The BIG 2!!

Today = 2 years of marriage. Can you believe it has only been two years? In a good way of course. Nonetheless, after two years of marriage, Matt and I have conquered some, with much more to come! We have a beautiful little 9 mo. old girl who keeps us on our toes everyday. I have always heard people say that the first year of marriage is the hardest - I have yet to see that in the 2 years we have been married. Matt brings so much love, joy, happiness and peace into my life. Happy 2 years!!

Big Girl!!

Doing my part of the family chores!

Pumpkin Patch

I love this time of year where the holidays are about us. Everything in the air is different - it's wonderful.

Family Picture

My very talented sister-in-law Erin in maximinzing her talents!! She took our first family picture, which turned out pretty cute. Check out her website, erinwilkesphotography.blogspot.com and have her take your family picture as well :)

PORTERS 2009

Contemplating Life...

Shoud I poop now or later? :)

Bountiful Basket

Ok, so three posts in one night. Who would have thought! There is a place online called Bountiful Baskets. You order everyother Tuesday night. Then that Saturday, you take a laundry basket to the nearest drop off point and fill it to the rim with fresh veggies and fruit - all for $15. It is awesome and really good stuff too. Just look at it.

I am so so tired...

On the way home from Prescott, Makenzie was so tired that she feel asleep holding her binkie the wrong way. She is just too cute! :)

Prescott Cabin

Over the Labor Day weekend, Matt, the peanut and I had the leisure of heading up to Prescott to hang out at the new Wilkes' cabin. It was awesome. We had a huge rainstorm on Saturday. Matt has been waiting for a storm like that all monsoon season. He finally got it. We did a lot of relaxing, eating, and playing around. The Franklins, The Adam Wilkes Family, The Garrett Wilkes family and my parents were all up there. Crowded? Yes. Too crowded? No. I love hanging out with my family.

Boy that Zebra sure is good!

I am pretty sure that Matt won HORSE!! Way to go babe!

What a cute family!

The view from my parents cabin and the storm that rolled in. If you look closely, you can see that clouds also came in and make it look really dreery. Awesome!

Just hanging out!

Look Mom... NO hands

Makenzie is a big girl now. She is sitting up and reaching for toys. I just love how everyday is something new and exciting. 5 months old and growing everyday.

I just love it

Makenzie Sue had her first taste of rice cereal today. The dr. told us a few weeks ago we could start giving it to her, but we have just not gotten around to it. We have the goods: the rice cereal, the bibs, the spoons and bowls; just not the time to start. Well, our good friends Travis and Lauren watched Kenzie today while I was at work. It was time. Lauren gave her the first taste. When the bowl was empty, Makenzie wasn't and wanted more. I just love this little girl. 5 months old and growing everday.

Lost Camera

Matt and I misplaced our camera for the past little while. We finally found it in my purse! I tend to not carry a purse these days. A baby, a diaperbag, and myself is already too much. Thus, we lose the keys, the phone and the camera ALOT.

This is my last weekend before I go back to school. :( Well, I went back last week, but the kids come back tomorrow. It is very bittersweet, more bitter than sweet. There is nothing like dropping your baby off in the morning, still asleep, still in her PJs and off to work. But, at the same time - you do what you have to in order to survive. I am so lucky, Matt is so lucky; moreover, Makenzie is so lucky to have family and friends (thanks Britt) to watch her during the work week. She will bounce around with her cousin Emery to different houses while I am at Mesquite. I feel so blessed to have in-laws who are excited at the opportunity to watch her, love her, and see her grow. I know she is in the best hands possible (besides mine).

On this last hoo-rah of a weekend, we went up to Show Low to escape this heat. Matt, Dave, Morgan, and Thos decided it would be fun to go to Sunrise, take the ski lift up, and mountain bike down - 6 times! Luckily, no one was injured. Makenize and I, on the other hand, took the opportunity to hang out. We went to Lamell's, as usual, and took almost a 3 hour nap together. What a wonderful life we live.

Thanks Annie and Trever for a wonderful weekend and lots of fun.

3 months old

We are so close to laughing, rolling over and sleeping soundly through the night. Makenzie is the sweetest, most cuddly, and definetely most smiley baby I have seen of had (ha- first baby)!! I just love the way she recognizes Matt and I. We just love this little girl.

Blessing Day!

I have never felt so complete, or blessed in my life than I did today. Today, I watched as my sweet husband, 3 brothers, 5 brothers-in-law, 2 grandpas, and one great-grandpa (I hope I got everyone!), give my little peanut a name and a blessing. What a great sight to see as all these wonderful priesthood holders lay their hands on Makenzie. She was a star. She had her eyes closed through the whole prayer, only to open them as Matt was saying amen. We have taught her well :) What was even more special, was that Makenzie was blessed in the same dress I was blessed in 26 years ago and was made by my mother. I could not be more happy to have my family all drive up from Tucson to enjoy the blessing with us. Everyone was there!

I am one sassy peanut

With the whole Porter crew in town for Maddy's baptism and the awful summer heat, a swim is just what the dr. ordered. We broke out Makenzie's swimsuit and she is ready to go!!!

Isn't she lovely..isn't she wonderful...

7 weeks old and lovin' every minute of it!!

Can a 6 week old...

SMILE....YES YES YES :)

Whoever said babies only smile when they have gas needs to look at these pictures. Grandma LaReda got the best out of this little peanut just after a catnap. Makes all the sleepless nights worth it.

Pretty Easter Dress!

We had our first photo shoot today with Makenzie! I think she is looking so big and so old, she is the big 3 weeks old now. We fall more and more in love with this little girl everyday.

No longer a new born...

Our little Makenzie is growing up so fast! She lost her embilical cord stump today!! The days just fly by :) In order to celebrate the joyous occasion of no longer folding diapers and wipe-me-downs, we gave her - Grandma Porter - got to give her a first bath. She loved it. She did not cry once. What did make her cry was the rub me down of lotion afterwards.

2 week checkup

We went and saw the dr. yesterday and here are her current stats:

When we left the hospital, Kenzie weighed 7.1 lbs. When we were at the dr. at her one week checkup, she weighed 7.1 lbs. When we left the dr. yesterday, she weighed 7.15 lbs!!! Yay for really good mom's milk :) She was 20 in. too. The dr. said that we officially have a perfect baby - we agreed with him. I could not love her more!

Kenz

Makenzie Sue Porter

March 20, 2009

6:25 pm

7 lbs. 8 oz.

19.5 in.

Sweet as can be!!

Makenzie Sue Porter

The time has finally arrived for our little precious girl to enter this mortal world. The induction date has been set, the car seat has been put in the car, and family is all in town from Tucson, (minus 2 brothers).

We went to Banner Gateway hospital at 8:00 pm on Thursday, March, 19 to be induced. They placed some blue gel to help "ripen" me from 10-2. Then, 2 rolled around and they started me on pitcoin. 9 o'clock came and my dr. came in to break my water. That was the experience, let me tell you. The nurse told me I won the award for most water this month. I figured as much when I heard her tell the other nurses, "we need some towels - we are gonna need more towels!!" Time ticked as we waited and hoped for progression. It was fun to have family in there keeping us company and I watched her little heart rate and contractions. Three times her heart rate dropped, making it as low as 46. That is enough the make you start to cry and feel anxious, worried and pleadful all at once.

My dr. came back at 5:30 just to find out that I went from an 8 backwards to a 5. Apparently I have a small pelvis, which would not be big enough for our Kenzie. Her pressure caused me to swell and digress backwards. We then knew a c-section was in store.

After 21 hours of labor, Matt changed into his little blue scrubs outfit and we were rolled into surgery. Not before a much heartfelt prayer was said by my much worried husband, and daddy first. I have to admit that I was very nervous and almost in shock that I had to have a c-section. At 6:25, little Makenize Sue made her apperance. All is well.

I guess while we were recovering, myself shaking uncontrollably for a good hour, we had an entourage outside pacing the hallways, maybe making some nurses a little on the "who are these people" side. When we were rolled back into our room, the scene of 18 people awaiting us in the hallway was undescribable. All of Matt's brothers and sisters and spoused were there, all 4 grandparents, and most of my brothers and sisters all welcomed this little bundle of joy into the world. All I could think about was how grateful I was, and am, for family, for the support this little girl will have her entire life.

We are so grateful you are here safe, and healthy

Makenzie Sue.