Reflections on my second born...

 Sugar and spice and everything nice...  That pretty much sums up our Magsy Bear (most of the time at least).  Magdalen was born just 5 weeks after Bronwyn's brain surgery, and we wondered what we would have to deal with with our second child.  Happily, she came into the world with a very sweet disposition, a desire to sleep, and a desire to please her parents.  (Big sigh of relief!)

One thing I love about Magdalen is, she is just as excited about a hand me down as she is about something new.  This comes in handy since most of her clothes are from Bronwyn.  Even on Halloween, she opted to wear a dress she already owned and my wedding veil as her bride costume.  Didn't bother her at all to see Bronwyn shopping for her costume.  We added the funky make up just for fun, and she was the most beautiful bride ever!  She doesn't demand much from us.  (Which we are aware of, and go out of our way as parents to check in with her and make sure she is happy.)  She is happy to do something if it benefits the family.  Poor girl is the sibling stuck sharing a room with Brandon.  She ends up downstairs on a couch at least half the time because Brandon cries alot at night, but she never complains.  I don't think she even thinks it is an inconvenience.  We are so grateful for one easy child.

The biggest strength I see in Magdalen is her capacity to love others.  She makes friends quickly, and her teachers often tell us that they see her finding ways to include all of her classmates.  To Magdalen, everyone is a potential friend, and her classmates feel that friendship and acceptance from her.  She is also extremely loving to me.  She is my child that showers me with hugs and kisses, give me small gifts and drawings often, and leaves notes and hearts on my pillow for me to find.  And unlike the other people that love me unconditionally in spite of my annoying flaws, I don't think Magsy even thinks I have flaws.  And that just makes a mom feel good.  :)  Magsy is also a great example of love and affection to her siblings, and has been (I think) a big part of Bronwyn becoming more affectionate with Todd and me.

Magsy loves dressing pretty and having her hair done.  You can typically find her dressed head to toe in PURPLE!  

Magdalen also put in two entries in the Reflections contest.  Her drawing didn't place, but she got second place in the literature category for a story she wrote about attending her little brother's birth.  We are super proud of her hard work, and loved hearing the birth story from her perspective!

Birth: A Magical Moment

When Brandon was born I felt excited.

I woke up early to go to the hospital.

Grandma took me to the playroom, and I remember drawing when I was bored.

The room was dark, and there was calm music.

I remember my mom trying really hard to get him out.

I remember his head poking out.

The umbilical cord was on his tummy, and I cut off the umbilical cord.

I was excited to cut it!

Brandon was crying.  LOUD!

I really was wanting to hold him.

I was excited to hold him, but he started to cry.

I’m glad I was there.

It was a magical moment.

  

And remember how loving Magsy is?  She now has her FIRST LOVE!  The lucky man is Austin.  He is not only in her first grade class, but lives just around the corner from us!  (we had no idea!)  So now we often walk home with him and his siblings, and have formed quite a posse.  He missed school yesterday because he is sick, and Magdalen just stared at his house when we passed by on our walk home, just hoping he would look out the window or something.  She totally missed him.  Too funny!  Bronwyn hasn't shown any interest in boys yet, and Magsy isn't anywhere close to how boy crazy I was.  So I am happy with things so far.  

She still puts her daddy first though.  :)