Nick & Lisa

Month Summary:

• Just chillin’… no major milestones this month, just a precious baby developing at her own pace

Month Summary:

• Maggie started crawling!

She crawls! Maggie is officially mobile. Let all items loved by the child below couch level beware – she is coming for you! Don’t worry, she can be gentle sometimes.

She sits up! On her on! Without being propped on something! How cool is that? She’s done so much cool stuff this last month from eating more foods, to the toys she plays with, to even how she plays. It’s really kind of cool because in absolutely everything she does you can really see the gears starting to crank up and that deeper thinking starting to roll.

On of this month’s highlights was July 4th. I was more than a little partial because I got a whole day with my baby girl. But not only that Maggie got to see her first Fourth of July fireworks, twice. I know, I know there was Stone Mountain – that’s why I said Fourth of July Fireworks! We actually went out to a shindig Uncle Phillip was helping with on the third, which is where the picture below comes from. She absolutely loved the fireworks! Now, she never let loose the locked grip she had on Lisa’s shirt, but she was definately having herself a good time. Then on July 4th we got to hang out with our friends from the church Praise Team. We all had a great time, and Maggie got more than her fair share of attention! Not to mention she got her first sparkler!

But the month overall was really just cool. She’s just really out of that little baby stage and starting to really progress. You can see in her eyes and her expressions when she plays with her toys that she’s not just entertained, but that’s she’s actually trying to figure things out. Of course with a little bit more awareness comes a little bit more expression, and goodness knows that she lacks not for that! Especially when we are trying to get her to eat. But at least she is my girl, so she never really turns away food – she just has to figure out how she can mess with mommy and daddy while eating!

Sweet girl, I don’t have the words for you! Your personality is really starting to show, and I’m afraid you’re going to be more like me than will be good for you. At least you have your momma’s looks! It’s such a special thing to watch you with your toys, watching those little hands and little fingers just fumble with those toys with all your might. And then when you finally get that toy, or pen – you have found a distinct fascination with daddy’s pens, you are desperately working the look in your eyes is the most beautiful thing! You impress me every single day and with the special child you are I doubt that will ever change!

     Month six is finally upon us, and this is a very special month for me because it’s my first Father’s Day! It’s been a cool ride these last few months and like every other month I’ve written a newsletter, what’s she’s learning and doing this month is just so amazing! But this month brought a very special surprise, Father’s Day morning Lisa informed that I had a very special Father’s Day surprise – Maggie got her first tooth! How cool is that! Definately made for a rockin’ Father’s Day present.

     Now, while getting a tooth is a pretty monumental adventure, the biggest adventure for Maggie, however, was probably our second family vacation – our annual famliy vacation to the beach with Lisa’s family. Me, Lisa, Maggie, Phillip, and Kevin all packed up on Friday night and headed to Mobile where we camped that night and woke up the next morning and made the rest of the trip. We would have made it all on Friday night had we known how close we were and if I had gotten off work any earlier. You live and learn. Maggie was a real trooper and did absolutely great. She also didn’t seem to mind her first night in a tent, although it did take her a little bit of time to get to sleep because she wanted to play with the tag in the corner of the tent – what a cutie.

     The next day we headed on down to Gulf Shores where later that afternoon we met up with Lisa’s family and began what would turn out to be a fun little vacation. It was a lot different this year, that’s for sure. Not only did we have a baby this time, but we dragged along two of our friends this time to! But all in all, I think everyone had a good time. Maggie got her first swim in a pool and in the ocean! We had bought her this cool little float that was supposed to allow her to “sit” in it, but still splash in the water. I think she was really too small to fit so we had to carry in the water, but with a baby that cool who really minds? Of course we still couldn’t manage to catch her rollover although we know she did it at least twice while we were at the beach!

     Maggie girl, you mean the whole wild world to me! You have meant so much to me that I don’t know if I can ever give back to you. I’m so proud of how big and strong you are growing that it almost scares me to see what’s going to happen in the next six months because you’re definately not staying my little girl. But that’s okay, because I want you to grow up big and strong to be exactly the person you were born to be. There are going to be alot of time I wish you weren’t growing up so fast, but I know you also have you your life to live! No matter what happens I will always see you as my little girl, but I promise I’ll always do what I can to help you become the woman God has planned for you to be! I love you my sweet, still little, girl!

     So, Mama gets to write this month’s post since it is Mother’s Day. I must say that Mother’s Day meant a lot more this year. I certainly got a lot more attention! I can’t even begin to describe how it feels to be the mother of this beautiful baby girl. She makes waking up every morning worth it. (Not that it wasn’t before…) I’ll wake up to her cooing in her bed. Then I’ll go in to get her out…she gets so excited. First, she’ll grin, then stretch, then start wiggling all over!

     Well, this month we took our first family vacation to Stone Mountain. It was a lot colder than we were anticipating. In fact, we did not prepare for the cold at all and had to go buy sweatshirts!! and in May too!! Maggie got her first train ride. She spent it in the Snugli next to Daddy, the human heater. Daddy and I were not quite as warm however! The highlight of the trip was the laser show, of course. Maggie slept through dinner and the stroller ride to the mountain. As soon as the fireworks started going off and the music started, her eyes popped open. She watched, wide-eyed, the whole 45 minutes. It was so cold that we bundled her up in her stroller with about 5 blankets. The only thing that we could see of her was her nose and eyes. She loved the whole show. Of course, she slept great that night!

     Maggie passed another milestone this month. She decided that she wanted to eat real food. While we were eating breakfast one morning in Georgia, she started pitching a fit because she wasn’t getting anything to eat. When we got back, we started her on cereal and fruit. So far, she loves everything that she puts in her mouth….but I guess she comes by it honestly!

     Well, I think that about wraps up this month! I can’t imagine what life would be like without this little bundle of joy. When things aren’t going the way I think they should, all she has to do is smile and giggle at me to put me in a better frame of mind. There’s no way to describe the love that I feel for her.

     Well it’s official. Not that we didn’t all already know, but now it’s a certainty. My baby girl is going to be a musician. What can I say, I’m thrilled! Okay, I know it’s still a little early to know for sure but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to keep trying. In case you were wondering, which I’m sure you were, what brought all this on was the newest Maggie & Daddy craze – Drum Time! Hey after last month’s SuperBaby you knew there would be something. But seriously, Maggie and I have a cool new game we play (although I have a distinct fear she just thinks I’m funny looking) that I call “DrumTime”. For those of you who don’t know I’m a bass player and also like to bang on drums when I get a chance. Well one day I was on the floor playing with Maggie and she had hold of my fingers and I started drumming her hands on here lil’ belly. She had a ball! She thought it was just the funniest thing that ever happened and ever since every day or so we still have drum time. Like I said, musician…

     Speaking of her having hold of my fingers – that reminds me of the apendage contol update. We have officially gone from trying to grad to all out playing. But we aren’t just satisfied with playing, everything that gets in her hands goes straight to the mouth. We were actually at my mom’s one night when Mom gave Maggie a toy that was actually just a little big for her to play with and in the process of trying to get the toy in her mouth she actually smacked herself in the head. This utterly startled, blank look came over her until she saw the toy again and was ready to try it again. Not to Daddy and Mommy: be very careful what gets within arms reach of baby for it will be grabbed and put in mouth. Although there are some high points – she’s starting to help hold her bottle now which really takes a load off.

     One thing I will always remember about this period in Maggie’s development is her and a Baby Einstein Discover & Play Activity Gym we bought her. This has to be one of the single best toys we have bought for her. We decided to get her the gym when we noticed her losing interest in her bouncy seat in favor of staring at and attempting to grasp things. Fifteen minutes after the gym was set up and she started playing on it we knew we had a winner. We were in Target looking at the different ones they had and wondered if it was really worth the price tag (check the link). But all questions were answered the first time that baby girl played with it, and every time since we needed to get something done. If it wasn’t as late that night as it was she would have played a good hour or two – which she has done often in the days since.

     This month really has been an awesome development month for her – every month has it’s own unique things that happens or she does that just blows our mind. Last month was the first month I think she actually just laughed out loud, especially during DrumTime. But this little girl is getting so much more personality. It’s really cool to see her react different to different toys – how she prefers one over the other at times, and even how she prefers people. One person who just lights up her little eyes is my friend Kevin – everytime she sees him she just grins the biggest grin and in response she gets the biggest goofy face he can make which sends her to smiles and giggles. Every once in awhile it even gets her out of daycare to tour the church with Kev (he works for the church that Lisa’s school is attatched to). But it’s even more cool that Lisa and I get the same reaction from her, her seeing us and immediately grinning or even laughing at us. That girl is amazing.

     This is paragraph is utterly random, but I thought about Easter and it made me think… One thing Lisa and I have realized is that Deborah will always buy Maggie cuter clothes than us, no matter how hard we try. Example? Easter dress. We tried to find her a cute one, and while there were definite contenders, what won? That’s right, a dress Deb bought her. What can I say, she makes the dress look good. But she was defintately a winner this Easter.

     Baby girl, this month you have made me the happiest daddy in the world. My life hasn’t been the same since the day you were born – it’s been an amazing journey with you. but the changes you’ve made this past month have been absolutely amazing! There is no feeling in the world like when I walk into the house after a long work day and as soon as you see me you smile and laugh – just because you’ve seen me. I love you baby girl, and in that moment I know beyond any doubt you know that and love me too. There is nothing like that, Maggie. The time we are spending together now is so precious to me, I just can’t tell you. Everyday is something new, something special, and everyday I love you more. I hope and pray I can always be a daddy that your first reaction to seeing me is that beautiful smile that I cherish. Love you, baby girl.

     I’ve realized a constant theme in these newsletters – every month is going to be the “new and amazing” one. I’m going to try not to open every newsletter like this, but I can’t make any promises ’cause that baby girl of ours just blows my mind!

     Month three is fondly remembered as the month of “SuperBaby!” Maggie’s been a happy baby since the beginning, but if I thought she changed alot in the first two months then month three was a near transformation! One huge thing from last month to this month is she has taken her recognition of people one step farther and really started favoring people. Like now she really knows me, Lisa, and our family, and our friends. She loves everybody, but she reacts different to different people and when she sees me – it’s play time! And thus “SuperBaby!” was born. For a long time when you picked Maggie up to where she horizontal she would hold her arms and legs straight out lookin’ like Superman. So I would tuck her next to me with my arm curled around her and she’d fly all around much to both her and my delight. Gotta love good daddy-baby girl bonding time.

I think it is instinctual for babies to grab ‘hold of things, security and all that, but it is still the coolest thing in the world when she is eating her bedtime bottle and starts those long blinks when all of a sudden you feel her trying to grab hold of even just a finger. Knowing she trusts you that much is just so amazing. It’s just as cool now that she has started playing more with things which means even more contol over all those apendages we were learning to contol last month. I know two “uncles” who can’t wait to teach Maggie a few things with those legs and arms – Maggie, you love daddy, you don’t want to beat him up. Thanks, guys. But that reminds me how much more she is starting to really recognize and prefer people. I know she knows who Lisa and I am, but now that I can pick her up when she is crying and she’ll stop crying for me, but maybe not someone else is so awesome. I love my girl so much!

Today is a very special day for you today, baby girl. Today your mommy and me are going to dedicate you to God. You have been such a beatiful and special gift, but we know you are a gift given by God. Though we are entrusted to raise you here on earth, you are ultimately God’s child in eternity. And it is because we know this, because we love you, and because He loved us enough to bless us with you – we dedicate you to him. We aren’t perfect as you already know in your few short months, but we want to do all we can to raise you the best we can and that is why we, along with the rest of your family will join with our good friends at church in dedicating you to the Lord. We love you, Maggie!

     Our bundle of beauty (and joy) is now officially two months old. It’s been so awesome to watch Maggie grow this last month as well as to see all the amazing and unique ways she is developing into her own little person. Let me tell you, just because she can’t talk doesn’t mean she’s not full of personality.

     One of the coolest things that I have noticed is that she is starting to realize is that she controls those appendages that used to just flail about. And she’s learned to stick her tongue, which is starting to give me a complex but Lisa continues to assure me that Maggie is just learning that she has control over these different things as well as how to control them. Speaking of control she’s not so much of a bobblehead anymore, although there are times when she can’t quite manage and she cracks you in the face with her noggin’ – good stuff. But the coolest thing has to be watching her use her lil’ arms and legs which is most pronounced when she uses her bouncy seat. The seat has a little pad that when she kicks makes all these lights come on and it plays music, suffice to say that it’s not really quiet or dark anymore when Maggie is in her seat. But the best has to be her little arms which just go to town now, but with a what seems to be a goal in mind.

     I’m sure some of these things seem bigger to us as parents watching it and it’s still more instinct than her intention. We know this. But still, watching her develop from instinct to intention is awesome! She gotten so much more alert to her surroundings which much to our delight she recognizes and reacts to us so much more. That baby girl has the most beautiful smile that I have ever seen. She started smiling a lot at the end of month one, but it’s nothing compared to her this month. There is no feeling in the world like when your child hears you talk and she turns her looking for you and starts moving those arms and kicking those legs with excitement. Then when she sees you and you smile at her or start to talk to you she smiles the most beautiful smile in the world. It’s just amazing to watch over time as her personality develops. One of the greatest things ever is to watch her on her changing table where she has a stuffed animal net above her and it rarely matters how bad of a mood shes in, when she sees those animals all is well in her world.

     I just can’t get over how much has changed in the last two months. A huge change this last month has been Lisa going back to school, which I can’t say I was crazy about at first. Not because I didn’t want her to go back or anything, but simply because I didn’t want Maggie staying with complete strangers (to her at least). I’m over-protective, I know this, what else do you want from me? But really, the biggest change for me has been contributing a larger part in the family parties in the middle of the night. When Lisa wasn’t working she usually took the night shift except on the weekends and very graciously allowed me to sleep. But I remember one night, I think it was actually a weekend that brought on the picture above. Lisa had been up with Maggie for awhile and if she was going to function the next day needed some sleep so she woke me up. The ending is above but we got there by walking, talking, TVing, and eventually feeding Maggie to sleep. I didn’t want to run the risk of waking Lisa up because I knew she needed sleep and if I put Maggie in her room, even with me in there the potential for SuperMom to hear her was too great. So we camped out where bad daddies, and in this case good daddies camp – the couch. But this was only one of the first of I’m sure to be many occasions just like this one and in a sick way I look forward to each one, mostly because it’s that rare time when it’s just me and her and it’s a great feeling to know that I can comfort her too.

     Baby girl, I love you so much. I know you hear me say that a lot and all but I just can’t help it. It’s been so amazing to watch you grow and develop so much these last two months. And now that you are starting to react to me more, my heart just melts that much quicker when you look, or smile, or coo. I know most people think I’m crazy but some of the times I get with you that I love the most are the times in the middle of the night or your mom is at games because it’s just you and me. Those times are cool for me because I know you trust me and feel safe with me and that I comfort you and if anything that’s one thing I pray stays the same. No matter what I hope you always trust me, are comforted by me, and feel safe because if I can help it nothing bad will ever happen to you. Love you, sweetness of my heart.

     Well it appears Maggie’s first day at school, and Lisa’s first day back after maternity leave, was an overall success! I don’t think Lisa or I were quite ready to trust her to people whom, to Maggie at least, are complete strangers for the better part of eight hours. But we are indeed fortunate that Maggie’s daycare is located in the same facility where Lisa works so it’s not like she’s completely seperated. But alas, we stood strong and boldly took the step that almost every parent has to take in their life – the first day at daycare. What can I say? I’m over-dramatic.