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...

We recently made the trek to Graeagle to help celebrate my step-dad Ron's 75th birthday. Mackay, who now sings 'Happy Birthday Papa Ron' anytime the word 'birthday' is mentioned, got to get up close and personal with one of her favorite machines -- a motorcycle! We could hardly get her off of it.

We recently hosted a party to celebrate a milestone birthday for my dad. Mackay got to meet ALL of her Borovac great aunts and uncle, as well as some cousin-ish relatives that are beyond my genealogical ability to figure out. Friends and family traveled from far and wide to help Dad celebrate.  Miss Mack also had a fabulous time with her sweet, well-mannered 2 year-old 'cousin' Sabrina, though I fear Mackay is becoming that cousin who always gets everyone else into trouble.  In any case, a good time was had by all - and despite the crummy weather, we ate, drank and were merry. 

A note to my beautiful daughter on her first birthday.  I can't believe it has been a year since you fought your way into this world. We knew you would be strong based on the odds you overcame just to get here. In addition to strength, you bring focused determination (can't imagine where you got that), feisty humor, and pure joy to everything that you do. Words can't describe the happiness that you bring to everyone around you.  For your birthday, we had a celebration, mostly to thank everyone who has supported you in your first year (and us, before you were born). You had friends and family here to give you kisses, and you received birthday wishes from many who live too far to travel, including family, friends, and the nurses who cared for us in the hospital. We are so very, very lucky.  As one might expect, your birthday was not without its ups and downs. We had lots of laughs with the fantastic Pinata your  Godmother Rosi brought for you. We had a few tears when partygoe...