The Marvelous Miss Maggie

Margaret Claire is our second daughter and an on-going marvel to me. When we returned -- just two weeks ago -- from Utah, Maggie decided it was time to potty train. She did not consult with me, nor did she ask for my opinion. She just started going on her tiny potty on her own and putting on her panties. Within a week, Maggie had potty-trained herself (my only contribution was supplying the skittles after each success and cleaning out the potty). Then, last week, she decided to move out of her crib and sleep in her twin bed. Again, Maggie did not hesitate and vacillate. I had been dreading this transition, since Mia never successfully learned to sleep in her bed alone. But, Maggie has not gotten out of bed at night once. Each evening she runs in excited, says her prayers, listens to stories, and requests her "Nama CD." Some evenings she sings along when I sing to her -- most recently she sang "Meow" to the tune of "I am a Child of God," despite knowing all the words.







Lest any believe that this amazing ability to solve all of the issues that were most concerning to her mother all on her own is indicative of a submissive and compliant spirit, you should know that Maggie is a most determined child. Maggie's strong will is often manifest over two key issues, which do not bode well for her parents as she grows older: fashion and the phone.

Maggie can accurately be described as a two-year old shoe-aholic. She loves to show off her shoes, and has a constantly growing collection, with her latest addition being a pair of light blue Crocs from Easter. These are an excellent choice for Maggie since she REFUSES to wear socks. Blisters, injuries, even significant amounts of blood do not deter her from wearing the most fashionable shoes she can find, without socks, with EVERY outfit she owns -- most frequently the pink glitter shoes. Maggie will break down into tears if I don't surrender my heels to her at church. She will pitch her greatest fits over having to wear a jacket, coat or tights -- and cannot be consoled if her favorite dress or nightgown is dirty on a particular day. Recently, Maggie discovered a pair of Mia's old jelly shoes, and fell in love. She wore them constantly for four days, including -- despite our best efforts to persuade her otherwise -- to bed. Clearly, Maggie's mantra is: Fashion over comfort! Fashion over comfort!

Maggie is also very possessive about the telephone. She will not give me a moment's peace until she can personally talk to whomever is on the phone with me. Then, as soon as she gains control of the phone, she will run away as fast as possible and hide so she can talk on her own terms. She does not understand the difference between the phone and the webcam, and so her favorite thing is to say into the phone "Look!" and describe whatever she is seeing, without any idea that the person on the line has no clue what she is talking about. Maggie loves to carry around one of her three cell phones, and frequently in the car will open it up for a very important call to Daddy, Grandma, or her favorite: Auntie Ellie.

Maggie is learning to play with her sister like a true playmate -- and can even keep up with most of Mia's antics and plans. She loves her dog, "Louie," all of the Disney princesses, feeding baby dolls bottles, and drawing "A's" and "M's." Maggie can count to thirteen, move to music with more rhythm and grace then I have ever seen in a two-year-old, and loves her swimming lessons because they let her play with an Ariel ball.

Maggie's best word is "Lala" which is her name for her sister, Mia. Apparently there are some issues to be worked out in the way Mia likes to be in charge of both of their lives, though. When we were sleeping in the same room in Salt Lake, one night in her sleep Maggie yelled out at full volume: "No Lala, no way!" I don't know what she was dreaming, but Mia just better beware.