I came home to the best sound ever today...Maggie singing along with Daddy to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I particularly like her rendition "...like a diaper in the sky...". All of a sudden one day she started singing whole songs and it amazes me. Yesterday I heard her in her playroom putting toys away and singing "Clean up,clean up, everybody clean up". Apparently this is a daycare song that I need to learn.
I realized last week how much she is learning at daycare that I have no idea about when I was scrambling for a bedtime lullaby and starting humming the chicken dance. She looked at me puzzled, as if she couldn't believe I knew that song. When I was done she said "more chicken dance?" And since there is only so many consecutive chicken dances one can possibly hum before wanting to shoot oneself in the head, I had to do a little Rock a Bye Baby mash up.
So now our bedtime routine is a little unconventional. It starts with "chicken dance?", then "baby?", followed by "more chicken dance?", then "baby"...and on and on it goes for about 5 rounds when she finally gives me the glazed over stare, I ask if she's ready for bed and she nods her head and says "binky kiss?".
And I kiss her binky as if she's the Goddaughter.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Hi Gramma
So Gramma threatened us that if we did not send daily updates of Maggie while she was on a business trip this week who knows what would happen to us.
Behold...Maggie's message to Gramma:
Have a safe and happy trip Gramma!
Monday, March 2, 2009
SNOW DAY!!
Aren't Monday snow days the best? Although, I'd much rather have the day start out by hearing on the radio when the alarm goes off "EVERYTHING'S CLOSED TODAY (go back to bed)"...but our morning started off with actually going to daycare to find it closed and then going to my work to find out it also was closed. So Maggie and I got to do a round trip drive to school/work and back home again. Oh well...
The good news is, we are home today and on the agenda is PLAY, PLAY and more PLAY. The first hour of the morning consisted of me sitting on the step ("mommy, SIT DOWN") with Maggie's stickers while she went back and forth from the bathroom to me asking for one more sticker and each time in between she would point at me saying "be right back". After about 20 stickers I asked her to show me what she was doing. She unveiled her masterpiece - an entire Dora potty adorned with stickers. And she did it so neatly, you have to pick up the seat of the potty to see it. I have to admit I was a little nervous to see what my bathroom was going to look like when she was done but figured it was harmless no matter what.
Next...3 slices of cheese for a snack. Seems like a lot huh? Not until you add in the mac n cheese for lunch. The way she has been teething lately though I'm just happy she's eating so don't judge me!
Next...an episode of Lazytown. And miraculously Maggie let me hold her ("hold you?") for the whole show, it doesn't get much better than that. Until she got down, looked at me and said "no more hold you"...and rubbed my leg apparently to console me.
Maggie is napping right now but the best part of the day is still yet to come. We are going to build our first snowman. I'm sure it will be one of those things that sounds so fun in the planning stages but turns into a tantrum towards the end (me that is).
The good news is, we are home today and on the agenda is PLAY, PLAY and more PLAY. The first hour of the morning consisted of me sitting on the step ("mommy, SIT DOWN") with Maggie's stickers while she went back and forth from the bathroom to me asking for one more sticker and each time in between she would point at me saying "be right back". After about 20 stickers I asked her to show me what she was doing. She unveiled her masterpiece - an entire Dora potty adorned with stickers. And she did it so neatly, you have to pick up the seat of the potty to see it. I have to admit I was a little nervous to see what my bathroom was going to look like when she was done but figured it was harmless no matter what.
Next...3 slices of cheese for a snack. Seems like a lot huh? Not until you add in the mac n cheese for lunch. The way she has been teething lately though I'm just happy she's eating so don't judge me!
Next...an episode of Lazytown. And miraculously Maggie let me hold her ("hold you?") for the whole show, it doesn't get much better than that. Until she got down, looked at me and said "no more hold you"...and rubbed my leg apparently to console me.
Maggie is napping right now but the best part of the day is still yet to come. We are going to build our first snowman. I'm sure it will be one of those things that sounds so fun in the planning stages but turns into a tantrum towards the end (me that is).
Monday, February 16, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, February 2, 2009
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!
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!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Back to Life
If I were a real writer I would have been writing posts over the last weeks to help me process everything we have been through since Christmas. But I am not so here I am, 3 weeks later to summarize it all.
It all started with a late night at work and the call from Erik "Maggie has a lump on her throat and I'm taking her to urgent care". You never want that call. Text messages followed every 15 minutes giving me updates - they called a specialist, she may have to have a CT scan, not really sure what it is... They put her on antibiotics and sent them on their way. 2 days later, what should have been a quick follow up specialist appointment turned into "we have to admit her now and plan to be there 5 days". So many questions but no idea what they were.
So the next 5 days starts and it is all a blur right now - 1 week later. After all of the horrible things we experienced over those days there are 2 moments that will stick in my mind forever. The look in her eyes when she went through the CAT scan and the feeling of her limp body as the anesthesia took hold before her surgery. No one should ever have to see or feel either of those things and I would like to think I never will again.
So we are home and finally getting back to normal and in sort of a holding pattern until we find out what the real diagnosis is. We are pretty sure whatever it is is not serious, but could require follow up surgery in the next few weeks. At this point, I am just happy to have my happy, feisty, stubborn, funny little girl back - it has been way too long since I have seen the real Maggie. And just so this post isn't completely depressing, I will end with our 4:15 PM conversation tonight:
We are reading her book- "The First 100 Words" and she sees a picture of cheese
"Cheese?" as she walks to the fridge and tries opening the door
"You want cheese?"
"Cheese?"
"Maggie, we're eating dinner in 45 minutes, let's just have some milk"
"Cheese?"
"OK, 1 cheese slice" Let me mention though - she has never had an interest in cheese slices. But she inhales this slice.
"More? Cheese?" as she does her sign language motion for 'more' standing at the fridge
"really?"
"More? Cheese?"
"Ok, one more" and she inhales that one
"More? Cheese?"
"Maggie - do you just want dinner now?"
"OK" nodding her head "SIT DOWN" as she pull her high chair away from the table and starts to climb in
It's good to see she has her appetite back.
Oh and Maggie - just so you know, your dad watched the AFC Championship game, with the Steelers in it, by your bedside in the hospital room. If that doesn't tell you how loved you are, I don't know what does!
It all started with a late night at work and the call from Erik "Maggie has a lump on her throat and I'm taking her to urgent care". You never want that call. Text messages followed every 15 minutes giving me updates - they called a specialist, she may have to have a CT scan, not really sure what it is... They put her on antibiotics and sent them on their way. 2 days later, what should have been a quick follow up specialist appointment turned into "we have to admit her now and plan to be there 5 days". So many questions but no idea what they were.
So the next 5 days starts and it is all a blur right now - 1 week later. After all of the horrible things we experienced over those days there are 2 moments that will stick in my mind forever. The look in her eyes when she went through the CAT scan and the feeling of her limp body as the anesthesia took hold before her surgery. No one should ever have to see or feel either of those things and I would like to think I never will again.
So we are home and finally getting back to normal and in sort of a holding pattern until we find out what the real diagnosis is. We are pretty sure whatever it is is not serious, but could require follow up surgery in the next few weeks. At this point, I am just happy to have my happy, feisty, stubborn, funny little girl back - it has been way too long since I have seen the real Maggie. And just so this post isn't completely depressing, I will end with our 4:15 PM conversation tonight:
We are reading her book- "The First 100 Words" and she sees a picture of cheese
"Cheese?" as she walks to the fridge and tries opening the door
"You want cheese?"
"Cheese?"
"Maggie, we're eating dinner in 45 minutes, let's just have some milk"
"Cheese?"
"OK, 1 cheese slice" Let me mention though - she has never had an interest in cheese slices. But she inhales this slice.
"More? Cheese?" as she does her sign language motion for 'more' standing at the fridge
"really?"
"More? Cheese?"
"Ok, one more" and she inhales that one
"More? Cheese?"
"Maggie - do you just want dinner now?"
"OK" nodding her head "SIT DOWN" as she pull her high chair away from the table and starts to climb in
It's good to see she has her appetite back.
Oh and Maggie - just so you know, your dad watched the AFC Championship game, with the Steelers in it, by your bedside in the hospital room. If that doesn't tell you how loved you are, I don't know what does!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas is coming
It's the night before the night before Christmas and I can't wait for tomorrow. I still think Maggie's a little young to get the whole Christmas thing but I'm hoping for a little excitement when she walks down the stairs in the morning to find her new Elmo kitchen (courtesy of Gramma and Pap). When I ask her if she wants Santa to bring her presents she clearly states "NO" with a look of concern on her face. Could this be because Gramma and I traumatized her with an attempt at a picture with Santa Claus? Although I'm not sure how can we blame kids for being scared to sit on a strange man's lap...it is an odd tradition.
We let Maggie open a gift that my boss gave her this past weekend. It was a step stool/chair with her name on it and I have never seen her react the way she did when she saw it. She gave me the biggest smile I have ever seen and gently sat on it, then stepped up and down on it for the rest of the night. If it is possible for a 19 month old to be appreciative, that was what that was. She was so happy for that one thing, it was so special to her.
As much as I know I will not follow through with this, I want to teach her the spirit of giving and how much you get is not nearly as important as how much you give. I don't want to spoil her with stuff. One of her new phrases these days is "mine, mine" at the same time holding whatever the item is close to her chest and turning away from you. It doesn't matter what it is (it was nail clippers tonight, yesterday it was hotdogs at the grocery store), it is HERS. I'm sure this is a defense mechanism learned at daycare where 10 kids all want the same toy, but I am not a big fan of the "mine". I'm sure it's a phase and she'll grow out of it so for now we'll just reinforce that everything is not hers, sharing is important, blah blah blah.
On the flip side, she turns sweeter and sweeter everyday. When I come home and ask her for a kiss, she immediately says "da da" and runs to him to give him a kiss, then gives me one. And vice versa if she gives Da da a kiss...she must give me equal kisses. She never wants anyone to be left out which I just love. And last weekend when we all made Christmas cookies together, she was the most low maintenance child you can imagine. Just sitting in her high chair singing "la La LA" over and over to entertain us.
So we will see which Maggie we get over the next few days - the one who runs around and gives kisses to everyone, or the one stealing everyone's stuff yelling "MINE!".
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
We let Maggie open a gift that my boss gave her this past weekend. It was a step stool/chair with her name on it and I have never seen her react the way she did when she saw it. She gave me the biggest smile I have ever seen and gently sat on it, then stepped up and down on it for the rest of the night. If it is possible for a 19 month old to be appreciative, that was what that was. She was so happy for that one thing, it was so special to her.
As much as I know I will not follow through with this, I want to teach her the spirit of giving and how much you get is not nearly as important as how much you give. I don't want to spoil her with stuff. One of her new phrases these days is "mine, mine" at the same time holding whatever the item is close to her chest and turning away from you. It doesn't matter what it is (it was nail clippers tonight, yesterday it was hotdogs at the grocery store), it is HERS. I'm sure this is a defense mechanism learned at daycare where 10 kids all want the same toy, but I am not a big fan of the "mine". I'm sure it's a phase and she'll grow out of it so for now we'll just reinforce that everything is not hers, sharing is important, blah blah blah.
On the flip side, she turns sweeter and sweeter everyday. When I come home and ask her for a kiss, she immediately says "da da" and runs to him to give him a kiss, then gives me one. And vice versa if she gives Da da a kiss...she must give me equal kisses. She never wants anyone to be left out which I just love. And last weekend when we all made Christmas cookies together, she was the most low maintenance child you can imagine. Just sitting in her high chair singing "la La LA" over and over to entertain us.
So we will see which Maggie we get over the next few days - the one who runs around and gives kisses to everyone, or the one stealing everyone's stuff yelling "MINE!".
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
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