How to Spell Grandparent in Spanish

A text message received from my Dad, upon his return to NC after visiting Mackenzie: "How do you spell grandparent in Spanish? Abwello? I am proud to be Mackenzie's Abwello."

Spanish major he was not; but he's a great Abuelo as far as Mackenzie is concerned!

Josh and I were lucky to have my parents in Miami for the first week at home, and are already looking forward to when Josh's parents come later this spring.

Grandpa and Grandma Cozart-jury is still out on their official grandparent names-had a great time with Mackenzie. They went to the Farmers Market, the Miracle Mile, the pool, sang songs and read lots of books.

The highlight of the experience for Mackenzie was the wind-up teddy bear that played "Teddy Bear's Picnic."

Survive and Advance

March Madness. A sports lover's dream. Three weeks of college basketball played at the highest level and on the grandest stage. It. Just. Doesn't. Get. Any. Better.

"Survive and advance" applies to those higher ranked teams that should win, but squeak out a win to continue to play another day. On Saturday, UNC survived versus Villanova. And Kansas survived a feisty WKU team, just to name a couple.

But what are more thrilling are the upsets. A little-known team beats a big-time basketball team. There are always a few, and everyone loves to cheer for the underdog. Anyone catch #15 seed Florida Gulf Coast dominate #2 seed Georgetown? That's what I'm talking about-the NCAA Tournament at its most exciting. Now everyone is a FGCU fan. Keep in mind that FGCU is only in its second year on even being eligible to compete at the DI level. A true underdog.

But what about Georgetown? Anyone feel sorry for them? Anyone want them to also survive and advance? I did. Because I know what it's like to be dominated by the underdog. Granted, in our house the underdog is an 8 lb newborn, but last night I was left with the same frustrated feeling as the Hoyas.

Anyone catch that massive alley oop in that game? If you didn't, below is the You Tube video:



Yea, that Hoya player trying to defend the dunk? That would be me. The FGCU player soaring through the air and dominating said defender? That is Mackenzie. Total Domination.

Last night, Mackenzie would NOT stop screaming. Being a 5 S's enthusiast, I swaddled and shushed my heart out. I danced around the living room shushing. I sang top 40 songs by shushing. I sang any show tune that came to mind. Finally, we found that the vent above our stove was more effective. That worked for a while. Eventually, I resigned myself to the fact that there wasn't anything wrong-she was just a newborn who didn't know how to handle her new environment. And-at least for that night-the best I could do was make sure we both survived to advance.

She did at some point stop crying. Mackenzie granted me a mulligan and I gladly took it.

Of course we love Mackenzie dearly. Her coos make our day, and every day we see her grow and change. It's an incredible feeling and one I wouldn't change for all the wins in the world. But last night she busted my bracket.

Tell us what you really think

I've heard before that one of the challenges of a newborn is figuring out what they need and what they are thinking. We do spend a fair amount of time tying to figure out Mackenzie's cries and what soothes her.

However, we are also finding that much of what Mackenzie cannot articulate with words she does so with her facial expressions. It's quickly becoming one of my favorite parts about her.

Happy and Content:

Displeasure:

Focus:

Contemplation:

Team Affiliation Confusion:

Sleepy:

Happy and Content (again):

March 12: Mackenzie Day

Welcome to the world Mackenzie Shute Boone! And, to our readers, welcome to our blog. It seems fitting to start this blog as we start a new chapter in our lives: parenthood.

Josh and I both wondered what this journey would be like-what we would feel, what our new routine would be, and what our new baby would be like.

The first two things we learned very quickly. What we felt: absolute joy and a boundless capacity to love. And-I am not going to lie-I felt pure relief when Mackenzie was placed on my chest. Labor is aptly named!

Second, what our new routine would be: sleepless nights, and days simply staring into Mackenzie's eyes. And occasionally getting pooped and peed on. It's cool, Mackenzie, I won't take it personally.

The third, what Mackenzie will be like, is one that I will enjoy the rest of my life. I am beyond excited to see what Mackenzie enjoys, what challenges her, and how she tackles those challenges. I am excited to experience her love, to show ours to her every day, and to watch her love others.

Mackenzie Shute Boone, you are loved beyond words, and our love, acceptance and belief in you is unwavering.

I am so happy to share our lives with you.

Love,

Mom