Boo!

Bend It Like Big Brother

In addition to basketball and swimming, Cavan is playing soccer this year and is getting really good (i.e. actually listening to his coaches).   Before the kids on the "Kickers" team hit the field at the East River park this morning Cavan showed me some of his mad skillz.  I was impressed. And not just cause I'm his mom.

xo

Proud MamaMac

What's Wrong With This Picture? (No, really.)

...trick-or-treating...on a Saturday afternoon...with Henry and Ruby...and the baby in the stroller...Milk Duds.

The Most Awesomest Big Brother on the Planet.

Cavan rocks!  This kid, RIGHT HERE, is the best big brother in the world.  Every time Lulu gets within an inch of him, he tells her how cute and wonderful she is.  Even when she is bawling her eyes out, he's doing whatever he can to soothe and comfort her.  To make her laugh.  He made us laugh with this one.  He's the best!

It's official.

Now she, like the rest of us, can answer to The Man.  Funny, though.  I came home Thursday night and saw this on the kitchen table.  An overwhelming sense of PROUD came over me.  About 3 years after we came up with how to put them together, those 18 letters are living, breathing, and printed in three words on a flimsy little card Uncle Sam paid $.42 to send us.  We'll get her to sign it later.

-GMac

Ten Years and 4 Dozen Cupcakes From My Former Self

If you'd told me ten years ago I'd be baking 4 dozen cupcakes for a bake sale at my 7-year-old son's school while my 3-week-old daughter napped I'd have spit my straight-up-dry-and-dirty martini out on your shoes.

xo
Haven't Showered and Yet Happy LeleMac

Fight the Power!

Rock 'till ya drop!

OMG!  Henry came over again last night and we rocked until midnight.  He is sooooo cool!  Michael, Nikki, Marianne, Coby, Dad, and Mom ate some sausagey pasta thing while Henry and I hung out and looked cool for each other.  I've decided that he looks like Vin Diesel.  So CUTE!

-LuluMac

How pissed off can a two week old get?

The Little Lulu Doll!

So, Jeanie spent an insane amount of time recreating this really great "Little Lulu" doll from the 1930's for Lulu 2009. What an amazing gift! This lucky child will have something to pass down to her children and grandchildren that her grandmother made with her own hands. Jeanie's version of a quilt and we'll take it...and many more. Thank you, Jeanie!

My Girls.

I'm a lucky man.

-GMac

First Bath: Oh, this is not good.

Tonight we decided to delight our daughter with her first bath. Visions of joy and contentment were quickly dashed, replaced with the reality of flailing arms and accusations of betrayal. "Why am I naked?" "What's all this wet stuff?" "Get the hell off me!" Poor girl's parents had to pick a cold night for her first bath.

Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Captain Cavan Miller has been patiently awaiting the delivery of his Halloween costume for 2 WHOLE WEEKS!!!! What's up with that? Mom and Greggie were on the horn with the shipper and UPS for days and days trying to figure this one out. FINALLY, today....the uniform has landed and we are all very happy about it. Prepare for takeoff.

Cavan and Lulu's Best Friends

No mention of the McHale family would be complete without Roxie and Peanut. Roxie is a sweet, somewhat aloof designer dog who keeps to herself most of the time. Peanut is a true hound...dopey, loyal and lovable. Cavan and Peanut snuggle up together every night and Peanut likes to keep watch over Lulu when she's in her swing. Roxie's main job is to keep track of feeding times. Our pups have adjusted beautifully to Lulu's arrival and although we're truly a full house now we wouldn't have it any other way.

Chillin' Like a Villain

El Burrito

Nothing restores new parents' sanity quite like a nice, tight swaddle.

Jeanie Comes to Town!!!!

At long last Jeanie arrived to see her new baby Granddaughter. And she brought with her a very special surprise....a beautiful "Little Lulu" doll which was made entirely by Jeanie's hand (with love of course). From "Little Lulu's" red and white pinafore to her shiny black curls, every detail was seen to by Lu's very talented (and patient) grandma. We foresee a lifelong love of this doll - which we're sure will be passed on to other special little girls. And since we're handing out credit where it's due, it was not the family photographer (Greg) who captured the smiling image of Lulu with her new friend Henry. That was Jeanie's handiwork. The stars were aligned when that photo was taken and we can't stop looking at it. Although we only had her for a few days, it was wonderful to see Jeanie and Lu bond and get to know each other.

So, anyway.....

.....I was at this party last night celebrating my first week birthday (all the best babies were there) and I met this really cute guy named Henry McDonald. We started chatting and have so much in common!!!! For example, we were both recently born! What are the odds?!?! Here's me with Henry. We're going out again next week....SO EXCITED! LOL!!!

-LuluMac

Our First Walk.

Mama was exhausted yesterday as expected, so Lulu and I decided to let her sleep and go for an hour and a half of fresh air. It was a beautiful and blustery day in the East Village. We walked down 7th Street and then up to 10th where we ran into Michael who took these pictures. Lulu especially loved all of the dogs barking and the old soulful saxophone player in Tompkins.

Grandma Comes to Town!!!!

Grandma Owings arrived late Wednesday afternoon and just can't get enough of her Baby Lu. As we were walking up the steps and into the apartment, she told me that there is no way I could understand how excited she was to meet this little one. Well, Lulu couldn't stop talking about how excited she was to meet Grandma. Finally, they met and it was love it first sight! They simply cannot be separated.

Sayonara to Another Tooth

Cavan has had this tooth dangling in his mouth for the last couple of weeks. FINALLY, he decided that thing was coming out! He had Grandma prepare the ice pack and started yanking away. The Tooth Fairy left him three bucks. Cheap fairy!

The Colonel

Amazing Big Brother!

Cavan has already been such a great big brother to Lulu. Mama, Grandma, Lulu, and I picked him up from Oasis and got home as quickly as we could, so he could hold her for the first time. He sat with her for almost an hour just looking at and talking to her. He's so kind and sensitive. Lulu is lucky to have such an amazing big brother. The A.B.B.!

Home Sweet Home.

We were so excited to get her home to show her around the new digs. She loved it!!! She immediately showed the dogs who's boss and fell asleep in her daddy's arms. So sweet!

BTW -- The Raconteurs were blaring when this picture was taken. The kid likes her music and we are very happy about that!

Lulu's First NYC Taxi Ride.

The kid loves to move. She slept the whole $6.50 ride home. We were so excited to get her home!

Getting Ready For Our Trip Home.

Lulu and Mama were discharged from the hospital at 10AM on the 7th. This was the first time that we dressed her and realized how tiny she really is. Unreal!

Big Brother Comes to Town.

Cavan got to meet Lulu for the 1st time on Tuesday the 6th for dinner. He and Mama had grilled cheese sandwiches and Daddy had fried shrimp. Lulu ate that night for hours and slept for minutes.

Our Little Sushi!

Look at those hands!

Happy Daddy!!!!!!!!!!

8:00AM on Tuesday, October 6th. Wow!

The Amazing Adventures of Buddha and Button Nose.

Lulu all cleaned up and back in the room with us.