Arms and Legs

Oh how I love summer, when I have constant access to Maya's chubby legs and sweet arms. This weekend it was hot. I mean, really, really hot. We were on our own on Saturday, as Kevin was on call, but then we had a great Sunday, and spent most of it outside. I have a lot of photos... The thing is, Kevin is going away tomorrow through Sunday, and he's taking the camera, so I'm going to try and make the photos from this weekend last all week. This will not be an easy feat, since I want to post them all right now. Anyway, yesterday, Maya and I went for a walk in the morning, so Kevin could nap (he had a rough night of call), and then, after nap time, we decided to go to a kite festival at Forest Park. Funny thing - we got to the park and followed the huge line of cars, and just parked where everyone else was parked. We didn't see any kites though! Instead, we found a giant Earth Day Festival. It was hippies galore. Seriously. Anyway, we parked the stroller in a field near the festivities, and flew a kite for a while, and just relaxed. We didn't feel like walking all the way to the Kite Festival, which was pretty far from where we parked. We had a great time, and I have a lovely sunburn, just to prove it.

We had a fun night, too. I'm not going to tell you what we did though, because I want to be able to post again tomorrow, and show you all the photos. I'm going to keep you guessing...

"Mommy, when will I get my turn to fly the kite?"

"Um, hello?! Is anyone going to come get me, or are you just going to leave me standing here?"

"See my belly?"

"Every day is more fun when Daddy is home."

"Did I ever tell you about my favorite kitchen drawer? It's got a huge array of cups, bowls, and bottles. I love me some plastic stuff."

We're Working on it!

We've been practicing walking for a while now, and I definitely think Maya is getting much better. She's now walking while holding onto one finger or hand, and she can take up to 3 or 4 steps on her own. She also stands independently, and seems very confident. So what's the hold up? Well, I guess she just isn't quite ready. Maybe it's her itty bitty feet, or her lack of confidence, or the fact that she simply loves holding hands... but any way you slice it, she's just not there yet. Here she is, practicing with Kevin. As you can see, she's quite the navigator.

If you're Looking for a Playground...

...come to St. Louis! We have some of the best parks and playgrounds around. We are going to be so sad to leave this area, since it's so kid friendly. This morning we paid a visit to Crestwood Park. It was our first time, and we had a lot of fun. Maya loves the swings, and could stay on them for hours. Kevin got on the swing next to her for about 2 minutes before he was too motion sick to continue. Ah, the pleasures of youth.
"Daddy might get motion sick, but I feel just fine."

"Daddy and I practiced walking at the park this morning."

"Push me again, Mommy!"

"Can I have my sunglasses, please?"

"Just kidding. I don't even have sunglasses!"

Here's a Quick Video

What?! Two posts in one day? I never do this anymore! Well, she has a new trick, so I thought I'd share. We read this book, called "The Going to Bed Book," and there's a page that says, "They take a bath in one big tub, with soap all over, scrub scrub scrub." So as we read it, we rub Maya's belly while we say "Scrub scrub scrub." She scrubs on command now!

10,000!

We finally hit 10,000 visitors to our site! You're probably thinking that's not so much - especially if you are Aunt Nora or Grammy, and you check 15 times a day - but it actually only counts you if you turn your computer off and on again... so, actually, 10,000 is pretty darn good! Especially since I only started the counter in December! Next stop, 20,000! Okay, so I'm the only one who cares about this.

On to more interesting things. Hmmm... Maya is getting closer and closer to walking every day. Today she took 3 steps on her own, and then a couple more individual steps when we practiced outside on the sidewalk. She's got teeny tiny feet, so it can't be easy for her to balance. I can't wait to see her walking. I know, I know - once they start walking, you have to chase them everywhere... blah blah blah. I don't care. I still can't wait!
"Whoa. Close talker, Mommy."

"I've been working on perfecting my fish face. I'll show you once I have it down. For now, you just get my slightly sucked in upper lip."

"I don't usually have fun on the changing table, but Mommy is cracking jokes today."

"This is me, just waking up from a nap. I love it when Mommy comes to get me."

"Lunch was pretty good today - a chicken nugget, black bean pancakes, and green beans. Yum."

Home Again.

Sorry to leave you in suspense. We are back in St. Louis again, and Maya is thrilled to be back with her daddy. We had a great time in Connecticut, and we can't wait to move back there, but there's nothing like sleeping in your own crib... or bed... whichever. Anyway, we are getting ourselves readjusted, little by little, while at the same time, we are also getting ready to move out...

"I spent my last day in Connecticut, at the park with Aryella, Jaden, and Juju. Aryella and I are almost the same age. I can't wait until we can play together more often."

"Good hugs, Aryella. I love cuddles."

"Sleepy guy is back! I like to play with his eyebrows, while he sleeps. He doesn't mind. He has the Snuggie - that's all he cares about after a night of being on call."

"Mommy, how do I wake this guy up?"

"There's nothing like my tubby at home. Grammy and Grampy's tubby is a close second though."

Winding Down...

Well, our trip to Connecticut is almost over, but it's been wonderful. Maya has seen a lot of friends and family, and I know she's going to miss everyone when we go back to St. Louis on Saturday. That being said, Maya definitely misses her daddy, and will be so happy to see him. Want to know some fun current events? Well, first of all, we sold our house, which is the best news of all. Then, we found a great rental for next year in New Hampshire, so we're also excited about that, too. We'll be moving from St. Louis in the middle of June, so we really only have 2 months when we get back. I'll have to give Maya lots of playtime with her friends when we get back!

"Tyson has some great toys. Thanks for sharing, Cuz!"

"Now this is cool. This car has sides, so I can't even fall out!"

"Tyson is one week younger than me. I'm much older and wiser."

"This is my choo-choo train. I'm getting big enough to ride on it."

"Believe it or not, I can actually get off this thing on my own."

Super Pony

Why can't we get enough of this pony?

Clippety-Clop

Grampy bought Maya this little pony. It sings a song that sounds like an old scratchy record, and the mouth actually moves. We have a similar one at home, that's bigger, but doesn't sing. So, the thing is, Maya likes it, and actually holds on and rocks back and forth - but I honestly don't think she likes it as much as Grampy and me. We simply cannot stop singing the "Clippety-Clop" song. It's addictive. You'd sing it too. Really.
"Can I get on my pony after dinner?"

"All you have to do is pinch the ears, and it sings!"

"Now this is good times."

A Non-Rhyming Poem

Ode to an Old Canon...

Oh camera, you have been so good to me
But alas, your time has come
Your battery no longer holds a charge
And I hate the words "Change Battery Pack"

So I will soon have to send you on your way
For your vacation photos have been oh so pathetic
The blog will miss your photos
But we will survive

A new camera will soon follow
And will take your place
You will become a thing of the past
I will always remember you, old friend
When I change the battery pack

"Grammy and Grampy's house is fun!"

"This is high chair is way better than my high chair at home. Food remains the same though..."

"I've been trying to climb the stairs all week. I get halfway, and then I regret my decision to start, because suddenly I get stuck in the middle."

"This is my new friend, Cal. He's a cutie, huh?"

"Grammy made a birthday cake for me. It's even Kosher for Passover! Can you believe the talent??!"

Been Busy.

We are leaving tomorrow for our big trip to Connecticut, to visit Grammy and Grampy. Kevin isn't coming with us, because he has to work, but we'll be staying a whopping 9 days! I'm really excited for Maya to see her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This will be the first time they will see her, since she turned 1! Anyway, we've been getting ready, packing, doing laundry, cleaning, and showing the house a lot this week. We're exhausted! Anyway, I'm sorry I've been slacking on my blogging these past few days. I have to admit, my blogging laziness may continue while I'm in Connecticut, since I won't have my own computer. Is that a good excuse? You think?

"You can tell this photo is taken after dinner, because my hair is out of control!"

"Hi."

"Alex, you are tall!"

"Is it tubby time yet, or am I naked for no reason?"

"This is my mommy. She's the best."

High Five!

Isn't it funny, how all little kids know the expression "high five"? Maya loves giving high fives. Actually, she doesn't really give, per se, but she receives them very happily. She basically just holds up her hand when we say, "Gimme a high five!" Anyway, Alex is a good teacher, don't you think?

What's up with this Weather?!

"Just looking around."





"Go Daddy, go!"














We had quite a busy weekend... well, sort of. On Saturday, we had 3 hours of showings, but Kevin was in Kansas City for a conference, so Maya and I were on our own to clean and get out of the house for a few hours. Then, on Sunday, we had an open house, and Kevin had to work (boooo, hisssss), so we had to get out again! Oy. It was a bunch of craziness. All was well though. There was some interest in the house, so it was all worth it!

Anyway, the weather is bizarre. We've had a couple of weeks of beautiful weather, and today, it's snowing and cold. Blah. Oh well. We are going to Connecticut later this week, so hopefully it'll be nice out for our trip. Here are some photos of Maya in the beautiful weather of last week.

"We are at Tilles Park. It's a handicap accessible park, sponsored by St. Lou Children's Hospital. It's really nice here. Why didn't we find this earlier in my life?"

"Sometimes I smile with my mouth closed - just like Daddy!"

"Whoaaaa! That was a big push, Daddy!"

"Mommy, this is fun, but when will I get to use the big girl swings?"

"I wish Mommy could fit into this swing with me. That would be double the fun."

"This piano is my favorite present - but only because it's from Mommy and Daddy."

The Third Wheel

Okay, so I know I've said it before, but now I'm sure of it - the third tooth has officially broken the surface! I'm sure the fourth isn't far behind. This one is the top, front, right tooth. Maya woke up screaming at 11:30 last night - I'm guessing she was hurting. This morning she was trying to open a bag of frozen veggies with her teeth. Must feel good, you know? Teething is not for sissies.
"Okay, Mom. Do you have the shopping list? Let's go."

"Glad we bought all these new vegetables. Who knew I'd like cauliflower?"

"When I put these on, Nashy called me a rabbit. Heehee. Silly boy."

"Brooke, Nash, Margot, Mommy, and I went to story time at Pottery Barn Kids. Look at me, listening like a big girl!"

"I know you can't see my third tooth yet, but don't my 2 bottom teeth look exceptionally clean? We've been brushing them to keep them squeaky clean. Kinda like how Mommy polishes my shoes."