Activity-less

This picture sums up my favorite part of Christmas--Love.

Christmas was spent in the mountains of North Carolina with the Cozarts this year. My family is known for doing many "activities" when we are together. Along with the hustle and bustle of pre-Christmas, there are friends to see, parties to throw, hikes to take and dinners to attend. There is typically little down time until all the presents are unwrapped.

This year, however, the Norovirus imposed an activity-less holiday. The bug-spread by the cutest contagion you'll ever meet-struck hard and fast. The bad news? Vomit was a part of our Christmas. The good news? It forced us all to take it easy and mellow out. Well, that and not make any of us feel guilty about eating too many holiday treats.

But back to the photo above. Ever since I was pregnant with Mackenzie, I have dreamed of her first Christmas. I love Christmas. I mean love Christmas. I enjoy all the festivities that surround the holiday, but more than anything I love how Christmas feels. It's warm, cozy and joyful. And what's better than feeling warm, cuddly and joyful? Making those you love feel warm, cuddly and joyful. No better person to share that with than your child.

Peace, love and warmth--Merry Christmas.

'Zo

Remember the Charlotte Hornets? If you grew up in N.C., not only did you follow George Lynch and the Tar Heels, but you also followed Muggsy Bogues, Alonzo Mourning and the Hornets. And, right beside your Carolina baby blue wind suit was a bright teal and purple Hornets shirt.

Alonzo Mourning went on to have a great career--mainly with the Miami Heat. He now works in the front office of the organization, and he and his wife are big philanthropic figures in the South Florida area.

Alonzo is also a kidney transplant legend. You can read his full story here, but, in summary he had a rare, life-threatening kidney disease. He was in and out of retirement, on a lot of meds, had a lot of side effects, and finally received a new kidney from a cousin.

While filming our 2014 Building Champions video at the Heat's arena, my coworkers set up a surprise meeting between Alonzo and me (I'm not sure if I was more touched that Alonzo took time to meet with me, or the effort that my friends went to to arrange it). Embarrassingly, it took me a while to figure out that he was there to talk to me--not watch our filming of the video.

Alonzo is the first person I've met with kidney disease. In my earlier post, I wrote a lot about the fear associated with being diagnosed with a disease. But it is also very lonely if you don't have any frame of reference or know anyone else who has had a similar experience. Admittedly, it is hard to be positive if you have no network of people with kidney disease to relate to.

Alonzo had a successful kidney transplant in 2003, and says enthusiastically that since, he's been in the best shape of his life. See, not only do Alonzo and I have kidney disease in common, but neither of us enjoy being on medication. Alonzo has since dedicated himself to a strict, low-sodium diet, an eastern medicine approach to his health and yoga. He is also incredibly positive--he's positive in his approach to his health and in his interactions with others.

Yesterday was a turning point for me. If Alonzo can do it, so can I. #BeatPKD

Love Wins/Beat PKD

Last week I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). 

 

Early in the week, I was experiencing pain in my abdomen--which I thought was a pulled muscle or a bruised rib--so I went to the clinic on campus. Soon after, I was at the ER so that they could run diagnostics. While they found nothing acutely wrong, they did find innumerable cysts on my kidneys and liver--a classic sign of PKD. Still believing that this was a misdiagnosis, and much ado about nothing, I saw my primary care physician. Then a urologist. Then a nephrologist. All came to the same conclusion.

 

Since then, Josh and I have floated between devastation and determination. Devastation over the diagnosis, and determination to beat PKD.

 

PKD is a genetic disorder and is chronic. Over time, cysts on the kidneys build up so much that the kidneys fail, and either dialysis or a transplant is needed. Having no evidence that points to my grandparents, parents or aunts and uncles having this disease, right now we are concluding that it was a spontaneous genetic mutation, which occurs in about 5% of PKD cases.

 

There are many challenges. The main one being that there is no cure, yet. There are drugs being developed that will slow the progress, but they are not yet generally available. The other big challenge is that this is genetic. Though we will not know if Mackenzie has PKD until she is much older, there is a 50/50 chance that she will have it.

 

There are also many, many positives. There is a 50/50 chance that Mackenzie does not have it. We will continue to hope that she does not, or, if she does, that at that point there will be a cure. 

 

Another positive is that right now my kidneys are functioning at 100%. From here forward, I am on a strict, low sodium diet, and instructed to drink massive amounts of water and eliminate caffeine. The key to extending the life of my current kidneys is to keep my blood pressure low. I can still run, spin, etc. And am encouraged to do so with vigor. 

 

Though I have a problem with our doctors quantifying my life, based upon the majority of cases, I have about another 10-15 years with my current kidneys. At that point, I would need a kidney transplant. Again, I do not believe any doctor can quantify how long I will live, and firmly believe there are enough factors that I can control that I can extend the life of my current kidneys longer than 10-15 years.

 

Josh and I are now in the process of working with my health care providers to come up with a plan to fight this. And we are determined to be vigilant in working our plan. We are incredibly lucky to have access to some of the best care in the country, and have been greatly assisted in accessing this care.

 

So, why am I telling you this news? Besides casting a wide net for kidney transplant candidates (only half joking), I believe that love wins. Josh, Mackenzie and I cannot do this alone. We need your love, your support and your prayers. We have a long road ahead. We are lucky to have amazing friends and an amazing family. Our hearts are full. Mackenzie deserves to have a mother for absolutely as long as possible, and we deserve to be a family for as long as possible. Love. Wins.

 

If you want to learn more about PKD, I encourage you to visit https://www.pkdcure.org/. 

7 Month Itch

Happy 7 Months, Mackenzie!

At 7 months, you continue to be curious, ambitious and continually on the move. 

Did I mention that you are also slightly intense (see above)?

You survived your first ear infection, enjoyed a weekend alone with your Daddy, and decided that you deserve to sit at the table, not a high chair, thank you very much.

You also learned how to say "Dada" (I know that "Mama" is what you really meant to say) and took in your first (of many) football game with your GG and Papa.

More importantly, you are increasingly becoming independent and enjoying being able to crawl, pull up on things, and get to where you want to go. 

It's gonna be a great month. Go get 'em, kiddo.

Bubbles Goes to the Ball Game

Josh and I have been looking forward to taking Mackenzie (aka Bubbles) to her first football game for a while now. Problem is, we both work during the games--makes for watching an infant a bit difficult.

Enter GG and Papa to the rescue to be sure Mackenzie got her football fix.

Pre-gaming at the house with her buddy.

Fascinated by the game festivities. Note: Those are not super cool Dre Beats headphones, but noise blockers for infants. I swear, Mackenzie's parents used to be cool.

Ending up like many Hurricanes fans who drink too much in the parking lot. That afternoon milk buzz will get ya.

Food Critic

I'll admit, we took our time with introducing solid foods to Mackenzie. You would, too, though if you got this reaction the first time around:

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of sweet potatoes.

We did make some progress, though. Mackenzie permitted allowed us to place the food on her mouth.

And we finally made it to this:

Kickoff

Super cool and confident baby girl in the foreground. Turned-off TV in the background.

About a month after Mackenzie was born, Josh and I made a commitment to not watch TV. This was based on common sense and a TED Talk that basically said TV gives children ADHD. Conveniently, our decision was made after NCAA March Madness. 

One week from today college football begins, causing us to waver on our initial decision. Suggestions welcome on how to balance watching hours of college and pro football, and doing our due diligence as parents.

Hobbs Pond

Lake love

Onward and Upward

We travel to Hope, Maine today--this requires two flights and a two hour car ride. Our mission today is "Just Get There."

Mackenzie's mission is "Work on Core Strength in an Umbrella Stroller my Mom Thought I was Ready for."

The Sweet Spot

The Sweet Spot has always been a sport analogy to me--the sweet spot on my tennis racquet, the sweet spot on my soccer shoelaces, the sweet spot in my jump shot. But there's also a Sweet Spot between the time of dusk and nightfall when this happens:

Getting a child to sleep isn't always easy. It takes rocking, shushing, rocking, singing, rocking, snuggling. Wait, that last part doesn't seem so bad....because,  before I realize it, I've hit the Sweet Spot. For Mackenzie, that's when her left arm goes limp (as shown above), she lets out a deep sigh, and smiles two or three times very quickly. Her body has surrendered to the day. 

This is by far the Sweetest part of my day. 

And, yes, she always sleeps with her arms behind her head. Even asleep, Mackenzie is a boss.

Happy 4 Months

Always fashionably 1-2 weeks late:

I call this the Animal Take Down

Limited Time

Our days are numbered before Mackenzie is crawling. She moved her legs as much as possible while I was pregnant, and has continued to be happiest when she is able to kick, 'stand' or wiggle around.

Equally impressive in this video is the way that she takes 'breaks.'

http://bit.ly/116kb0O 

Beach Baby

Bets on how long the space ball remains sand-less

Steve Kelsch

Peaceful end to a sad day.

We will miss you Uncle Steve.

Here's to fellow historians being in the afterlife, and to always having company for a 5 o'clock.

Right to Choose

Just saw on the CNN ticker (thanks to a delayed flight in ATL, the Boones are fully updated on the news) that the NC Senate passed a bill that added abortion restrictions. And that it was done in the middle of the night. Very concerned about the direction in which my beautiful home state is headed, and the manner in which it is doing it.

Have Baby, Will Travel

Our trooper on the economy parking shuttle....WNC, here we come!!

Comfort Zone

Today marks a year when we 1) found out we were pregnant and 2) came down to Miami to look for a place to live. 

I remember that I reacted to both in the same way: I kinda wanted to vomit. Granted that urge with the first item was due to morning sickness, but the visceral feeling of uncomfortable-ness was present with both life changes.

Josh and I spent a lot of time talking about breaking out of our comfort zones this time last year. I really liked our zone in Chapel Hill, and wasn't real sure why we needed to break away from it--much less have a baby in a new zone. One year later, having a baby and moving to Miami were the best things we have ever done as a family. It hasn't been without some tears, some "no one speaks English!" moments, and some growing pains--but the positives out of the past year's changes are tremendous.

Now to my real point--Mackenzie breaks out of her comfort zones on a daily basis.  As we approach the 4-month mark here are a couple:

Trying out some standing (under the watchful eye of our friend, Courtney):

And sleeping in her crib...in her own room...alone:

Lunch Date

What a stud.

The Elephant in the Room

Mackenzie has a play mat that is quickly becoming my favorite (the swing still reigns queen). There's lots going on on the play mat--a monkey, an elephant, a giraffe, a parrot, a mirror and Mozart on a continuous loop. 

Mackenzie is very into grabbing these days, so having Fisher-Price jungle animal toys dangling above her is a dream come true. I'd wager that she's one of the best grabbers for her age...but one Fisher-Price toy has eluded her hands....the elephant. For the past two weeks, Mackenzie's main focus has been to try to grab the elephant's short, stumpy legs. And, today, she finally succeeded!

I didn't have my camera around to capture the feat, but I did snap some awfully cute celebration pics.

Oh, Wow...I Forgot I Had a Blog!

I have been called out for not posting in almost a month. Candidly, I am excited that more people than my mother read my posts.

So.....drum roll....I announce my return to cyberspace. I do have a good excuse, though! In the past 3 weeks I have returned back to work, Mackenzie started daycare, Josh managed his first end of the fiscal year at UM, and the 3 of us packed up and headed to Orlando for a week for the annual NACDA Conference.

A run down of each:

Return to work-Once I got there....awesome. I am excited to be back, and am thrilled that I am able to contribute. I even signed up my 1st Golden Cane!

Mackenzie at daycare-She is happy when she gets there and she is happy when we pick her up. Her teachers adore her...and they have taught us quite a bit about caring for a baby. I showed up the first day with 6 bottles and instructions to feed her every 2 hours. By Day 2, Ms. Annie and Ms. Newheart kindly informed me that she really only ate every 3 hours, and 6 bottles were a little too much. By Day 3, they let me know that her pacifier was too heavy. By the 4th week, Mackenzie had her 1st runny nose and cough. As I dutifully described her symptoms to Ms. Newheart, she asked me if Mackenzie had a fever. I lied and said 'no,' not because she had a fever-but because taking her temperature had never even occurred to me.

Josh's 1st end of year at UM-Done. His supportive spouse is tired of hearing/talking about it.

The Boones go to NACDA-An incredible week to learn, reconnect with our buddies, talk to new folks, and stay out late once Mackenzie's GG got into town. Side note: thank goodness for grandparents! Mackenzie also enjoyed the night life (until 7pm), and absolutely loved people watching in the hotel lobbies (where all the action is) and the vendor hall. And, since the convention was in Orlando, there were Mouse ears involved.

Snuggle

This was the advice I received from a good friend who recently went back to work after maternity leave, "Snuggle."

I am taking that advice to heart:

This is my last week of maternity leave. I find it ironic that my return to work coincides with Paul Tudor Jones' recent comments about mothers in the work place. 

Note: Jones later back pedaled and said he was referring to macro traders, not all mothers in general. This guy just doesn't get it.

Since this is my blog, consider that I am already on my soap box, hence, I found Jones' remarks incredibly offensive for many reasons:

1. The assumption that mothers are the only ones who care about their children. All the fathers I know care just as much about their children as mothers.

2. Jones' ignorance toward breast feeding. In his statements, Jones says it is the "most beautiful experience," and alludes to this connection as the very reason that mothers return to work in a state of ineptitude. Paul, I have news for you-breast feeding is a lot of work, strange and slightly uncomfortable. Candidly, by the 2nd week I found it a bit boring, and started checking and responding to work emails (no offense, Mackenzie).

3. The assumption that work life and home life cannot coexist. There is no way to leave your home life at home, and your work life at work. And that is not a bad thing. My family is everything to me, and makes up who I am. My work means an awfully lot to me, and makes up who I am. I am passionate about both. I cannot and will not turn off those aspects of myself. What I will strive to do is be PRESENT for both my family and my work-mentally, physically and emotionally. I accept that no perfect balance exists, and all that I can do is give my best effort. 

Take that, Paul Tudor Jones. Yes...I know he will never read this, but I feel better!

Emily Day (as told by Mackenzie)

Did you know that my Mom has an entire day to celebrate her birth? And did you know it's called Emily Day? If you didn't know that....well, I'm surprised that she has yet to bring it to your attention.

This year for Emily Day, we celebrated by taking my first trip! I went on a plane and met my GG and Papa, and Lala and Baba in Myrtle Beach. Here are some highlights:

Me planning how I am going to ring in Emily Day until 4 am...hey, she said that she likes to enjoy it alllll day:

Getting weighed at baggage check (don't worry...Mom and Dad let me sit in their laps on the plane):

Chilling in the cabana (did I mention this family really knows how to celebrate?):

Taking my seat at the family dinner: 

Getting into the tropical spirit:

Discovering that, although GG is cool, not all Moms still make milk:

And my favorite--3 generations of fantastic Cozart/Shute women:

Driving Miss Mackenzie

It's hard being this cool.

Sunday Funday

Thanks to Josh, I had a wonderful 1st Mother's Day. We went to breakfast, went for a walk, and took it easy all day. Mackenzie did her part by napping long enough for Josh and me to watch a movie. I am proud to be her Mother!

Sunday was also Mackenzie's 2 Month Birthday. She is smiling more (you still have to work for it), grasping colorful objects, obsessed with taking in her surroundings and full of chatter. She and I have wonderful discussions during the day--mainly about what's going on in the news....with a sprinkling of celebrity gossip.

(Thank you Josh for the fall over action sequence photos. Thank you Animal for cushioning Mackenzie's fall)