Recent developments

Abby is pretty darn big at this point due to the new kid. S/he is also starting to yield some interesting bumps in Abby's tummy. Tonight, we played "Is it the head or shoulder?" as we tried to figure out what was bulging out. While she's scheduled to deliver on 10/8, let's all hope that it doesn't happen sooner. Especially not this weekend while I'm in Chicago for the Cubs last homestand of the year.

As for Margaret, her new word is "No." She doesn't really understand the true meaning of "No", but she does understand that it is an appropriate response to a question. Thus, I ask "Would you like to go to the park?" and I get "No" in reponse. A quiet, lilting "No", but a "No" nonetheless. I'm sure that, in a short time, it will becomes an emphatic, definitive "NO!" But currently it is pretty funny to ask various non-sensical questions to get cute little "No" in response.

Our current battle revolves around the nuk-nuk (known in some circles as the binky or paci.) We've been trying to wean Margaret of her nuk-nuk, and the caretakers in Toddler I say that they don't use it at all. In fact, when I asked Ms. Karen, one of her new caretakers, whether she ever used the nuk-nuk for Margaret, she seemed a bit surprised. "I never would've known that she used a pacifier," said Ms. Karen. "She plays great and naps well, all without a paci." But as soon as we leave the GSA building, it's "Maa maa", Margaret's universal cry for "I want" which, in this case, clearly means that she wants her nuk-nuk. I've tried to feed her saltines, take her by the fountains outside the IMF, point out airplanes and other kids. All temporary distractions. We always get back to "Maa maa" followed by petulant crying if she doesn't get her nuk-nuk. It's so unpleasant that I've been giving in recently, sticking the nuk-nuk in her mouth right after we leave the building. One of our friends at the dog park pointed out that she knew a kid with a close sibling who ended up using her paci until she was three. We hope that won't be the case for Maggie, but the impending arrival of No. 2 might give her some leverage in these types of battles.

Here are some photos from our recent trip to CT for Grandma Nancy's retirement shindig. Including some photos from our visit to a corn maze.