A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! We've been a bit busy having fun around here, and I figured it's time to finally try to compile all the photos we took these past couple weeks. It is daunting. I might quit early.
Christmastime!
On December 23, Amy and Rex were able to finalize the adoption process for baby Will! He is officially stuck with us! The original plan for finalization was scheduled for a few months from now, so moving up the date was a very special Christmas present for all of us. The whole family joined them at the courthouse to witness the very special event. Maggie was not very cooperative, so we had to miss most off it so she could play with the water fountain in the hallway. We all have our priorities.
Officially a family!
Family!
On Christmas Eve, we continued our tradition of heading to Frankenmuth to visit Santa, shop at Bronner's and eat a lot of food at the Bavarian Inn. Maggie was rather frightened of Santa when we started decorating the house this year, but by Christmas Eve, she was ready to meet the big guy. She was actually crying because she had to wait for the other kids in front of her. I'm really trying to work on the concept of patience with her... still working on it. She was thrilled to sit with Santa, though she didn't say a whole lot to him.
Why can't I see him now?!
Look at my pretty dress, Santa
He said I could have peas for
Christmas! Woo hoo!
The Donoghues
Christmas morning we woke up and went downstairs for presents and bread pudding! Maggie had fun opening her presents, though her favorite seemed to be her new basketball hoop. She also really loved the new bedding we got for her upcoming "big girl bed" and insisted on immediately testing it out on the floor.
All this frivolity has left me weary
Loves playing doctor with her dolls
Learning about colors
We went to church at 10am and Maggie was excited about her shiny black shoes and her special cross necklace from Amy (I only let her wear it for special days). She was not the picture of Christmas peace, so she and Daddy had some special bonding time in the back.
Afterward we went over to the Donoghues, changed into pajamas, and opened presents with the family. Maggie was running a fever by the afternoon and was pretty tired out... understandably - it had been a few very busy days for my little one! She took a nap with me upstairs, which might have been my favorite part of Christmas this year. She's just so sweet when she's sleeping. When she woke up, she quietly sat up and I could feel her just staring at me. Seeing that she wasn't going back to bed, I opened my eyes to this adorable little girl grinning quietly from ear to ear, who started giggling. It's just too cute.
I'm here! Let's do presents!
Hanging with Grandma
We celebrated later in the week with my side of the family, and my sister Jody was in town with her family (though you wouldn't know it from my lack of pictures - sorry Jo!)! Maggie loved playing with her cousins Izzy and Emily as she doesn't usually hang out with girls around her age. She really missed her cousin Luke though (sorry, Claire, you just haven't made the list yet). I'm pretty sure she thinks he lives with Grammer and Pops because she asks for him every time I tell her that's where we are going.
Izzy knows all about how to pose
Maybe a few years before you're ready for the
family Foosball Tournament, Maggie
Cracker, Pops?
Let's go!
Check out my new stool (not the poop kind)
About half the grandkids
Unfortunately the Rabine family was super sick throughout all of Christmas, and baby Claire even ended up in the hospital for a few days with RSV and pneumonia. Thank God, they are all back home now, though still recovering. I'm sure this is one Christmas they won't forget!
For Uncle Justin's birthday, we did a beer tasting party at our house for a bunch of his friends. I think it was pretty successful, though the party tends to be a lot less interesting when you can't try all the beers! I made a bunch of food, so that compensated somewhat!
Happy Birthday, Justin
(sorry for the bad photo)
We didn't do much for New Years' Eve, just had dinner with the Donoghues and then headed home. Jamie was feeling pretty terrible, and we were both in bed early.
Cousin love
Happy New Year!
We had more fun on New Years' Day - Maggie went to Grandma's for a sleepover with cousin Will so Jamie and I could have a nice date night. We went out for a nice dinner and then rented "The Interview" in a moment of patriotic fervor (actually a rather funny movie).
We've had a lot of quality time together this week, and had some fun outside with Maggie. We found a stray cat sitting on someone's porch during our walk, and Maggie really wanted to stop and chat for a while:
Airplane!
What's the password?
We have a few more days until we go back to work, and a whole list of goals still unfinished! Jamie is currently working on painting Maggie's new room, and I am working on finishing some chocolate cake while Maggie naps. It's a tough life.
Why is December so crazy?! We've been busy getting ready for the holidays and attending a bunch of events... just didn't have time to update last week!
I'm trying to remember what we did the past couple weeks, but it's really all a blur... I guess I'll let the pictures do the talking:
Maggie does a very good job hanging new ornaments on the tree - very proud of her for not destroying everything!
Hmm... maybe a few inches to the left
Saturday we went to Toys 'R Us to get a few Christmas presents. It was not difficult to keep Maggie distracted while we looked around...
There are no words, Mama
We took Maggie for a little haircut last weekend. She was a very good girl, much better than last time. It doesn't look much different, but I think it looks a little cleaner than before.
Waiting is such a drag
We also ran around the house yelling...?
I see you!
A little cuddle time before work
Maggie went with Grandpa to see her first basketball game - Foley vs. Lakeview (Jamie's alma mater). She seemed to like the game, probably because there's a lot more up-close action.
Dangerously walking between the students, getting some street cred
I think I like basketball!
So, come here often?
I put Maggie in one of her Christmas outfits for daycare... she was not in the mood for a photo shoot:
I will not spread Christmas cheer.
Leave me alone!
Last week at Jamie's school, the student council granted the wishes of several lucky students (for $5 or less). One student wished that Mr. Donoghue would shave his beard like the gamekeeper in The Hunger Games. I would like to thank that student for three days of this lovely face:
May the grades be ever in your favor!
A special happy birthday to Uncle Bobby today, who will thankfully always be older than I am! We attempted to get Maggie to sing...
Jamie made a cool little piece of art for my birthday (a little belated). He took an old door that was in the basement when we moved in, mounted it on the wall and put photos of our family in it. Me like!
Poor Maggie is sick again (like pretty much every other kid!). Jamie took her to the doctor today and she was diagnosed with an eye infection and croup. We've got some medicine and are hoping she'll be in good shape by Christmas Eve!
This week we celebrated Maggie's 2nd birthday! Hard to believe we are here already!
Two suckers! Does this mean three suckers next year?
On her birthday, we decided to fix up a section of the basement as a little playroom for Maggie. By "we decided," I mean Jamie had the idea to do all this, and I sort of rolled my eyes because I thought it wouldn't work out. I went to bed early on Tuesday night, and when I awoke on Wednesday, Jamie had put cushy mats, a chalkboard, two activity tables, an easel, a swing, a mini-tent and lots of princess wall decals in her special area. I was pretty impressed! So was Maggie!
I see you!
Look at all the princesses!!
Trying on her new princess outfit
We had a nice quiet birthday with Maggie on Wednesday, with some cake and a couple presents. I don't think she comprehended that it was her birthday, but she enjoyed all the attention!
On Saturday we had both sides of the family over to celebrate. Maggie was overwhelmed with presents! The poor thing just wanted to play with her new things, but we kept making her open new presents. She was pretty wiped out by the end of the night, but had a great time, especially with her cousin Luke. She's normally all about holding the babies, but as soon as Luke is around, she can focus on nothing else! She will literally do whatever Luke tells her to... so we have watch them a little carefully!
Here's the end of our birthday song... as a family, we really try to get as much dissonance as possible into the song:
Jamie's student is starting her own cake business, and created this awesome cake for Maggie! It tasted delicious too!
Eat the princess!
Maggie has been playing with all her new toys nonstop!
Whipping up some dinner in her kitchen - her favorite things to "make" are chicken and cake
Can I offer you some?
Putting multiple babies to sleep
ugh, the work never ends! Time to iron!
Enjoying her new sleeping bag - she likes to snuggle in it for a few minutes each day
I'm outta here!
Sunday we all slept in a little bit, and then went to church where Maggie was a very good girl. She was very cuddly and quiet... so I assumed she was sick. We were good most of the day, even went to the Ben's Encore chili cook-off (Jamie and his brother snagged second place with their uber-spicy lamb & bacon chili!). However, after dinner we were all sitting on our new couch, and she hurled all over the place. My poor baby was so confused, she didn't understand what happened! We both worked a half day Monday so she could skip daycare and rest up. She seems to be doing much better, just a little bit cranky (who isn't after all the partying and fun is over?).
Maggie is getting more and more phrases into her vocabulary. Some of my favorite new phrases are "come on" and "just try it," which are so clearly imitations of us. She also has started saying "ummm" when she doesn't know the answer to something, which is pretty cute. Every morning when she wakes up she calls herself a princess. I think I hear the word "princess" more than any other word lately!
If I stare hard enough, will you turn into a sucker?
Since we had a nice 4-day weekend, Jamie and I decided to attempt potty training using the 3-day potty training method. It basically involves staying at home all weekend, having Maggie walk around in underwear, and sticking right by her side to catch any accidents and rush her to the bathroom. I was geeked. I was prepared with undies, Clorox wipes and M&Ms. I was ready for all the nastiness she had to offer.
Trying a new fashion statement
Oh. My. Goodness. These were the most exhausting and frustrating few days I've had since she was born! We went from about 50 accidents the first day to 10 the last day, but Maggie still wasn't asking to go to the potty, or going voluntarily. There was non-stop laundry most of the weekend and lots of middle-of-the-night sheet changes. This weekend reinforced how much I love my dear husband who helped me through the lowest points and got over his abhorrence of touching anything related to human waste. On the bright side, we spent three uninterrupted days together as a family and it was really great to have so much one-on-one time with Maggie!
We made cookies together to help pass the time this weekend. Maggie really like decorating the cookies. One sprinkle at a time.
Grandma watched Maggie today, and she did a little better, actually taking herself to the potty two times! She tried to put her in a diaper for nap-time and Maggie would have none of that baby stuff! So I guess we've made some progress, and she's on track, but it will be a while before we get there.
I would like to take a moment to thank my mother for potty training me. I am so sorry for all the work I probably put you through! Maggie, if you are a teenager reading this in the future, I want you to come and tell me how grateful you are for the ability to go to the bathroom by yourself (assuming you can). And also bring me some chocolate.
That's enough of the potty training for now. I don't want to talk about pee pee or poo poo outside of this house for a while or my head my explode!
In other, more appetizing news, Thanksgiving was delicious! We went to Grammer and Pops' for brunch, which was really great and relaxing. It was so nice to not rush between two places for dinner! Afterward we went to cousin Betsy's for dinner with the Donoghue side. Maggie had fun trying to keep up with the older kids (though they were usually way ahead of her).
I do not have time to pose, Momma
Claire having her own thanksgiving feast
Playing with Luke (sorry, lots of background noise):
Sorry for the lack of photos this week - we were a bit busy! I'll get some more this week because Maggie is about to turn 2!
