We're showered with love!

Dear Maya,

It's been a much lovelier time with you since the last post. You've been behaving like the big girl you are quickly becoming. You say "Can I have ~, please?" instead of "I want ~." You like to bring mommy her Tums. You have entertained yourself with blocks and books for longer periods of time. Thank you so much!

The end of last week mommy treated you to a doughnut date and a trip to the park for being such a good girl at my doctor appointment. The following day when we went to the farm for our share, we got to pick peas for the first time this year. You were so much better at it than last year and we filled our boxes in no time.

On Sunday, mommy's dear friend Charlotte treated her to a manicure and pedicure. Little did I know, while I was gone a lot was happening at home. Aunt Rhi and Uncle Matt planned a 'moon and stars' surprise baby shower for when I returned. Pretty decorations, yummy food, sweet gifts from family, and the biggest surprise of all, Grandma and Poppa Stan drove up from North Carolina to attend! It was such a nice time and mommy was so surprised and happy.

Grandma and Poppa Stan stayed for a couple nights and we got to go out for lunch and to the park with them and your cousin Grace. Baby Grace is also going to gain a sibling later this year and we just found out she'll have a little brother! Yeah! You two will be such great big sisters!

Well, mommy needs her rest! Love you!

Quick Father's Day recap

Dear Maya,

Since this week is hot and busy and mommy's trying to get some things done around the house, here's a quick photo recap of how we spent our Father's Day. We had such a nice day and from your early morning love tackles to your good night kisses, Baba felt very loved indeed.

• Gift-giving: ThrowDough pizza tossing practice thingy, a plate you drew an adorable picture on, and your three choices from the dollar store--cookies, a mini desk lamp and a balloon

 

• A nice walk around a scenic town and a lunch date.

•  Home to plant your sunflower seedlings and wash the cars.

Since mommy's 'pregnancy brain' is in full effect, I'm sure there are more things I'm forgetting to write about. Ah, well. Love you! And Baba, too!

Flowers, Math, and Cousins

Dear Maya,

Not a whole lot of excitement around here lately. We've had some dreary, rainy weather this week and it hasn't done much for your mood or mommy's. Both of us have been kinda cranky and butting heads over the silliest things. Yesterday when mommy got irritated over you having to go to the bathroom 2 bites into dinner even though I'd asked you to go before dinner, you told me I shouldn't get mad. In fact the whole trip to the bathroom and back you lectured me on it. It was so funny I just had to laugh.

 

When the weather has been nice we've spent time outside admiring our flowers. It's amazing how quickly you remember their names and how you notice changes from day to day. When we've been inside you've been working on skills way above your head. Originally we introduced you to the website Starfall.com so you could practice your letters, but you keep finding your way into other parts of the site like multiplication tables and reading a clock. You don't usually get the answers right but you seem to enjoy trying!

We celebrated Aunt Bobbie and Aunt Kelsie's birthday over the weekend, then saw Aunt Kelsie again a few days later when we babysat Baby Grace. Your sweet little cousin is at the age now where she can hold her own and we can tell she looks up to you as she follows and imitates you. Likewise, you seem to be enjoying her company more and more, making her laugh, making sure she doesn't get hurt, and dancing around in circles with her in the living room. You're going to be a good big sister for sure!

Well, mommy's going to go rest. Love you!

We are the champions

Dear Maya,

After last week's post, mommy pulled out our 'sleep bible' and read up on ways to keep you from making multiple trips to the bathroom each night. It worked very quickly, but you are still singing loudly to yourself as I type this, over an hour after we put you in bed. Still that's totally acceptable compared to last week!

Just because we got your bedtime habits back into shape doesn't mean our days are going smoothly, though. You've been very demanding, hyper, noisy, and did I say demanding yet? The beginning of this week was really hot and mommy was struggling with a lack of sleep, swollen and sore hands and joints, and trying to keep us both from getting overheated. Today totally made up for it all, though. Out of the blue you said, "Mama, you are my best friend!" and right then and there I turned to a ball of mush!

Updates on what you love lately: You're still obsessed with your sandbox and Aunt Sue Sue gave you lots of new sand toys and an adorable pair of sunglasses. You also like playing with water and running around playing 'soccer' in the backyard. Your drawings are getting more and more beautiful every day and we only have a handful of letters in the alphabet left for you to learn to write. Oh, and music? We caught you singing "We Are the Champions" in the car the other day, but most often you're busy making up songs. Too cute!

Well, mommy needs her rest! Love you!

Poppies, lilacs and spit?!?

Dear Maya,

As I type this you are either dancing around your room, jumping on your bed, asking to go to the bathroom for the umpteenth time, pulling things off shelves, painting on the window with your own saliva (gross), or doing something else to avoid sleep. It's been like that around here lately.

Pics above and below by Auntie Rhi

Mommy and daddy were getting kind of burnt out and decided to use some credit card rewards on a night away over the weekend. Uncle Matt and Aunt Rhi took very good care of you while we were gone and you were pretty sweet when we got home, but your shenanigans are back tonight. Sigh...

Last week we went to the park one day with your best buddy Wyatt. The two of you spent very little time on the actual playground and most of the time climbing trees, chasing butterflies (and each other) and eating snacks. You guys really are so cute together.

Other than running errands and lots of time spent outside in the sandbox, playing with the hose, and picking flowers, there's not much new to report. As you are so kind as to remind me several times a day while looking at my belly, "the baby's getting bigger" and that means mommy has less energy to play like you want me to. That may be why you're being a bit of a stinker lately, but we have confidence that you will grow to be a good big sister when the time comes. Less than two months now...

We love you, sweetie. Don't you forget it!

Lobster, Family and Fun!

Dear Maya,

Just a quick post tonight . This morning Grandpa and Lori left after a few days visiting us. We had an early birthday celebration for Grandpa including sparkly card and owl by you, maple bacon rum cupcakes by mommy and tons of lobster provided by Grandpa and Lori. What a feast!

 

Yesterday we went to see Grandpa's Aunt Carol. Can you believe she's going to be 97 years old later this year? We had a nice visit although you were a wiggle worm the whole time. That didn't phase Aunt Carol at all, though. She is pretty feisty herself!

Well, mommy's going to rest now. Love you!

P.S. You've been drawing some really cool pictures lately. Whenever we ask what they are, even if they look very much like a flower or a person, you say they aren't. Aunt Rhi taught you the phrase "abstract art" so that's how you've taken to answering. Awesome!