Snow Day!

Yesterday was an official snow day at our house...Ryan's office was even closed! Kate was dying to get outside and play in the snow. What she didn't realize, no matter how many times we told her, was that it wasn't snow but ice. Nevertheless, that didn't stop her from roping her daddy into going outside for some winter fun. She did better than I thought she would. She stayed bundled up, never asked to go potty, and stayed out for about 45 minutes. Maggie and I watched from the warmth of the house. We did, however, bundle Mags up and get documentation of her first "snow". Enjoy the picture and videos!

5 months!

Yes that's right, Maggie is 5 months old today! We are battling yet another cold, but so is big sister. I guess that's just part of winter. We are in the middle of another ice storm, closing schools today and tomorrow. Maggie's first winter will be remembered by colds and ice storms! She is still a sweet baby. I know I say that every month, but she really is! She always has the biggest grin for us when we talk sweetly to her. I want to just gobble her up! We did have a bit of a stressful week this month regarding Maggie. Fortunately or unfortunately, my girls have their daddy's eyes. Most that know Ryan well, know that his eyes look "sleepy" alot. At Maggie's 4 month check up, our pediatrician Dr. Hughes, was concerned that the shape of her eyes could be a characteristic of Down Syndrome. After sending us down to the lab to have blood drawn, we had to wait a grueling 8 days for the results and that was even with Dr. Hughes requesting the results stat (it usually takes 2-4 weeks). Those were truly the longest 8 days of our lives, but I'm so very happy to report that the testing came back normal and she fortunately or unfortunately has her daddy's eyes! Maggie owes us big time!!!

Again, pictures of both girls on their 5th month birthday. Kate is the top picture, Maggie is the bottom picture.

Kate the chef!

Kate has really gotten interested in helping me cook dinner these days. Every evening as I head to the kitchen to start preparing dinner, she follows me into the kitchen and demands, sometimes with a "please", that I get her ladder out so she can help make dinner. While I love that we can spend a few minutes together doing this, it can be frustrating as well. Kate is not the best at being the student. She wants to do it herself which is where the frustration comes in. It's difficult for a 2 1/2 year old to open cans, brown meat, and work over a hot stove. This is where the struggle usually begins and we have a minor melt-down, every time! I will say that as we continue to cook together, she is getting more patient and more willing to let me do the adult work and she handles the easy stuff. Her strength...stirring!

Is this bad?

I'm afraid we've created monsters! The pictures below show Kate and Maggie, yes, my 4 month old, completely mesmerized by the t.v...Yo Gabba Gabba no less!!!

(In this instance, they definitely are their father's daughters!)

Time flies...

Maggie is 4 months old! I can't believe that it's been 4 months since she joined us. She is such a sweet, sweet baby and still very content. My dad was saying that if you don't make the effort, you sometimes forget to give her much attention because she's just so quiet and loves to take it all in.

Maggie is getting into the really fun stage of babyhood. She belly laughs at about any silly noise or silly face and smiles all the time. She is still a wonderful sleeper and eater - in fact, she started rice cereal on Christmas and is trying to figure out the spoon and swallowing. I really can't think of one thing about her that is frustrating as a parent...although ask me again when she becomes mobile and/or starts talking!

Some "firsts" for this month were: her first cold and it was a bad one. I took her to the dr. just to make sure it hadn't gotten into her lungs because she had a terrible cough and runny nose. Fortunately it was just a cold, but unfortunately we couldn't do a thing to make it better except to wait it out and it took a good 3 weeks for all of her symptoms to clear up. We had a few restless nights and days, but we made it though. She also experienced her first minor ice storm. It was never really bad at our house, but out south was a mess and so we were home-bound for a few days which was kind of fun. We stayed in our pjs and just enjoyed hanging out. Maggie also celebrated her first Christmas. She got lots of great presents but will only remember her first Christmas by looking at pictures. She did have some really cute outfits for the season and it was fun to dress her and Kate alike!
4 months have gone so quickly...kind of makes me sad! She'll be turning 1 before I know it. Enjoy the pics of her. And again, I included a picture of Kate at the same age. (Maggie is the picture on the bottom left and Kate is the picture on the top right.)

Happy New Year!!