The World of Mackay

The kids are doing great. Owen's smile will light up a room and he bestows it freely on anyone who comes within range. Miss Mackay is keeping us entertained with her 'Mackay-isms' and non-stop chatter. "Don't worry, Mom. I got it." - Said in response to my frequent looks of concern as she makes an enormous mess or is looking like she may fall to her death. "No...Do it Kai's-self" - Said anytime anyone tries to help her with something. And our recent favorite: We're in the car, and Bill and I are trying to have a conversation. Mackay is babbling incessantly, and with increasing volume, in the back seat. When we can no longer hear each other, Bill and I turn around simultaneously say (yell?) "MACKAY! Would you please be quiet!!!" She stops her monologue, stares sulkily out the window, and says under her breath... 'Jeez.'

A few months ago, Mackay walked by her dad in an unpleasantly stinky state, and Bill asked her, in the phraseology of her grandfather Rule, "Do you have a turd in your pants?" To which Mackay responded, "A turtle?" Since then, it has become an inside joke in our house when we need to change Mackay's 'turtle-ish' diapers. Today, Bill informed me that things have evolved, and the new lesson during diaper changes is 'Don't touch the turtle.' Ick.

Owen had a minor setback last week. Thanks to Bill's vigilance, Owen got a slightly accelerated trip to UCSF for an angioplasty (they put a catheter through a vein in his leg and use a little balloon to expand a part of his heart). The good news: the procedure was successful in expanding a small part of his aortic arch and his blood flow is probably better than it ever has been. The not so good news: there is still an area that is too narrow, but time will tell whether it needs further surgery. In any case, Owen seems to be responding tremendously well. Despite a nasty cold, he's smiley, wiggly, kicking, and generally a happy little guy. We're thrilled to have him home. Happy New Year!!