Dear Makenzie, there’s someone I always want you to remember…

July 15, 2013 by · 4 Comments

Dear Makenzie,

A few months back I promised I would use part of this blog to write to you all about life and lessons and love.  I promised I’d tell you all about the important things I always want to you tuck away in a safe spot in your heart.  I have something very important I want to share with you.  I want to tell you all about your Great Aunt Lorraine.

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Aunt Lorraine at the Q family reunion a few years back with her “Q” award

This week has been a very sad week for our family because we lost your wonderful Great Aunt Lorraine after a courageous battle with a disease not worth mentioning.  I write this post to you because I always want you to know about Aunt Lorraine!  She was hilarious, interesting, beautiful, talented and SO FUN!!!

Your Great Aunt Lorraine was the coolest Aunt!  She used to have a light-up Christmas sweatshirt, which always made me smile when I was a kid.   And she and Uncle Jim were always taking Aunt Melissa and I fun places when we were little – Indians games, Nutcracker ballet, and even a trip to Canada once.

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Your mom and Aunt Lorraine, sometime in the 90’s

I can write for days about the wonderful memories I have of Aunt Lorraine but most importantly I want you to know about her ability to always find the bright side of things.  She really really knew how to enjoy life.  I hope you someday do the same.

Pictures are really worth a thousand words so I have included some pictures below for you to know all about your Great Aunt Lorraine.  She will be forever missed.

Love you lots Kenz,

Mom, xoxo

Aunt Lorraine Uncle Jim

Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Jim – so in love!!

Aunt Lorraine camera

Aunt Lorraine loved her photography

Aunt Lorraine zany

Always so so fun!

Aunt Lorraine photography

Some of her photography talent

Aunt Lorraine taking a picture

Always capturing the sunsets

PS  I’m so glad that Aunt Lorraine was able to see your sweet smile and get to know you!  Check out her time with you…

Aunt Lorraine and Makenzie

Makenzie you were just a few weeks old when we took your first road trip to Ohio to meet Aunt Lorraine

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Wisdom from Aunt Lorraine to you at your shower!

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At your baby shower everyone wrote you notes. Aunt Lorraine wrote about you, “She will be a star in Hollywood” Maybe someday you will!

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I think this was her secret…

Secret of genius

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Mommy McBlog and the Pursuit of Happiness

July 2, 2013 by · 1 Comment

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

happy bday americaand

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY McBLOG!

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A big celebration in the McGee House!  And Yes, even a laptop needs a bib when eating dessert.

The two Birthday kids are about 236 years apart but it turns out they share a common theme – the pursuit of happiness.

The pursuit of happiness theme probably make sense to you when it comes to our country, but let me explain how it pertains to a blog…

One year ago yesterday (July 4, 2012) I published the very first Mommy McBlog post, and since then I’ve fallen in love.  When it comes to blogging I really feel like I’ve found my little place in this world.  It makes me happy to be able to put my experiences into words, and I’m hoping that some of my random rambling resonates with others too.  In 365 days I’ve managed to turn my experiences into 85 blog posts that have been read by people in 36 countries.  Crazy right?  Thank you, thank you, thank you!   I’m incredibly honored that you’ve stopped by to read about this journey of ours.

But I think this blog can be even more…

I’m a big believer in dreams and call me crazy but I have a huge dream about this blog.  Someday I want Mommy McBlog to be a household name for Moms.  Someday I’d love to have opportunities to personally meet and speak to Moms groups.  Someday I’d love the honor to be considered the expert in parenting with a sense of humor (not to be confused with an expert parent, which I’m clearly not).  Someday I’d love for people to be able to read this blog and feel like they they’re not alone with the challenges of parenting.

Parenting is no joke, but I think it can be made much easier with some humor.  I definitely don’t recall humor being a topic in any part of birth class so here I am to bring it to the forefront of parent’s minds.   And here is my ask for you… if you hate the blog, tell me what I can do to make it better.  If you like the blog, tell me what other topics you want to hear about.  If you love the blog, pass it along.  share it with friends, neighbors, sisters and other Moms!

Perhaps in another 236 years people will be shooting off fireworks and grilling up burgers and weenies to celebrate the birthday of Mommy McBlog!  Perhaps not, but even if you think I’m nuts, follow my journey so your children’s children’s children can enjoy another federal holiday over the summer.

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Follow along…

Mommy McBlog

on the pursuit of Parenting Happiness!

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How having a baby saved my golf game

July 2, 2013 by · 1 Comment

It turns out that having a baby can save your golf game.  Yep, true story.  They don’t mention this tip in Golf Digest, and there’s not a product infomercial for this, but it can happen.

First let’s venture back to the pre-Makenzie days.  Denny and I used to golf pretty regularly.  We’d hit up the golf dome in the winter and head to the course at least a few times each month in the summer.  I had fun with Denny but my relationship with golf was questionable.  I would lose golf balls, I would lose my patience, and sometimes I would lose my interest in the game altogether.

Golf and I were frenemies in every sense of the word.  Think Kanye and Taylor Swift; think Paris and Nicole; think Erin and golf.

Then sweet Makenzie arrived.  Gone were the days of spontaneously jumping in the car and heading to the driving range.  Gone were the days of 18 holes on lazy Sunday mornings.  Gone were the days of focusing time and energy on our hobbies.  Obviously we’re crazy about our little munchkin but lately we’ve barely had energy to walk 52 yards to bed let alone to walk 5,200 yards on a golf course.

But last weekend Denny’s parents kindly volunteered to watch  Kenzie girl so that we could head out and golf and we took them up on the offer.    The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing and Denny and I had four wonderful hours together.  It was GLORIOUS!!  In fact it was so glorious that I didn’t care if I lost a ball, or lost the game.  I was just glad to have a little us time.  And it turns out that not caring is really a good way to play golf.  I played like a champ and almost made it to the double digits.  Score!!!

It’s been a really good year.  I’ve gained a daughter.  I’ve gained a new appreciation for four hours of undisturbed quiet time with my husband.  I’ve gained a few less strokes on my golf score card.  And I’ve gained a BFF in golf!

Who knows, maybe Paris and Nicole will make up again someday too.

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Liebster – to inspire and be inspired

June 28, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Grammys, Oscars, Tonys, Liebsters… talk about elite awards!!

For those of you (likely all of you) wondering what the heck a Liebster award is, pull up a chair and grab a sippy cup…

                   

The Liebster Award is an award given to the little guys by the little guys. You have to have less than 200 follows to be eligible.  I was nominated by a friend and fellow bobcat, Shannon at Smile & Write.  Go check out her blog!

THE RULES!
1) Each blogger should answer the questions the tagger has set for you.
2) Choose 11 new bloggers to pass the award on to and link them in your post   (I’m a super rebel because I didn’t tag 11)
3) Create 11 new questions for the chosen bloggers.
4) Go back to their page and tell them about the award.
5) Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.
6) No tag-backs!
Questions For Me
1. If you could only eat 1 food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The same incredible dinner I just ate… Yummy, awesome Picasso’s Pizza.
2. If you won a million dollars, what would be the first thing you would buy?
I’m pretty lame because the first thing I would do is pay off our student loans.  But that’s technically not a purchase, so then I’d pick up a Picasso’s pizza and book a month in Aruba with our families.
3. What is your inspiration for writing?
My blogging started because I wanted to remember our pregnancy with Makenzie, but then one thing lead to another and now I’m in love.  It’s become my escape to grab my laptop and write, and I think maybe, just maybe my rambling might occasionally offer some insight or support to a fellow Mom.
4. Are you an appetizer or a dessert person?
Dessert, hands down!
5. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
I think I already mentioned that I’m pretty lame, but, I did spend 4 years in a little town called Athens, Ohio.  It was the land of Bricks of Beer, and the home of Ohio U.  And I would classify those years as slightly crazy.  I once went to a bar wearing a pan on my head… I skipped down Court Street signing Stand Up and Cheer… I sprayed glitter all over myself, on purpose.  Eeek, it was four crazy years!
6. Who is your role model and why?
Leslie Knope!  Fictional, yes.  Passionate, hilarious, super smart – yes, yes, yes!  She’s pretty cool.
WWLD: What Would Leslie Do?
7. What do you do to de-stress?
De-stress?? What does that mean?
8. Favorite guilty pleasure on tv?
Say Yes to the Dress & pretty much anything on Friday Bride Day.  Thanks TLC, what would I do without you?
9. What is your dream in life?
Don’t puke from reading this, but I kind of feel like I’m living it.  As a little girl this is what I hoped for… good husband, cute baby, cute house.  Perhaps a little less distance between family would be good and maybe an annual Mediterranean cruise, but otherwise things are good.
10. What is one thing that makes you amazing?
It’s pretty amazing that it’s 11 pm on a Friday and I’m still awake.
11. What is the best thing you have recently read?
E-Myth.  A good little book about understanding small business challenges.
My nominees
Drumroll Please…..
Melissa at The Bix Blog
Laura at Beirne Boys
Questions for the next round of Liebster Winners:
  1. Tea or coffee or mimosa?
  2. How many stamps are in your passport?
  3. Who is your favorite TV character?
  4. What would you do if you had a million hours?
  5. What was your favorite childhood memory?
  6. Would you rather to perm your hair or wear headgear the rest of your life?
  7. What is your biggest fear?
  8. Who is your favorite late night talk-show host?
  9. What percentage of time do you think about chocolate?
  10. What was your high school mascot?
  11. How cool is your blogger friend that gave you this Liebster award?
  12. If you could go to dinner with any public figure what would you order to eat?

………………………………………………………….

I’m honored for such an award.  Thanks to the Academy and to all the little people that made this possible!  Hope to see you all at the Liebster after-parties on the Sunset Strip!!
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Exploring and More-ing

June 21, 2013 by · 1 Comment

I know I say this all the time but one of the coolest parts of being a parent is seeing Makenzie explore new things.  She’s SO interested in touching and discovering everything she can get her cute little baby hands on.

This past weekend we tried out a new activity with Makenzie.  It was a cold and rainy start to Father’s Day so I scoped out an indoor kids museum called Explore & More in East Aurora and we headed over there.

explore and more logo

The museum is nestled into an office building in a cute part of town and the inside was so much fun!  It isn’t the biggest museum, and it didn’t have loads of fancy exhibits, but for an 8-month old it was perfect!   Makenzie loved the Baby Garden full of mats and soft toys, and we even ventured into Culture Corner exhibit, Food for Thought exhibit and Make it Go exhibit.

We stayed about 2 hours but we probably could have made it a longer trip if we were better prepared with more bottles and some puffs.

As a bonus, the admission is only $5 per adult and free for babies!   SCORE!!

For $10 the McGee’s give it 6 thumbs up!

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Hey WNY mommies, here is their Website.  It’s definitely worth checking out for a rainy day.

http://www.exploreandmore.org

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Mommy McBlog

Explore & More the Mommy McBlog Facebook Page

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A few extra quarters in the meter

June 18, 2013 by · 3 Comments

Lately I’ve been battling a huge (sometimes) losing battle with time.  I feel like there’s not enough.  Perhaps I set my expectations of myself too high, perhaps I overbook myself, or perhaps it’s a combination of both.

I think I’m (mostly) doing okay at juggling it all, but I can’t seem to remember a day when I haven’t wished for just a few more minutes.  A few more minutes to devote to a work project to make it really good.  A few more minutes to sleep.  A few more minutes to play with my baby girl while she’s still a baby girl!   A few more minutes to hang out with my hubby so he knows just how much I appreciate him.  A few more minutes to chat with a good friend.  And especially lately I wish I had a few minutes to spend more time with family, especially those that are a few exits away on Route 90.

I know it’s silly to stress over because I can’t do much about the number of hours in a day.  No one can.  A few more minutes can’t be bought, can’t be sold, and can’t be preserved.  Or so I thought…

Then today I went out to grab lunch (since I didn’t have a few more minutes to make one), and as I searched my purse for quarters I thought about parking meters.  They sell time to people.  In fact, that’s their sole purpose.  Sell time to people and then stand by and tell the rest of the world that they are fully committed during the duration of the purchased time.  Such a simple concept… and it got me thinking that maybe we can learn from it.

We can’t exactly put parking meters on the people we love to lock in time with them.   If we could I’d dig through my purse and my bank account for days if it meant a few more meaningful minutes with those people I love and miss so much.   But perhaps I need to meter myself.  Maybe I need to really park myself into each thing that I do for a committed time period, and during that time focus on nothing else.  When the meter is done, I move on or risk being ticketed.  All too often I’m at too many places at once; often I’m just getting to work and already stressing about dinner, or I’m picking up Makenzie and stressing about stuff on my desk.  So maybe it’s time I focus on parking myself… in the moment, in the task, in my relationships.

It doesn’t mean I have to be rigid but I think it will help me feel better about how I’m spending my 24 hours each day.  And if I find myself parked somewhere really good — maybe all snuggled up with Kenz, or maybe on a hilarious phone call with a friend — then maybe I’ll drop a few extra quarters in the meter.

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Don’t forget to park yourself on the Mommy McBlog Facebook page

Mommy McBlog

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Picture of the Week *Happy Fathers Day!*

June 11, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Melissa and I grew up with some of the best!

Best Dad, Best Grandpas, Best Families

I can’t say Thank You enough to each of the wonderful men in my world who helped me become who I am today, but Father’s Day is a pretty good opportunity to do it, so here goes.

Happy Father’s Day to…

Grandpa Quilty —  He was always full of wisdom & kindness, and he played a mean game of Chinese Checkers.

Grandpa Synk — I wish I was in Cleveland today to celebrate with him.  So many fun memories with him from camping in their backyard to games of Sandlot Slugger to trips to downtown Cleveland

Melissa & I with both sets of Grandparents.

Melissa & I with both sets of Grandparents.

Dad – The best Dad ever!!  A true Dad of daughters.  Dad conquered everything from dance lessons to dance parties with the Grease soundtrack and everything in between.   Dad we Love you so much!  And Makenzie is very lucky too!   She’s pretty excited to grow up having you to hold her hand.

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Makenzie and Papa

Dad (in-law, Gene) – Thank you to a wonderful father-in-law for welcoming me to the family.  I’m thankful that you taught Denny to be a wonderful husband.  And Denny and I are very glad that you are a wonderful Pap Pap to our sweet girl!

I love PapPap too!

I love PapPap too!

And last but not least, Happy Father’s Day Denny!

Watching you become a Dad is better than I could have imagined.  There’s no one that can make Makenzie giggle like you can, and there is no one that she looks at the way she looks at you.  It’s true love and I consider myself to be very lucky to be able to watch you two together.   Thank you for ALL you do to make our world as happy as it is.  We Love You so much!

10_21 Kenzie with Denny

Snuggle buddies

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Makenzie and her Daddy!   This picture makes my heart smile

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True buddies – Makenzie watching her favorite guy

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Picture of the Week! *8 Months Update*

June 7, 2013 by · 1 Comment

Our girl is EIGHT MONTHS old!  WOW!  It’s crazy to think that we need to start planning her first Birthday.  We can’t believe how much happiness she brings to our world.  We’re crazy about this little peanut.

I know I saw this every month but this has been 4 of the most fun weeks!!  I could type about it, but this month I’ll let the pictures tell the story.  Makenzie Ruth is on the go.

Check it out!

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On the day after Makenzie turned 7 months, she was Baptized! It was great day because Denny and Cousin Jack were also baptized. So special!

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She’s been rocking the backwards hat look! (My guess Is that she snuck out of her crib and caught some old Fresh Prince episodes. She’s so cool!)     In West Lancaster born and raised, at Doodlebugs is where I’ve spent most of my days…

Makenzie has been loving the new views of being in high chairs in restaurants!

Makenzie has been loving the new views of being in high chairs in restaurants!

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1st Mother’s Day! I’m the luckiest 🙂

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Lots of playing! She’s got my nose

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Lots of picnics! And fun times with cousin Jack Jack

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Baby’s 1st Memorial Day Parties! She’s pretty excited to check out the bounce house next year.

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Baby’s 1st Zoo trip!! She and Ryan had lots of fun.  Kenz liked the sea lions but the best part of her day was eating puffs in her stroller.

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And the best part of the month is that Kenzie girl is now CRAWLING and STANDING!!!! We’re such proud parents!

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Join us as we countdown to one year!

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Happy Birthday to you…

June 3, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

June is a great month in my family!  It seems like everybody has a Birthday.  And who doesn’t love an opportunity to eat cake and enjoy the ones you love.

In my pre-baby ambitious days I would have probably done a blog post for each person, but that ship has long sailed.  So welcome to the June Birthday blog post spectacular.  Let’s get this party started!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to…

Mom!   You’re the best, we love you lots!  I strive to always be a positive and upbeat Mom like you were to Melissa and me.

Uncle Bill!  Hope you’re partying hard in the Villages!  See ya round the campus.

Les Q!  My awesome cousin who I bonded with over our fake ID stories on a rainy night in NYC.

Uncle Jim S!  My super cool NYC Uncle who first introduced me to sushi

Melissa!  My first friend and my best friend.  What would I do without you?

Jenn!  My incredible piano-playing, amazing Mom cousin.

Uncle Jim Q!  You’ve always been so supportive and so interested in all we do.

Aunt Lorraine!  My wonderful, zany, hilarious Aunt Lorraine.  There is nothing like your holiday light-up shirts or the long lazy days spent at your house in the summer.  I hope you know just how much I admire your strength and courage.

Connor!  My little buddy!  You always crack me up.  I can’t believe how big you’re getting.

PJ!  My cool tech-savvy cousin in the Big Apple.

Happy Birthday to you!!!

My buddy Connor (and Thor licking his glasses)

Aunt Lorraine & Uncle Jim with Baby Ryan (when he was still Baby Ryan)

The NYC crew – PJ and Uncle Jim

Beautiful sisters (that I’m lucky to call cousins) Jenn and Leslie

Uncle Bill and Aunt Joy with Ry-Guy

Kenz girl, me, Mom & Melissa

What’s a Birthday post for my big sis without one of my favorite pics of all time… “Where’s the Beef” jammies from the 80’s.

Happy Birthday to all the wonderful Q’s and S’s!  We’re Lucky to have such good people in our little world.

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Picture of the Week *Our Little Water Baby*

May 30, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

One of the items on the McGee Family Fun List for the summer was Sign Kenzie up for swim class.

Makenzie turned 6 months in April which meant that she was officially ready to be in the Shrimp Swim Class at the Y.  So I stalked the registration site until non-member registration became available, and bam, we made it into my preferred Saturday 9am swim class group.  Heck yeah, check that off the list!

We are now halfway through with our swim classes and it has definitely become one of the best parts of our week.  Makenzie has a great time and I get the fun of being her buddy in the pool.  She splashes, kicks, and sings songs (well I sing and she gives me that “Mom please quit singing in public” look).  And if I toss the little pink starfish away from us, she is great at spotting it and swimming over to it.  It could because she is truly a swimming prodigy, or more than likely, because she likes to catch it and chew on it.  Either way, we have fun.

And right around the time when she turned 6 months we brought out her big girl ducky tub.  She was so proud to sit in it and splash.  The girl doesn’t go a day without cracking us up!

Check out the pictures… it looks like she’s turning into quite the little water baby!

Water baby collage

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Don’t be shy, the waters warm!

Mommy McBlog

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