Maggie and Syd are slowly becoming friends, but we wonder if their friendship will be short-lived since Maggie has yet to learn the art of petting Sydney without grabbing and tugging. At this point, Syd is constant entertainment for Maggie and for the most part Sydney is willing to go along with Maggie’s sudden interest.

What Maggie hasn’t figured out yet is that Sydney does not like getting woken up. At all. If Maggie is too rough or too loud, Sydney just quietly gets up and walks away.

And we’re stuck with an upset baby on our hands. Thanks, Syd.

Most days our mornings start out in the living room on the carpet playing with toys and waking up.

To be honest, it is more Maggie playing with her toys and me waking up.

Although I love the early morning, it seems like these past couple weeks Maggie has wanted to remind me that the middle of the night still exists.

I gently remind her that I have been awake before at midnight, two and four. She really doesn’t need to show me all those different hours.

I think she finally understands because she is now back to just these early morning wake up calls, where she is playing and I am waking.

Yesterday we met  up with two more babies for Maggie to roll around on the ground with – Gavin and Will. My child spent much of the day being a Big Bucket of Fuss while the other two babes grinned, giggled and snoozed happily. I’d  heard from Krista that her son, Will, tends to be a bit grumpy; however I saw none of that yesterday! He was such a cute little man.

Like I said, my daughter was a bit of a drama queen yesterday. I really have no idea where she gets it. I think it might be from Barry…certainly not me, right?

This hat is going to be the end of me.

Today lots of my very favorite people went back to school. They sat in meetings all day and prepared for next week when all the kiddos show up with their sparkly backpacks and sharpened pencils. I spent today watching the raindrops hit the ground wondering if Summer really is over. I keep waiting for the strangeness to hit me and to feel the urge to go to school and ready my classroom.

Instead today I felt comfort and joy in my daughter’s yummy smelling breath and chubby legs. I sipped on my tea and listened to her practice her new noises and felt contentment.

One of my very favorite things about teaching is the freshness that each year brings and seeing former students come back with bright, bright smiles – happy to return to the routine of school and familiar faces.  I’m going to miss those faces and those of my friends who also happen to be coworkers.

Right now, though, I’m feeling just fine and dandy being at home with Maggie and the freshness that she brings to our home each day.

We went to Westport this past weekend four our second camping trip of the summer. It is crazy to think that mid August we’re just logging our second camping trip, but at the same time having a 4 month old and doing our second camping trip of the season seems monumental in its own right.

We met up with Brian, Darcy, Chach, Brian, Marc and Lara….it was confusing with both the Brians.  Sydney typically loves the beach, but I think that Ruger’s enthusiastic charm made her a bit gun shy.

We had Beer Butt Chicken, Beer pancakes and I think some non-nursing people had just plain old beer. Thanks to Brian P. who did almost all the cooking! Barry, Brian M. and Darcy did a bit of surfing and the rest of us relaxed in the sunny weather and watched Ruger and Brian P. splash around in the waves.

Brian and Chaya showed up with the largest tent I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It is bigger than a circus tent. At one point I was in there with Lara, Thomas, Maggie, Ruger’s Costco sized dog bed, a queen air mattress, two camping chairs, and at least 6 huge Tupperware containers. Plus, there was still room to walk around. No longer do we call our tent The Mansion.

Coming home we got stuck in traffic and saw a ton of motorcycle riders heading South by the Tacoma Dome. Police officers had closed off the ramps on to I-5, so the only thing on the freeway were motorcycles. It was pretty astounding, but neither of us heard what it was about.  We think our traffic jam was because the people in our lane were rubber necking.

All in all, it was a successful second camping trip. Since Maggie loves being outside so much it makes it easier to go.

Quite honestly, I think this trip made us wonder if we need to step it up in the tent department. Either that, or we need to seriously look into a motor home. Next year, people, next year. You want to come camping with us? We’ve got a cute baby, a chubby dog and apparently a smallish tent.

Maggie’s Fourth Month from hannah elvrum on Vimeo.

Sweets,

Our car is packed and we’re ready to hit the road to go on your second camping trip this month! Taking you places has gotten so much easier because I think you are not hating the car as much. I wouldn’t go as far as saying you like it, but you no longer hate it. I’m excited to have you see the ocean again and sit by the campfire.

When we were camping at Neah Bay, you sat on your dad’s knee and yelled at the top of your lungs as if you were a part of the conversation! It was hilarious because Grampy kept trying to talk and you wanted the floor. Luckily your dad was able to translate for you and we all understood what you were yelling about. This month has been about finding your voice, and, Mags, you’ve got a great voice I hope you continue to use it to speak your mind.

You also went swimming the first time this month, once with Thomas in a kiddie pool and once in a real pool with me. Plus, you took some super long baths at Grammy and Grampy’s house on the hot days while we were visiting. Suffice to say, you are happy in the water!

We went to two different weddings this month and you were SO good. Both your grandpas carried you around at each wedding in their arms and you fell asleep! You look tiny in their arms, but the doctor told us that you are still in the 90th percentile for both height and weight, so not so tiny compared to other babies your age.

You spent time with all of your grandparents this month – you have ten of them! You laughed for the very first time on Nana’s lap looking into her face! It was such a delight to hear you. She made you crack up!

I know I’m missing out on lots of things this month, but we’ve got to hit the road! Our friends are waiting and the weather looks promising! We love you, we love you, we love you!

Mom

Maggie is one lucky girl because not only does she have the Tubby Torpedo and us to love on her, but she also has ten magnificent grandparents that absolutely adore her. I kept doing the math in my head because ten seems like such a large number, but in this case I think it is just perfect.

SIX GREAT GRANDPARENTS:

FOUR GRANDPARENTS:

6+4=10

Dear Papa,

I really miss you. Yesterday I went to play with Thomas and we got to swim in his pool. It was so much fun! Today I got to to a huge garage sale with Mama and Granny. They bought me more books and I already tried to eat one, it didn’t taste too good. We stopped and saw Great Granny Midge on our way home!

Also, Nana came over and she brought Great Grandpa and Grandma Rhone. You’ll never, ever believe it, but I laughed so hard in Nana’s arms! She’s a funny lady. After they left Granny and Mama put me in the bath outside and I laughed some more. I kept hearing them laugh too, so it must have been really funny to see me, a naked baby, in the tub.

After I got to splash in the tub and I ate I put on my resort wear and Mama put me back in the empty tub to sleep. I’m was so tired from all that laughing I did.

I’ve attached a couple pictures, in case you are wondering if I’ve grown in the last 24 hours – I have.

I really miss you, Papa. I hope you have fun on your hike, but when you get back can we feed the fish together and will you play a game with me. There are certain things you do that Mama just can’t, even though she tries.  Plus, you need to hear me laugh because Mama says that it’ll make you laugh too!

Love,

Lil M