A Few Things

ANACORTES

We went to Anacortes a few weeks ago  to spend a couple days catching up with some friends and family that we hadn’t seen since Audrey was born. Since days pass where I don’t get to look at my pictures or even pick up my camera, it was a happy surprise when these images popped up on my screen. Walking out to get the paper is one of my favorite things to do when visiting my parents because it is quick, relaxing and just long enough where you don’t have to go wild trying to get out the door…grab the nearest coat, some shoes, maybe a hat and you’re good to go! It is also the perfect length to convince Maggie to walk without complaint. Plus, she gets to check out the stinky cows on the way. 

I had planned to leave Maggie up there for a couple days and head back home with Audrey to have a couple days with just Barry and Audrey. I was prepared for Maggie to be a little upset that she wasn’t coming home with us, but I’m pretty sure Syd was more upset to be left behind than Maggie ~ and Sydney LOVES Camp Janet. When I left, Maggie and my dad were in a very involved game with the train tracks and Mags hardly looked up to say goodbye. (I was a bit stung, but pretty proud that she was so excited to be staying.) As I packed up the car, I listened to the interactions between Maggie and my dad and I couldn’t help but laugh. They’d set up an entire village in the middle of the train tracks (not pictured) and the train operated with Maggie’s whistle….Maggie was in heaven. 

Also while we were in Anacortes, we went to Midge’s and she got to snuggle with Audrey and read stories with Maggie. Whenever Maggie is in A-Town with my mom, they go visit Midge and so Maggie is very familar with Midge’s house and has a definte idea of all the things that she needs to do and where all the toys are stored. At one point she had Midge practially on the ground trying to cajole Callie out from under the couch so they could brush her. Poor kitty cat, but the two Maggies were having a ball working together to get that fat cat out. 

Even though I had a cat that lived FOREVER (I got her in 1st grade and she died when I was in college!), I’ve never really considered myself a cat person. Most of the people we know that have cats, have scardy cats that hide when we’re around. Callie is the opposite of a scardy cat once you get her out from under the couch or table. She loves getting brushed and is so patient and calm with Maggie. On the list of things to do at Midge’s is brush Callie and Maggie worked for quite a while while Callie patiently waited for her to finish. I only wish Syd was as patient. 

The most frustrating part about visiting Anacortes is not having enough time to see some of my favorite people. In fact, that could be said for all of Skagit Valley….and if I’m being really truthful, I’ve got e-mails, texts, facebook messages, voicemails and even snail mail that I’m way behind on. Perhaps I try to keep in touch with too many people? So when it came up that we would be able to meet up with Kara, I was thrilled. 

We spent a couple hours at Kara and Ryan’s house painting, coloring, eating and just relaxing. Maggie and Kara were able to have long conversations about where Ryan was and now – nearly a month later – we’re still hearing about how Ryan went to Bellingham to get ‘ice skates’ for Kara. It is so funny to me how certain conversations stick with Maggie and make an impact. It’s also a reminder of how careful we need to be because kids are ALWAYS listening. 

When we were packing up to go home, I took Maggie to go potty and left Audrey in her car seat ready to walk out the door. I told Kara to just give it a few rocks if she started squaking. Of course, Audrey started yelling and these two things happened within the two minutes it took Maggie to go potty: 

1. Maggie started yelling “Don’t worry, your big sister is here! Don’t worry, your big sister is coming!”

2. I caught Kara red-handed taking Audrey out of her car seat….even though we were literally packed to go. It feels go to have a friend that loves my babies so much she doesn’t want to hear them cry.

HOME

Most people have been asking me how being home with TWO kids has been. I don’t really have an answer and stumble through a few sentences each time I’m asked, never giving the same response. Practically immediately after Audrey was born, I had a strong sense of feeling like our family was complete and now that we’re into her second month, I hardly remember what life was like with just ONE. That doesn’t mean that every moment has been perfect and has come without challenges. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve had to remind Maggie that she doesn’t have to have her face THISCLOSE for Audrey to see or hear her. And as I’ve mentioned above, I’m way behind on communicating with people….some day I might catch up. 

Most of all, being home with two has been great. It actually feels like three kids some days because Sydney really is our third child. I was especially reminded of this on Tuesday when Syd spent most of the morning barking, barking, barking at the trash trucks that were driving up and down our street. Sometimes, especially after a horrible night’s sleep, her bark can be a bit annoying. 

Maggie is the most helpful big sister and we’re working really, really hard to make sure that she gets plenty of Maggie Time. This means dance parties galore, books, baking projects and playing dollies for stints. For the most part, Maggie wants to be involved with whatever it is Audrey is up to…announcing to us over and over, ‘she’s wide awake!!!” if Audrey’s eyes are open. Maggie also ‘translates’ for us whatever it is Audrey needs…which is most often “mommy’s milky.” The other morning Audrey was lounging on the guest bed and Maggie decided to play her a concert with the harmonica. I had to rush and get my camera because it was the funniest/sweetest thing I’ve seen in a long time. Sadly, Audrey wasn’t really into the musical numbers that Mags performed. Maybe next time. 

PHOTOS

I have become horrible with taking pictures these days. Days pass where I don’t take pictures or even know where my camera is. It isn’t that I don’t want to take pictures or am not motivated….it’s just that my time is so divided between everything. But the other morning we were leaving our house and Maggie asked me to take her picture with New Baby. I don’t think this has ever happened, so of course I ran back inside and grabbed my camera. I’m not a fashion blogger, but these little images of Maggie reminded me of a ‘what’s she wearing’ type of image. These days, as long as she’s wearing ‘leggings’ or ‘yoga pants’ she is good to go. Funnily enough, I w