Did I mention that Maggie turned one? Yep, it's official.

How better to celebrate than with an exploitive collage of cuteness from her disturbingly obsessed mother?

Merry-belated Christmas! We are home from Kansas City and sorting through photos. These are a few I plucked from the pile that hopefully capture our festivities in Kansas City. Sadly, the big family party was cancelled due to some wild snow conditions but we did get to have our own mini party and visits with those nearby.

Despite the looks of it, the week wasn't all fun and games; Katie and baby-to-be were dehydrated and spent the night in the hospital, Maggie was battling an ear infection, I had a stomach bug, and Graham and Taylor came down with their own divergent ailments. Thanks to the snow swirling outside and the icy roads, I didn't feel so bad about taking big naps each day with Maggie and Graham.

I do think, though, that Maggie gave me a Christmas present on Christmas night when I was putting her to bed. Our day was a bit hectic, Maggie was cranky, I was strung out and tired but somehow when I brought her into bed, the most perfect comfort and peace came over both of us. The room was dark and quiet and we both watched the snow flurries outside our window highlighted by the street lights. Maggie smiled a deeply happy smile and I sang the few songs I always do. After a few tickles from me and few quiet babbles from her she decided to pull me in for a the most lovely hug and kiss before drifting into sleep. I am quite certain that it was her way of saying "I love you, mom."

Graham sent our photos. Enjoy!

Today I fly out to Kansas City for Christmas. Can't wait to see these two.

Graham and Maggie have left for Kansas City and I've found myself all alone in this great big house. Whoa is me...

Truly, no idea what to do with myself until I catch my own flight, three days from now. To start, I vacuumed the stairs and salted the front walk. Likely you've heard (or know first-hand) that our area got hit with an incredible snow. Our table outside has collected at least two feet and looking out back all you see are blankets of pristine snow. When I woke this morning, I looked out front and wondered what was making those rolling hills across the parking lot? Oh... there are cars beneath. Right.

I am kicking myself for not downloading photos of our adventures in the snow before Graham left with the camera. For now, all I have is an old one (that I love) taken by Grandma Susie. Isn't she sweet?

Last year, the owner of my firm moved back to his hometown of Fredericksburg and he decided that this would be a great place to host an office holiday day trip. Spouses, significant others, and children were invited and – since I am one of the few that has people to fill those categories – I dragged Graham and Maggie along.

So yesterday morning, we all gathered at Gari Melchers' Home and Studio for a tour, then headed to a cute little French restaurant for lunch (that did not have high chairs... but that's another story), then off to Nick's house for drinks and conversation.

It was good to get out of the normal routine and see a new city. Maggie was trooper, too, and graced us with a great catnap in Nick's room. She was also kind enough to rearrange the bar. Repeatedly.

We're not sure who Bridgette is but Maggie had a lot to say about her tonight.

Tree is up!

I took this series, minutes ago, as Maggie was eating her dinner. As I write this, she is still eating her dinner.

Wow, meal time is truly an exercise in patience at times. Particularly when she feels the need to consider every morsel and every bite before finally taking it in. It's slow going but rewarding to see her happily eating her peas and carrots and bread and cheese.

She's been a bird today. Just full of laughter and humor. We dragged the poor thing around for hours of holiday shopping and I expected her to crash in the car. She surprised us, though, with relentless jibber jabber that had us in stitches. It's great when she know she's making us laugh because the jabber gets louder and she belts out laughter of her own. Such a treat.