Flinn Village

Maggie's First Year Stats

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:21:00 +0000

She's One!

Why did no one warn me that at the one year pediatrician appointment they'd draw blood! It was the first doctor appointment where Maggie was old enough to realize what was going on and she didn't like it one bit. Playing with the toys and the doctor was all well and good, but when the nurse came in with the needles so along came huge crocodile tears. I've never seen Maggie cry like this -- EVER! The vaccinations and the finger prick was enough to warrant a shopping spree...we gals went to Target and bought some cute fall clothes to go with her cute new UGGs. And we ate cupcakes. I think I just started a new tradition with my daughter...doctors appointments equals shopping and cake. Sorry Jared!

The Stats
She's 22lbs 3oz and has made her way down the charts to just 75th percentile for weight.
She's 29inches, 50th percentile (barely) and her head's holding lots of smart cells, measuring 75th percentile.

Here are some more photos from her birthday celebration, including her fancy new boots. Jared and I laughed so hard when we put the UGGs on her. She jumped to her feet and started running circles in the kitchen giggling nonstop. It was hilarious! It's still a bit too warm for the boots but today we wore our first pair of shoes, some cute pink tennies. She loves them. Mostly she likes pulling the velcro straps open, then closing them, then open again but she also likes walking in them. I was afraid she'd hate them since she hadn't worn shoes yet but I think she feels kinda cool.

Lots of Love to all,

Nici

Working the Runway...Or Running Away

First Time Playing in a Bounce House

Playing With Her Friend Jack

Maggie's Hanging Flower Garden

Maggie's Flower Cupcakes

Aunt Boo, Birthday Girl, Mommy, and Grammy

Exploring a New Toy from Miss Lisa and Mr George

Maggie's First Birthday Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 03:02:00 +0000

We just wrapped up Maggie's first birthday party. A whole bunch of her little friends came and enjoyed "Cupcakes in the Garden." Everyone in our house is whipped out! Besides me, they've all been snoozing for hours (and it's not even 10 o'clock). More photos will come soon, but I know what y'all really want to see is the smash cake, so here you go. She didn't do much smashing, but she did enjoy all the sugar.

Wait for it, wait for it...

Mmmm, First Taste -- That's My Dainty Girl

This Time, A Little Bigger Bit

Okay, It's All Going In the Mouth

Good Stuff

That's About As Messy As It Got

Where Is The Summer Going?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:15:00 +0000

Exactly a month ago I said "We're Still Here," and then we disappeared. My blogging is leaving a lot to be desired these days, but I've been re-inspired. My girlfriend Courtney has started a family blog and reading it has made me realize how much I miss about her life and how grateful I am that I can now at least read about it. So, here are my excuses for not writing more lately, and here are some cute photos of Maggie that will make you forgive me.

It's possible I may take on too much sometimes...just a little possible. Recently I coordinated the volunteers for our town's 4th of July festival which brought in 5000 people. I've started a speakers bureau for the TAKE Foundation and am doing public speaking on women's' personal safety. I started the Humble Hostess blog. I planned a Disney World Trip for a Make-A-Wish kiddo. I'm designing a new Integrity Hills website, among other marketing tidbits. Helping Jared on his "projects." Yadda yadda yadda. Oh, and Maggie's teething and learning to walk. Okay, there's all my excuses and a quick update on what's going on in my world. Even though the to-do list never ends I'm loving every minute of it.

And Maggie is an absolute hoot right now. She cracks herself up and will giggle nonstop. She's learning what gets a good reaction from mom and dad, and is forming definite opinions. Her one summer activity, Kindermusik, comes to an end this week but we have lots of playdates lined up. She's quite the social gal.

Maggie's walking more and more...

...but when she's in a hurry she still prefers crawling.

For one of our playdates last week we decorated (err, devoured) cupcakes.

The cupcake playdate exhausted Maggie so much not even a flashing camera could wake her up.

Hello. We're Still Here.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 19:04:00 +0000

Hi friends! Long time, no...um...blog?! Sorry I haven't been very good at keeping our family updates updated. I'm staying so busy with mommyhood, community volunteering, working a bit, hostessing and keeping up with Jared I haven't had any energy left for Flinn Village updates. Whew! Just thinking about it makes me sleepy. Speaking of sleepy, that's what Maggie's doing right now. And it's a slight monsoon outside so I've got some time to at least post new photos of our little petunia.

She's 9 1/2 months now. Can. You. Believe. It?! Where did our little baby go? Maggie has 4 teeth and by the amount she's drooling this week I'm guessing #5 is on it's way. She's crawling and is quite speedy. She's climbing and is quite clumsy. And she's discovered that opening and shutting cabinets often leads to pinched fingers and forehead bruises...yet she keeps going back for more. She loves trying new foods and so far we haven't found anything she won't eat, though she doesn't love cooked spinach (can't blame her). She'll patiently sit at my feet while I'm cooking waiting for a taste. And when's she's had enough she simply tries to climb out of her high chair. Jared and I have taken to saying "uh oh!" a lot and quickly placing her safely on the floor. We've even tried tying her into the chair with a bunge cord but she's a little magician and has figured out how to escape. She babbles constantly, especially to strangers in the store, and loves to say "Da Da" "Dooog" "Uh Ohhhhh" and blow raspberries. Her favorite activity right now, aside from climbing, is swimming and we try to go to the pool on every sunny day.

That's about all the updates for now. Before we know it she'll be walking, talking and turning 1. New photos that our dear friend Danny took are posted below.

Lots of love,
Nici

Oh...Mommy, Daddy, and Truxton are also doing just fine.

A Day in the Life of Maggie

Good Morning with Blueberry Pancakes

Play, Sing, and Dance at Kindermusik

Just Waking Up From a Good Nap

Playtime in the Grass

Mommy Put the Baby in the Buckets

Swinging

Black and White Favorite Photos

He Is Risen!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:44:00 +0000

He is risen indeed! And on this special Easter weekend in 2010, He also rose Maggie's first tooth and took Grandpa Voss to his permanent home.

My mom made a special trip to KC to share Easter with us and Maggie's first Easter came with a beautiful new dress, a basket of goodies, and a first tooth. She won't let us get near the tooth long enough to take a look but she's taken the opportunity to bite my finger multiple times. She's handled all the excitement pretty well. Other than waking up a bit at night and drooling a lot, the tooth doesn't seem to bother her.

Soon after our church service Sunday we all packed up and headed to Springfield to be with the family and lay my grandfather to rest. Robert "Archie" Voss passed away Saturday morning in his sleep. My sister, Sondra, came in town from Dallas and even though the circumstance for her visit was due to a loss, it was great to see her. It was great to see everyone. I find it interesting how at the end of a loved one's life the final gift they give their family is reunion. A military funeral was held on Monday, including a fly-over by an Air Force plane. It was just as grandpa would have loved it to be. And Maggie kept the family smiling by hiccuping through the entire funeral service. I thought at least the gun shots would scare the hiccups away, but they persisted (the hiccups, not the shots).

Maggie's First Easter Basket

Our Failed Attempt at a Family Photo

Maggie and her friend Louisa, aka Weezy, at Sunday's Easter Service

Playing in the Grass at Grammy's House

Mags Made Everyone Smile at Grandpa's Funeral

Presenting the Flag to Grandma Voss

The Fly-Over

I bet grandpa loved seeing this!

Sisters

Our Reason to Rejoice

Rest in peace Archie.

A Dozen for Half a Dozen

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:43:00 +0000

A dozen photos of Maggie at six months.

Thanks to Danny for, once again, catching Maggie's personality in these photos! We'll cherish them forever.

Our Family Likes Food

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:13:00 +0000

So avocado wasn't a hit, but Maggie seems to like sweet potatoes and sweet peas just fine. Oatmeal for breakfast is just so-so, but when dinner time comes she gobbles up her veggies and rice cereal happily. The varying colors of food that end up in her hair, under her chin and other random places makes bathtime interesting. She doesn't seem to mind the mess and it's nothing a little soap and water can't clean up so Jared and I just smile and laugh along with her.

Jared's been working out with a trainer a few days a week, so when he emailed me one afternoon to say he was having a very busy workday Maggie and I decided to fatten him up with a treat when he got home. It's moments like this that remind me how lucky I am to have the health, energy, and time to take care of my family. Mags and I made a quick run to the store and had german chocolate brownies waiting for Jared when he walked in the door. A crazy workday is always made better with chocolate and baby kisses.

Sweet Potato Face

Daddy's Special Treat

It's Time for a New Carseat

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:16:00 +0000

Miss Maggie turns 6 months old tomorrow. She's growing up faster than I'd like and at 6 months it seems like we're starting so many new things...it's almost like starting with a new kid all over again. She grows out of her clothes faster than I can buy them, and after playing with a toy for just a few days she gets bored with it. Luckily she has a short memory and I can reintroduce a toy to her a week later like it's brand new. And it seems we're ready for a new carseat and stroller.

Princess Petunia's perfectly pudgy.

At 20.3 pounds she's greater than the 97th percentile, which is considered to be off the charts. She's 25 1/2 inches long (50th percentile). And just as happy as a peach. Maggie took her 6 month shots like a champ, hardly crying at all. And she chatted up a storm with the doctor and nurse.

Maggie's carseat weight limit is 22lbs, which I had thought would get us closer to her first birthday, but at over 20lbs it's time for a new seat. And a new stroller. And pretty soon a high chair. I've started making Maggie's first foods and "eating" is providing a lot of goofy pictures...entertaining for all of us.

Her First Taste of Avocado

Hair Finally Long Enough for Bows

Bunnies and Hedgies and Owls! Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:20:00 +0000

Welcome to Maggie's playroom. For Valentine's weekend Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a fun craft project turning a nook in the basement into a happy forest for Maggie and her friends. Now the little space that was never used is now home to a happy tree and all it's critters including bunnies, birds, hedge hogs, owls, a fox, a squirrel, some snails and probably a few other things I've forgotten.

How We Started -- Ohhh Boy

The Artist of the Family

The Happy Tree

Maggie Helped

Maggie Loves Mr. Fox

We Think Maggie Likes It

The Finished Product

Even The Books Got a Wise Old Owl

It's rare to come across a company these days that provides good ole customer service, so when I do I sing their praises and become a repeat customer. The company that designed these graphics, Graphic Spaces, is one such company. I ordered the graphics at the begining of the week and had them by the end of the week. They communicated with me throughout the process not just with bland updates on my order, but with cute messages like "All the little animals are so excited to be moving to Kansas! The hedgies are a little afraid of flying, but I'll make sure they get in your box and are comfortable." And the quality of the product exceeded our expectations. I so appreciate this! I wish more business owners ran their companies this way. I digress...back to cute stuff.

After a hard day's work planting the tree and introducting Maggie's animal friends to their new home Jared and I enjoyed a wonderful Valentine's dinner with good friends: Lisa & George and Jessica, Adam & baby Maddie.

We hope everyone else had a lovely and loving weekend. XOXO

Exciting New Things

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:30:00 +0000

In Maggie's 6th month she's learning all kinds of new things. She's found her toes, which she thinks is pretty special and has figured out how to put the big toes in her ears, nose, and mouth. This mordifies her father and makes mommy laugh hysterically.

Maggie's also learning how to eat and to cook. Right now all she gets is rice cereal and oatmeal, but she's been helping mommy cook and bake all kinds of good things she'll get to eat soon enough
.

My toes! My toes! I love my toes!

Baking Lesson

Maggie Likes Spatulas

Maggie's First Food

"I'll do it myself, mom!"

And for those of you who are really, really bored....here's a video of Maggie getting her first bites of food. Seriously, you must be really bored to watch this.

Home Office

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:32:00 +0000

It's my first week in 5 1/2 years not working for Ticketmaster. At random times throughout the day I find myself concerned about the state of affairs at the company and then I remember it's not mine to worry about any more. This is going to take some getting used to! And I have another conundrum to worry about: How am I busier now than I was when working 80 hour weeks? Being a stay-at-home mom and semi-entreprenuer is a whole new kind of organization and productivity I'm still learning. I'll get there. Luckily Maggie and Jared are being very patient with me...the guy from HP I yelled at last night on the phone on the other hand probably thinks I'm a huge you-know-what. I miss having an IT department!

For now my dreams consist of the following images. Some where in a fairytale land a princess has this office and is being highly productive and efficient.

Look What I'm Learning to Do

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:20:00 +0000

"I'm still a bit wobbly, but I about got this sittin' thing down" - Maggie

Greetings From Mexico

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 16:10:00 +0000

Forecast today is clear skies, sunshine, and lots of frozen frothy drinks.

Santa Came to Town

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:38:00 +0000

At Flinn Village we're still digging out from the snow...and the presents...and all the treats. We've been blissfully buried with social events and celebrations with family and friends for the past few weeks. Christmas day was spent at home with my mom, sister Becca, and our friends, The Charlsens. We got so much snow I think the weathermen lost count and stopped reporting the inches. Christmas was followed by a fun-filled 24 hour trip to Jared's hometown for the annual Flinn Family Rob-Your-Neighbor showdown. It's been back to work for Jared and I this week, but we'll soon be headed to the lake for some down time during New Years. The only hiccup in the holidays has been Maggie's first cold. Our little sugar plumb is all coughs and sniffles right now, so we're praying for quick healing. Merry Christmas to all, and a blessed New Year.

Fallsing Asleep on Christmas Eve

Stockings!! I love to give stockings. It's my favorite thing.

Maggie's First Stocking

She Loves Her New Doll

Truxton Loves His Stocking Too

What Every Woman Wants...Tools

Mother Nature's Gift -- A White Christmas

The Snow Blower

Before clearing our drive, Jared cleared two of our neighbors' drives. What a guy!

Meat!

This is everyone watching Jared cut the beef tenderloin. We like food!

Daddy's Girls

Maggie Wouldn't Let Go of This Rob Your Neighbor Gift

Grandpa aka "The Baby Whisperer"

Flinn Family Rob-Your-Neighbor Game

Using a dump truck to roll the dice...

We are sooooo parents now.

This Child and That Child

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:38:00 +0000

This week of Christmas Maggie will turn 4 months old. In fact, she'll turn 4 months exactly on her Grandma Linda's birthday. What a wonderful week of celebrations. We just had Maggie's 4 month appointment and she continues to be a very healthy little girl.

Weight - 16lbs 1oz; 95th percentile
Height - 24.5in; 50th percentile

As I give praise for a healthy child, I also reflect on the Child that was born to bring us peace, and died to give us life. He is the reason we receive such blessings this time of year and always, the reason we'll be with friends and family over the coming days in celebration. And yet there are still children struggling with disease, abuse and hunger. Having a child of my own has heightened my sensitivity and compassion for these children. They are on my heart and I pray for them. I hope they all get to experience a bit of joy this Christmas.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:5-7

Weekend Photo Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:20:00 +0000

Our good friend, Danny, was visitng over the weekend. We always love it when he comes around because not only is it wonderful to catch up with him, but he brings two of my favorite things: (1) his Cavalier King Charles, Barney and (2) his camera. Here are some favorite photos from the weekend.

the maggie-hawk

Meeting Maddie Clare

Barney and the Camera Bag

Christmas Checklist...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:56:00 +0000

Decorations hung --You bet.
Presents bought -- Check.
Cards sent -- Done.
Pictures of my nearly naked daughter taken that will embarrass her for years to come -- Oh yeah!

Cheers to Maggie's first Christmas.

Visions of Sugar Plums Danced in Her Head...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:19:00 +0000

Kansas City is blanketed in snow today, turning our little Flinn Village into a little Winter Wonderland. Maggie missed seeing her first major snowfall last night because she slept for 11 hours! She's really taking this 'be good for Santa' thing pretty seriously. Meanwhile, Jared, Truxton and I cozied up by the fire. I love our home at Christmas time. The snow, the lights, the fire...it's all just so beautiful.

Our New Reindeer

Truxton's Favorite Spot, by the Fire

The "Fire Man" and His Trusty Sidekick

It's A Girl Thing...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:14:00 +0000

Today Maggie sports her first hair accessorie. I think she likes it.

You Know It's the Holidays When...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:26:00 +0000

You know it's the holidays when my office starts to look like this:

Mrs. Flinn-Clause Workshop

And Jared and I start to look like this:

First Christmas Party of the Season

In about 18 days we'll look more like tired elves with bellies full of holiday treats, but it's all worth it!

Happy, happy, merry, merry.

Leap of Faith...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:46:00 +0000

It's official! I've resigned from Ticketmaster. It is, without a doubt, a leap of faith but I feel pretty good about what I'm leaping in to. When I left Maggie at my friend's this morning she was smiling and playing with her toys, and it gave me peace of mind about my decision. Well, really OUR decision, because I couldn't do this without Jared and his support. Today I began letting my teams and colleagues know. It's was the first step towards the end of this chapter and towards the next adventures in my life. Giddy up...

Three Months Old and Oh So Busy...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:58:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving week! Our pre-Thanksgiving activites kicked off over the weekend with a trip to Integrity Hills and Springfield. And with the short work week I'm too busy to write very much, so here's our weekend in photos.

Maggie Finally Met "The Girls" - Grammys BFFs

Grammy, Marla, Paula, and Rhonda

Beautiful Little Ladies

The Cross at Integrity Hill's Chapel

(this is Jared getting artsy with his photog work)

Walking the Grounds at Integrity Hills

Getting a Pie Crust Lesson from the Expert, My Mom Marsha

Magge Paid Very Close Attention to the Lesson

Happy Smiles - Maggie at 3 Months Old

Wardrobe Changes...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:12:00 +0000

Jared and I probabably spend a wee too much time picking out our outfits for work in the morning. To say we're both a bit paticular about our clothes is a fair statement. But Maggie tops us all! In fact, if she doesn't like the outfit she's wearing she'll simply poo on it as insistance to be changed. This morning Daddy dressed her in all bubble gum pink -- totally adorable. But soon after I made the comment about how she looked like a pink bandit, poo goes everywhere and a big smile appears on her face. So, out with the pink and on with the blue butterflies. I'm pretty sure she liked this outfit as she proceeded to chat up a storm telling me all about it.

Ho ho whoa...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:54:00 +0000

It doesn't seem possible that the holidays are nearly here. This year has gone by so quickly and soon we'll be diving into Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas stockings. Two signs the holiday season has begun: (1) XM Sirius radio channels have turned over to holiday music and (2) we've had our first dusting of snow coupled with frigid temperatures. Here's Maggie's first snow day picture:

Water Works...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:37:00 +0000

It was inevitable, my return to work that is. I knew it was coming but for the past 12 weeks I chose denial and embraced my new role as stay-at-home mommy. And I absolutely loved it. How woulda' thunk it?! Me. Lil' miss career girl always on the go, loving more than anything spending my days with a little munchkin who can't talk or walk. Maggie and I had so much fun the past few months. We had lots of girl talk, shopped, and made dinner every evening before Daddy came home from work. And God blessed us with incredible weather. Nearly every day was sunny and above 60 so we took long walks with Truxton.

Today, on my first day back to the office, the weather is cold, in the 30s, and raining with a chance of the season's first snow. How apropos! The change in weather couldn't fit better with the change in our family today.

In addition to the rain, I admit I shed a few tears this morning when taking Maggie to her babysitter -- my good friend and personal angel, Anne. I am so thankful for Anne and jealous of her at the same time. Afterall, she gets to hang out with the coolest little chick I know all day long.

Welp, as I always say..."make the best of the situation." I'm busy catching up on work and grateful to have a great job. I count my blessings.

Here's some recent pics.

Maggie on Back to Work Day

Sporting Her Winter Coat for the First Time

Loving Bath Time

(sorry for the risque pic!)

My $19 Birthday Present to Myself:

A Silver Cupcake Stand

Tummy Time Fun