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.