OnE yEaR!

We had Maya's one year pictures and our family pictures taken last week.

Thank you, Mary! {First Expressions in Holmen}  Here's a sneak peek:  

Maya loves her Daddy <3 

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Maya, Happy Birthday to YOU! Maya Grace, we love you sooo much! We cannot believe how fast this year has passed by and how big you are getting!! 

At one year old, you:
Love to clap, wave bye-bye, smile, and talk  {You Say "dada," but not "mama" yet :( } Shake your head "no" and laugh
Dance to music
Reach your arms out to be picked up
Climb on top of things
Love to talk to other kids and babies
Walk all over {but you still crawl faster!}
Give open mouthed kisses
Pat mama on the back when we snuggle
Sleep 10-11 hours at night!
Take two naps a day
Wear 12-18 month clothes
Love to splash in the bathtub
Still nurse in the morning and at night
Have a mouth full of teeth ~ 4 teeth on top, 4 on the bottom and 2 molars
Eat most everything that we eat ~ especially fruits! 
Snuggle with Annie

Maya's Birthday Party!



Fun at the pumpkin patch!



Summer Fun!

We have been sooo enjoying this summer, I've hardly found time to update our blog!  Instead, we've spent time going for family walks, playing in water, visiting family and friends, spending time at Camp Argall, and just enjoying the lazy days of summer!   This last week has been a busy one!!

Last Tuesday, Rob, Maya, and I headed to Red Wing, MN to meet my mom and step-dad to spend a night at Treasure Island Casino. We had a fun time shopping in the gift shop, swimming, touring the casino, eating at the buffet, and spending a little time gambling.  My mom and Mike watched Maya while Rob and I hit the slot machines!  It was a fun little "staycation."   Grandma Mary kept Annie overnight up at the camper. 

On Thursday, Grandma Mary (my mother-in-law) and Sassy (one of her sweet Labs) stopped by to visit us on their way back to Chicago.  We had a nice night relaxing and catching up on our favorite TV shows.

Over the weekend, Rob and I left Maya overnight for the first time so we could enjoy some adult time! We left her with close friends of ours and headed up North to the lake to do some boating, sun-bathing, bean-bagging, and relaxing!  To top off the night, a big storm rolled in and we were able to watch a beautiful "light" show over the lake and hear the rain pouring down.  Rob and I had a nice time, but I definitely couldn't wait to get home to Maya. 

This Monday I began teaching summer school.  Although it is only 4 hours a day, it has been a big adjustment getting up and ready to go bright and early in the morning.  Maya and I had settled into a nice routine of waking up, playing, watching the Today show, and snuggling each morning.  Fortunately, Rob is home and able to take care of Maya while I head out to school.  I have two and  half more weeks of summer school before another short break, then reality sets in.  I'm not ready to even think about that yet!! Just enjoying being a stay at home mom while I can!!  

Maya continues to entertain us on a daily basis.  Here is what my 17 pound, smiley-faced, toothy-mouthed babe is up to at 9 months:

Loves to play with her cousin, Bennett

Loves to stand.... ALL the time!

Loves to read the paper with mama!  (Ok, really she just checks out the sales!)

Loves to feed herself watermelon and other fresh fruit!

Loves to read books!

Loves to eat whatever mom and dad eat! Messy, messy!

Loves to make silly noises and talks all the time!

Loves to SMILE!

We love you sweet girl! 

{8 Months}

At 8 months, Maya...

Weighs 16 pounds
Wears size 3 diapers
Wears 6-9 month clothes
Makes all kinds of noises including screeching and giggling{no "Mama" yet....}
Blows bubbles
Crawls! She's always on the go!   
Pulls herself up in her crib
Claps her hands
Reaches her arms out to mom and dad
Naps great in her crib {finally} 
Tolerates rice cereal and applesauce, but turns her nose up to just about everything else!! {We're working on this ;)  }

 

I am just LOVING playing "stay at home mom" while on my summer vacation!

Fun in the Sun!

We haven't wasted any time getting down to business this summer :)  Here's what we've been up to since school ended. 

We got Maya a new swimming pool.  She loves it! 

We also spent a week in Chicago visiting Rob's family while his mom was on vacation from work!  We did some shopping, relaxing, eating, playing games, and spending time together.  We celebrated our 2 year anniversary while we were there!  Maya stayed with Grandma and Grandpa while Rob and I went to dinner and a movie.  We haven't done that in forever!  Naturally, we were home before her bedtime, but really enjoyed our night together.  We took a family picture before heading out for our date!

Here's to enjoying every moment we are able to spend as a family this summer while both Rob and I are off of work! 

Spring Fun!

Maya's 6 month milestone came and went, as did Easter, Spring Break, Mother's Day, and Rob's shoulder surgery.  I keep writing posts in my head, but never get them down in writing! 



Rob had shoulder surgery at the beginning of April.  As a result of his surgery, he had to wear a brace that "immobalized" his entire right arm for 6 weeks!  Yuck!  Thankfully, his mom, Mary, came to stay with us for a week to help take care of Rob and Maya while I was at work.  It was great to have her here to spend time with!  Maya loved spending time with her Grandma Mary!  (So did Annie!) The next week I was home all week on Spring Break.  It was wonderful being home, but difficult keeping up with everything since Rob was so limited in what he could do.  Not much!  For the next two weeks, my mom and dad split up the week and came down to help.  It was wonderful having them here as well.  We enjoyed their company and Maya was spoiled by her Grandma Sue and Grandpa Bob!  Since then Rob has been caring for Maya on his own.  We are so lucky to have such supportive familiy!  Thank you Mom, Dad, and Mary for rearranging your lives to help take care of us!!  



Maya is 7 months old today!  I can't believe that she is now closer to one year than she is to being a newborn!  She is becoming such a big girl with such a fun personality!



Big Smile!

At 7 months, Maya:

• Weighs ~ 15 pounds
• Wears size 2 diapers
• Wears 6 month clothes
• Says "dadada," "bababa," "wawawa," and "gagaga"
• Has two bottom teeth
• Has had her first ear infection
• Eats rice cereal, applesauce, sweet potatoes, banana, and peas so far (but does not love any of them!)  She prefers her breast milk! 
• Rocks back and forth on her hands and knees
• Scoots backwards, but not forwards
• Loves to jump in her Jumperoo
• Loves her exersaucer ~ Thanks Grandma Sue for your great garage sale find!!
• Sits independently ~ still a little bit wobbly at times
• Grabs EVERYTHING!

We are just having so much fun with Maya, enjoying every milestone.  I have 2 1/2 weeks left of school and I am so excited for summer vacation.  I'm looking forward to all the things Rob, Maya, and I can do together this summer as a "stay at home mom!"  Maya has brought so much joy to our lives.  Being a parent is more fulfilling than either Rob or I could have ever imagined. 







 

Maya's first time eating rice cereal! Messy face :p





Maya in her Easter dress





Happy Girl!

Maya opening her Easter gift from Grandma and Grandpa :)

Daddy and Maya snuggle time post~surgery



5 Months Old!

At five months, Maya:

Weighs 13 pounds

Wears size 2 diapers

Has moved into 6 month clothes

Says "dadadadada" and "gagagaga" all day long :)

Gives open-mouthed "kisses"

Pulls mama's hair

Smiles ALL the time

Likes to reach out to anything in front of her

Shakes toys, sometimes hitting herself in the head

Flips from back to her belly and "scoots" in circles

Eats her toes

Caution: Cliches ahead!!

It seems that each stage of Maya's growth and development just continues to be more and more fun.  Just when I think being a mama can't get any better, it does!  Maya continues to amaze us as she grows and picks up on new things quickly.  I wish I could just freeze time for a little bit! ;)

And... the post wouldn't be complete without a little 5 month photo shoot!