The Grandparents

Makenna recently had a visit from her Grandma CeCe and Grandpa Jim (or Grand - Da); John's Parents. They passed through Omaha on their way to and from Wisconsin. Makenna really enjoyed their love and attention. As soon as Grandma CeCe started talking to her, she started laughing; it was so cute!

Grandma CeCe & Grandpa Jim

Makenna is also lucky to live in Omaha now, and to be able to see her Grandma and Grandpa Bailey on a more regular basis.

Grandma Bailey

Grandpa Bailey