Gymnastics

This month, Mackenna started gymnastics. She goes every Saturday morning at Maine Academy in Westbrook. She loves going!

Mackenna Talk

Although I stopped with the 'monthly updates' at age 2, she changes so much every month that it's impossible not to keep updating.

Here are Mackenna's latest sayings:
"Mommy home?" "Daddy home?" "Kenna home?" She will repeat for a while, as we answer yes/ no.
"Dodgie" for doggie.
"What daddy doing?"
"Mail all done?" (After we check the mailbox.)
"Oh thats nice!"
"Moose jams!" for her favorite red moose pajamas.
"Kenna do!"
"You help me."
"Oh dear."

Other than learning new sentences every day, Mackenna is working on potty training, cleaning up her plate after her meals, and attempting to dress herself.

Welcome to Maine, McGuires!

Exciting happenings around here the last few weeks! Abby and Jared, and my adorable little niece Stella, are Mainers alas. We are enjoying their company at our house while they wait for their apartment to be move in ready. I'm very grateful to have my sister and her  family close by again. We can't wait for all the fun adventures our family will have together in the years to come.

First time meeting Uncle Ben! 

Stella with her glowing (growing) Aunt.

Cousins

Snuggle time at Gorham House of Pizza w/ Auntie.

Cousins that teethe together, stay together.

One of many photos Bethany will be taking of me! 

Steak and Mushroom Pot Pie

This meal is a must- make! It was the perfect {winter} comfort food. A cross between a beef stew and a chicken pot pie. Kind of a beef stew pie. It was delicious. Ben and I had it the next night for leftovers, and we rarely eat leftovers for dinner! Not the most photogenic food ever, but if you look below you can see the perfect mix of beef, vegetables, gravy and a flaky pie crust. I found this recipe here, read the reviews, and altered it a bit. My version is below! A new favorite for a cold night. Warning: Its somewhat intensive, not just a 'throw and go' type of meal.

Ingredients

3 lb stewing beef 

1 large onion, diced

3 carrots, diced

2 celery sticks, diced

1 large package of mushrooms, sliced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp each dried thyme, dried rosemary and dried oregano

2 bay leaves

2 cups strong beef stock

1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 3 tbsp l milk

salt & pepper to taste

2 sheets of pie crust (one for bottom, and one for the top- just like an apple pie.)

1 egg, beaten

Directions

• For the filling, brown the beef in a large pot. Remove and set aside.
• In the same pot, fry the onion, carrots and celery sticks until soft and fragrant (about 10 minutes).
• Add the mushrooms and garlic and fry for 5 minutes before adding the paprika and herbs.
• Pour in the stock and add the browned beef back into the pot. Stir to combine everything and reduce the heat. Cover the pot and allow the stew to simmer gently for 1 1/2 – 2 hours.
• When the meat is really tender, turn the heat up and pour in the cornflour mixture. Allow the sauce to simmer rapidly and thicken for about 10 minutes.
• Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Line the bottom of the dish with one pie shell.
• Pour the beef into your pot pie casserole dish. (I didnt have the perfect one, but this oval baker worked.) Top the filling with the other pie shell.
• Cut 2 slits into each pie to allow the steam to escape and brush with the rest of the beaten egg.
• Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the pastry is cooked through and golden brown.
• Remove and serve!

Filling going in, before the top layer.

Enjoy!

 Mackenna entertaining herself while mom cooked!

Happy Halloween!

Mackenna really enjoyed her third Halloween the most of them all. (Can you believe she's seen three Halloweens?) This year she fully enjoyed getting candy, she wasn't scared of anyone, and even learned how to say 'chich or cheat!'

Heading off to school with Dad in the morning in her costume!

On Halloween night, we went over for The Wescott's annual Halloween party/ trick or treating. Despite the rain, we still took the kids out in the neighborhood! A photo of the moms out walking with the kids!

Flashbacks to Halloween 2011 (2 months old)

 and Halloween 2012 (1 year old)

Chilly October Weekend

On Saturday, Ben, Judy, Kathy and Skip spent the afternoon up at camp doing wood. Being pregnant and with a 2- year old for the day, I took Mackenna across the way in Bridgton to Pleasant Mountain to do some hiking. She did great, even though the hike was a bit more challenging than I anticipated. She loved all the leaves and rocks, and two dogs we saw along our way. It was a beautiful fall day.

Post- hike crash in the car.

Sunday night we carved our first pumpkin, ever. We cleverly found a way to include M's baby pumpkin that she picked out. She loved pretending to cut the pumpkin pieces.

Here she is! Pretty impressive.

1st Annual Kid Pumpkin Pose!

Hello, 3rd Trimester.

How far along? 27 weeks
Baby's size/development this week: 1 2/3 lb they say online.
Maternity clothes: Oh yes. Alternating between my trusty Old Navy maternity leggings, gray one day and black the next.
Miss anything? Playing on the floor easily with Mackenna. I'm a little topsy right now, and my balance isn't good for many play activities. 
Food cravings? Anything sour. Sour gummy worms, sour patch kids, anything I can find. Chili. Ben made a great batch last weekend, I could go for that again. 
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing other than the occasional moment of feeling uncomfortable  Feeling great, and have ever since I passed the 12 week mark.
Sleep: Interrupted by constant bathroom breaks.
Best moment of the week: Feeling accomplished when my mom came over and we went through a lot of our infant clothes, and got the closet ready for Baby D.
Nursery: We should start on that! Just finishing some projects in our house to the downstairs, and Mackenna's bedroom is up next. Than, the nursery can begin.
Wedding rings on or off? On. Just got them sautered together so they fit tighter even. Not as much swelling (yet) as I had with Mackenna.
Movement? Lots! Lots of kicks and rolls, and movement all over.
Weird pregnancy thing of the week: All the moving she's been doing, especially at night! 
Daddy is feeling: Excited! About hunting season. Just kidding, the baby too. He already references things we will do next year with "the girls." He loves to feel you move, and thinks you will be coming early. We shall see!
Mommy is feeling: Great! 
Workouts this week: Chasing around a 2 year old.
Looking forward to: My sister and her family moving "home" next month. I can't wait to have the girls play together. Mackenna starting gymnastics in November. Her first class experience, I can't wait to see what she thinks.