Summer....So Far.....

I can't believe we are almost to July! Where has summer gone already? We have been clearly staying busy as it seems to be going by too fast.

Last month Matt and I enjoyed a "Parents Club" vacation with our dear friends, the Rutherfords and Lickteigs. You guys, seriously this trip was amazing and so needed for all of us. We are all at the same stage of life with young kids and needing some adult relaxation/rejuvenation. We stayed at a beautiful, perfectly located VRBO in Siesta Key and boy did we have fun.

We came back and were at the doctor for what seemed like nearly every day. Between Maggie's consult for tubes, having another ear infection and cutting four molars, tubes were pushed back. Then Emma having some GI issues that caused us to see a specialist, dermatologist appointment for Maggie and then me getting a sinus and ear infection....all within 10 days. Finally Maggie had her tubes put in on June 15 and knock on wood, she's been a completely different girl.

Lots of outside time in the backyard or at the pool, playing nicely together (most of the time) and causing mischief often.

Maggie's 1st Birthday

This is long overdue, but after a crazy month, time has gotten away from me.

I can't believe that nearly a month ago we celebrated Maggie's 1st birthday.

On that Saturday, we had some friends and family over for a little party. The rain made for a cozy get together in doors, but a great time was still had. Emma picked out the theme of Minnie Mouse and my mom went to town on cakes and adorable cookies. The cake was absolutely delicious, some of her best work.....Maggie thought so too. After a little hesitation, she dug right in and didn't stop until we had to pry it away.

The following day was her actual birthday (also Mother's Day) and we had a beautiful day to enjoy a long family walk on campus before heading to Nana and Papa's for an early dinner later that day. 

We say this all the time, but Maggie is such a joy and happy baby. She has this calm yet feisty personality and oh so silly. We thank God every day for her and I pray that she always feels how loved and important she is to us. Happy (belated) birthday Maggie Claire!

{M} One Year Pictures

How is it that just last week that we had Maggie's one year pictures taken? It seems like we literally just did her newborn pictures. Stop growing so fast Maggie, I'm not ready.

Maggie: One Years Old

Likes/Dislikes: Maggie is loving the outdoors, make everyone laugh/smile, baby dolls and her new truck (thanks Nana and Papa). She's slowly coming around to liking grass and will now at least move around and touch it. Diaper changes have been a nightmare as of lately due to the fact that it requires her to lay still. It's starting to get near impossible to change her. She's also not a fan of cutting so many teeth at once. She cut two more top teeth in a matter of four days and three of four molars are super swollen. Poor girl is struggling.

Development: So much development happened in just a matter of the last month. Maggie is babbling even more with "mama", "dada", "uh-oh" and "baby". She also signs please and more, as well as lifting her arms up for "so big". She picks up a phone and puts it to her head to start talking. She's becoming more brave and climbing up on things and trying to go up as many stairs as she can before we catch her. Maggie had her one year appointment on Monday and is weighing 26.2 pounds and is 31.25 inches. Both in the 97th percentile. Dr. Patten also caught another ear infection (second one in two weeks) and so we are moving on to tubes. We have an appointment with ENT at the end of the month for a consult and hopefully with have tubes within the month.

Sleeping: The ear infections the last couple of weeks haven't really disrupted Maggie's sleep surprisingly. Sleeping from 7pm to 6:30am with two naps during the day.

Eating: We introduced whole milk and are slowly weaning her off the bottle. Goal is to be done by next week. When she's teething or fighting ear infections, she tends to not eat food she normally loves (like bananas lately), but it seems to be that she has her appetite back.

Family Update: We are doing good and so looking forward to a busy summer: an adults only trip for Matt and I with friends, trips to Minnesota, visitors and hopefully a lot of pool time. We are enjoying the nice weather and getting to spend time outside and in the girls new playhouse!

Doctor Visits

We have become regulars at the doctor's office. I swear we are constantly turning in $10 co-pays into flex.

At one of Maggie's recent visits to the pediatrician (I think when she got her yeast infection), Dr. Patten saw the major flair ups of acne that I had been talking about, but she never actually saw when it came around to appointments. She suggested seeing a dermatologist and got us in with a great one. Maggie is now on a topical treatment three times a week and we should be seeing improvement in 6-8 weeks. Should it not be cleared up in a year, she would do some hormone testing with our pediatrician.

When I went to pick up the girls on Monday, I noticed how swollen Maggie's left side of her face was. Weird I thought. My mom said her nose was like a faucet all day. Not surprising since she cut a tooth last week and has four more (including molars) that are making their way. But as we got home, she could hardly open her eye. Called the doctor and got right in.....double ear infection! You have got to be kidding me. This is the happiest she has been ever while having an ear infection, sleeping fine and eating. Meanwhile, other times I've taken her in convinced her screaming was an ear infection turned out to be teething. This girl keeps us guessing. So back on Augmenten for Mags.

Sick....Again.

I thought spring time brought sun and healthy times? Not in our house.

Thursday, March 31: After weeks of Emma holding her potty or claiming it hurt and two random accidents, I decided to believe her and take her to the doctor. Yeast infection. Makes sense after being on antibiotics from her last bout of illness. Given Nystatin cream.
Wednesday, April 6: Maggie has had what we thought was a diaper rash for a couple weeks that wasn't getting better after baking soda baths, Desitin and other creams. Take her in and yep, yeast infection for her too. Given Nystatin cream.
Thursday, April 7: Maggie starts getting a runny nose (teething).
Saturday, April 9: Emma starts getting a runny nose.
Sunday, April 10: Both girls noses are like faucets just draining.
Monday, April 11: Coughs start and the sound barky.
Tuesday, April 12: Take both girls to the doctor and both are treated for croup with steroid medicine. There's some fluid in Maggie's ear, but it isn't infected....yet. Let's be real, it will be in a couple days.

Oh and Matt's now home sick with some sort of sinus congestion and sore throat. Praying I'm not next.

Maggie: Eleven Months

Just like that, we have an almost one year old. Please take your time growing older my sweet girl.

Likes/Dislikes: She likes getting into mommy's magazines (should probably move them) and getting into the entertainment center while smiling at us as we tell her no. Maggie likes crawling over to toys and books to play or when big sister lets her play in her room with her. She also loves splashing in teh tub, chewing on toys and being outside. Our girl hates grass so much that she cries or whines til we pick her up. I hear this is the case for most kids, but Emma loved it from the beginning. 

Development: Maggie's learned to crawl up a couple of stairs, crawl over things and walk around the coffee table or couch (while still holding on). She's talking or mumbling more and getting more animated.

Sleeping: While she is currently cutting teeth and sick (hello croup and yeast infection), sleep has been off the last week. But outside of the past week, it's the normal 7pm to 6:30am with two naps during the day. The last week has been her not putting herself to sleep as well and waking multiple times a night. Crossing my fingers she's back to "normal" soon for all of us to get back to some well rested nights.

Eating: What doesn't this girl like?!?! She loves ALL food. Really, she does. Maybe strawberries is the one food we tried this last week that she spits right out. Otherwise she loves all veggies, fruit, pasta and trying what we eat for dinner.

Family Update: Matt and the team made it to Chicago for the Sweet Sixteen, so naturally, the girls and I joined them. While it wasn't the turnout we hoped for, the girls rocked the bus ride to/from Chicago and were super good at the game. Now that the season is over, we are re-adjusting (like we do every year) to having Matt around full time and enjoying the family time. The girls and Matt are battling some sinus issues and both the girls have croup, so we are looking forward to some healthy days ahead.