She's A Sitter

My sweet baby doll is sitting on her own. When Maggie finally decided she wanted to do it, she just did it. Now, does she always like it? Not exactly, she still prefers to be right on my hip. But boy, am I loving a sitting baby.

Feeding time is much easier with her sitting upright...no more slouching and repositioning. And now she loves her stroller rides even more. She sits straight up, hands on the tray, and takes in the scenery. Playtime is so much more enjoyable, not to mention no longer logistically challenging . I can actually sit in front of her and we can coo and goo over toys together. I love seeing her sweet face as opposed to the back of her head.

Now that I have an official sitter, it's time for gym class. I signed her up this week and we are set to start at the beginning of June. I know she is going to be crazy about it--she will have me all to her self for a whole 45minutes! I'm looking forward to some Mags and Mommy time.

Now I'm just waiting on some chompers! However, if it's up to Maggie...one milestone at a time.

School Year Goodbye

We celebrated Jack's last day of Pre-school 2's with an "End of the Year" picnic. I'm truly sad to see this school year end. Not just because of losing my Tuesdays and Thursdays (that actually happened back in November with Maggie's birth). But more because it's been a great school year.

Jack was blessed with two fabulous teachers, precious classmates, and an abundance of new skills. I looked at this year as an opportunity for socialization. However, I truly believe he walked away with more than that.

Jack had his first crush (I use this term loosely with a 2/3 year old). He came home daily and told me with a sheepish grin how he chased Reese on the playground. He always followed with, "She is my favowite frwend".

He told me how a certain boy (I won't mention names), never shared. I took that as a learning opportunity and we prayed for his friend every night.

He laughed when Ms. Inge nicknamed him the "water monster". And since then each time he is thirsty he reminds me of his new name.

Throughout the year, he consistently pointed at his school art work, that adorns out kitchen, and repeated, "I made dat one and dat one and dat one and dat one and dat one..." until he made his rounds through every picture.

And he even learned his very own snack time blessing which we now say at dinner complete with prayer hands.

So, Jack has officially graduated from the 2's...sniff, sniff. I can see how this gets harder and harder with each passing year. But for now, it's time to celebrate the summer (yipee!) and prepare for, hopefully, another fabulous year in the 3's room.

My Maggie: 6 Months

Happy "Half Birthday" Sweet Maggie! And, whew...am I happy to see that month over. Let's just say Maggie's 5th month of life was a challenging one. She can't always be perfect, now can she?

It started with the two nights of waking at 4:30 a.m. on night one and then 6:00 a.m. on night two. As I mentioned, I solved the mysterious wake ups with a declaration of a hunger issue. My solution was the addition of rice cereal to one meal a day and then supplementing with a small formula bottle after her other feedings. All was well until...she decided her stomach did not agree with the formula. Mag's has always been a gassy baby, but this was rough. A tummy ache = a very unhappy baby. To make a long story short, it took me over a week to figure out it was the formula, then 2 kinds of formula later and two more weeks, we resolved the issue. That was basically her entire 5th month of life.

The good news is she is back to her old smiley self (as long as she is in Momma's arms). And she is eating and sleeping wonderfully again. Now that we've settled that issue, I'm sure teething will be right around the corner. Gotta love babyhood!

So on to my regular update on Mag's...

Eating

I have started the weaning process with Maggie. I nursed Jack for 6 solid months and I vowed to do the same with Maggie. It has been great. And honestly, there is a tinge of sadness in me now that it's time to start the weaning. I know it's for the best, my milk supply has dramatically decreased and I'm just not able to give her what she needs. At this point she is taking half of her ounces in breast milk and the other half in formula. She doesn't mind a bit--as long as the milk is coming.

She still feeds four times a day, every four hours. At three of the feeding she takes a full 8 ounces and would probably take more if I let her. I only give her 4-6 ounces at the feeding that I do solids. She's becoming A LOT like Jack when it comes to eating... ravenous or possibly just a giant growth spurt.

Since starting the rice cereal, I've introduced a few fruits to her. She has been very happy with that....a big fan of pears and apples, not so sure about prunes. Her little mouth opens like a baby bird...it is way too cute! High chair time is also her most vocal time of the day. I get more coos and goos from that kitchen than anywhere else in the house!

If she's not eating, she enjoys watching other eat, especially Jack. She opens her mouth, leans forward in hopes of getting a morsel or two. 'It's coming Maggie...be patient', I tell her. She has even been known to get frustrated a time or two--I'm sure she is wondering why she's not allowed to have any.

Activity

Maggie's newest favorite activity is being in Mommy's arms. And boy am I getting a work out. She's at that stage where life is best from Mommy's hip. I've learned that sometimes "out of sight, out of mind" is the best route if I want to get anything done. Plus it gives her some important independent playtime...right?

She still adores her play mat and reaching for all of the hanging goodies. She loves being outside especially when it's breezy. Maggie is still big brother's #1 fan. And she is now an official student of Music class. I never would have imagined how much she would enjoy class. I think she is fascinated with all of the kiddos (from a safe distance that is). Not to mention, she is definitely a music lover...it calms her in the car and soothes her in her nursery. And you better believe she enjoys dancing too!

Daddy is now in charge of bath duty. Mags and Jack bath together, she's still in her baby tub, but she adores being with big brother in the tub. Baths are still one of her favorite daily activities. And you better not forget that washcloth that she likes to suck so vigorously during her entire bathing experience.

If Maggie had a motto it would be..."Manana" (insert your best Spanish accent here). She is taking her precious time with her baby milestones. She's trying to sit, but not quite there yet. Still no teeth and from what I can see, Mag's seems to be in no rush to grow up. Obviously, not a problem for me--I'm just enjoying this baby for as long as I can. Although, I will admit, sitting sure would give my back a much needed break.

Her personality has taken a little turn too. So far, Maggie is very laid back, go with the flow, pretty relaxed, until...she wants something. That something is usually me or food. But, trust me you will know when she wants it. Sometimes it starts with just a little whine or grunt and other times she goes full throttle from the get go. The good news is she calms down almost immediately when her needs are met. I can handle that.

Sleep

Maggie still takes three naps a day. A morning nap at 9:30, an afternoon nap at 1:30, and an evening catnap at 5:30. Her night time sleep is the same too...7:30 p.m. to 7:30-8:00 a.m.

The nice part is I no longer have to look for that optimal wake time length anymore. We basically just clock watch and when it's time--she goes down. No more looking for sleepy signs. It's definitely more manageable especially when I have Jack running around too. I have been blessed with two great sleepers. The only caveat is--if they don't get their sleep--watch out!

Stats

Magpie had her 6 month appointment this week. It amazes me how much I look forward to getting her stats. I think it's so fun to see how much she changes physically. I'm happy to report she is a growing girl.

Length 26" 65th percentile

Weight 16.5 lbs 65th percentile

Imagine all that poundage squeezed into that short little frame. Won't she be a butter ball in her bathing suit this summer? Yum! I love chubby babies! And on that note, she is now easily wearing size 9 months. It's time to start moving those 6 months clothes to the baby bin....eeek, so bittersweet!

Well, we are half way there, to a year that it is! If the next 6 months go by as fast these first ones, I better savor every moment. We sure have enjoyed the last 180 something days with our little Magpie! I can't wait to see what the next 6 months hold.

Happy To Be A Mother

My kids were perfect today. They must have known it was Mother's Day. Wouldn't it be nice if everyday was Mother's day?

I love being a Mother on the great days like today and even on the challenging days, like basically every other day.

I always knew I wanted to be a Mother. But, I never knew how happy it would make me. My little ones have changed me in so many ways. They honestly have given me a new purpose in life and I wouldn't change it for the world. I have a new perspective on the "everyday" and have learned to appreciate the littlest things in life. Nothing makes me happier than watching them grow, reminiscing on days past, and living new experiences through their eyes.

My favorite thing about being a Mother to Jack is when we have an "aha" moment together. He can do something so little or say something so simple and I realize "he really has been listening to me" and at the same time I can see the "aha" in his eyes, "oh, that's why Mommy is trying to teach me that". That is what makes all of my, what sometimes seems like wasted effort, really worth it. It's not so wasted after all. He truly trusts and respects me.

My favorite thing about being a Mother to Maggie is when I walk in a room and her face lights up. "That's my Mommy and I want her NOW!". She comes into my arms, smiles with a wide open grin and buries her head into my shoulder. She loves me and I can feel it with every ounce of my being.

Today was just a simple reminder that...I'm really Happy to Be a Mother.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Happy Mothers. And thank you to the ones who have influenced me so deeply. What a day!