Wii for Babies - February 15

We had a relaxing day for Presidents Day. It is always nice to be home as a family, get stuff done, and play a little. Chuck came for a visit. While Dan and Chuck played Wii, Maya made up her own Wii game going in between their legs. This didn't truly capture her weaving in and out non-stop, but you'll get the idea.

Valentine's Day

Maya got all dressed up for Valentine's day to see her grandparents. We hadn't made any plans, but I woke up that morning to the best original poem written by my mother offering to watch Maya for us. Maya started the day trying to put on her cowboy boots and taking them off. She loves running around in them. See here!

16 Months is so much fun!

The rate of learning at this point is so amazing to bear witness to! We have fun stacking blocks, playing with Bitty baby, and reading books. She seems to add to her word repertoire daily now. She definitley has her Daddy's coordination. I was shocked when she started stacking blocks and got up to five without tumbling. Today I threw a diaper box downstairs to recycle. Well of course kids love boxes and Maya has been entertained with this one and when I made it into a bed for her baby, her imagination took off. I ran down to the kitchen to do a couple of things and I hear "tuk, tuk, tuk." She was stuck sitting in the box with her baby. She finally figured out how to get out, but I think she liked it a lot.


And it looks like we might have a house cleaning assistant in the making.

Snow Fun and "No" not so fun






On the day that Maya turned 16 months we had a nice little snow day! We build her first snowgirl. She loved taking the hat on and off ...big surprise as we know she loves hats! As you can see, she also loved the taking the carrot off and having a taste. She did put it back after she was done!

On another note, just before she turned 16 months she also discovered that she could say the word "no." She used it appropriately with a variety of tones. So funny, but also NOT! The first week she said it ALL THE TIME, but now just as needed which luckily (so far) isn't too much! It is helpful in someways as she can communicate more effectively and who wouldn't laugh when you ask, "Are you awake?" and from the backseat you hear a cute little, "no." She is starting to say lots of words and starting to put two together which of course revolve around "da da." She says "bye da da" and picked up her phone and said "hi da da." So funny! She is a daddy's girl for sure which just makes my heart smile! Now if I can just get her to say "ma ma" more!

Basketball Game - January 15






Maya and I went to Elena's basketball game. I decided to go a little late because I feared that Maya would be squirmy. She did great. We had so much fun and she clapped when everyone else did. I also told her to raise her arms for "yay" which she has been doing all the time now after she claps. So cute. She loved running on the court after the game and of course climbing the bleachers not that she is becoming an avid climber. We went out for a nice dinner afterwards with the Sue, David, Courtney, and Elena! What a great day!

Lucas's Birthday Party - January 9th


We went to Lucas' birthday party this weekend and it was so much fun. He clearly loved the cake frosting and seemed to have fun with all the attention and presents.

Maya had fun, too. She of course loved the party hat. That is until she snapped the elastic on herself. She was more cautious after that, but clearly learned from it and it didn't happen again.

Happy New Year

What goes better with princess pajamas than a cowboy hat?
Daddy just had to get this to go with her cowboy boots!

Wow! It is so hard to believe it is 2010! We are so happy for all we have and I know personally I have a few resolutions that I hope I can achieve especially not to let the stress of work get to me.

I just love the age Maya is at right now. She is saying more and more word approximations and even some two syllable words like "piggy," "taggie," "ta ta" (for pasta), and more. I couldn't help but laugh when she pointed to Matthew McConaughey today on a DVD cover and said, "da da." She understands more and more everyday. She is very into turning the light switch on and off and very determined to figure out how to turn the door handle to get it open. Makes us realize how tall she is getting, too.

Her pretend play skills continue to blosson and she loves playing with her Bitty Baby. She claps baby's hands together, makes her dance, feeds her her bottle, and tries to put on her clothes.