Dear Mackenzie: You are a chatterbox
Dear Mackenzie,
I’m writing your letter a bit early this month because I’m participating in National Infertility Awareness Week next week, when your 29th month of life is being celebrated. I can hardly even begin to fathom what it might be like to wonder month after month if a pregnancy test will ever show a positive symbol or if all the testing, shots, emotional turmoil and more will be for naught. You were a gift that came unplanned to us and we’re ever so grateful to have you in our lives. You enrich it every day and can make the darkest moments bright.
This month you started singing the Macarena song a la Dr Evil in Austin Powers (Duca-duca-duca-duca, Duca-duca-duca-duca, Aaah-ight!) You started with the “Duca-duca” on your own – no idea where you picked that up – and we threw in the “Aaah-ight” for you…but the dance moves are going to take a bit of work.
Although we always call you “Mackenzie,” “Mack,” “Mackie” or “Mouse,” you actually call yourself “Kenzie” — so I guess I’m going to have them start calling you “Kenzie” at the next round of music classes — which you seem to be liking a bit more lately but still aren’t 100% sure about. Since several kids from our group are already starting kindergarten and doing other things, we’re going to be jumping in with a new group which means more new kids to meet. At least people will stop thinking your name is “Maggie.” Ugh.
You currently talk almost nonstop, love to narrate what you are doing and we can usually actually understand you. I am still amazed that you still use signs every now and then and wish I’d learned more to teach you! One of the best ideas I’ve had yet. Now if I could just get a maid to clean up the desert that Ayla leaves in the kitchen every morning and take care of other household stuff, I could go back to teaching you to learn to read and do math… You still can’t say sunglasses (but you wear them all the time when you’re outside) and octopus is “apple-pus.”
You love to take your shirt off after your nap (or non-nap where you just play in your crib upstairs for an hour or so) but sometimes are not all that successful and end up with your arms trapped behind your back because you’ve pulled it over your head first and then can’t free your arms from the long sleeves. You also like to pretend you are asleep by fake-snoring. You truly are funny.
Speaking of long sleeves, you either have an aversion to letting your skin get a little color or you are just extremely modest because you detest short-sleeved t-shirts and shorts. I can tell you one thing, though. You are about to start appreciating them more as the summer progresses or you are going to be in extreme danger of overheating. No air conditioning in Germany means you really learn to appreciate the shorts and tank tops! You also won’t leave your room without sock on, which I can understand due to the amount of sand Ayla leaves on the floor each morning — but you’re really going to need to rethink this warm-weather clothing strategy.
You get the most ridiculous thoughts in your head when you are tired. You slap us, you claw at our clothing and backs, you bite yourself or toys, you start doing things that you know are not allowed to do…you just get nutty and I guess it’s your own way of conveying that you are no longer in control. Even though you aren’t taking naps, you still seem to value that quite time, alone, in the dark…and you must have developed some killer night vision by now with all the sleeping you’re not doing. At least you fall asleep pretty quickly after we put you in bed at about 7pm nand sleep until at least 9 am the next morning!
Sometimes you sing for us and it is AWESOME! You currently sing “twinkle, twinkle little star” and the Max & Ruby theme song (one of your favorite shoes). Actually, the Backyardigans have pushed Elmo out of the lead position, with Max & Ruby still holding onto second — but we’re becoming more adament about adding German things into your programming as well so you become a little more familiar with it before you start kindergarten in November.
At least we hope you’re starting then. We still have to start and master potty training — which you currently have ZERO interest in. You won’t even sit on your tiny potty. So we’re going to try a new approach and get you a stool and one of those toilet seat adjustment things to make it small enough for you to sit on. Hopefully if you can potty like the big people, it will be more interesting. And maybe you will get over the indecency thing and go without diapers and pants for a few days so we can have a crash course. Unfortunately none of your pants are going to fit on your after the diapers go because you are so thin — but we’ll deal with that issue another time…
Your reckless driving skills still completely terrify us when you are driving your Bobby Carts in the courtyard. The way you race down the hill as fast as the cart will take you and turn towards a corner at the last minute instead of crashing into the gate has us quite impressed with your driving skills. And you absolutely understand the concept of using the steering wheel now. Ayla is also completely not amused with your behavior and tries to act as a blockade — which sometimes doesn’t go exactly as planned but is still quite entertaining. You just think it’s all great fun!
You can now climb stairs standing up quite well with no assistance but I’m kind glad that you still like to take someone’s hand on the way down since it can be quite a bit more tricky. Now if only the hand rail was a few inches shorter and actually running parallel to the stairs, life would be good. Welcome to life in the crooked house on the crooked lane.
You are such a little doll and have completely mastered the power of manipulation already. I don’t think anyone could say no to you (besides mom and dad)– and you know just the right buttons to push. For example, you will come over to me and ask “May I have ice cream?” — because I’ve taught you that this is the polite way to ask…but it’s the only thing you care enough about to ask for that way. We’re still working on the “please” at the end too –but you’re quite good with “thank you!”
May your heart stay as true, your spirit as happy and your personality as funny as it is today…
My love,
Mommy
P.S. Sorry I don’t have so many photos this week — but I already shared several good ones of you over on my You Capture post from last week.
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Tiffany is an American who has been living in Germany with her husband since 2001. The two are self-proclaimed "Self-Reliant Yuppies" who are in their early-30's and bought an 1830's farmhouse several years ago, which they have been turning into a more sustainable and green dream house. Two cats, a Newfie and their 2 year old daughter enjoy the adventure with them. Tiffany enjoys cooking, rock climbing, lux-camping trying to turn her black thumbs green and taking road trips. Visit the 
I love the photo of the Bobby Cars. It’s obvious she know how to brake. I’m not sure I can say the same for the adult male behind her.
Great story line and “Kenzie” is so precious. Do keep the pictures coming. Her smile and singing ability is wonderful. Are the tennis lessons still on tab at 3 yrs. old with the grandparents ?
Her expression while wearing the bread basket hat: priceless!