6 Month Checkup

Maggie went in for her 6-month checkup on Wednesday, and is doing very well.  She is 18lb-7oz!  She is switching things from hand to hand, raking objects closer to her, rolling to her side (but not all the way yet), looking in the direction of noises, making lots of sounds (we’re hoping to hear some syllables soon), and is sitting on her own.  At the doctor’s office, she sat unsupported for several minutes! 

Just sitting and playing, no biggie

We are starting to give Maggie more interesting food now – we started with carrots, and she seemed intrigued by the new taste.  Sweet potatoes are next!  I might try making some of the food myself… but knowing myself, we’ll probably just buy a bunch of jarred stuff!

First taste of carrots

Maggie's skin is still broken out all the time… so we’re slathering her with more creams and I’m going to re-wash all her clothes in new detergent.  She also has a little bit of cradle cap on her head and behind her ears, but the doc said to just leave it alone. 

Our little girl has been rather grumpy this week, grabbing and scratching her face a lot, and sleeping terribly!  I’m still pretty sure she has teeth on the way, but they haven’t poked through!  The doctor said everything else looks normal, so it’s probably teething.

Not gonna lie, I wanted to run away from the house a few times this week, but it’s always worth it when she giggles and smiles with me.

6 Months

Happy half-birthday to Maggie Grace!

  

  

Hand in Hand

Maggie keeps developing, I see changes everyday!  The big thing this week was that she moved her rattle from one hand to another.  She did it a few times on Wednesday, but I thought maybe it just a fluke.  Then she did it again on Friday, and I was very impressed!  I tried to get it on video, but no luck...

Last week Maggie was starting to sit up for a few minutes by leaning over and balancing on her hands. This week, she is able to stay in the position for much longer, and if I give her something to look at she can balance on her bottom for a little while.  She also seems to understand that she needs to try and hold herself in place instead of just falling over... though she still does that a lot!

Intense concentration for balance

This is all Maggie, no support!

Look what I can do! 

I wish she would roll over more, it's still a pretty rare event... she usually just rolls to her side and hangs out instead of continuing to her tummy!  We're trying to continue increasing tummy time to beef up her arm strength.

'sup

I think we have another bottom tooth ready to make its debut,  I can see it just under the surface.

Today we took Maggie to the zoo for the first time, and it was a success!  I won't pretend that she was particularly interested in the animals, but she seemed very content to look at all the new things around her.  She always seems baffled by leaves overhead.  She just stares and smiles, I love it!  We bought a zoo pass, which I think pays for itself after 2 or 3 visits.  We even get free parking!

Slathered in sunscreen and ready to go!

Daddy showing me the camels

Sorta looks like the polar bear pooped out a Maggie...

Seriously, how cool are giraffes?

Afterward we went to Vinsetta Garage for lunch, which was delightful, highly recommended!

mmm... fantastic list of beers on tap

Maggie has her 6-month checkup this week, and it feels like she's 10 lbs heavier ~ I'm curious to get her latest stats.  More to come!

Happy Memorial Day

We are so grateful to all the men and women who have made our freedom possible!

Thank you!

This has been a very busy, but fun weekend!  On Saturday my mom came over to help us figure out what to plant in our yard... 10 hours later I was no longer embarassed of my back yard!  We planted flowers, bushes, trees, pulled weeds, cut and trimmed the grass, and a bunch of other little tasks.  Thanks to Grammer for all her help!

Sunday we went all around town.  Maggie attended her buddy Kate's 1st birthday party and had a ball! She got to play with some of Kate's toys and loved looking at all the little kids running around.  Kate was adorable running around all over the place, she cracks me up!

Maggie trying to imitate Kate

Kate's first cake ~ I think she likes it!

The Reed Family ~ umm, J. Crew called and they want their models back

Afternoon siesta

Hi there

Maggie loved looking up at the leaves

We came home for a wardrobe change and then headed right back out to see Mike and Ashley before they headed back to Chicago.  Again, adorable children everywhere for her to look at!  Maggie had an especially nice time snuggling with Ashley, she's just got the magic touch!  Afterward we visited Jamie's Uncle Frank and Aunt Sherry for a little while before heading home to put our tired little girl to bed!

Daddy, is this safe?

Playing with Luke

We're thinking about getting Maggie some etiquette training

We think more teeth are on the way because Maggie has been more fussy than usual, and is waking up a couple times each night.  She's laughing and talking more, and can sit up for short periods if she balances on her hands.  She's just the best, what more can I say?

PJs are the best

The many faces of Maggie - by Aunt Amy

Memorial Day wiped me out!

Spoon love

Grandma's birthday was this week!  Everyone came over on Wednesday to celebrate in the beautiful weather.  We had some tasty burgers on the deck, and Amy made the yummiest birthday cake with homemade filling and frosting (don't get any ideas, Jamie - I am only capable of cakes from a box).  Maggie had fun playing with the family.

Maggie kept waking up during the night last week, and we had to give her lots of cuddling and swaying to get her back to sleep… this makes for a rather cranky Mommy and Daddy.  My mom suggested feeding her some rice cereal along with her bottle before bed so that she’ll sleep heavier.  We were holding off on giving her food, but decided to give it a try.  The first night was hilarious, she didn't really understand the concept of a spoon and kept trying to suck it like a bottle.  She was so angry!  By the third night she seemed to get the hang of it.  Wow, it really did the trick!  I haven’t heard a peep from her during the night!  She usually wakes herself up about 15 minutes before I’m ready to get her in the morning… but instead of crying, she just spins around, blows bubbles and talks to herself.  It might be the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Check out my teeth!

Had to go back to the doctor again on Friday because her rash from last weekend still didn't look better.  We have to switch all her soaps and creams to dye/fragrance free - looks to be clearing up now.

Maggie and I went over Lauren and Brian's house on Thursday for some delicious dinner!  Jamie was having some guys over to practice some songs for the Bennyfit on Saturday, and I wanted to keep Maggie away from all the noise.  We had fun playing together :)

Maggie kept trying to sit up, impressive abs!

Playing with Cuz

We are heading to the Outer Banks in June to vacation with Jody, Ed and Alex, and I am sooooo excited!  I've only been back at work for 3.5 months, but I really need a break… it will be so nice to spend some quality time with Maggie and Jamie (oh, and I guess the rest of my family too)!  Not sure how Maggie will handle the drive, but we’ll probably break it up as much as possible.  I intend to eat ice cream every day on the trip!

Please excuse my bed hair!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, especially to Grammer Rabine and Grandma Donoghue who have given us so much help this year!  We so appreciate everything they have done for us!

I had a very nice day with my darling daughter!  Daddy got take-out from The Breakfast Club this morning, and  I got a couple of fantastic gifts from them as well.  We went over to Bobby and Allison's for lunch, and got to see Great-Grandma Rabine (a.k.a. Grace the Great), Grammer and Pops, and cousin Luke!

Playing with "Grace the Great"

Gosh, Pops, your jokes are the worst!

Hanging with Uncle Bobby

Such a little charmer

Classy Maggie with the tummy shot

We went to Marinelli's for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa and the whole Donoghue clan.  Too much food for one day!  Grandma surprised me bigtime - she and Aunt Amy took Maggie to a photographer last Friday and got a beautiful framed photo for me!  I'll figure out how to show it on here eventually, it's sooo cute!

Uncle Rex playing Pass-the-Baby!

Careful, Maggie looks like she's about to smack you!

Other big news from this week - Maggie's two bottom teeth came in!  They aren't all they way out yet, but definitely sharp enough to hurt!  She's gnawing everything she can get her hands on (or just her hands if nothing else is available).

I took her to the doctor on Saturday because she got a rash under her chin(s).  I have to be extra careful to keep the area clean and dry, and put some gunk on it.  She was weighed at the doctor's, and is now 17 pounds!  Heavyweight!  She's growing too fast to get all her cute outfits on - she seems to fit better in 6-9 month clothes now.  Maggie has also found her feet - she's been grabbing at them all week!

I love my pediatrician!

Wait - didn't there used to a be a foot here?

This is my magic trick - I can hover in the air

Eat your heart out!