Burns Circle of Trust

Hair or lack there of.

2011-03-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

Close your eyes and think of someone close to you. Your spouse, your best friend, your mom. Do you see them as you last saw them in person?

For me, I always picture people in my head as they were during my fondest memories of them. Sometimes it changes, but for a few, this image stays constant. For instance, although my paternal grandmother is in her 80s, living in an assisted home and her mind is wavering, I will always picture her in her room at her home in Ft. Worth. She would watch TV in bed late into the night, read and study her bible and often times have the classic music radio station on. I can still picture the giant green plastic cup she drank water out of which was always next to her bed and the scattering of flat toothpicks on her night stand (she was also a big popcorn fan).

This is how I usually picture my family:

This is from the 1988 First Baptist Euless Church Directory. Do churches still have directories or do people just get on Facebook? I'm not sure. I am pretty sure this directory is still by the home phone at my parent's house, too. Growing up, my parents would reference it to remember who our friend's parents were, find a phone number or address and check what the Fellowship Hall was serving on Wednesdays for dinner. Although I don't remember the exact details, I imagine that my dad is home from traveling & that is why my brother looks well behaved.

My mom has breast cancer and today, after 3 days of hair falling in clumps, we shaved her head. My sisters & I had wanted to make a 'party' of it for tomorrow afternoon but it was coming out so fast we didn't think there'd be time. Although her official diagnosis was over a month ago and she just completed her second round of chemo, her appearance hasn't changed.

Until today.

After giving Jon is bi-weekly buzz, my mom sat on her patio holding a trash bag and I shaved her head with the clippers. First her right side. Then the left. A few pictures with the mohawk & then I shaved it all off. She does look different. Like maybe she has cancer.

To me, though, I will always see my mom with this hair - a look only achieved with hot rollers. In that dress my dad brought back from a trip to Korea (which I later accidentally vacuumed over), the necklace, also from Korea. The blush from Clinique. And I know she was probably wearing Sung by Alfred Sung perfume.

The great thing about hair loss from chemo is that it grows back and hopefully the cancer doesn't. So, Mom's Hair, we'll see you in a few months - she would prefer that you grow back in Auburn & not gray. Straight & not curly. Fast & not slow.

Peace out, cancer. Don't let the door hit you on your way out!

Talent

2011-03-12T23:10:00.001-08:00

- Posted from my iPhone

Still Stuck Inside

2011-02-04T21:16:00.001-08:00

We're all losing it, the house is a mess and our dogs are babies who won't pee in the snow.

- Posted from my iPhone

Snow Day 4 - Fri., Feb. 4

2011-02-04T21:14:00.001-08:00

We woke up to about 6 inches of snow. Yes, this is Dallas!

- Posted from my iPhone

Snow Day 3- Thurs., Feb.3

2011-02-04T21:12:00.001-08:00

Seriously?!?!! Still sick, still tons of ice. Mack went to Bon Bon's again. I slept until 5:11.

The weather forecasters predicted 1-2" of snow Thurs. night.
my nurse team - Jon, Libby, and Kimber

- Posted from my iPhone

Sick on Snow Days!

2011-02-04T21:08:00.001-08:00

Tues. night, I got a massive wave of the stomach flu. I'll spare you the details but it was bad & nasty.

So bad, in fact, that Tues. Night around 10:30pm I called for Jon, crying, and begged him to take me to the Dr.

At a night at the ER with an IV & I was much better but still sick.

Thank goodness our nanny lives two doors down from us. Tues. Mack stayed home but on Weds., with me sick, Jon walked him down to Bonnie's.

I think he was happy to go, too.

- Posted from my iPhone

Snow Day 1-Tues., Feb.1

2011-02-04T21:03:00.001-08:00

Dallas got a slick layer of ice. So thick, people were ice skating in the streets and in parking lots.

We spent Tues. lounging around, having tickle fights, eating out of boredom, and not bathing.

- Posted from my iPhone

Pre-Snow Days

2011-02-04T21:00:00.001-08:00

We had dinner at the Preston's, where Mack & Lily & Annabelle all took a bath. I didn't have PJs for Mack so we got a glimpse into what our lives would be like if we had an Elizabeth or a Ruth or insert some other cute, biblical girl name.

- Posted from my iPhone

Cheerio Face!

2011-01-30T07:49:00.001-08:00

- Posted from my iPhone

The Great Outdoors

2011-01-08T23:30:00.000-08:00

MBB loves being outdoors so much. He cries when we come inside the house in the evenings. He doesn't care if it is cold, dark or windy. I think I will enjoy this more in the Spring. :)

New Year's Goals 2011

2011-01-08T23:26:00.000-08:00

A lot of my friends blogged about New Year's Goals on Jan. 1 - show offs.

Here are mine -

1. Blog more - blog more for myself, Genesis & start my freelance blog. This includes a blog redesign, too. What's that saying, "the landscaper always has the worst yard?". Yeah.

2. Master the manual settings on my camera.

3. Try Indian food. I have only had Indian food once at the hot bar at Whole Foods. It tasted like stale leftovers. Someone teach me the ways of curry!

4. Declutter house - CHECK! Did this while prepping our house to sell. There is nothing in our closets that we don't need & I have rid our house of tons of paperwork that needed to be shredded.

5. Go to 3 concerts and (re)discover music. Before Mack, we used to listen to a LOT of music and go to plenty of concerts. I miss that. I loved being a fan of bands BEFORE they became popular. I will fix that in 2011.

6. Become addicted to some form of exercise. I think I could become a runner but it is just so boring. Leaning towards yoga but I just need to try something new.

7. Not eat out as much. Cook more and cook with Mack. If this house sells, we will definitely need one of these at the next house.

8. Decide on when/how/if we will expand our family. Infertility is a tricky thing so maybe towards the end of 2011 we will have a 'plan' or some idea of what we would like to do. For now, though, Mack is so much fun, I can't imagine sharing my love and attention with someone else.

Elmore Christmas

2011-01-08T23:16:00.000-08:00

My brother & his family couldn't make it to Christmas this year in Grapevine. We missed them so badly. I'm planning on seeing them in March & can't wait.

Mack & Aunt Beth

Mack & his new chair (it has a gansta lean).

My mother was born & raised in Dayton, OH and each Christmas her sisters send her some Esther Price chocolates. When we were little I remember us kids eating most of the chocolates. Gosh, moms sure are self-less. For the record, I did not have a single chocolate this year. I hope my mom got to enjoy all of them.

Mack being silly with Beth. He is still such a cuddle bug.

After this my camera died & the battery wouldn't charge. I don't even have Burns Christmas pics! I have since replaced my batter charger & we are back in business.

Christmas Decorations 2010

2011-01-08T23:03:00.000-08:00

Half of the Mantle

Stocking - Jon, Mack, Sarah. My sister, Beth, made Mack's stocking. I was supposed to get around to making two that matched it for me & Jon this year but I didn't. Maybe I should do that in the summer when work is slower.

Minimally decorated tree. Mack REALLY liked the ornaments. The tree is completely uneven and instead of star, there are deer antlers. I need to fix that problem. Every morning when we would walk into the living room, Mack would point and say, "Tree!". He was so cute with lights, too. He would say, "ooOOOOOooo" each time he saw tree or house lights.

My grandmother's nativity scene. She got this when she got married in 1947 or 1948ish. It's obviously missing a few pieces (I later found the baby Jesus in the toe of one of the stockings) but it's very sentimental.

Vintage ornaments on the white tree. I began collecting vintage Christmas ornaments the first year of our marriage. I keep an eye out for them at Estate Sales, Canton & Garage Sales. They can be quite pricey but I try to keep it cheap. I have about 45 ornaments & they look great on this white tree in my turquoise, black & white dining room.

Soap Stone Nativity Scene acquired in Kenya in 1996. My first trip to Kenya and I fell in love with this soap stone carved nativity scene. I originally bought it for my grandmother (same one as above) but once I got married she gave it back to me. I love it. I can still remember the face of the man who was carving and selling these.

I designed these to give out to our friends and donors at our Holiday Gala. Using our Holiday branding & regular logo, these ornaments are nothing too special design wise but for sure this ornament will ALWAYS be on my tree. I love this place and the work our amazing counselors and case managers do. I love that I get to help make Christmas happen for hundreds of women & children who think that Santa will never find them in a Shelter. Trust me, he not only finds them but he DELIVERS.

Decade Three

2011-01-06T20:56:00.000-08:00

On Dec. 2nd, I turned 30. Thirty!

I can't believe I'm so old. Okay, it's not really that old but thirty! I've already done all the 'major' things in life - college, traveled parts of the world, marriage, buy a house, birth a child. It feels like I've done it all yet also that I haven't done anything.

I am finally starting to feel more like myself and for that I am grateful because the ages of about 17-22 were very weird for me. I'm so glad I never have to be that age again.

Here's the thing about a Dec. 2 bday. It gets lost in the Holidaze. People are still sitting with their pants undone after Thanksgiving or are already knee-deep in tinsel that birthdays (including mine) are the last thing they want to celebrate.

I mean, I share the birthday month with Jesus. Even though Christ was probably born sometime in the Spring, some ad wizard who needed to bring up sales in the 4th quarter decided to make Dec. 25th the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord & Savior. Which is fine, I guess.

So Jon (along with his mom) planned a surprise party for me. And I was super surprised. For one, I was looking forward to spending that evening in my PJs, in my bed, watching TV or farting around on the internet. He encouraged me to go with him to his parent's to drop Mack off and put on a real shirt (rather than a t-shirt), saying that he'd take me to dinner & coat shopping. I reluctantly put on clothes.

We got to his parents and I came in from the garage towards the kitchen & was stunned to see my entire family (Elmores and Burns) plus dear friends there. It was really great and I still haven't even sent Thank You notes (or all of our Christmas Cards).

It was a great night so if you came, Thank You! I was very surprised to start Decade Three by peeing my pants (just kidding).

Merry Christmas from Team Burns!

2010-12-24T11:40:00.000-08:00

mack is...

2010-11-30T21:02:00.000-08:00

Always

on

the

move

Everyone Gather Around the (Sand) Table

2010-11-30T20:58:00.000-08:00

Scott, Mack & James

Mack was a BIG fan of the sand table

Even after the cold front came in & the temp dropped 25 degrees!

Happy Birthday, Joe!

2010-11-30T20:55:00.000-08:00

The day before Thanksgiving was Jon's younger brother, Joe's, birthday. We were so glad to enjoy an adults only night out with the family (thank you Mimi for babysitting!). Bob, Kay, Zach & Julie, Scott & Nonnie, Jon & me, and Joe & his girlfriend, Erminia (who was in from Italy) celebrated at East Side Cafe in ATX. These pictures make me want to master the manual settings on my camera!

Joe is truly one-of-a-kind. Not only is he extremely smart (Fullbright Scholarship Finalist!) but he is an amazing cook with a passion for Italian food (and of course he is fluent in Italian). He's also the 3rd of 4 and so Joey & I can really connect. :) Joey is always himself no matter what and we really admire that. We're so glad that Joe is Mack's Godfather!
Bob, Zach, Jon, someone's purse, Joe

Be-Fries

2010-11-30T20:42:00.000-08:00

Mack & James had a lot of fun together over Thanksgiving! Whichever one was getting the most attention, the other was sure to copy. James is almost two and quite the talker. He's so bright & polite. He loves to run everywhere, it's so funny. He is into trains and "Big Truck!" right now. James also is starting to watching TV shows for longer than 30 seconds and so Mack would try to sit on the couch and watch with him. Mack didn't last long unless there were goldfish.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-30T20:36:00.000-08:00

I look yuck but Mack looks a little sweet here. I'm surprised he was sitting still!

Licking the whipped cream beaters!

James with his black olive finger

Miss Me?

2010-11-29T20:18:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2009 Flashback

2010-10-31T20:17:00.000-07:00

I ain't 'fraid of no ghost

2010-10-31T20:16:00.000-07:00

James was a bee but said "out, out" everytime the costume was on. Also, for my mother-in-law, please ignore the lack of landscaping in front. That is being redone. There is even a sign next to the scarecrow that says Please Excuse Our Mess.

Dallas Zoo pt. 2

2010-10-31T20:12:00.000-07:00

Me, Julie & Kay

James & Zach

Zach, James & Julie (I don't have one of James looking at the camera)

Why, yes, I am wearing Mack's backpack.

Dallas Zoo

2010-10-31T20:09:00.000-07:00

We went to the Dallas Zoo this past Sat. with Jon's mom, her sister, Dan'l, her daughter-in-law and grandkids and her daughter & granddaughter. Zach, Julie & James were in town, too. Jon & I got a membership & can take a free guest, so if anyone wants to go, let me know! We get discounts for other people, free parking & children under 2 are free.

Jon, Mack, Kay & James & I took the DART out to the zoo, which was fun but in all honesty, it would have been fast for us to drive. One day Dallas will be a cool big city & the trains will be more convenient. For now, we will enjoy our SUV with the (semi) clean interior and safe seating.

Mack petting the Goats.

Checking out the ducks.

Aunt Dan'l bought all the kids a Pony ride. Mack was in the middle of saying, "Weeeeee!"

Rocky Top

2010-10-31T19:55:00.000-07:00

My dad is a HUGE Tennessee fan & got Big Mack this UT (the REAL UT) tee.

Sin-a-Man Rolls

2010-10-31T19:50:00.000-07:00

Have you ever made The Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls? You should.

State Fair of Corny Dogs

2010-10-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

We finally made it to the State Fair of Texas the week before it closed. It was hot. It was crowded. The jogging stroller got a flat tire while Mack was sleeping in it & it made for a very hard time of pushing it. Luckily, Da-Da has since replaced the inner tube. Mack loved the petting zoo & gave many of the animals kisses (yuck!). We got our one corny dog, saw the Tom Landry exhibit, drooled over the new Chevys & then headed home. I think next year will be more fun because Mack will be a bit older & can enjoy it more.

Elmore Family Vacation 2010

2010-09-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

Back in mid-July, the Elmores decided to meet up for a family vacation.
The Dallas Elmores loaded up Griswold-style in a 15 passenger van and met the Charlotte Elmores in beautiful ConCan, Texas to float the Frio.

Mack's New Slide!

2010-09-12T21:01:00.000-07:00

"Weeeeeeee!!!"

What makes you think we have a toddler?

2010-08-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

Giving Brownie a Kiss

2010-08-16T20:39:00.000-07:00

Mack loves to pass out kisses but he is VERY selective as to who gets them. Usually Brown Dog gets the most kisses. Mack just leans his whole face into your cheek or neck. It's adorable :)

Fortune Telling

2010-08-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

We took this picture at our local Albertson's probably a week before Mack was born. If only we had known Mack would have colic, we totally would've bought these.

Again, with the Rule Breaking

2010-08-16T20:32:00.001-07:00

Mack's Favorite Toy

2010-08-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

Mack's favorite toy was given to him by his Grammy the day he got tubes. It's the best $14 anyone has ever spent on Mack (thanks, mom!). If he was stranded (and properly supervised) on a desert island, that book would be the one item he would take.

So it looks like we never change his clothes but I swear we do! I think what happens is Jon is always pulling the clean outfit on top and it's constantly getting re-washed & put back on top. It's so odd that Jon would do that because he is so particular about how he dresses himself *insert eyeroll here*.

Such Talent

2010-08-16T20:27:00.001-07:00

Bath Stein

2010-08-16T20:27:00.000-07:00

First Lasagna

2010-08-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

Mack's first lasagna. He loved it (of course).

Rule Breaker

2010-08-16T20:24:00.000-07:00

My co-workers often call me a "rule breaker". You see, I think most 'rules' are really just suggestions. Like in a parking lot. Sometimes lots are marked 'dry cleaners only' or 'To Go Parking Only'. Those are just suggestions, you can't be ticketed or arrested for parking there if you aren't going to the drycleaners or picking up a take out order.

It's easy to see that Mack is going to be like his Ma.

Make It Right

2010-08-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

Mack loves his tool bench (thank you, nonners!!!). Hopefully he doesn't mind sharing tools with his Daddy because there is no way I'm spending more money on tools!

Check him out in the last picture. He is not allowed to stand on the fireplace hearth although he may sit on it. That squat and look on his face is his "testing pose". He'll squat down and turn and look to Jon or I to see if we tell him "no".

He's only one, too. I think it's going to be like this for everything that could be/is dangerous until you master it. As long as he never wants those stupid wheely shoes, I think I can handle it.

Burns/Kartous Birthday Celebration

2010-08-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

Jon's family got together the week of Mack's Birthday to celebrate his birthday and just see each other! It was such a good time and Mack had no problems eating the Bumble Bee Cupcake Cake his cousin, James, picked out for him!

Mack is One!

2010-08-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

Mack Benjamin Burns turned One on Friday, June 25, 2010.

Is it possible for this to be both the longest and shortest year of our lives?

Being the Mean Mean Momma that I am, I took him for his one year check up the day of his birthday (hence the band-aids on his chubby thighs). He was excelling at all the important development milestones. I think that means we are doing an okay job. He had just started walking a few steps at a time and to show off for Dr. Yaeger he decided to continually walk laps in the examination room. There's been no stopping him since.

At age one, Mack is a combo of the 14 & 15 month milestone chart found here.
He is 31.5 inches (90th percentile) and 25lbs (75th percentile). I'm sure he will get his dad's height and he is already starting to thin out and look like a toddler instead of the cutest baby in the world.

He is growing, moving and learning so fast, I can't even list everything! I will admit that after getting his tubes in April I was very worried about his language delay but he seems right on track and at one year had a few words down (most children have at least two words at one) - Ma, Dada, Bon Bon (his care-giver, Bonnie), Ba (for bottle or sippy cup).

We had a lot of scheduling conflicts for Mack's Birthday so he actually had two parties. The day of his birthday my family joined Jon, Mack and me at our favorite restaurant, Tony's, for pasta & cupcakes. It was a simple day to celebrate the best thing about our simple little family.

Mack has taught us so much about how to love and be loved - we can't imagine our lives without him. What were we doing before he was in our lives? Clearly, it was not as fun as this because I barely remember that life.

I Heart Cupcakes

New Boot Goofin'

2010-08-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

Mack was days away from walking (and only days away from turning one!) and he didn't (and still doesn't) take too kindly to shoes. They've seemed kind of pointless to me until now so I got him these ones with a squeaker after seeing my friend Amy's little girl, Eleanor, wear them. They are supposed to help train the new walker to walk heel-toe but I got them to mainly annoy the dogs :)

The way he acted when he first tried them on reminded me of this scene from Reno 911!

Sanity Vaction 2010

2010-08-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

It's no secret to anyone in our lives that the past 10 months have been extremely challenging on our little family. I think we did pretty good until the end :)

People (usually those with the dramatic tendencies - ahem, me) sometimes exclaim, "I need a vacation!" but in our case, we really did. We've gone off for weekends away but haven't really made it a priority to give ourselves one on one time since our Honeymoon five years ago.

We needed a Sanity Vacation and we had simple criteria: beach, books, bed. At first I was researching little cabana/casitas in Tulum, Mexico that were completely off the grid - no electricity sounded like heaven to me (i.e. Leave me alone & don't try to contact me). When you get hot, the ocean is right there. When the sun sets, you go to bed and when it comes up the next day, you wake up. I would love to go to one of the places I found on my own sometime. I think it would be heaven.

In the end, we decided on an adults-only, all-inclusive resort in Tulum. For 6 whole days in early June, we woke up and headed to the beach where we stayed each day until dusk. I read several books, broke out my vintage U2 iPod (it surprisingly still works), and took naps! Naps, people! Breaks in the day! I haven't slept as good as I slept in Tulum since Sept. of 2008, just before I got pregnant. It was amazing.

The staff was exceptional and brought us tons of drinks. Upon my return a co-worker informed me that the phrase I had used repeatedly for Pepsi refills, "Bebe Frescas", was not, in fact, the term used for cold drink. Oops. At least I mastered 'Cerveza'. To snorkel, we just headed out in the ocean and join the docked Snorkel Boats hanging out straight from the resort. It was a fabulous time and did I mention? - the.best.sleep I have had in at least two years.

Here are some pics (sorry there's not more but this is seriously all we did for 6 days):

Jon mastered the art of hammocking

Us, Day 1

View at 7am

We made it 5 years but I'm not so sure year 4 should count....

Mack's Nursery

2010-06-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've ever posted pictures of Mack's nursery. In honor of his first birthday, here they are.

Mack's Birth Day Revisited

2010-06-25T20:02:00.000-07:00

Father's Day

2010-06-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

Dot Race

2010-06-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I came into some Rangers tickets directly behind Home Plate. When I called my mom to arrange some babysitting I found out my nephew, Matt, was coming up from Charlotte, Texas for a few days. Matt is a huge baseball fan and the forecast was predicting a 100 degree Sunday Game. I was happy to send Matt, my other nephew, Grant, my brother-in-law, Derek, and my Dad to the game. From what I understand, they had a lot of fun, even in the heat. Kids will sacrifice anything for their passion and Matt and Grant were thrilled to sweat it out to enjoy the Rangers. The boys told me the Red Dot won the Dot Race.

Matt, on the left - he's the perfect cross of his Mom and his Dad, my brother, John. Grant, on the right. Grant is....well, Grant. :)

I think the heat was starting to get to them here.

Grant running down the hall to the field. The boys got to run the bases after the game. I can't wait for Mack to be able to do that.

Grant bringing it Home.

Mack is 11 Months!

2010-05-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mack is 11 months old today!

I can't believe in just one month he will be one year old - where has the time gone? It's been the craziest year of my life for sure but Mack has been my one constant and my biggest joy.

Mack is all over the place, I can barely keep up. Look at those red knees - he is the fastest crawler in town and is just itching to walk. He has mastered standing on his own and "cruising". I have caught him several times when he would take a step and then realize what he was doing and stop and sit down. He can sit from a standing position and stand from a sitting position. He tries to climb anything and everything - stairs, coffee tables, couches, wagons, fireplaces, TV consoles, chairs and more.

He says Mama and Dada with a purpose, loves patty cake, "where's Mack?", his tunnel, Libby & Brown Bear (our labs), his mom - he is a mama's boy right now. He loves his dad's silly voices and being tickled by his beard. He thinks it's so funny when Libby barks. He can put smaller objects in large containers and remove them. His favorite toy is an electric book that Grammy (my mom) gave him when he got tubes. It sings different nursery rhymes.

He is as curious as ever, focusing on new items until he can figure out what exactly he can do with it. Jon had to child-proof the kitchen cabinets the other week after Mack pulled a bowl out and it broke. He is still trying each and every day to open all the cabinets. I love that he never gives up.

Mack loves books with texture. On his nightstand currently is Dog, Tails, Goodnight Moon and The Big Red Barn. We rock in the chair in his room and read the books, he loves to turn the pages himself and is so fascinated by the textures in Dog and Tails.

He is obviously a great eater, weighing in at 23lbs and 31 inches, 60th and 90th percentiles. He has been eating table food for a few months now and we have dropped down to two bottles a day - morning and night. His favorite foods are peaches, sweet potatoes, pears, avocados, cheerios, cheese ravioli, chicken and shredded cheese. We still haven't tried beef yet but there is no doubt that he would love it. He is a messy, messy, messy eater. He hasn't figured out that you don't have to throw the sippy cup when you are done with it but I'm sure that will come.

He has a love/hate relationship with baths these days - he loves playing in them but hates the actual bathing part.

Mack is excelling in his fine and gross motor skills and catching up on his language skills since having his tubes put in. He imitates so many sounds and noises - especially a bath toy duck that goes, "quack, quack, quack, quack".

He has dropped his 5pm cat nap for the most part but Mondays are always long days and yesterday we took a long cuddle nap. We haven't done that in several weeks and I have definitely missed it. There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe my love for Mack and this is only the beginning.

Noah's 4th Birthday Party!

2010-05-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

My good friend Erin's son, Noah, turned 4 this past weekend. Noah is the smartest red headed little boy but I think Mack could become a close second! His birthday party was at the Frisco Fire Station which the older kids loved. Mack loved climbing on the trucks and hearing the bells being rung. Unfortunately we never saw the fire station dog :(

Mommy & Mack

Daddy & Mack - I love both of these expressions

Notice a theme of fingers in the mouth? Mack is teething (finally!). He has one coming in on the bottom and I'm sure several more right behind it.

Mack's a climber. Even though he can stand on his own it scared me to death for him to be up on the truck by himself. I'm officially my mom now.

Mack in the Bluebonnets

2010-05-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

Mack's Hair

2010-05-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

Mack's hair is becoming more and more interesting by the day. It's slowly turning a strawberry-ish, blonde-ish, red-ish hue. As it grows in length, a slight curl is coming in.

After a bath, Mack has what we call "Bill Murray" Hair.

Mack is 10 Months Old!

2010-05-01T20:12:00.000-07:00

Mack turned 10 months old on April 25th!

He is 23lbs and 30" tall, putting him the 80th percentile for his age.

He is VERY mobile - crawling faster than I can keep up with sometimes, pulling up, standing & "cruising" from one piece of furniture to the next. He says "ma" with a purpose (but he's done that for a while now) and is starting to say "dada" with a purpose.

He has recently learned "no" and when we tell him "no", he looks at us and shakes his head "no". Blerg. I'm sure that is just the tip of the iceberg of what is to come.

He is still a great eater & we recently incorporated some meats into his diet but he doesn't really care too much for them. His favorite food is probably sweet potatoes and hard boiled eggs. He is a very messy eater, too.

He is learning to wave "goodbye" and still loves playing patty-cake & peek-a-boo.

Mack loves his swing, wagon, and playing with all the toys shaped like tools that Crazy Aunt Mare has bought him. Nonny recently got him a work bench which is starting to explore with lots of curiosity.

Unfortunately, since about Feb., he had been suffering from earache after earache. With Jon out of commission, Mack being sick has definitely been trying but luckily both set of our parents have been helping out tons. In addition to the ear pain, I didn't think Mack was as vocal as he should be and sometimes when we called his name it would take several tries before he turned to look at us. Mommy intuition told me to see an ENT where we found out his ears were pretty bad.

Just a few days after turning 10 months, Mack had tubes put in his ears. We are already seeing such a difference! His runny nose has cleared up, he is more vocal and is sleeping so much better.

Here Comes Mack Cottontail...

2010-04-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

Easter 2010

With Aunt Hannah - April 24, 2010

2010-04-24T21:08:00.000-07:00

Like His Mom, He Can Sleep Anywhere

2010-04-24T21:07:00.001-07:00

Just Do It.

2010-04-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

With Aunt Beth at the Make the Break 5K that benefits Genesis Women's Shelter

Previously on Lost

2010-04-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

You'll understand this only if you watch Lost and only if you've seen the episode that aired April 20th

Solving the Rubik's Cube

2010-04-24T20:55:00.000-07:00

Pulling His Weight Around the House

2010-04-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

Wishing He Was in the Mayberry Jail

2010-04-24T20:50:00.000-07:00

Things I Don't Have Time For

2010-04-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

One Car Pile Up

2010-04-24T20:47:00.000-07:00

First Dip in Chlorine

2010-04-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem

2010-04-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

The Only Way to Get the Green Beans Off

2010-04-24T20:42:00.000-07:00

Learnin' songs from Nonnie - April 1, 2010

2010-04-24T20:41:00.000-07:00

Mack at the Arboretum with Grammie and Grandpa - April 3, 2010

2010-04-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

Toes

2010-04-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

Jon's Surgery - Round Two

2010-03-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

Jon's back surgery in October did not go as planned and he will have surgery again tomorrow. Once again, it will be about 8-12 weeks before he can hold Mack again so I wanted to get a few pics of them tonight.

After surgery Jon will look like this:

or this:

If you think about it tomorrow, say a prayer for us!

Mack - Nine Months

2010-03-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

Mack was 9 months on March 25th! It's an understatement to say that time flies fast. We go for our 9 month appointment next week (I think?) and we'll find out stats then. My guess is his weight is around 23lbs and height is around 30 to 31 inches.

Mack is pulling up on everything, crawling faster than we can keep up with, attempting to stand on his own, eating teeny tiny bite sized fruits and veggies (no dairy or meat yet), trying to master the sippy cup of water, clapping, laughing, standing up and jumping in his crib, he likes to hand us toys and then take them away, puts smaller toys into bigger toys, tries to dance to music, tries to kiss (open mouth only), is still saying "Ma" for me when he's fussy, expanding his language to "da da da da", still taking snuggle naps with Jon or myself and he loves books.

Last weekend Jon hung his swing in our front yard, we have two adriondack chairs out there and we've been swinging every day after his snuggle nap. Jon also put together the wagon that Grammy Kay & Grandpa got Mack for Christmas. He LOVES that - it has 4 cup holders!

We attempted this family picture tonight with the timer on our camera. Mommy looks tired.

Single-File Line, Ladies

2010-03-17T07:16:00.001-07:00

Where's Mack?

2010-03-09T16:30:00.001-08:00

Mack Applauds His Own Special Talent

2010-02-28T18:49:00.000-08:00

We've been working on clapping and waving goodbye and of course while we are out of town this past weekend Mack decides to take up the clapping. Looks like he's going to be a pretty funny guy, too.

Mack's First Ash Wednesday

2010-02-18T07:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday so Mack & I went to the 6pm service (Jon went during school). It was a bit crowded but Mack loved the singing and babbled through the entire service because he was tired. He made friends with the couple behind us, tried to tear up the misselet and also wanted to gum the bench in front of us. At one point during communion (when the bells ring - a very quiet, solemn time) he let a loud shriek! He got ashes (barely visible here since he was snuggling into me a lot) and a blessing during communion.

He was happy to get home to see his Daddy and get in bed!

Waiting for Dr. Yaeger

2010-02-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

Jon and Mack are at the pediatrician's office & Jon just emailed me this picture. Mack has a nasty cough/cold and probably a sore throat, too (he cries when he coughs). Jon said he is giving himself kisses in the mirror, tearing up the paper and breaking the scale - he weighed in at 21lbs!

Out of Hibernation

2010-02-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

Tunnel Vision

2010-02-07T07:05:00.000-08:00

Nonnie (who is Jon's mom's best friend) bought Mack a tunnel yesterday at Target. He saw the one that Uncle Joe got James and just had to have one himself. I was at a Junior League thing all day yesterday and then met up with Jon & Mack at his parents house where Mack was hanging out at one end of the tunnel. I went down to the other end & he crawled straight to me. I think it's because I always whisper in his ear, "Mommy loves you most."

Cousin James' First Birthday

2010-02-01T06:57:00.000-08:00

James' First Fiesta was scheduled for the Saturday of the funeral so Julie and Zach changed it to this past weekend. I was so glad that we got to be there for it, especially now that Mack can crawl and sit up and actually play with (or next to) James.

Best Friends - They just don't know it yet.

Mack's Fiesta Sombrero

Birthday Cake

Birthday Cake Over

Ma & her Mack

James and his dad, Zach

Nonners and her boys (the next generation)

Mack going after the Pinata

Heads or Tails?

2010-02-01T06:55:00.000-08:00

Now that Mack can crawl he is spending more time inspecting the dogs' tails, paws and faces - especially when they give him kisses.

Reunited

2010-02-01T06:53:00.000-08:00

Mack hasn't seen his Grandpa in several weeks (Bob's been in Rockford). He was thrilled tonight when Bob came over just to see him. (Jon obviously didn't get his hair from his father).

Bath Boy

2010-02-01T06:51:00.000-08:00

Mack still loves his baths! (And the carrots all over his face)

Toy Box

2010-02-01T06:40:00.000-08:00

A Mack Milestone

2010-02-01T06:31:00.000-08:00

While we were in Rockford/Chicago, Mack began crawling forwards.
This is the day we got back Jan. 26th- he's so much faster now, I'll have to upload new video.

The Burns Family Tries to Take a Group Picture

2010-02-01T06:28:00.000-08:00

Crazy Town!

Love Train

2010-02-01T06:21:00.000-08:00

I love the Burns Family. I'm pretty sure one of the main reasons I love Jon is because of his family. I know a lot of people say that about their spouses but I sincerely mean it. They love to have a good time when they get together.

Jon's uncles Rick & Jon are talented musicians and after the funeral they played well into the night while the family sang, shed a few tears, shared memories of Grammy and danced. They played all kinds of music, including old Irish jigs that Grammy loved.

Here we are (I'm filming and providing lame commentary) starting a Love Train.

Chi-Town

2010-02-01T06:19:00.000-08:00

On our way back from Rockford we stayed in Chicago for about 24 hours. For us to fly back on a Sunday was going to be like $600 per person one way. To fly back on Monday it was $103 per person one way - so we froze our butts off in Chicago for a bit.

We got there Sunday afternoon and Jon & I ate at Gino's East. It was good but not that great - the best part was the Garlic dressing, which I will attempt to recreate in due time.

Jon then met up with his brothers and cousin to watch the NFC Championship game & I did some shopping on Michigan Ave. Let me save you a shopping trip - they have everything there that we have in Dallas. I'm sure in the summer it's nicer but freezing my arse off while going from store to store is not my idea of fun. Plus Chicago has so much more to offer than shopping!

Jon didn't have a hat or gloves so I stopped in a Gap to grab some for him. I asked the sales clerk what I had to do, reminding her that in Dallas we have equally great shopping. She suggested that I should "not miss out on Cheesecake Factory". The Tourism Center of Chicago would be so disappointed.

Sunday night the boys headed out for a steak dinner while I read & took a long, hot shower. I was still full from my Gino's lunch.

______________________________________________

On Monday, Jon and I went off on our own to The Field Museum. If I had more time and I was visiting again in the winter I think I would visit as many museums as I could. There are several art museums that I would have loved to see.

Leaving our hotel, headed to the L, we were right across the street from Harry Caray's.

The Field Museum - This is what a museum building should look like. (Hear that City of Dallas??)

Totem Poles

Taxidermy Elephants - The Field has one of the largest collections of taxidermy in the world. Most were collected in the early 1900s by The Field's curators. We spent a LOT of time looking at these. They were so interesting because the animals were killed over a 100 years ago and you could look at all the details of the animals. They must've had every bird ever.

Sue - The most complete T-Rex ever found. Only a few bones were missing. Her skull is so heavy that it's actually in another location (this is a replica).

Jon with the hog display

An artist works on drawing a peacock's tail feathers.

The basement has Egyptian artifacts - including several mummies. Even after back surgery Jon can not move a block to build a pyramid.

In the Egyptian exhibit I turned a corner and got startled when I saw this:

I gasped & called Jon over - this had to be Michael Jackson's plastic surgery inspiration. I kept looking at it and an employee on a cherry picker who was working on part of the exhibit said that I wasn't the first who had noticed this & there had even been several news stories about it. RIP, MJ.

Across from The Field is Soldier Field. Had it not been so cold and windy we probably would have explored it more but honestly, I couldn't wait to get on the warm bus.

We loved our small taste of Chicago and we will be back this summer for one of Jon's cousin's wedding. Mack will be with us and we have big plans to take him to Millennium Park and The Shedd Aquarium. I loved the public transportation - I do in all big cities I visit - NYC, London, even Rome's isn't that bad (although you will get robbed). I hope in ten years Dallas could be as easy to navigate via public transportation.

Amazing Grace - Rockford, Illinois

2010-02-01T06:17:00.000-08:00

We've been MIA. Hopefully you've noticed!

We were sad to have to go to Rockford, Il to pay our last respects to Jon's beautiful paternal grandmother, Grammy Grace. Her health had been declining for the last few months (since about Thanksgiving) and on January 20th, 6 years after Big Jim (her son) went to heaven, Grace joined him and her husband. She was surrounded by her 11 living children and most of their spouses.

Jon & I packed up Mack and sent him to my parent's house and we made our way to frigid Rockford. Although the circumstances were sad, Jon & I were both grateful for the family time - he hadn't been to Rockford in about 16 years. I've met all of his father's siblings but I got to meet cousins that I've only heard of as "the Cape Cousins" or "the California Cousins".

Some of the Pall Bears - Jon's brothers Jeff & Zach, cousin Brian and Jon.

Jon's talented uncles, Rick and Jon, performed at the Rosary, Funeral and the After Party.

After the Funeral the Burns Family celebrates life with food & drink! I snapped this picture after I noticed how both Jon & Brian had the same technique for keeping their ties clean while they shoveled their faces full of Italian Meatballs.

Mack's Six Month Pictures - Sneak Peek

2010-01-24T18:32:00.000-08:00

We're in Chicago for the night, about to go to a fabulous Steak House but I just saw this in my e-mail and had to share.

Thanks to Mike from BluDoor Stuidos for taking the great pics!

Mack Burns, Future Food Critic?

2010-01-13T19:20:00.001-08:00

Skype

2010-01-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

Do you Skype? We love it at our house. We Skype with family & friends who live near and far. It's a great way for them to see me in my PJs, our messy house and see Mack as he grows.

I snapped a picture of Mack & I Skyping with Nonners and Grammy Kay tonight. Mack likes to press the buttons on the laptop and move the mouse. It's very annoying and I feel bad saying, "no" when he's only 6 months!

Beautiful Wedding Invites

2010-01-12T19:17:00.000-08:00

Some of you may not know exactly what it is I do for a living. My title is Marketing but at a smaller non-profit that is an all-encompassing word for the following jobs: advertising, graphic design, public relations, social media and marketing. I love my job because of this. Not only do I get to come up with the marketing ideas, I also get to execute them from soup to nuts - including the graphic design which I am loving more as I learn how to create the ideas in my head. Currently, I am in invitation mode - designing the invite for our annual Mother's Day Luncheon with Condi Rice.

I have two amazing co-workers on my team, one of which is getting married in late February. LB came up with the design concept of her wedding invites and I designed them. I think they came out really well. When the envelope came in the mail Jon opened it before I got home. He told me that LB's invite came and it looked really good! I told him Thank You & he had forgotten I designed them! I'm taking that as a nice compliment since JBB rarely notices any type of design.

Anyways, I thought you might like a look at them. I'm especially in love with the scripty font.

Leona's very talented friend (not me) did the calligraphy. It is gorgeous & really sets the tone of the event. Jon & I can't wait for Landon & Leona's wedding in the Hill Country!

New Laundry Nook

2010-01-12T19:03:00.000-08:00

Here's the pic I promised of our completed laundry nook (they didn't build laundry rooms in 1959). The best thing about this area is the new garage door. The old one was super rickety & had a window in it! This one is steel so it's my giant magnet board on which to put old, embarrassing pictures and wedding Save The Dates (currently there are 4 on there!). You can't see the cabinets above the dryer (and on opposite side above the washer) but they are super organized, which I love. I'm not sure what that rack on top of the dryer is for - I should probably read the directions but for now it is holding a pair of jeans that I don't want to put in the dryer and when it is not holding that, it holds my purse :).

Mack Benjamin Burns - Six Months

2010-01-07T08:10:00.000-08:00

Sofie the Giraffe was well worth $23

Mack was 6 months on Christmas Day!

He shares his birthday with the death of Michael Jackson and his half-birthday with Jesus' birthday - this could make for some fun costumes in the future.

Mack is 27.75 inches long (I guess you aren't tall until you can stand on your own?) and weighs 18lbs and 14 oz! He is in the 70% percentile for weight & height and 25% for head.

Working on his fitness

Mack can roll over, sit on his own, get in crawling position, crawl backwards (working on the forwards), jump & bounce in his bouncer seat thing, press buttons (especially the frog on his infant carrier), grab and shake toys and move them from one hand to the other. He can be pulled up into a standing position and loves to stand on the couch.

Our favorite time of the week is Saturday Mornings

With "Ma"

MBB loves to eat (obvs) & started solid foods after Thanksgiving. He loves avocados, sweet potatoes, prunes and green beans. He is a true DIYer and tries to feed himself solids and can hold his own bottle. If he sees a bottle, he will grunt & grab for it - even if it's empty! He recently became a fan of Mum Mums over Christmas break.

Mack continues to be a love bug - cuddling with whoever is holding him. He & I spoon & cat nap daily at 5pm. He falls to sleep after I sing "Silent Night" or "Away in a Manager" - even though I sing badly!

He laughs, giggles and blows razzberries. He has been saying "Ma" since about one month old and Nonners truely believes he knows that I am "Ma" and has known this since the entire time I've been saying "Ma". Mack can also raise one eyebrow at a time and has the most facial expressions of all my parent's grandchildren (so says my dad).

Mack is thoroughly entertained by his dad - one of the few people who can send him into giggle fits. He loves both Grammy & Papaw and Grammy Kay & Grandpa. Both Grammies are excellent cuddlers and some of his favorite playmates. He still loves Papaw's shoulder and after cuddling on it Mack smells of my dad until his next bath - making me remember my dad's bear hugs from when I was little. His Grandpa calls him "Turtle" and sends Mack into giggles by whistling.

Mack's aunts, uncles and cousins are in love with him. He is especially fond of Uncle Jeff (loves his silly faces & likes to occasionally spit up on him) and his Aunts Hannah and Beth. He is looking forward to keeping up with his cousin James (who is 5 months older) once he can crawl!

with Aunt Beth

with Aunt Hannah

Snow on Christmas Eve!

Jon & I continue to fall more in love with him each and every day. We are overwhelmed by all these amazing, new feelings we have for Mack. Yes, our lives have drastically shifted but we would both say for the better. We both count down the hours to get home to be with him - just to see what he's doing and how we can make him laugh! We are both so blessed to have family-friendly jobs that allow us to maximize our time with him.

Mack Attacks His Giraffe

2010-01-03T19:54:00.001-08:00

Back to Normal....somewhat

2010-01-03T19:52:00.000-08:00

Our house is back in order- pictures of the new laundry area to come. Right now, I'm lying on the couch semi-watching the 3rd Lord of the Rings with Jon. It's 10pm & the first time I've been up all day. I've been massively sick (flu-like symptoms) and *hopefully* will be better tomorrow.

These Are My Confessions

2009-12-30T21:50:00.000-08:00

I belong to a private message board with about 20 amazing women on it. I see some of these girls in person maybe once every six weeks or so but I 'talk' to them online each and every day. Today one of the girls posted a subject entitled "Confessions" in which she shared she hadn't left the couch in two days. Another girl hadn't showered in three, a few girls had loads of laundry & dishes piled up. One has taken up World of Warcraft(much teasing ensued & then talk of worlds, Mr. T & guilds - I have no idea what that means).

Anyways, I did not share a confession because at the time I thought it was even too big for Father Libone up at St. Thomas (our parish).

My Confession is This:
Our house is a wreck. No, even more so than usual.

It started with this: (even the garage is a mess!)

Jon found this top of the line LG Tromm Front Loader Dryer on super sale at Home Depot. Marked down from $1,200 to $409. We bought it instantly.

So then I said, "Hey, we never painted the laundry room. We should do that."

"And replace the trim," said Jon

"And replace the door to the garage - what is up with that freaky window?" said I.

And then Mack got sick. And then Jon.

So for the past two days, Jon & I have been taking turns sleeping, caring for Mack & (slowly) working on the laundry room.

And the area from our laundry room to the dining room looks like this:

On the plus side I did get my Christmas stuff down - of course there is still a broom in the corner.

Mack Blows Razzzzzzberries

2009-12-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

Bear Coat

2009-12-09T07:09:00.001-08:00

It's 26F here today. Good thing Mack has a bear coat.

Oh Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how pointy are your branches?

2009-12-01T19:57:00.001-08:00

Mack's first Christmas Tree, a Noble Fir.