You where born at an interesting time in history.  It was the best of times and the worst of times.   Currently, the world economy is not doing very well at all. Trust me when I say you will be feel the effects of our leader decision’s that they make today when you are my age.

As a consequence most of the people in the country are SCALING back in the on Christmas.  While it is unfortunate that so many people have lost their jobs and are hurting financially it has force people to re-evaluate what they spend their money on and what Christmas really means.

Since things end up how they start out, and this is your first Christmas, I think that it is important that Mommy and I show you the right way to celebrate the festive holiday.  The true meaning of Christmas is about giving, not necessarily monetarily, but the giving of yourself.  We are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ who through his love gave his life for us.

Christmas is a time for family and love (not to mention watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation as often as possible), all of which you will have LOTS of this year.

While it is certainly great when you give or receive a great gift (mommy bought daddy an iPhone last year for Christmas and it was AWESOME), please never forget that what is really important is spending time with loved ones and giving more of yourself to your fellow man.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas munckin.

The greatest gift that Mommy and Daddy have this year is spending Christmas with you.

What you did McKinna over your first Thanksgiving weekend:

On Thursday McKinna you went to your Nedes and Pops, great grandma McKinna’s (yes I know it is confusing) and enjoyed lots of laughs with Mommy and Daddy.  Friday you went out to lunch with Mommy and Daddy.  Unfortunately you had a major blow out over your outfit and mommy had to change you in the backseat of the car. :(  That night we celebrated the beginning of the Christmas “season” by putting up the tree and decorating it.  You loved the lights.  Saturday we spent most of the day at Nana’s since we didn’t have time on Thanksgiving.  You were sooo good.  Sunday Daddy took you to Mass by himself because Mommy had some school work that she needed to get done.  Father Eric gave you an extra blessing.  Mommy also bought you to CUTEST tobagon…pictures to come soon.

Whew…what a busy weekend you had McKinna.

Mommy and Daddy are most thankful for you munchkin.

Merry Christmas

Today was a special day for the munckin.  She was baptised at 9:30am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Erin and I couldn’t more happier for this wonderful event in her and our lives.  My brother Nathan is her godfather, and Erin’s sister Emily is her godmother.

It is inevitable that now matter how old McKinna gets she will still be my munchkin.  It is inevitable that no matter how good of a mood she is in as soon as Erin leaves the house she cries.  It is inevitable that no matter how tired I am in the morning when I hear her cry at 6:30am I rush to her crib to consul her.  And finally it is inevitable that as soon as we get her undress to take a bath she will pee all over Erin.  It finally happened tonight.

It is inevitable that I feel relieved that it happened to Erin and not me.

A co-worker of mine who is going to be giving birth soon asked Erin and I if things ever get routine with McKinna.  The answer to that is definitely no.  McKinna does something new to surprise Erin and I everyday.  Whether it is a new noise, smiling more often, sleeping longer, eating less…while not that so much, holding her head up, etc.  I have kayaked down rivers, hiked through mountains, ran a half marathon, and raced cars, but nothing has more exciting than seeing her grow and change.

Though I have been back at work Erin has been keeping me abreast (yes that is a pun) on new developments in my absence.  Most notably we have been having “playtime” with her.  It consists of putting her on back and moving her arms and legs so that she gets some exercise.  To supplement that Erin has been giving her “tummy time” and she loves it.  Apparently she will turn her head from side to side and make funny faces.

The next thing you know she’ll by trying to take my keys and drive TIna.

They grow up fast

I can’t tell you how many books that Erin and I read to get us ready for the baby. I tried to get as much advise as I could from other parents, both you and old.  There is, however, no substitute for actually going through the experience for oneself.  Now that we have had some experience under our belt, well a month’s worth at least, I have some advise for any expecting parents out there, and it has nothing to do with raising your child…well not directly.

My advice is when the baby is asleep, spend time with your spouse.  It is so easy to forget that the two of you are a couple and still need each other.  It will make you better parents.

Back in the early 90’s Will Smith rapped about how parents didn’t understand the trials and tribulations of what kids are going through.  Though the song was a huge hit I now see how flawed that song’s premise is.  What caused this epiphany is the fact that Erin and I are now parents.  I can’t tell you how many times both of us heard, when we where younger, “When you have kids of your own you’ll understand”.  Well mom and dad, we do understand.  The overwhelming desire to make sure that your child is completely taken care of and has the best of everything even if that means having to give up the “wants” of our lives…like sleep.

Questions/statements we expect to hear:

1. You don’t understand what it is like to be in love - (first high school (older) boyfriend that I throw out of the house because I know exactly why he is ‘dating’ our daughter)
2. I am just trying to express myself.  I don’t want to conform to the materialistic US society - (when she tries to go to school dressed in all black)
3. Just 20 more minutes…we are finishing a movie - (knows she is going to be late for curfew)
4. You don’t know what it is like to be the only kid in school to not have a cellphone - (at age 10)

The adventure is well under way.

Before McKinna was born many of our friends and family would give us advise, tips, and in some cases fore warn us of what was to come.  Most of which where very valuable.  There are, however, somethings which we found out on our own that we think are pretty interesting.

1. Daddy knows how to get up from any position only using his ab muscles while holding the baby.  Look mom no hands.
2. Daddy knows how to pick up the remote control with his feet because he is holding the little munchkin and doesn’t want to disturb her.
3. It only took 2.5 weeks before McKinna taking a bath became a relaxing experience for both McKinna and parents.
4. Having a splash guard when breastfeeding would have been helpful for Erin when McKinna “exorcist” vomited all over her.
5. Murphy’s law rings true - the doorbell always rings when Daddy or Mommy are trying to take a nap.

I can’t believe that McKinna is 2 weeks old today.  Erin and I took her to the doctor for her two week checkup.  She weighs 7lbs now and is 21.25 inches which means she is growing perfectly.  We did experience something unique today.  Up until now she hasn’t had any problems riding her carseat.  This morning however, she threw a FIT when we got her in there.  So much so that we had to postpone going to the grocery store.  When it came time hit the road to go to the MD appointment she freaked out again, however once we were in the car and driving she was quiet as a church mouse.

Thank God.

Other milestones up to the point are:

• Sleeping in her crib in her own room like a big girl
• Staying awake for more than five minutes at a time
• Starting to smile during her sleep
• Loving her mommy and daddy more and more every day

McKinna is was officially one week old and boy has it been a busy one.  Not only did she meet her Mommy and Daddy, but came home to a new house, her own room, met her big sister Miss Cooper, lost the umbilical cord, had her first MD appointment, caught and got over conjunctivitis, and been on several car rides.  Wheww…no wonder she naps so much.

To celebrate, McKinna had her first “offical” bath last night.  What a milestone!!!!!  She acutally took it pretty well.  Erin and I were afraid that she would freak out being wet, but I think that the water was warm enough that she wasn’t too uncomfortable.  In addition, I think it stimulated her enough to wake up for awhile and just stare at Mommy and Daddy which was AWESOME.