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.