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Lately

Summer Lovin’

That stinky rain is back and we were just starting to feel like Summer is really, truly around the corner. So it goes in the PNW, so it goes. Our little tribe has been bustling around trying to enjoy as much of the sun as possible. Maggie busted out some of her water toys and Syd got to lounge in the green grass.

I can’t begin to describe how excited I am for summer to arrive. I hardly remember being outside last year at all, I think I was still in “I-have-a-new-baby-I- am–utterly-exhasted” mode. We’ve already spread out the quilt outside a few times and just last week Maggie spent a good portion of the time splashing in a bucket of water and hauling rocks. My dad would be proud at her ability to haul rocks, maybe he’ll give her some work next time he needs a hand.

Sleep Jollies and Friends Visiting

The other day Maggie was laughing so hard when I would act like I was going to eat her finger, that I called my mom just so she could listen to Mags bust up. Lately Maggie has been getting The Tired Jollies and starts cracking up right before she conks out for the night.  It is very hard not to laugh when she is laughing and not tickle her in her teeny, tiny arm pits….so we do and laugh right along with her. We think/hope she is getting better at sleeping, but I’m done guessing about anything sleep related.

Joe and Claire stopped by on Easter Sunday to drop off a birthday gift for Maggie and as you can see Maggie feels a bit better about Joe now in comparison to a few months ago. Is it mean that I like the picture of her crying because that is EXACTLY what she looks like when she is Square Mouthing?

Anyhow, they gave her a Raggedy Ann doll, which is perfect, and Joe kept telling Maggie that if she ever draws a self-portrait she can just look at the doll. I think Raggedy Ann dyes her her though, Maggie is a natural.

Kara also stopped by to help Maggie celebrate her first year and they spent some time reading books outside and poking each other. I’ve droned on and on about how loved Maggie is by so many people, but it is so true. Her life is full of people that love her and are interested in her.  My brother stopped on his way to Portland to smooch on her and play a silly ice cream game too. It seems like our world is full of people being too busy, typing on their iPhone, not living in the moment. It saddens me.

BUT

I love that when people stop by and take time out of their lives to see Maggie (and Barry, Syd & me too) they are very present in the moment and focused on her.

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Reunion 2011

Yesterday Sydney came back home to us and today both her and Maggie are getting reacquainted.  Just this afternoon we spent some time outside and Sydney was able to soak up some sun, Maggie tried eating dirt and 9 flowers and I did some weeding.

In my baby book my mom did an amazing job of writing things down about what I was up to every month or so and this morning I read about me at 13 months helping in the garden, eating rocks and playing with our cat Buoy. I also was pretty good at playing with my toy carrot at the pool and falling into my mom’s arms to get it and a proud, picky eater. All of that sounds kind of familiar.

Yesterday was my dad’s birthday and my parents happened to stop by for dinner before they went to a concert. Mags gifted Flipper with the best thing in the world ~ a tarp!! He was beyond excited. All kidding aside, his reaction was super sweet, telling Maggie that he was going to ‘save’ the tarp so they could work together to set up a fort next time she comes to visit, using chairs and tables alike.

Not much more to say, except we’re getting ready to celebrate somebody’s first birthday. Any idea who that might be?

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Poolside No Longer

So, Vegas.

We went, we conquered and now we’re back home in the quiet of our own home. I’m pretty sure Maggie is wondering where all the slot machines went, or at least the noise and lights that entertained her.

Interestingly enough, we didn’t gamble one, red cent. It wasn’t on purpose, but it just happened that way. In fact, I even returned a dollar to my grandpa that he had sent with me to ‘play on 7.’

The day before we flew home we got word that it was snowing in Bellingham, upon hearing that news I think I might have stayed in my bathing suit for an extra chunk of time just to spite that bad weather report. Flying into Seattle we were welcomed by gloomy, gloomy rain and a cold, biting breeze. Ahhhh, home.

While  in Vegas we did eventually spend time wandering through the huge hotels on The Strip, watching the water show at The Bellagio and soaking in all the different smells, accents and sights. Maggie was a trooper and content to peek her little head out and watch all the chaos unfold. I kept telling Barry how thankful I was that we didn’t bring the stroller, something I had obsessed over before we left.  It would have been obnoxious to plow through the crowds.

One day Maggie and I went to the Shark Reef and looked at all the huge fish, after a bit Mags was more interested in cruising through the crowds and knocking on the glass or poking the other people in the knee caps. We left after a while and she got to run wild around the sparkling floor, shreiking at the passing nerds from Barry’s Nerd Camp.

Most days, when Barry would come home from  aforementioned Nerd Camp, we’d strap on our suits and head to the pool. At home we occasionally take Maggie to Family Swim but it feels a bit like a production. The ease of walking out our door and winding up poolside a few short minutes later, with the option to gamble in between, is very attractive. So, we took advantage of the situation, making sure to soak up the sun and splash in the water often.

Now we’re no longer living poolside, but back in the nest of our own home. We’ve been up to our ears in projects, fighting off colds we picked up poolside, apparently, and catching up on household things that need to be tended to. A sense of normal has set in again, except we’re still missing The Tubby Torpedo. She comes home to us tomorrow, don’t worry.

So, Vegas.

With a baby and a husband at Nerd Camp.

I’d do it again….only if the hotel provides that fluffy robe again. I LOVED it.