Inflatable pool-$7.00 Hand Pump - $5.00 Beach Umbrella- $15.00
Watching McKenna splish-splash, squeal, and giggle - Priceless
Yes, it may look a little on the "Redneck" side, but it gets the job done! McKenna had just had a full lunch including mandarin oranges...STICKY! We filled up the pool and tossed her in! It's a beautiful, HOT day here in sunny FL...and normally we don't condone skinny dipping...but today was one exception :o) I keep looking at her, realizing she's going to be one year old in just a few short weeks....
Now you can't tell me that's not the sweetest little bottom you've ever seen!
The past couple of weeks we have had some of our good friends come into town. We appreciate you guys for taking some time out to play at our house with us! McKenna loved getting to meet Callie Jo and Ms. Meghan for the first time, and she loved seeing Sam, Emily, and Elijah again. Thank you guys for coming and spending time with us. We had a blast and hope to visit with you again real soon! Dave, Meghan, and Callie Jo now live near Seattle, Washington. We got to meet Callie for the first time and boy is she precious! Callie looks JUST like her Daddy but is sure sweet like her Mommy!
The pretty girls enjoyed playing together!.............................We supervised closely to make sure nobody's face got slapped or hair go pulled :o)
Sam, Emily, and Elijah now live in Knoxville, TN. Emily and I have been friends since forever. I went into labor with McKenna on the night we had dinner with them at Gene's Seafood the last time they visited...luckily nothing like that happened this go 'round :o)
Elijah is such a good climber...what a little boy!
As I was deleting pictures off of my digital camera, I was just struck by the thousands of facial expressions our little one has to offer! Before I deleted them (don't worry, I have hard copies and they're on the computer) I had to post some of my top favorites. Notice how I would take several pictures of the SAME setting, but she still has different expressions in each one. I know you've seen some of these already...but as we enter a new month...I had to revisit some of these priceless looks...some flattering...some not so flattering :o)
Please ignore the other woman in the picture...she obviously does NOT have "cute" expressions :o) Just focus on McKenna people!
We got to spend Memorial Day with our good friends Chad and Dana Voiselle. We picked up their daughter Ellison and Shelby and headed to the pool. Dave took McKenna to the pool while I was away on my girls' weekend, so this was my first time to see her in action! The pool water was a little on the chilly side due to so much rain...but we took our time getting used to the temperature and finally made the plunge. McK didn't know what to think at first and she had a few sad squeals, but soon got over it and had fun! I love her new float. It's made by "Swim Way" and is "stage 1" for any mommies that were curious :o) The canopy really kept the sun off of her! Summer....here we come!
Cheeeeeese!....................Taking a water break!
Daddy and McKenna................Ellison, McK, and Shelby
She wasn't so sure at first, but had a really good time splashing and kicking.....
Look at all my new teeth! I can really say, "Cheeeeeese" now!
Well, here we are again...another month has ZOOMED by! Our girl is 11 months (and some change) old! One more month until the big birthday fiesta!
The theme of this month has been "Girl on the move!" Shortly after she turned 10 months, she started army crawling. She is STILL doing the army crawl, but has gotten VERY fast at it! She is able to go from a sitting position into a crawling position and then back into a sitting position! She knows how to get to wherever she wants...which has caused us to start having to put up boundaries that are "a no!" McKenna loves to head straight towards the TV, which of course is off limits. (sigh) I hear that consistency is the key, so we'll continue to say, "No ma'am" (14,000 times) and redirect her attention elsewhere!
McK loves to walk holding onto your fingers. She can pull herself up to her knees, but not quite up to her feet. I did go into her room one morning to get her up and there she was...big and tall....standing up holding onto her crib rails! Dave came home and we lowered the mattress that day!!! She loves to stand up and hold onto the coffee table edge...but she hasn't figured out how to shift her weight to cruise around the table quite yet!
She is still eating pretty well! We've added some more items to her menu :o) We are taking a break from bananas...I think I wore her out with them :o/ She will let me feed her with a spoon again so we are enjoying applesauce, cottage cheese, and yogurt! She finally has the sippy cup under control! I now feel better about the whole "switching to cow's milk" thing here in a month or so!
Our girl is getting a mouth full of teeth!!! She still has her 2 teeth on the bottom, and her front 2 teeth on top are now completely through. I can see 3 more working their way down up top and 2 more on bottom. She has handled teething beautifully, so I don't anticipate any issues :o) I left her for the first time over night this month, came home and she had all these teeth!!!! It makes her look like such a big girl!
McKenna is wearing 12 month clothes these days and just moved into a size 4 diaper. I bought her an 18 month bathing suit, and I'm thinking I should've gone with a 24 month suit...yikes! She's got a big 'ol belly and some rolly legs...LOTS of good, sugary spots! I can't wait to see how long and how much she weighs at her check up next month!
She continues to be the most expressive person I know! She makes the best and funniest faces ever. They change every week. She has such a sweet personality and is such a joy to be around. She will stare at people when we are out to eat until they look at her and talk to her! She still has yet to meet a stranger! Even though she's starting to test us a bit, I know the Lord is going to give us the strength to raise up an obedient daughter with a heart that desires to serve others.
We are sooooooooo excited for summer. McK has new suits and a new float to get in the water. We'll also get to see Gigi and Pop (my parents) a couple of times this summer which is ALWAYS exciting! Pictures of parties and adventures to come!
This weekend, I drove down to Orlando to help throw a baby shower for my sweet friend Meredith. Mer and I went to high school together in West Palm Beach, and then moved to Jacksonville together to go to UNF.
Mer just graduated from Reform Theological Seminary, and she and her husband are moving to Brooke Haven, Mississippi tomorrow! Her husband, Andrew, got a job as a youth pastor. Mer is having a little girl, Lylah Tove Hendley. She is due in August.
It was a really fun time for us to be together. The shower was beautiful and Mer got soooo many nice things!
I love you Meredith! We can't wait to meet sweet baby Lylah.
All of the girls who helped with the shower! Long time friends: Ginny, Erica, Mer, and Me! Ms. Pat (Mer's Mom), Mer, and Ms. Beth (mom-in-law) The beautiful diaper cake that Ginny created!
The beautiful diaper wreath that I created!!! I was SOOOOO proud of myself :o)
Mer's colors for Lylah's nursery are lylac and sage! Every detail was just perfect!
Dave and I were married on July 9, 2005 here in FL where we have made our home. Dave is employed with the Fire Department. I finished up my 3rd year of teaching 3rd grade and am able to stay home with our first baby who was born June 2008! We are very excited about all of the new changes in our life together. We are also excited to be able to share these new adventures through this blog site. We feel very blessed by our family and friends and are thankful for all of the blessings the Lord has seen fit to give us!
My baby burrito!
