The World of Mackay

Our household was evacuated at 5 am on Friday over concerns over a possible tsunami in Half Moon Bay, the result of the horrific earthquake in Japan. We were incredibly lucky - the harbor rose and fell 5 feet in the course of an hour - but thanks to a low tide, we had no real issues in our area. But our hearts are breaking for Japan. We're lucky so far in that everyone we know there are safe - but there are so many who were not. The only tiny light we've had during this tragedy falls into the 'from the mouths of babes' category. Mackay is an avid listener to NPR while she and Bill are en route to wherever they are going. She can't figure out 'Why do they keep talking about the salami?' Despite this little bit of humor, we are sending every positive bit of energy we can to the people of Japan. We wish them strength and resilience and hope.

The stars have finally aligned. The dam has broken. Alert the papers. Mackay has pooped on the potty. Twice. On two consecutive days. Wherever you are, it's not so far away that you can't hear the collective sigh of relief coming from the Borovac-Bennett household at the prospect of reducing our Costco purchases to just one set of diapers. HALLELUJAH!! She's very proud of herself, and is definitely basking in the accolades being bestowed by friends and family.

Owen is talking up a storm these days, though it's not always immediately evident what he's saying. While getting him dressed the other day, Bill was naming clothing components, and Owen, quite adamantly, told Bill that he was putting on his 'oo' and his 'ock'. Apparently the letter 's' has not yet made it into his lexicon. Anyway - Bill took Owen to a occupation/child development specialist recently to try to figure out how to help him move on from formula to solid food. While they determined that he has a hair trigger gag reflex (which we knew), they were evidently impressed by how far ahead he is in his verbal development and in his physical coordination - even despite his diminutive size. Meanwhile, Miss Mac is growing taller by the minute, it seems. According to the people/websites that calculate such things, given her height at 3, she's likely to be 5'8" What a pair! Small or big -- they both love to swing! Here's a recent pic our ...

We had a wonderful holiday! Everyone is growing and reasonably healthy. Owen is talking (some comprehensible, a lot that isn't). Like his sister, he's a big climber. He scales anything his little legs can reach, but often finds himself unable to get back down. On these occasions, you'll hear his little voice ring from another room... 'I'm 'tuck!!!' Very cute. Mackay is loving pre-school and despite being nicely potty trained there, we think she's just trying to tweak us at home. A recent conversation in the car: Mackay: So, when I go poop in the potty, I get a pillow pet! Bill: Yes. When do you think that will be? Mackay: Oh, maybe, like, a couple years? I recommend you buy Pampers stock. Maybe we can get a Vegas line going on whether Owen will be potty trained before Mackay. I think the odds are good.

"Ball." This is pretty much his favorite word, his favorite toy, and anything remotely round is put into this category.

Dear Santa, I would like a bicycle and real fruit. Oh, and lots of presents. Love, Mackay.

Miss Mackay officially turned 3. Owen is back from the hospital and doing a good job gaining some weight back, and generally keeping us entertained with his new words. We got our tree (a sad, Charlie Brown sort of tree as we were pressed in time and realistic about its survival among two kids). Within minutes of decorating it, I - who thought I placed any breakable ornaments well above Owen's reach - saw Owen stretch up and pull a red, shiny ornament off the tree. As always happens, slow motion ensues, as I yell 'Oweeennnn, nooooooooo', he says 'Ball!' and hucks it across the room. Needless to say, the ornament shattered into a million pieces. He was quite impressed. So, our already less than ideal tree is now naked of ornaments on its entire lower half. I guess we won't be making Sunset Magazine this year. And, I apologize in advance, but I simply am not going to be able to manage holiday cards... I promise to post one here! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and...