These notes below are from over the past 4 months or so. I don't really know how it happened, but life is busier than when the kids were smaller. Work is busier with more responsibility. Overall, I'm really happy with life in this moment. I am sad to see Max pass 2, which will happen soon, but the flip side are so many benefits. Max has entered the terrible 2 stage I believe. I don't quite remember this hitting with Maggie until she was 3 (and with girls it seems it's about being more emotional), but we are getting a lot of stubborn-ness, No's!, and generally not wanting to do something when asked. We had to pass on the dentist appointment this fall, haircuts are a little bit of a struggle right now, and when he says he wants something to eat it's usually the opposite (after serving him). But however it is, I love my kids so much and am enjoying it all. I spent a two week winter break with them from the beach to the redwoods to the Sierra snow and it was magical. My goal for that time was to get outside every day and just be active and we accomplished it.
I feel very lucky for my family and my friends. I have good wishes for 2015 and last week was one of lots of bad/sad news so I'm hoping that's it for a good while. I've said goodbye to my word of 2014...expand...and am coming up with this year's word as I write this. Happy New Year!
Seen and Heard (Fall 2014-present)
Shopping at Target with Max in the ergo, which he is probably too big for now but I use it in those rare circumstances like this where I ended up at Target with him sleeping and I needed to do some shopping. I transferred him from car seat to the ergo on my back and he slept for awhile but then woke up in the middle of my shopping and I quickly realized that he got a bloody nose while sleeping and it was all over his face and my back. I tried to calm him and also hide him a little because the blood looked a little scary but we quickly made it to the family bathroom to clean up. Shopping and doing errands is always an adventure with little ones.
It took about one month exactly for Maggie to not cling to me upon entering her classroom and to do it with a smile! Club M (before and after school care) is taking a little longer, especially in the mornings, but overall, it's going well. I've definitely had a few mornings where I walk away doubting all the decisions I've made to get to this point. It happened last week but I knew driving away that within an hour or two that the feelings would dissipate, Maggie would end up having a good day, and that all was well.
Max, as he is learning numbers, he often says this combination: 2-1-5. It's really cute. He is also starting to sing the alphabet. Maggie is a proud sister watching him learn these things. I love that I can look at her when he is doing something cute and she has that same recognition in her face.
Over the course of 24 hours, Max told me he wanted to be a firefighter, go fishing, take his bike camping, and talk to Daddy on the phone. It's becoming easier to have these conversations with him and hear what he wants and it's funny when he doesn't get what he wants. He has a serious pout-y face, often wants to throw something in that moment to express himself, and crosses his arms and makes a show of it. Then, within a minute, he's back to himself, either having been distracted, or just over it, laughing and my cute little 2-year old boy. He also comes back to say "I'm sorry Mommy" and he always means it. This is an improvement from 6 months ago. He will say it to Maggie too and they kiss and hug often after a spat.
Max still smells like diapers and I am going to hate when that smell is gone. I know the end is near so it's a little bit sad!
Maggie is not without pen and paper, or scissors, or stapler...little mounds of paper are being created all throughout the house. She is reading a lot, sounding out words, picking up books and reading on her own, and she gets pretty upset if there isn't much time left at night for stories. I look at my 5-year old thinking how far she has come from baby to kindergartner, on her own during the day, and how grown up she is compared to little Maxie but then I see how young she is in other ways and that she is only 5 and I'm so thankful for that.
Long story short, Maggie was sitting next to her good friend Jameson at his brother's birthday party during an outdoor movie and lucky us!, we witnessed her lean over and kiss him fondly on the cheek. I admit it freaked me out just a little bit but it was so cute in the end and not something we made a big deal of.
Maggie saying about her cup and straw from the backseat of the car: "Come on straw, work with me!"
A note sent to me by Maggie's kindergarten teacher: "Maggie said the cutest thing today. The presenter from the Maidu Center was showing the kids an abalone shell. He said "Does anyone know what this is?" Maggie put her hand up and said "It's bologna." Too cute.""
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
January 13, 2015
January 9, 2014
Life in Pictures
 |
| Thanksgiving day 5k-Maggie ran the whole thing! |
 |
| Classic "I'm not sure about this" Max face |
New Year's Day picnic
December 19, 2013
The week before Christmas
Every day now Max says something new or Maggie says something funny and unexpected and I would like to write it down but then the moment passes and it doesn't happen. Max is really starting to talk and babble sentences at 20 months old and I love listening to him and see his excitement in discovering things. It's just so cool to be there watching them repeat a word in their own way for the first time while you're realizing they know what you are talking about but they just haven't verbalized it yet.
Every year with Maggie holidays get a little more elevated. I had it more planned out this year but still, once this week hit, I started feeling the pressure. Thank goodness for good friends and my hubby to relieve anxiety, red wine, and honest conversations. Oh, and Parenthood. I'm hooked on it right now and am goofily relating it to all situations I encounter...yep, pretty realistic, I know. Overall though, this holiday season has been enjoyable and in a slightly different way than past years. I feel that I am growing and with our kids growing up, it takes on new meanings. One of the things I failed at this month...not being able to pull off a popcorn and cranberry garland for Maggie to string around our tree. This is something we read about last Christmas in one of her books and it looked easy, even after googling the how-to, but I burnt the popcorn and it said to string on floss and well, I tossed the popcorn and I'd rather buy something pretty at this point :-)
We don't seem to be doing the same things as last year (gingerbread house, family the weekend before with ice skating, all the movie watching and Christmas lights, Nutcracker) and are more mellow this year. The days on the advent calendar seem to be going by very quickly. We ice skated right after Thanksgiving this year, I actually bought and wrapped gifts early (thank you online deals and free shipping), and we've used lots of babysitting to attend a progressive ugly sweater dinner and a couple other holiday parties.
Here is what 4, almost 5, has looked like lately: Maggie constantly asking for one thing or another. If it isn't gum, it's to do a craft or move on to the next best thing immediately and it might be fine if I just had Maggie to worry about but I'm also managing a toddler. So I often have to par it down with "let's just read a book" or "watch a show together" and she seems happy enough with that :-)
Pictures later...happy holidays family and friends!
Every year with Maggie holidays get a little more elevated. I had it more planned out this year but still, once this week hit, I started feeling the pressure. Thank goodness for good friends and my hubby to relieve anxiety, red wine, and honest conversations. Oh, and Parenthood. I'm hooked on it right now and am goofily relating it to all situations I encounter...yep, pretty realistic, I know. Overall though, this holiday season has been enjoyable and in a slightly different way than past years. I feel that I am growing and with our kids growing up, it takes on new meanings. One of the things I failed at this month...not being able to pull off a popcorn and cranberry garland for Maggie to string around our tree. This is something we read about last Christmas in one of her books and it looked easy, even after googling the how-to, but I burnt the popcorn and it said to string on floss and well, I tossed the popcorn and I'd rather buy something pretty at this point :-)
We don't seem to be doing the same things as last year (gingerbread house, family the weekend before with ice skating, all the movie watching and Christmas lights, Nutcracker) and are more mellow this year. The days on the advent calendar seem to be going by very quickly. We ice skated right after Thanksgiving this year, I actually bought and wrapped gifts early (thank you online deals and free shipping), and we've used lots of babysitting to attend a progressive ugly sweater dinner and a couple other holiday parties.
Here is what 4, almost 5, has looked like lately: Maggie constantly asking for one thing or another. If it isn't gum, it's to do a craft or move on to the next best thing immediately and it might be fine if I just had Maggie to worry about but I'm also managing a toddler. So I often have to par it down with "let's just read a book" or "watch a show together" and she seems happy enough with that :-)
Pictures later...happy holidays family and friends!
October 31, 2013
October S&H
 |
| Halloween is here! |
 |
| Mom's group event |
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 |
January 7, 2013
Seeing clearly
I'm happy that 2013 is here. I'm feeling refreshed and I like the number 3. I turned 33 a few months ago and with our two kids in tow, we're on a roll. This year I won't be pregnant or living in the trenches of one of our baby's first year. I don't make new year's resolutions because those just seem silly but I do hope to get in some more exercise and reverse some of these wrinkles I'm seeing. I also am going to develop more quality time with hubby and just have more fun, some of that was in short supply last year.
This year I am going to take a trip (or maybe four). I'd love to go back to Hawaii, but I also want to take the kids to Monterey and I know we'll be visiting Aptos, and hopefully Oregon and Cayucos.
I also want to read more which means I need to stay up after the kids go to bed. Hmm...
Our holiday vacation was full of long days but then it was over in an instant. I got a lot of things cleaned out ("spring" cleaning), and I rarely went outside. Too cold. We spent lots of family time together. I cooked new recipes and a really yummy, moist turkey on New Year's Eve. Maggie fell asleep on my chest that night shortly after I told her she could stay up. I think she was holiday'd out and it was just really sweet to have my baby girl peacefully sleeping on my chest. We went on a NYE daytime date to see this movie. Billy Crystal had us cracking up. We saw the snow but didn't make it past the parking lot (our plan was to snowshoe with the kids and friends). It was a challenging 24 hours but I'm still glad we went. Trying times (or ones that don't live up to your expectations) seem to make the best laughable stories and memories!
{More good recipes to share}
Really awesome chocolate chip cookies - the dry ingredients were gifted to us at Christmas. I let the batter chill for 36 hours.
Comfort food one-pot pasta meal with bacon and butternut squash - I used what I had on hand, so instead of shallots I used leeks and white onion and instead of provolone I used cheddar. I didn't use rosemary because I was too lazy to go outside and clip it and I didn't think I'd miss it.
Leftover turkey pot pie - I have been making this for a long time, I think I clipped the recipe in college (the one linked is similar). This time, I used turkey of course, frozen peas and white corn, fresh carrots and onion, herbs de provence, leftover turkey gravy mixed with country gravy to give it creaminess and water to get the right consistency.
This year I am going to take a trip (or maybe four). I'd love to go back to Hawaii, but I also want to take the kids to Monterey and I know we'll be visiting Aptos, and hopefully Oregon and Cayucos.
I also want to read more which means I need to stay up after the kids go to bed. Hmm...
Our holiday vacation was full of long days but then it was over in an instant. I got a lot of things cleaned out ("spring" cleaning), and I rarely went outside. Too cold. We spent lots of family time together. I cooked new recipes and a really yummy, moist turkey on New Year's Eve. Maggie fell asleep on my chest that night shortly after I told her she could stay up. I think she was holiday'd out and it was just really sweet to have my baby girl peacefully sleeping on my chest. We went on a NYE daytime date to see this movie. Billy Crystal had us cracking up. We saw the snow but didn't make it past the parking lot (our plan was to snowshoe with the kids and friends). It was a challenging 24 hours but I'm still glad we went. Trying times (or ones that don't live up to your expectations) seem to make the best laughable stories and memories!
{More good recipes to share}
Really awesome chocolate chip cookies - the dry ingredients were gifted to us at Christmas. I let the batter chill for 36 hours.
Comfort food one-pot pasta meal with bacon and butternut squash - I used what I had on hand, so instead of shallots I used leeks and white onion and instead of provolone I used cheddar. I didn't use rosemary because I was too lazy to go outside and clip it and I didn't think I'd miss it.
Leftover turkey pot pie - I have been making this for a long time, I think I clipped the recipe in college (the one linked is similar). This time, I used turkey of course, frozen peas and white corn, fresh carrots and onion, herbs de provence, leftover turkey gravy mixed with country gravy to give it creaminess and water to get the right consistency.
December 21, 2012
Checking things off one by one...
...and taking it day to day. We're four days away from the big day. This month has been such fun with Maggie. Things we've accomplished:
-both kids sat on Santa's lap and it was quick and easy. Then later that night, Maggie sat on a different Santa's lap (more realistic, not creepy) while we toured the zoo lit up with lights. She hopped right up there and started chatting away. No tears for this girl. Not sure if I'm in trouble because even though we wrote out our list to Santa beforehand, she came up with new stuff to talk to Santa about. She told Santa that she wants a ladybug that walks and talks. I think it's a toy xylophone she saw on Doc McStuffins. Yeah, not happening. We don't do crazy presents and I still have shopping to do for others, the kids are set. Hopefully once Christmas morning appears and she opens her goods, the ladybug will magically drift from her mind. Oh, and she asked after leaving the first Santa "Why does Santa love me?". Then after leaving the second Santa she said enthusiastically "Santa really loves me!" Yes, we do :-)
-we made our gingerbread house and tree, thank you Lito and Lita!
-we made it to the Nutcracker. Plans changed last minute but we went with bells on. Maggie was a hit in her dress, one person even asked if she was one of the performers. In her dreams! She got a little antsy during the performance but I know she liked it. She kept asking me in her loud whisper voice when she could go up on stage to dance. Later that night I went into her room and she had all her ballet skirts/tu-tu's laid out neatly. Dance lessons are on my to-do list for her in 2013.
-we took Maggie ice skating for the first time and she had so much fun. They rent "assisters" and once she got the hang of it, she asked me to let her go (sigh) and there were times I had to keep up with her. There was a lot of slipping too. Again, no crying (I'm not counting the one time she fell on her stomach and cried for a minute).
-their letter to Santa was dropped off at our local toy shop. Supposedly they give them to Macy's who then donates money to charity for every letter recieved. Too bad Santa's not writing us back!
This has been a joyous time for us, but also a month filled with sorrow. I was deeply saddened when hearing about the event in Connecticut. As a parent of young children, it really affected me in that sense. I have grieved for those lost but also for our society as a whole because it feels like this is a sickness that we need to somehow heal. I felt better reading this, it's heartfelt and something positive to focus on.
We will be making peppermint sugar cookies in the shape of gingerbread people Christmas Eve for Santa. I look forward to being with my family near and far and hopefully seeing snow this holiday. Merry Christmas!
December 8, 2012
Holiday ramble
A lot has come and gone and I keep thinking "I need to write that down". Maggie's comments have been great lately, I want to bottle it all up. Oh wait, here's one:
I am fond of the old Rudolph animated movie and bought it last year to show to Maggie (she was 2). When the scene with the abominable snowman came on, it was too scary for her so we turned it off. This year, we tried it again. I built it up and she was back and forth about it. During a moment where she was for it, we turned it on. During the elf/misfit scene, I walk out of the room for a second and I hear wierd crying so I run back to see what was up and she was really crying, saying she'd seen a "claw!". I guess that was enough for her. She told me this week that we can watch it on Christmas day. Why? Because she'll be big enough then. LOL.
I discovered 4 new teeth popping through on Max Thanksgiving day. That makes 8 teeth on an 8 month old boy (as of tomorrow). He is now crawling, not just scooting everywhere and he likes to stand up holding onto things. Have I said how much he likes paper? He's like a goat. Present opening with him should be fun.
I am very much in the Christmas spirit. I've made my list of fun holiday things to do and I'm crossing them off one by one. Last weekend, when I started writing this post, we had crazy winter weather, we decorated our Charlie Brown tree (truly intentional this time), went to a Christmas party and birthday party, and I made some pumpkin bread and butternut squash soup with Christmas music playing in the background. Maggie watched the Caillou holiday movie and immediately asked for hot chocolate. I searched the cabinet and instead made her atole de pinole (like hot chocolate kind of but made with corn flour). It was "yummy mommy" until it tipped and spilled everywhere. This is our life. Something like that happens most days around here, I'm not sure we can escape it with 2 little ones running around.
I am in need of planning our next family getaway. The snow is calling me...but so is the wintery beach and family.
On my list for this month is taking Maggie to her first Nutcracker ballet! We both can't wait. She plans to wear her flower girl dress that she wore last month to a wedding. It's cleaned and ready for it's 2nd appearance :-)
{Christmas Holiday Fun Short List}
Nutcracker with the girls
Caroling
Have fun with Maggie's daily advent calendar
Listen to lots of Christmas music until we can't stand it anymore
Drink hot chocolate/warm drinks
Make a gingerbread house with Maggie
Watch the Dr. Seuss's Grinch cartoon
Make or get Maggie a scarf
Make cinnamon rolls
Have Maggie write her wish list to Santa
Pictures with Santa
Go ornament shopping
Get a couple new stockings
Go ice skating
Make holiday crafts
Two nights ago, I put Max to bed early and Maggie and I bundled up in her princess tent and read books, drank egg nog, and ate truffles with flashlights and candles until we fell asleep. She liked it so much she did it again last night. Creating good memories (especially for hubby when he sees me scrunched up in the tent) :-)
I am fond of the old Rudolph animated movie and bought it last year to show to Maggie (she was 2). When the scene with the abominable snowman came on, it was too scary for her so we turned it off. This year, we tried it again. I built it up and she was back and forth about it. During a moment where she was for it, we turned it on. During the elf/misfit scene, I walk out of the room for a second and I hear wierd crying so I run back to see what was up and she was really crying, saying she'd seen a "claw!". I guess that was enough for her. She told me this week that we can watch it on Christmas day. Why? Because she'll be big enough then. LOL.
I discovered 4 new teeth popping through on Max Thanksgiving day. That makes 8 teeth on an 8 month old boy (as of tomorrow). He is now crawling, not just scooting everywhere and he likes to stand up holding onto things. Have I said how much he likes paper? He's like a goat. Present opening with him should be fun.
I am very much in the Christmas spirit. I've made my list of fun holiday things to do and I'm crossing them off one by one. Last weekend, when I started writing this post, we had crazy winter weather, we decorated our Charlie Brown tree (truly intentional this time), went to a Christmas party and birthday party, and I made some pumpkin bread and butternut squash soup with Christmas music playing in the background. Maggie watched the Caillou holiday movie and immediately asked for hot chocolate. I searched the cabinet and instead made her atole de pinole (like hot chocolate kind of but made with corn flour). It was "yummy mommy" until it tipped and spilled everywhere. This is our life. Something like that happens most days around here, I'm not sure we can escape it with 2 little ones running around.
I am in need of planning our next family getaway. The snow is calling me...but so is the wintery beach and family.
On my list for this month is taking Maggie to her first Nutcracker ballet! We both can't wait. She plans to wear her flower girl dress that she wore last month to a wedding. It's cleaned and ready for it's 2nd appearance :-)
{Christmas Holiday Fun Short List}
Nutcracker with the girls
Caroling
Have fun with Maggie's daily advent calendar
Listen to lots of Christmas music until we can't stand it anymore
Drink hot chocolate/warm drinks
Make a gingerbread house with Maggie
Make or get Maggie a scarf
Make cinnamon rolls
Have Maggie write her wish list to Santa
Pictures with Santa
Go ornament shopping
Get a couple new stockings
Go ice skating
Make holiday crafts
Two nights ago, I put Max to bed early and Maggie and I bundled up in her princess tent and read books, drank egg nog, and ate truffles with flashlights and candles until we fell asleep. She liked it so much she did it again last night. Creating good memories (especially for hubby when he sees me scrunched up in the tent) :-)
November 15, 2012
Halloween comparison
Maggie and Max wore the same Halloween outfit (fleece banana) as babies in their 1st year. Can you tell who is who?
Here is one difference between the 1st and 2nd kid. The 1st you have about 20 different photos to chose from and the 2nd you barely have one good one to use. I always heard this was the case and it's true for the most part!
Here is one difference between the 1st and 2nd kid. The 1st you have about 20 different photos to chose from and the 2nd you barely have one good one to use. I always heard this was the case and it's true for the most part!
Overdue
Our household has been sick since the day after Halloween and as of tomorrow, my 33rd birthday, I'm still under the weather with my second round of mastitis. I was really hoping I'd be past my cold and back to health but then this crept up on me this week and it's crazy frustrating! Clearly a sign that I should slow down but I really don't do much more than work, be with the kids, errands, cooking... Maybe this just comes with the territory right now.
Anyways, the other day when I started this post, I was truly getting into the holiday spirit. Spending my morning with the kids listening to Christmas music on Pandora, getting excited about taking Maggie to the Nutcracker this year (her first ballet), thinking about my upcoming birthday, last weekend's beautiful wedding, and being thankful for not feeling sick anymore.
Ah, short-lived. I send a huge prayer out there for us to all be healthy soon so that we can enjoy my favorite holiday next week.
Pictures from over the past few months - it's taken me awhile to get any pictures on here, I'm a bit behind the times as usual by not having a sweet iPhone or something of the like where taking a picture and uploading them to Facebook or my blog would be a cinch. Speaking of, I have a new little iPod shuffle sitting her on my desk. It's been there for awhile and I'm clueless about how to get songs on there. That is what I want for my birthday - my husband to help me put songs on there :-)
Anyways, the other day when I started this post, I was truly getting into the holiday spirit. Spending my morning with the kids listening to Christmas music on Pandora, getting excited about taking Maggie to the Nutcracker this year (her first ballet), thinking about my upcoming birthday, last weekend's beautiful wedding, and being thankful for not feeling sick anymore.
Ah, short-lived. I send a huge prayer out there for us to all be healthy soon so that we can enjoy my favorite holiday next week.
Pictures from over the past few months - it's taken me awhile to get any pictures on here, I'm a bit behind the times as usual by not having a sweet iPhone or something of the like where taking a picture and uploading them to Facebook or my blog would be a cinch. Speaking of, I have a new little iPod shuffle sitting her on my desk. It's been there for awhile and I'm clueless about how to get songs on there. That is what I want for my birthday - my husband to help me put songs on there :-)
April 6, 2012
Two foot pig
 |
| Excuse the preggo top, it was hot during our backyard picnic! |
For the past few days, I've had small bouts of contractions/cramping but no real labor yet. I can't complain but I am getting anxious. This time off being home and free to do what I want has been amazing and I just keep checking things off the the big to-do list. I know all of our family and friends are so excited to meet the new baby, but he still seems snuggly in there despite all the rolling around and hiccupping. I don't think I have any more room in there though and I'm feeling pretty big and have quite the appetite when not feeling nauseous.
I finished Maggie's pig and while he is dang cute, I noticed as I was sewing his eyes on that I made a mistake. He's got two feet, not four! The instructions were vague and even though they said sew the legs up individually, I just proceeded on. To my 3-year old, she doesn't know the difference. All that matters, and it makes my heart sing, is that she loves her piggy and tells everyone that I made it for her. So two legs it is because for the life of me I can't find the end of the yarn to re-do them.
January 10, 2012
2012
Our holidays were wonderful, not too rushed or crazy, and we were invited last minute by a family to their cabin near Yosemite for New Years. The weather here has been cold but with no rain for a long time and New Year's weekend it was hot outside in the sun...pretty strange. Maggie had fun running around with other toddlers at the cabin and we finished the weekend by taking down decorations and enjoying time at home.
Now that we're in the New Year, I'm simply excited for what's to come. So many of my friends are having babies this year-some their 1sts, some their 2nds, and some their 3rds. Maggie is just a delight and I think she is really going to enjoy having a sibling around the house. She is totally fine on her own but this little guy will be quite the welcomed distraction for her (I hope).
I really enjoyed my schedule too over the holidays, working a few days less. It gave me a lot of time to enjoy being home taking care of my family and myself. A great plus that happened around Thanksgiving-time was that I joined a mom's group specific to my area and it's a great fit for Maggie and I. I've looked for something new in the parenting arena since Maggie was born but nothing fit that well until this. Before joining the group, I connected with a local mom that I've seen at storytime for the past couple years who has three boys (5, 2, and 5 months) and she's been such a wealth of knowledge and has provided welcomed friendship. She is excited for us to be having a boy and Maggie loves play dates with her older two boys. It's really nice to meet other moms living similar situations just streets away.
Maggie was recently allergy-tested (finally) since we've had her off dairy products for a year and I'd been wondering if that was really the issue. Not so suprisingly, her results came back normal except for a mild reaction to pet dander and outdoor/environmental allergies. So, the good news is we've incorporated dairy back into her diet and she is very happy to be eating daddy's cheese and cow's milk. It's nice to not have to worry about it now, it took quite a bit of effort to eliminate it from her diet.
Now that we're in the New Year, I'm simply excited for what's to come. So many of my friends are having babies this year-some their 1sts, some their 2nds, and some their 3rds. Maggie is just a delight and I think she is really going to enjoy having a sibling around the house. She is totally fine on her own but this little guy will be quite the welcomed distraction for her (I hope).
I really enjoyed my schedule too over the holidays, working a few days less. It gave me a lot of time to enjoy being home taking care of my family and myself. A great plus that happened around Thanksgiving-time was that I joined a mom's group specific to my area and it's a great fit for Maggie and I. I've looked for something new in the parenting arena since Maggie was born but nothing fit that well until this. Before joining the group, I connected with a local mom that I've seen at storytime for the past couple years who has three boys (5, 2, and 5 months) and she's been such a wealth of knowledge and has provided welcomed friendship. She is excited for us to be having a boy and Maggie loves play dates with her older two boys. It's really nice to meet other moms living similar situations just streets away.
Maggie was recently allergy-tested (finally) since we've had her off dairy products for a year and I'd been wondering if that was really the issue. Not so suprisingly, her results came back normal except for a mild reaction to pet dander and outdoor/environmental allergies. So, the good news is we've incorporated dairy back into her diet and she is very happy to be eating daddy's cheese and cow's milk. It's nice to not have to worry about it now, it took quite a bit of effort to eliminate it from her diet.
 |
| Enjoying "dairy" frosting! |
Happy New Year!
December 25, 2011
Christmas goodness
Last night as Maggie was being put to bed, after putting out milk, cookies, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer (which she let out a giggle for), she tiredly and calmly went to bed and asked me if I thought Santa would wake her up with his "Ho ho ho" and also told me to shut her door because she didn't want Santa coming in. I thought maybe she'd wake up in the middle of the night, but nope, she's still sound asleep and so is daddy.
We did an advent calendar filled with a note for each day and each day had some sort of goody - coins for her piggy bank, Christmas stickers, or a piece of candy (gold coin, tootsie roll, chocolate-covered sunflower seeds). I kept it simple and used up things from around the house, no shopping required. She caught on about a week or two in and the last couple weeks she's been asking first thing in the morning to open her calendar. The calendar reminds me how fast our little girl is growing up and my pregnancy is even more of a reminder that these precious days with just our little Maggie are limited. She's the highlight of our lives and I love her girliness, we have a lot of fun together. I'm trying to get my mind ready for a boy and how that is all going to go down, but it's hard to visualize until it happens. I pray that despite the bumps, he will make his way into our family smoothly and that we all fall madly in love with him. I also pray that I do not disappear off the face of this earth, I think that would deeply depress me. I had a kind friend call me up a few days ago just to simply tell me that she would love to provide whatever help I need pre- or post- birth and for the rest of our lives for that matter! It was a refreshing call to recieve. I really appreciate when people go outside themselves and show their love in this way.
As I write this early Christmas morning, I am happy to say that this season was more fun for me in many ways. The gift giving was minimal but well thought out and creative; our daughter is almost 3 this Christmas and totally gets it (we didn't just build up Santa, I also put out a Mexican creche (nativity scene) which we think was given to us from a good friend from Mexico City and taught Maggie about baby Jesus :-); and I got to visit with many friends over the past couple weeks that I either haven't seen in a long time/ spent time with or they are from out of town.
Merry Christmas my family and friends!
 |
| Something with the camera screwed up my bump - it actually looks like a little torpedo poking out from my stomach! |
 |
| Christmas Eve |
December 10, 2011
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.
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.
November 22, 2011
The reveal
Had grand plans to do something like this on Thanksgiving day surrounded by family:
But then we had our ultrasound last Friday and it became hard not to peek at our secret envelope. I totally thought I could wait, based on the fact that I love surprises and waited with Maggie until birth, but it really got to me once I had the results at home. I should have given them to someone for safekeeping but instead I put them away in a closet and it drove.me.nuts!!! So, Michael and I sat down in Maggie's room the next afternoon after I'd taken a bath to warm up and relax. I was blown away upon seeing the written word and pictures...
 |
| Courtesy of the web |
But then we had our ultrasound last Friday and it became hard not to peek at our secret envelope. I totally thought I could wait, based on the fact that I love surprises and waited with Maggie until birth, but it really got to me once I had the results at home. I should have given them to someone for safekeeping but instead I put them away in a closet and it drove.me.nuts!!! So, Michael and I sat down in Maggie's room the next afternoon after I'd taken a bath to warm up and relax. I was blown away upon seeing the written word and pictures...
BOY!
One of each. I hear boys are quite different to raise and I don't know what to expect until I see it, but I'm happy that I get to experience both. I'm mourning a little bit for Maggie and not having another girl as great as she is, but I can't complain. All of our love and focus has been on Maggie these past 3 years that it's hard sometimes to wrap your mind around a second little being coming into your family. It's just as exciting for parents the second time around but I know it can be overwhelming for the kids. I just pray that she adjusts to the changes and learns to love this little guy with all her heart. At least she won't have to share her clothes or girly toys!
November 19, 2011
Gratitude
"Every year at the end of November, we take time out of our lives and dedicate an entire day to being thankful for the people and things around us...Our society is inundated with constant wants and needs. The more we indulge those wants and needs, the more we desire, and it can become a vicious cycle. But taking a step back and being aware of the things in your life that you are truly thankful for brings peace to the chaos. Being thankful for the little things around you allows you to be present and live fully in the moment, instead of spending time wishing for things that are just out of reach and missing the joy right in front of your nose."
-Words from a yoga teacher I love and don't see as much as I'd like to
I've been seeing people blog daily with what they are grateful for this month. This yoga teacher said similarly that a fantastic exercise in the practice of gratitude is to keep a “gratitude journal.” At the end of each day, take a moment to write down five things that you are thankful for. You’ll begin to notice that even on days you would consider to be “bad” there are little things that make it worth getting out of bed. Becoming mindful and aware of the things you are grateful for will enrich even the simplest things in life and allow you to appreciate your surroundings more deeply.
Last year hubby and I hosted Thanksgiving and I did something like this with family that attended. I put out a nice journal with a page for each person to write what they were thankful for and now it is a treasure I keep from that day. I have been saying prayers and thinking about what I am grateful for a lot lately. With being pregnant, I'm more emotional and in touch with this side of myself I think, so doing this helps to relieve things on my mind. This Thanksgiving we are not hosting but it will not be any less special - new beginnings will keep it lively!
-Words from a yoga teacher I love and don't see as much as I'd like to
I've been seeing people blog daily with what they are grateful for this month. This yoga teacher said similarly that a fantastic exercise in the practice of gratitude is to keep a “gratitude journal.” At the end of each day, take a moment to write down five things that you are thankful for. You’ll begin to notice that even on days you would consider to be “bad” there are little things that make it worth getting out of bed. Becoming mindful and aware of the things you are grateful for will enrich even the simplest things in life and allow you to appreciate your surroundings more deeply.
Last year hubby and I hosted Thanksgiving and I did something like this with family that attended. I put out a nice journal with a page for each person to write what they were thankful for and now it is a treasure I keep from that day. I have been saying prayers and thinking about what I am grateful for a lot lately. With being pregnant, I'm more emotional and in touch with this side of myself I think, so doing this helps to relieve things on my mind. This Thanksgiving we are not hosting but it will not be any less special - new beginnings will keep it lively!
November 15, 2011
Fall Maggie Pics
Can you see a theme here? My favorite is this last picture of her holding a baby garter snake on our trip last weekend to the central coast. No fear and such concentration! Do we have a budding biologist? We went on such an amazing wildlife hike-we saw tons of baby snakes (garter and gopher), hawks, seabirds, seals, sea otter, and mice. A nice way to end the weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)