Puzzle Time!

Hannah has really been into puzzles lately. She loves these puzzles by Melissa & Doug. Over the past week she has really surprised me with her ability to match the puzzle piece with the picture on the board. I'm so proud of her! She doesn't even need mommy's help anymore.

Tonight she started rummaging through the drawers in her armoire and pulled out the infant carrier. She started saying "baby, baby" and then proceeded to try and put it on. How she knew that it was for a baby, I have no idea! I haven't used that thing in over a year!

Maybe she's ready for a brother or sister :)

Progress!

I'm thrilled to report that Hannah had a much better "eating" weekend. She actually tried several new foods - eggs, bacon, and rice cakes! She loved the eggs because they had cheese on top and she really enjoyed the rice cake. Guess which flavor that was? Cheese, of course! We're hoping she'll continue to have better days.


Hannah must have know that Mommy wasn't feeling well today. After waking up from her nap, she curled up in my lap and slept for another hour!

These are the sweetest moments that just make your heart overflow!

Final Score: Hannah 1, Mom/Dad 0

This has been a pretty trying week for Mark and I. Hannah has always been a pretty good eater, but lately she's been refusing to eat pretty much everything but cheese. For some reason it really stresses us out! I worry that she's not getting all the vitamins and nutrients that she needs. We've had 3 nights of flat-out, knock-down, hissy fits over dinner. It's not like I'm trying to feed her liver and onions! She won't eat any of her old favorites like bananas, pineapple, etc. She won't even eat the off-brand cheerios for breakfast! If anyone has suggestions for quick kid-friendly and healthy meals, we would love to hear your suggestions!



Here are a few pics from this week.


I've always wondered what our cats do all day long while we're at work...now I know.



And here is Hannah loving on Tigger. She adores Tigger!




Hannah and Daddy playing monkey-see, monkey-do!



Mark has made this Tiramisu the past two weeks and we both really like it. It's not the "real" thing like Maggiano's, but it's a pretty good alternative! I'll never lose those last 5 pounds if he keeps making it every week! Give it a try if you feel the need to give in to your sweet tooth:

1 80z pkg cream cheese, softened
3 cups cold milk
2 3.4oz pkgs vanilla instant pudding
1 8oz tub cool whip, thawed
1 or 2 boxes vanilla wafers
1/2 cup strong brewed coffee (we liked espresso from Starbucks), cooled
2 squares Baker's semi-sweet chocolate, grated

Beat cream cheese with mixer until creamy. Beat in milk and pudding mixes. Stir in 2 cups cool whip. Line 2 1/2 quart bowl with vanilla wafers and drizzle with 1/4 cup coffee/espresso. Top with half each of pudding mixture and grated chocolate. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cool whip and chocolate. Refrigerate 2 hours. ENJOY!

I survived!

A couple people have said to me, "Why did you call this the Malueg Family blog when all you write about is Hannah?" Well, I just figure that stories about Hannah are much more interesting than the mundane day-to-day things Mark and I do (okay so Mark's job isn't mundane, but I work in insurance!). But today I'll stray from the norm and share a little something about me...

...I survived my first commute to Alpharetta! For those that may not know, my office relocated from Duluth over the weekend. Doesn't sound like the commute would be that bad seeing as it's only 10 miles further, right? Actually, it wasn't too bad this morning since I left the house before the cats even woke up, but the drive home was torture! I really shouldn't complain because I feel very fortunate to work for a manager and company that are allowing me to work at home 3 days a week. I feel blessed to be allowed this privilege!

Fortunately, my friend Lara called half way through my drive to share a story, which totally made my day. Our girls go to school (aka daycare) together and are BFF's. She went to pick up her daughter and several of the kids were playing with a toy and doing something they weren't supposed to. Hannah stood in the background telling everyone "No, no. No, no." I just think it is so funny that she was being obedient and trying to keep her friends from getting in trouble!! Either that or she was being a tattletale...

This entry wouldn't be complete without one more story about Hannah. Her baby doll finally has a name! I asked her tonight what her baby doll's name is. At first I thought she said "Amen" but I finally figured out that she was saying "Amy". Amy is her beloved teacher at school. She just adores Amy!

Takin' a break

Mark and I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with some friends in Augusta while Hannah stayed with her Grammy & Pappy.

Hannah started out her stay with a nice long nap in Pappy's recliner.

She had to recharge her batteries so that she could help Pappy with the remodling...

Hannah was feeling a little under the weather today and enjoyed a long nap with Pappy after church. Here is where we found them when we returned home today.

We're hoping Hannah feels better tomorrow. She was such a sweet snuggle bug all day long. Anyone who has spent time around Hannah knows that she rarely sits still. It was actually a treat for us to spend some good quality time just holding her.

At 19 months...

Today Hannah celebrates her 19 month birthday. Is it crazy that I still think of her "birth" day on the 4th of each month?!? I can't help it!

So here's the low-down on Hannah as of today:

The stats: 23 pounds and 31 inches (both 25th percentile)

Favorite words: woof, dog, mama, della, tigger, ella, pappy (ah-pa), Amen

Favorite foods: cheese, bananas, cheese, meat sticks, cheese, raisins, cheese, and did I mention the the child LOVES cheese?!?

Favorite toys: tea set, baby doll & stroller, the TV remote, nesting and stacking toys

Favorite books: any book about babies and animals

Favorite songs: Jesus Loves Me, Itsy-bitsy Spider, Row Row Row your Boat

Favorite activities: playing outside, visiting our neighbor's dog Hooper, saying her "prayers", being silly with daddy

Accomplishments this month: obtaining a vocabulary of about 75 words, cutting teeth #13 and #14, sleeping all night long in a big-girl bed and not getting out in the morning and wondering around the house!

Things she can't live without: her night-night (blankie) and a bow-bow (hairbow), leaving the house without these things will most certainly result in a complete and total meltdown

Here is a pic from one year ago and a current one:

Book Worm!

Here is where I found Hannah this evening after her bath!

She was tucked away in the corner of her room studying her Abe Lincoln book. I must admit, this is one trait that she gets from her mommy. Her daddy isn't much of a reader (unless it's a hunting magazine) and I've tried the past 6 years to turn him into one.

Good night everyone and hugs to all!

Kids say the darndest things!

Just a quick little story to share. Hannah and I were in the car on the way to the grocery store and I was asking her what various animals "say". Then I asked her "What does Mommy say?" She responded with "No, no". Not exactly what I was hoping she would say!