Sunday, January 26, 2014

15 months

Here she is...my not so little baby. 15 months! Wow, where has the time gone. Although, now I am getting to the point where I actually remember when Elise was about this age. I attribute some of that to the fact that I started blogging around that time. It was on another page, but I can still remember doing it. I don't feel like Maggie has changed a lot, but then again...leaps and bounds!
She is definitely eating more foods, and requests (read whines until satisfied) to eat food off of my plate or more recently if Sis has something she might think she is missing out. Though usually it is my plate and most of the time actually is the same thing on her tray, she just wants it from me. Ha, always the mom willing to share, right?

She has become interested in using a spoon. I say, good for here, except for the fact that she is SO messy. I'm not sure she didn't do a better job when she used her fingers. Usually I can get away with putting something on the spoon and helping her guide it to her mouth. That way it gets in there!
Elise decided she wanted to be in a picture. And this is the face I got...then she left!

See? Spoon in one hand, but used her fingers to pick up the yogurt.

All four of these pictures were taken in succession, and had no help from me! This is a small puzzle toy that she got from my mom, and really likes it. Now she has gotten pretty good at it. She can easily put all the pieces where they belong, but sometimes she tries to put them in different places. There are times I think she either forgets, or tries one more time to see if it will fit in a different spot.


Baby genius? Maybe... A little biased, definitely!
About 11:30am this is a typical look. She is not taking a morning nap anymore, but often gets tired in the morning before lunch. She is a thumb sucker and blankie holder. Super cute, right!? (for now, ha)

Milestones:
Maggie still isn't walking, but has gotten better at walking on her knees. I'm telling you, I am going to buy her some knee pads so she doesn't ruin any more pants. Although, I think I am thankful she is doing it this time of year and not the summer. Her knees would be a wreck! (Hindsight: maybe that is why she is still doing it, hmm) Anyway, she doesn't have a lot of words, but she understands a lot! She knows where her ear, head, nose, feet, teeth, tongue, and hair is located. Sometimes she will point/poke her eye if you ask her, but not consistently. She is making attempts to say words like 'book' and 'cheese'...two of her favorite things. Also, "Peg + Cat" has become 'catcat'. And she always makes the same sound when she is referring to the show. She knows what sound a cow makes, and usually makes that sound when she sees one. She has also started trying to say the word 'up.' Usually she just crawls over, pulls her self up on your legs, and says 'uh.' Close enough, and a good start, right?! Her newest fascination is with light switches, and going up the stairs herself. If she doesn't get a chance to do either one herself (when she sees the opportunity) a small protest ensues. I know that this age gets to be a lot of fun, and it just gets better. We will see what the future holds for this bright little 15 month old.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Christmas Finale

And last but not least...Christmas at home!
Santa came! (although, I'm not sure it was that big of a deal. It was already our 3rd Christmas and it was the end of a busy day. )

 We got a couple of new movies to watch! Monster's University...it was pretty good, but there were several scenes that were just too emotionally charged for her. I think she 'watched' all of the movie, but did hide some and asked a TON of questions. (This is her new thing to do during movies. We may never make it to the real theatre, people around us would be so annoyed.) We also go Turbo, which definitely got better reviews (at least from us). And Elise didn't have any real problem with the movie.

 She really wanted some gear to help her take care of her baby. So she got a whole set of stuff. Why do we do this to ourselves? But she loves it...that's why.
 She liked to help Maggie open her gifts.
 Then of course, Maggie was more mesmerized by the shiny paper. Ha! 
And the final carnage!
Merry Christmas...until next year.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Christmas #2

Merry Christmas...from Maggie!

 Christmas Eve pictures with Maggie...Elise was done.

 Christmas morning cartoons. "Peg + Cat" of course...If you haven't checked out this PBS show, you really should, it is pretty funny, even from a parent's point of view and quite educational. Pretty sure Elise can now count to (at least) 10 by 2s, maybe higher. Sneaky kids shows, awesome!


 Bob's family has a tradition of taking sibling/kid pictures on the stairs on Christmas morning. The first one was too funny not to include! Quite appropriate for the two of them. I think we got a couple of winners which I love!



 Again...with the mass amounts of gifts. We are truly blessed by our family! (And I think this picture is missing some of Aunt Sis and Uncle Matt's gifts.)
 And the chaos begins!
 Can't be Christmas without a little "Doc."
 "Here Mom!"
 Elise, trying on her cute sweater from Grandma. The best part, Grandma made it and Maggie has a matching one! They really are super cute.
 Jack in the Box...what Elise really wanted for Christmas...when will it pop!?
Maggie's cute new walking cart. Maybe she will actually learn how to walk on her feet instead of her knees. She has walked around the house a few times with it, but still doesn't seem to care to walk on her feet.
We had a really nice week being with family and celebrating Christmas, but everyone was ready to be home. We got home later in the day on Christmas and had a small Christmas as a family and opened what Santa brought (another post) while we were at Grandma's. I hope that everyone else had an awesome Christmas, and now New Year!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Christmas Part 1

This year we had a grand total of 3 Christmases, and believe me, I was a little partied out! But the girls did great and we are so blessed by our families and their generosity and love for us and the girls. The first Christmas was at my parents. And as you can see from the first couple of pictures someone went a little overboard! Ha, but Elise loved playing 'Santa' and reading everyone's name. Though it took 'forever' because every other one had her name on it. (Ahem, mom...) Anyway, as with a typical 4.5 year old, it didn't take too long to get through it all, and the carnage was pretty impressive. Unfortunately, I didn't get a final picture. Will have to remember for next year because with a 2 and 5 year old, it will probably be even crazier! (It is a good thing we have a van now.)

 Maggie thinking she could play 'Santa.' Or, what can I get into??
Opening stocking

 Maggie with Aunt Kristina! Typical Maggie, thumb in the mouth.

 Once we did a few, Maggie started to get the hang of ripping the packaging! 
 And of course, she wanted it open right away. I could barely take any pictures of her because she was walk/crawling toward me with it.

As you can see, it was a little crazy, but awesome! Both girls got some nice new toys. And some they might even be able to 'share.' (I use that term loosely because Elise thinks she still pretty much has free range with the toys because most of the time Maggie doesn't spend more than a few minutes playing with any one toy.) Though the nice part is that, Elise does recognize that Maggie "doesn't know how" to play with some of the toys and someone HAS to show her how. She is at least trying to be helpful. :)

We stayed with my parents for a few days, and then headed off to Bob's parents for Christmas #2.