This is Mackenzie Grace. Currently 29 months (that’s parent-ese for 2yr 5mo, right?) and 25ish lbs of pure cute and love. She is our baby, our firstborn, our ‘can we actually care for a living creature successfully’ trial child and the best big decision we ever made in our 20s. Just kidding. We got engaged, married, and pregnant, bought a house, new careers, yadda yadda – all slightly big deals. But Kenzer was certainly the best spontaneous / seemingly stupid-at-the-time decision of all those aforementioned. Fortunately, Ryan and I have managed to care for and raise our puppy to be loving and sweet and maybe a little too exuberant when the opportunity to be social arises (I wonder where she gets that from?) and we couldn’t be prouder of this adorable little noodle. 

  
I’ve noticed myself spoiling our Kenzer lately and I just can’t help it. Extra treats, more cuddles, dog park adventures whenever possible, ‘ok fine you can come to Starbucks with me’ midday carrides. Her only-child/doghood is coming quickly to an end and the poor little noodle has no idea. I try to tell her. I do. I talk to her and hold her face. I look into her brown eyes and try so hard to warn her with the most loving ESP. But I don’t think she’s caught on. Here’s my message to you Kenzie, my love. 

Things are about to change big time. For you, for us. In a lotta ways that I can’t pretend to grasp. And I want to apologize in advance if for a little while you are not as snuggled, coddled,  well-walked or photographed. Our trips to the park will suddenly stop because I’ll have no idea how to handle life for a while. But once your dad and I wrap our exhausted newbie parent heads around what to do with a baby, I promise we’ll come back around. 

But all the while Kenzer, know this. That while I may not be able to heed your early morning puppy eyes and jump up immediately to go for a walk, I love you so much and right now, I owe you one sweetie. Because I truly feel deep in my heart that this transition will be made so much easier because of you. You’ve taught me and dad how to love something besides one another…together. You’ve taught us how to work together and compromise together and share responsibility together. How to let our hearts grow to include something other than ourselves. 

And I mean there’s also the more practical side of parenting that you’ve introduced us to.  We’ve cleaned up poop and pee and vom and know  who’s better at it (mom). We’ve stayed up late, woken up in the middle of the night and jumped out of bed before dawn to meet your every need and know whose better at it (dad). We’ve failed to pick up after your crazy amount of hair, toys and doggy waste and know who’s to blame for it (both of us). And we have you to thank, girl–You beautiful little love bug– for giving us even the slightest glimpse at what we’re in for. 

So as a gift for all you’ve taught us, although, at first, it may seem a little backwards. We are giving you another human who will love you as much as we do. Maybe even a tiny innocent child amount more. And for a little while, s/he may have the spotlight and you may feel brushed aside and wanting for attention and a few more belly rubs than we have time for. But, little one, this tiny gift we are all about to receive will be so worth it and when the time comes, hang in there with us. Be patient and as sweet as you’ve ever been and our little world will fall right into place. And what a beautiful little place it will be.