Maggie- 18 months

On September 27th, Maggie turned 18 months old!

How time is flying by!! My sweetest girl (as I call her) is growing up so much and adds a ton of joy to our lives every day!

Here is just a little bit (ok a lot) of what's been going on in Maggie's life:

Just after turning 1, she started giving the best hugs and even pats our backs.

She loves life-like baby dolls! She carries them around, pats their back, and pretends to be their mama.  So sweet.  And speaking of dolls, Mags herself is like a doll to her older cousins Kaylee and Lexi.  They just love her to pieces and carry her around everywhere they can.  And Maggie just adores them.

Little Mags loves to clap and play Peek-a-Boo.  Wheels on the Bus and Pat-a-Cake and also top favs of hers.

This one loves books!  She will turn the pages and will let you know which book she wants to read, and which she doesn't.  In fact, her opinion on most things is totally coming out and man, does she let you know what she wants!!  A bit fiery, can we say??

Maggie still loves the little kitchen and play food.

She also seems to like most real food we give her and will blow on it when we tell her it's hot.  It's adorable!!

Maggie insists on rubbing dirty hands (and often food) in her hair and on her face.  All. The. Time.

She points to things and wants to see and/or feel them. Very inquisitive.

Mags has discovered light switches and, of course, likes to turn them on and off.  Fortunately, she can't reach them on her own yet.

She signs the word "more" and totally connects it's meaning.  

She's been getting lots of teeth.  Tooth #5 came in April 28, and she got her first 2 molars in July (at 15 months).

By May 6th she was pulling up and scaling the furniture.  We also lowered her crib- big girl!!

This girl and her raspberry spits!! She gets the biggest kick out of spitting and then laughing.

The Mags dance- she bobs her head and whole upper body.

She motions for a tissue for a runny nose and even let's us wipe it!

When we pray, she claps at the end. Maybe it's because we are finally done- ha! No, we aren't long prayers.

Maggie loves her puppy toy/walker and is totally fascinated by the plasma car. She really thinks she's bigger than she is and wants to use all the big kid toys.

In August I started putting her hair into a little spout on top of her head.  I can't bear to cut it, and now she looks so cute!  At first she fussed so much each time I would put it up.  Like she was totally mad!! Ha! And then immediately stopped fussing when I was done.

Silly Maggie and Daddy with matching hair!!

In September she latched on to this blue dress with whales on it.  And when she sees it, if she does not wear it, hello tantrum!! Seriously, I'm in trouble if the fashion diva routine is starting now!!

Maggie also started eating with a fork and spoon. Of her own doing.  Saw Asher and taught herself- this girl is determined!! 

She also wants whatever brother has.  They love each other so, and are both very aware and I've resorted to buying 2 of many things like water bottles, plates, toys, etc., so they can both have one. It's not worth the battle. LOL!

Mags' communication is pretty amazing! She shakes her head yes and no and although we can't understand much of her cute speech, she manages to get across what she wants. 

Lately this girl is all about dipping sauces.  She loves them!! She begs for ketchup, BBQ sauce, sour cream, olive oil on bread, whatever kind of sauce we have, she wants it. And she will often just lick the sauce and not eat the food. Or finger paint with the sauce.  Ha!!

The biggest thing for Maggie has been learning to walk!! While this is an accomplishment for every child, Maggie had to overcome a few obstacles to get there.  I'll be posting more on this at bringingupredheads.com. Yet, the gist is that her muscles, tendons and ligaments in her feet and ankles didn't tighten and up and strengthen as they were supposed to.  All parts were there, but her little feet and ankles couldn't hold her upright.  We got her checked out at 15 months. She started wearing little braces at 16 months and also doing weekly physical therapy.  We have had such an amazing experience and journey and are happy to report that she is doing great and walking everywhere!! She'll need the braces and PT for a while, but she has made so much progress in just the last few weeks, we couldn't be happier! And she is so happy with herself, and her new found freedom!  She mentally knew she wanted to walk, her body just wouldn't let her.  But again, she's doing awesome!!

Favorite Books: 

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Belly Button Book

Mr. Brown Can Moo

George and the Bunny

Goodnight Moon

I Love You Everywhere

Love Bug

Going on a Lion Hunt

Words she says:

baby

Mama (in April, but then All The Time the time starting in June)

moo

bye-bye

Bru-Bru (either brother or bubble?- she loves both)

bubble- this actually means go outside

choo-choo

cheese- and yes, she smiles (better than the 4 year old)

Dada- this has been a tough one on Daddy. She said it early, then stopped, yet is recently saying it often!!

Here are a bunch of pictures, because she's super cute!!

Maggie and I are super connected.  I'm her person- as we say.  I love her so, and wouldn't have it any other way.  You bring me (us) joy, my sweetest girl in the world!!

Here's a little song I sing to her:
(this is really just so I can remember the silly things I sang and she liked)

to Come Go With Me

I love Maggie

I lover Maggie Jane

I love Maggie

I love Maggie Jane

I love Maggie, I love Maggie Jane

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa

Asher- 4 years old

On June 11th, Asher turned 4!  I can't even believe it!!

He is just growing up so much!  He's quite the talker, and singer, so it's definitely not quiet in our house!!

Here are some other things he loves.
Loves playing games.  Hide and seek is a big one. So are guessing games, like guess what animal I am or I Spy.  And now board games like Candy Land are a favorite.
Asher enjoys reading and singing to Maggie.  He likes to be a part of her pre-nap or bedtime routine. He's the best big brother!
Building forts and playing with Model Magic are frequent occurrences here.
The red light, green light "game", or a race gets us through a lot of things he's not thrilled with doing. Basically making things a game is a win for Ash.
He once did a puppet show for us and added a commercial. Crazy kid!
Fruit leather for snacks.  I sometimes have to limit as he would eat multiple per day.
He gets a kick out of going under bridges on the freeway.  Puts his hands up and shouts, "under!"
The teachers at church tell me he often has them laughing all through class. Funny kid!
If you have a secret or surprise or present for someone, don't tell Asher.  He spills the beans immediately!
He has a new alter ego- Lightning Ash!  He's a superhero of course. And superheros are big loves of his at this point.  Mainly Spider-Man.

Here are some "firsts" he's had over the last 6 months.
Asher loves learning new things and he started preschool in January.
He saw snow for the first time.  He loved making snow angels!
He now has some small chores around the house- puts silverware in the dishwasher, puts away his clean clothes, and helps make his bed. He's such a good helper!
He went to the dentist for the first time and rocked it!
It's not a "first" but I feel like frustration outburst/tantrums have already drastically decreased! Yay!

Here are some noteworthy things he's said.
"Do you want to hear [fill in a name of a song]? How does [name of song] go?"
"I wish I could go to the dentist again".
"I want to do a dance party; to Michael Jackson." He's 4!!! Lol!  (A boy after my own heart!)
"Daddy's the strongest. I'm next. You're 8th."  Hmmm...
"You can't even believe it!!" (Said about lots of things.)
"I'm just a drip nervous." Or, "I'm just a nibble nervous."
While giving hugs at bedtime one night he says, "I'll never ever destroy you." Um thanks, I think.

So far he loves being 4! He seems so proud and tells everyone. We love you so much Asher!