We Are Having Fun!

We have been having so much fun together this month and Mackenzie has learned so much being 9/10 months. My camera isn't working well and my phone hasn't worked for the past two weeks so I haven't been able to take hardly any good photos! What a bummer! They always help me remember the things that have gone on. Here a few things that have been going on with us.

Mackenzie can WALK! Yes- my 10 month girl is on the loose! I posted a video to my facebook of her cute little walk. She throws her hands in the air and her legs wobble and then she falls on her diaper tush. Too sweet. Geez she's the best ever! I can't use enough exclamation points! She took 12 steps at Grandpa and Grandma Wragg's on October 20th and today she took 56, she has come quite a long way. I am so proud of her and I love seeing her face when she knows she has done a great and wonderful thing. I have never felt her love so much like I have lately. She has learned how to express herself and I know she loves her mommy although it's so nice to have her show me! I LOVE MY GIRL!

We have been going on walks lately. Walking was a daily activity of our a few months back although it became very hot and by the time it cooled down it was Mackenzie's bed time. Our walking route has changed quite a bit since we have moved. The hills here are torcherous to walk up. It's a fun way down though! We try to go as a family although days when Nathaniel works the girl and I do our best to go. To paint a picture in your mind of what our walk is like- It starts out fun, Mommy talking to Mackenzie..laughing at her super cute ways and on the way back its Mackenzie still doing super cute things and enjoying the ride and Mommy barely being able to make it up the hill and trying to find the John Deere mailbox which marks the top of the hill and the end of the pain. I am sure it will get easier and I need to stop going in the middle of the afternoon when it's 90 degrees outside.

Speaking of walks, we went on one with Kenzie's Great Grandma and Grandma today. It was a fun time, Kenzie enjoyed seeing some of her favorite people and got to swing which makes it an absolutely perfect trip! There was a triatholon going on as well and it was something to see. I respect people who train months and probably years to get into the shape to finish strong. They're remarkable. Mackenzie saw many dogs and a parrot and what little girl doesn't love her animals?!

I started a new job, kind of. It does not feel like a job because I enjoy it, haha. Our friend's mother is staying with them for a while and needs help a couple days a week and I'm just going over there and having a great time getting to know her. Mackenzie is loving her new friend and I finally know someone who enjoys Little House on The Prairie as much as I do, yay!

We are loving being back in Minneola/Clermont area. It is so fun to be able to go out during the day and meet up with family and friends. It was such a long drive before so I usually stayed in the apartment a lot and now I'm happier and me and Kenzie find so much more to do during the day. We also love our new bed bug free apartment, I think that's my favorite part, hehe.

Staying Busy

We have officially moved out of Lady Lake and into our new home in Minneola and we couldn't be happier. We have a lot of organizing and unpacking to do but it will get done over time. We are all still trying to get over our little illnesses we each have.

Mackenzie went to her pediatrician on Friday and they want her to restart nebulizer treatments with albuterol. She took them when she was a month old for congestion and they made her a hyper little girl although now the side effects include poo explosions and appetite increase. Those two things do not go well together :) Haha. She is also taking Amoxicillin which could be causing the side effects as well. I should look it up on webmd or something! Anyways, I think I have a sinus infection because it's just that time of year. Nathaniel's allergies are acting up as well now that we're living sort of in the "country". Some allergy medication should fix that right up though :)!

I am so happy to be living close by everyone. I have been to the Grandparent's home numerous times already. I told them they were going to become sick of me and Kenzie always visiting. We enjoy their company though. They're wonderful people and Kenzie sure does love them.

We took a little trip to Georgia the other day. It wasn't planned although turned out okay. We were exhausted from moving although it was nice to meet up with my mom. She took our cat Ziggy since we couldn't bring him with us to our new home. She loved seeing Kenzie for a few hours and rocked her to sleep for me before she left and I was able to get a little nap in which is always the best. Road trips during moves aren't recommended though for those of you who would ever think of it.

Nathaniel surprised me yesterday! He took off the week of Thanksgiving because he has heard me mention how I was going to miss having it in Mississippi and we are going up there for the Thanksgiving holiday. I am so excited! Mackenzie isn't going to know what to do with the cold weather up there. I am dreading the drive already but it's always so worth it.

Nathaniel's Navy plans are being delayed a little more than we liked. He's being put on a waiting list until an opening comes up. It's a bummer although if it's meant to be, it'll work out. If he scores high on his ASVAB I think it'll bump him up on the list a lot.

Well, I hope I do better at taking pictures and writing this next week. With the moving and not feeling well and taking care of my soon to be 10 month baby I stay busy. I'm hoping to start doing some crafts and projects with Grandma Wragg (whose cute blog you should see, Wraggedypatches). She makes some beautiful quilts and she's going to show me a thing or to and hopefully I'll be able to catch on quick. I've always wanted to be able to consider myself crafty. Once I start having a bigger family I won't have the time so it's best to start now with just one I'm assuming, haha. 

It's Been A Blah Kind Of Week

Mackenzie & her new friend Will at church. They had fun together today!

This week has been kind of a lazy one because we have all been sick. Mackenzie had a little cold, gave it to Mommy and then Daddy. Me and Kenzie are feeling a lot better although Nathaniel just started feeling bad so he probably will be kind of out of it for a week. I think there is a bad cold going around town because several people I have talked to have been sick with the same symptoms. I hope everyone starts feeling better soon though! I never realized how being sick and a mom just do not work too well together!

Nathaniel's grandparents came over a couple of days this week bringing us chicken soup and a few other things that have been so helpful. They helped the week go by quicker and I always enjoy visiting with them. Mackenzie loves them so much and did not want them to leave. They offered to babysit on Saturday night and Nathaniel and I went to his brothers Caleb and Jacob's show at Kelly's Brickhouse Pub. It was nice to get out for a few hours and have some time together although I was thinking about my girl the entire time. I know she was having fun and had great people taking care of her so I wasn't worried. I am so very thankful to them though, Grandpa wasn't feeling well so I am sure she was a little challenging. She can be a handful :)!

Nathaniel's about to start a four day work stretch so I am already looking forward to next weekend. He finished his course so we will be talking to the Navy recruiter sometime this week. I am just ready to get everything going!

Nathaniel's Birthday Celebration

Nathaniel is turning 24 on September 20th, yay! We decided to celebrate a couple days earlier since Nathaniel has to work on the actual big day. We had so much fun and I wish birthdays were every weekend!

We had lunch at Olive Garden and a big group to enjoy it with. Nathaniel, his 4 brothers and sister, Grandparents, Mother, soon to be step sister, Uncle, Sarah and Dominic! The food was wonderful and I loved seeing Nathaniel so happy and laughing constantly. Mackenzie gave little one year old Dominic a smooch as well, it was too cute!! I wish I had been able to take a photo, he's a sweet little boy! Mackenzie was a little grumpy during lunch because it was nap time and baby needs her sleep like Mommy and Daddy. We are a family who gets a case of the "grumpys" if we don't have enough rest, haha. The only thing that could have been different would have been to have a round table so everyone could see and talk to one another. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Afterwards, the siblings all met up at Walmart to take photos! It was something I really wanted to have done and was happy when Nathaniel's mom got everyone together. The boys all took a photo together and they were so funny, I'm not really sure what they were doing but I heard lots of laughter. All the siblings took a picture and then one with their Mom which was one of my favorites! Nathaniel and I finally took a family picture with Mackenzie and it turned out pretty good. The pictures come out October 1st and I am so excited to see them and make more prints! I see some fun frame projects in my future!

Three of Nathaniel's brothers came to our home afterwards and played video games and did fantasy basketball drafts while I made cupcakes. They turned out so yummy also! They left not too long ago to play pool and walk around The Village's Square and I'm sure they are having fun. I'm so happy that Nathaniel has been able to spend so much time with his family. I know the Navy can take us anywhere and everywhere so it's wonderful that he's been able to make fun memories today.

Speaking of Navy, we will be learning more this upcoming week after Nathaniel finishes his final and takes his ASVAB. I am so excited to finally get the ball rolling on all of it.



Happy Birthday Daddy & Husband! We Love You!!



Nine Months Of Joy

Mackenzie Jordan's Birth Day

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Four Months

Five Months



Six Months



Seven Months



Eight Months

Nine Months



The Funny, The Cute And The Not So Cute

Now that Mackenzie is reaching the old age of one, her personality is shining more than ever and as her loving mommy I can't help but write about every little funny, cute or not so cute thing she does.

Story One: Funny

The Walker Loves Me, The Walker Loves Me Not

From the day Mackenzie picked up crawling, her goal has been to climb under her walker. She usually encounters the problem of becoming stuck and then getting increasingly angry while she tries to overcome the obstacle or decides to give up and wait for someone to rescue her. Eventually, she did master the art of crawling under her walker although she soon realized she would have other problems when she wanted to go from crawling to sitting. She is too tall for that kind of fun. So, of course she becomes Miss Grumpy Pants and must be removed from the situation immediately. So, yesterday my sweet Kenzie decides to crawl under her walker so I say to her, "Mackenzie, sweetie pie, you know you are going to become stuck and it's going to upset you. Why do you put yourself in these situations?" and after a month of frustration and tears she manages to sit under her walker, tilt her head to the side so it doesn't get stuck and crawl back out! I was so excited for her little accomplishment that I could not help but loudly say "Yay!!!" and clap! She continued crawling under the walker and back out until something else caught her eye. What a funny girl! I just love her! She makes me one proud and happy mommy!

Story Two: Cute

Ziggy, There Is No Escaping These Quick "Crawlers"!

For those of you who do not know, we have a sweet little cat named Ziggy who can be more of a handful than Mackenzie at times. Anyways, it does not matter what Kenz is up to, when Ziggy appears she is gone. She loves to tackle him, pull his whiskers and anything else that may annoy him. I was in the kitchen cooking and was able to witness a cute game of theirs. Ziggy would run away from her and she would chase after him and then he would run the other direction just to have her turn around and tackle him down. They did this for a while too! It was so funny and cute to watch. They are just like brother and sister! I know he is just a cat but I mean, maybe you had to be there, I could not help but just smile and laugh at them!

Story Three: Not So Cute

WARNING! This Is Gross!

I know mom's out there can relate and probably have stories of their own like this so I am sharing this because it has been the worst disaster yet. Poo disaster that is. Mackenzie has had her share of disgusting masterpieces that she's created in her diapers..some that I have to wonder how she's even capable but nothing like this. We have a pretty good routine down for the evenings after Daddy leaves for work, I workout and she plays around me, watches and after it's shower time! She has a little baby bath I buckle her into and I put her at the end of the tub without the shower head and I jump in to shower and then fill the tub up for her to play in when I'm done. It's sometimes the only way I'm able to get a shower in during the day. Back to the disaster though, this one day I am about to jump out when I see her "poo face" and then sure enough a nice, lovely pile shows itself. I should be happy it's in the tub I know and I was. I sit her at the clean end of the tub while I'm cleaning her baby bath and after everything is clean she has another incident. I then place her baby bath on the floor and buckle her in it while I clean the tub again and after it's clean I turn to get her and see ANOTHER disaster. Thank goodness it was the last of them though. It was an experience!

Mackenzie is such a joy in my life and makes being a mommy the most rewarding job on Earth. She has a laugh and smile that makes your heart melt and when she gives kisses, they are the sweetest! She puts her hands on my cheeks and smooch! Of course, she has to be in a cuddly, loving mood and usually she is too wrapped up in exploring and investigating the world around her to cuddle. I love that I can share all these fun stories and pictures with friends and family that live far away and/or do not get to see her often.

Things That Make Us Go "Yum!"

CHICKEN FIESTA!

This is a recipe Nathaniel's Grandma enjoyed and sent to me, it's so yummy and I am super grateful to her for sharing. Our family loves it! I tweaked it a little but not very much.

What You Will Need:

6 Chicken Breasts

2 Cans of Corn (drained)

2 Cans of Black Beans (drained)

1 Can of Mild Salsa 15 oz

I place all the ingredients into the crockpot for about 5 hours and during the last twenty minutes make rice to go with it. It's so delicious! Thank you Grandma Wragg :)!!

CHICKEN PUFFS

These are Nathaniel's absolute favorite. A friend of ours made them once and I don't remember exactly what he did but this is what I remembered and how I made them.

What You Will Need:

1 Chicken Breast

4 oz Cream Cheese

1 Can of Crescent Rolls

While cooking the chicken, I preheat the oven to 350. After the chicken is fully cooked, I chop it in to tiny pieces and mix it into the cream cheese. I roll out the crescent rolls and put about a tablespoon of the mixture

onto each one and roll it up. I place it in the oven for 12 minutes and they are ready! Thanks Adam Gwyn for introducing them to me.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

This is the Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe. They are the BEST cookies we have ever made together and the batter makes so many and you can save the rest for some other time!

What You Will Need:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

Preheat oven to 375° F. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.

CHEDDAR BISCUITS

This is a copy cat recipe for the biscuits at Red Lobster. They are so yummy although not very good for you!

What You'll Need:

2 cups Bisquick

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons margarine

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes, finely crushed

Preheat oven to 400. Combine Bisquick, milk, and cheese in medium bowl. Divide the dough into 12 portions and spoon onto a nonstick cookie sheet, flatten with fingers a bit. Bake for 18-20 minutes. In small bowl combine margarine with garlic powder, heat in microwave for 30 seconds. Brush atop biscuits immediately after removing from oven.Sprinkle with parsley flakes.

FRUIT PIZZA

I learned this easy recipe in Young Women's growing up and remembered it recently and love it!

What you'll need:

Sugar Cookie Dough

Cream Cheese Frosting

Strawberries, Sliced

Kiwi, Sliced

Mandarin Oranges

Blueberries

Preheat the oven to 350. Roll out the dough onto a cookie sheet in whatever shape you like and let it bake for 12 minutes. After it cools, frost and add toppings! So good!

TUNA CASSEROLE

My mom made this all the time and it grew on me. It's so easy and good.

What you'll need:

2 boxes of Mac N Cheese

Tuna

1 Can Cream of Chicken

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare the Mac N Cheese like you normally would. Once it's finished stir in tuna and cream of chicken and add it to a casserole dish. Bake for 30 minutes. Nathan likes to add peas and he loves it although it's up to you!



RED VELVET CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

I have been on the search for a delicious cupcake recipe for Mackenzie's birthday in Decemeber. I know I am really planning ahead but I just want to make sure she has the best because she is the best! I found this recipe on the Food Network's website. They are SOOOOOO good!!!!!

What You'll Need For The Cupcakes:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

What You Will Need For The Frosting:
1/2 pound cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy. Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.