"Whi-mean Ma-Qweennn"

I have to brag for a minute... It was my nephew Chase's birthday today and his favorite thing ever is "Whi-mean Ma-Qweeennn!" So my sister bought a Lightening McQueen cake pan...and I did the rest. Yes there were instructions on how to do this but I free-handed it ALL! And if I do say so myself, it turned out pretty dang cute!

I was so thankful Shani was there to help though. She made frosting, colored it and kept putting the frosting in bags for me. I bought a cake decorating kit off of Amazon because I want to be one of those mom's that makes my kids birthday and special occasion cakes. I had never tried anything before and my mom suggested I take a class first. But it looks like I kind of self-taught myself. How hard can it be, right?

Shani is famously named "The Treat Aunt." Why? Because in order to be the favorite but also to keep fussy, neglected children quiet when their mother has ignored them for 3 hours to decorate a cake, she gives them treats. In this case, frosting beaters....dipped over and over in frosting. Thank you little sister for giving my child a sugar high. You won the title of "favorite" today!

Food Connoiseur

McKay loves food. Enough said. I haven't found one thing he doesn't like or one thing he won't try. In fact, if me or Gary are eating "real" food, he eye's our food and fusses until we give him some. I love having a non-picky eater. These are some of his favorites: fruit, pancakes, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese. Ya I know, healthy...but I like trying everything with him.

Loves, loves, LOVES momma's homemade buttermilk pancakes

A slice of apple. He likes to gnaw on it...probably feels good on his teeth and gums

Homemade fruit smoothie

Who can resist a pickle?Loves toast and sucks on it like this...hands free

I had cut up a few banana pieces and put them on McKay's tray. He started fussing and when I turned around, I could see he was frustrated because he couldn't pick up the slippery, tiny pieces. So being the good mom that I am, I just handed him the whole banana. And....HE ATE THE WHOLE THING. Yes, the whole banana.

He tried Kiwi's for the first time. The black seeds everywhere were the best! I had eaten most of the apple and kept giving McKay little bites. Eventually he wasn't happy until he could suck and gnaw on the whole apple.
No, this picture wasn't manipulated at all. He loves him some pasta, just like his momma!

A New Love

Gary's dad came and visited us a few weeks ago. He brought his dog with him and McKay loved the dog. It was so funny to watch him interact with the dog.

McKay's Trademark

McKay crosses his feet...all the time...in everything he does. It is "him" and we love it!

Happy Birthday Gary

Gary turned 36 yesterday! Man, he is getting old...hehehe! I worked the night before so I didn't get streamers or balloons put up like I originally wanted. Birthday's haven't ever been a super big deal in our family but I want them to start being that way. I think it's a special way to let someone have a day all about them. It makes you feel special!

I got home from work and Gary left for work. I had asked him what kind of cake he wanted me to make or buy but he just wanted to go to dinner and get dessert at the restaurant. Seeing he choose the Cheesecake Factory, I knew they would have dessert's pretty well covered. I'm glad his boss took him to get some yummy pizza at Settebello's for lunch. While gone, the rest of his co-workers decorated his cubicle with balloons and streamers. At least someone picked up his wife's slack!

Dinner was delicious and he ended it with Chocolate Fudge cake and I got the Reese's Peanut Butter Cheesecake. I don't love cheesecake but this was insanely good! And, Gary did get to pick out two great presents. So happy birthday babe. McKay and I love you. Thanks for all you do for our family! And, I promise to give you a better birthday next year!

Where does the time go?

McKay is 9 months old! I know, it's crazy to me. He had his doctor's appointment and here are his latest stats: Weight: 21.9 lbs- 70%, Height: 29.5 inches- 90%, Head: 18cm- 55%. He is thinning out but still tall. Here are some fun things about McKay at 9 months:

* He can't do regular crawling yet. I wouldn't even call it army crawling. He moves both arms together and then DRAGS his legs behind him. He looks like a snake when he moves or more like a paralyzed person from waist down. No, really. You would have to see it to believe it.

* He has two top teeth and two bottom teeth

* He loves food, especially "grown-up" food. But he is an excellent eater. Gary and I love that he is a pretty clean eater too. He lets us feed him ad rarely puts his hands in his mouth. He gets food on his face but not much. * He loves balls.

* He loves to jump in his jumper

* He has graduated to a bigger car seat and loves sitting up and looking out the windows in the car

* He still has an infectious smile and will smile at almost anyone. He knows what "give me a kiss" means and goes in for open mouth kisses all the time. He is so good at giving them! Not showing too much stranger anxiety yet but does prefer momma and daddy.

* He is starting to get the hang of sign language. I'm pretty sure he understands me but the only thing he has actually signed to me on his own is "more please."

* He is getting better at naps and bed time. He wakes up at night sometimes but we don't go to him anymore. He is able to go back to sleep on his own.

* The minute we put him in his car seat, he takes his shoes and socks off, no fail. He takes his socks off at home a lot. I think he is going to be a sandal or bare foot boy.

* He STILL snuggles with his momma and will lay his head on your shoulder when he is tired.

* Talks and babbles a ton.

* Loves bath time and faucets.

* Has his momma and daddy wrapped around his finger. We love you little one!

61 days until...

THIS!! Gary helped to talk his family into visiting the happiest place on earth, DISNEY WORLD! We leave June 5th and we cannot wait! I think Gary and I are way too excited. I think about it daily! His family has never been and we are excited to share this magical place with them. Hopefully this expensive trip will be well worth it and many memories made!

Besides being a die-hard BYU fan, I am a anything "Disney" die-hard! I tear up at Disney commercials. I get chills walking up to the entrances of each park and have to make myself walk. McKay listens to instrumental Disney music every single night when he goes to bed. He went to Disneyland when he was 7 weeks and will now go to Disney world at 11 months.

It feels like Christmas, excpet to me, even better! Can't, can't, can't WAIT!