Who ya gonna call?

Dear Maya and Emi,

I can feel anticipation humming in the air around us, like we're about to skip a flat rock over the water's surface, imagining the first few wide jumps that give way to more and more that come faster and closer together. The end of October kicks off two months of a whole lotta special as we gear up to celebrate calendar holidays, family visits, fun times with friends, new baby firsts, and it will all culminate with a big girl's fourth birthday that mommy is already looking forward to.

 

Okay, back to this week. We went to pick our pumpkins at the Merwin Farm Stand the other day and ran into the whole gang. Maya, you and Wyatt were so happy to see each other for the first time in a while and took up teasing each other and playing together right where you had left off.

 

We also celebrated Uncle Matt's birthday the other day. Auntie Rhi made 3 awesome dice-themed chocolate desserts to follow a yummy dinner. Maya, we let you pick 3 gifts at the dollar store again and you chose a light stick necklace, a set of 3 spring clips (reminiscent of the chip bag clips you got for his birthday last year and Rhi's birthday as well) and a bunch of fake rubbery grapes that you managed to break a little before wrapping. Lovely.

And, of course, this week is Halloween! Maya, mommy started asking you a couple months ago what costume you wanted and at first you changed your mind each time. After a while you settled on an easy one--a ghost! Mommy looked at some different DIY ideas online to meet your "pretty" and "spooky" criteria. When we went to the library story hour in costume the other day, you were mistaken for a bride, but worry not--your makeup will be spookier on Halloween night.

Mommy had a eureka moment when trying to decide what your costume should be, Emi, thanks to a khaki dress with red trim from when Maya was little. A quick iron-on patch order from the internet and one DIY proton pack later, and you are the cutest little Ghostbuster we ever did see!

 

See you next skip of the rock! Love you two!

Purple zebra, baby bear

Dear Maya and Emi,
We've had another rough and rewarding week with you two. Rough in trying to figure out how to get everyone the proper amount of sleep, food, and attention at the proper times. Rewarding in that you're both so sweet, lovable, and adorable in so many ways.

We came up with a 'backup' costume one night thanks to
a few pipe cleaners, several hair ties, and your purple zebra PJs.

Maya, you've been such a rockstar lately. You always clear your plate from the table after breakfast and lunch. You try to keep quiet when Emi's sleeping or not quite sleeping, which is more often the case. You try to say "please" and "thank you" and "excuse me" when you should. You are always kind and sweet to Emi, especially when you first see her in the morning or after your nap. You've been really understanding about how mommy and daddy are twice as busy. We're so proud of you!

Yay! I'm THREE MONTHS OLD!!!

Just LOOK at how my muscles are developing!

This is my pretty blanket from Auntie Rhi that I like to stretch out on.

And this is an outfit I inherited from my awesome big sister, Maya.

Cute, huh?

Emi, you've been giggling and smiling a lot more lately. Mommy loves to give you tickly kisses on your neck, especially when changing your diaper, as it always gets you laughing. And you've been more chatty, too, even one time this week at 3 or 4am you decided to start a one-sided conversation in your breathy little voice. Unfortunately we've had some hiccups in your nighttime sleep in the last week, but daddy has helped get us back on track in the last 24 hours so all fingers are crossed!

Looking forward to lots of fun to come in the next couple weeks. Love you two!

Soda bubbles, baby giggles

Dear Maya and Emi,

At the risk of starting yet another blog post saying so, where has this week gone? How did we spend our days? It's hard to remember! It's a good thing mommy sits down to write this once a week or the months and even years would probably feel as if they were passing even faster than they do now.

Maya, in between the consignment sale mommy was involved with last weekend, you and I managed to squeeze in a date one afternoon. Our town was having a pumpkin festival so we walked around, but you were too shy to participate in any of the activities. You were much more content to sit down with your first bottle of orange soda and do some people watching, then hit the park to climb your favorite tree, then stomp through the falling leaves on our walk back home. We had a lovely time.

We also went to the firehouse with the library story hour group this past week. Maya, this was your second time and you were the first one to climb into both the ambulance and the fire truck. When the fireman came out with his hat to let everyone try it on, you were not so anxious to volunteer, though.

Emi, you are coming into your own now. When we put you in your chair you like to watch the world around you and chew your fingers. When we put you on Maya's old 'baby gym' you gaze at your reflection in the attached mirror and try to eat the ladybug toy. When we tickle you your laugh is contagious! You're becoming more curious and independent, which may be why last night and tonight you gave us quite a hard time when we put you down to bed. You don't want the fun to stop!

Well, mommy's going to get some rest. Love you two!