A good binky story...
We eliminated the binky but I thought it would be good transition-wise to keep it around for sleeping only. This has worked well for one of Maggie's playmates. I was strict about this though and explained to Maggie that the binky could only be used while sleeping and that it would remain in the crib when she wasn't. The process of eliminating the binky in this way at age 26 months has worked incredibly well.
Maggie was proud to show everyone that she was a big girl and that she could only have the binky when it was naptime or night time and she has become increasingly less dependent on it since we started this. It's really great to watch (especially when she was so (annoyingly) attached to it before :-)). It's a love/hate thing for parents.
Maggie has been learning how to open and shut doors, including her own and we've found that sometimes when she shuts her door she really does want to be in there alone for whatever reason. Maggie has been well aware that the binky resides just within her reach if she sticks her skinny little arms through the slats of her crib.
One morning, Michael heard her door shut and then silence. Too much silence in our house (with a toddler) is bad. So, he goes to check on her and finds Maggie reclining in the rocking chair all relaxed, reading Jamberry, with the binky in her mouth. The second Michael opens the door and sees this, she looks like she's been caught red-handed and quickly takes the binky out of her mouth like nothing was going on and hides it behind her back.
While this had happened with me previously, I hadn't mentioned it to Michael. So when this happened, he ran in to tell me what he's just seen and it had us cracking up! What can you do but smile and laugh at your sneaky but precious 2-year old? I love this stuff.
June 9, 2011
June 7, 2011
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!
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!
May 24, 2011
Botanicals
More Table Mountain goodness. I spent a day in April with Maggie and friends exploring this wonderful botanical paradise outside Sacramento.
Onto summer. My mom helped me get my summer vegetables in (squash, gourds, cucumber, basil, cherry tomatoes, and regular tomatoes (mix of common and heirloom varieties)). Still need to plant the pole beans where the lettuce is growing. We also planted pretty shrubs in the front yard in a lonely area that faces the street and has been plant-less since we moved in.
If you haven't discovered hot lips sage yet, buy it! It's amazing! Also loving our native deer grass, English lavender, roses, and native California fushia. Planting purple needlegrass soon, found at our local CNPS native plant nursery run by volunteers at a Day on the Farm (Soil Born Farm-sponsored). Had forgotten purple needlegrass is our state grass. It's a native bunchgrass that is near and dear to botanists and occurs in our regional grasslands.
Ok plants, grow, grow, grow...
Onto summer. My mom helped me get my summer vegetables in (squash, gourds, cucumber, basil, cherry tomatoes, and regular tomatoes (mix of common and heirloom varieties)). Still need to plant the pole beans where the lettuce is growing. We also planted pretty shrubs in the front yard in a lonely area that faces the street and has been plant-less since we moved in.
If you haven't discovered hot lips sage yet, buy it! It's amazing! Also loving our native deer grass, English lavender, roses, and native California fushia. Planting purple needlegrass soon, found at our local CNPS native plant nursery run by volunteers at a Day on the Farm (Soil Born Farm-sponsored). Had forgotten purple needlegrass is our state grass. It's a native bunchgrass that is near and dear to botanists and occurs in our regional grasslands.
Ok plants, grow, grow, grow...
May 19, 2011
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.
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| Maggie eyeing Eden's Easter loot |
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| Look what I found Dad! (the real prize inside was jelly beans-thanks Uncle Dave!) |
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| Table Mountain day trip - Maggie's first time holding lizard |
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| Feeding giraffe at the zoo - Maggie got cold feet at last minute |
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| Such a fun experience and great day at the zoo with 4 moms and 6 kids |
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| Daddy and daughter in Cayucos |
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| Tidepooling and playing with beach rocks - who me? |
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| Visiting Amber and family, SLO college friend |
April 22, 2011
Getting older
The spring has been such a flurry of activities that it hasn't left me much time to watch TV, get on the computer, etc. I think it's been a good thing. Goodbye winter.
Trading off with that has been exercise and staying busy. And this past month I've felt my age creeping in on me. I'm 31. That's still young, right? I realize I'm not in my twenties anymore and that I've had a baby, but come on, really? I've been exercising quite a bit and even though I remember to stretch most times (mostly beforehand) I end up pulling a muscle or being so sore afterwards that it takes me a few days to recover. I went on a run last week that made me feel great and so alive and strong...but it also left me limping around all weekend, especially after being idle for awhile. It's not fun seeing this change in your body, especially when I feel healthier in many ways than I did at 22. Grr...
I asked around and it sounds like I need to do more stretching afterwards and eat more protein. Drink lots of fluids, etc, etc. So much to remember in order to be active and healthy, jeesh.
Life has been full though and I'm really loving it. Maggie seems to be growing like a bean. Age 2 so far is really fun. I love talking with her, seeing her remember events or people, talk about her day in disjointed words, or cuddling with her. I hope she never loses her baby smells, I'm so going to miss that one day when I realize it's gone.
Trading off with that has been exercise and staying busy. And this past month I've felt my age creeping in on me. I'm 31. That's still young, right? I realize I'm not in my twenties anymore and that I've had a baby, but come on, really? I've been exercising quite a bit and even though I remember to stretch most times (mostly beforehand) I end up pulling a muscle or being so sore afterwards that it takes me a few days to recover. I went on a run last week that made me feel great and so alive and strong...but it also left me limping around all weekend, especially after being idle for awhile. It's not fun seeing this change in your body, especially when I feel healthier in many ways than I did at 22. Grr...
I asked around and it sounds like I need to do more stretching afterwards and eat more protein. Drink lots of fluids, etc, etc. So much to remember in order to be active and healthy, jeesh.
Life has been full though and I'm really loving it. Maggie seems to be growing like a bean. Age 2 so far is really fun. I love talking with her, seeing her remember events or people, talk about her day in disjointed words, or cuddling with her. I hope she never loses her baby smells, I'm so going to miss that one day when I realize it's gone.
April 7, 2011
Breather
One minute I'm in a winter wonderland surrounded by so many feet of snow and fresh powder and the next minute I'm surrounded by green rolling hills and blooming wildflowers. Our days have been very full and I've been taking it one day at a time, not sure how else to do it. It's working for the most part.
I have been enjoying reading people's blog and facebook posts more than doing any posting on my end. In the past few weeks, I've skiied and spent a weekend away with hubby, rode enough miles in the Party Pardee ride with our bike team to feel exhausted/great at the end of the day, played softball games, and mountain biked with girls from the team. Good times, except bike on roof rack + overfilled brain = crunched roof rack and some scratches. Crap. Work got a little stressful this past week and my head was in the clouds no matter how much hubby reminded me NOT to drive in the garage that night. I needed a stop sign or some kind of blockade in the garage to stop me.
Maggie is two, but she says she is "sixyearsold" as one long word (inspired by a little girl at the park last weekend who said she's 6). She's still a shrimp but growing taller and I'm happy to be phasing out some winter clothes in preparation for summer. She is lucky to have a TON of hand-me-downs, I mostly go shopping in Maggie's closet. She's really chatty and some of the funny phrases she's been saying are "oh man" and "yeah, sure". When I came home from mountain biking and had dirt on my legs, she says "momma dirty" and then looks up at me with a concerned face and says "fall?". I love this little girl, she makes me laugh a lot. When we drive through a tunnel near our house, she asks us to honk and then laughs. Everything is "me do it" and then "help momma" if she can't figure it out. We got lettuce and some other spring vegetables in the garden, we'll see if this spring weather lasts long enough for them to produce. Excited for tomato season to be here soon!
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