to sleep or not to sleep...

In the past two weeks Maggie has flip flopped back and forth between sleeping 6-7 1/2 hours at night, and waking every 3-4 hours at night. I get so excited when Maggie sleeps through the night and then bam a couple nights later we are back to square one. Maybe some of you veteran moms can help me out here, what's the secret? I 've tried doing the groundhog day thing, where we try and relive the exact same day as before, only to fail miserably. It is a beautiful thing when she sleeps however, the whole family profits. For example, last night Maggie slept from 10:30pm until 6:15am it was wonderful. I felt so good this morning that Maggie and I cooked up some breakfast in bed for the soon to be RTS graduate in our house (strawberry pancakes...refer to the previous post by Tyler). It's funny how sleep can make such a big difference. But, I must say I don't mind that much if Maggie summons me in the night, she is really cute and sometimes she smiles at me when I lay her back in her crib after a midnight snack (or rather 3am). But, sleep is very good too. Praise the Lord either way for the blessings in our home!

bon voyage to los Chapells

Give it up for Jordan & Suzanne Chapell everbody!

The McNamees get very huggie whenever dear friends move away.

Suzanne and Lisa were able to patch up their differences before Suzanne moved away. Just kidding, Suzanne and Lisa have never been at odds - however, this would be a wonderful picture of reconcilation had they been in a big fight.

David and Brad on the other hand did not work out their differences, but neither of them is moving away so they still have time.

As you can see, we had a life group going away party for our good friends Jordan & Suzanne Chapell. They are moving to St. Louis later this week. We will miss the Chapells muy very much...God bless'em!

Strawberry Fields

Yesterday was "Strawberry" day! So we hopped in the car and drove to the strawberry fields just outside of Stanley NC and picked ourselves some Grade A red genre strawberries! We picked so many strawberries we'll be eatin'em for three whole weeks! No worries though - Carrie grew up around strawberries, and as a result she can do just about anything with these red little drupe drupes (strawberry ka-bobs, strawberry stew, strawberry yuk yuk, strawberry preserves, strawberry tang tang, strawberry scampi, strawberry tart tart, strawberry saute, strawberry regale, etc.).

p.s. as you can see Maggie very much enjoys and loves and fancies and luxuriates in strawberries!

two months old!

Yet another picture proving that our child is a prodigy. Holding her own bottle the eve of turning two months (even more impressive being this is only the third bottle she has ever consumed).

Maggie turned two months old today, and while she didn't get any cake she did get a whopping three shots. She did beautiful for her check up, very well behaved, and did not appreciate the needle stabbing as a thank you for her good behavior. Here are the two month stats for the grandparents; weight 10 lbs 3oz (24-50%) 22 1/4 inches long (50%) and head circumference 15 1/4inches (50%), and very healthy! Yeah Maggie...keep up the good work!

Good ole' cracker barrell

Maggie got her first eye infection this week and in order to make herself publicly presentable she insisted on shades. (Don't worry it is healing nicely thanks to a daily torture session of erythromycin goo in her right eye three times a day, along with a gentle eyelid rub down from mom...no I'm not kidding the Dr.'s office really told us to do that)
As Maggie's mother I make it my priority to teach her the important things in life, all of which can be found in People magazine. (It is an addiction I am not proud to admit).
Check out these cute developing fat rolls!
Maggie looks so cute in her new hat and jammies, thanks Lauren and Patrick!
This picture was too cute not to post. My two favorite people just hanging out.

So, we went for our weekly "roommate breakfast" (a nickname given to weekly family breakfasts inherited from my college days) this thursday at Cracker Barrell. And as usual the host asked us, "how many" to which we replied "two," of course Maggie was with us and we were indeed three, but we figured Maggie wouldn't be partaking of the hearty pancakes, eggs and sausage, however the host thought differently. He seated us all and gave us not two but three menus, one of which was a children's menu with crayons! And we are so glad he overlooked our blunder because Maggie did quietly color while Tyler and I enjoyed breakfast, so here is a picture of Maggie with her coloring book at our house. Thank you Cracker Barrell once again for the hospitality, and understanding what we already knew, and that is that our daughter is a prodigy.

sorry churchill

This is my sister's dog Churchill. I thought we should give him a short tribute since he will no longer be the cutest Tyler child. Sorry Churchill, it's a dog eat dog world.

Welcome to the Family!

I'd like you all to meet the newest member to our family, "the Tyler baby," that's right Maggie's baby cousin (that's he or she behind my sister's tummy). My sister's last name is Tyler for those of you thinking we have nicknamed the baby after the baby's favorite uncle. We are so excited to have another little one on the way. Maggie has been practicing her sharing so she'll be ready to play once this little one makes it into the outside world. Congratulations John and Christine, we love you!

The Maggie Movie

First Bottle!

Maggie took her first bottle last week! She did great (dad did too), she was a little confused at first but hungry enough to scarf it down. She has only had one and she will have another tomorrow night when Grandma and Poppa babysit. Tyler and I are going out for the first time alone to his senior banquet. I will probably cry through the whole thing, but it will be easier to go without a baby, and Maggie needs to learn to take a bottle occasionally since I will go back to work soon (probably part time...still not sure ...I should probably commit). In other news, we are trying to teach Maggie to put herself to sleep and currently she is swaddled in her crib laying very content without a pacifier. She has been there for about twenty minutes (eyes wide open) and hasn't fussed, as a matter of fact when I went in to check on her she gave out a little sigh...sort of like she enjoyed the alone time. We may have an introvert on our hands. I just went back for a final check and she's asleep! She's brilliant I tell you!