Gathering flowers in a basket

Today is a beautiful and warm day. After our walk to the grocery store, Maisy picked up a flower and asked, “Who is that?”- It means what is this? She was pointing to the inside of the flower and I got the idea to do a little flower lesson today. So we started out taking a walk and collecting lots of flowers to examine and learn about.

Looking for flowers

What we found

After we came home, we checked the flowers out and divided up all the parts. Petals for attracting bees and butterflies (who help to pollinate the flower), Stigmas/Pistils for catching pollen, Anthers/Stamens for making pollen and the Stems for supporting the flower. Then we placed them in the proper squares on the paper and taped them down. I found a large flower diagram online and printed it out for coloring. Maisy enjoyed coloring in all of the parts- and picking apart the flowers.

Coloring and learning about flowers

Proud girl

After all that learning it was time for a nap to recharge!

Finished product

Maisy continues to do well with potty training. She tells us when she has to go and she wears panties all day, even when we are out and about. I bring her potty and just make sure she goes about every 45 minutes or so and that seems to work for us. She has had no accidents in over a week! She still is wearing diapers for nap and bed time. But it’s great we are down to only 2 new diapers a day!! :-)

Here is a picture of me taken yesterday at 21 weeks. We asked Maisy the other day what we should name the baby and she said, “Cracker”. We asked why and she said, “Baby is tasty.” I’m pretty sure we’ll get a second opinion on that Cracker name!

21 weeks

More later-

Much love, Todd, Becky, Maisy and baby girl

Side View

We had our “big” ultrasound today. Nana and Papa are in town, so they stayed with Maisy while we had our appointment.

Papa, Maisy and Nana

It was very exciting and emotional. It’s strange how much more emotional I am about this pregnancy than the first. I think it’s because I KNOW how amazing it all is now. I was fighting back tears while just checking in for the ultrasound.

The baby’s face

The baby was very cooperative and quite mellow during the ultrasound. I think maybe this baby will take after Todd in personality.

Different view of baby’s face

They checked for the sex last. They said it was to keep our interest :-) They did guess at 12w 6d that the baby was a girl- and they were right! Maisy is going to have a baby sister!

It’s a girl!!

We are all thrilled!

Maisy is so excited for the baby to come. She loves playing with her babies and reading books about babies. She especially loves it when I hold her finger like newborn babies do. She just giggles and can’t wait to meet her sister.

Maisy practicing being a wonderful big sister

Here is a picture of me today- 20 weeks pregnant. Only 20 more weeks to go!

20 Weeks pregnant

Maisy is also doing very well at potty training. She’s been in training for 8 days now. The first days brought lots of puddles, but by the third day she got it. She now will tell us when she has to go and she goes regularly. We have puddle free days and still the occasional accident, but those are rare. She wears pull ups when we are out, but usually comes home dry. I take the potty with us on certain outings and she will use her potty out. Maisy still wears a diaper for nap time and bed time, but she is well on her way to being potty trained. We are very proud of her to be doing so well so young! (She won’t be two until June 5.)

More later-

Much love, Todd, Becky, Maisy and baby girl

Snow family

This weekend was Maisy’s first trip to the snow that she can remember. Our friend, Angie, got four families with adorable children to come out and play in the snow.

Angie, Reid, Becky and Maisy in the SNOW

Kiddies walking through the snow

Maisy was not too sure about the snow at first. It was a lot of, “No way, No touch, Maisy up, Messy.” After a walk on solid ground and some getting used to the snow, her opinion of snow had shifted to the positive side of tolerable. She even braved the sled a few times.

Maisy on a sled

The snow did not come without some complication. We got the car stuck in the snow twice and ended up bringing someone else’s chains with us- so we had to quickly scrounge some more (thanks Mike!). Just as we were leaving I backed us into a snow bank (where a driveway SHOULD have been) and got us stuck again. Maisy kept asking, “What’s happening?” followed with, “Be careful”. I guess she’s heard that a few times! Todd was able to wiggle us free and we were on our way home.

playing in the snow

Snooooooow!

We had another big achievement today as well- Maisy went on the potty like a big girl before her bath tonight. We were very excited and rewarded her with coveted stickers! Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of diapers.

Hope you are enjoying winter, more later!

Much love, Todd, Becky and Maisy