Date with Daddy

In honor of Mother's Day, Ben took Courtney on a date so I could have alone time and get my hair done. Neither of which ever happen. Courtney got to go to daddy's work, then to breakfast at Mimi's where she waved at every table she passed. They then went to Toys R Us where she got to pick out some new toys and they ended with a scoop of ice cream at Baskin Robbins. Gosh, this little girl is spoiled.

Monies in the Piggy Bank

We have finally gotten to that "perfect routine" and it feels so good and is working so well. We have always had a schedule but in the last 4 months it's had a lot of changes. Between me getting used to staying home, Holidays, being sick for 3 months and putting Courtney on a new nap schedule, there was too much extra time for her to get in trouble which resulted in too many timeouts a day. But we are finally there and I am going to enjoy it as long as it lasts. Courtney responds and behaves soo much better when there is a schedule and she can anticipate what is next. I also incorporated a new "rewards" technique for her that is helping oh so much. We call it "monies in the piggy bank". One morning, Courtney found some change on the garage floor, she was really excited about it. So for the first time, we put "monies" in her piggy bank. After watching the joy on her face, that day I made a new system fir her and she responded so well. We have different times during day that she earns monies for being good. I had a problem with her brushing her teeth. Every night was a 20 minute battle of her screaming and me holding her down on the bathroom floor while shoving the toothbrush in her mouth in hopes to get a few teeth scrubbed. I tried everything to make it better. Once I started rewarding her with monies if she let me brush her teeth, the screaming stopped. It was amazing how she responed. Aren't we so much like dogs! She looks forward to earning her money. Eventually as she understands more, I will transition her rewards to my next system. I am just so thankful for this time and can accomplish so much more in the day without so much frustration.

It's a girl!

We had another ultrasound today for baby #2. It is still looking like we have a girl. She was sitting Indian style and was sleeping. We tried everything to get that girl to move. Each ultrasound we have gotten so far on her she is sleeping. I even drank caffeine, before I went in and no luck. It was the exact opposite with Courtney. Every ultrasound she was flipping, turning, and swimming away. Never a quiet moment which is true to this day. Maybe we will have a more relaxed little girl and one that likes to snuggle. We will see. We have decided we will name her Caylynn Capri McKinsey. We also had Courtney's 18 month check up. She hates it with a passion and she doesn't even get shots. Poor little thing just feels violated. She checked out great and still on the chubby side. She's cute chubby though. Next milestone for her is kicking the ball. Better buy her a soccer ball to practice.

My Little Chatterbox

I am just loving staying home with my little princess. She is such a joy to be around even on the days that consist of numerous temper tantrums and even more timeouts. After a day like that, I still collapse on the couch after putting her to bed, and miss her chubby little face. Since I have been home with Courtney, I have watched her grow and mature and become so smart. It's so much fun to teach her something and watch her do it. She just loves to dance and anytime music is on she can't help it, but she just starts to groove. But even more than dancing she loves to talk. I guess she takes after her mommy in more than one way. We talk all day long and it's amazing what she picks up. This afternoon Courtney and I were counting how many words she can say and we got up to 28! Of course you have to be around her to really understand them. But mama and dada do, so that's what counts. Not bad considering she is not even 18 months yet. We could be cultivating our very own chatterbox. One of my favorite things I am teaching Courtney is how to be a better helper. Since we have a new baby coming in 5 months I am going to need all the I can get. She helps me with the laundry, she picks up trash and puts it in the garbage she picks out her shoes or finds them and she puts her dirty clothes in the hamper. Okay enough bragging about my little girl. I am just so excited that I don't have to miss these moments. Thanks to my wonderful hubby, who works his butt off so I can be with our babies.

Baby McKinsey #2

Well if you haven't heard, Ben and I are having another baby. We are in the 11th week and things are going well, besides the morning sickenss. We have been to the doctor a few times for our normal check ups and have had few ultrasounds. I have been able to see the baby and hear the heartbeat and I already have a "baby bump" protruding out. Hopefully my jeans will fit me tomorrow. When I was pregnant with Courtney we were able to find out that she was a girl by the 12th week. So I hope that when we go in next for our ultrasound the doctor will be able to tell early again. I have posted the latest ultrasound.

Finally Better!

The McKinsey girls have had a rough last 3 weeks battling sickness. I have had really bad morning sickness with this pregnancy. It has been much worse than with Courtney. It has me on the couch a lot of times feeling so sick that I can't do anything. Courtney has been a trooper and will bring toys to me on the couch. Then I got the stomach flu or food poisoning. Either one it had me flat on the couch (except to puke or poop) for 6 days. I was so weak there were times that I knew Courtney had a poopie diaper and I couldn't even change her. I couldn't eat or drink. It took me a few days to get my energy back. Then we were out of town for 4 days (to visit my family) and we came back and the next day I got the flu. The following day Courtney got the flu. So I had morning sickness and the flu. Not fun! After a week of both of us being sick, we were fed up with being housebound and sick. We are finally both better. Now just to battle my morning sickness. I am in the 11th week so hopefully I only have a week or two of it left.

Courtney's Best Friend

Every week Courtney and I get together with her friend Haley and her mom Erica. It has been so much fun to see their little friendship develop. Erica and I met at the park over a year ago, Courtney was just 12 weeks old (on the swings for the first time) and Haley was about 7 months. Erica's and my friendship quickly developed as we realized we had a ton in common. Erica started watching Courtney each day for a bit when I went back to work and it was there where the girl's friendship grew. Now when I mention Haley's name to Courtney she runs to the front door and says "more Haley". The girls just love each other. It is so cute. At the park this week a little boy came up to Courtney and Haley jumped in front of the boy as if to say "This is my friend!" I am excited where their friendship will go.

Courtney's Dedication

On February 14th we dedicated Courtney to the Lord at our church. We had been waiting a while to this. As Courtney's parents we are choosing to give her to the Lord and are asking the Lord and our church to help raise her. We are asking the church to hold us accountable in raising our daughter. Our friends Joe and Amy (Courtney's Godparents) came as well as Ben's brother Chris and his fiance Beth and Joe and Laura. We ended the celebration by going to lunch.

Fun Family Day

Ben had the day off yesterday and we had a great family day just hanging out at home. We spent the morning cleaning and organizing and then when Courtney woke from her nap we walked to the park as a family with the dogs too. After filling 3 poopie bags of dog poop we finally arrived at the "fun park". Courtney loves this park, she climbed, walked and swung on the swings. It is so sad telling her it's to leave. You'd think that we told her she was never returning back to the park. Then we just spent the evening as a family. I cleaned up dinner and Ben and Courtney had "daddy time" and played music on his iPod. It was just a good family day.