The World of Mackay

If you ask Mackay how old she is, she will tell you definitively either 'five', or (inexplicably) 'two more months'. In either case, she is officially two years old -- with daily bouts of throwing herself dramatically to the floor to protest anything denied to her to prove it. She received some wonderful birthday gifts, including a karaoke machine from Papa John, a tricycle from Nana, her own 'puter' (aka DVD player) and perhaps her favorite gift -- a chocolate cupcake. Some milestones: she has officially moved from her crib to a 'big girl' toddler bed - which she seems to enjoy. However, on night two of being in her new bed, she managed to fall out of it. Fortunately it's only about 12 inches to the carpet. She seems undeterred and continues to climb into her new bed each night without concern. On the little brother front, Owen is officially a month old -- and has already gained two pounds, perhaps setting a record for newborn weight gain. Every da

Owen's been home for just over a week now, and things are going well. He's already gained a pound since he was born, and he's a very mellow little guy. Mackay is mostly ignoring him, perhaps hoping that he'll go back where he came from. She's had a few moments of evil, more than balanced out by doing things that melt your heart. In the car yesterday, Owen was being uncharacteristically fussy, and Mackay leans over and tells him 'We're almost home, baby.' She has also undone any angry parent karma (not that she induces much) with her favorite new phrase. After several weeks of us being gone at the hospital, she was sitting on my lap. She leaned back, gave me a little backward hug, and said 'Miss you.' Despite being a little groggy, we are settling into our new routines. I'd be remiss if I didn't pass along a huge thank you to my mom, who was chef, playmate, chauffeur, teacher and more to Mackay for the three weeks we were at the hospital.