The Chair

As Maggie grows older and continues to develop Carey and I are confronted by many controversial issues. We keep asking ourselves: how do we want to punish her when she is bad? While looking for an effective method we figure it's never too early to start, so when Maggie misbehaves we now put her in "THE CHAIR":

She really understands...

Unfortunately, I think she really LIKES IT!!!

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
(foiled again)

Obviously, we'll have to keep on trying...

Reading

We've been spending some of our family 'awake time' reading children's books to Maggie. Carey and I both love to read and consider books to be at the forefront of learning and knowledge.
There are lots of good stories that keep all of us quite entertained. Like this one:

THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL

There was a little girl, and she had a little curl

Right in the middle of her forehead;

When she was good, she was very, very good,

But when she was bad, she was horrid.

Nice, huh? These books aren't filled with fluff and kittens like I expected. They get right to the action and don't mince words concerning the desired moral. I won't tell you the story of "Teddy's thoughts on alcohol and drugs."

...especially because this shot of our bookcase was taken before I could prep the frame (oops!):

And here are some gratuitous shots of our lovely daughter for all of you since I've been so lax in posting this last week:

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had loads of fun celebrating Valentine's Day (which lasted all weekend) with a playgroup brunch at our friends Tim, Poppy and Colm's house (along with many other little ones and their respective parents) and Mom and Pop's return to the world date night. Gina graciously watched Maggie as Carey and I went out for drinks and dessert in the Old Port's Chocolate Bar. Yummm!!! We hope everyone had an equally fine weekend.

the moby

Here's our newest tool in the arsenal: the Moby wrap. Five yards of Jersey Knit (or similar) fabric cut down the middle lengthwise. We each got one from one piece of fabric. Comfortable and cozy and awesome!
This wrap offers many versatile arrangements. At our disposal are the options to face Maggie in like when Velcro man trampolines into the wall...or face her out like a Baby Bjorn...or kinda sideways like...or many more we'll learn, I'm sure.

Wearing the little one is full of advantages and creates untold depths of trust and bonding. We love all our slings and use them all off and on throughout the day. Maggie loves them, too!

Happy Sunday!

We had a fun filled day today and it started out making new friends at a brunch hosted by Jess and Ruby Taylor....

Then we went for a walk because it was so beautiful outside (you'd think we were going for a walk in Antarctica by the way we dressed Maggie though). Maggie's Aunt Amanda made her the very adorable gnome pompom hat, which you can check out more photos of on soulemama.com in the "baby gnomes" post. Thanks for keeping her warm and cute Amanda!!

After all that, it was time for a family nap. Hope your Sunday was as great as ours!!

playgroup

Our first official playgroup, a spin-off of the birthroots class we have been taking right along. It has been great for Carey to share and receive stories with all the other moms. We can't say enough about the value of these classes, the wide range of knowledge we have been exposed to and the friends we've made.

These kids (I know, I know...a kid is a baby goat. I can't help it) have some pretty cool names: starting at Maggie (center bottom) and going clockwise: Clara, Ethan, Kell, Jackson, Asher, Colm, and Mannix. Missing from the photo is Penelope.

so fast!

Maggie continues to grow in leaps and bounds, pushing nearly 12 pounds now. We are psyched that she is doing so well but already are experiencing the "they grow up so fast" motif so often spoke by seasoned parents. Here are two of our favorite outfits in which the little one no longer fits:

The gnome sweater jacket and, sadly, the I (heart) daddy pajamas.

Of course, now we can start breaking out some of the bigger outfits she CAN fit into. Yay!

Pirates

Here we are taking our little girl to her first professional ice hockey game. The Portland Pirates v. Springfield Falcons. The game was okay but having Maggie in the stands with us was really something special...and we didn't have to explain why they were fighting. The people seated near us were just as interested in her as they were the hockey game. Well, duh!

(photo courtesy of our friend, jesse)

one month!

Yes, Maggie is one month old! We can't believe it. Seriously, where has four weeks gone? She is growing fast, up to 10lbs now, and developing new skills all the time. Here is our newest game: she actually swings and hits the animals dangling in front of her. This will prove itself a valuable skill as she beats off suitors because she is so beautiful.

co-sleeping

Yes, we've graduated Maggie from our bed into the co-sleeper. Well...a little. She starts off in there and eventually worms her way back between us, somehow (?), in the middle of the night.
For those of you interested in it's construction I made it with red oak (sanded but completely unfinished) and 1/2"mdo plywood. The plywood extends over two feet between our mattress and box spring so no legs are required. It didn't take long to construct...about two beers!

Mom's real close and can easily reach over and drag Maggie into bed for feedings or comfort. Everyone is getting better sleep. Maggie's mattress is a warm, soft, washable piece of sheepskin. She thrashes around in her sleep, like her pappa, and really seems to enjoy having her own bed...for short durations, anyway.