Will the real Maggie D please stand up?

This week Maggie started standing for about 5-10 seconds at a time.  She can get on her own two feet without us (or nearby furniture) helping her get up!

Maggie also continues to eat more independently.  She usually won't allow us to spoon-feed her anything unless she is also feeding herself.  She is pretty darn good with a spork and has been successfully stabbing noodles, green beans, and oddly enough, cheerios with her utensil.  If she ever turns into a super-hero, she will probably wield a spork.

She also likes to feed her doll Sophia:

Gather 'round dollies, I'll tell you a story

Maggie and I went to the Home and Garden Show in Novi with Grammer and Pops on Saturday.  Maggie really liked putting her hands in the fountains and playing with our used coffee cups.  She also screamed "baby!" every time a little kid popped into sight.  It was a little frustrating at times because she didn't really want to be in the stroller or be held, but letting her hold my hand to walk seemed to be annoying the people around us.  I'll be excited when she can maneuver on her own ('til she runs away)!  We had a fun outing, and she napped hard afterward!

Reading with Grammer at lunch

Maggie wouldn't stop jabbering in church today, so she spent a lot of mass in the gathering area with Daddy.  She learned how to say "Jesus" (wish sounds a lot like her pronunciation of "fish"), and likes to high-five the Jesus statue.  I told Jamie this seemed a little inappropriate, but he asked our priest after mass who said that Jesus loves high-fives...

Time to go!

I take requests

Here's Maggie attempting to do Itsy-Bitsy-Spider before bedtime... she's a little out of it:

Jamie is helping coordinate Bishop Foley's Spoof Spectacular film fest this week.  If you want to see some funny spoofs and eat yummy popcorn, come to the Main Art Theater in Royal Oak Thursday at 7pm!  I've really enjoyed the students' movies over the past couple years, it's a fun night out.  As one of the teacher films, Jamie is spoofing Die Hard and stars as John McClain.  I believe it is entitled, "Just Die Harder Already."

Grandma watched Maggie today so we could go out to lunch with a few friends.  It was really nice to actually taste the food and have fully focused conversations!  Thanks, Mom!

Eating blueberries with Grandma

Well since Sunday is the "day of rest," it's time for me to get the "rest" of the housework done for the weekend.  Have a good week!  Go Tigers!

Confirmation!

This weekend we took a trip to Maryland to celebrate my goddaughter's confirmation.  My niece Alex has grown into a wonderful and mature young lady, and it was an honor to sponsor her!  We stayed with Jody and Ed, which is always super fun and relaxing, and got to see most of the Rabine's.

I have a lot of photos, so I'll let them tell the stories:

Ready to head to the airport!

Both plane rides were pretty smooth, but Maggie had a couple freak-outs in the beginning of each one.  There was a little hysterical crying following by deep sleep on our shoulders.  It was very stressful because I was worried she would erupt the whole time, but ended up being okay!

85% percent of the flight time was
spent like this

Making herself at home at the Polon house

Alex and I both wore the same outfit...
we clearly have a deep bond

Friday we went to the mall with Grammer and Pops for fun.  Maggie had her first carousel ride with Aunt Jody, and we found a cute spring jacket for her.  She also learned about wishing with coins at the fountain... my girl is smart, she wouldn't throw away the money, she clutched it tightly in hand!

I'm no sucker, Pops, I'm saving this
money for an actual sucker!

This is amazing!

Had to stop here for Maggie's nickname

How do I look?

We also got to meet up with Erin, Dan and baby James for dinner on Friday!  It was fun to hang out and feel like we're not the only ones who find getting through dinner a bit of a job!  James was a total sweetheart, and is just getting into solid foods now - which meant oatmeal all over Erin!  Maggie was pretty good until the end when she got antsy.  We got a gigantic dessert, and letting her feed herself and us was the only way to keep her occupied:

Hanging with James

Here you go, Daddy

Maggie had a difficult time adjusting to the new digs for sleeping at first.  She had a rough time on her first night, but slept like a pro the second night.  I love when she sleeps with her bum in the air like this:

Maggie loved seeing her whole family,
especially her Aunt Jody!

Snuggling with cuz Alex,
attempting to see through her bangs

She loved playing the big drum!

Saturday was the big day!  Alex was confirmed, and we both managed to avoid tripping on our way down the aisle!

My beautiful goddaughter!

The Polon trio

Photo with Grammer and Pops

So proud!

We need to work on the jazz hands, Alex

All the siblings together!

Teeth

I jinxed myself last week... I though the molar battle was finished, but it has only just begun!  I think it's supposed to mean something when you dream about teeth (anyone else have dreams about their teeth falling out?), but all week I've been having dreams about Maggie's molars instead.  They are literally the most boring thing to dream about, but I can't make it stop!  I'm starting to wish they would turn into cute little characters that tell me about the future.

Look into my crystal ball

Maggie has been really cranky all week, and has been up a lot during the night.  She's harder than ever to get down for naps and bedtime.  I think it started as molar pain, but now she's just spoiled because we were coming every time she cried.  We're trying to get back to a normal routine, I think we're making progress.

Anyway, as a result of lackluster sleep, I went to church with one black boot and one brown today.  What's sadder is that I didn't even notice until I was home.  Maybe this week will be better?!

Enough whining from me, Maggie has been spectacular at all other times!  She's walking only holding one of our hands now instead of both, and seems to be a little more sure-footed.

I was playing the piano this week, and she came over to try and play with me.  When I wouldn't stop to pick her up, she went over to her mini piano to play a duet... we still need a little practice.

She likes to sing "la la la" and every now and then wants to hug and kiss for several minutes.  Totally the best part of my week.  Here's our little gymnast:

I'm still getting used to my new job, but feeling a lot more settled than when I started a couple weeks ago.  I absolutely LOVE being in Royal Oak.  I can just take a walk around the city to clear my head, and there's so many options for lunch (though I'm trying to limit it to once or twice a week).

Jamie and I went to Lily's Seafood on Friday for an unexpected date (we planned to grab a pizza, and changed our mind at the last minute).  Maggie was a champ while we ate some delicious food, and she even tried the muscles!  I generally dislike seafood, but hopefully I won't pass that on to her.  Afterward we discovered a new fro-yo place with a ridiculous amount of topping options and yogurt flavors.  It was a really fun family outing!

mmm, seafood

Looking forward to St. Patty's day tomorrow (gosh, a name like Maggie Donoghue is going to get her in so much trouble in college...) and a extra fun outing next week - more to come!

Progress!

This was a big week for Maggie.  I'm not sure what happened, but she is all of sudden saying a new word every day or two and wants to walk around all the time (except we have hold her hands).  Her diction isn't great, but she actually knows what she's saying!  She also really loves making us laugh, and is a non-stop tickle monster (watch your back or she'll catch you unawares).

This is me trying to get her to talk for you:

We finally have some molars popping through, one on each side!  I am really hoping this means that the nighttime wake-up calls will be less frequent... of course there's still a bunch of other teeth that need to make their debut... sigh.

Give me a steak!

We had a really hectic weekend, but got to do lots of fun things!  Friday we went to the Hamtramck Music Fest to see Josh Wolak's band, all the way from Nashville.  They were incredible!  We got to see a lot of friends, it was nice.

Humming House performance

Saturday Maggie and I went to Ashley and Mike's baby shower.  It was fun to have her, but she would. not. sit. still.  I looked like a hobo eating my sandwich on the ground so I could keep an eye on her!  There were lots of other little girls there, so Maggie was in her glory!  One of the girls had a little baby doll that is a little more robust than "Baby."  Mags pretty much threw her doll away and stole the new one away whenever it was not being used.  We need to work on her loyalty...

Caught red-handed

Girl fun

We went out to dinner with Rob and Christy and a bunch of other friends afterward, and then hustled over to Bishop Foley to see their production of Anything Goes.  Jamie's sets were seriously awesome, very proud of my husband, and very very relieved that set design is finished for the year!

This daylight savings thing is not cool.  Not only did we lose an hour of sleep, but tonight Maggie is acting like she's in the twilight zone.  I don't know if it's too bright outside or something else, but she's acting like a crazy person and will not go to bed!  Two hours in and she is inconsolable...

Snuggling in bed

Playing some Call of Duty before church

Still trying to grow out her bangs... slow process!

Clever Title

This week we were happy to welcome home Grammer and Pops from Florida, and also Aunt Amy and Uncle Rex!  Bummer that they had to come home to this yucky weather!

Welcome home, suckers!

Maggie is becoming a wonderful little Catholic.  I don't want to jinx anything, but our last 3 or 4 outings to church have been very successful - we haven't had to leave the pew!  She really loves to flirt with the people behind us, and the pew benches are the perfect height for her to lean against.  When I cantor Jamie likes to sit near the piano with Maggie.  She loves to watch Miss Debbie play, eat cheerios, feed cheerios to her baby doll and play peek-a-boo.

Our priest gave a really good homily today, preaching about how no matter what terrible things you've done, God will always love you.  I've heard similar teachings in the past, but it really struck a chord with me today. Now that I'm a parent, it's easier to grasp - No matter how bad Maggie screws up in the future (not that she will), I can't imagine not loving her - it feels impossible.  It's reassuring to know God feels the same way, except even stronger.  Clearly I'm not meant to be a preacher, I just wanted to share this idea.

Her catalogue look - Tyra would be proud

Tyra might be less proud of this look...

Grammer and Pops came over to visit with us today, which was a special treat (although Pops is mysteriously missing from all the photos).  Maggie had a great time getting loads of attention and snacking on Grammer's sweets.

Let me tell you all the gossip since you've been gone

I wrote this song for you, Grammer!

Not a gingerbread house, Maggie...

Jamie and I were horsing around with Maggie this afternoon, and started a tickle-fight.  She normally tickles us back, but today she just started tickling herself instead... it cracked us up.

Jamie has been insanely busy these past couple weeks.  He is in charge of set design for Bishop Foley's musical (Anything Goes) and is also doing all the marketing flyers/ads for the Hamtramck Music Fest (because Ben's Encore is sponsoring the event).  Both events take place next weekend, so he is in total burn-out mode!  I can't wait to have our evenings together back!

Tomorrow is my first day at my new job.  I feel like I should be nervous or anxious, but for some reason I'm not freaking out... maybe it just hasn't hit me yet!