Mackenna's Personality

This past week, I had a revelation in the grocery store. My baby isn't just a baby, but she is a "kid" now. I mean, I know that she is technically still a BABY, given that she is a 7 month old infant, but she is turning into a kid that functions independently of others. This revelation came about when I put her in the front seat of the shopping cart. It was her first time being in the front seat, and not staying in her car seat while we shopped. She was adorable, and made friends with just about every lady in the grocery store. I can't count how many times someone saw her and said, "Look at that gorgeous red hair."


The first half of the shopping trip went smoothly. She just stared about the store in awe of all that was going on. The second half of the shopping trip was where it got a little rocky. She started to grab items off of the shelves, and put them on her lap, than proceed to chew on them. Of course, I immediately pulled them out of her mouth and put them back on the shelf. I thought this would go smoothly, but it didn't. The minute I grabbed something out of her hand, the tears started flowing and the screaming began. In this moment, it clicked for me: I have a child. Not just a cute little baby that will sleep, eat and coo at me. I have a child that wants things and is NOT a happy camper when I think they shouldn't be in her hands. This brought me to the thought that Mackenna has her own personality, and I wanted to document what it is like now, so that I can someday compare it to what she turns out to be.


Here's what you are like, at almost eight months old.


You are uniquely independent for your age. You love having space, and are completely content when left to your self. You are happier sitting on the floor with your toys than you are being held. As daycare says, you aren't a "cuddly baby." Last night I realized, again, how independent you can be. I went out last night to a friend's house, and when I came home you were sleeping in your crib. I scooped you up and brought you to bed with me, thinking it would be a treat for you to snuggle in bed with mom and dad. Little did I know, you would wake up at midnight, crying. I picked you up and carried you back to your room. When I put you down in your crib, you immediately stopped crying. You just smiled and fell back asleep. You just wanted to sleep on your own, not with us. I think you get this independence from your mom.


Like your father, you are a deep thinker and intrigued in how things work. You stare at objects contently, and I can see the wheels turning as you figure out exactly what is happening. You can be so serious, for someone so small.


You are just plain silly. You blow bubbles at people just to see them laugh or smile. You scream and squeal and make growling noises, just to see the reaction people give you. You even laugh at your self.


I love you, and I'm just starting to know who you are.

Photography

I've been working on my photography skills. I've had this fancy- smancy camera for a few years now, and have never used it up to it's full potential. This year, I've made it my mission to get learn all that it has to offer. This week I have been playing with my "focal" settings.

These two photos are taken at the exact same distance, with the exact same lens and zoom settings. The only difference is the focus.

Background Focus

 Object Focus

The bird, after editing.

I hope that someday I'll be able to incorporate photography into a career. I am loving it more and more every day.

Sour Cream Pancakes

Happy Saturday morning! Saturday mornings at home are quite possibly my favorite time of the week. It's a quiet time when we all wake up (a little earlier than 2 out of 3 of us would like to be awake) and go downstairs for coffee and breakfast. We talk about our plans for the weekend, and are excited that "tomorrow" doesn't mean we have to go back to work.


This past week, I got a package from Amazon delivered to my door and Ben says "What did you buy now?" Confession, I have a small online- shopping addiction. Who has time to go to the stores with a 7 month old? But this time, I truly didn't order anything at all! Upon opening the package, I was surprised to see that it was a gift from Janie McGuire, Jared's (my sister's fiancee) mom. She had sent us the Pioneer Women cookbook, along with her biography. I have long coveted owning this cookbook. It's been on the New York Times bestseller list, and my sister has raved about the recipes. I'm not a huge fan of "cookbooks" typically, but this one is a beautifully done book filled with photos, recipes, and family stories. It's a must- have addition to any household that loves to cook, or is just starting to cook.


Anyhow, this morning Ben and I flipped through the book to pick out our breakfast, and we stumbled upon the Sour Cream Pancakes. Intrigued, and wondering how those could possibly be that good, I put the recipe to the test. Let me tell you, these pancakes were the best pancakes I've ever tasted. (Sorry mom, I love you.) And the were the easiest I have ever made. They are light, fluffy, crispy, buttery... Perfect. If you don't like sour cream, that doesn't matter. (Ben doesn't like sour cream, and loved these.) You don't taste any sour cream.

Looks pretty close to the recipe! 

Note: This recipe serves 2 adults. Double for more people. 

Edna Mae’s Sour Cream Pancakes

1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/ 2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Butter
Maple syrup 
7 tablespoons all purpose flour

Heat a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-low heat; you want it to slowly get nice and hot.

Stir the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together in the bottom of a medium bowl. Dump the sour cream in on top and stir it together very gently; it’s okay to leave the texture a bit uneven. Whisk the eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl and stir them into the sour cream mixture, once again, being careful not to overmix.

Melt about a tablespoon of butter in your skillet or griddle and pour the batter in, a scant 1/4 cup at a time. Cook for about 2 minutes on the first side, or until bubbles appear all over the surface, flipping them carefully and cooking for about a minute on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter.

Serve in a stack.

Good to the last bite! 

Weekend Recap

Now that I work a four- day workweek, my "weekends" are three days long. Not every weekend involves some elaborate family event, but every weekend is an event worth remembering- because to me, it is 72 hours with my family. Here is a recap of our past two weekends.

Horsing around with dad at camp. 

All ready for a hike through the woods.

First walk on the back carrier.

The dogs out in their element.

 Judy, after stepping in mud past her sneakers!

Perfect lighting in this shot.

Sisters.

 Mackenna's birthday gift to Ben.

I absolutely

love this smile.

Playing Family Feud w/ Mollie.

Wherever Mackenna is, Bailey is. 

First (twin) lobster dinner.

 Grandpa visiting.

 Ben, engineer- turned- mechanic, working on his new plow truck.

Reminder: You can still vote!

The Q-Baby Idol contest doesn't end until this Friday at midnight, so you can still go vote for Mackenna! Even if you already voted, there is no limit to how many times you can vote. Click here to find the photo and link where you can vote.

Sleeping In.

I typically wake up earlier than Ben, since it takes me a little longer to "get ready" for the day. If Mackenna wakes up before I'm done, Ben brings her into bed so he can get a little more sleep. This morning they were so sweet, I couldn't help but take a photo.

First Easter

We went to my Mom's house for Mackenna's first Easter celebration, a delicious ham dinner. 

Here are some highlights of our day!

Her first little critter book.

Trying to get the chocolate bunny. 

Eating Easter dinner with Merme, after it was pureed in the blender.

 Ben getting some early birthday gifts.

 Skyping with Aunt Abby!

 ... and cousin Gir.