Here we are...21 months! I made a bit of a mis-comment in my last Maggie post at 18 months. I said something to the effect of '
next time we have a Maggie post she will be 2 years old'. Oh dear, how could I rush something so sweet? We actually have this little guy {21 months} to squeeze in there before the big "2" celebration. And luckily so, because I have so much to share about my Maggie.
Okay, you know I am going to throw in the whole "she is my angel", "I adore her", and "what a love bug she is". So, I might as well get that little bit out right here. And I am happy to report that, even with the many changes the last 3 months have brought, all of that remains true. What a lucky momma I am.
Now, on to the Mags update...
Eating
Nothing in Maggie's life has created a bigger challenge than her eating habits. I say that and ask you to take it with a grain of salt...you see, nothing in Maggie's life is really too too challenging, but if I had to choose something, this would be at the top of my list.
I teeter totter with the source of this issue. Is it that she is a picky eater, a stubborn eater, or do I compare her to Jack and his eating habits too often? I use to think she was just picky then I found that to be only partly true. She actually is willing to try to new things and eat well on
her terms. Like when she is walking around the kitchen, playing, distracted...basically anywhere other than her high chair. Taking this in to consideration, we hit the attic and pulled out the booster seat. It has certainly helped. Maggie prefers to be at that table with
the family Jack and in turn, is eating better.
Even with her eating challenges, she is a healthy eater. Lots of fruits, plenty of protein {that gal loooves meat}, and veggies. But, here is the caveat--I have to get really creative to make sure she is getting the good stuff instead of the junk. She prefers dried fruit, but will eat fresh fruit {only with a fork}. Meats must be seasoned or from Chick-fil-a:) And her veggies must be pureed and eaten from a little a squeezy pouch. And that is what I mean by 'challenging'.
Things are looking up a bit though. Maggie is requesting and eating bananas {nuh nuhs} with her hands. Raisins and grapes are a new favorite snack {believe it or not, we have been working on the grape thing for a while now}. And on that fruit note, she is finally eating oranges by choice! She loves corn on the cob, will tolerate peas, and lima beans, and has even taken to raw carrots {on occasion, well, the occasions she sees Jack eating them}. Peanut butter is a hit around here, like we really needed another source of protein, but it's certainly convenient. And she downs milk like there is no tomorrow.
Maggie has continued with her staple favorites--yogurt, applesauce, basically anything she can be in control of with silverware. Now that I think of it, rice is one of her faves too, maybe it's that control thing again? Who knows. But, we are making progress and progress makes me happy.
Play
Insert anything girly, pink, fluffy, domestic, etc. right here. My Mags is a girl down to the core and I LOVE it!
Baby dolls, baby dolls and more baby dolls. My Maggie can not get enough of them. She feeds them, rocks them, strolls them around, and wants me to do the same thing with her babies. {as if I don't have enough responsibilities with my own children} And if I don't love on her babies at her given request, she let's me know with an insistent "bay, bay, bay" as she shoves dolly in my face or leg {whatever she can reach at the time}. Totally cute, but exhausting.
Maggie has also taken a serious interest to play kitchens {which Santa will be bringing her}, play food {at least there is some food that is a non-issue}, and tea parties. Watching my Mags set up a tea party might be the sweetest thing I have ever witnessed. Other girly tasks include trying out all of Mommy's make-up brushes, shoe grazing in my closet, and jewelry dress-up. Seriously, I adore this girly girl.
Now, we can't forget that Maggie
does have a big brother. So on occasion, those cars, legos, pirates, or Toy Story toys do peek her curiosity. Anything to be just like Jack. Which is almost as equally cute to watch as the girly play.
Mags has also found a new love of puzzles, an obsession with Elmo {whom now goes just about everywhere with her--in a head lock, mind you}, and adores books {especially those with flip-flaps}. I think her favorite time of the day just might be bedtime books gently rocking in Mommy or Daddy's arms. {might be mine too}
As for out of the house play, we are on the cusp of a pretty big schedule change. My dear sweet Mags starts pre-school in the toddler room next week. Wasn't I just taking Jack to that room? {I can't resist the cliche--time really does fly}. Maggie will be attending her new school 2 days a week for 3 hours a day. It's going to be an adjustment for both of us, but the best thing for her. She has to climb out of my womb sooner or later. And the great news is, we still have 3 whole days to play together- two of which are just for the girls. She will continue in her music class {which she adores} one day, gym class another, and one Mommy, Jack, and Maggie free day. That's five days of fun!
Sleep
I thought I would never say this, but...Maggie actually dropped her morning nap...for real...no going back! I think it was back at month 19, maybe the very beginning of 20, but it is a goner. I never in my wildest dreams expected her to hang on to that thing so long. But, she did. And we were officially released from morning nap jail mid-summer. Woo hoo! {I must note that she was doing her ISR swim lessons, so I have to think that had a lot to do with her extra exhaustion and in turn her extended a.m. nap, but just a theory on my part}
So, here we are at 21 months, one nap a day, and I am thrilled...until about a week ago. I don't know what happened but, my Magpie, who has always been an amazing sleeper, has been waking from naps in a fitful cry. Generally it is very close to wake time, but seriously? And then most recently, she has been waking, with the same terrible cry, in the middle of the night. Whether it be nap or bedtime, we go in, pat her gently on the back and tell her it's still "nigh nigh" time. And just like that...it's over and she is back to laying down and soon asleep. I am at a lose here. Luckily, I have never had sleeping issues of this nature with my kids. And now that I think of it, I haven't heard a peep out of Maggie at bedtime since she was 10 weeks old. So, I'll take any thoughts on the matter. I'm hoping, and assuming, it's a phase?
But, on a "normal" day, she goes down for her afternoon nap between1:15-2:00 and wakes around 4:00. I prefer to get her down as close to 1:00 as I can, but with Jack's school schedule this year, it may be closer to the 2:00 mark--poor Mags. Bedtime is 7:15-7:30 and she is up at 8:00 a.m. Don't you know how much I was loving that 8:00 wake up time this summer. Unfortunately, my little Magpie will have to be rising and shining a few minutes earlier on school days. We will all groggily adjust in time, I'm sure.
Bedtime routine remains the same. An overstimulating bath with big brother, then three books in her rocker, and lastly our bedroom goodnights. She loves to say "nigh nigh bay" to the her own baby picture, wave goodnight to her books, turn her music off, and try to spell her name that is monogrammed on her bunny's floppy ears. Then it's off with the lights and on with the sound machines. And prior to a week ago, that was all she wrote until morning.
Each night that I lay that sweet baby girl down in her crib, I am more and more amazed at how much room she is taking up. Even my sweet petite Maggie is growing up. {sniff, sniff}
Learning
Like I've always said, Maggie is my soaker. She seems to be taking it in and keeping it in, for the mean time anyway. She is fascinated with the big kids, and although she is quiet about it, I think she is learning a lot more from them than she let's on.
Mags and I have about 25 minutes of "learning time" a day. It may not sound like a lot, but that is a looong time to ask for a 21 month old's attention. During this time, we work on puzzles, read, play letter games, and practice colors. During this 25 minute {okay, sometimes 20 minutes}, I have found Maggie knows much more than I realized. She can match her colors and can recognize a few by name, she knows a handful of letters, and she can find just about any picture I ask her to.
Her receptive language is incredible. Maggie can follow 2 step directions without a wince. I've found her to be my little helper in so many ways. She sets the dinner table, cleans up toys, puts shoes away, throws dirty clothes in the hamper, disposes of dirty diapers, and even helps me with Cosby responsibilities.
As for her oral language, she is adding new words everyday. It's obvious she has a new word when she whispers--it is too precious. As her confidence grows, so does her volume. And it is the sweetest little feminine voice ever. These are the words she uses on a regular basis... shooz (shoes), bay (baby), bowh (bow), Jacque (Jack) {it is seriously the french pronunciation--to die for cute}, da (daddy), ma (mommy), woof (doggy), cheeshs (tree), cup, hatttt (hat), hot, la (Elmo), snack, moh (more), eet (eat), buhsh (toothbrush), boo (pinky), vroom (car), bawh (ball), mah (Ms. Abby), nuh nuh (Ms. Anna-her music teacher), book, baa (bath), pop (lollipop) knot-knot (knock knock for a door), nuh nuh (banana), fuh (flower), bun (bunny), buh (bubbles), peasz (please), tank ooo (thank you), look, poepin (open), gup (fish) {that's suppose to be gulp gulp}. If we ask her to repeat after us when trying to learn a new word, she will. However, it takes time before she adds it to her daily vocabulary.
As to date, she doesn't really put two words together unless she is adding a "please" to a request. And most of her words are one syllable {at least she makes them that way}. I think she will really amaze me with all she knows when she starts fluently talking. Hopefully the onset of 2 years old and school will get her going.
Personality
Now on to why I love sweet Maggie so dearly...she is truly a slice of heaven. Sugar and spice down to the core. She is soft, gentle, loving, happy, giving, pleasing, and content. She enjoys life and is happiest with her family wherever we are. She emits joy and is such a pleasure to be in the company of.
Maggie is still shy. Slow to warm up and happiest in familiar places with familiar faces. But, I promise, once the little gal does warm up, she is your best friend. Mags still prefers her personal space, but loves to observe and watch all that is going on.
I must note that Maggie
is a toddler and with that does come some challenging toddler behaviors. But, even at her worst, she is manageable. Her 'worst' is just a vocal whine/cry with a little touch of anger. It is usually resolved easily with a hug or being held in Mommy or Daddy's arms. And if that doesn't work, we have started to employ a little "uh-oh" time {time out}. She can really get going in there. So somewhere under that sweet persona is a bit of stubbornness and we are learning to manage it around here. Like I said though, even her worst isn't that bad.
A little side of Mags that amuses me is the way she instigates with her big brother. Annoying little sister in the making? She likes to snatch toys from Jack and run {like the wind, peering behind her, with a smirk}. Jack is wrestling with the urge to react, which is exactly what Maggie wants from him. I have to giggle sometimes at this interaction between the two. {I know, I know, this will not stay amusing to me forever}. Right now, I'm just enjoying watching Magpie assert some independence. See, she has a little fiest to that sweet self.
So that is my Maggie at 21 months. I will end on the same note I started on...she is an angel, I adore her, and she is such a love bug! We are one blessed family. Now on to the home stretch to the terrific 2's.
