Being 2 1/2 years old means...

• That I have to gesture a lot with my hands when I talk
• That I respond "I might" just about every time I'm told that something isn't okay
• That I think it's totally appropriate to tell Mommy and Daddy to "Stop talking!" or "NO COME IN MY ROOM!"
• That I like to tell lots and lots of stories about lots of different things.
• That when Mommy tells me that she isn't going to buy me any more bugsies, I tell her "I buy bugsies with my OWN money!" And then I do.
• That I can go potty all by myself with absolutely no help---sitting backwards on the potty with all my clothes off!
• That I talk about who is a girl and who is a boy a lot, and sometimes I ask if I can pretend I'm a boy and go potty standing up!
• That I think my friends are the best! And I can't wait for each school day to see them.
• That I like to sing a lot, especially when it's time to go to bed.
• That I STILL LOVE babies, but I also love having "happy birthday parties" too.
• That my favorite books are books about that mischievous pig, Olivia.
• That I'm getting ready to move to Moscow, and I've been helping Mommy "pack" lots of boxes.
• That I'm getting ready to be a big sister! And I insist that the baby in Mommy's tummy is a baby sister.

Maggie's Idea of Packing...

Is Unpacking!

As many of you have probably noticed I haven't been posting too much lately. I've been packing, packing, and packing some more. I've also been cleaning, raking the yard, and trying to keep as many of Maggie's typical routines in place as possible. I figure everything will seem really boring once I get to Moscow and get all unpacked, and settled into our new home.

I'm still feeling pretty good, which is great. No more broken ribs or anything. After raking and cleaning up the whole back yard today though, we'll see how I feel in the morning:)

Thanks Auntie Sara and Grandma Tara for helping as much as you could this weekend! Especially for giving Mags some extra playtime and loves!

Sleepy Magnolia

I go to wake her up, and I'm stunned by how beautiful she is. I just sit there and kiss her sweet cheeks, then have to grab my camera so I can keep the moment forever.

Here's a little of my beautiful moment shared with all of you...

Magnolia's New House!

We found it! Thank goodness!!!!!!!

Zac and I fell in love with this older home the moment we saw it. Lucky for us it all worked out. There were two other families that inquired about the home right after us, and it was really the only option we had at such quick notice. It's in a fantastic location, right near the library, within walking distance to East City Park, near a school with a big play ground, and close to downtown. I've printed some pictures to create Maggie's social story to prepare her as much as possible for our move. When her and Uncle Brad picked us up at the airport she asked, "Can we just move to our new house right now?" I hope she loves it there! (She will get a playroom now!)

Zac and I are feeling much more at ease. Don't get me wrong though, we're still extremely frazzled by how we are going to manage this move, and everything that comes with it, so quickly. Luckily we have FANTASTIC families that are providing us with lots of love and support. We are also leaving jobs we love, and co-workers that support us. We're confident though that we couldn't pass up on this opportunity. We owe it to ourselves to be a bit spontaneous, the offer was too great to pass up, and we simply adore Moscow, and know it will be an amazing place to raise our young children. So keep checking back for updates...soon to be coming to you from Moscow, Idaho!

413 E. First Street

The spacious closests!

Yes, that's a joke.

This was Maggie's favorite photo---her new potty

(we will actually have 2 potties now though---a huge bonus after sharing one)

Magnolia's tub

Of course I had to take pictures of the antique hardware!

I'm sure all of you that know me well, are just picturing how giddy I was getting!

The garage, also the largest storage/Daddy play space ever!

We thought we'd take a photo of the "baby bulge" in front of peanut's first house

"I guess this is it!"

The historic McConnell Mansion is RIGHT BEHIND our house!

The view of the mansion from our backyard

street view of the house

Moscow Public Library is a block away!

A photo of the picture books at the library for Maggie's social story---we're trying to help her associate her new home with activities she's already involved in regularly. She did ask "Do they have Signing Time there?"---Mommy forgot to take a picture of the videos to check out though.

Going, Going, Back, Back, to Moscow, Moscow

Yep, it's true! We're moving back to Moscow. Zac accepted a position with the U of I, as the new Financial Manager for the Vandal Stores. I will be a stay-at-home mom (temporarily), and then plan to go back and get my master's degree. We leave in 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More updates to follow.

Letter to Papa

Some of you may not know that Maggie's grandfather, Zac's dad, or "Papa" as she calls him, is currently deployed in Kyrgyzstan. Maggie's talks to Papa via Skype, but is still missing him. Maggie told me that she wanted to write Papa a letter. She dictated this letter (word for word) to me...

Dear Papa,

I love you Papa. I love Grandma Crist, and Issac. I love my paintings. I made hand prints for you, and a circle for you. Where's the moon Papa? Where's Grandma Crist? You're welcome for your paintings Papa. I made you 1, 2, 5, 6 (paintings). Where's Issac Papa? I miss you Papa, I miss you Papa.

Love,

Magnolia

Mommy/Baby Update

Mommy is 17 weeks along right now, and little brother or sister is starting to move all around! This is kind of crazy because Mommy only felt me for the first time when she was 18 weeks along, and felt me consistently around 20 weeks!

Daddy even felt baby brother or sister kick!!! So exciting!

Mommy's feeling much better after about six weeks of a horrible cough and congestion that left her with a very sore throat, serious sleep deprivation, and on all sorts of allergy/cough meds. Of course before that Mommy and I had the stomach flu as well. After carrying me for nine months Mommy developed a common lower back problem known as SI Joint Dysfunction. It's pretty painful, and seems to be at it's worst right now. She also has a pain in her lower rib on one side that started when her cough got bad----it sounds like a trip to the chiropractor might be in order already! It must be a lot of work carrying a baby around in your tummy!

Mommy, Daddy and I are super excited for our new baby! I got a "Big Sister" book and I absolutely love it! I can't wait to take care of my new brother or sister. I got really excited when Mommy told me that my new baby could come to my birthday party.

Mommy's next appointment with her midwife will include the 20 week ultrasound. We'll get to see how our little peanut is growing. We can't wait to share some pics!

-Magnolia