Maggie Memories

Maggie turned five last Friday.  It is amazing how time flies, and children grow.  I have kept a journal of a few things Maggie has done and said as time has progressed.

She was born on June 26, 2004 at 7:47 AM... 6 lbs 6 oz ; 18 3/4 in. long

Her first words were Momma and Da-Da, and "Ba-Bee" (Baby).  

She had her first ER visit in Feb. of 2005 and had surgery in March 2005 to drain a lymph node in her neck that was the size of a golf ball.

I wrote in her baby book some of her favorite things to do...

Favorite activity: going outside and playing with babies (still true today)

A few Maggie-isms...

Staying with Mom – July, 2007

It was raining outside, and Maggie asked Bibs if they could go outside.  Bibs said it was raining.  Maggie said, “Well, can it not.”  Bib told her God was watering the plants with the rain.  Maggie said – “God must have a BIG watering can!”

Driving to Port Aransas – September, 2007:

Maggie was looking out the window noticing which buildings she knew… the Houston Garden Center – “That’s where we got the plants.”; Home Depot – “That’s where we get stuff.” – A hospital building – “That’s where we got the brothers!”

At home – October, 2007

Chap fell down, and Maggie knocked him down accidentally.  In fear that she was going to be in trouble, she said – “Mommy, I’m sorry.  Are you sad?  Don’t make big eyes, Mommy.  I’m sorry!”

Driving home from Kyla’s – December 2007

She stopped in the middle of singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, and said “On Jesus’ birthday, I want to give Him a hug.”  When I explained she couldn’t, she said – “Is it because he’s in the hay?”  Not needing an answer, she went on to say that Baby Jesus was sweet like baby Little Whit and baby Big Chap.  But they used to be tiny babies when we were in Alvin.

At home – January 30, 2009

Amy is expecting with a baby boy – due in June.  There seems to be a possible genetic disorder with the baby – and we have all diligently been praying.  Upon putting Maggie to bed tonight – she said, “Daddy, I’m going to dream about Amy and Christopher’s baby.  I can’t wait to see him!” 

At home – January 31, 2009

I was explaining to Maggie about how she’d loose her baby teeth and new permanent teeth would come in.  She quickly covered her mouth and said… “I don’t want all of my teeth to fall out!”

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Little Things

Chap has made some huge steps this week.  He and Maggie have been taking swimming lessons for the last two weeks, and it has been torturous for Chap - and therefore for me!  The first day, he cried for the entire 30 minute session.  He gave his teacher high fives, did everything he was told to do, but all during cries of anxiety.  I was almost ready to not make him go anymore until we went swimming that first evening, and he was already doing things he'd learned in that one session.  So, I swallowed hard and told myself to trudge forward.  

I knew it was a big step for him... especially with his social anxieties, and this being the first ever social activity without Whit participating with him.  It has not been fun to watch - except for the fact that today... 8 days into the lessons... NO tears (except for the entrance into the pool area).  YEAH!!!  He even smiled and laughed with his teacher today!  A HUGE leap for him!

Another huge step he has made this week - during VBS and swimming lessons... completely off schedule, keep in mind... He has mastered one form of pottying and is going regularly on the potty!!  I won't go into any more details than that!  :o)

Maggie has done a super job with swimming lessons, and has learned a great deal!  In fact, it is well past her bedtime, but she is out swimming with her daddy!  Whit has been a wonderful spectator and cheerleader!!  

Small Town News

Growing up, I never really appreciated the idea of living so far from civilization.  We had no stores, no stop lights, no gas, and no high school.... not even a Dairy Queen.  We did have a tiny little drive-in grocery that made a delicious sandwich on occasion.  Devers, Texas has a population of 350 and has made some progress in the last few years... it has a bigger drive-in grocery and even gas!  It can also be found on most maps, now!

While this little town is full of rice fields and hay fields, it also provides one of the best small-school educations in the state.  However, Devers is facing educational turmoil right now, while maintaining academic excellence.  No one there is happy to see that this little school (PK-8) is on the list for possible closing in the future.  It is on the brink of disappearance due to economical concerns rather than educational concerns.  State and local governments are aggressively working to close down small schools and force giganticism upon education.  (I know... giganticism isn't a word, and I just used it twice!... you get my point, though... right?)  The state drains money from the small schools and gives very little in return... therefore forcing them to close.

We live in a large town right now, and I am dreading having to start Maggie in this public school system.  And the main reason being... its gigantic size!  Yes, they meet all of the academic standards and educational expectations.  But, my concern lies within character, positive examples, relationships, values, integrity, and  attention that gigantic schools just can't provide.

My dad is the president of the school board for DISD.  He fights on a daily basis to keep the doors open of this wonderful educational institution.  My mom teaches fifth grade there, and is always on the top of the list of favorite teachers as children reminisce about their elementary years.  She just recently lost 6 or 7 colleagues due to forced reduction.  At least two of those employees have been there since I was in Kindergarten at Devers ISD.  This school, and the teachers that influenced my life made such an impact on who I am today.  I know the children that have the opportunity to experience this school leave the 8th grade much better academically and with great character.  It provides the ideal setting for learning in small classes.  I hope that Maggie, Chap and Whit can someday experience this school.  After all... one of those hay fields won't be all hay some day!

Watermelon, anyone??

Bob the Builder

In 2004, Corbett and I were planning on moving back from California to Texas.  I was 8 months pregnant with Maggie, and he was finishing up his 1-year internship at an equine practice in Salinas, CA.  We moved up there with one car, and pulled a 5X10 U-Haul trailer.  Coming home, we were checking in to renting another U-Haul trailer, and the price to move out of California was astronomical!  Another veterinarian that worked part-time for the practice also did volunteer work for a veterinarian program that does service work in other countries.  He was looking into buying a new trailer for the job.  He sold us a used white cargo trailer that we have had on our hands since we moved back.  

This trailer could tell some stories... it moved us back from California, moved a few people to college, moved us, moved family members, stored a generator after surviving hurricanes Rita and Ike, and provided some high quality "fix-it-upper" time with Corbett and the kids.  When Maggie was about 2, Corbett had his first "fix-it-up" party with the trailer.  Maggie was thrilled to help him out with her own tools.  Since that time, she has aptly named it "My Trailer."

Our church is going on a youth choir trip, and learned that we own this random cargo trailer.  So, we have loaned it to them.  However, before it could be in their hands and travel miles and miles with them - Corbett needed another "fix-it-up" party.  That was yesterday, and this time he had all three of them out there.  They each had their hammers, saws, screw drivers, etc. to help him make it look presentable.  After-all - it has traveled many miles and sat through two hurricanes.

Naturally, as they were working on it, Chap was wondering what it was getting fixed up for.  So, I told him that Bobie Miller (the responsible party from our church that will be using it) was going to go on a trip with it.  He accepted that answer, and went about the rest of his day..... playing, swimming, napping, eating, and more playing.  Later, Corbett and Maggie took the trailer to our church to drop it off.  Chap began his questioning again, wondering where his daddy and sister had gone.  I told him that they took the trailer to Pasadena.

His response... "To Bob the Builder?"!!!!  

Look, No Wheels!

"Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes What You See..."

We had Whit's ophthalmology appointment today at Texas Children's.  I had a few concerns and questions, and the doctor cleared each of them up.  Whit has discharge from his eye when he has a cold or runny nose.  The doctor said that he either has a small tear duct tube, or the tear duct is blocked.  The only correction for that is surgery, and he was not "excited" about doing that with his symptoms.  (Me either!)  We will just treat it as it presents itself with the help of our pediatrician.

My other concern was his vision.  The doctor confirmed that he has slight far sightedness, but it is normal for his age.  No glasses, yet!  Thankfully, because Whit + Glasses = BrOkeN

The other concern was what the original follow up visit was scheduled for.  It was to check on the vision/eye complications of prematurity and being on oxygen for an extended time.  The doctor said that he does not show any signs of retinopathy of prematurity!!  Thank you, GOD!!!

Our next big hurdle to overcome with Whit is his neuro-cognitive developmental evaluation scheduled for July.  I would appreciate your prayers for his all-around development, and our strength for that visit.    

Please, also pray for Chap.  He is still struggling with skin issues, and we are struggling to find answers. 

"Oh be careful little feet where you go..."

Maggie's Show

Maggie had her gymnastics show tonight.  She did a great job and made such improvements throughout the semester!!  She had quite the audience, too... Corbett, myself, Chap, Whit, Bibs, and Oma!!  

On another note (and I don't have pictures, because I was spotting)... Maggie wow-ed the neighborhood (and her Mommy, Daddy, and Bibs) with her bike riding last night... with NO training wheels... the best she's ever done!  And Chap showed off his abilities riding our neighbor's 12 inch bike all around (we just had to look passed the pink princesses)!