My Maggie: 10 Months

Maggie Grace is 10 months old today! Yes, I said 10. Amazing, isn't it?

In honor of the double digits, I thought we would try something new to celebrate. Not to mention, very little has changed in the way of her Eat, Play, Sleep schedule-- tidbits here and there, but that should easily be covered below.

Mama's hip is where she is happiest--Mama's back is not so happy

An angel is disguise

Girly to the core, drama and all

Gets up from night time sleep and naps with a smile on her face and a giggle in her belly

Incredibly squishy in all the right places

Eats just about anything I put in front of her, but especially loves chicken and grapes

Gives me way too many dirty diapers a day--you know, the really bad kind

Rolls around her crib and often wakes on her belly

Afraid of strangers or possibly looking for an excuse for Mommy to hold her

Can find the beat to any music she hears and bops away

Expecting 3 more top teeth any day now--they are working their way through

Can't wait until bath time

Is quickly perfecting her sippy cup skills

Blue eyes that could melt your heart

Unusually content with being immobile

Likes to play Peek -A-Boo with her books over reading them

An amazing sleeper--thank you God and Babywise

I don't think we could possibly love her anymore, but then again, I thought the same thing last month. I don't know what this baby is doing to me but, she has a tight hold of my heart.

Happy 10 Months Magpie--you are our little piece of heaven!

A Wagon Built For Two

It is almost impossible to get Jack to take a walk with us these days. It use to be his favorite after nap activity. It has been sorely replaced with "Curious George". I know, definitely not the same affect.

However, I was able to talk him into it with a wagon ride. The novelty of it struck just the right cord with him. Maggie was thrilled with the idea--she loves being outdoors. So off we went down the street to the apple tree and back. With this being Maggie's first wagon ride, we took it slow. Until....big brother decided he wanted to pull the wagon. The pro here is that he wore himself out. The con, well, let's just say I was a nervous wreck.

Jack was flying down the road, with my sweet Magpie in tow. Oh, if you could have only seen her face. A grin from ear to ear, belly laughs galore, and her hair blowing in the wind. Apparently she wasn't aware of the danger she was in.

We all made it home safely, with only one minor knee scratch. Looks like we need to dust that wagon off more often!

Babies And BBQ

I guess I can't really call it that anymore, considering the "babies" are growing up and the new ones have arrived. Maybe...Cook Out and Kiddos....or...Babies, Toddlers, and Burgers, Oh My. Hmm...any thoughts?

Regardless of what it is called these days, we did it again. Our annual backyard summer's end party. Unfortunately, we had to schedule it on Labor Day weekend this year. If you can believe it, every other weekend in September was taken on the Cibula calendar. So, lots of families were out of town, which we expected. But, we still had a great crew with 13 kiddos and lots of Mommies and Daddies.

We ate burgers and hot dogs, the Daddies played a little Boccie Ball, the Mommies caught up, and the little ones ran wild. It was perfect! I am proud to announce that the running wild didn't lead to one argument that needed adult intervention. Huh, maybe those babies really are growing up.

So without further ado, I present you with the pictures of our last bit of summer fun...

Maggie and Little Miss Eliza Kate enjoyed some bonding time on the deck. Maggie was enthralled by EK--she loves babies. So much so, that she even let me walk out of her sight for a bit. Now, it takes someone really special for Mags to allow that to happen.

Too cool or too busy to pose for a picture together, so I had to catch an action/candid shot of Miller and Jack.

The playset was very well used this year. Between the swings, the rock wall, and rolling balls up and down the slides there was not a dull moment at that end of the yard.

Wee ones and their Mommies..aren't they sweet? Cristina and Lucas, Karen and Bradley, & Allison and Conrad. Next year these little bundles will be trying to keep up with the big kids...hard to believe.

Group photo time! How do we always pull this off? A bribe, of course. This year--popsicles! I will admit we were missing one toddler--the popsicle wasn't tempting enough for sweet Sydney. (back row L-R Miller, Alexandra, middle row L-R,Wesley Kate, Jack, Sophia, front row L-R Ansley, Caroline)

And we can't forget the babies! Maggie fell somewhere in the middle of the two groups, but made it very clear that she felt the most comfortable with her pint size friends. (L-R Lucas, Conrad, Maggie, Eliza Kate, and Bradley)

To the point that she could not take her hands off them. Did I mention, Maggie loves babies?

And my favorite photo...my two love bugs. What a happy pair! And yes, Jack's shirt is still soaking in Oxi Clean as we speak.

Still Friends

Cristina and I have been doing everything in our power to make sure Jack and Sophia get plenty of quality time together. With them not being in the same classroom this year, we feel it is our duty. We've planned numerous playdates, picnics after school, a Mighty Mites class in the Fall, and Lunch Bunch after school on Fridays. The latest endeavour...a naked playdate.

It wasn't really planned that way. But after a drop off playdate, and Jack's impromptu, "let's go to the pool", Sophia's reply, "I didn't bring my bathing suit", and a "let's play in the sprinklers" conversation, before Abby and I knew it, they were both stripping down on the front porch...literally. And I promise, not one bit of that is an exaggeration...and who were we to stop them?

I wish I could share all the pictures I took or at least the full shot (they are pretty hilarious), but Clay would kill me. Right fully so. So I'll let you use your imagination--and here's a hint--the sprinkler was hardly involved. Mainly just a water hose and some outdoor toys...gotta love the liberation of being 3!

I find this picture hilarious (even after I cropped half of it off). Please check out Sophia on the tree swing (naked mind you) while Jack fills the water table with the garden hose. What a gentleman and such a patient lady in waiting.

And if you could only see the entirety of this photo. Both Jack and Sophia were hard at work "washing" toys. You should have seen how many toys were at their feet.