Summertime

This morning after I dropped Maggie and Max off I thought to myself "parenting is not for the faint of heart." Sometimes I get stuck not knowing if what I'm doing is the right thing for myself or family. Life is full of these moments - feeling stuck, highs, lows, but most often, being grateful and happy.

My word for the year is expand. I have it written on a post it and every now and then I notice it and think about how it applies to my current situation or how the word can positively influence how I plan to do things.

Last night we had our end of the year banquet in our mom's group and it was heartwarming. We ate good food, played games, had a raffle, and read out loud our answers to some fun questions that helped us learn more about each other. I loved listening to the other women's answers. Some were similar, some were so different and it was a night where I really felt we connected, reminding me of how I'm not the only one experiencing the variety of life's emotions.

I would love to figure out how to blog from my phone. Does anyone know how to do that with blogger? I haven't found an app to do it and using the website from the phone doesn't work.

Seen and Heard

My mom and I went on a garden tour to celebrate Mother's Day and we took Max with. At the first garden, we walked into the backyard and the owner was sitting in a chair quietly. He asked Max to come shake his hand and he did it hesitantly, which I was surprised about! He then asked him his name, and in a little voice he said "Maxie". Such a cute moment, first time I'd heard him say his name.

We've been hearing about the BOB books for reading so I picked up a set for Maggie. She's been learning about sight words and reading small printout books that are similar at her daycare/preschool but I was still surprised when we sat down that afternoon while Max was napping and she started reading the BOB books to me, one by one. It's amazing when reading comes together, I had a moment where I could see all the storytimes and time spent with books paying off. She was so excited, with me complimenting her, and she kept wriggling around with a big smile on her face each time she read a book. It was such a proud mommy moment.

One of the stories from my childhood was me saying to my parents "Don't see me" at a young age because I didn't want attention drawn to me. This was probably early school age but it's always been an example that has been brought up to show how shy I was. Max seems to have more of my traits and although he isn't very outwardly shy, he reminds me of myself or my dad mostly. On a drive this week, hubby was saying "I see you" through the rear view mirror and Max had a grumpy face and was saying "No see me" back. Totally reminded me of myself and I love how he is putting sentences together and a lot of them start with "No" for "Don't".

Max sounding like a pirate. Almost every sentence starts with "Me" as in "Medicine. Me arm" (asked at bedtime in the dark - such a goof).

Maggie thinking the "Gruffalo" or "Gruffalo's Child" is scary and never wanting to watch it. Max, on the other hand, always pulling out the "Gruffalo's Child" asking to see it.

Catching Maggie say "This Maggie cat is pissed."

Max saying "dang it" in response to dropping something, etc. Maggie telling on him when she first heard it and me telling him that a better response is "oh no" or "uh oh". You kind of hate to correct them because it sounds so cute coming out!

Max and Maggie calling me "mama"

Coming up for breath

My little Max, soon to be 2, has been taking it "to the Max" lately and mom and dad are trying to keep up. It feels like a different ball game with this boy and it's so interesting to compare the two in terms of personality, when milestones are reached, body size, and so on. This week I was asked by someone if Max was ethnic in so many words. First time I've been asked that but it was cool since he is 1/2 Mexican and that a stranger could see that. Turns out she was 1/2 Mexican too :-) Maggie seems to have more features in that department but to each their own.

This week we were also trying to get out the door one morning and while I was brushing my teeth knowing Max might get into trouble, he ended up with a bloody nose and gashed lip in a second. It was a sign to me in that moment that we needed to slow down and stop for a bit, so we did and it all worked out well.

Between figuring out the best route for Maggie with kindergarten and dotting the i's and crossing the t's for that and making transitions into the next stage with Max, I've had my hands full. In the last month with Max, we've discovered a 2 yr molar growing in which caused a few nights of waking, he's gotten a few bloody noses (climbing up on sketchy things and riding his strider downhill), climbed out of his crib over and over after seeing his cousin and sister do it a few times (which resulted in getting rid of the crib way earlier than I had hoped), refused to nap and go to bed some days (good times...I need those mental breaks!), and been pretty clingy with me overall. It's one of those times that you try to cherish the babyness that remains but it's also frustrating making the transition at the same time. I know on the other side of all this I'll have a 2 year old that has shed some of his last layers of baby skin. It's all good though. My little boy is becoming a big boy, learning to sleep in his little bed this week, weaning, starting to talk, and able to get into EVERYTHING.

Maggie has been saying some of the best things lately. My favorite from this week was Maggie climbing into bed with me before Max was up and snuggling up, whispering in my ear "Mom I love you just the way you are." How does she come up with this stuff?

Now that March is here, we're looking forward to birthdays and a road trip to the desert!

October S&H

Halloween is here!

Mom's group event



So much is going on in our life constantly - it's a mixture of play, work, travel - then repeat. And, for the most part these days, good sleep, just early waking. And this blog is my one place, since I don't write in journals anymore, to document milestones in the kid's life and share it with family and friends that read it. So here's to my random monthly (or longer) posts!





Seen and Heard

Max is exploding with his words at 18 months. He loves pointing out dogs (da-da) and big trucks (weee!). He hasn't learned more than a couple baby signs and he doesn't care to. He'd rather grunt to get his point across or try out new words when he's up to it. He has used his baby potty once (#1) and has suprised me in the tub a few times recently (#2). Oh joy.

Maggie is a great big sister. Sometimes she snags toys from his hands to probably get back for how physical he is or because she simply doesn't want to share the toys that were once just hers, but I'm pretty sure she is in love with her little brother and they give each other hugs and kisses when they wake up and when they head to bed. Her story changes over time, but most recently she told me she wants to marry Max when she grows up. Hmm...

Maggie was recently talking to her cousin on the phone and I heard her tell her (after talking about nicknames) that her full name was "Maggidalena."

We also taught Maggie how to place a phone call and the next day after "practicing" she snuck the house phone and called my cell phone from the playroom on her own, what a sneak!

1st good rain of the fall season

Seen and Heard

Life is so fun. We have hard days (or parts of days) but I really think those hard bits make the good times better. At the end of the day though, I am quietly thankful for my little ones and my husband because they make my life so full and vibrant. A quiet house is nice once in awhile but the thought of the kids moving out one day makes me kind of nervous :-)

We had a thunderstorm and rain last week. It was really nice to smell wet asphalt, feel the humidity, and the rain suprised the kids. Then we went to Santa Cruz and saw sunshine, fog, and family. And now we are back in the heat.

{Seen and heard}

Maggie referring to a movie theater as a movie feeder. Why we asked? Because they feed people.

A conversation over dinner with Maggie:

What did you do today? We played that I was the mommy. Kellen was the daddy.
Who were the others? Livvy and Lexy were the babies. Kelsey was the babysitter.
What did the mommy and daddy do? Were the babies good? We went on a date.
What did you do on your date? We ate pizza. Lots of pizza. And we had ice cream before dinner.
Did you pay the babysitter? Yep, $10.

Who is your favorite person? (asked to Maggie at bedtime, lights out) Eden...and you, and daddy, and Maxie...but Maxie is a little rough.

Max saying more words: ow-wee, Judi, get down

Maggie being rough with Max (what goes around comes around I guess) - in one night, Max hits the pavement and scratches his face and then finishes the evening by hitting his head on the outdoor fire ring

Max and Maggie getting stung by a bee in our backyard one week apart

 

Seen and Heard

Seen: toothbrushes scattered throughout the house (and a couple in the garden). Max loves little objects to hold onto and put in his mouth.

Heard: Just after waking up one morning, Maggie looking out the doors to the backyard: "Ugh, the sea turtle was out all night." A few seconds later: "It's ok, she wasn't scared. I hope an owl didn't peck her or something." Goes outside with Max: "Mom, it's nice out here!" To Max: "That's my sea turtle, be nice!"

Heard: I walked out to find Maggie after waking up another morning playing quietly in the living room. Me holding her in my arms: "How long have you been up?" Maggie: "Um, 44 hours. No, 3 hours."

Heard: Outside waiting for her cousin to arrive. Maggie: "I love Eden because she has pretty eyebrows and pretty hair. And, she has a beautiful voice."

Heard: Maggie asking me: "Did you lose your keys?" I said no and asked her if she lost her keys: "No, I'm a kid."

Heard: Maggie running down the hallway before bed: "A girl with messy hair is not crazy!"

Keeping afloat

This is one of the reasons I love the internet. I can print things like this (scroll down to Pet Store Scavenger Hunt) and just like that I have a fun outing for Maggie. It made for a great, free preschooler activity where I followed Maggie around the pet store yesterday while taking an intermission to hold kitties for adoption. Maggie held a teenage kitten name Colette and Maggie was so calm and cute with her, at one point saying "I love her". I sat there patiently letting her hold her for probably a good 20-30 minutes, wondering the whole time if I could bring this kitty home and then instantly remembering the night before with kids screaming in their beds at 11 pm and me thinking crazy things while I was manning the house solo. Yep, no more pets. One is enough.

2 kids is simply a ton of work. I can't imagine more. How does my friend do 3 or 6? In the past month, we've visited home away from home in Aptos on the beach. Maggie had a bad stomach bug, now she is eating for two. Max seems to be too. 6 month growth spurt?

Still trying to keep the calendar light. I need that calm right now.  I also would like a new dress, pretty heels, and darker lipstick :-)

Fall has hit, even though the temperature hasn't really dropped, but things I want to do soon include visiting the little pumpkin farms near our house. Taking Maggie to see the piggies. Maybe Apple Hill. I bought a Blackberry Jam spray for the bathroom over the weekend that smells like fall.

Last night I had a calm moment with both kids before bedtime. They both ate quietly, the house was still, we were in our pj's, and all close to eachother. This was after I thought Max might be in bed for the night but he let us know he wasn't. I eventually turned on Lion King which Maggie had only read about and she was mesmorized for a few minutes until I turned it off. It was easy last night, probably due to Maggie and Max's full stomachs and a little tylenol for the teether. One day at a time.

Flashback! Max's Birth

I'm flashing back 4 months. I started this blog after Maggie was born and I was excited to share Maggie's story then. Now it's Max's turn.

After this post, it was Easter Sunday and my contractions decided to stay steady, about 3-5 minutes apart, but all day they were mild. I didn't have to breathe through them but I wanted to be home taking time to relax and focus. Hubby took Maggie to his parents for brunch and I stayed home and ate, knit, and watched this movie. It was perfect. I had forgotten that the main character was named Max. I took it as a sign.

Maximillian is the full name I wanted early on in my pregnancy (and prior when Maggie was a he/she in utero) but hubby thought it was too strong or something. He'd joke that in order to have a son with that name we'd need to be living in a castle as a royal family. It wasn't until after Max was born that we decided on his full name. We knew it was going to be Max, but Maximillian or Maxson? We went with Maxson. If not Maximillian, this was a good substitute. Unique and we could agree.

**Side note: I hear Maximillian slip? out of people's mouths though when they are with Max so maybe that name will always be around? Hmm...

My mild contractions stayed steady through the night and woke me up a couple times but I was able to fall back asleep each time. When I woke up Monday morning, I knew it was "the day". My sister, who had been waiting fervently for this day to come, was in touch and came over to help with whatever I needed. As the morning progressed, my contractions got stronger but I was still able to function, eat, take a shower and dress, and hug my little girl in the sunshine.

By the time Maggie had to go to gym class, it was clear I shouldn't leave the house but I was still talking like I could do errands and was telling hubby not to come home from work yet. I became focused on having the perfect candle for the birth and then panicked because the one I wanted was all used up and I wanted a replacement, pronto! I was thinking I could run out and get it but nope, that didn't happen. My mom stopped at the salon on her way over to bring me this beloved candle, but they were closed. Funny what I focus on in those final hours.

My sister took Maggie to gym and brought home thai food for a late lunch. By the time she got home around 2 pm, my midwives had come and gone after blowing up the new tub (see below - in my opinion, so much better than the horse trough!) and doing some other prepping for the birth. Hubby had just gotten home too. He knew it was time more than I was willing to admit. We talked on the phone as he was driving home and I had to stop and breathe through a strong contraction. He made fun of me later for this because I was still saying on the phone that he shouldn't come home yet because my contractions weren't strong enough.

Maggie fell asleep for a nap after lunch and my sister, Michael, and I hung out together in my living room having some good laughs as my contractions ramped up in strength. She and I had a glass of white wine (midwife recommended :-) and then I took an epsom salt bath to relax with hubby by my side. These were the hours leading up to my active labor. Around 4 pm, my sister called my mom to have her leave work at my dad's furniture store and come over. By the time my mom arrived, somewhere between 5 and 6 pm, I was in my bikini top and yoga pants walking through the house breathing through my contractions and really focusing, relying heavily on my sister and Michael for support. The midwives arrived and filled up the tub. By 6, I was in the tub and in full labor.

While I labored in my bedroom in a calm atmosphere, Maggie had woken up and would come in occasionally, whispering and being so cute, but she also spent time with my mom and sister in the other parts of the house proceeding on like normal - eating dinner, watching her shows, and having things explained to her about what was going on. She was a trooper and so excited to meet her brother.
My labor progressed fast, much faster than my labor with Maggie. I knew that as I was in it, but it just suprised me overall. I was more aware during Max's birth because it didn't take as much out of me, but I was still tired in between contractions and remember falling asleep a time or two. The first time I was checked after getting in the tub, I was a 6 and that was encouraging. By 8:30 I was ready to push and my midwives said from the time I was ready to the time he arrived, it took me 20 minutes. I remember thinking that I didn't want this to go into the night (like past midnight because it went waaaay past that with Maggie) but was mentally preparing for something longer since that was all I knew. But just like that, my midwife would say something or do something like put on gloves and change positions and the next thing I knew I was in transition and Max was born! It was 9 pm on the dot. Born April 9. Weight? 9# exactly!

A friend asked me after Max's birth if it was anything like Maggie's. It was in that they were both born at home in the water with the same midwives and people surrounding me, but in many ways Max's birth was easier and more enjoyable simply because I'd done it once before. I knew what to expect with labor and delivery, it was much shorter, I knew how to handle the contractions better, I loved the new tub (so comfortable), hubby was more relaxed, Maggie made the experience sweeter just by being there, and I just felt better prepared all around.  

Max came out wailing and the midwives commented that he had a strong set of lungs. He started nursing right away and he was really aware, opening up his hands as you can see in this picture (not clenching them), which the midwives said was also a good sign that he was comfortable/not scared in his big new surroundings. Foretelling signs of his strong personality? He was born a few days before my mom's birthday. He's an Aries like my mom and mother-in-law.

Read this birth story for more fun. It's wonderful and so similar to mine. Very thankful for homebirths and great birth stories.

Q&A: Maggie (3 yrs, 4 months)

How old are you? Three (pronounced correctly, recently it was "free")

Who do you like to play with most? Ede (Eden)

What is your favorite toy? Barbies (back story: this has been a struggle for me letting her play with barbies and all they represent but I'm letting go. The day before Max was born, we were given barbie hand-me-downs and I was hormonal and frustrated that she loved them so much because shouldn't she be older when that happens? I digress...I found a common ground today - the barbies are played with outside and stored in the outdoor toy storage)

Where is your favorite place to go? Hawaii (we talk about it a lot and I had just told her a lobster story, but she's been once @ 11 mo)
Why? Because I love to play with Ruby and Atticus, a baby doll, and tea party (these are her memories from them visiting over Christmas)

Are you happy to have a brother? Yeah (but) I like to play with AJ (she is going to have a playdate with him today but she loves AJ!)

What is your favorite show? DocMcStuffins

What is your favorite thing about learning to swim? Jumping to teachers

What do you like to wear the most? Rainbow jammies, rainbow dress, and purple dress (one from Nana)

What is your favorite color? Pink, blue, and purple

What is your favorite song? "Stuck like glue" - Sugarland

What is your favorite food? Grains (harvest grains from TJ's), black olives, and star soup (chicken and star soup)

What is your favorite animal? Pigs (of course!)
Why? 'cause they are. I like to hold little baby pigs like Maxy (while smothering him with XOXO).


And there you have it, in the moment and out of the mouth of a three year old!

Ick

Engorgement, then mastitis. No fun. I know there are worse things in the world and this is par for the course, but I am so ready to go out in the world and I can't yet. The weather is so nice and it would be great to get out but being in bed with the baby isn't so bad. I know this time will vanish quickly. Thank you hubby, Shay, and others helping me out so that I can be on the mend.

Good news is our little guy had his one week visit today and he now weighs 9 lbs 7 oz! Not so little for a newborn, huh? I knew he was gaining weight but wow! He's a content baby and oh so cute. This time around I feel more relaxed and know what to expect, good and bad. Ok, back to the herbs, cold compress, nursing, and rest...

Time

Maternity leave is a wonderful thing. Who doesn't like being paid to be home catching up on things, relaxing, knitting, and being with your family? This week I found a lilac for our front yard, which completes an area we planted last year, I got a snowcone on a warm afternoon with vanilla ice cream inside, hubby got me two more containers of rice pudding before they went off sale :-), I took my first epsom salt bath after a long day on my feet which gave me such soft skin and not so sore feet anymore, and I FINALLY ordered prints for our walls that was long overdue (including the bath photo idea Pat-you rock!).

Something about Maggie turning 3 last week and seeing a flyer for the Lorax at the library got me thinking that Maggie was probably ready to see a movie in the theater like a big girl. The result was a certified girl's night out with my sister and cousin Eden. Maggie went complete with new purse and lip gloss. We ate good thai food and enjoyed $5 movie night. The movie was a bit ridiculous and a little odd the way it was made (I'm not the biggest fan of new animation) but the message to not cut down all the trees in the land and be nice to animals seemed to cancel out the couple "scary" parts that were a little much for both girls. I had to hold down Maggie's seat the entire show so that it didn't fold her up like a taco.

I'm feeling creative and peaceful right now. Almost done knitting this hat for the baby and Maggie has requested this pig.

Uh Oh

Up another early morning not able to sleep after Maggie needed help going to the bathroom in the middle of the night and my mind activated again. I feel the days getting very close and I feel unprepared. In the last week, I've experienced lots of changes in my pregnancy and the signs are pointing to labor being a few days away to still being out 2-4 weeks. I was ok initially with being at work until that point, now I feel like hunkering down and staying close to home if my days are numbered. I will probably go on leave early and try to relax as much as possible. According to my midwife, having a baby at 36 weeks is safe but it has a few more complications that go along with it. Keep the baby in another week or two!

The realization that hit me last night is that if this baby really is close, I might miss out on some of the last minute things I had planned for March. Belly cast from hubby on Valentine's Day, family photos before birth, getting room set up how I wanted (this didn't matter to me the entire time even though I was collecting things...must be a nesting thing right now), and other little things I haven't checked off the list yet. I know it will all work itself out but now my priorities are changing from what is necessity and what is fun? Ok, go! Ay yay yah. My sister reminded me last night, after we celebrated her 30th birthday (had to document all of this because I don't journal except here and we have lots of big changes happening in our family right now as my sister is also preparing for a big move and I end the night with a momentous late night call), that this baby will come when he's ready and that he will be a totally different being than my Maggie. It's a wierd thought in some ways because I have no other frame of reference other than to compare this experience to Maggie's pregnancy, labor patterns, birth, and everything that followed and the differences are throwing me for a loop. I need a day to recoup :-)

Joys of Pregnancy

It's not all rainbows and unicorns, but @ 33 weeks, I'm feeling pretty dang good. I've got my routine down and I do feel that pregnancy glow some women talk about. For me, it's the 1st trimester that really kicks my butt. I wallow...cry...and whine to get through it, but once it passes, it's mostly uphill. I wish in this pregnancy that I was getting more exercise but it's tough to fit in so I make due with stretching and chasing after Maggie.

I've indulged here and there with caffiene this time as it's supposed to be ok in moderation and I'd say half of my friends have their cups of coffee, etc. to get through the day and their babies were a-ok. Sometimes you are dragging so much from lack of energy that you need that little boost and treat to yourself. I'd love to color my hair as that also gives me a boost in the beauty department and supposedly that's fine too...a question for the midwives :-)

Life is good though as we make (shall I say final?) preparations. Things are coming together and I plan to work up until I can't work any longer. I have a long-term project at work that allows me to easily work at my desk and from home when need be and part of me is going to miss that involvement while I'm on leave. 

We just finished a bathroom remodel which now allows me to focus on getting the baby's bedroom ready. It involves getting rid of/moving/and buying furniture for both hubby and baby. Then I can organize and get the room all ready for nursing, changing diapers, and the like. I recieved some thoughtful presents this past weekend, including a handknit pair of baby booties from a friend that are just about the cutest little pieces of footwear I've seen in awhile (aside from my new Acorn slippers that just arrived today...oh the fleece goodness). The booties and an outfit my sister gifted to us might be the perfect birthday outfit for the babes once he makes his way into the world.

Funny Happenings during the Holidays

This has been an exhausting but fun-filled time of year for us. Exhausting part isn't really due to the holidays (although the added activities that come with the holidays make things busier) but it's taken the past couple months to get Maggie's new bed dialed in as well as come up with a sleep plan that works for our family. It's been a process getting her to stay in her bed with having to use the bathroom or want in our bed, which we were not being very consistent about. But just this week things are working well and we've got a good little sleeper. Part of the fun of switching her room around for me has been finding deals. When I scored her colorful ladybug bedding for less than $10 from a consignment shop and then found matching ladybug sheets at Target, it made my day. I have to say that the coupons this season have been amazing. Online purchasing is amazing and so are family gift exchanges. It's the first time we've done it and I love that I just have to get one gift for my secret family member, cutting 9 gifts down to 1. It has helped keep things low-key and has put more focus back on enjoying other aspects of the giving season.

Upon finding out that a boy will be making his way into our family, we've started dissembling our last spare bedroom. The plus to this is we know what we need for his arrival, which isn't much, but it also means finiding more storage in our room and making everything fit. Our house seemed so big when we bought it pre-kids!

Maggie has become quite the goof and she can be sneaky too, like when I'm trying to hide her advent calendar with goodies in it and then fall asleep briefly...she sneaks it out, wakes me up playfully, and proceeds to shake it and find all the hidden candy. I'm also the type of person that doesn't really hold much back with the truth of things and with having kids, I think this is a fine way to go, but it can also get you in trouble (a.k.a. embarass you) sometimes. We've had a few of those moments lately after our quiet teaching moments. Things having to do with how babies are born, girl and boy parts, and babies nursing. The momentary shock is worth all the laughter that follows.

Maggie and I sent off her 1st letter to Santa this year and she and I brainstormed on what she wanted to ask for. She is still a little young in this department, but we came up with a good list. Maggie stated more than once that she is thankful for pigs around Thanksgiving which had us cracking up. She is infatuated with pigs, I wonder how long it will last. Her clothes preferences seem to change weekly. Anyways, pig toys made it onto the list and my sister is delivering in that area. We've got some of the other stuff covered and are keeping it simple.

Good things

The garden is starting to produce. I've been sharing a veggi "bag" at work and it comes from one of my co-worker's very productive garden. I get a bag every two weeks and tomatoes are finally here-woo hoo. I can't wait to make a batch of gazpacho. My tomatoes aren't quite ready yet so I'm thinking the upside to that is I'll probably have tomatoes late into fall.

Last week I helped a friend take care of the animals on her property and I turned it into a couple fun outings for Maggie (and cousin Eden). There were goats next door and Maggie told me she saw a pony with them. I scanned in the sunlight and didn't see a pony. Two days later we're back and I see what she most likely saw...a llama! Maggie harvested eggs from the chicken coop and scattered some food around for them, picked berries, and we took dips in the pool. Maggie graduated from her first swim class as a frog where she learned some good water skills including how to "scoop". She now has a little donut she swims around in. "Mommy, I swimming!" Total happiness on her face.

Our 4th of July holiday was a blast. This holiday might just be my favorite. It felt long and full of good things. I often think about how crazy life can get and how fun that craziness makes our life in the end. I don't like feeling overloaded but a certain amount of on-the-go-ness makes life so fun, especially when we're surrounded by good family and friends. We saw two firework shows, bought new outfits and had family photos taken, ate classic summer food, rode a train along the river with Maggie falling asleep in my arms (that never happens and I loved it), and we swam our hearts out. After an exhausting 2 days, we were going to lay low on the 4th but instead went to a party with friends and it was the perfect end to the weekend. What a beautiful plantation-style/southern home in the middle of Sac! with wrap around porches and outdoor fans, beer on tap, badmitton, and ice cream cones while watching a crazy firework display. I kind of felt like we were add-ins in a movie with soft lighting, like in a Nicholas Sparks film.

It must be the hot weather coming late but I am really liking the heat this year. Usually I wilt, get tired, lazy, etc. but somehow I'm holding up :-) Last week I was told by softball buddies that they thought I was under 30. "25? 26? 27?" Ha! That made me laugh. Good to know I don't look as old as I sometimes feel.

Today is my best bud's 32nd birthday in Hawaii! Happy birthday Patria! Beautiful model-esque pics of Pat Mark!

Picture time

Easter has come and gone, our spring vacation is over, birthdays have passed, and summer softball begins soon. We just travelled for a week through central California visiting family, the beach, and friends. Maggie was our little travelling buddy and she impressed us. We logged 1,200 miles and she barely made a fuss. I think it's a combination of her getting used to road trips, growing up/enjoying her surroundings more, and having a DVD handy with her favorite shows if the ride got too long.

The Tour of California is filling our nights. Maggie and I watched the racers whiz through old Folsom during Stage 3 in the drizzly rain, Maggie yelling "Go, go, go..." to anyone and everyone that was listening. We're enjoying the cute things Maggie says and does every day. She's repeating things more than ever (Michael...watch it :-) and copying everyone around her, especially kids. She wants to: cook, find the cat, draw, jump, go to storytime, hide, swim, go to the store and push her own cart (thank you Trader Joe's for having kid-sized carts), eat her vitamins, drink milk before bed in the sippy, hold my hand in the car, wear Hello Kitty bandaids, crack her own hard-boiled eggs with an "I did it!" at the end of the 1/2 hour process :-), be naked, go to the park, see her closest buddies, and the list goes on. This is the stuff I want to remember for myself and for her sake. We've had great success in elimating the binky to strictly sleeping - woo hoo! I was waiting for this day to arrive. With milestones like that, my best success is in letting go and then letting it happen more naturally to wear there is less fighting, some ah-hah! moments, and a happy family in the end.

 Life is good.

Maggie eyeing Eden's Easter loot



Look what I found Dad! (the real prize inside was jelly beans-thanks Uncle Dave!)



Table Mountain day trip - Maggie's first time holding lizard



Feeding giraffe at the zoo - Maggie got cold feet at last minute

Such a fun experience and great day at the zoo with 4 moms and 6 kids

Daddy and daughter in Cayucos

Tidepooling and playing with beach rocks - who me?



Visiting Amber and family, SLO college friend



Moments



No, Maggie is not on a leash - just enjoying free museum day at the zoo - monkeys, lemurs, birdies - oh my!

 

Kickin' it late night at the Apple store...ha ha!



Learning bike racing techniques at a very early age :-)

 

Hiding chocolate behind her back thinking she's pulled one over on me at the toy store (I saw it but she was halfway into it before I pryed it out of her little hands)

 

Seen and Heard

I'm stealing this blog topic from my friend Patria. Patria is the best at posting seen and heards about her kids - I always soak them up! Maggie's language is exploding and I don't want to forget this special time so here we go...

Heard: Maggie trying to push her play stroller past Lita (grandma) and with a little bit of impatience said "way",  meaning "get out of the way". Of course, in the nicest way possible coming from a toddler :-) She is becoming more clear with what she wants and we're hearing a few 2- and 3-word sentences spill out.

Seen: waking and sitting up in bed in the dark and being such a happy girl after a good night's sleep. With Christmas come and past, Maggie has acquired new shoes and she especially likes the pale pink patent leather mary janes and the Wizard of Oz Dorothy red glitter mary janes. She almost immediately runs to her shoe basket to look for them after waking and wants to put them on. She also likes to clomp around the house in my shoes or tell me what shoes to put on.

Heard: little screams of delight when she sees something that excites her. There has been a lot of this over the past week.

Seen: getting ready for bed with Duke and Howey. Duke is Maggie's new stuffed huskie dog that my sister's family got her. She loved him instantly and we taught her that Duke is Howey's dad and Howey is the baby. She lovingly hugged each dog before bed the other night, one by one, giving them kisses on their snout. Each dog now has a special place under her arms. She also likes to feed them her milk from her sippy before bed. It's unbelievably cute to watch.
 
Heard: Michael or I saying 1 or uno (which she will not say in either language) and Maggie following with 2-3-2 after 1 and dos after uno. She will also recite numbers 1-10 in Spanish with me. Her 2-3-2 is used in lots of ways, like before she takes off for a run while playing or counting things.
 
Seen: Maggie riding in her friend AJ's motorized jeep. It's a 2-seater and they cruise around our court in it like they are going on a date!
 
Heard: Maggie is really loving with her friends, so lots of hugs and kisses. I witnessed AJ and Maggie giving a kiss to eachother as we were leaving and AJ pulled away and said something like "ooh, that was wet!" Uh-oh...
 
Heard: reading to us in bed when usually we read to her and she dictates who reads what. She babbled about each page she turned to and she got some of the characters and storyline right! More unbelievable cuteness.

Thankful

Maggie went the week without dairy in her diet and by the weekend her allergic reactions were trickling away. So, we've introduced dairy slowly back into her diet and it's not affecting her. Hmm...

Last week was nuts, this week is much more peaceful. Just spent the morning with my sis and niece -a little shopping, storytime, and Indian food. Good times.

We needed helping hands this week with childcare and I was ever so grateful that our new friend who moved nearby started up a small childcare at her home and got licensed last week. We were lucky to get to know her and her daughter, who is 2 weeks older than Maggie, the past few months and now, have her watch Maggie on short notice. It was a relief! We had other childcare set up but this was a better fit. Maggie loved being there, and knowing that makes all the difference when you aren't with your child.

We're prepping for turkey day. It's our first time hosting Thanksgiving at our house and I'm excited to have our families over. Happy Thanksgiving to my family and friends near and far!

31

Today is my 31st birthday and I wanted to post this video my brother-in-law took of my niece Eden 1 year ago today. This needs to become a tradition!




Maggie and I have been watching this video over and over. Nerdy me, I actually had it on my list of things to do today. If I didn't get anything else done, I wanted to at least watch this once or twice to put a smile on my face and hers. Turns out Maggie doesn't want to take a nap today, which is very unusual but fine. It's just the two of us with the day free to do whatever we want and we're getting taken out to dinner by my dad!

It's a week's worth of celebrations when I didn't feel like celebrating my 31st this year. Go figure. Life is funny that way.

Thank you to all the people in my life that have left me a facebook post, sent a text, called me, mailed me a package or card, or treated me to something special already. You've all made my 31st pretty kick ass so far!

Weeks in pictures

State Fair finale