Keeping up with Cora

I know what you are thinking... Yes, I backdated this post! :) Thanks to Jessica S. for telling me I could do that! I know I have been MIA for a few weeks... And here is just a little bit of what has been going on... Hannah gave her favorite niece a pickle!!

I have been reading Sarah's blog for a couple months now and I just love that she posts their Must Haves of that particular month. You can see her post here. I have also been reading another blog, and recently Jessica posted about her daughter, Cora's, favorite toy she played with while she was alive. I think that I will remember every single detail of Mackenzie's life, but I forget those little things all the time! I am going to try very hard to do this at the end of every month, so I can remember what Mackenzie's very favorite things were!

I listened to this CD a lot when I was pregnant. When she was just a couple months old, we were on our way home, and Mackenzie was not happy. At. All. I put this CD in on Track 12 (Don't ask me why that certain one?) and she INSTANTLY stopped crying. It is called Capri, and it sounds like such a sweet lullaby. Since then, that song has been our saving grace! We do not (and cannot) go any where without this CD.

At first, we thought it was hysterical! As soon as she hears the first strum of the guitar she quits screaming immediately. After listening to this song a minimum of 1000 times in just six months, it is getting pretty crazy... but whatever it takes! I keep promising my mom that I will record this, because you honestly cannot imagine how dramatic this is until you see it. I will try to keep my camera with me on the go!

You can hear the song here

Mackenzie, I cannot believe how fast time has flown! You are almost 7 Months old and I haven't even gotten your Six Month post up yet! You have changed so much in the last six months, and you are becoming more and more independent.

You are such a good eater! I am so glad that we feed you homemade baby food! So far you have had apples, bananas, pears, peas (which you don't like), green beans, avocado, carrots, and mashed potatoes.

When we went for your 6 Month check up a couple weeks ago, you were weighing in at 17 pounds (50-75%) and you were 26 3/4 inches tall (75%). You wore 6 month and 6/9 month clothes, size 2 diapers, and size 2 shoes.

You are chewing on EVERYTHING, and you have all the symptoms of cutting your teeth, but we still are toothless!

I love that when we say your name, you look for us, and you are starting to jabber a lot more! You love feeling different surfaces (carpet, hard wood, etc.) You love to slap your hands on anything near you, and you are starting to kick a whole lot.

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Here is a letter from Daddy

Stinker,

You are getting so old so fast. It seems like yesterday that we left the hospital with you and your head of hair that many bald men would die for. I didn't know what to expect when you came into this world but I knew one thing. You were mine. I also knew that one person would not get to ever meet you so to make sure everyone including you knew she was around we included what she went by in your middle name. Thats right, Berlynn is not just another name. Ber comes from my sister, your aunt, that died 2 years ago. She was only 28 but she was smart and fun to be around. Your mother and I agreed on that name because in a way we want you to be like her. I want you to have her brains, and by the looks of things you are ahead of schedule. You are only 6 months old and you always make me smile, just like your aunt did. You are trying so hard to stand up now and can almost do it and you never give up, that's the Oaks in you. One day I will explain how your mother and I met. Once you were born, I didn't know what I was gong to do to support you and your mother. And to be honest, I am still working on it but I am not giving up. I have been told I can go back to what I was doing, but honestly, I find it hard to think about how much stuff I would miss with you growing up and going through my childhood when I didn't have a parent around and the other parent was always working to make things better for us kids. I do not want you going through what I went through but also want you to have a great childhood and not have to worry about anything. I have been awaken at all hours of the night the last 6 years or so and will have to admit that; when you cry at night I do not mind getting up with your mother to come change your diaper and make your bottle to feed you. I love seeing your face with those bright blue eyes and that smile that is like you are up to something. I do not complain one bit or regret anything and want you to always know that. I love you and always will.

Love,

Dad

We ventured out with something we haven't tried tonight....

Dustin cut the avocado in half, removed the pit, and I took a spoon and fed it to Mackenzie! Wow! How easy is that?

She really liked it... Dustin convinced me that it was really good so I made him try it first. After he took a bite with no complaints, I figured the least I could do is try it - I mean if I am making Mackenzie eat it, Isn't that the least I could do?

Haha.... I was not impressed! I told Dustin that it tasted like roots... you know like tree roots? He asked me that what parties that I was going to where serving roots? haha! :)

We are also going to try pears and mashed potatoes this week. We bought her this really neat strawberry teething toy that vibrates when she chews on it. I have a video of her using it for the first time that I will try to post later.

Saturday afternoon, Mackenzie and I headed up The Hill for the Razorback game with my parents! Dustin stayed home to help volunteer at Rocktober Feast. It is the 1st Annual benefit for Aplastic Anemia. One of our friends from Life Group set everything up, so I was glad Dustin could help.

Mackenzie got her first Mac and Cheese and Mashed Potatoes while we were there! She loved it! I made the red/zebra wrap that Mackenzie is wearing...I just put it over her razorback onesie... I literally made this 20 min before my parents showed up, but Sshhh don't tell my mom. Then she will know the real reason I was running so late! :) haha!

Notice Mackenzie chewing on her necklace? I am hoping we get our first tooth soon!

(Eric got an extra shirt for Kaci while she was eating with us and she ended up getting one too so he gave me the extra! I was so excited! :)

How cute is this red Pea Coat? Thanks NeNe!

We played Vanderbilt this week and won! It was our Homecoming. It was fun seeing all the Alumni players, band and cheerleaders....And of course Peyton Hillis!! Mackenzie did really good through the game as long as I was in sight. I didn't think she would be one of those babies that would want me at all times but maybe she will! (And I LOVE it!)

So needless to say... No trick of treating for this girl! I am planning on getting her dressed up and at least taking her pictures since I made her costume by myself! I did get this picture the other day with her Minnie Mouse ears on! I was super impressed that I made that!

M got a Halloween gift from Miss Shannon too. Veggie Tales, Yogurt Melts and a Teething Toy. Thanks Miss Shannon!!

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!!

The Pumpkin Patch was at Greenwood United Methodist Church. They are raising money for their mission team to go on a mission trip to "Shadow of His Wings" orphanage in Monjas, Jalapa, Guatemala.

I worked on Mackenzie's Halloween costume last night and I honestly squealed after it was pieced together. I am going to Gina's this week to embroider some stuff on it, then I will post pictures. She will be the cutest Minnie Mouse I have ever seen!

Mackenzie and I are dressed a like today!

When we get around in the mornings, I get myself dressed and get her dressed right before we leave. I guess I am drawn to the colors that are already in my head because I do this a lot!!