Theology 101

In the car tonight:

"Where's Jesus?"
"You mean Baby Jesus?" (she spent most of the morning looking for the Baby Jesus from her nativity set that she lost)
"No, Big Jesus."
"Oh, um...he's right here with us!"
"But where is he?"
"Well he's right here with us in the car, you just can't see him."
"Oh. OK."
(pause)
"Where's my rubberband?"

I also came downstairs this morning to find her reciting the Lord's Prayer to herself. (I know, I know, we're SO spiritual) In case you were wondering, the words go, "Forgive us our dance..." Is she the offspring of Wheaton people or what??

Pajama Party!

After what has been the craziest of years, we decided to stay home for both holidays this year. I've been really looking forward to this week, planning all sorts of things we can do together as a family.

As things tend to go for us, Howie came down with an ear infection on Sunday night. And there went our outings and plans.

However, yesterday was a particularly rainy, gross day, and what do we love to do on rainy, gross days? Chick fil a, of course! (Maggie did request to have it for Thanksgiving, after all!)

We in fact ended up making two trips to Chick fil a yesterday, as Maggie didn't quite make it there the first time.

There was one other plan I had in mind that did not require a major outing or a brother...and considering her very late set nap due to the Chick Fil A episode, last night worked out perfectly for Maggie's first ever Pajama Party with Mom and Dad. She had no idea what was happening, but she was SO excited. Between handfuls of popcorn and chocolate chips as we watched "Finding Nemo," she would say, "Wow. This is a really fun show," and, "Guys, I love you so much!"

I think we could be convinced to do it again...

Chatterbox

I find my days with a two-year-old filled with almost constant conversation. I also find myself talking to her very frankly - as I would talk to any normal adult. Her incessant "what" and "where" questions seemed to be silenced the best when I give her the most succinct, truest answer.

Our conversations have been so random lately...we've discussed everything from full moons to speed limits to why chap stick only goes on your lips.

The other night she told Gary, "I'm not going to poop anymore because it smells smelly." If only this were a possibility.

Tonight she asked for a drink of water after I put her in her crib, which would normally be considered a total stall tactic, but since we had pizza for dinner, I gave her the benefit of the doubt. As I leaned against her crib and spaced out while I waited for her to drink her water (how does it take them so LONG to drink so LITTLE??), she looked up at me and asked,
"What you thinkin about, Momma?"
"I'm thinking about what kind of stuffing I should make for Thanksgiving."
"Oh. Hm. Let me think..."
(Pause)
"How bout Chick-fil-ick?"
"You know, that's a great idea!"
Again, if only this were a possibility.

I Just Can't Win

Last night was the first night both kids slept through the night in 8 months. I, of course, was wide awake for an hour and a half.

That being said, I still feel like a new woman.

Baby Shopping

I think she picked a good one!

Aunt Melly

It was so much fun to see Maggie interact and begin to form relationships with some of my extended family members. In particular, Aunt Melanie was where all the Fun was happening.

Example A: The horse farm.

Example B:
This series of pictures may seem like a sweet lady singing and dancing with a toddler. But really they were doing the "No Way Dance" together. (Chanting "No way! No way! No way!" is the sound byte you're missing) Fortunately, I believe Maggie was convinced it was a game and not an act of defiance.

We Did It!

I feel as though we (I) are finally starting to emerge from the fog. Don't worry, it only took seven months. A month ago it was a rainy, gross Saturday and Gary and I couldn't face the thought of being cooped up in the house all afternoon, so we packed up the kids after Maggie's nap and headed up to the mall. It was a wonderfully fun afternoon as a family, full of great memories. As we sat down after the kids went to bed that night we both looked at each other wide eyed and said something to the effect of "We did it!" As in, we did something that normal people do on an everyday basis without melting down (parents or kids), and actually having fun instead of just completing a task and saying "Phew, that's over." It was revolutionary.

Two weeks later we set out on a little bigger venture as we traveled down to North Carolina to spend a long weekend with my grandparents and some of my extended family.

The result at the end of the trip was the same - a thrilling "We did it!"

Keeping with my M.O., I did not take nearly enough pictures. Fortunately my Uncle Doug supplemented a few...but there are still some significant people missing. Namely, Huge Papa.

On Saturday we went out to the farm that my Aunt Melanie and her husband Phil live and work at. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful farms I have ever been to. They raise miniature horses and beagles (yes, this is a true story), and Maggie was just about in heaven.

Documentation that we were indeed all together:

Howie and his cheeks were quite the hit.

I have no idea what I'm telling Maggie here - likely to take her hands out of her mouth...a habit that we are not too keen on her forming.

That evening my Uncle Jon, his wife Maryam and their daughter Sophia joined us. Maggie truly loved having someone that enjoyed coloring, eating and watching TV as much as her.

Maggie loved helping Mamaw around the kitchen. And by helping I mean causing her more work. At least Mamaw knows what's been hiding in the back of her cupboards now.

It was all-in-all a great getaway. We are already looking forward to our next visit!