The Man!

Wanted to show you PROOF that my husband is the MAN!!! Dave took on yet another project to make our home better. He tore down the old deck and built a new one. He extended the deck an extra 4 feet and it's just beautiful! We (yes, I helped) tore down the old deck on Tuesday and Dave built the entire deck on Wednesday! I told you he's the man! I also added some pictures of how McKenna helped her Daddy...she sat and just looked pretty! She did SUCH a good job :o)

Be careful what you wish for...

McKenna vs. The Teething Cookie

I don't really know who won this battle...McKenna or the cookie. I do know that she absolutely loved every minute of this mess! I'm not quite sure if we will be finishing the entire package of cookies, but it was fun this go 'round :o)


Checking it out.........................................testing the waters..........................diving in!!!!!


The aftermath........and yes, we hit the tub afterwards :o)

If you're happy and you know it....

......Clap your hands!!!!

Safety First!

Well as promised, we got our girl a helmet. Patience paid off and I found one for $3 at a garage sale :o) It's pink and has white bunnies on it! She is not a fan, but it makes us feel better about things.

10 Months!

I feel like the real title for this post should be Finger Foods. It feels like that's all we've been doing this past month is trying to find good finger foods for McKenna. She LOVES bananas and usually has one every morning. We've done avocados, bagels, peaches, pears, green beans, peas (not a fan), chicken, meatloaf (LOVED it), string cheese, black-eyed-peas, prunes, goldfish, cheerios, pasta(s), sweet potato fries (Mommy burned them), baked apples, egg yolk (total mess), and big girl yogurt (not a finger food...just a new item :o) We have eggplant in the fridge that I need to bake and try...so that will be another menu item to add to her list. The girl can eat too...which is fun. It's not so fun that she HIGHLY prefers not to eat from a spoon anymore. There have been a few clever moments that I've performed some sneak attacks with applesauce and other pureed veges...but for the most part, I think our strained baby food days are just about over! This is one thing that I have kind of stressed over...so if anyone has any ideas, please share!

In other McKenna news...she still isn't crawling! She gets around, but not the typical way! She scoots backwards, rolls around, and spins around on her belly. She gets down onto her belly from a sitting position and will get on her hands and knees. This doesn't usually last long at all. She'll rock back and forth sometimes, but seems content to be just where she is! Whenever she is in her crib or our bed, she is much more prone to get into the crawling position...but there has been no sign of her taking off. She has also started to pull herself up onto her knees. There's been no attempts to get onto her feet though. Everyone has told me to be thankful she isn't mobile yet and to just enjoy it. I truly have until this last month. I'm ready for the next big girl thing and I'm ready to know that she is meeting her milestones at the appropriate ages. You can say that this past month I have begun to grow a SMIDGEN concerned. I know it will happen and that every child is different. They each learn at their own speed. I'm just growing impatient I guess :o)

McKenna has learned to clap her hands. She still seems to only want to perform for me and Daddy. She has yet to show anyone else her new talent. I need to get it on camera so that everyone will believe us :o) McK still has just her 2 bottom teeth, so no new news there. She is growing quickly out of her 9 month clothes, but is still in size 3 diapers. Her hair is getting long and everyone always comments on the red coloring of it :o) Her hair bows can stay in all by themselves now :o)

She is showing more and more personality. She makes the most expressive faces!!! I have been working with her on her highchair manners during our eating time. Whenever she bangs on her tray or whenever she wipes her hands back and forth across her tray to send her food flying over the edge (like windshield wipers), I'll take her hands, tuck my chin to my chest, give her the "Mom look" and tell her that she may not do that...ya-da-ya-da... Well now, my sweet sassy girl, gives others the "Mom look." She will tuck her chin and stare you down :o) It's quite hilarious if I do say so myself!!! Yet another thing I need to capture on camera.

As you've seen from previous posts, we had a great Easter and McK is enjoying her swing out in the back yard. She loves to be outside. I found her a bicycle helmet so we are on the safety track! McKenna still enjoys being "social." We are finishing the school year with MOPS, Mommy & Me, and Toddler Gym. She is still doing really well in the church nursery and at the YMCA nursery. I thought for a few moments that the separation anxiety thing was about to happen, but I was gladly mistaken...we just had a few clingy moments :o)

She continues to be a good girl and a joy to be around and to have around! People are complimentary about her sweet nature. We have gotten several glimpses of some "strong will" traits in our girl...so that should be interesting when they decide to rear their ugly heads...but until then and always...we are taking it one day and a time and enjoying every moment. It's almost time to plan the big birthday party :o) It kinda makes me speechless.

New Swing!

Dave found a "gently used" (LOL) swing set for McKenna and it's now proudly assembled in our backyard! We got McK her very own pink swing and she loves it! It's SO NICE not to have to load everything into the car just to go to the park. Now all we have to do is go out into the yard! :o) We have had some really pretty days recently, and it's been great to enjoy them whenever we want!

Fun Stuff

McKenna has just recently started to hide her own eyes and play peek-a-boo herself. She thinks she pretty funny...and so do we :o)



I caught the tail-end of Dave and McKenna cracking each other up. They were being loud and laughing hysterically. I only filmed the end, but you still can see how much fun they have together and how silly we can be! All Dave had to do was raise his head and shake it around and McK would bust a gut :o)

Happy Easter!

We had our first Easter with McKenna and it was a wonderful day! We were able to do Easter baskets before church and snapped a few pictures and did some video. She looked sweet in her dress and enjoyed pulling her special gifts from the "bunny" out of the basket. The Bunny got her sunglasses, a new bathing suit, a ball for the bathtub and/or beach, beads, and bubbles.

We enjoyed a tremendous Easter service at our church...which we dearly love. It was such a good morning remembering the hope that we have in Jesus, and because of His love and sacrifice we are not slaves to sin.

We enjoyed Easter lunch with 3 different families that we adore. I baked my first ham and it turned out YUM-A-LICIOUS! I was on the phone with my mother-in-law like 15 different times on Saturday, but the ham came out great! I made my Mom's famous pineapple casserole to go with the ham and threw in a cherry cheesecake for dessert. We ate, laughed, played, and got home around 5:30pm and crashed!

We missed our families, but were so thankful to be with "extended" family here in Jax. We hope that each of you had a very Happy Easter as well.


We wished to have a picture of the 3 of us all together, but it just didn't happen!
Next time, I need to remember to try a "self-portrait" by holding out the camera trying to get us all....

BEADS!!!!!!!!

What else is in here?...............BUBBLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..............Soooo happy :o)


When my Mom was here in March she brought McK this bunny from her and my Dad for Easter. McKenna has loved playing with this thing! Thanks Pop and Gigi for such a "fun" (creepy) toy ;o)

This is the first encounter she had with the singing bunny! She was timid, but not scared!

Because she's cute!

My sweet friend Lacy came to town and we got to have breakfast together! Lacy has a wonderful camera and takes beautiful pictures. She took these of McKenna and I thought I'd share :o)
*Notice her bow is in her hair all by itself!!

Playing with Daddy

This is a sweet clip of McKenna and Dave. They are absolutely crazy about each other!! It's also a funny clip, because it shows McK on the move....to get AWAY from her Daddy! She's really good and scooting herself backwards...but we have yet to move FORWARDS!!

More Fun Firsts...

Just a couple of new things happening with Miss McKenna that I thought I'd share with all who'd be interested :o)

McK is no longer using her baby bathtub!!! She is sitting like a big girl in the big tub all by herself. She doesn't know it yet, but I think the Easter Bunny is going to ask the Pediatrician about using bubble bath :o) Fun pictures to follow for sure!!

Yesterday we went to the beach to enjoy a beautiful, sunny morning. I had McKenna in her little tent and went to grab something out of the stroller. As I turned to look back at McK, she reached so far forward, stuck her little hand out of the tent door, got a HAND FULL of sand, and stuck it straight in her mouth!!! I was saying, "No-no-no-no-no" in a high, pitchy, squeaky voice as I tried to prevent the inevitable from happening...it was no use! So, one of my greatest concerns for the beach has come to pass and we can now move forward :o) She has done it once, will do it many more times I'm sure...(sigh).

Also, last night McK actually joined us for dinner. She ate what we ate! I fixed meatloaf, potatoes, green beans, and corn. She ate everything except the corn and LOVED it! She fed herself and was quite pleased. She seriously could not get enough meatloaf. I knew my girl would be a meat and potatoes kind of girl...last night just confirmed it. It's going to be so much fun having her eat what we eat and when we eat. It was nice to all sit at the table and enjoy a meal together as a family.

Our family hopes that each of you and yours are preparing your hearts to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior this coming week. We are so blessed, undeserving, and so thankful!