Bel’s 1st visit to America… Part 1 November 18, 2008

After travelling down to London in the beginning of October with Annabel to the American Embassy to register her birth and gain her American citizenship, we got her passport and were ready to head across the pond to meet the family.  Bel and I flew out to Phoenix 2 weeks ago and are enjoying ourselves in the sunshine with family and friends.  I can’t wait for hubby to come, Bel misses Daddy terribly!  He will be joining us on Saturday and will be here for his first proper Thanksgiving. (We’ve done Thanksgiving back home in England with many wonderful friends, but it’s just not the same when you have to celebrate it on Saturday because you don’t have Thursday and Friday off… and the rest of the country has no idea what it is for!)  Also, my wonderful friends and family gave us a “Welcome Annabel Shower” (baby shower, but after baby is born!)  Thank you so much Jackie, Julie, Mandy and Mom for the wonderful party and to all my lovely friends who came!  Here are a few pictures of our time here so far.

Pa's 1st cuddle at airport!

Bel enjoying herself in the warm weather!

Camping with Annabel! October 4, 2008

If you didn’t already know, the weather here is a bit unpredictable so when you have some good weather you have to jump quick to enjoy it or you might miss it.  Well last weekend was one of those times.  The sun was shining and no rain so we decided to take a quick camping trip before winter was upon us (like this weekend!)  We went with some friends and took the campervans’ for a night near Ullswater Lake.  Annabel really liked it and was a great little camper.  Here’s some pictures for you!

Annabel getting ready for camping trip.

 

Just waking up.

 

The three of us with the campervan -Lola. Our friends have the red VW next to Lola.

Annabel’s 1st Holiday! September 16, 2008

We took a mini holiday 2 weekends ago to stay on our friends Narrow Boat (canal boat) just the 3 of us.  Everyone thought we were crazy because all the hurricane rain hit Britain that weekend, so all it did was rain all weekend and we loved it – not the rain but definitely the weekend.  Relaxing and together, that’s all that matters.  Here are a few photos of that weekend.

MacKenna Family

 

Annabel & Mommy enjoying the ride.

Daddy getting smiles!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smiles.....

and more smiles!

The Princess September 4, 2008

In case you were wondering where I’ve been….  I have relinquished my tiara to the new princess in our house.  She is well deserving, don’t you think?!

We are doing really well.  We have had a few struggles feeding, but all and all I cannot complain because she is healthy and beautiful and we are really enjoying her.  She is seven weeks old today and slept all the way through last night – 10pm – 6am!  I was so excited this morning at 5am that she was still sleeping I could hardly go back to sleep (it didn’t take me long though!).

Here are a few more pictures of what we have been up to lately.

We were trying to have some play time, but it didn’t work quite so well with her sleeping.

Daddy is ready to take her out walking, but I think she is still a bit too little for this!

Her favorite past time – sleeping – and in her favorite position ‘froggie’.

Home at last August 7, 2008

We are home!  We have been home for about 2 weeks now, but adjusting to parenthood has kept me from the computer as I’m sure many of you may understand.  Annabel and I came home after spending just over a week in hospital after she was born.  She is doing well and more beautiful and precious everyday!  I don’t have much to say right now, but here are a couple of pictures without the feeding tube and IV that made her look so pitiful.  More later!

Dear Grandad, July 21, 2008

Today Grandma came to visit and gave me some nice cuddles.  She also tickled my feet and made me kind of mad!  I’ve spent the day sleeping and pooing and even managed to wee on Daddy when he was changing me.  Mummy has been making me lots of yummy food, she managed to walk around the hospital a couple of times today.
A few of Mummy and Daddy’s friends came to visit, 3 of them were Doctors and they all said that I was doing well and should get better very soon.  I met my cousins Anna and Matthew too, they’re getting very tall.

I heard the midwife say to Mummy and Daddy that they may be able to take me home on Wednesday.  Daddy told Mummy that he thought we might need a new canoe so that we can go out on the lake together, Mummy wasn’t so sure!

Lots of love from your £500,000 Grandaughter,
Annabel

Our New Arrival July 19, 2008

Hi everybody. It’s Auntie Julie, Jenny’s sister in law. I’ve been asked to hijack the blog and get an update posted for all of you.

Annabel Ruth MacKenna was born at 7:45 a.m. on the July 17th weighing in at 7lbs 14oz.

She actually began her entrance into the world on Monday morning, but it took four days, an assisted induction and some pulling to encourage her out.

Due to the lengthy delivery she is requiring some special care and some antibiotics so she is staying in the Special Care Baby Unit for approximately 5-7 days. So far Jenny has been able to stay as well and we pray that they will have enough room to allow her to stay for the duration of Annabel’s stay.

In all mom and baby are doing great. Pray for their continued healing and for patience with the extended hospital stay.

I’ll close w/ a quote from one of daddy’s emails. “In my totally unbiased opinion Annabel is the sweetest most adorable baby girl in the world!  I think she eversoslightly looks like my Mum, and we have given her the same middle name.”

Still waiting…. July 10, 2008

Well for those of you who haven’t been counting down the minutes of the day like I have til this baby is due, it is now 10 days til due date.  I could get more technical with the hours, but with the time difference between here and all of you back home it would just be confusing and besides, I do realize this baby is going to come out when it wants to and none of this counting will make any difference.  Mom has arrived today and so technically I am now permitted to go into labor (I was told I had to wait til she got here!).  I don’t have much more to say for the moment but wanted to make sure you all knew I was still here and nothing has happened.

One last trip… June 23, 2008

As some of you may know, hubby and I purchased a van with some friends to convert into a campervan (just before finding out about bump) and you may be wondering what happened to that.  Well the project took a bit longer than expected and there is still a bit to do in it, but it is useable!  We were hoping for a trip away before baby comes, like a week or two travelling around Europe, but we had to settle for a night away to York instead.  All the same we really enjoyed our very short trip and here are a few photos of the van and us!  In case you are wondering, it is an ex-postal van and her name is Lola:)

Make sure to notice the port hole, hubby is quite proud of putting them in- one on each side.  Also the back door was a roller shutter door and they took that off and built this door and back themselves.

Relaxing with a cup of tea!

Getting ready for bed.  The bench folds out into a small double and there will also be a bunk that will sleep two as well.

 

Lady of Leisure June 19, 2008

Well it is now my 4th day on maternity leave and all I can say is I’M LOVING IT!  I feel so relaxed and it is so nice to actually get a chore done in the house and take a nap, get up and still have time in the day to do something else.  As much as I complained how tired I was, I didn’t honestly think I would take naps during the day unless I really had to.  Those of you who know me, know I’m not a very good sleeper so the fact that I have taken several naps this week shows me just how tiring pregnancy can be.  I have also enjoyed being able to do things in the evening with my hubby without worrying about getting enough sleep to get up for work the next day.  I know this won’t last long, so I’m doing my best to take full advantage of this time.  I’ve made a list of projects and am working my way slowly through them without the pressure of time.  So despite getting bigger by the day and all the other ailments that have come with this pregnancy, I am enjoying myself now and it feels good.  I still can’t wait to meet this little one!