Maeve Space update

We are about settled in our new home now. I'm sure 10 years from now we'll still have a few boxes to sort through. Why we can't just get rid of them now? I'll never be able to explain the desires of the heart for total crap.

Maeve is adapting well to her new space. Her skills on the playground have quadrupled since being here and getting to see older kids on the playground. Now if she could just learn to pump her feet on the swing, we'd be all set. Instead, she is into swinging on her belly, which often means standing by to guard her head as she swings wildly past the upright poles of the swingset. Suppose it will take a few crashes before she makes some adjustments.

Potty time is going well...most of the time. Most days Maeve has figured out how to master her bladder. I think initially her draw to the potty was to set up her gear, potty seat and stool to help her onto the bowl. It's frightening to see her climb up there on her own. I can't believe we haven't found her knee deep in the bowl yet, or worse, head deep. She manages though. Other days, mama is doing laundry like mad to make sure there are enough undies for tomorrow.

On other adapting news. Our dear friends Hannah, Sam, Anabelle and Silas have left for their year hiatus in Australia. We will miss them like mad!! We are hopeful that we'll get to take a trip across that great ocean to see them though.

And as if one of our favorite families leaving wasn't enough, Jody, Jeremy and Ethan will be leaving at the end of July for their next adventure. Jody was accepted to Dartmouth Medical School and Jeremy will be participating in a year long teacher training program. Ethan plans on cramming more things into his mouth and spending time with his grandparents.

The remainder of the family here at Maeve space is just busy gestating. The summer is proving to be a cool one. This may upset many out there that look forward to this season every year. However, this pregnant gal is happy to usher in the cooler days. Living inside with A/C has benefits, sure, but I can only take so much. September doesn't seem so far off now.

New Digs

I know, it's been forever. What can you do?

Here is Maeve getting aquainted with her new surroundings.



On a slightly less muddy day. The first time I've actually seen her move the bike forward by using the peddles.

TWO

Oh to be two. Two is filled with so many wonderful things. I'm still trying to figure out what is so terrible about this age, I hear three is more challenging. Being two means you get to run around the house in a hoodie with your bathing suit over the top when it's 10 degrees outside. You get to crack your family up, or yourself, with your new found sense of humor. It means that when you spontaneously make efforts to go pee on the potty and succeed, all the adults in the house (related by blood or not) dance around with glee! (Diapers, diapers go away, come back some other day.) Being two means filling boxes, bags and whatever you can get your hands on, then dumping it all out and starting over. Being two is cool.

Being two can also mean being part of something bigger...







Due mid September!

More Adventures In Motherhood

I've been away I know, just deal!

My most recent excuse is a sick family. Mark has been sick for a week, that followed my own illness. Now Maeve has picked up the torch and is running. I can now say with some reliability now that when Maeve says, "my belly hurts" that in some undetermined amount of time her stomach will evacuate it's contents by way of oral ejection. My job will be to not react to that statement as if Maeve has just turned into a ticking time bomb...nobody needs that when they are ill.

This past Saturday as Maeve woke with a fever and an achy belly, we prepared for a day of invalid activities. To this mom, on a day that was to reach 52 degrees F, a temperature that we have not seen, much less dared to dream about for many months, meant packing up and walking around the zoo in the stroller. What could be better? Lounging, fresh air and live entertainment! On our way, I decided to stop to pick up some granola at the Farmer's Market. Just as we get inside and are about to order our granola, Maeve's stomach contents found their way to the outside world once again. The both of us were covered in moments.

I was stunned to say the least, not really sure what to do first. I decided to head to the bathroom to discard most of it. Maeve just stood next to me crying as I washed off her jacket and mine. I wrapped up what I could and was going to head home - I did get my granola I'll have you know. If I just got puked on there was going to be some reward.

As we headed to the car, Maeve wrapped in my down vest, she cried, "but the animals mama, the animals." I promised her we make another attempt, but today would not be the day. Home for shower.

Too tired to care

As you all know, sleep has had a love hate relationship with our household for the last 2 years. Here Maeve was so tired, but refused to go upstairs. She laid down on the floor in the kitchen. I asked if she wanted a blanket, she said, "yeah." I covered her with a silk scarf and apparently this was acceptable. She fell asleep right there on the cold (dirty) kitchen floor.



Notice the winter boots!

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree

I'm not sure this is how Mark imagined Maeve would follow in his footsteps.


Now moving on to the real apples....

Headed to the pumpkin patch/apple orchard Sunday with Maeve's childcare gang. It was a tad bit windy - hence the hat to keep the hair out of her eyes. And the jacket, well, that's her new (for next season) rain jacket that the moment it came out of the box, she insisted on having it on. I agree, it's pretty darn cute, but as the weather gets colder, I'm hoping she has enough sense to opt for the down jacket I also got her!

The Letter H....

...brought to you by Maeve. H, is the letter that Maeve creates when she is in bed with Mark and I. Usually her head towards me and her feet in Mark's face. I can't be sure this is inspired by her daily dose of Sesame Street (the old school ones that were on when Mark and I were kids), but it's the only explanation I'm willing to allow for at the moment. It's at least a little comfort to have other parents shaking their heads up and down when they hear this. Apparently it's a popular configuration. Maybe to be sure they are in contact with both mama and pa. Who knows, I just wish she would stay in one place and maybe stop kicking (thankfully I don't have the feet all too often). Maeve then usually compounds the issue by creating multiple positions during the night. This may also include both parents smooshed to the outside edges of the bed and Maeve consuming the middle - of a king size bed.

All I can say is that the recent night time regression we have made seems to be showing up in Maeve's language. Her speech is more clear and much more diverse. Today, Milo held his cup up to her and said, "cheers." I'm not sure she has heard this before, and yet Maeve quickly followed suit and the two toasted each other for awhile. Maeve then proceeded to say "cheers" all through dinner attempting to clink glasses with us. All I can say is that if you are planning to dine with us in the near future, be ready with a raised glass.

At the end of the day, when she smile at me, it does make it all worth it. Hopefully at 2 am tonight I'll remember that.