You turned 5 months old on the 10th McKinna. Mommy and I can’t believe just how fast you are growing up. You still aren’t quite sleeping through the night just yet, but you are getting there. You have already started sitting up by yourself, eating rice-cereal, and tonight you had your first jar of baby food…sweet potatoes.
Mommy and I are so proud of you.
I posted lots of pictures and new videos up tonight.
Please enjoy!!!!!!
Munchkin today we celebrate your 4 month birthday. Unfortunately you got a different kind of shots than most have on their birthday (but not until you are 21). You are 90 percentile in length (26.5in) and 50 percentile in weight (13 lbs 10oz). You are growing so fast. This past week was your first experience with daycare. Mommy and Daddy had a very hard time with it, but you were such a big girl.
This week’s accomplishments include 1) sleeping through the night 2) rolling over on your back and 3) rolling over on your stomach.
I know that most parents say this about their children all the time, but you are excelling beyound your age and are very advanced.
WOW….
McKinna your first Christmas was sooo exciting I am just now getting time to write about it.
First things first. It was the best Christmas that mommy and I ever had. I know you won’t remember it, but we will remember it always. Due to the fact that it was your first Christmas I wanted to make sure that we got to spend as much time as we could as a family. I took off the entire week.
Monday the 22nd we did alot.
First I took you to see Grandpa Cap at his office. Daddy unfortunately was a little too brave about leaving the house without your bottle. You were happy when you got there, but only for about 10 minutes. We didn’t stay that long. 
Mommy then took you to lunch with her to meet a friend. After your afternoon nap we all went to meet Grandma McKinna at the Pink Palace’s Enchanted Forest. You got the see Santa for the first time. You where such a big girl.
You hung out with Daddy the majority of the time and where an absolute angel.
Tuesday we drove all the way to Collierville and dropped off your day care supplies, not the best experience for your parents. Just the thought of not being around you all the time made us sad.
Afterwards we went to Target for a little bit of last minute shopping for both Mommy and I - stocking stuffers. I took you with me to pick out her stuff. You were GREAT and extremely helpful.
However when it got time to leave it started raining and it was CERTAINLY cold outside. We then went to a friend of Mommy’s and picked up some baby clothes for you. All the while we are trying to keep you entertained because it was getting close to your lunch time.
After a little visiting with Mommy’s friend we drove back into town to meet Grandpa Cap and Uncle Nathan for lunch. You slept the entire time.
Finally after a LONG day of rain and cold we went home. You were pretty fussy the rest of the day, but I understand…you had a LONG day.
Finally Christmas Eve arrived. We all went to Nedes and Pops house and had a wonderful brunch and opened our presents. Nedes and Pops got you the cutest toys. We came home around 2pm to let you rest and to get ready to go to 5pm Mass. I was SOOOOOOOO excited about your first Christmas Mass. However, you weren’t as excited. We got your dressed and Grandpa and Grandma McKinna came over to visit before we left and you were extremely MOODY. Mommy had to hold you the entire time at Mass.
When it came time for communion you cried the entire way in my arms. When we finally got to Nana’s house and changed your clothes we discovered what was bothering you. It was the darn fabric from the dress. As soon as you where in a fresh onsie all was right in the world.
As soon as we got home you PASSED out. Our little Christmas miracle.
Christmas morning it was all I could do not to go in your room and wake you up, but Mommy would have certainly killed me because you didn’t sleep that well the night before, but I didn’t have wait too terribly long before you bright the excitement to Christmas. Grandpa Cap and Uncle Nathan came by that morning to give you your gift - baby’s first Christmas ornament.
After you went down for your midmorning nap we took you over to your great-grandma McKinna’s. You had a blast and were in such a good mood. That night Granddaddy Edwin and Nana came back over to see you.
After a long three days you finally rested your head for some well deserved rest.
Merry Christmas Munchkin!!!!!!
Love Mommy and Daddy
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:
The adventure is well under way.