52 : 42 (part 2)

Ewan's 2nd Christmas was even more magical than his 1st. He still doesn't really get Santa, but he gets presents! After spending a few days at his McGrammie's house, each day with different gifts to open, he had the unwrapping down to a science. A science that for Ewan means getting every bit of paper off of the box before enjoying the treasure inside, and if you need help with yours he is more than happy to oblige.

Mrs. Claus brought "Llama Llama Red Pajamas" and some red jammers, while Santa brought Ewan a tool bench and a variety of stocking stuffers --- and everyone else around sent books, toys, and clothes (oh my)!

52 : 41 (part 2)

Many people questioned us, thinking we were nuts, we took a 21 month old Ewan to Disneyland... And it may have been 2 of our best days this year, just us and our boy running from ride to ride. 

Ewan did not love the characters (who can blame him), but he loved the rides and the Christmas parade. He fought sleep like we have never seen because there were adventures to be had. It is hard to say what was his favorite ride, he really did love them all, but the rockets at the entry to tomorrowland may be the big winner. We enjoyed both parks (Disneyland and California Adventure), breakfast with Minnie and her friends, lunch at Club 33, and a nice stay at the Grand Californian. Definitely a successful first visit for our boy!

52 : 40 (part 2)

21 months! Ewan is now 1 and 3/4! If anyone out there knows how this happened please give us a call, we will be in the corner mourning the dissipation of Ewan's double chin and fat baby wrists --- turning in to such a BOY!

EP's 21 Month Photo

Baby Big Mac - A Letter at 20 Weeks

December 10, 2013

Hello Little Lady,

We can now confirm you are just that, a girl, according to the ultrasound technician and the radiologist at your 19 week anatomy scan anyway --- thankfully everything else looked wonderful as well. Truth be told at your 12 week ultrasound another ultrasound tech and radiologist told us they were 85% sure you were a girl, but we wanted to keep that to ourselves until we were more sure and selfishly we wanted you to be all ours for awhile, which is why we didn't tell anyone you were in the oven until I was 14 weeks pregnant and into my second trimester, with your brother we told at 12 weeks. 

This pregnancy has been rougher, morning sickness and a stomach bug your big bro brought home, but also so sweet. You kicked early for us and are so active you keep me on my toes enjoying every last flutter and bounce. Two kids is our current plan so I am enjoying every bit of this, soaking you in and savoring every moment, no one but me gets this time with you. I know that you will be here so quickly and while many women gripe about pregnancy I think it is the most awe inspiring and intimate thing anyone can experience. What my body is doing right now, growing you, is something I will always appreciate it for!

When we tell people you are a girl we get a mix of responses, most people expect me to be so happy and tell your Daddy he is doomed to be wrapped around your finger. While I am excited I would have been happy either way, but tutus are catching my eye more and more. And your Dad, well your Dad knows he is doomed and in his silent loving way I know he is a little scared, a lot excited, and already planning how he and Ewan will protect you. 

And on this train of thought I have already talked to your Daddy about protecting you from me a little. While I will no doubt love and adore you I know I will also be hard on you... Probably no harder than I will be on Ewan, just in a different way. I will encourage you both to work hard, use your heads, be good people, and guide you as much as I can to find your happiness and take it. But with you, my sweet little lady, I will encourage you to keep the momentum going that my generation has pushed and those before us created --- a momentum that says you are just as smart, strong, capable, and determined as the boys next to you. You don't need to be the president, unless that is what you want, but you need to decide what you want and earn it, no matter who tells you that you can't. This will be a constant conversation in your life, and while hopefully encouraging you we will also teach Ewan to respect women and all that they can do --- I hope for you guys that people will be gender, color, sexuality blind, but if not you will help the charge to get this country and world there, knowing people are people and love is love. 

To sum it all up my love, be the hero of your own story and show this world who is boss! 

Love and Anticipation,

Your Mama

52 : 39 (part 2)

This week Ewan started a new daycare that is closer to our house, at almost 21 months he finally got in to the center that we wanted (and put him on the list for) when I was 30 weeks pregnant, roughly 2 years ago. 

This campus has bigger classrooms, more kids, expansive outdoor space, and a giant recreation room. He seemed comfortable from day 1 - not a tear was shed, we predict due to his realization that this school had a new batch of girls. This school also has a music teacher that comes on Mondays, he loves music and on his first day he fell in love with a drum. 

Baby Big Mac at 19 weeks

Today was a big day, baby is 19 weeks along (almost halfway) and we had our anatomy ultrasound. The doctors confirmed that all looks great and that we are having a baby girl!

19 Week Profile

A tradition now, we did this with Ewan too!

Ewan shared the news with his Grammie with pink flowers.  

52 : 38 (part 2)

This week the McDonald family is in Nevis for some R & R, which means sunshine, tropical drinks, and sleep!

52 : 37 (part 2)

This week I am tucked away in San Francisco for Dreamforce '13, which may mean nothing to anyone in 40 years when I imagine Ewan reading these posts with his own small kids, but right now it means an epic technology conference that influences an industry and is just part of what has made my company the most innovative for 3 years running. The pride I have in what my team is delivering this week at work is a feeling I hope Ewan finds in his life.

While I have been gone K has been preparing Ewan for his role as a brewer (maybe a career, maybe a hobby, we don't know yet), but in this week's photo he is enjoying this month's issue of BREW. 

52 : 36 (part 2)

20 months of Ewan has truly meant 20 months of astonishing discoveries --- limitless love, authentic laughter, bone deep fear, and a new need for eternal optimism. This boy has brought us so much and this month has been no different.

As his verbal skills increase Ewan's sense of humor, mushy love, and sweet demeanor come out more and more. He requests wa-wa now, which refers to any beverage you will provide him. When you ask simple questions he will say "I don't know" with the most adorable shrug of his shoulders. And his hugs are bigger now and if you ask politely he will run to your legs with a grip so tight and warm you can't help but melt. 

We are very much looking forward to soaking our toddler in on the vacations and holidays that are quickly approaching.

EP's Official 20 Month Photo

52 : 35 (part 2)

This week we are sort of cheating, going back a full week to Halloween... Life was so exciting last week this is required! 

Luckily Ewan (and the rest of us) bounced back from the stomach bug in time to celebrate Halloween. We had a wonderful night of photos, pizza, Charlie Brown, and trick or treating. Ewan couldn't quite get out "trick or treat" for the 4 houses we visited, but was great with "thank you". He loved the chocolate balls from across the street, a ball AND chocolate, mind blown. And the adorable way he whispered "Caaaaandy" was enough to keep his belly full of candy corn for a few days. 

This year Ewan was a garden gnome, his choice... We melted and the yard has never been so safe. 

52 : 34 (part 2)

This last Saturday we had a wonderful family date planned - a drive on the coast, a late lunch at a brewery in Pescadero, and then s'mores at the Ritz in Half Moon Bay. All was going well until we were just about to pull in to the Ritz and Ewan, who was in a great mood, projectile vomited. This we took as a sign to go home, take his temperature (totally normal), and put him in the bath. One quick move and he jammed the thermometer in his ear, which began to bleed. The advice nurse told us to head to the hospital so we did. Turns out Ewan's eardrum is 100% ok, just a little cut in the  ear canal, thank goodness, but the waiting room was interesting and mama ended up with vomit in her hair, down her neck, and on her sweater (and about 24 hours later the stomach bug, that also took daddy down 12 hours later). It was also all over Ewan, but in the pediatric waiting room they have little people scrubs. If Ewan decides to become a doctor I am putting this picture in his office!

52 : 33 (part 2)

We spent a lovely day in Napa this past weekend. We had a wonderful lunch and then explored the Stanley Lane Pumpkin Patch, our patch of choice as it is the perfect excuse to get to Napa and is not in a parking lot like so many of the patches near home. Ewan had a wonderful time and was a huge hit with all of the ladies. He was a very good boy until we made him climb off of the tractor.

52 : 32 (part 2)

This week I had to travel to Atlanta for work, just for two days, but it may have been the hardest since Ewan was born. At 19 months he now misses me, requests me at bed time, and is saddened by my face on FaceTime. 99% of the time I was gone he was fine, and I know in a few short months he will understand more that I will be home soon, but the ache of being away when he can verbalize he misses me is tough. Kevin obviously kept him entertained and happy while I was out, his favorite hobby right now is watering the yard, and occasionally mama/daddy/barley. 

Baby Big Mac at 12 weeks

Today was a big big day. We had our 12 week diagnostic ultrasound for Baby Big Mac and all signs point to a healthy baby. Measurements show a baby that is closer to the average size of a 13 week fetus, but if Ewan taught us anything it is that we make big babies. The first trimester testing is cross-referenced with measurements from this ultrasound and all of those results were amazing as well. While things look good we are keeping this little one a secret for a bit longer, at least until mama is feeling closer to 100%!

52 : 31 (part 2)

19 months comes with bumps and bruises associated with climbing and exploring. This month Ewan's incident reports from school have been on the rise... one for trying to crawl through a cubby to get to the big kids' playground (he scratched his head) and another for diving to get a red ball before anyone else could get it (bloody nose). Incident reports do not mean he is in trouble, just that he was injured in someway, but we feel the need for discipline increasing. Ewan is very receptive to "no" and "sit on your bottom" when re-direction is needed, we can feel the big 2 coming faster everyday, but we are hopeful our well intentioned and loving boy will remain intact.

EP's Official 19 Month Photo - Taken October 14, 2013

52 : 30 (part 2)

In our house we sort of run hot, pretty constantly we are up to something - work, fun, home repair, or otherwise. This last week it was time to take it easy and give ourselves a break. For us this means leaving work (mostly) on time, moving a little more slowly, watching some tv, and turning in early. Ewan was more than happy to oblige this break, especially since it meant he got some rare screen time.

52 : 29 (part 2)

This week's image speaks for itself. We added a starburst to make this post non-gross, but it is safe to say this was the most exciting #2 ever!

52 : 28 (part 2)

This past Saturday Ewan got his first haircut, bye bye blonde baby curls. The occasion was special for the typical reasons, but also because Ewan got his first cut from Annie, who in fact gave me my first cut 30ish years ago. Annie has also done my hair for proms, photos, weddings, etc. Annie is a great friend of the family and I schlep 2 hours each way for a cut and color every 3 months, when you find a hair stylist you love you stick with it. Thank you Annie for another memory!

52 : 27 (part 2)

Another month and another this is the best age yet coming from this household! Ewan is more adventurous everyday, which keeps us on our tip toes. His favorite thing to do is build, at home he has duplos and at school he has magna-tiles. Everyone is very impressed by his building skills and we are envisioning a future career in engineering or architecture. The sweetness continues, but the opinions are increasing daily.

EP's Official 18 Month Photo - Taken September 9, 2013

Meeting Baby Big Mac

Today we met baby #2, affectionately known as Baby Big Mac. This ultrasound was taken at 7 weeks 3 days, baby had a healthy heartbeat of 160 beats per minute and looked great. ETA April 29, 2014!