Kennedy's first-timers

Last week we went to Kansas City for Brandon's dad's 70th birthday party and to celebrate Thanksgiving Baxley/Hokenstad style. This trip uncovered a lot of first-timers for Kennedy.

To start with, this was her first airplane ride. As you can see, she slept like a baby.

After a couple attempts at bathing her in a regular tub, which always ended with her crying, we switched to something more her size so she wouldn't feel so overwhelmed. I give you Kennedy's first sink bath:


Shortly after this picture was taken, Kennedy finally figured out how to get out of the Bumbo. She landed belly down on the table, but came away without a scratch or a whimper. Makes you wonder how she can be scared of a regular size tub and not be scared of falling out of a seat.


Kennedy had her first car ride where she laughed the entire way. Seriously, she just kept laughing and laughing.
Kennedy wore Mama's hat for the first time. Damn her for looking better than me in it.

Kennedy got to wish Grandpa H. a happy 70th for the first time.

Please note that this is Kennedy all relaxed. Now, please also take note that Kennedy is inside a pack-n-play. Although she wouldn't sleep in this at night, she did allow for a few naps during the day. Usually, she won't even allow for a nap if the pack-n-play is involved. She's very picky when it comes to her sleeping arrangements.


And last but not least, Kennedy got to meet a lot of new faces while we were in KC. As you can see below, she wasn't suffering from stranger anxiety.

One of my bff's kids, Kiana and Walker

Cousin Paul and Kennedy

Grandpa H., Kennedy and Great Aunt Diane.

And that about sums up her first-time moments. We had a fabulous time back in KC and the hospitality was some of the best. Thanks again, Baxleys.

The power of a smile

It seems the prunes have struck once again...this time making their way out of the diaper. Hence, the reason for depantsing the little. But, darn it, doesn't she look happy letting everything hang out. No worries about her thigh rolls, loving the draft and a little tickled that she has the power to make Mom gag, squeal, and jump around the room. Get a little poo on your finger and you'd be gagging, squealing and jumping around the room too. But if it produces a smile like this, I'm happy to be such cheap entertainment.

Laugh, Dance, Turn into a little schoolgirl

Well, the highlight of my year...after the birth of Kennedy, of course...was going to The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Oh my goodness, she is even more fabulous in person. And we picked the right time to go because the guest was Robert Pattinson. I am now a proud member of Team Edward. I will be so embarrassed if my schoolgirl ways shows up on camera. I had no clue I'd end up being THAT girl, but, geez, it was like being 13 again at a New Kids On The Block concert. At least I didn't start crying or anything, but my throat is still considerably sore from all the screaming I did. Anyway, we had awesome seats. Jen and I are on an aisle and Ellen comes and dances right next to me. It gets even better, though. Robert Pattinson actually walks up our aisle and shakes Jen and I's hands. *Cue schoolgirls* So there's a chance that you might get to see these two schoolgirls making fools of themselves either dancing or desperately reaching to touch R Patts. The show airs on Friday and we can be seen wearing the outfits in the pics below. Actually, Jen changed into a cute gray jacket, but I'm wearing the same thing. And, please, if we do happen to show up on the screen, just remember that being starstruck is basically like being drunk...you willingly do stupid, embarrassing, outrageous things that might come back to haunt you.

Before the show, we toured Warner Brothers Studio. That's where all the following pictures are from. We couldn't take our cameras into Ellen, so I'm sorry to say, but I've got nothing for ya there.

Recognize this famous couch?

Rachel, Monica and Phoebe

Reenacting a scene from Friends


Watching a video about Warner Bros.

Batmobile behind us

Prunes + jumping = mush

Before y'all watch the VIDEO below, lend me your ear and your sympathy for just a moment. First off, the video is Kennedy in her Jumperoo. She sat and jumped in this little guy for over an hour. I would have taken her out sooner, but she never fussed and NEVER stopped jumping. And I wonder why she only weighs 15.2 pounds. Hello, the girl is burning more calories than she's taking in. Anyway, let me rewind a little. On Monday, Kennedy had her six-month checkup and the doctor asked about her stools. I, being a first-time mom, told the doctor that her poop was just fine, it was "adult" poop. I guess this was the wrong answer. Supposedly, it's not supposed to be "adult" yet and needs to me mushy. So, since Tuesday, Kennedy has been eating prunes at least once a day. The prunes didn't seem to be doing anything...until today...until Kennedy worked those prunes right out of her while jumping in the Jumperoo. Need I say more? So as you're watching this "cute" video of her jumping and laughing at the dogs, please remember what's going on behind the scenes...or shall I say, behind the jeans.

Short and sweet

Princess Kennedy would like to wish her blog township a very happy Friday! More interesting stuff next week when Mom is away for The Ellen D. Show and Dad has his first alone day and night (no help from this mama) with Kennedy.

To be continued...

Drumroll please...

Finally, a look at those teeth! You have to click on the pic to really see them, but they're there and ready for their first public appearance.

And soothing time.

Word to the wise: Never guess anyone's age

Setting: Costco
Characters: Michelle, Kennedy and Lady at Costco
And action.

Lady at Costco: "Oh, now wait right there. No, don't tell me. I'm guessing this little one is what, three months old?"

Michelle: "Um, actually you're about four months off. She's seven months."

Lady at Costco: "Well, I was never good with girls. I had four boys."

Michelle: "That's nice."

Kennedy: Looking at lady like she's CRAZY.
And cut.

So this is what played out on our little outing today and this is what has me all paranoid. Seriously, three months?? I know Kennedy is just a little peanut, but does she really look three months old? So, of course, paranoia turns to anger and anger turns to fright and fright goes looking for Mom, Brandon and GM Jen to calm me down. After talking with all of them, I somewhat calmed down, but I still couldn't let it go. I was so determined to prove that lady wrong. And what better way to do that than having Kennedy sit in a shopping cart all by herself, no car seat. Because everyone knows a three month old can't do that. So I place Kennedy in a cart minus her car seat and head into Target. I barely made it ten feet before I wanted to turn back, turn back and get her car seat. Let's just say it was a little embarrassing and I might have been a little premature at letting Kennedy sit shotgun all by herself. Her head was only about an inch taller than the back of the seat, and when you looked at her from the back she looked like a newborn because her hair is nothing but peach fuzz (and that's if you even noticed there was someone sitting in the seat to begin with). Her balance was off and she kept swaying back and forth and falling over, so I had to put the diaper bag in the seat with her to keep her from falling over. And to top it all off, the seat itself swallowed her and made her look even smaller than usual. Arrr! So back to the car seat we go and back to accepting the fact that people can say stupid things. At least my little drama of the day made me drag the camera out and capture Kennedy doing what she does best...being cute. [Warning: Couldn't pick my faves, so picture overload ahead.]

Listening intently to what GM Jen has to say

7 Months

Well, the news is true. Kennedy did, in fact, turn 7 months old today. And what a joy the last seven months has been. The best of my life thus far. I never doubted that I'd fall in love with motherhood and all that it would bring, but I had no clue, or warning for that matter, that certain things would turn me into a blubbering mess.

Take for example her teeth. Sure, they tell you all about the drooling, crankiness and wanting to put everything, and I mean everything, in their mouths, but what they don't tell you is how the sight of a new tooth can open the flood gates. Who knew I would cry when her teeth started to come in? I certainly wasn't prepared for that one. When the first one came, I wiped away my tears, just a little embarrassed. But when the second one started to poke its head through and my eyes filled with tears once again, I started to feel like I might be turning into "crazy mom."

I contemplated many things. Did this mean I was doomed to be the mom who keeps all their kids' teeth in a jar on the fireplace mantel...you know, the mom who can't let go. Am I going to be crying even after discovering the 20th tooth is sprouting? Will there be enough tears left over for our second child? More importantly, is this normal?

Needless to say, I was a little worried that cutting teeth could have such an impact on me emotionally. I mean, I didn't cry when she first rolled over or sat by herself. So what makes the pearly whites so special? Maybe it's the fact that teeth equal biting and biting equals pain. Maybe I'm just happy that she's two teeth closer to eating some dessert with me. Or maybe, just maybe, it's the simple fact that teeth represent maturity and maturity means growing up. Despite the fact that I have a love affair with dessert, I'm pretty sure it's the latter that's getting me all choked up here.

I realize this isn't a shocker. Babies grow up, I get it. I guess I just thought she would be the one who had the growing pains, not me. So am I normal or have I just uncovered the fact that I'm a sentimental sap who has a jar full of teeth in her future?

Halloween

Despite the fact that this little butterfly is cutting teeth right now (two to be exact), she was such a trooper for Mom and Dad. And even with all the drool, she still managed to be pretty stinkin' cute. Aw, Kennedy, you turn my heart into complete mush.

And, of course, we had to stop over and see Godmother Jen. This girl just had major life-altering surgery a few days ago. Looking at her, you'd never know it. Doesn't she look fabulous? Seriously, I'm so impressed with how great she looks. And while I'm on the "Jen" subject, let me just say that I am extremely proud of you and sooo thankful you came into our lives. We've got mad love for you, GM Jen.