9 Months

MJ  is nine months old, yeehaw!!

Top 10 Accomplishments this month:

  
1. 2 teeth have poked through.
2. Really enjoys puffs and fruit.
3. Tries to communicate with Jackie through laughs and giggles.
4. No longer sleeping through the night.
5. Has hearing loss due to fluid in her ears.
6. Loves the swing at the park.
7. Gets mad when Jackie takes her toys.
8. Will wave when you say hello.
9. Can clap hands when asked.
10. Attempting and learning how to sign "more."

Polar Express

Jackie checking out the book, The Polar Express.

On November 22nd, we all had a chance to take advantage of going to the North Pole on the Polar Express. Mostly because Kim and I are blessed to have people who care about us and our family. With that being said, we went to North Conway to take a train to see Santa. The train ride brought the book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg to life.

Highlights from the day include: hanging out with Chris & Ali Pyott, going to the Golden Egg in Portsmouth for a pancake breakfast, riding the train and singing Christmas carols, seeing Santa at the North Pole, watching the elves hard at work on making toys, and eating pizza at Flatbread Pizza Co. Pretty much, we really enjoyed experiencing all of what New Hampshire had to offer us.

The Bruffs had a wonderful time, actually, we had a great time and we look forward to doing it again in the future.

Watching Mom Play Hockey

First Time Watching Hockey

Got toys and blankets?

November 8th marked the first time MJ first saw momma play hockey. MJ was buttoned up tight with warm clothes, a warm hat, and more toys than any 7 month old would need for a hockey game. But it was all to make sure there was no complaining about the cold. MJ can't speak yet, so I'd have been hard pressed to help her fix the situation if she were too cold. 

It wasn't my goal to freeze MJ into sprouting a tooth. My goal with bringing MJ and Jackie to the game in the first place was to get them interested in playing hockey. Right now, Jackie could care less about a hockey puck. He's more interested in hitting a soccer ball with a shovel and say that he's playing hockey. There is something about the ball (puck) being able to move. But pucks don't move so well when they aren't on ice. And 2 year old baby boys don't move so well on ice. So, hockey in this moment in time isn't the best sport for the little ones to play. 

But that should stop them from getting to know the game. And it isn't my fault that I coach basketball right now, or that Kimmy brings them to games and the kids develop a love for basketball which brought me such wonderful good fortune. I've tried to tip the scales back to being fair and equal by bringing the kiddos to seeing their mother play. Maybe seeing mom would get them thinking they need to be on skates.


The Happy Cows vs The Renegades

At the beginning of most game the trash talk and hype seems to be most important to the media. Luckily there were no reporters or trash talk. The Happy Cows and the Renegades were between two women's teams over 21. Most of the women played some form of collegiate women's hockey and that can lead to some boasting. But the way some of the ladies were skating around the ice during warm ups, it looked like they may have played competitive hockey decades ago while others looked like they stepped off the pro circuit last weekend.

Cows getting loose before the puck drop.

To be fair, women who move forward with their lives once they hang up their uniforms may have had children. And it's not like they are expected to bounce back 7-9 months after birth and be back to playing shape like NFL players who tear their ACLs. Whether either team had mothers playing is irrelevant to the outcome of the game, but it is worth noting that some of the players may be in different places of physical prowess. 

No matter ones expertise, every game starts even with the score at 0-0. And the Happy Cows came out the gates swinging to make a change in the score board. Number 21 got by a defender with a self pass up the boards on the right side and scored on a wrist shot below the goalies glove just 2 minutes into the game. 

The first period score board check.

I truly thought the Cows were going to make quick work of the Renegades. They scored within minutes of the first shift. The Renegades looked to have no players who could catch a pass until...the Cows celebrated by "mooing."

Whether they took it as an insult or locker room poster board material or just a slap in the face, the Renegades woke up and turned the tide by the end of the first period. 

Second period score board check.

At this point, I thought the Cows just needed to figure a couple of things out. Should they switch up the lines? Should they give Kim Mac Bruff the puck more since she had to impress her kids with her stick handling ability? Should the Cows put some of the cows out to pasture and roll with the players who wanted to be on the ice? I knew for sure they'd come out firing on all cylinders to start the second period. 

2 year old temper tantrum.

And for the most part, they did. Unfortunately the Cows didn't get many shots on net so the score didn't truly reflect the changes they made in the second period. Nonetheless, they had dug themselves into a whole, but would the Cows claw their way out even though cows have hooves?   

During the third period Jackie was screaming. "Dada, shoes off."  I had no idea why he would want to take his shoes off in the midst of a rink that was freezing cold. But he kept at it, "Shoes off, shoes off!" Eventually he explained why he needed his shoes off. "Skates on dada."

"Skates on dada!"

Why would he want his skates on? Did he see mama skating around and feel the need to join her? Was Jackie thinking to himself that hockey was the best thing since sliced bread? I sure hoped so. Then maybe he'd be off his Thomas the Train Engine infatuation and move onto something else. Or maybe Jackie just thought he'd get in the way of the competition and give the Cows the best chance to win. 

A few goals went in and the score keeper couldn't figure out how to add points for the other team. Then I realized who was sitting next to me. The score keeper must have realized that Jackie and his sister MJ were there to see their mother play. The score keeper didn't want to scar the kids into thinking hockey just wasn't the sport for them. By the middle of the third period, I knew what was really happening. The Happy Cows had been mercy ruled. 

MJ dreaming of future retribution.

At the end of the game, the score was 6-1. Jackie was very impressed. So was MJ. They both wanted to get out onto the ice and seek retribution for the major butt kicking that was dealt to the Happy Cows. Jackie vowed he would bring it to the children of the Renegades when given the opportunities. MJ leaned back and dreamt up the many different ways she would pound the team into smithereens in the future. 

Happy Cows

First Tooth

November 11, 2015

MJ had her first tooth poke through. This is obviously cause for celebration. How about with a piece of cake, some ice cream, or even both. But if  MJ could let us celebrate by allowing us to sleep through the night, I'd be happy with that.

I've Got a Tooth!

Most nights for the past week and a half have consisted of her waking up through the night demanding attention. It isn't like her so it has been quite the change. Although she's easy to be soothed, it was hard for us to figure out what was going on. Sucking down bottles and being rocked easily back to sleep with her pink zebra has cause some confusion and delay.

Confusion for us because she'll only stay asleep for about five minutes before she's back to crying again. Then the process can begin at square one where we try to figure out if she needs to be fed or rocked to sleep. 

The delay to our sleep usually is felt first thing in the morning and then at the end of the work day. I'll say that I enjoy the delay, at times. MJ and I have bonded with each other. My precious MJ has spent so many hours listening to the blues greats like B.B. King and Luther Allison while being fed and rocked. We have even switched things over to listen to reggae greats like Bob Marley, Beres Hammond and Toots Hibbert.  

Nonetheless, her tooth is through. Yes, that's right, out and in the open for others to stare at in wonder. To see a tooth, start singing Lively Up Yourself or All The Kings Horses. Before you know it she'll squeal, stick her tongue out and reveal her budding tooth. 

Quick Trip

MJ went to visit Grandma and Grandpa's house for a manic Monday. Although we were only gone for a couple of hours, it still made for a good time down in Connecticut. The drive down took a little longer than we thought. After all, we left during the tail end of rush hour and hit no traffic. We ended up getting to Bloomfield before anyone would have expected.

Grandpa left work early and came with hugs, kisses and lots of bouncing to keep MJ happy & pleased. Grandma put together a wonderful summer dinner of veggies straight from her garden. Because MJ couldn't eat the squash, so I decided I wouldn't eat the squash either. I didn't want her to feel left out.

With all the fun we had with playing with kids at the daycare, hanging with Grandpa and Grandma, and having a great time at dinner, we eventually made our way home an hour after we planned.

Mi Can't Sleep

My precious has done the unthinkable, she didn't sleep. It was if MJ knew that Kim and I were planning on celebrating our anniversary. Instead of going to bed at 9:30pm like she always does, she stayed up until 2am and wouldn't be put down in her crib to sleep. MJ and I cuddle up on the couch in the most awkward position imaginable.

When I need her to go to bed, she never does. Murphy's Law at the utmost.

7 Months Old

MJ  is seven months old, turn down for what!!

Top 10 Accomplishments this month:

  
1. Can use hands to bring food to her mouth.
2. Sits up (for real).
3. Is happy to sit around with anyone.
4. She waves.
5. Rolled over twice in one day.
6. Eating more solids.
7. Has taken a bottle outside of being very very hungry.
8. Enjoys read aloud with Jackie.
9. More aware of her surroundings.
10. Attempts to mimic sounds that she hears (squealing).

It's Been a Long Time

Although it has a been a long time, I've been working on a bunch of different posts. They just aren't ready yet and require more editing until I feel they are just right. Sod this post will have to do to hold over until the others are completed.

My precious, MJ and I are listening to Miss Lou. Although MJ can't follow what Miss Lou is saying, it's a good way for her to get some Jamaican culture.

Current snapshot of MJ & I while writing.

As you can see, MJ is really into putting her hands into her mouth. For months I've been thinking that she has been teething but I really don't think so. Still no teeth have broken through the skin but the drool cascades from her mouth like Niagara Falls.

MJ has also shown that she is going to be very different from her big brother. MJ believes things that touch her hands should be "Mouth tested, Mouth Approved!" Her brother didn't put much in his mouth. My precious on the other hand, everything feels as though it should enter her mouth. Toys, fingers, Jackie's fingers, mama and dada's hands (that are sometimes not clean), and anything else that shouldn't be eaten all have a chance to chewed by her pink gums. I know it is very developmental and expected. It is actually really good to see that the two are different in some ways. Being unique gives them a chance to create their own identities, even if they look like age twins right now.

Jack at 6 months

MJ at 5 months

Baby girl also has some wicked curls. If I didn't know better, you'd think she already knew about hair product to get a curl like that. After all, Kim has said that her own hair is bone straight. My hair isn't that curly, but then again my hair hasn't ever been that long so I have no idea what it'd look like if it ever grew that long.

Roses

A former teammate of mine said this recently on Facebook, "Social media is like an ESPN highlight reel. We only show the alley oops,crossovers, and behind the back passes. Truth is, we ALL got a blooper reel full of air balls, turnovers, and low fg% that we don't want anyone else to see.."

It got me to thinking. Is that truly the case? I thought about how I have posts about MJ's life. Are they all positive? I don't think so. But that could be because I am a hater or cynic at heart. Just in case there aren't any blooper reel posts, here goes...

6 Months Old

MJ  is six months old, oh yeah!!

Top 10 Accomplishments this month:

  
1. Sleeps in her big girl crib, finally. 
   
2. Sits up (for the most part).
3. Is pleasant when other people besides her mother hold her.
4. Is in love with her pink zebra.
5. Thinks Jackie is the cat's meow.
6. Survived a month at daycare (as expected but a milestone nonetheless). 
7. Has been promoted to a new seat in the stroller.
8. Grasps at objects and puts them into her mouth.
9. Has eaten solid food. Sweet potatoes are her favorite.
10. Was gripe water free for a whole month. What, say it ain't so!!!

First time eating solid food.

Do You Remember...?

There are moments in my own life that people refer back to and I've got no memory of the event. Someone from my family without fail usually starts by saying, "Do you remember when..." or "When you were first born..." Sound familiar? Of course it does, everyone has some experience like that. I am hoping for MJ's sake that this blog can help her alleviate those conversations. I know she'll say I don't remember but I did read about it, hopefully she will say that.

On Sunday, May 24, 2015 MJ met so many members of her extended family that they are all bound to talk about that day. For one, MJ met her godmother, Aunt Allison. She also met Uncle Josh, her great-aunt Maxine and her family, second cousins Deon and Faith. What brought everyone together? Aunt Allison graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

Check out the pictures below for quick snapshots of the weekend. Keep in mind at the time of the photos MJ did not like spending more than 30 minutes in her car seat. With that being said, we drove to Virginia. MJ did an awesome job. She watched some rain, clouds pass by, trucks and cars that were on the road, and finally she let us know every time she needed a break. 

It was a pretty uneventful trip down and back again.