Close call

Recently, we spent the weekend at the cabin in Hocking Hills. On a typical sunny, but cold afternoon we took the dogs and Mak P for a walk. All of us love these walks and the cold weather makes the warm cabin even better to come back to...
On our way back, however, Arnold made a quick decision to cross the street when a truck (who had stopped for us) began to move forward. The moments after that have thankfully become not as easy to recall... Arnold's front rt leg (and what I assumed at the time to be chest/head) had been hit/ran over. In a panic, I took off on foot - running - w/ Makayla in the stroller back to the cabin...pulling Ramona along w/ me (she was concerned for and wanted to be w/ her brother). I was so out of breath by the time we got there I could hardly stand... meanwhile Jay had gotten Arnold back to the cabin (calmly and via a truck) and into our car and was heading to the nearest animal hospital...
After finally getting to the only open animal hospital just north of Columbus I joined him and we waited to hear the results of Arnold's x-rays. Both of us were beside ourselves - and thinking the worst... But when the doctor came in - she showed us the x-rays and he had only a broken toe to show for it. They placed a splint on his leg and sent us home w/ several meds...

In the next few days, Jay did most of the carrying of Arnold - in and out side, up and down stairs - we catered and spoiled Arnold knowing he must be in pain and would not be mobile for a while. Then at one point Jay thought to offer Arnold a treat - some motivation to try and make it on 3 legs and get outside on his own. No sooner did Jay mention the word and the sound of the treat jar clanked - was Arnold up, and HOPPING on 3 legs into the other room. We laughed so hard w/ relief ... our buddy Arnold was going to be just fine.

Turning 6 months old

Makayla is starting some solid foods - bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes and rice cereal. She likes the real food better then the rice cereal, and I have to admit I don't blame her - not much taste to it...
Her hand-eye coordination is so fun to watch - she now very carefully moves her right wrist up and down in a very calculated manner in order to get one of her favorite rattles to make noise. She also is sitting up w/ out our help. She loves when mommy (or Lita) sing (or dance) and cracks up laughing when daddy throws her up in the air. Now when reading books she is an active participant - by talking in low grunts or grabbing the book and trying to eat it.

Make a Smilebox greeting

Cahill family sent along this e-greeting to Courtney's mom for her birthday on November 9th!

BOO!

Well OK, a pea-pod costume isn't that scary... but i sure am cute in my very first Halloween costume. We made it to 5 houses for trick-o-treating but then it was obvious to the neighbors that Mommy & Daddy were the ones that were "treating" themselves to the candy... so we headed back to our house and passed out candy instead.

4 months old

MakP is gaining coordination - moving arms and legs when she tells them to vs. just flailing them up and down when struck by emotion (anger, happiness)... She talks a lot, and her face is serious when attempting to communicate to us - she makes long drawn out (yet controlled) AHHHHH's at a variety of different pitches in order to get her point across. As of our dr. appt on Monday - she is 15lbs and 26'' long.

Coping w/ the unexpected...

Last week, hurricane Ike rolled through Columbus before it slowly died to the Northeast of Ohio. We experienced 80-90mile/hr winds - which hindered my soccer game at 1pm only a little but left cooking on the grill only a few hours later a much more difficult endeavor. Needless to say we lost power on Sunday evening - and would not have it restored until Friday afternoon. We stuck it out for a couple days & nights (me having to use the breast pump in the car!) - but after losing hot water had to find an alternative. Makayla's daycare also was w/out power until Thursday morning. Thankfully we had family to lean on and the week was only mildly disrupted - Mak P stayed at Lita's house (grandma Cecilia) and we spent nights w/ Aunt Kristy and Uncle Andy. We are extremely grateful - and looking back enjoyed the change of pace...
This week, nature took a different course - unexpectedly taking my grandmother Dorothy from this great planet. I am struck cold w/ guilt, remorse and great sadness all of sudden - and most especially in the midst of the monotony of my work day. I should have called more, written more, visited more - did she know how important she was to me - and how sad I am that Mak P won't get to know her? I can only hope... that those things which she instilled in me: Scrabble has rules ("no you can not look up a word before playing"), putting together jigsaw puzzles has rules (border pieces together first), LIFE has rules... I have fond memories of camping and spending summers w/ Grandma & Grandpa. I carry many of the qualities and pasttimes they held true - strongheaded, driven, kind, honest and a great love for animals, the outdoors and traveling...
I miss my childhood... I miss them...
Nature tears through your life leaving a path (physical or emotional) along the way. As I get older and now have a child of my own, I am left feeling utterly more vulnerable and protective, yet more appreciative for every day I have with the family & friends in my life...

Back to work

Mom & Dad started back to work recently. It's been an adjustment from the lazy days the 3 of us were able to spend together for a wonderful 12 weeks this summer. Everyone in the family is adjusting well - Mak is spending 3days/wk w/ abuelita Cecilia and 2days/wk at daycare near Mom's work. Jay is working at JP Morgan Chase again - although hours our long, he enjoys doing what he knows and is good at. Courtney has taken on a new role at work, but is glad to be back and is striving to keep her work day to no more then 8hrs (not an easy task!).
Mak is really enjoying her time w/ abuelita Cecilia and playing w/ same-age friends at daycare. She can now hold her head up, and will stand w/ our help. She is extremely curious, attentive and talks to us very often. She LOVES Arnold (our eldest dog) - she goes into fits of laughter when she sees him beg us for attention. She has a strong personality which is beginning to slowly come to light - she knows what she wants, when she wants it and will tell us w/ out hesitation. However, she (just like her daddy) does not complain for no reason - she is pointed in her demands and (just like her mommy) is direct about what she wants....
We are in BIG trouble...

A Mommy moment

Mom and Mak were all ready to go. They had a lunch date w/ a few girlfriends - Katie, Kendra and Lacey - and were looking forward to the trip. Upon arriving at their assumed correct destination mommy, however, soon realized that we were in the wrong place and were already late... While talking to Katie via cell, putting Mak in and out of the sling, walking around the wrong building, driving in circles and then driving over her cell phone - it was decided that lunch would have to be postponed for another date.
During the episode, Mak did not make a peep - not a question ("What the heck are you doing Mommy?"), not a complaint ("Get me out of this stupid car seat!!!"). At one point I looked a her during the minor commotion only to see her staring at me with a calm and puzzled look as if to say "It's cool mommy, everyone has their moments and I will just chill out while you have one of yours"...

I'm a blogger!!!

We're a little new at this blogging business and so much has gone on over the last few weeks that one post is not enough. So we'll start with a couple highlights.
Daddy and Makayla got to spend their first weekend together while Momma Courtney visited friends in Chicago. We dropped her off at the airport and headed home to pack for a weekend at our lake house. We were off for a weekend of fun.
However, once we got home the real fun started. As soon as we opened the door we could tell something was wrong. Our dog Ramona looked at us as if to say, "I had nothing to do it with it." To the contrary, Arnold was hiding by the couch and was afraid to make eye contact. One glance on the floor and his face told the story. He was completely white and covered in a sticky powder. All over the floor was a bag of flour that he ripped open, spread throughout the living room and proceeded to roll in it and lick it into almost a glue. Thus, our packing took a little longer as it included cleaning this mess up.
Finally after about a two hour delay, Mak P and daddy J got everything together for the 45 minute excursion to Hide A Away Hills. All the diapers, clothes, milk, burp clothes, wipes, pack-n-play, blankets, towels, food, and the much needed adult beverages were crammed in the car. Not a spot left for Courtney had she been there with us. Even Arnold was forgiven and jammed in the back with Ramona.
The drive seemed to be going along perfectly. Mak P dozed off almost instantly. The doggies were able to catch some fresh air out the window and keep the slobber out of Makayla's face. However, about five miles away from the cabin, disaster struck again. This time it was Makayla's turn to make a mess. There was a sudden grumbling noise that grew and grew. For the next five miles to the cabin there were sounds of non-stop explosions that had never come out of her before. Knowing that this was not a good sign we rushed as quickly as possible to reach the cabin. The thunderstorm in the pants did not slow down however.
Once we reached the driveway, I was trying to think of what items would be needed and where exactly in the car they were. Of course the diapers, wipes, and clothes were buried under numerous other items. One look at Mak P was easy to see that these items would have to wait until after a bath. Pooh had poured out of the diapers and covered her little legs from top to bottom. From there, she spread it to her head by putting her hand into the reservoir of Pooh. Cheeks, hair, arms, and all uncovered areas were know under a yellow glaze that she thought she would be fun to spread. We rushed down the thirty some steps to cabin and left everything in the car. Sorry doggies you had to wait in the car.
We made it to the house and it was straight to the bath even though the change of clothes, new diapers, and bath towel was still in the car. Luckily, Mak P was unfazed by this event and didn't make a peep throughout the entire ordeal. Just a test for the solo dad. Eventually, we got ourselves together and enjoyed a great weekend at the cabin together. Just a rocky start to our weekend that added a little amusement for Mak P while daddy ran around to get her and the doggies cleaned up.

Discovery

Makayla has recently discovered her hands and feet. She stares at them for 15 min or longer... just fascinated at what they do - when her fingers move she laughs. Additionally, she is talking and reaching for things we hold in front of her.
I am discovering that exercising is challenging after having a 9.3lb baby... every day gets better and it feels great to run again! Jay is discovering (and preparing) what life is like surrounded by two girls...

Check out pictures of our daily escapades w/ Makayla at snapfish .

The Beginning of Another Chapter...

Makayla Patricia Cahill entered our lives on May 29, 2008. She is more then we could ever have anticipated... beautiful, independent and strong. As she learns the ways of the world her parents are learning the true meaning of "unconditional love". She brings smiles to our faces everyday. In summary, parenthood is cool.