She won't take her paci to Kindergarten afterall.

Today was a day I have been dreading for a long long time. Over the years, Kinsley and I have had a love affair with her pacifier and we finally bid a permanent farewell this morning. We tried to spin it into a positive memory by taking her to build-a-bear. Here is the bittersweet recap:
Until today, this is how Kinsley has looked in the car since the day she was born.

This is the pink monkey she chose to be the final resting place for her pacifiers.

Here she is undoubtedly contemplating if this is a good idea.

My heart was racing as I watched her kiss them goodbye before placing them inside.

Luckily, we both were able to make it without extreme amounts of tears. Kinsley is walking taller now that she has declared herself a big girl. In her words, "Now I can walk in the street by myself." However, it didn't take long for my baby to reappear when she later said, "Maybe if I hug my monkey enough, my paci will come out."

We have made it through one nap and half a night with little drama. I would say that we have freedom from the paci, but then I remember that it won't be long before we are doing this all over again.

For Hallie

I have had little motivation to re-enter the blogging world. However, as much as I have fought against a Christmas update, I fast-forwarded 15 years and envisioned a conversation with Hallie that I would rather eliminate. I figure there will be many things she resents me for in her teen years and I should do all I can now to limit what she can throw back at me, such as not blogging about her first Christmas.
This one is for you, Sweet Peanut!

The Cinderella nightgown was Kinsley's special Santa request and she wears it over her clothes every. single. day.

Kinsley also loved her Disney Princess collection...not many little girls have a daddy that can sing the songs from every princess movie.


This is one of the MANY attempts to get a cousin photo...even in it's blurry glory, sadly, it is the best.

This picture captures the fun and wild day that was Christmas 2008!

Happy First Christmas, Hallie Girl!