This chronicles the making of a new dress for Maggie. It's been a particularly fun project because I got to make use of the stamp I made during Katie and Taylor's visit. (Katie and I had a crafting session... she finished a scrapbook and I made the stamp by cutting some flowers out of foam and adhering them to a clear block.)

This dress is simple enough that I didn't need a pattern, but I'm wishing that I took some proper measurements because (as you can see in the photos) it is way too tight for Maggie. She'll grow out of this in the next hour!

Hailey and I collaborated on a little summer dress for her and she came by, today, so that we could put the finishing touches on it. It was so fun to go to the fabric store with her and have her choose the dress pattern and fabric. I was quite impressed when she flipped through the big books of dress patterns at how confident she was with what she liked and what she didn't like. She also totally understood that she should only choose the shape and style of the dress and that color and pattern would be chosen later. (I think that concept would be totally lost on me when I was her age.)

She settled on a long, empire waisted dress with ribbon straps and a ribbon bow around the waist. Not surprisingly, the fabric she chose was pink and covered with daisies. And the best news is that it fits! We did well.

Must be tough being a baby.

Graham brought home an early birthday present, yesterday. It's a second lens for my Nikon! I was super jealous of the photos our friend Jason was able to capture with his camera, so Graham tracked down the lens for me. I love the super shallow depth of field it's able to produce. It makes everything look so soft and lovely.

Here we are, learning shapes... and getting stumped in the process. You can get a brief glimpse, here, of how she interacts with me and how it's different from interacting with Graham.

Hooray for bath time!

In addition to this little task, we had an exceedingly productive weekend. We checked off quite a few things on the to-do list and it felt good to make room for more. As it turns out, my parents were enthusiastic about the house we found but after paying a second visit my own enthusiasm waned. I still think it's a great opportunity but I'm a but I'm anxious about time. I think if I wasn't working, it would be another story. Nothing is totally off the table, though, so stay tuned.

In other news, we got word that Sarah and Evey are planning to fly out to meet Maggie! Sooo excited!

Before and After

Surprise Ending

Now that the market is down, my parents have been talking about buying an investment property that they could potentially rent until home values start heading back up. On top of their scheme, Graham and I have always had dreams of working on a fixer upper as our own investment. I started wondering if our projects could collide and we could go in on something together. (They could give us a boost with financing and we could give them a boost with labor.)

Today, I found an excellent candidate in Bowie and strapped Maggie into the Baby Bjorn for a tour. The realtor was squeamish as he showed us around (stained carpet, doors falling off hinges, broken mirrors, and a frightening bathroom) but I was elated. The house has so much potential! There are fantastic vaulted ceilings, great windows, and an amazing yard. With a few tweaks to the layout and some polishing, I really believe it could be a lovely little home.

We have a ton of research to do before making this a reality, but I'm super excited about the prospect. Hopefully my parents share the enthusiasm!

Our pediatrician recommended a book called Touchpoints that details a child's development from birth to 3 years. At Maggie's age (2-3 months) the book explains how a baby will begin to distinguish between her mother and father. It was funny how on target the book's description was with what we've seen. When she's with me, her movements are smooth and fluid and her "coos" and smiles are fairly calm and controlled. When Graham comes around, she's totally ready to play. The arms are completely erratic and the squeals and smiles have so much expression. This photo captures some of that energy that she shares with dad.

In addition to her rattle, Maggie has a new interest in her play yard. She seems to have gotten to the point where she'll gaze at the dangling objects (rather than gaze beyond them as she had before) and she'll even swing her arms and try to reach them. She's under there, now, with Graham and I can actually hears the squeals from the other room!

I caught some video of Maggie playing with the rattle gifted by Graham's office. (And by "playing" I mean not letting go and flailing her arms around as usual.) It hadn't occurred to me before what a clever design this little rattle is with one hoop to go around the wrist and the other hoop to grasp. Genius!

This sweater made an earlier appearance on the blog but now it's actually fitting her! It was handmade by Jen's mother, Virginia, and we think it's so adorable.

It's incredible to watch her grow. You always hear people say that but I didn't quite realize the rate that it would happen. It seems like every day is completely new, finding that clothes aren't fitting and seeing new developments in our interactions. After taking these photos, today, we spent a good thirty minutes "talking" to each other. There's suddenly a surprising range in her voice and it's so much fun to repeat back to her the high and low squeals that she's creating.

A lot of people seem to suggest that watching their children grow so quickly is disheartening, but I think it's just the opposite. I'm far too impatient to wait for anything and it seems like every change is just bringing us more joy.

The other exciting news about our videos is that Graham found a way to stream them from the laptop to the tv. The color looks great and Maggie definitely gazes at the screen when we place her little bouncy chair in front of it. That said, we're not sure if she can actually distinguish colors yet. I've heard it's not until 3 or 4 months but other resources have said 2 weeks and another even said from birth. Really, I can't imagine how any study could be definitive so I think we'll just give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she's got this color thing under control.

Graham finished off Maggie's second video. It's another color theme but this one incorporates shapes. Thankfully, I didn't have to do the narration this time.

I stepped out for a few errands today and came home to find Maggie in her Sunday best. I guess that's what happens when you leave wardrobe selections to Graham. 

Maggie had her two month appointment today with the pediatrician and was given several big old shots in her itty bitty thighs. After a hysterical cry in the doctor's office, she was sufficiently exhausted for the rest of the day. I took advantage of this and laid down for a (much needed) two hour nap with her. As the photo shows; we may not look alike but we definitely have the same facial expression when we sleep. Finally! Some little way that she takes after me!

Here are her stats:
Height: 24 inches (95th percentile)
Weight: 11 pounds 2 ounces (55th percentile)
Head: 38 centimeters (25th percentile)

Graham discovered that Maggie loooves to have wind blown in her face. (Or at least we think she likes it.) She does the cutest little squirm every time.

I've been meaning to post these for a while, now. These are photos of baby Graham that were delivered by Katie and Taylor. If there was any doubt that Maggie takes after her dad, this should lay it to rest.

I have to mention how much I love the pic of Graham with the "autumnal" backdrop. It's so funny, to me, how cooperative he is with his hand resting on the pumpkin... a character trait that he must have lost at some point along the way!

We finally caught a few smiles from Maggie on camera. Isn't she cute?

Today was a big day... my first full day in the office while Maggie stayed with my mom. I couldn't help myself from shedding a few tears as I said goodbye. I know that's sappy but I guess it just felt so strange with us parting ways. We've never spent more than hour apart before today!

Once I was at my desk, I started to feel better about the day. It might sound strange but I really do love being in the office. I have great co-workers and I'm proud of the work we do. Graham and I also met up for lunch which was fun (although a bit strange to be together without Maggie). Throughout the day I started to get a sense of how Graham must feel all week... you can't help but miss her.

As far as the breast feeding goes, it was wonderful to nurse after being separated all day. Maybe that's all I needed? A quick break to remind me how precious this time is.

This is a pretty common scene when we have company around... Maggie's little feet sticking out from my nursing cover.

I don't know what's going on with me this past week. I think I've just spiraled into a funk now that I have so many requirements from work, on top of caring for Maggie. My schedule has been going something like: wake up, nurse, start working, nurse, work some more, nurse, work some more... there's very little time for much else. Oddly, things don't seem to be going as well with the breast feeding, either. For some reason, I'm feeling sore all over again and I'm having a hard time enjoying the process. Maybe it's psychological? Now that it feels more like work than a chance to connect with our new baby (like it did in the beginning)? I still want to breast feed because I believe it's something positive I can give to her... I just hope I can get over this hump and turn it into something that's also positive for me.

I've heard about a breast feeding support group that meets in Annapolis twice a month. That could be an answer, but - to be honest - nothing sounds more horrifying to me than sitting around with a bunch of women, discussing lactation. I just don't think that's for me.

I'm sorry that this post is so whiny... the funk should pass soon.

Not sure how she worked herself into this pose. Somehow I think she's comfortable.

We had our annual Chocolate and Liqeuer Party last night and Jason and Jesse took so many wonderful photos. These are two of my favorites of Maggie in her party dress (care of Anne).

Maggie and I got into a car accident today. It wasn't much... we were rear-ended after breaking to avoid another car turning in front of us. We were going slow enough that no one was hurt but it still succeeded in scaring the living daylights out of me. It's amazing how quickly and suddenly things can happen. Afterward, I called Graham in (unnecessary) hysterics. So much so that he left work early to be with us. All is well now. Just a messy bumper to deal with.

One of our favorite boutiques in DC, Proper Topper, had a huge sale which brought their children's clothing from "astronomical" to "somewhat affordable". Graham decided to pick up a few things for Maggie, including this velvet jacket and peter pan collar blouse. Is it weird to be buying things that she can't wear for five years?

If you're visiting this blog (and thank you, if you are) you're probably here to see pictures and videos of Maggie... not news about our shopping adventures. Sorry about that. It's been a very difficult week for both of us. Graham has a major deadline at work which has forced him to spend extended hours at the office and I've been working from home until I start my part-time schedule. I had no idea how difficult it would be to balance work and Maggie at the same time. I feel like I can't really focus on either thing, so I'm doing a poor job at both. My office isn't getting the best from me and, poor Maggie, has to sit neglected in her bouncy chair! I take breaks to feed and change her but it makes me feel guilty, not having the time to cuddle and tickle and sing.

My parents get home from their vacation next week (thank goodness... I miss them!) which means my mom will soon be ready to take-on babysitting, three days a week. I'll be in the office those three days and then the rest of my time can be devoted to Maggie. Can't wait for that!

She's smiling more and more these days.