Here comes Santa Claus!

Dear Maya,

It's been another busy, Christmassy week around here.

You attended your first Christmas party at daddy's boss' house on Saturday night. After a short while being shy and sitting on mommy's lap, you warmed up to everyone and started running around like you owned the place. You got to try your first red bell pepper, Brussels sprouts and some pineapple and you loved them all. Aside from falling into the Christmas tree comically and getting just a little bit whiny when it got to be past your bedtime, you were very well-behaved and everyone loved you.

On Sunday you got to meet Santa Claus at a local nursery! We were so lucky that there were very few children there so we didn't have to wait long to meet him. At first you cried a little when mommy went to put you on his lap, but when I sat down next to him with you on my lap, you were just fine. He got one tiny little smile out of you when he tickled your belly, but the rest of the time you were straight-faced, even when he put his jingle bells on your shoe! Santa told mommy not to blink because you'll be all grown up before we know it. Tell me about it--you're almost one already!

At the nursery there was also a hallway filled with fun displays like robotic elves and lit up reindeer, but you didn't seem too impressed. Outside they even had some goats, chickens and an alpaca, too, but nothing got much of a reaction from you. I guess you were still recovering from staying out late partying the night before!

Last night mommy finally got around to doing something she had been meaning to do for a couple of weeks--making you your own little mini Christmas tree. We have a sad little artificial tree we weren't using, and the top section of it was the perfect size for you. Mommy anchored it in an oatmeal container (Uncle Matt's idea) disguised with white tissue paper. Add some lights, unbreakable ornaments like jingle bells and your Santa hat that you don't like wearing and, voila! A tree just for you!

Well, there are cards to be written and presents to be wrapped, so mommy is going to sign off for tonight. Love you!

Your nose gets a-chillin'

a silly outtake from our Christmas card photo shoot

Dear Maya,

It has been a week full of wonderful winter-y Christmas-y fun with you, my dear.

On Thursday morning when we woke up there were a couple inches of snow on the ground. It was the perfect chance to try out your new snowsuit and your mittens. You didn't mind them as much as mommy thought you would, probably because you were too busy trying to eat the snow again! Mommy made a snowman just about your size and at first you didn't seem interested, but then you helped put his arm on (after taking it off a couple times) and even patted him on the head.

On Saturday we went with Auntie Rhi and Uncle Matt to cut down our Christmas tree. It was so, so, cold! Your mittens were in the wash and you wouldn't keep your gloves on, so daddy wrapped you tightly in a blanket with your hood up and snuggled you until we could find a tree and cut it down. We decorated it after putting you to bed that night, and every time you've seen it since, you've been drawn to the glittery ornaments like you were last week with the other tree. We just wish you'd stop trying to lick the glitter off of them!

This morning Santa Claus brought your first presents--a new crib and pretty bedding from mommy and daddy with a new crib mattress from Grandma and Poppa Stan! Auntie Rhi helped mommy put it all together this afternoon and when we put you in it you jumped around so excitedly. And when we asked, "Do you like it?" you quite clearly answered us, "Like it!" You brought tears to mommy's eyes. Unfortunately tonight when we put you down to sleep in it the first time you cried for a little while, but you'll get used to it soon hopefully.

And finally, the weekly foods-you-eat update. This week we went to the library's Mother Goose holiday party, and you ate your first baked sweet--a mini blueberry muffin! Since then you've also had blueberries in your morning oatmeal, some homemade bread daddy made into a sort of stuffing for you, and mommy's homemade chicken rice soup with onion, carrots, celery and radish (those last two were new to you). We also finally got you some good sippy cups that don't leak, but you're not drinking from them well just yet.

Well, mommy needs some shuteye in case you don't sleep well in your new bed. Love you!

What child is this?

Dear Maya,

December has arrived! Your first Christmas and first birthday are almost here! When did that happen?!?

"Daddy, keep that shampoo out of my eyes, kay?"

Lately it's been a bit busy around here but you pretty much go with the flow--like when you're in the kitchen you do get under our feet but sometimes you also help close the cabinet and refrigerator doors. Mommy would rather you not close them while she is trying to get something out, but it's sweet you're trying to help.

"I'm gonna borrow your car for a bit, okay Aunt Kelsie?"

Speaking of the kitchen, your appetite has certainly increased in the last two weeks. It seems Thanksgiving awakened you to the idea of eating a lot and you're not turning back. We can hardly turn around after filling your tray or feeding you a bite and you're ready for more. You now eat soy beans, tofu and you love nori.

"Ready for nap time, mommy"

Your personality is really shining lately, too. Tonight at the dinner table we adults were all having a lively conversation and it was as if you were interjecting your thoughts, too, in the form of joyful shouts and breathy giggles. You have such an adorable sense of humor. Also, a new phrase you repeat quite often is "good girl," and mommy swears she even heard you say it the other day after hearing the Japanese equivalent, "oriko." Could it be that you are simultaneously translating already?

"What's that big thing in the dining room?" *rubs eyes*

Today mommy and Auntie Rhi set up a Christmas tree in the dining room while you were napping, and you seemed a little confused but amused when you woke up. You didn't quite help us with the decorating--actually you kept taking all the glitter ornaments back off the tree--but it was fun to watch you run around and enjoy the process. This weekend we're going to get a real tree and decorate it with more traditional decorations and colors, but for today we used these cool, modern colors to make a fun tree.

"So this stuff gets hung on that tree there? Sounds easy enough"

"I'll just untangle these beads here for ya"

"Here--you guys hang this up and I'll supervise"

Well, mommy needs to finish up and get some sleep. You've been getting up at 4:30 every morning lately so our days start very early. We've got a new idea we're trying out starting tomorrow, though. Hopefully we can help convince you to stay in bed at least until 5:00... Sigh...

Love you!

We are so thankful...

Dear Maya,

This week was your first Thanksgiving.

The busyness started last Saturday with a visit to your great-grandparents, then a long day of food shopping in five different stores. You were well-behaved, as always, until we got home. While we were busy putting the groceries away you very quietly pulled all the tissues out of a box. It was pretty funny, actually.

with Grandma

On Tuesday your Grandma and Papa Stan arrived from North Carolina with their dog, Tessa. They brought you a Cabbage Patch Kid and an adorable elephant toy that shoots balls out of his nose. You aren't too crazy about your new doll yet but you figured out how to turn the elephant switch on pretty quickly.

with mommy and daddy

Mommy and daddy spent a large part of Wednesday in the kitchen preparing food for Thanksgiving and other meals. You hung out in the other room with Grandma and Stan and the dog, chattering and laughing and happy as a clam. At the time it seemed you were taking all this extra attention and activity in stride.

the whole gang (with mommy taking the picture)

Thursday we had our big meal in the evening. Auntie Rhi was taking care of the turkey so mommy and daddy weren't in the kitchen quite as much. We paid more attention to you but still you decided you weren't tired and cried through your entire morning nap time. We were worried the rest of the day would be difficult.

eating your first turkey!

spitting out your first turkey!
you didn't like the texture no matter how small it was cut up or what it was mixed with
but when mommy pureed it with some pears today you finally ate it all up!

You weren't yourself on Thanksgiving and still haven't completely recovered. But, considering all of the extra stimuli what with lots of people, new toys, new foods, and a dog, you were pretty good. It was actually really good practice for a couple of big days we have coming up next month--Christmas and your 1st birthday!

opening and closing doors is your new hobby, especially closing them

We have so much to be thankful for in you--a sweet, fun, easygoing, loving, smart, strong and adorable little girl.
Love you!

Attack of the doppelgangers...

Maya doppelganger #1: Laa Laa

Dear Maya,
Well, this week's post is going to be brief. We haven't even gotten to take any photos of you this week. I think that's a first! Mommy even forgot to take a picture of you with your Aunt Bobbie when we went on a road trip to visit her at college on Tuesday.

Maya doppelganger #2: Italian actor Salvatore Cascio in the movie "Cinema Paradiso"

It seems that you have yet to recover from skipping your naps that day, because you've been cranky for two days straight. We understand--babies have off days, too. It's just that it's so rare for you to be this difficult, and so you've spoiled us. We need to remember that.

Maya doppelganger #3: Japanese candy-maker Fujiya's mascot, Peko-chan

You've been really hungry, too. Perhaps it's a growth spurt, or maybe you're just excited that you get more finger foods these days. You got to practice picking up edamame this week and had your first corn, too. Every day now you get at least one snack in addition to your three meals, if not two.

Maya doppelganger #4: Let's Go Fishin' game fish

Well, mommy's going to go sign off and enjoy some TV time with daddy. Here's looking forward to a visit with your great-grandparents on Saturday, the arrival of Grandma and Poppa Stan on Tuesday, and watching you eat your first turkey on your first Thanksgiving! Things are going to start looking up, I know it!

Love you!

Maya doppelganger #5: The dramatic chipmunk/prairie dog

Shorter days, shorter nights?

Dear Miss Maya,

You are learning and growing in leaps and bounds. Lately mommy and daddy say to each other every day how smart, sweet and funny you are and how very very happy we are that you are in our lives.

This week you've finally mastered the art of hand clapping! You can make a sound when you do it and you sort of know when it's appropriate. Well, sometimes you do it just so that we will clap for you, but still...

Much to mommy's chagrin, your other new talent this week is clicking the button on the laptop to start and stop YouTube videos. We only occasionally use it to play songs for you, which now takes twice as long. :)

This week has been hard on mommy and daddy because it took you quite a while to adjust to the time change. Finally this morning you slept until 5:40 after days ranging from 3:00 onward. Thank goodness!

It probably didn't help your sleeping schedule that you got a flu shot at the beginning of the week. As always, you only cried for about 5 seconds and stopped as soon as mommy picked you up. You're such a strong girl!

Surprisingly, this week's other development did not affect your sleep. The night before last you went to bed with three teeth and woke up in the morning with four! Wouldn't it be nice if the rest came in that way, too?

Thank goodness for more teeth as they allow you to add more textures to your diet! This week you had your first bok choy at home and your first animal crackers at the library's mommy-and-me program. Yum!

Well, mommy needs to get some shuteye as we have a pretty busy couple of days coming up. We love you so so much and can't wait to see what you've got in store for tomorrow!