Maggie's directorial debut

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Picnic in the family room

While Audrey napped, Maggie prepared a picnic for the two of us. She served hamburgers, chocolate milk tea, cranberry juice with grapes, and for dessert: ice cream and pizza.

Learning truths

Maggie and I built a "sand castle" out of Legos this morning. When we build, she does design and I provide structural engineering and a minimum adherence to safety codes. When we had completed our fine castle, Maggie peered at it from every angle. She then said in a quiet voice, "I can't go inside. I'm too big."

Moments later, she decided to build a puzzle on the dining room table (where Audrey can't reach). As she climbed into her chair, she bumped her leg on the table. I asked if she was okay, and she said, "Yes, I'm okay. I just hurt my feelings."

Backyard time

Separation is hard (for Audrey)

Audrey seems to be teething and has hit a new level of separation anxiety as a result of the pain she's in. I'm also wondering if her new walking skills are contributing to her need to be attached to me as much as possible. I think I've read that when a baby learns a new skill, it can make her more clingy for a while. It's like she's figuring out that she is her own person who is capable of walking away from her mom, and that is a little scary.

Even though I'm trying to empathize with her, it's been rough. I carried her on my hip most of the morning while getting ready to leave the house*--not so bad, but every time I set her down for a second she cried and clawed at my legs. I really did feel bad for her, but after a couple hours I was like "Just let me brush my teeth!" I ended up sitting her on the bathroom counter so I could use both hands to make my hair look presentable. I stupidly bent down to get something from the cabinet...and she dove off the counter...onto my back! It was the luckiest catch ever. If she'd hit the floor instead...well let's just be grateful that she landed on nice soft Mommy.

Anyway, when I dropped the girls off at my mom's so I could come to work, I breathed a big sigh of relief. No separation anxiety on my part!

*Note: I know that AP (attachment parenting) types would tell me to use a carrier, but it doesn't seem practical when trying to shower, get dressed, put on mascara, etc. I tried Audrey in a back carrier the other day and she liked it, but I felt ungainly and like it was a chore just to walk around, let alone try to do anything. Plus she saw it as an opportunity to pull my hair, put her hands in my mouth, scratch my face, etc.

P.S. Before my brother Dave has the chance to chastise me, let me say that Audrey is the little sunshine of my life and I am grateful to have her, even when she's a double handful. :)

Computing

Maggie has her own iMac (bought cheap on ebay my mistake--it's actually on loan from a friend!) in the guesthouse so she can play computer games while Robert works on his computer. Her mousing skills have improved considerably, and she can navigate between her games and play them with a minimum of help. She only plays once or twice a week--it's a special treat to get to "do work with Daddy."

First steps!

Audrey started walking today! She's been taking several steps at a time--her record is six steps so far. She's very proud and is trying constantly. She falls a lot and crawls when she needs to move fast, but she's having fun learning how to walk. I've been trying to get a video, but every time I point the camera at her she refuses to walk. Of course.

The napping house

We had our DSL upgraded today, and the technician needed to access our DSL connection, which is located in Audrey's closet. He arrived just as she started her nap, so I moved her to the family room floor, where she napped quite nicely for an hour.


Meanwhile, Maggie tolerated 15 minutes of "quiet" time in her bedroom before requesting to watch TV on the big bed. I agreed to this and helped her move all her blankets and dollies and bear to my bed. She climbed up, started watching Elmo...and fell asleep. She napped over two hours!

Audrey is 11 months old

Carpet cleaning--sounds simple, right?

For the rest of the carpeted universe--people without kids, people with older kids, people whose kids go to daycare--having your carpets cleaned is probably not a big deal. A slight inconvenience, yes, but not a life-altering event.

For me, apparently, it's a maelstrom of chaos, frantic questions and horrified tears over the removal of toys and furniture from the carpeted areas, nothing going according to plan, the cleaning taking an hour (so far) longer than expected, failed bribes, nap strikes, refusal to play in the backyard, rubbing of sunscreen into eyes and the inevitable screams, forgotten items in the already-cleaned wet-carpet rooms, and as usual, not nearly enough caffeine.

And finally: a truce. We sit in the car in the driveway. Audrey is finally asleep strapped into her carseat. Maggie sits in the front passenger seat switching out CDs in the stereo and testing the windshield wipers. I discover to my immense relief that the wireless internet reaches this far.

We just have to hold out until the cleaning is done so I can pay the man, lock the doors, get out of the driveway (currently blocked by the cleaner's van) and stay out the rest of the day while the carpets dry. No problem.

Gaaahhrrrrggh

The sound I made when I found Maggie on hands and knees, with dripping wet hair and shirt, happily slurping water from the dog's dish.

Zoo

Coke Blak

I just read Laurie's comment on my last post and remembered that I'm supposed to taste-test Coke Blak. So here goes...a "live" test for your reading pleasure.

Getting it out of the fridge: I keep imagining it to taste like a bottled frappuccino (which I tried once and didn't like) but with Coke flavoring. Not appealing. But I've checked the ingredients and they sound pretty good: carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, coffee extract, caffeine, aspartame, assorted chemicals that can't be good for me.

Opening it up: Smells good. Like coke with a hint of coffee.

First sip: Tastes like cold, carbonated coffee with a little sugar.

Second sip: Tastes like a Diet Coke with a coffee aftertaste.

Verdict: Not bad, although the corn syrup is unappealing to me. I'd probably like it more if it only contained aspartame. I'll put this in the same category as Diet Vanilla Coke and its ilk: fine for once in a while, but doesn't budge a nutritional staple like Diet Coke.

The Target -$23.28

I have lamented in the past about how my Target bill has increased steadily since having first one, then two kids. But today I achieved a different, happier high: I saved $23.28 with coupons! (For those of you keeping score, the total bill in the end was a modest $125.88.)

I know that clipping coupons is dorky. I know that it's annoying to everyone when the poor cashier must fiddle, scan, smooth, scan again, squint at the fine print, ask a manager for help, challenge whether I actually bought the item, and finally figure out a way to save me 50 cents at a time. I realize that in the grand scheme of our budget, a few coupons a week is kind of ridiculous.

But I do it on principle. It only takes a few minutes of time to save $10-20 each time I go to the store. And it's a capitalist's thrill to use a coupon on a sale item and get the item for free (double the thrill when I then mail in a rebate and get cash back!). So...I'm out of the closet as a coupon clipper, but I defy you to sneer at my $23.28!

P.S. $5.99 of my take was from a four-pack of new Coke Blak, a "try it free" offer. I am leery, but will bravely taste test it for my readers and let you know how it is.

M-A-G-I-E

I gave Maggie my label maker to play with, and she typed out M A G I E all by herself.

! ! ! ! !

Maggie is 2.75 years old

Today is Maggie's 33-month birthday, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to write a general udpate on All Things Margaret.

She notices and talks about everything, which is mostly amusing, though sometimes annoying or embarrassing. For instance, I had a blemish on my chin for a couple days that she would not stop talking about! She is sensitive to change or anything out of the ordinary, and likes to hear explanations over and over again.

She loves to sing and dance. She sings the ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, The Wheels on the Bus, and several songs from our music class. She is especially into dancing right now. She has a pair of white shoes that she calls her "ballet slippers" (even though I have no idea where she learned the term), and she is in love with a new book I got her called "Ballerina." She often makes up new dances to perform for us, but especially likes it when we dance with her. She always names the dances: Sunshine Dance, Frog Dance, Silly Dance, etc.

She is mostly potty trained and is no longer using diapers outside the house. She goes to the bathroom all by herself, including washing her hands afterward. Usually she doesn't even ask for help. She still has occasional accidents, but as long as I pack extra pants and undies, it's not a big deal. I'm still putting her in a diaper for naps and bedtime.

Her eating habits are pretty good. Some days she eats a lot, some days not much. She absolutely loves fruit and eats as much of it as she can. She even snitches bananas whenever she can reach them. I'll sometimes find discarded banana peels in odd spots around the house. She also loves dessert, which usually means more fruit, although sometimes she will have a popsicle or ice cream.

Maggie gets along okay with Audrey. The two of them often roll around on the floor together, and Audrey will usually giggle at first until it becomes too much and then start crying. I have to monitor them constantly because Maggie so often gets frustrated and will push or hit Audrey, especially when Audrey is messing with something Maggie is trying to play with. Maggie gets time-outs (2 minutes on a chair in the living room) when she pushes or hits her sister. It's pretty much the only thing she ever gets time-outs for.

Her favorite books are Ballerina, Art, Curious George, Papa Please Get the Moon for Me, Emily's Balloon, and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

Her favorite TV shows are Little Einsteins, Dora, Maggie and the Ferocious Beast, Wonder Pets, and on occasion, she still watches Maisy.

Her favorite toys are puzzles, Legos, her play kitchen and play food, balls, a set of egg-dyeing cups left over from Easter, and bubbles.

Her favorite activites are doing arts and crafts (especially painting), building towers and monsters out of Legos, singing, dancing, watching TV, reading books, brushing her teeth, putting on lip gloss, and taking baths.

Her favorite destinations are Disneyland, the party store, the pet store, the indoor playground, music class, both of her Gaga's houses, and Daddy's office.

It is bittersweet to see her transforming from a toddler to a preschooler. She is so independent: using the toilet, dressing herself, carrying on conversations that are more interesting and fluent than many conversations I've had with adults. I'm so glad that she still loves to cuddle; we share many hugs and kisses every day. Sometimes she will snuggle into my arms, her face in my neck, murmuring "Mama...Mama...Mama."

Double stroller, check

Why did it take me so long to buy a double stroller? This is one of the great mysteries of my universe. I finally bought one (a Combi side-by-side) and tried it out at the mall today for the first time. It was great. Very easy to maneuver, not too wide, and the girls were comfy.

The artist at work

Another round on Maggie

This morning Maggie said, "Let's get drinks for everyone." I asked her what she wants to get everyone, and she said, "I drink milk, Audrey drink water, Mama drink soda, Daddy drink beer, Gaga drink soda too, Papa drink coffee, Unca Dave drink milk like me, Aunt Maili drink soda too, Dora and Julia drink juice."

Pretty good--I think everyone but Unca Dave will be pleased.

Today

Thanks for all the quiet time ideas. Today my mom came over and SHE got Maggie to nap for two hours! Maybe the solution is a daily dose of Grandma!

I went out for a while by myself to shop for a baby shower gift (for you, Angela!) and then I sat in Starbucks for an hour, sipped an iced tea and worked on my laptop. It was nice. I've been proofing my brother Dave's manuscript for a novel he recently finished writing. Isn't that impressive, finishing a novel?? I'm impressed, and I'm so inspired that I'm starting a new writing project of my own. I don't know if it will go anywhere, but it feels good to be dabbling in fiction again. It's been a long time.

"Quiet" time

Maggie doesn't nap most days, but I'm making her have a quiet time every afternoon. This means I lock her in her room for about half an hour, during which she makes a mess, yells, and bangs on the door until I let her out. Today this was punctuated by a poopy accident at the end.

Clearly this is not working.

So what do I do? How do I enforce quiet time? One time I tried to get her to lie on my bed with me, but she just bounced and kicked and squealed. She gets so tired and pouty that she obviously needs more sleep. Should I just put her to bed earlier at night?

Playing in the backyard

Always searching for a solution

Over the past 24 hours, I've been thinking that maybe I'll feel better and life will be near-perfect if I just:

1. Join a gym
2. Cut off all my hair
3. Write a book
4. Cook more
and/or
5. Buy a double stroller

Yet another form of guilt

I've never thought of myself as being particularly prone to guilt. I'm not Catholic; I'm the youngest of three children--not a position in the birth order known for an exaggerated sense of responsibility; I don't have many anxieties or hang-ups. But parenthood has brought out the guilt in me, as I suppose it does to most (all?) of us. I often feel I'm not doing things quite right or quite the right amount. Too much TV, not enough exercise. Too much processed food, not enough whole grains. Too much arguing, not enough boundaries or not enough patience, or not enough of either. Et cetera.

Today I took the girls to an indoor playground for 2.5 hours. Maggie ran and jumped and bounced (exercise! I get a gold star on that one today!). Audrey crawled around a little but mostly clung to me. Both girls ate lunch: Audrey ate yogurt and fruit, Maggie ate fruit and a tiny peanut butter sandwich (gold stars for whole grain AND unprocessed food!).

It sounds nice, right? Some of it was nice. But Maggie had to go the potty three times. Each time, I had to shlep both girls into the restroom and let Audrey play on the floor (don't think about it, don't think about it). Despite the three trips, Maggie managed to have three accidents while we were there (TWO of them were poopy accidents. TWO of them.). These necessitated more trips to the bathroom, all the wipes I brought, and some mild swearing. I finally ran out of clean undies and diapers and had to put Maggie in Audrey's last diaper. Also, Audrey kept spitting up, mostly on me, so I reeked of stomach acid. She also kept clawing at me and crying if I tried to make her stop grabbing me.

You get the idea.

My point is that as I'm struggling with all this, yet trying to be fun and upbeat with my kids and not yell at them and incur the disapproval of the other parents there, I keep thinking how hard it is to take care of two little ones by myself. I was the only parent there with two kids and no help. The other moms who had two kids had either a husband or a nanny with them. Where are all the other SAHMs with two pre-preschool kids? Do they SAH all day and never go anywhere? How do they shop? Audrey is getting too heavy for the bjorn, but I haven't figured out how else to do Target or the grocery store. Maybe most parents are smarter than we are and wait till #1 is in preschool before having #2.

Now to the guilt part. As I'm sitting at the playground thinking how hard this is, I can't help but be flooded with guilt. It's my choice to raise my kids instead of working and using daycare. My mom babysits two times a week or more, for free. My husband is home by 6 most nights. We have a nice (rental) car. We have a nice (mysteriously smelly--what is that smell?) house. We have enough money for me to spend $14 to get into the indoor playground, although it did make me wince. We are healthy, happily married, educated, middle class people with every advantage short of inherited wealth and flat stomachs. I should be counting my blessings, and mostly I do. I am aware of how good I have it and I try to be happy and positive for the most part. Because see, if I'm not happy and positive, I'll feel guilty.

Bounce

At the indoor playground

When Maggie is older and a grown-up

Maggie likes to tell us what she's going to do "when I'm older and a grown-up." As in, "When I'm older and a grown-up, I'm going to drink soda and drink beer."

Today she stood on her tip-toes and said, "Hey! I'm big! I'm big like a grown-up! When I'm older and a grown-up, I'm BIG!"

Happy Mother's Day

Is it really possible that this is my third Mother's Day as a mother? Or fourth if you count pregnancy. I guess I'm not an amateur anymore.

My gift from Robert and the girls was my heavenly spa visit in Vegas, but today I also got flowers and two cards, along with an uninterruped hour with my cup of tea and the newspaper this morning. We then went for a picnic at the Arboretum, where we ate sandwiches, fed breadcrusts to the wildlife and walked the paths until the sun beat us into a stupor. It really feels like summer has arrived. Tonight we're going to celebrate with our first barbecue of the season: hotdogs, coleslaw, watermelon, apple pie. Yum.

Guest bloggers

From my dad:

Audrey woke up a little earlier today, 5:30 AM. Had her bottle and change, then went for a walk down California to Marengo, up to DelMar and home. Again, many admiring smiles from people coming out of their buildings to go to work. So true. A baby never fails to bring out the friendly in people otherwise preoccupied.

Then breakfast. Now your Mom is down doing the laundry and we are in the back bedroom. She is now tired of the Pakn Play and wants some attention,. so have a nice day.

We're going to try El Torito tonight.

Love, Audrey and Papa

From Robert's mom:

We had a wonderful Thurs. the Aquarium was great and Lots & Lots of children. After our trip we came home and played with PaPa and we got a Wood Fish Puzzle. We had a quiet dinner at home and a very LONG bath she got bath fish - so Papa couldn't get her out of the tub. This a.m. we had a slight accident Poo in her pants when we woke up but we sat on the toilet and peed right away - Not bad since yesterday we were accident free. We made no big deal about the accident and we are happily watching Dora with Juice/water and a Bannana. PaPa has to go to work today at 4pm so we are going to the park this a.m. to see the new TreeHouse- and then when Papa goes to work we are going to watch a Movie and have Popcorn. She has been very good at sharing the TV with Papa because Bob can't live without I think its CNN News on.

GaGa Report for Friday 5/12/2006

Happy anniversary (yesterday)

Yesterday was a good day. The Bellagio Spa is one of the most wonderful places I've ever been. It's huge, beautiful, stocked with every amenity (including glass refrigerators full of Diet Cokes and other less worthy beverages), and staffed by super-nice people who made me feel very comfortable. I only wished I could have spent more time there.

But after I spa'd and Robert won money playing Pai-Gow (finally, a winning streak!), we got dressed and headed to the Venetian for dinner at Delmonico, the restaurant where we dined the night we got engaged six years ago. It was very romantic. The waiters greeted us with "Happy anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Graff" and the chef sent out some appetizers. We ate ourselves into a stupor with a fondue appetizer, steaks, parmesan-truffle potato chips, and a bottle of Cabernet.

I was looking forward to dessert (duh) but when the dessert menu came, I was in a quandry. They all sounded so wonderful. I sadly limited my choice to two--one for me and one for (ha!) Robert. While we were waiting, Robert slipped away to the restroom, or so I thought. When he returned, the waiters showed up with every dessert from the menu, including an extra treat off the menu supplied by the chef. As Robert put it, they covered our table with dessert, much to the awe and envy of our fellow diners. I sampled all of them and did my best to finish my favorite--a creme brulee--before having to admit glorious defeat.

But the best part of all was the conversation. We talked about where we've come in the last six years since getting engaged, about our hopes and expectations for the future, and about the girls of course.

It was a good day. A good evening, a happy anniversary.

Viva Las Vegas

Remote report

I received the "Gaga News" from Robert's mom today via email, informing me that she was woken this morning at 6 a.m. by Maggie announcing, "Gaga, I pooped!" (in the potty, thankfully.) Apparently she has been using the potty with complete success and no accidents.

Last I heard, Audrey was doing well at Gaga Montgomery's, enjoying unfettered access to the toys and attention with no big sister to get in the way.

I miss the girls terribly, but we're having fun. Strangely, the hours are going by slowly. Maybe because I have nobody to take care of? Last night we got dressed up (most people here dress like slobs, in my opinion, so we were over-dressed compared to most) and had dinner at a Russian restaurant called Red Square, then saw Mamma Mia. It was a lot of fun, and we had perfect seats. We managed to stay up past midnight gambling, and I kept teasing Robert that we should go clubbing, but instead we went to bed. Today I went shopping while Robert lost more money at blackjack. In a little while I'm heading to my spa appointments. Indian head massage, here I come!

Packing for another expedition

Audrey: One small suitcase (mostly diapers), one grocery bag full of food and formula, one pack-n-play, one stroller, one diaper bag stocked with essentials.

Maggie: One small suitcase (mostly blankies and dollies), one bag containing Dora potty seat and flushable wipes, one diaper bag stocked with essentials.

Deborah: One very large suitcase (50% of the space is taken up by the breastpump; 49% for the huge illustrated copy of The DaVinci Code from the library (it has beautiful photos of all the art and architecture referenced in the story...I can't imagine reading it any other way...you were right, Dad, as usual); 1% left for my clothes.

Robert: He can worry about his own stuff.

I guess we're on Arctic Expedition territory again. In a way it's even more complicated than previous trips because everyone's stuff has to be separate, since the girls are going to one grandma each.

Countdown to bliss

For my Mother's Day gift, Robert had me choose a bunch of spa appointments to do in Vegas. Read em and weep:

Vichy Shower Body Exfoliation Treatment
Under the healing therapies of our vichy shower, your skin is gently exfoliated with a rich blend of aromatic sea salts and essential oils. This luxurious treatment removes dead skin cells and impurities while stimulating circulation, bringing your skin back to a silky softness. The soothing showers keep your body warm and relaxed while your senses are tantalized by the aromas of the salts. Available in six different blends.

Indian Head Massage
If you are looking to promote a deep sense of peace, calm and tranquility, this is the ultimate experience. During your 25 minute treatment, your therapist will work on your scalp, neck and shoulders—all centers where tension is most likely to accumulate. Based on the ancient Ayurvedic Healing System.

Bellagio Aromatherapy Manicure
Indulge your senses with our Salon Bellagio’s signature scents. Your manicure will include an aromatherapy massage with your choice of pomegranate, mango-ginger or green tea bamboo essential oils.

Bellagio Signature Aromatherapy Pedicure
Indulge your senses with a pedicure using Salon Bellagio’s signature scents. Your pedicure will include an aromatherapy massage with your choice of pomegranate, mango-ginger or green tea bamboo essential oils.

Countdown to Vegas

In a few days, we'll be in Vegas to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary--our first trip away together with no kids.

I know I'll miss the girls. I'll miss them while I'm sleeping in, while I'm taking a long shower in utter silence, while I'm eating room service, while I'm winning big at the blackjack table, while I'm shopping with nothing heavier to carry than a teeny purse full of cash, while I'm enjoying a fancy-shmancy dinner with my husband at the same restaurant where we dined the night he proposed.....yeah, I'll miss them a lot.

Or maybe she'll be a poet

This morning Maggie said she was going to sing a song, but then it came out more like a dramatic poem, complete with motions:

(Whispering, with hand cupped to ear and one foot pointed to the side): I can hear the stars. The stars are saying...

(Shouting, running in a circle): Quack! Quack! Quack! No, that's not the stars, that's a duck!

(Whispering, with hand cupped to ear and one foot pointed to the side): I can hear the moon. The moon is saying...

(Shouting, running in a circle): Hee-haw! Hee-haw! No, that's not the moon, that's a donkey!

Two points

The sun has set on the Lakers this season, but we are setting our sights on our own rising basketball star.


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Happy birthday to Robert

Let's take the Caddy

At first, foolish ignorants that we were, we were going to take the minivan Enterprise Rentals was recommending. But it turned out they didn't have a minivan ready so I ended up in a Cadillac CTS instead. It's about the same size as the Accord, and really nice inside. I think I'll like it.

Maggie did, in fact, get a balloon with her new car. We actually got a bunch of balloons and decorated the dining room for Robert's birthday, which Maggie and I have been planning all week. I'll put up photos of our little party later.

What a night

We were on the freeway, headed downtown to the Staples Center to watch the Lakers playoffs, when the traffic stopped. We stopped in plenty of time, and then heard a loud squealing behind us that went on for several seconds. We looked at each other, Robert looked in the rearview mirror and then THUMP, a big SUV hit us. The weirdest part was that a second later, I heard this tinkling sound and I looked back to see remnants of glass from the back window pouring into the backseat. My heat hurt a little, but otherwise we were both fine. The SUV had barely a dent (isn't that always the way?). The most chilling moment was when I looked into the backseat and saw a heap of glass in Audrey's carseat. I kept thanking God that the girls weren't with us.

Robert spoke with the other driver, who luckily has insurance, and we tried to call the police. It was very difficult to get through to 911 (disturbing, how hard it was). When we finally did, we found out that CHP doesn't come to accidents to do reports (at least not in this situation). We were instructed to visit a CHP office within the next 10 days to file a report. So, we drove off the freeway and found a place to park, called my dad to come get us, and arranged for a tow.

We did finally manage to get to the Lakers game. It was an exciting game, but a bummer when they lost in the end.

Let's go Lakers

There goes the Honda

We were rear-ended on our way to the Lakers game. Thankfully, we weren't hurt and the girls weren't in the car.

Gloom

It's gloomy around here, outside and in.

Outside it's another cool, dreary day. Our mostly ignored garden is mostly blooming, but the colors look sad in the overcast light.

Inside, I'm in a gloomy mood for no good reason. I keep trying to talk myself out of it, but myself doesn't seem to be listening. Myself is being a bit bratty, to be honest, and keeps demanding Thin Mints and Diet Coke.

Even better

Maggie, bless her heart, napped for over two hours. I wish she would nap every day! Audrey kindly napped for one concurrent hour, during which I did some important things like checking e-mail, talking to Gina, and starting to watch last week's West Wing.

After nap we worked on Mother's Day cards for the grandmas and great-grandmas and did some painting. I ran out of kids' paint, so I broke out some grown-up watercolors I've had around for a long time. They were fine, except they're so dark! Subsequently, Maggie's art looks especially moody.


Even her hand is a work of art! Looks a bit like a Monet, non?


Audrey, meanwhile, had a snack in her highchair and then played nicely by herself in the family room for a while. It's pretty much a cliche that babies want to play with whatever isn't a proper baby toy. Water bottles, tupperware, keys, etc. In Audrey's case, it's often Maggie's preschool toys that are the most popular. She has long been enamored of this stethoscope, for example.

Better

I managed to get the girls out of the house at 11 a.m. (after Audrey finally took a short nap), and we tried a story time at a local library. It was nice--the librarian read a few books, led some songs, showed a short movie, and then we did a craft. Maggie liked it, although she needed a lot of prodding. Audrey was a handful. After that we met my parents for lunch, and on the way home both girls fell asleep. Hallelujah!

Not one of my finest days

Maggie woke up yelling at 5:40 a.m., woke us up obviously, and Audrey too. So we were all up and stumbling around before light. We need a plan to help Maggie stay quietly in her room until a reasonable hour. It sounds like other parents set an alarm clock and don't allow the child out until it goes off. I guess we can try it.

Meanwhile, both girls (and the mommy) are tired and cranky. Maggie is fussing and begging for TV. Audrey is in her crib because she needs a nap, but I've heard her pitch all her pacifiers on the floor and now she's screaming. I'm fantasizing about how nice it would be if I could get dressed and go to a job, where I could sit and work and talk to adults all day.

Big girl bed

Maggie slept all night in her little (big girl) bed. At about 10, before we went to bed, we snuck in to see her and take a picture. Doesn't she look cozy?

In the morning, Audrey woke up at 6 but Maggie's room was still quiet, so Robert finally peeked in and found Maggie wide awake, standing in the middle of her room, happy as a clam.

Her naps are all but gone. In the past three weeks, she has napped maybe 4 times. It's kind of a rough transition, as she seems to get really tired by the end of the day when she doesn't nap. It's not like she's sleeping any longer at night to make up for it--she's still sleeping from about 7:30-6. Seems like she should need a little more than that.

Disneyland recap

My mom and I had a lot of fun with the girls at Disneyland today. Maybe because of the walk-out, the traffic was nil and Disneyland was about the least crowded I've ever seen it. We walked onto most rides with little or no wait. Maggie especially loved Small World, the Jungle Cruise and the train. But her favorite thing of all was having popcorn and juice for an afternoon snack.

Pooh!

Winnie the Pooh ride

My Dumbo

Disneyland!