Mini Me

I always hoped that if Maggie inherited anything from me it would be one of my best qualities but when someone told me the other day that Maggie looked just like me (apparently that person was hallucinating because no one else sees it), Erik's response was "well, she is the palest one in her class...". Thanks...

As Maggie gets older though I'm seeing proof of the nature vs. nurture debate everyday. I always imagined with her in daycare 5 days/week that would automatically make her a very social, outgoing child. Don't get me wrong, within her comfort zone she is both of those things but it takes her a while to acclimate to a situation and does the familiar clinging to our legs when she is uncomfortable. I imagine that I was very much like this as a child. My mother couldn't even put me in the bowling alley daycare while she bowled for a couple of hours I would scream so much. My poor mother had to set up a pack n play in the bowling alley so I could be with her. I should be thankful I can even leave her at daycare...I'm not so sure it would go over very well if I had her in a pack n play at my desk.

Point being, no matter how much influence you try to have on your child, nature always comes into play. She may look nothing like me, but the lucky girl did get my introverted qualities. But along with that she also seems to have her dad's sense of humor so not such a bad combination, right? I think it's just natural to want your child to be everything great that you never were and at the same time, everything good that you are. I guess at some point you have to let go and just let them be.

Proud

I had a conversation today that every parent wants to have. The "your child is advanced" one from her daycare teacher. And, no, I will never be that mom that writes Christmas letters about how wonderful and perfect my child is, but it is nice to hear that kind of praise from someone who sees kids her same age all day long. When you're only around your own child all day, of COURSE she's advanced!

Maggie's vocabulary has been amazing lately and to watch her put sentences together is fascinating. Tonight in particular was priceless...trying to say "Mommy, hotdog is hot" basically turned into "hot hot hot", but I got her point. Then after that we had to sit at the table for an extra half hour so she could buckle and un-buckle the straps on her high chair. It is fascinating how a toddler learns with practice, practice and more practice and sometimes I guess that has to mean you sit at the dinner table for an hour for them to master the task du jour.

But the best part of every evening is when she gives me a hug and pats my back as I'm taking her to bed, sort of like she's saying "it's ok that I'm going to bed mommy, you'll see me tomorrow".

How sweet!