Mckinnon: 7 months

You do all remember that his name is Mckinnon, right?! HA! Sometimes we have to remind ourselves!



We're trying to make sure he doesnt get too many yellow veggies... he loves ALL veggies but of course I dont love the yellow nose! :-)
OH, little Mack. How i love you! Your Mama and big sister, Rhyan, are smitten by you. And your Daddy's coming around :-) (kidding... he loves you tons! he just doesnt like to show too much manly love to "a dude"! haha).

Mack and Rhyan have really started to engage lately! She loves to play peek-a-boo with him and make him laugh by doing anything silly she can think of. She often says "I wub my baby!". Scrumptious!

At 7 months (wow! am i really saying that already?!) Mack is:
-typically down to two naps a day. He's started dropping his 3rd nap. Not every night, but some nights (this seems REALLY early to me?!) He started not falling asleep for it and if he did, he'd take a long time to fall asleep at night.

-is blowing RASPBERRIES! Its hilarious!

-has started showing signs that his reflux is acting up again. He's so strong, yet he wont sit up. He arches his back most of the time and wants to lean back. He's also not been eating his bottles well and generally pretty fussy while eating. So as of Friday, Jan 6th, we upped his dosage of Prilosec from 3mL twice a day to 5mL twice a day. Hopefully, it will do the trick.

-is a MOMMA's BOY! I dont know how I feel about that. I love it mostly. I love to cuddle him (Rhyan never would and still wont cuddle... only for a few brief minutes) but he's pretty insistent. As in, he will CRY (and his crying is more like screaming) if he's in the mood to be held and I make eye contact and dont pick him up. That part, i dont like. At all. :-( So, long story short, I'm going to have to work on being more consistent with letting him cry occasionally, I think. Or offering him the swing or jumper or something.

-play's Peek-a-Boo with me by using his own arm to cover his eyes and then bring it down for me to say "peek a boo!!". He laughs and does it over and over and over! And sometimes he uses his big to do the same thing, but he has a hard time getting it off his face!

-is a SCREAMER!! Omg, he is so LOUD! Its happy screams, but he sounds like a teenage girl at a Beiber concert. I cant hear myself think when he's doing it! lol

-loves puff's! he's having a great time trying out all soft table foods and puff's got it all started!

-is drinking out of a sippy cup with a straw! he did NOT like the taste of the water the first time he got a drink, but he's starting to really like it.
-is working really hard to try to learn to pick food up and get it in his mouth. He does a great job of picking it up but cant seem to get it out of his fist!

-is ROLLING all over the place! Back to front... front to back. He's liking sleeping on his side and tummy mostly, though.And as a result of this little rolling exploration, he ended up with this lovely bruise!

-has a TOOTH! It was his Christmas present (and explains why he was soooo cranky Christmas eve!)
-took his first trip to the park! He loved the swing!!!

-is loving his jumper!!
I should note that his "naptimes" are from approximately 9-11 and 1-3 but sometimes he wakes up to a half an hour early and just lay there content until naptime is up. I'd prefer he take a full 2 hour nap, but 1.5 is good. Just not my ideal. Funny how babies dont care what Momma's "ideal" is :-)

Mack, you are scrumptious. We all think so and are so glad you're a part of our family!

Goals for 2012

I have a lot of goals for 2012.

I'd like to work on first time obedience with Rhyan.
To find a financial adviser who we can work with.
To find time (meaning make time) to work out (some, not daily... baby steps).
To read my bible daily.
To be more objective in my parenting, loving in my discipline.
To exceed monthly my production goals at work.
To be a better wife.
To enjoy life and not sweat the small stuff.
To give my all to my family (extended included).
To dedicate and be intentional about spending time with friends.
To pursue hobbies: photography, singing/music, reading, blogging.
To travel with the kids more. Take impromptu trips.
To travel with out the kids once. Take time for Jeff and I.
To not be such a perfectionist! It is crippling for me.
To take chances. Put myself out there. Try new things and figure out what I'm good at (and what i'm not good at... and be okay with that).

The list goes on...

But in my reading of "Changed into His Image" this week, I was reminded of something vitally important.

That I, of my own doing, cannot fully change.

I can make attempts. But I will fail. I've experienced this all to well and it has hindered me from attempting change many times in my life.

But i find myself less than satisfied with who I am (otherwise, why would I have such a long list of goals?!). And there is a reason for that...

I have, in the past, put the proverbial "cart before the horse". I've desired to change my actions without ever changing my thinking. I want to not be angry with Rhyan when she disobeys, but I don't seem to really take to heart that the reason I get angry is not just her disobedience, but that it stems from my own pride and desire for control. When she disobeys, I feel that I dont have control and that makes me angry. (this is just one example... the point it to realize that all of the "undesirable" attributes I have are the result of something within ME.)

So, with all of the things i'd like to change this year, there is really only ONE worth putting the effort into; sanctification.

In 2012, I'd like to take a mental picture of my heart as of Jan. and Lord, I pray that the picture of my heart in December is almost unrecognizable!

My plan (as laid out by the book mentioned) is 3 part. 1. Taking off the old (mortification or dying to self) 2. Putting on the new (for our Heavenly FAther to be well pleased with us we must be humble, obedient and a servant) and then 3. Renewing my mind.

These are the steps of sanctification (being set apart, made holy). And it is the ONE goal I have for 2012.

Will I push those others aside completely? No. But they will not be my focus. Because i truly believe that in order to fulfill several of those aforementioned goals, I MUST be sanctified (to enjoy life fully, to parent better, to be a better wife, etc...). That as the Lord changes me through his Holy Spirit, I will find life more manageable. My focus more concise. My desire to do His will, greater.

So there you have it. My one goal.

What are YOUR goals in 2012?! (and ps. i'm fully aware that what I'm dealing with is not what everyone is dealing with so please dont hesitate to share your goals! )

Celebrating Hallie

Today, I attended a memorial service for a not even 5 day old baby.

It should have been a sad, sad day.

And in some ways, it was. Thinking of the journey that my friends Katie and Chris have been on in the last 7-8 months (since the diagnosis of trisomy 13) makes my heart hurt a little. I hate to think of all of the sleepless nights and worry that is simply inevitable in these types of situations. It pains me to think of how, throughout the coming years, they will often think of how Hallie leaves their family incomplete.

But today's service was not one of grieving, but of celebrating!

Today, we celebrated Hallie.

We were led in worship to a song that was written for Hallie, appropriately titled: Halleujah. It was beautiful. Sounded like a lull-a-bye. And then the campus pastor shared followed by Katie and Chris. Another song, a message by Andy Stanley and one last song (how He loves us) and we were dismissed.

See, i can tell anyone how the service went. I can give logistics and timing and say it was great.

But it was so much more than great.

I was led in worship today. Seriously. It took all I had within me to not stand and make a spectacle of myself, raise my hands to the Lord and praise Him. It was incredible. Actually, the posture my heart truly longed to take was one of kneeling. And if it wouldnt have distracted the 500 people there from worshiping in their own hearts, I would have hit the floor on the aisle beside me (i'm sure it thrills my conservative hubby when I do the same at church ;-).

I was reminded that life is but a vapor. But not the typical "life is a vapor so live it to the fullest and live it all for the glory of God". Yes, that was a part, but a small part. I was reminded, possibly more importantly, that here on earth, our Heavenly Father pursues us. The creator of the universe pursues US and wants a realationship with us. That in the little time we have here, God uses every situation and relationship to draw us to Him.

I've known this all my life. But today, i was convinced that we are indeed worth everything to God.

Most all of us know the gospel. That God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever will believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).

But Christ's life and death is only a fraction of what God has done/does to grow our relationship with Him.

He uses what is seen by the world as a tragedy to show His goodness. To show His love. To show Himself. And that is just what God did through Hallie.

He drew Katie and Chris to a closer understanding of what it means to have an eternal perspective through Hallie. I dont want to presume to know what all the Lord has done in their hearts through Hallies life. But i can share what He has done in mine.

God has shown me that His ways are so far beyond my understanding. That He truly can take the most drab looking situation and use it for good. He promised this in His Word and I've always know it. Again. In my mind. My intellect. But now, it resonates in my heart. So many things that I've always known to be true have now found a place of faith in my heart, not just my head.

So Katie and Chris, I am grateful for you. I'm grateful for your obedience. The obedience the Lord asked of you was not death on a Cross as He asked his Son, but it was profound and large and required discipline, none the less.

You have shown me the reward for obedience. A life that closer reflects that of our Savior.
I've said a hundred times through all of this that I'm so honored and proud to call you my friends. And that is true. But what makes me most proud is not your strength or your courage, but in your discipline to allow the Holy Spirit to give you strength that only comes from Him. To give you courage that only He can give. To see you empty yourselves and move past an attempt to control and to give up everything... that is what I most admire. And what I most desire for myself.

There are 2 ways to learn: live through something or learn from those who have.

We would all be fools to have watched Katie and Chris (and their entire families), to have seen Hallie's sweet face, to have had the privilege to share in this journey as best we could and choose to not walk away more disciplined, just as Katie and Chris have done, to lay down our desires for those of our Heavenly Father.

He has more than proved Himself through Hallie's life. And will do the same in ours.

Brought to a Hault! :-(

Well, my catching-up-on-Christmas blogs are at a standstill right now.

Why?

Because i thought it'd be brilliant to use a new memory card for all Christmas pics but little did i realize, it was a rather small memory card (small in terms of amount of memory). So i had to switch out mid morning and guess what...

I've "misplaced" the other card.

So half of Christmas is missing.

And until its found, i cant make myself blog about it! I'm hoping to find it. Asap.

*sigh*

Visiting Bass Pro Santa

We've taken Rhyan to the bass pro santa every year since her first Christmas. He's always been my favorite, but after reading what he did for Hallie Green made us forever loyal to him. Seriously. I'll never take her to another santa as long as this one keeps working. I dont care how long the line is!

So... a little back story first. When I started back from maternity leave with Mack, Dr Cohen allowed me to adjust my schedule a little bit to accommodate for some childcare issues. Jeff is in his masters program and has class every Tuesday night so he's unable to pick up the kids. I didnt (at the time) get off work until 5:30, putting me at Tracy's to pick up the kids around 6:15. Thats just too late! Her kids have their own activities (basketball, softball, church, etc) so it was a bit of an issue (to clarify, Tracy has been kind and kept them late for us when needed and our families have pitched in and picked Rhyan up last year during jeff's baseball season, but with two kids now, both of those options are less than ideal). So I started working Tuesday's (and as of 2012 Thursdays, also) from 7:30-4:30. I love it. I dont love getting up earlier, but when I get home I still have lots of great time with the kids.

Ok, back to the point. We decided to take the kids to see santa on a Tuesday since i get off early and i work right at discover mills. Jeff and I planned to meet at 4:45 at bass pro but when i got there he was running a little late. I went ahead and headed to get a bass pass only to learn that he was going on break in 15 min and wouldnt be back till 6pm! noooo! I called Jeff and told him to HURRY!
When he drove up, i grabbed Rhyan and the kids bag (which had their pj's in it that i wanted them to wear). We ran to the line. Well, there wasnt a line, actually. It was where a line would form but it was just us. And i started stripping her down :-) Jeff followed in shortly after and the "elves" helped me strip and dress both of our kids. Hilarious! :-)
We were worried that Rhyan would cry like last year, but I guess Jeff did a great job of prepping her and she did great! Our plan was to let Mack go 1st, then add Rhyan and then take Mack away and hope she did well alone. But Rhyan ended up being dressed first so she went ahead... and did GREAT! Well, they only let you do 2 pics (as in, they really dont even want you to take the time to take your own 3rd pic... just two) BUT, since there was no one else around, we got THREE! How sweet of them! (btw, this was the perfect time to go!)
After catching our pics, we changed Rhyan back into her clothes (she needed shoes to walk around the mall) and she enjoyed watching hte train for a while. She loves trains! Becoming quite the Thomas fan... Meanwhile, Mack did what he does... lay there and suck his thumb :-)
We headed over and let Rhyan see all the fish. She loves that! Mack didnt have a clue, but was all smiles anyways!Then we walked around the mall for a while so that Mack could fall asleep and then settled on japanese for dinner. Rhyan loved the chicken AND rice! She ate so well that we rewarded her with a ride on the "horsey" while Mack ate his dinner.
This day also happened to be the day that Mommie had her surgery on her knee (she had fallen and broken her kneecap and they had to wire it back together... ouch!). So I took Rhyan to the hospital to visit her "mayer" while Jeff took Mack on home for bed. The nurse had brought Mommie some ice chips and Rhyan took over "sharing" them with her.

We had a great time as a family. I absolutely love having two kids. Its more work, sure. But then most great things in life are :-)

Mckinnon: 6 months

6 month stats (taken 12/9/11):
Height- 27.9"/89%
Weight- 18lbs 0.5oz/59%
Head Circumference 17"/32%

So, Mack is going to be 7 months old in 6 days. Its about time I did the 6 month update, right?! ;-)

IF you read my post about Mack at 5 months, you know that we were having a rough go of it. He wasnt napping well and that is an understatement.
Well, i'm proud to say that Mack has turned into a great little napper! YAY! It took two things to accomplish this 1. Letting him cry it out consistently and 2. Having him sleep on his tummy.
I cant even begin to tell you how much i stared at the video monitor when he first started sleeping on his tummy. It semi-terrified me. But he had started rolling to his tummy in the bed on his own and we noticed that the tummy naps were consistently good. So, for the sake of his sleep and our sanity, we gave in. :-)

Mack is such a JOY. He's so cuddly and happy and loveable. And a little fierce.

As in, sometimes when you're holding him he gets this odd little look in his eye and he'll grab your face with both hands and come in for a kiss. Sounds sweet, right? But its a little painful! lol
Ok, so at 6 months Mack is:

-waking between 7-7:30
-napping 9-11 and 1-3 (approximate times... we live by a slightly fluid schedule around here)
-taking a last 3rd nap from 5-6
-eating four 6 ounce bottles at 7, 11, 3 and 7pm
-eating solids! (oatmeal and prunes at 7, a fruit and veggie at 11 and whatever we're having for dinner at 6pm with a bath and bottle to finish before bed)
-rolling from back to tummy but not the other way, yet.
-using the voice God gave him. He's a loud little fella!
-can sit up in our laps with some support. Towards the end of the month all we had to do was support his legs so he didnt topple over. He has really great trunk strength!
-wearing a size 3 diapers
-wearing 9month shirts
-wearing mostly 9month pj's (there's the occasional 6 month thats made big...)
-still in 6month pants (he's "tall" but apparently the length comes in the midsection)
-passes things from one hand to another
-tries to eat everything near him
-still loves his thumb(s). he's not partial to either one.
-loves the exersaucer and now that we've sat the swing up so its not so reclined, he enjoys sitting in it and playing with toys.
-loves the tv :-( i guess its just the lights and colors but he'll break his neck to see it
-takes 3mL of prilosec twice a day and is doing great with his reflux
-has decided that green beans arent so tragic after all. now, he likes them! (this is why i'm consistent with having my kids try foods that they, at first, dont like. typically, it takes a kid 10-12 tastes of a food to truly make a decision of not liking it! so if your baby "hates" peas or something, be encouraged and keep trying!)
-basically loves ALL foods. we have yet to find something he doesnt like/wont eat.

Jeff picked up a really small food processor this month and he's been pretty much eating whatever we eat for dinner. Black eyed peas, pinto's, chili!... you name it... if its not spicy we give it to him!

Its like "where's waldo"! and yes, that would be a puff in his bed. he likes to take his snack with him for naptime ;-)

2 Christmas Miracles

Well, they are miracles around here!

1. Mack rolled over (finally) from his tummy to his back. He has done so two more times since that first time yesterday (christmas eve). But only in his bed. He IS a prince, after all.

2. Rhyan has been pooping on the potty lately but only after we find her hiding in a corner telling us to "stay dere" and us reminding her she's a big girl and needs to poopie in the potty. Then the screaming begins as we carry her to the bathroom. She eventually calms down and poops in the potty, is quite proud of herself and calls everyone (and tells random strangers if there are any around). And earns herself some treats. HOWEVER, last night was a true christmas miracle. I noticed her abscence, called for her and asked what she was doing. She told me she needed to go poopie in the potty, did NOT scream and found success on her grandmothers massive potty that she has to use post-surgery (like a walker w/ a potty seat between the handles... very high up so that mommie doesnt have to bend her leg). She may have also fallen in once (hilarious) but she recovered and finished the job.

Now THOSE are christmas miracles when you have kiddo's, friends :-)

And add a THIRD!!!

3. Mack cut his first tooth today! Join in now... "all I want for christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth...". Well, you got half your wish, buddy :-)