Thursday, April 28, 2011

So long, Peter Cottontail




Dear Maya,

We celebrated your first Easter this past weekend and it was a really, really wonderful day.  We got you all dolled up in a pink dress from the ThredUp swap site, cute shoes mommy got from a patient at her old job, a headband mommy made, and would it be Easter without white tights?!?  





It was really warm so we didn't even have to cover up your pretty dress with a sweater or coat, and though it did rain, we were able to take some photos with you outside where there is finally some green!
 
 



We went to your great-grandparents' house first, and you got lots of love from everyone there:

Uncle Carl

Aunt Sue

Great-grammy

Poppy

Aunt Bobbie


After filling ourselves with yummy food and opening some cute outfits that Great-grammy gave you, we headed to Grandma and Poppa Stan's house for round 2, where you were loved up by:

Grandma

Aunt Rhi and Uncle Matt

Aunt Kelsie's boyfriend Shawn

And mommy made some springy gifts and treats for everyone:





 And Grandma had some gifts for you, too--your first Easter basket and your first baby doll:



Then we headed back home where we had a few Easter decorations up:




The four days since Easter you've been practicing rolling over an awful lot, meaning that you've pretty much been in this position every time we turn around:



Actually, no, you've often been in this position, hoping we will come help you get your arm out:



Unfortunately you've not been sleeping well at all these past few nights and mommy and daddy are pretty exhausted and frustrated.  We hope you'll forgive us not knowing quite what to do--though we've both had experience with babies, it's our first time as actual parents and we're bound to make plenty of mistakes. But one thing will not change no matter how many tears are shed in the night (by you and by mommy!) and that is that we love you very much, little bunny.



Love you!

P.S.

These two guys showed up right outside our window
the day before Easter, as if to say "Ha ha--It's not our holiday"

Competing for their lady love

Saturday, April 23, 2011

A week of firsts


photo by Auntie Sam
 Dear Maya,

Another late post due to another very busy week.  You have had so many new experiences to write about, and mommy's had a few herself, too.  It's been quite a whirlwind (pun intended, read on to find out why) so we're just going to have to go for bullet points as an organizational method for this one:

*Your first road trip:  Clare, Sam and mommy took you to North Carolina for a week.  We left last Friday morning and got home Thursday.  We gave ourselves two days to get there and two to get back so you wouldn't be stuck in the car a terribly long time any one day (at least that was the plan...)

photo by Auntie Sam


 *Your first hotel stay:  We stayed in the same hotel on the way to and from North Carolina.  You got to sleep with mommy in a big queen bed and now that we're home it seems you want to continue sleeping with me.  Sorry, but that's not going to happen.  Mommy needs sleep, too, you know.



*Your first tornadoes/thunderstorms/rainbows:  On our second day we were just about to enter North Carolina when we heard from a gas station attendant that there were tornadoes in the area. We listened to the radio and heard reports of twisters southwest of us, exactly where we were going, headed northeast, in our direction!  Mommy got very worried and decided to stop the car in a Wal-Mart parking lot and wait a while to see how things panned out.  A huge storm passed over us, leaving the parking lot sitting in 2 inches of rain, and we could see the sun at one point when we were in its eye.  After the rain stopped and the radio reported the tornadoes had moved out of the area, we got back on the road.  As we traveled down I-95, we saw strange bright orange sunlight to the west and  to the east were dark grey clouds with the most unbelievable lightning show mommy's ever seen.  There were flashes upon flashes for hours, punctuated with two beautiful rainbows.  We felt safe that the tornadoes were far from us if they had even come close to us at all.  Then we hit the mother of all traffic jams and, after going about 2 miles in 3 hours, finally reached an exit we could use.  Getting off I-95 didn't make matters much easier, though, as our detour took us to 2 road blocks and 3 blacked out towns with no traffic lights.  We finally had to flag down a policeman to ask the best route and, perhaps because you were crying loudly by then, he escorted us partway.  By the time we reached Grandpa and Theresa's house it was midnight and we'd been traveling for 14 long hours!

photo by Auntie Sam
    
    
*Your first visit to Grandpa and Grammy Theresa's house:  You got to see Grandpa for the first time since the week you were born and finally got to meet Grammy Theresa, Aunt Nikki and cousin Landen.  You enjoyed spending the day hanging out with everyone on Sunday, getting lots of love.



*Your first outlet shopping experience: On our second day, Grammy Theresa took us to the outlet village to do some shopping.  Mommy's willpower of last week was destroyed by the sales at the Carter's store and by proximity to Grammy.  You now have a seriously cute summer wardrobe!



*Your first (several) times at restaurants: We took you to a variety of restaurants during our trip and you were oohed and aahed at by customers and staff alike.  You had a bit of a crying spell at a few places but we managed to keep you entertained by playing with ice cubes, sunglasses, silverware, etc.



*Your first beach day and dip in the ocean:  On our third day, we went to the beach!  It was really hot as we drove there but the strong winds on the beach cooled us down, even if they were a bit too strong.  Your feet touched saltwater for the first time and you seemed confused, but not upset by it.

photo by Auntie Clare



the sand and sun REALLY tired you out--this is how you looked the entire ride home
On Wednesday morning we left Grandpa's after some last minute snuggles.  Hopefully you will get to see them again soon.  The two-day drive back to New York was much less eventful and we arrived before the sun set on Thursday evening.  Daddy was so happy to see you after a lonely week at home.

On Friday we spent some final quality time with Aunties Clare and Sam before seeing them off at the train station in the evening.  We were all so sad to see them go, but we had a great time.  Hopefully you will get to go visit them in London and Melbourne next!



Oh, yeah.  You had one more 'first' to report.  Last night mommy and daddy put you on the floor on the quilt Auntie Sam made for you and watched you wiggle around until...yes...you rolled over for the first time!!!  You're mobile now--world, watch out!


Love you!

photo by Auntie Clare

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Your busiest week yet

Dear Maya,

This post is a couple of days late, but there's just been so much going on.  The week started off with your 3-month checkup at the pediatrician which went well.  You're now 15 pounds, 2 ounces and 26 inches long.  That day was your daddy's birthday so we walked around Red Hook and picked up a couple of little treats for him after your appointment.  That night we went to Grandma and Papa Stan's house for a birthday party.


On Sunday night your Auntie Sam was supposed to arrive from Australia, but due to flight cancellations and delays, she didn't arrive until Monday morning.  Since she's been here you've been enjoying your time with her so much.  She makes you laugh like no other with her energetic nature and funny games and songs.  It's sweet how quickly you've taken to her even though you only knew her through webcam chats before now.

  
Tuesday and Wednesday we spent shopping with Auntie Sam and while you were very well-behaved, mommy had to be dragged out of the baby clothes sections of various stores.  On Thursday we went over to Grandma and Papa Stan's house where we colored Easter eggs with Aunt Bobbie, Aunt Rhi and Uncle Matt while Auntie Kelsie practiced her hairdressing skills on Auntie Sam and mommy.  You got lots of loving.







photo by Auntie Sam



Afterwards we went to the train station to pick up Auntie Clare who'd just flown in from London.  You were home with daddy and didn't get to see her until the next morning when we set off to visit Grandpa in North Carolina where we are now.  The trip down here was eventful to say the least, but mommy is too drained to go into that now so she will write about it next week.  Suffice it to say it's great to be here in one piece!

Love you!