Time Out

Looks like I spoke too soon regarding Maggie's manners last week… her daycare teacher gently asked me if we use time-outs at home because Maggie is starting to get a little more sassy and headstrong.  She’s totally right, Maggie is very nice and sweet, but has trouble with authority.  Like many toddlers, she loves to tell us “no” just for the sake of it!

This is MY house!

Last night we instituted the “time-out” corner in our kitchen, just a little carpet square.  She gets one warning for bad behavior and then she’s in the corner.   We made it through most of the day and warnings seemed to do the trick.  Later in the day she was in time-out twice for not listening to us… oh my goodness, you would think someone told her that Elmo doesn’t love her – she was so incredibly upset and ashamed.  It was hard to not sweep her up and hug her, but we stayed firm.  After a few minutes we asked for an apology, cuddled for a minute and then moved on.   Hopefully these will help a little bit… I can say she was better behaved at dinner than usual, so that’s a good sign!

I'll be a good girl... for now!

Because we like to torture ourselves, we decided the whole family would go together for grocery shopping this weekend.  Maggie was pretty decent, but then we let her ride the Meijer pony… five. times.  Jamie was trying to kill time while I checked out, and people kept giving her pennies every time he hinted at being done!  She had a total meltdown when it was time to leave, but it was all smiles until then!

My little cowgirl

Last night after bath-time I put Maggie in a new pink nightgown for bedtime.  I don’t know why, but as soon as it was on she said, “I’m a princess!”  She was so thrilled with her special outfit (though she could care less when I put her in a real dress), and couldn’t wait to show Daddy.

Even princesses have to help
with the vacuuming

After work today we had Maggie’s well-check appointment and an ultrasound for her sister – busy busy!

I do declare, I feel
slightly underdressed

Maggie is 31.5 lbs and 34 inches tall (though we think she's taller, little wiggle worm wouldn't sit still).  She was pretty distraught anytime a nurse or doctor had to touch her, but all in all, it went pretty well.

After the pediatrician we rushed to my doctor to get the anatomy ultrasound for little sister.  The tech said that everything looked great, and she was 99% sure that this baby will not have club feet!  We're going to double check in January, but things looks great!  Our little girl is approximately 10 oz.

Hello, world!

Birthdays!

We gave Maggie some difficult news today...

...she's taking it pretty hard.

I think most people who read this probably already know, but if you didn't, we're pregnant with a baby girl, due April 18th!  Maggie doesn't seem to understand the concept totally, but she knows something is going on.  The first trimester was much more difficult this time, but I think most of the nausea has finally passed!

Maggie will go through a lot of changes this year.  Our biggest goals are potty training (we haven't started yet) and switching to a big girl bed.  We're trying to spread everything out so that she doesn't feel overwhelmed.

Don't worry, I can do it!

I'm ready for big girl shoes!

I will teach my sister how to gracefully eat
a chocolate covered strawberry

...and how to escape from Momma
before bath time!

In other way less exciting news, I celebrated my 31st birthday this week.  A bunch of people from work took me out to lunch at the B-Spot, a new hamburger bar in Royal Oak (sooo delicious, with a pickle bar!).  My boss bought me a cake on the way back and we they all sang to me.  This was all very unexpected and very sweet!  My hubby also delivered flowers to me, which really brighten up the office space!  We had a delicious dinner and went to the IMAX while my parents watched Maggied for the evening.  All in all, a great day!

Spoiled engineer

Yesterday the Donoghues all came over for more birthday festivities!  Best part was probably seeing my little nephew Will - he is such a sweet little baby, I loved holding him!

Chillin' with Grandpa

Grandma with her grandbabies - life is good

A little snuggle time with Grandpa

My big helper with the candles

This week I raked the front yard leaves to the street for pick-up.  I thought Maggie would love playing the leaves, but when I got a nice big pile and showed her how to "jump" in it, she was very distressed.  She thought I was hurting myself and probably a big clutz (which is actually true...).  She did like to help me rake (with a broom), so thankfully she was very occupied while I did everything.

Once the pile was much smaller, she was
ready to frolick around

Outdoor selfie!

I'm tired of being cute.
Must rest.

Miss Manners

After several weeks of prompting Maggie when to say "please," "thank you," and "bless you," we finally are seeing some results!  She often says "thanks" when you give her something she wants (though not always).  We still have to remind her to say "please" when she wants something, but she certainly gets the concept.   I know Grandma has been a big help in teaching these manners.  We were complimented at daycare today - they said she is the only kid in the class that knows to use these words.

Maggie is also into hugging this week, which pretty much makes me the happiest mom ever.  She used to just stand there when we hugged her, but now she's reciprocating.  Maggie's hugs make everything better.

If you're lucky, I'll give you a kiss too

After-dinner goofy time

Can you guess what Maggie
is focusing on doing?

This is how princesses roll

Mooching off Momma's lunch

Apples and peanut butter, or in Maggie's case,
peanut butter with an apple spoon

Maggie likes to tote around my purse,
too heavy this time!

Hanging with cousin Will

I can't see a thing without my glasses!

Maggie had the hiccups one night, which made us giggle a little bit.  Seeing that she had an audience, she tried to repeat her silly noises... which ended up sounding like belching:

Magz loves to spin around until she's dizzy, and dance to the beat of her own drum (literally):

Our friend Brian is in the seminary downtown, and pictures of the seminarians are posted in our church.  When Maggie needs to exert a little energy during mass, Jamie takes her to look at the photos.  She always find Uncle Brian :)

There he is!

Halloween and stuff

Jamie had a pretty busy week with his school's film festival and the Bennyfit this weekend, but we managed to cram in some halloween fun too. 

Carving their first pumpkin together

Maggie's work of art (with a little
help from Daddy)

Friday I took Maggie to daycare bright and early, where they had a little halloween parade and fun activities.  Maggie normally is a bit grouchy on daycare days because she has to wake up about 20 minutes earlier than normal, and I'm usually trying to rush through everything (she's more of a smell-the-roses type).  So when I asked her to put her costume on with ears, I hit her breaking point.

Why are you doing this to me!?
It is too early for these shenanigans!

She was happy by the time we got to daycare, and liked showing off her costume to Miss Patty.  Maggie got some fun halloween cards, which she insisted on opening in the middle of dinner:

The Polons send their regards, Momma

Halloween evening was so cold and crummy, that we took Maggie to four of our neighbors, and then went home.  She wasn't super excited about it, and her little nose was so red from the cold!  Her prized possessions of the night were her bubble wand from Aunt Amy and a tootsie pop!  She also helped me pass out candy to some of the kids before bedtime.

Our friends Andy and Katie also flew in on Friday for the Bennyfit and stayed with us throughout the weekend.  Maggie warmed up to Katie, but wasn't a big fan of the boys.  On Saturday all the guys in Jamie's band came over to practice for the show.  Maggie and I avoided all the noise and met up with Grammer at Great Lakes Crossing for some shopping and playscape fun.  Maggie had a lot of fun running around, and had a blast on the merry-go-round.  By the time we got home, it was well past nap-time, and Maggie slept hard (so did Momma)!

Maggie had a sleepover at Grandma's house Saturday night so we could hang out at the show and stay out late (thanks!).  Karenin's Smile (Jamie's band) sounded great!

Alain felt the need to copy my style

The boys of KS (you can kind of see
Jamie in blue in the back)

So many guitars

We got a really fun surprise this week - my girlfriend Therese from college knitted some spectacular hats for Maggie.  I have no idea how to do anything this crafty, but I like to surround myself with people that do (just kidding).  Thanks Thersy!

Jolly good!

Does this make me look as cute as I think?

I really like to take walks with Maggie when I get home from work.  We usually only stroll for about 15 minutes, but it's just nice to have some one-on-one time with my girl.

Tonight we took a stroll to Jimi's before the ice cream shop closes for the winter.  Maggie had fun playing in the phone booth.

So this is where Superman
got started, eh?

Pockets are great

I see you!

One of our favorite games is to play wake-up!