Sugar, spice, crazy, nice

Dear Maya,

We've had such an active week around here that it's felt like more than seven days since my last update. We enjoyed our time with Grandma and Papa Stan last week and you were so well-behaved and sweet. I'm sure it was sad to see them leave on Wednesday morning, but little did you know who else was leaving that day...

Mommy! Yup, it was my first night ever away from you. Aunt Bobbie was in an opera at college so I drove a couple hours to see it, then spent the night at a hotel with her, Grandma, and Papa Stan as it was too late to drive home. I came in the next morning after less than a day away from you and your first reaction was...

Non-existent! You've become such an independent little thing lately. When you want to be held or nursed or fed you certainly let us know, but you're just as happy running around the house, making messes and generally exploring. Why just tonight when mommy got home from work you came to the door with two handfuls of...

Chocolate! We have lots of Valentines sweets around here and you managed to tip over a bowl we didn't think you could reach (ha ha!) and get a good mouthful or so of these chocolates mommy made before anyone knew it. We'll be keeping the red velvet cupcakes away from you but I guess you can have some of...

Auntie Rhi's heart cookies! Why not? You also had your first taste of fortune cookies the other day. We may have introduced more new foods to you this week than any other so far: you've had tortillas, eggs and Papa Stan's grilled salmon, too. Maybe all these new forms of protein can help explain the reason you've been so...

Hyper! Every night after dinner you've been so crazy and funny. You run around doing silly things with your toys or putting towels or scarves on your head, completely cracking us all up with your antics. Sometimes you even get a kick out of yourself, too, throwing your head back with laughter or shouting what sounds like...

"Oh my god!" And that's what mommy and daddy thought when they first looked at the clock this morning. After months of averaging a 4:30 start (ranging from 3:15 to 5:45), we're getting close to a more normal waking hour. Although you fussed a couple times around midnight and 4:30, this morning you got up at 6:30.
Hallelujah!

Well, mommy's getting tired. Sleep well, little one. Love you!!!