For those of you breathlessly awaiting Week Five of The Hoser's NFL Picks, they'll be up Friday morning as usual.

For now, though, an update on my daughter Mackenzie, who is just about to enter her teething phase. Mac is now 6 1/2 months and healthy as all get-out. She's also surprisingly happy for someone who soon will have her first teeth poking through her gums.

Yesterday (while I was at the store, damn it), Mackenzie grabbed the side of her toy box and pulled herself up with no help from Michelle. I don't know whether to take this in stride or be astounded that a six-month-baby can do these sorts of things, especially considering the difficulty I have getting out of bed some mornings.

Cabot has settled down after a tough few days and is suddenly Mr. Charming. Not that he isn't normally, but it's like a little "Manners, please!" light went on and suddenly he's holding doors and helping Mommy around the house with no prompting. It's nifty, and it's also cool, as then I can reward him with trips to the Chapters Outlet for a new dinosaur book or a toy spider.

That's all for now, but here's a new photo of yours truly along with Mac.