Best Diet!

So this week I stumbled upon the greatest weight loss plan ever!  It's this little thing called "The Flu," and it's totally been trending everywhere lately!  Now there are some side effects*, but I mean how can you argue with 6 pounds in 3 days?!**

Maggie's interpretation of my week

*Side effects include fevers, major chills, sweating through several pairs of clothing per night, sore throat, ear pain, dizzy spells, super fun GI issues, major dehydration, desire for only saltines and water, inability to do anything productive, 3 sick days from work and an overworked husband.

**Results may vary... and will probably only last until you are fully hydrated again.

Needless to say, it's been a rough week for me, and I don't have a lot of Maggie photos.  Jamie was very supportive, and skipped a few work things to help take care of Maggie and me.  This came at a rather unfortunate time since I am planning to start a new job after next week!  I was trying to make sure I had a very smooth transition of my projects at NTH, but now I only have a week to make everything happen.  It will be fine, but I haven't fully grappled with the idea that I'm leaving yet.  I'll be working in the Engineering Department for the City of Royal Oak, which is only a three minute commute!  More to come...

A bit of unfortunate news this week - Jamie's Uncle Frank passed away after a long battle with cancer.  Maggie was able to see several of her cousins, but we wish it was under better circumstances.  Our prayers are with Uncle Frank's wife, children and siblings!  

Cousin love!

I do not recall bananas tasting like this

Future cheerleader?

Dancing with Daddy:

This is us trying to get Maggie to pay attention to anything other than the tv.  Apparently she really loves Espanol!

Wicked Winter

Seriously?  More snow?  Spring cannot come fast enough!  I can totally see how the ancient dinosaurs went extinct - it was probably a winter just like this one:

Yes, we're those neighbors who haven't taken down our
Christmas decorations all the way yet... might need to wait
until spring for these guys!

This week we went to the orthopedist to check on Maggie's feet, and also the pediatrician for her 15 month checkup (a couple weeks early).  Her feet are doing great, though the doctor recommended that we start putting her braces on/off for each nap and at nighttime.  It was a lot easier just leaving them on for 16 hours straight, but she'll have more time to practice standing and walking with her braces off during awake time.

Changing baby's diaper
(refusing to let me put her pants on)

Maggie is now 26 lb, 7oz and 32.5 inches tall!  That puts her in the 90th percentile for weight (down from 98th) and 98th percentile for height (same as before).  Everything else looks very normal, and she met most of the milestones for her age.  We just need to continue to work with her on walking.  Though I usually get anxious if Maggie hasn't met a milestone, I'm really not worried about this one.  I can see that she will get there in her own sweet time.

I'm a big girl now!

Valentines Day was awesome!  Maggie got a bunch of valentines (thanks!) and some sweets that I taste-tested for her.  She went to bed pretty early, so Jamie and I spent the entire night watching "24" - we are addicted to this show.  It's pathetic, but it was a great night!

Happy V-Day!  I got shot with a vaccine
instead of Cupid's arrow - lame!

Yesterday was Uncle Jason's 25th birthday, so we went over to celebrate!  Maggie showed some interest in all the presents, but did not seem to mind that they weren't for her (not to mention that Aunt Amy had a cute valentine present for her).

So wait... these aren't for me/?

Happy Birthday, Uncle Jason!

Playing with Grandpa

Maggie is even more into dancing than before, and Grandma has shown her how to stomp her feet.  She sort of looks like a horse, it's pretty cute.

Maggie really hates having her nose sucked out, but she really loves playing the with apparatus.  She will literally spend 10 minutes in silence connecting and disconnecting the tube:

End of bath time:

We love going up and down the stairs - she likes to slide down on her belly as fast as possible:

Quick update

I was feeling lazy this weekend, but a certain sister-in-law is harassing me to update the blog... :)  I don't have much this week, but here's a few snippets:

Playing ball

Maggie has learned to blow her nose and wink this week... sort of.  To blow her nose she holds a tissue to her face and sucks in through her nose.  Then she insists on sharing her tissue with me until I "blow" into it.  It's disgustingly cute.  To wink she just scrunches up both of her eyes.

Winking at Aunt Amy

Maggie's molars are still causing her discomfort, so she's up and inconsolable several times each night.  Which means Jamie and I are up and somewhat inconsolable in the morning.  I'm craving coffee just writing about it!  In fact, I think I'll go to bed right now.  Holly out!

Wave goodbye, Baby!

My little puppy

Sometimes having Maggie around is like having a little puppy.  Anytime we eat anything at all, she sprint-crawls to us and starts whining until we let her have a taste.  I'm glad that she's happy to try anything, but sometimes you just want to savor your meal!

This is my whining face

Maggie is doing great with independent playtime.  As long as she isn't tired or hungry, she can usually keep herself entertained for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.

Mermaid?

Hatching an evil plan

Yes sir, I'll have that data in two minutes

No she didn't!

Break Dancing
(i.e. breaking stuff while she dances)

Play-Doh at Kate's house!

We decided to let Maggie have some fun in the snow... or at least we tried.  She wanted nothing to do with it.  I thought she would love being pulled in a sled, but she pretty much whined the whole time.  Our neighbor's daughter was outside at the time, and she said her kids hated the snow at this age too.  I guess it makes sense - when you are bundled up into an immobile marshmallow, it's probably frustrating to be stuck outside.

Why?  Why?!?

Can I have a word with you, Daddy?

Whew, 5 minutes outside wore me out...
Let's watch TV instead!

This is a little bit creepy looking on my part, but I'm trying to get Maggie to do her version of fish-face: