10 Months Old

We had a huge celebration on Mackenzie's 10 month birthday-we celebrated the 4th of July and Gram's birthday! And the older Mack gets, the more and more she is learning and absorbing.

Some fun facts at 10 months old:
*stood on her own for the first time at Gram's on July 8th (Gram's actual birthday), Mack was leaning on my knees while I was sitting on the floor and she leaned back and just stood there for about 5 seconds. She's done it since then, but now she gets excited, flaps her arms, and falls down!
*can go from standing or kneeling to sitting. I absolutely love looking at her when she sits on her knees so cute and makes me realize how big she's getting.
*starting to get really attached to mommy and daddy and that's fine with us!
*has started "talking" more to us. She's started this "ugh, ugh" or "ah, ah, ah" noise when she wants something. This mostly comes out at meal time, but she's done it when we put her in her pack n' play or when she wants out of something
*upped her bottle per ounce intake. She was only able to tolerate 6 oz per feeding, but since we've reduced her bottles to 3 a day now, she's up to 8 oz.
*has learned to feed the dogs! When she's done eating, she simply drops whatever she has over the edge of her highchair and laughs when the dogs eat whatever it was.
*can crawl up the stairs now. Thankfully, we don't have stairs in our house, but Aunt Kari and Uncle Mike do and she surprised us all by knowing exactly what to do when she reached them.

Mackenzie's First 4th of July

We had such a fun 4th of July! We are usually in the Outer Banks during this week, but with the economy being as bad as it has been, we decided to stick around town this year. We headed up to Flowery Branch to Gram and PaPaw's house for some pool fun and a surprise party! My step dad and I planned a surprise birthday party for my mom. Her birthday is July 8th and my step dad was going to be out of town for her actual birthday, so we quickly threw together a small party and had so much fun!

Look at those arm rolls!
Watching everyone
Checking out her sparkly shoes


This thing is soooo much fun!!!


HI!!!

Just playing around with a photoshop

Kennesaw Fireworks

Downtown Kennesaw had a firework show on July 3, 2009 so we decided to check them out. We knew we weren't going to be seeing any fireworks on the 4th, so we headed out to find some. We all thought we were being smart by not actually fighting traffic to get in and out of the downtown area and parked in a bank parking lot right off of highway 41. The only problem with that was, they didn't shoot the fireworks high enough into the air-bummer! Luckily, Scott had his cornhole game in his truck, so while we waited for the fireworks the games were on! We did get to see the finale and we were far enough away that the big booms didn't scare Mackenzie at all and she loved sitting with her buddy, Andy.

Mackenzie refused to look at me. I think she was afraid that Andy was going to steal her beloved Cheerios!
Getting sleepy waiting for the fireworks.
Earlier in the day, I was cleaning and I found Mackenzie not in or on, but under on of her favorite toys. Such a silly girl!

Mackenzie's Mad Faces

Mackenzie was hanging out in her exersaucer one night while Scott and I got dinner ready. While she was in there she was babbling and talking away and then all of a sudden she realized she couldn't go where she wanted to and decided to "yell" at us! It was so funny watching all of her mad faces and I quickly grabbed the camera to capture Mack's expressions.

Telling us exactly how she felt about being in her exersaucer. Notice she still has no teeth.
Didn't you hear me?! I said get me out of here!

You are making me so mad!
Oh wait...you want to take a picture of me? Ok, I'm happy now.
July 2, 2009

Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, New York

Gramma has had a spot right next to her parents for as long as I can remember. I remember having conversations with her when she talk about how beautiful it was at the cemetery and all I had to with was my imagination. Well, it is absolutely just like she described it to me, breathtakingly beautiful. We all drove down a very small almost gravel dirt road, and I had no idea what to expect, but as we rounded a corner, the road opened up to beautiful rolling hills, Weeping Willows, Cherry Trees, and huge trees. It brought me to tears the beauty of where Gramma would be laid to rest. I wish we could have stayed longer because I truly enjoyed roaming through the cemetery, it was very peaceful for me.

Gramma had a full military service and two navy men came out and played the taps...it's hard to listen to that song, but even harder when it's for a funeral, the flag that was draped over my Gramma's precious casket was folded and given by the navy men to my mom. A huge surprise and honor. Usually, the flag is given to the first born, but there was no argument as to who would be receiving the flag. If you've read this blog before, you know my brother is in boot camp and was unable to attend her funeral. It was a decision my family made not to tell my brother for a number of reasons that don't need to be explained. My Gramma's flag will be put in a custom made flag box, and given to my brother when he graduates from boot camp. I know will bring back a lot of emotions as we all haven't healed from her death yet, but there will plenty of family and we also voice recorded the entire service. I know it won't be the same as if he was there, but I know it will still be very special.

On a much lighter note, when we got back home to GA, I wanted to research the cemetery. I found that Glenda the good witch, Lou Gehrig and his wife, Danny Kaye, Harriet Quimby, are all buried with Gramma.

Gramma is buried in the Salvation Army section of the cemetery. Her and her mother and father were very big supporters of the Salvation Army and my great grandfather was actually in a band for them.
My great grandparents. It's so strange to see their birth dates all the way from the late 1800's.


June 23, 2009

Mack Playing in the Grass

We had Gramma's funeral on Monday night, June 22, 2009 and then on Tuesday morning the family made the drive from Long Island, through the Bronx, to Kensico Cemetery in upstate New York. It was only about an hour in half from the funeral home, but with the procession of cars we had, along with city traffic it took a little bit longer. After the service at the cemetery, we let Mack play in the grass, it was so green and soft!

In the car on the ride up there Mack fell asleep holding Scott's hand. So sweet. She LOVES her daddy and enjoy the few extra days she got to spend with him.
Playing in the grass. It was such a yucky day when we woke up and Mack actually had on a long sleeved onesie under her dress, but once we got to Kensico, it was absolutely beautiful! God was definitely watching over us.
Just sitting in the grass.


Sweet, baby girl

June 23, 2009

Edythe Helen McMahon 1920-2009

I had the honor of speaking at my Gramma's funeral. It was something I knew I would do when the time came, and for many years, I have thought about what I would say about my very special Gramma. I honestly have no idea how I made it through the speech. I had it typed out and even though I had the font set to humongous, I still had a hard time reading through the tears. I felt very selfish that I was and still am so upset that she is no longer here physically. Gramma was never afraid of dying and talked about it often. She couldn't wait to get to Heaven. There's not enough time, or space for me to describe her life in full, but I would like to share a few key points. She worked for Kodak film, IBM, and was a Japanese decoder for the Navy during World War II. She raised six daughters practically on her own while her husband was constantly coming and going throughout his daughter's younger years. My Gramma sacrificed a lot, and I mean a lot. Her husband caused great pain to her and her daughters though my Gramma never let him stop and knock her down physically or emotionally. When she finally had no other choice but to leave, she moved in with one of my aunts and lived there for many years. In 1988, my parents rented a Ryder truck, packed up our belongings and we made the great move south. Our last stop on Long Island, was to say good bye to my Gramma. In a matter of less than an hour, my Gramma had her bags packed and hopped in the car with my mom and made the move with us. In 1991, my brother was born and when my mom returned to work, Gramma was the one to care for my brother. In 1999, Gramma moved back to New York where she won a lottery for an Assisted Living facility. She made many, many great friends there and knitted blankets that were sent to wounded soldiers all over the US and won an award for that.

Below is what I said at her funeral.

Heart of gold, giver, magnificent, caring, spunky, stubborn, lover of Jesus, Veteran, these are just a few phrases to describe my Gramma Edee. She always supported me and my decisions even when she disagreed. For instance, Gramma never understood how I could choose sour, fruity candy over her favorite-the Milky Way. And all the years that I played soccer, she cheered me on from the sidelines, and if I ever got hurt, she would later shake her head and question why I didn't dance or do ballet instead, yet, she continued to support me. Oh how she loved her Matt. They connected in a way that could not be duplicated. My brother's old soul was a perfect match for her. The way Gramma cared for and played with him was similar to a momma bear and her baby cub. Though miles and illness ultimately separated them, the bond was not and will not be broken. When I was in second grade and new to GA, the two of us, Gramma and I visited many Methodist churches finally settling on McEachern. It is that same church that I would later find my best friend, my husband and I have no one but Gramma to thank for that. In closing, I would like to recite the words of a famous song by Brad Paisley. I love you, Gramma.

When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.

I'm gonna land beside a lion,
and run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain


When I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.

I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy,
and he'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell him how I missed him,
every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.

But when I get where I'm going,
and I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,
of His amazing grace.
when I get where I'm going,
when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.

I will love and have no fear.
When I get where I'm going.


Gramma loved everyone, and she always made kissy faces. Nov. 2008
Matt, Gramma, and Kel (with baby Mack) June 2008
Matt, and the love of his life Gramma Nov. 2009
Kel, Gramma, Terry 3 Generations Oct. 2006
Four Generations! We made it! Terry, Gram, Mack, and Kel
All Gramma's daughters
Fran, April, Candy, Judy, Terry and DeeDee
Their birth order is: DeeDee, Judy, Fran, Candy, April (they are twins!), and Terry
Gramma meeting Mackenzie for the first time, Nov. 2008. Gramma didn't like that we were naming Mackenzie just that. She said it was a boys name and I told her in a way it was, because it's Scott's middle name. During the taking of this picture she said to me that she now see's how Mackenzie can be a girl's name! Oh, how I miss her so much!

Meeting GG, Pop Pop, Aunts and Cousins

Scott, Mackenzie, and I were able to spend a few short hours with my dad's side of the family. My dad is the only middle boy of five girls and they all along with my Grandparents still live in New York. There are 15 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and one more on the way, and a few grandchildren in laws mixed in there too! This was Scott's second trip to New York and of course Mackenzie's first. It was also the first time Mackenzie was meeting the Canham side of the family. We had such a fun time although the time was cut short, we tried to enjoy ourselves as much as we could considering the circumstances.

It was the last day of school for the kids up there, so needless to say, they were all wired!! Mackenzie didn't know what to do with so many kids in such a small space. Poor baby!
Keith Jr., Jarrett, Jordan holding Mack, and Lani
Before the wild ones got out of school, Lani who just turned 5 got some time alone to play with the baby. She absolutely LOVED Mackenzie. And Lani's not the least bit shy. We've never met her before and as soon as we walked in the door she was talking nonstop!
Jordan was trying to save Mackenzie from the crazy boys.
And this is what happens when you're the youngest one in the room! The kids were out to torture her.
But she really didn't mind.
GG with her first great grandchild. The very next day, GG and Pop Pop were blessed with their second great grandchild, William Robert.June 22, 2009

Road Trip, Father's Day, and a Funeral

Scott and I had planned to take Mackenzie to the beach for the first time over Father's Day weekend. We spent the night before we were supposed to leave packing and getting very excited. I was also getting excited about Scott's first Father's Day. Not that we were going to be doing anything spectacular, but it was still going to be his first Father's Day. Unfortunately, on the morning on June 19th I got the phone call I never wanted to receive, my Gramma Edee passed away. Instead of heading south for the beach, we along with Gram and Papaw headed 16 hours north to Long Island, New York for the funeral on Father's Day. My wonderful Uncle has his own funeral home and had all the arrangements already completed by the time we got up there. I was so nervous about the trip for a multitude of reasons 1. Mack hasn't been in a car for nearly that long before 2. my family has been so blessed not to have many deaths in our family and this was only the second funeral I was attending-the first was Scott's Papa two years ago, and 3. it was going to be such a short visit and I wanted to do and visit so much. Mackenzie did absolutely wonderful! We left early enough in the morning that by the time she woke up, we were already well into N. Carolina and on our way. She played so well and kept herself very entertained and it helped that she had two people sitting in the back with her the whole way! She only cried the last 40 minutes of the drive and to be honest, I was right there with her...I was ready to get out of the car! I brought enough stuff from home to keep her entertained in the car and the hotel and she even slept well in the crib from the hotel. I brought sheets and mattress cover from home hoping that would help too. It was a busy, short 4 day trip and we were so glad to come back home.

Hee, hee! Mack wasn't so sure about this metal, flimsy crib, but it did the job! My little crib jail baby.