Memorial Day 2015

Despite having rained on and off most of the weekend, McKenna and I enjoyed a relatively relaxing few days. Unfortunately dada I had a baseball tournament he had to coach, but we were able to spend a little bit of time with him here and there throughout the weekend.

On Memorial Day we spent the afternoon by the pool while Kevin smoked some food in the smoker.

 We had a little bit of rain on our parade, but it didn't stop us from dancing in puddles.

As you can imagine, yes indeed there were a few slips and bumps of the head.

As a bonus, we did a family trek to Lowe's. I can't even begin to describe how excited we are that we finally found some vanities for our master and guest bathrooms. We have been searching for the right ones for a couple of years, and these were perfect and just so happened to be on clearance for more than 50% off!!! #winning

Kevin and I ended the day watching American Sniper. It was an incredible movie and definitely hit home the meaning of Memorial Day. 

Baby Sign Language

I haven't really talked about this much because it was never something I anticipated doing when I had a child. But we are now avid believers in Baby Sign Language. 

McKenna signing "more" (blurry bc it's a screenshot of a video). 

It all started around 11 months, I was with a client (a younger male at that) and McKenna started yanking on my shirt and whining because she wanted to nurse. There may or may not have been a nip slip. I was mortified. I KNEW there was a better way for her to communicate with me that she wanted milk. I read one or two articles on BSL and figured I'd just give the sign for milk a shot. There was no other intention for me other than Milk. There was no intention to expand her sign language vocabulary. Milk was all we needed, right?

All I did was use the sign for milk any time that I said the word milk. During this "learning" time I did use the word Milk more than I typically would. I would say it a couple of times in a row. It took a few weeks before I noticed her using the familiar gesture and just a couple of weeks after that it was officially her "first word". 

After that I was curious, so I began using another sign... I can't recall which one was our second. But this time she caught in quicker. And then quicker with the next and quicker with the next. The last couple I've only used for a couple of days before McKenna picked them up. It is absolutely incredible how quickly she makes these connections. 

So far we're at:

Milk (which I recently switched over to call "Nibbles" so as we introduce milk there will be less confusion)

Food

Water

More

Sleep

Shhhh

All Done

Cold

Gentle (it's a made up sign, I couldn't even tell you what the "real" one is, but that's not really the point!)

We're working on Hot (temperature) and Book at the moment. 

Tapping her head is McKenna's version of Water. (water is actually tapping three fingers against your mouth). 

Honestly we'd likely have more under our belt if I could remember the signs myself!! And in the last couple of weeks McKenna has started to pick up speaking words quicker and quicker so I've just been sidetracked on working with sign language. 

I really wish we would have started signing from the get go, we know for the next time around. McKenna doesn't need to cry or struggle to tell us what she needs for basic necessitities. And to watch her have an "ah ha" moment it such an awesome feeling. It has been such a tremendous lifesaver in how we understand and communicate with McKenna. 

Banana Oatmeal cookies/bars

These simple bars have been so awesome for us. You can whip them up in under a couple of minutes with TWO ingredients. That's right. TWO ingredients. It's up to you if you want anymore ingredients.

Banana Oatmeal "Cookies"/Bars

The first time I saw these they were prepared as cookies (here's where I found them). And sure, I think they'd be great as a cookie replacement. However, my child has never really had cookies, so even if these were healthy and delicious, why would I want to get her hooked on any type of cookie?? Doesn't make sense. Hence I decided to start shaping them into little handheld bars. 

Get ready for this super complex recipe. 

• 1 cup of oatmeal
• 2 very ripe bananas
• 1/4 add-on ingredient - so far we have only and always added chia seeds, but you can try whatever you like! Nuts, dried fruits, seeds. 

First set the oven to 350 degrees.

And get out your lengthy list of ingredients. 

As you can see I actually used Steel Cut oats. Previous times I've used traditional. McKenna really didn't seem to have a preference with one over the other. But let me say, unless you prep the Steel Cut first, they are rather tough.

There isn't a whole lot to tell you what to do... First, mush the ripe bananas. 

Then add in the oatmeal and additional ingredients (if you decided to). 

Form them onto a nonstick cookie sheet (make cookies or bars, however you want to). 

Pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Cooking thoroughly really isn't an issue, so I just check the bottom or feel them to make sure they are firm. 

Here they are baked. Look about the exact same as they did before they went in the oven (minus a few taste testers).

As you can see there really isn't a difference in shape/size between cooked and "raw". 

Any toddler mama will attest to the ability to snap a picture of a toddler in "go-go" mode. So here's the best I got of McKenna noshing on one of our favorite snacks. 

Her snatching one out of my hand even with her hands full:

When a snack isn't her favorite, typically the dogs get a taste. Let me tell you they don't get to taste these! 

 

And for the icing on the cake, Nana (for Banana) was one of McKenna's first words outside of Mama and Dada.  She's not even that big of a fan, she just loves saying (that and edamame!).

Another link to the original article can be found here.

My little Easter babe

WWe had a fabulous and relaxing little Easter Sunday. 

When McKenna woke up she went through her Easter basket here. Luckily the Easter bunny brought her her first Disney sing-along dvd so momma had a chance to get ready for church. A precious pic of dada and baby in the Wiggle Room. 

The little sleepiness in her eyes is telling of us having to leave early bc of the crank-monster. 

After attending church service we had brunch at my grandparents' house where McKenna participated in her first Easter egg hunt! 

And I always love to get the chance to take a family picture when my hair and makeup is actually done. #framer

Once we got home it was mostly just a chill-axing day. One of these years I want to start an Easter dinner tradition, but we just don't have enough space in this house!! Anywho, we spent a little time out in the yard with the family and snapped a few pictures. 

And snuck in a quick little family nap (aka baby and dada snooze while mama lies awake thinking about all of the chores that need to get done!). This little one loves cuddling up to her daddy.

I'm disappointed I didn't get any crafts done for Easter this year (other than her Easter headband), but maybe I'll go buy clearance and start on some for next year 😂. I hope you all had a fabulous holiday! 

Has it really been 14 months??

I can't believe how fast time is moving. This little bundle of energy is 14 months old. 

Every day is packed with new adventures and new developments. 

Today all she wanted to do was read. And read. And read. 

And when we're done with one book she'd point at the bookshelf. I would tell her to go pick out another one, she waddled, grabbed one, and brought it back.

I love that she loves to read. She will even blabber and turn pages as if she's reading. Such a joy.... even with her first molar lurking under the gums!!! 

We saw the Easter Bunny yesterday too at Bass Pro Shop. She loved him!!

The whole time we were waiting in line she was pointing and waving at him. She even kept waving as we walked away. It was the most precious thing in the world. 

The amount of things this little sponge is capable of is incredible. I'd have to write a book to document it all!! Or.... Blog about it. ☺️ 

McKenna, The Walker

McKenna is officially a WALKER. 

Actually, she's pretty much got her speed up to a trot by this point.  While she had taken a few shuffle steps here and there since right around her 1st birthday, she definitely was not MOVING or getting around on her feet whatsoever.

On Saint Patrick's Day, McKenna was taking steps here and there while we were at Storytime at our local baby store. We were lucky enough to have a few kind mommy friends there to encourage her after several failed attempts due to {Not Enough Memory} (I have since gotten a new phone and can't wait to start sharing higher quality images!).




As soon as we left Storytime we went straight to Daddy's office and she started taking more steps. 

It was done. There was no looking back.
Afterward I had to get a few cute pictures because it was Saint Paddy's Day......

McKenna is 13 months!

Firsts off I have to say....

I MISS YOU!!

I can't begin to go through how busy life has been lately. I teetered on whether to continue her monthly update pictures.... but I just can't put that sort of pressure on myself with as busy as I have been lately. The child won't sit still for less than a millisecond, and the idea of distressing her just to snap a picture is not worth it..... and I'm so busy I haven't even been able to decorate for holidays or do any holiday crafting!

McKenna the Busy Bee has much to do with this change in busy-ness.  She's taken her first steps, but still not "walking." But when she wants to go somewhere, she's going, and she doesn't care who's in her way or trying to stop her.  Since she turned 12 months old, she is doing something new EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!  Yesterday is was finding her ears, tongue, nose, and eyes. Today was covering her mouth when she fake coughs (pure mockery at its finest).  She catches on to something before I even realize I'm teaching it to her.  I always try to say "I'm not a teacher, she's a learner." She chooses how much and what she wants to take in, I have no control over it, all I can do is provide a stimulating environment for her to learn.

Here are a few other new things she's been doing in the last MONTH.

She "Shhhhhh"s when someone is sleeping (usually with her finger going up her nose... possible the cutest thing ever).
She mocks Black Chief's yawn.
If you ask her where McKenna is, she'll give her stomach a hug
She knows animal sounds! Moo, Elephant trumpet, Snake slither, Gorilla thud, Monkey ooooahhh
She plays pattycake and claps her hands.
She dances when music comes on.
She shakes her head "no" furiously.
She blinks/squints her eyes when you ask if she has something in them.
She shrugs her shoulders when we say "I don't know"
I can't even think of all of the things she does.

She's been trying her hand at actually using her utensils (and not just imitating). Tonight she poked a bean and ate it.

No joke, she knows certain Disney characters. We don't even watch movies or shows that often, but we sing and dance to their music all of the time so she'll point at the corresponding Disney princess.

She actually doesn't say legitimate words with intent very often (though she says dada, dog, chief, teddy, and a few more), but she does a wonderful job imitating words and sounds as we say them.

Pretty much everything she's doing right now is the most heartmelting think in the entire world. I can't even keep track of all of the fun and exciting things she continues to learn.  Hopefully I can get back into the blog of things and share it all with you!! Miss you xoxo