More fun Visitors!

Some of my Alimacani Elementary School family came to visit me today... who am I kidding...they came to meet McKenna :o) I had Jake in my class 2 years ago and had the pleasure of having his little brother Drew in my class last year. Their Mom, Susan, and their Grammie, Ms. Pat, were a teacher's DREAM! Susan was my room-mom both years, attended every field trip, and helped with every party. Ms. Pat was a dream come true and came to grade papers every Monday! I'm so glad you came to meet McKenna. Thank you for giving up part of your day...and thank you for her sweet pajamas!

My partner teacher for the last 3 years, Ms. Perkins, and one of my favorite para-professionals, Ms. Bonner, came to see McK today too! Us 3 ladies (plus Ms. Snow) had lunch together every day. They just ate McK up and ooed and awwed over all of her clothes and pictures. Thank you ladies for caring about every little detail! Thank you for coming over and lovin' on our little girl.


Drew and McKenna

Jake, McKenna, and Susan

Ms. Pat and McK

Ms. Perkins, McK, and Ms. Bonner

Just because...

I just took these today and thought I'd share. Our little girl is getting so big. I got on the scale with her to see if I could tell how much she weighed and I was 10 pounds heavier when I held her...I couldn't believe it! What a chunk! She's getting more sweet sugar rolls on her arms and legs. I love it!

Cousins in town!

My cousin Brenda and her 3 year old daughter Nora flew in from Oklahoma to visit us! We were soooo excited to have them. We had SUCH a good time. Brenda and Nora babysat McKenna and let Dave and I go to the movies (thank you!). We went to the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, the Outlet malls, Dave's fire station, the library, the beach...WHEW! Brenda and Nora got lots of good McKenna sugars and they were such a good help. Thank you girls for coming. We loved having you here and can't wait to see you in September!

Fireman Dave showing Nora the fire engine.

Nora got to sit in the driver's seat and drive (turn the wheel).

Brenda, Erin, Nora, and McK

Alligator Farm!! Eeekk!

Nora and Brenda were so brave to touch the weird albino alligator!

The Burkes being goofballs...Dave made me do it :o)

More fireman stuff...

Brenda gettin' some sugars!

Nora was SUCH a good babysitter! She sang and sang to McK, and McK just stared and listened so intently!

Nora and McK took a bath together. Notice sweet Nora's purple Kool-Aid mustache :o)

Fun (free) times at the Public Library!

Nora and Dave sat in the trunk of the car and watched it pour down rain one afternoon.

Big Girl Bed!

McKenna is officially in her big girl bed! We started letting her take naps in her crib during the day...to train Mommy more than McKenna. She spent her first night in her bed on her 5th week birthday. She did beautifully. She continues to be a good sleeper with naps and at night. She isn't sleeping through the night quite just yet, but we're crossing our fingers for her to do so in the next few weeks or so...stay tuned!

Doesn't she look so small in her big bed?!

Check out the onesie...so true!

She loves to look at herself in the mirror...good grief!

Check out the face (crying) and then her onesie...again...so true!

Aunties-Visit

McKenna's aunties came for a visit this weekend! Auntie Erica drove up from Bradenton to meet Auntie Mer Mer (Meredith) in Orlando to come to Jacksonville for a few days. Auntie Ginny drove over from the beaches and joined in on the fun too. We had a good time of talking, laughing, eating, and shopping! They were such a good help to me and they loved on McKenna. I'm so thankful for your friendship ladies. Thank you so much for taking the time to be with us during this special time. I know McKenna will grow to love you just like I do!


Erica, Meredith, Ginny, and McKenna

McKenna loves her Auntie Mer Mer!

Auntie Erica, baby Carley (in Erica's tummy), and McKenna

The lovely ladies :o)

So Strong!

McKenna is doing such a good job holding up her head! I was shocked the other day when she was spending time with Dave, and she just popped her head up for a good 10-15 seconds and was just looking at her Daddy! It was so cute! She is a strong little girl for sure. She'll arch her back to look up and around...she prefers her tummy time to be on our tummies like in the picture, instead of on her boppy pillow :o)


What's up Daddy?

I'm so strong...and cute!

One Month!

It's hard to believe our girl is already one month old. I know I will be saying this for years to come, but it truly seems like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. She is such a joy and true blessing. We are enjoying every minute.

We've settled into quite a routine around here. We start our day at 8:00am. She eats and then is wide awake until about 9:30am. During our morning we play in her room, listen to music, read books, and play on our tummies. She sleeps from 9:30-11:00 and then she eats again! She doesn't have great wake time after this feeding...she usually stays awake long enough to chow down and then it's back to la-la land! She eats again at 2:00, 5:00, 8:00, and then her last feeding is at 10:30pm. She gets in her bath tub every day after her 8:00pm. That's when mommy and daddy try and keep her good and awake.

She still loves her bath, her swing, and her play mat. She does not like to be buckled into her carseat, but loves to ride in the car...she falls asleep before we leave the driveway! She doesn't cry a whole lot and for that we're so thankful. She cries just enough to let us know she needs something. I love dressing her up in all of her clothes and matching socks and bows. She's such a doll baby! Everywhere we go people comment on how pretty she is...we agree :o) She is a good shopper and doesn't mind running errands and going out to eat! We've had her at church every Sunday and she doesn't make a peep...well maybe a tiny peep here and there :o) Our Sunday school class has signed up to bring us dinner for the next THREE weeks!! We are so blessed to have friends that care about us and a church family to share this special time with.

McKenna is doing a great job following her toys with her eyes. She is becoming more expressive with different faces that she makes. She holds her head up like a real champ and is a SQUIRMER! She loves to stretch out her arms and legs. She scared me the other day...I went in the room to turn her on her tummy because she was fussy. I came back to get her and she had flipped over onto her back!! We're watching her EXTRA closely now!

This month has been packed full of fun, new adventures, high emotions, sleepless nights, and sweet memories. I know it just gets better and we can't wait!

House Fire!

Dave fought his first "structure fire"... aka: house fire. He said the house was more like a shack, but none the less exciting! The driveway leading down to the house was so narrow that the trucks could not fit down it. By the time they reached the house, everything was up in flames. Dave said the whole ordeal lasted about 2 1/2 hours and it was the most exhausting work ever! He said that the firemen had to take breaks about every 15 minutes. Dave's job was to saturate the ground and make sure that the hot coals were put out. He said the coals were so hot that it made the water from the fire hose boil! The heat from the fire also melted the tail lights of the owner's truck! Crazy! There was a volunteer firewoman who came and took pictures for the crew. I continue to be thankful that the Lord protects Dave with his job. I'm proud of you honey!




This is Dave's boss!

Here's firefighter Dave!

Dave is the 3 one towards the back.



The water pressure is so strong you have to lean forward to keep from being thrown back.

Bath Time!

Since our pediatrician got McK's bellybutton to fall off at our 2 week appointment, we were able to start giving McKenna a real baths! We took our first one last night and boy was it fun! She loved it. She didn't cry once! We already knew that she loved getting her hair washed from doing it in the sink, but I had expected some tears when it came to being in the water...not our girl! She's a water baby for sure. Thank you to Aunt Mary for getting us our bathtub! McKenna will enjoy it for a loooong time as we will put it to good use. Bath time is going to be such a fun time around here...she looks SUPER sweet in her hooded towel :o)


A wrinkled brow...she wasn't sure what to think at first!

Rub-a-dub-dub!

I'm super cute in my hooded towel!

Hi Mommy!

Swing time!

I was hesitant in putting McKenna in her swing, thinking the seat didn't lean back far enough for her little neck...well I put in her head rest from her carseat in the swing and she fit perfectly! She loved it. She was even able to find her toys and just enjoyed rocking for a good 45 mins. Wahoo! I love it when we find fun things to do...her toys are new to us too :o) Yeah for swings!

We love her swing!

So sweet...

She found her toys!

Don't you wanna just kiss this face all day long (I do)?!

PolkaDots!

McKenna and Mommy wore their polka-dotted dresses to church on Sunday! We were soooo cute :o)