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

Typically this time of year I find myself in my classroom getting things ready and rehashing my summer antics with coworkers. The other day I did find myself in my classroom, but it was to clear out my things and make way for the teacher taking over my room.

It felt strange, but at the same time I wasn’t as heartbroken or sad as I thought I might be. I know that I’ll dearly miss my students and the other staff members that I interface with, but being home with Maggie just feels so perfect right now. I am a stay at home mom. Weird.

Today I really felt things come together in terms of being at home. Laundry, bathing, running errands and a bunch of other mundane tasks were checked off my list without the weight of the world on my shoulders. Maggie was a doll and perfectly happy (okay, she was sleeping because I planned to leave the house around her naps) to help me bop around town.

We’ve developed somewhat of a routine that includes playing, reading, singing, napping, walking and other 4 month related activities. Instead of whirring around my classroom making sure my students are getting their needs met, I get to whir around home – or wherever we might find ourselves – making sure Maggie’s needs are met.

I’m so lucky.

Things You Need to Know:

1. I have started this blog post at least 6 times. My brain wants to write, but it is coming out blah,blah, blah style.
2. My child is a giant still. We went to her 4 month appt. today and she is still in the 90th percentile for both height and weight. Hooray!
3. My husband lets me cut his hair now. We’re snazzy like that. He’s a babe, in my opinion, so there.

Things You Probably Should Know:

1. Going places with a child is much easier when there are two able-handed people. We love Grammy Fidge for this one today!
2. The weather. We’re going camping and it is supposed to rain. Oh, joy!
3. I came home to a book waiting for me on our dining room table the other day. Barry is not only a babe, but also thoughtful. Score!

Things You Don’t Really Care About Knowing:

1. I apparently grind my teeth. Are mouth guards gross?
2. We don’t really watch TV, but LOVE our Netflix. I’m talking L-O-V-E.
3. Maggie outright stole a bone from Sydney and we got pictures of it. That little thief.
4. Hopefully I’ll be back tomorrow with a bit more substance.

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

Remember when we met all those years ago? We look like babies in this picture, maybe because we pretty much were.

For a long time it was just us two and we had some pretty amazing times and lots of laughs.

But then this Hooligan joined our party. We fell in love with her snorts and wrinkles.

And then we got hitched – to this day I love our wedding more than I ever imagined I would. It was awesome, mostly because I think we’re awesome.

Finally, we got another Hooligan. She doesn’t have as many wrinkles and she only sometimes snorts, but we love her just the same.

To the future!

Happy Anniversary, Barry!

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

I had a quiet celebration a few weeks ago when I finally read a non-pregnancy/parenting book. I couldn’t remember the last book that I read that didn’t focus on one of those topics and getting into a book unrelated to either felt so dang good.

I found myself, with Maggie asleep in her Ergo, wandering around a bookstore today and my heart just about burst open from all the great books that I wanted to take home and read. Alas, I left the store empty handed and Barry and I took Maggie to the library this evening and I came home with a pile of books and my name on the holds list for some newbies that I can’t wait to read.

Maggie and I read her books together daily and I can tell that she loves listening to my voice and looking at the pictures and eventually she’ll get to pick out the ones that she loves the most. I can’t wait for that day.

But today, after going to the library and bookstore, I feel like something inside me that has been asleep for the past months has awoken and is ready to begin reading again! *

*Sydney just wanted me to put her picture in this post too. She also wants you to know that she prefers to chew on books, rather than read them like a proper dog.