Ramble

Taking a moment during Maggie's nap to clear my mind that is currently hopped up on too much caffeine. I should have gone decaf this morning when pulling through the drive through to get a latte :-) I knew ordering a medium (2 shots) was not going to go well (because I'm usually a one cup of tea kind of girl) but it sounded so good in the moment! Coffee bought at 10:30 am. It's nearing 4 pm and just now coming off my buzz after a late lunch.

So glad to have storytime back in our lives on Tuesdays. Summer session at the library has started and I'm thankful for it to be added back into our weekly routine. I've had a few nice chats with moms while there over the past year, but generally Maggie and I keep to ourselves...maybe because it's the library and it's a place to practice being quiet :-) I like this storytime though because it's a mixed bag in terms of the types of families that show up. And wow, take a few months off and lots of moms have baby bumps!

Since Maggie became mobile around 1 and eager to get out of the house after ditching the morning nap, I make a point to get out mid-morning to do something just for Maggie on my days home during the week (and to be efficient it's combined with an errand or two). Going to storytime, for example, has been good for so many reasons - change of pace from home play/me getting caught up in chores, providing consistency in terms of what she is learning at daycare (preschool-type lessons), socializing with other toddlers, learning about the library and how to check out books, creating mommy and me time, and playing at the park if the weather is nice and we've got the time. I've found so much enjoyment in watching Maggie develop her understanding about all of this as time flies by. I've really seen all the little things I've shown her and taught her (not excluding everyone else helping in this area) build upon itself day by day, month by month. So far, this has been one of the greatest joys of being a parent because I've seen the time we've spent with her and the time she has spent with others developing in this way pay off in creating a well-rounded cheerful and loving little lady. The cherry on top is recieving compliments from acquaintances that spend time with Maggie and tell me what a joy she is to be around. Keep 'em coming!

Funny moment that our family cannot forget - misplacing Howie, oh my! I knew this day would come, it was just a matter of when. I hadn't put much thought into it happening besides a fleeting thought about how I should possibly find another Howie just to be safe and stash it away for the day that it did. Well, a few months ago, my mom, who watches Maggie one day a week, was going about her day with Maggie and by naptime Howie was missing. My mom was stalling with Maggie as long as she could but she let us know he was missing by the afternoon because we all knew the shiz was going to hit the fan at some point that night if he wasn't found! While my mom retraced her steps, I took action by recalling where we'd gotten him from (mom had bought him for Maggie at Barnes and Noble) and then Michael ran out to find and buy Howie #2. Turns out all his brothers were waiting to find a home and Michael returned with Howie #2 so fresh and clean. In the meantime, I cook up a friendly story for Maggie about how she had left Howie at nana's house that day (I had an inkling that he really was there) and that daddy went to go get him before bedtime. We offer super clean #2 to her hoping she doesn't notice the subtle differences. She doesn't seem to mind or know and quickly tucks him under her arm. We laugh over the evening's events and get the call from my mom that Howie #1 is at her house. So, now we have a permanent backup. #2 quickly became as loved as #1. Maggie does not know she's got Howie twins in the house but now we're set if this ever happens again :-)

Cheers!