A little bit cute

At 7 months...

*McKinley enjoys watching herself.  She will giggle at herself in a mirror or when watching herself on my iphone.   During the video below you can hear her faintly giggling... she got a cold and had baby laryngitis.  She was sick for a few days... but kept smiling.

*Likes prunes, apples, bananas & carrots.  Does not like peas.

Sunny Day

A sunny morning bundled up on our front porch

Night Time Road Trip

Long trips in a car with a little one can be difficult. Especially in the evening prior to "bed time". It's dark and there is nothing to entertain the child confined to a car seat.
That was until...

The Snow Peak light came to the rescue once again. This thing hooked perfectly to the bar of the car seat and provided McKinley with entertainment.
Go to www.snowpeak.com to get one of these lights! It goes with us on every over night trip.

Do you miss coaching?

"So do you miss coaching?"   I have been asked this question numerous times.

Short answer:  No

Long Answer:   I know that coaching involves more than just showing up to a gym with basketballs and having fun with a bunch of teenagers.  It makes me feel exhausted just thinking about all that goes into coaching.   Than you add to that my personality as a detail-oriented perfectionist, and my competitive drive (I don't settle for mediocrity... so I work my butt off so I don't lose), and well it just sounds like a heckuva lot of work.
Does that mean I will never get back into it?  I am always thinking and planning.  I have ideas rolling around in my head of how to stay involved, but I also have to be realistic with myself.  I do enjoy being around the team atmosphere (I miss playing signs & mafia =), mentoring young ladies and the rush of "Game Day".   But I also know that means sacrificing other areas of my life.
I figure that God knows what it will take to get me back into coaching.  If that is where he wants me, he'll provide the opportunity.   For the time being, I am enjoying this new life and feel like I made a good trade!

But hey, if you hear of a part-time coaching gig... let me know =)

Here are some of the trades I am enjoying.

I traded in being a part of the daily growth of young women... for... being a part of the daily growth of my own daughter.

McK & her Haley Doll BEFORE

McK taking down Haley Doll

AFTER: 1... 2... 3... McK WINS!

I love hanging out with this kid.  She is seriously such a joy.  If you are ever in a bad mood, just come on over and hold McKinley.  She'll cheer ya up in a matter of seconds.
At the moment she enjoys making a fake cough sound, wrinkling her nose, and just giggling.   I swear she never cries, and only smiles.  I am one blessed mama. (I tell her everyday she needs to stay like this all the way until she is 18)

I traded in getting others in shape... for... getting myself in shape.

This was a WOD (Workout of the Day) that my dad and I competed in together.

I have been cross-fitting and swimming.  I even join a few of my besties for workouts (Bethany & Cheryl) and yes, my dad too.  It feels good to be in shape and crossfit is my cup of tea.  I love the competition, the drive to improve, the team atmosphere and the intensity.  I actually look forward to going to crossfit each day. 

www.eugenecrossfit.com

I have also been getting outside once a week.  (See pics below)   My passion for the outdoors has been renewed and I actually have the time to do it.  Not to mention that I was able to get back into rock climbing. 

McK and I snowshoeing around Clear Lake

I traded in planning practice... for.. planning healthy meals.

I have adopted a Paleo Lifestyle.  It is not a diet but a lifestyle.  Basically I am the opposite of a vegetarian.  Give me meat and lots of it =)  Well, not exactly.  Paleo also incorporates lots of veggies, fruit and whole-fresh foods.  It gives me a focus when planning meals and allows me to experiment with cooking as well.

www.paleoplan.com

I traded in building a team full of love and unselfishness... for... building those qualities back up with my friends.

Many of my friends and family had grown accustomed to me being M.I.A. from November to April.  NOT ANYMORE!  I am alive, active and ready to meet up for coffee, lunch, a play-date, or whatever.  It's nice to finally be around so people can count on me in case they need something.

Mommy and baby snowshoe adventure to Salt Creek Falls

I traded in having to attend "problem-solving" meetings, others gripes, and dealing with people who just want to complain... for... a much slower, and less demanding lifestyle.

Don't get me wrong.  I was blessed with 5 years of wonderful parents at the high school.  The vast majority of the parents whose daughters I served "Got It".  They understood the big picture of sports, the character development and the needed growth that was occurring.  There were a small handful who were clueless.  This happens in all avenues of life when working with people.  I just have more patience in helping kids "get it" than I do for helping adults to "get it".

This fall I changed the ringtone on my cell phone.  "Why is this significant?" you ask.  Because my old ring tone reminded me of my prior coaching life.   Whenever I would hear the cell phone ring I would get this dreaded feeling in my gut of "Who is it now and what do they want from me?"   I realized that, while coaching, the majority of people calling me where demanding something of me, complaining, or telling me about a "issue".  All in all, chances are that person behind the ring was going to be a Debbie-Downer to my relaxing evening at home.  I realized that I had attached a feeling of dread to my phone ringing.  So I started fresh... with a new ring tone.

All-in-all I now decide what I am going to do each day.  I don't have to meet other people's demands.  The result is a slower paced, less stressed life and a much more relaxing one.  I am enjoying this season and my new ring tone!

I traded in organizing fundraisers.... for... organizing my husband & being his helper.

Nick does 99% of running his own business.  He has a system down and he is good at it!  I don't want to ruin his flow.  But every now and again I figure out a way to chip in and help him.  Whether it be just chatting with him while he wraps muffins, or making him a healthy lunch.  He puts in an insane amount of hours of work in during the winter.   I like to think that I am a huge help by simply being available and not being stressed out myself.  I get to be the calming beacon during the winter.


Bottom line... BALANCE IS ESSENTIAL IN LIFE!   It feels good to be in equilibrium again.

I am trying to check out local hiking trails I've never been on... this one was the ridgeline trail to Bald Mountain

McK's first trip to the top of Pisgah.

6 months old

McKinley Mace Larsen

She had a big 6 month day.  Lots of accomplishments!

Legend Baby at 6 months and ready to head to the gym.

She ate food for the first time.  Dad decided fruit would be a better start than veggies.  So we went with pears... And Yes, that is a REF BIB.  Thanks to Mike & Crystal who found it for us =)

She also sat up for the first time for a consistent amount of time.  Prior to today she could only sit for about 10 seconds.  Today she probably made it past a minute.  Official sitter upper.

Baby Products YOU need

Okay... since I have a lot of friends pregnant right now.  Must be something in the water... (be so kind now to give a good ol belly laugh after that comment =)
I thought I would recommend a few products I absolutely enjoy.  Remember, a lot of these you can also get second hand.

First of all, prior to having a baby I was somewhat of a "gear junky".  This mostly consisted of rock climbing and backpacking/camping gear.  Now I am a "baby-gear junky".  So here is some cool baby gear.


FlyeBaby

This thing was great for a lap baby on an airplane.  McKinley could face me, she could fall asleep without being in my arms, and it gave me more freedom as well.

Ergo Carrier

I tried a bunch of different things... from a wrap, to a bjorn, etc.  The wrap was nice around the house but too complicated elsewhere.  The Ergo just plain ROCKS!  I have the infant insert which is nice for when the baby is under 3months.  Rumor has it that you can take kids around in this thing up to 2 years old.  It's very easy to take off and on and to put baby in.  I got a more "sporty" one so Nick wouldn't mind carrying our little one around.  With the next kid I imagine we won't even bother with the other carriers.  


A Jumper

We got a jumper that has hook type things (great to hang toys and teething items from) as well as has a little flat surface in front.  I am so glad I accidently got one with these options.  McKinley loves her jumper!  I also feel better cause I feel like she's getting some kind of exercise rather than just laying or sitting in a swing.  Adds good variety to her baby activities.



Highchair that attaches to counter

Don't bother with a stand up high chair.  This is a one-in-all type high chair.   You can take it with you wherever you are going too.  I got one that spins 360 degrees so that we can easily feed our little one.  I dunno yet how handy that will be... McKinley will start eating solids next week so I'll have to get back to you.  But I love having this attached to our bar counter.  She can play while I cook and etc.  (The bumpo isn't safe on top of a table cause once they get strong enough they can shimmy it off the counter)

A Bottle Warmer

Why didn't I break down and get this sooner!!!  We went the first 5 months with out this.  Silly me!  I did old school style, on a stove or boil water in a microwave.  That method took forever compared to our bottle warmer.  In a matter of a few minutes I have a warm, just right bottle for my screaming and starving little one. 

FLIP Diapers

Yes, I am doing cloth diapers.  I actually really really really enjoy it.  Now remember, she hasn't started on solids yet =)  We are also at home with our little one so we are not asking a care-giver to do this.  The extra laundry really isn't that bad.  I love the FLIP brand of diapers because they are so easy and convenient.  You don't have to stuff a liner between the shell and the fleece.  Just put the liner in the shell and viola... you are ready to go!   If you are going to be at home with your little one... I would recommend exploring the use of cloth diapers.  It saves soooooo much money and it's really easy compared to what our mom's had to do.

BOB Stroller

The Cadillac of strollers.  I just plain love it.  Not convenient for traveling.... but very easy to maneuver a kid around anywhere and anything.  I actually took McKinley on part of the Ridgeline trail in Eugene in this thing.  So for those who want to get out and about... this is your stroller.

SnowPeak Lantern
www.snowpeak.com

Okay, so I am promoting my brother's company a little bit here =)   But this is one cool product that is great for EVERYTHING.  I take this little lamp with me everywhere.  It's in my room so I can read when Nick wants to fall asleep.  It's in my travel bag for hotels where there is no "night light".  (I hate having to check on a crying baby in the middle of the night in a pitch dark room... turn on the big light and now the baby is WIDE awake)

Breatfeeding Equipment

Stock up on all this stuff.  It seems that most mom's (and baby) have a difficult time learning the art of breastfeeding so be prepared for the worse.   Soothing pads - for the few hour breaks you might get in between feedings.  Get Nipple shields - for when it's really painful to feed but you have no choice.   Breast Shells - to allow air to circulate and so your nipples are not constantly  "glued" to your bra.  These things allowed me continue to breast feed through this difficult and painful time.  NOTE:  I was fortunate that these worked for me.  Sometimes they don't work but I guarantee you you'll want to have them prior to baby being delivered cause you are going to want to try everything before giving in and choosing not to breast feed.

GoCrib

Now I know this is quite a bit more expensive than a "pack-n-play" but in my mind it seemed well worth it.  We actually bought this at REI with our dividend so it seemed like a great buy to us =)  The pack-n-play is just WAAAAAAAY too bulky.  Yeah right taking that thing any where.  We have taken our GoCrib everywhere.  McKinley sleeps in it anytime we are not sleeping at home.  I imagine it'll also be nice when she gets to be a crawler to giver her some "boundary" play space.  (We'll see how that goes)   It folds up into a back pack.  Very compact and easy to blow up.

Osprey Pack

I haven't gotten this yet.  It doesn't come out until next month.  But i looked at the reviews and videos of it.  It just seems down right AWESOME!  I am excited to get myself one.  It seems like the equivalent of BOB when it comes to strollers.  The Cadillac of back pack carriers.



Bumbo Baby Seat

Because... it's just great! 

If any other mom's have some recommendations feel free to add your insights under comments.

Some more videos

For some crazy reason McKinley thinks being upside down is

the greatest thing.  She will lay in our laps and hang her head off our legs

so she is upside down.  This is her enjoying life backwards.

Grandpa Tuma was able to get McKinley in hysterics.   What cracks me up is when Grandma attempts to step in and gets NO reaction.  Makes me chuckle.