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.

A Day in the Life of Maeve

As promised, some current pictures. Thankfully Andrea, Maeve's childcare provider has taken a few. I think we probably have too, but man, feels like an insurmountable task to have the camera, take the picture, download the pics, and then upload them here. Whew, that exhaust me just writing about it.

Here we are at drop off time. I can't remember who demanded the book this particular day, but you'll notice, they all saddle up. Of course you know Maeve, Milo is in the foreground and Wren is on my lap. These three little people are all within 4 months of each other with Wren leading the pack. I say that in many senses.

Wren has been teaching Maeve and Milo all sorts of things. Maeve and Milo, being the sponges they are, soak it up and make sure that Wren gets a run for her money.


There are a few variations of this next picture. Wren calls this the "up down." Clearly makes sense. Not sure how all three got focused on different things...but the ham, aka Maeve, is lighting up the camera. I love all their little feet.



Then there is my favorite from this round of Andrea's pictures. I wish Maeve would have kept her head a bit more still so she isn't out of focus, but what can we really expect from a toddler that needs to be in motion all the time. Notice the dirt! Andrea is kind enough to clean them up before she ships them home.

I know, I know

Wow, it has been a long time since I've been seen around here. By now, most of you have probably stopped checking for updates. I'll try to be better. If I can I'll even try to get some photos up here. It can be challenging, but I'm up for it.

What is happening in Maeve Space?

Maeve started in-home child care two days/week. She is loving it! The first day drop off was harder on me than on her, but since then we have all found some peace with it. Maeve hangs out with her beloved buddy Milo and her new friends Wren and Fletcher. Wren is 10 weeks older than Maeve (she'll be 2 in August) and Fletcher is pulling up the rear of the group and will be 1 in August. They all have a blast together. Wren being almost 2 has some moves that she has been sharing with Maeve and Milo. They "fight" over things now and declare items as "mine." Of course it was bound to happen sooner or later, having a 2 year old around has just brought that on a bit sooner. What can you do?

Maeve is adding words to her vocabulary each day. She is a bit like Rainman right now as she practices them. "Down, down, down...pee, pee, pee...poo, poo, poo" The list goes on. It's all rather endearing most of the time. Practicing at 1-4 am is not so fun though. Yes folks, we were all sleeping like perverbial babies until very recently. Apparently the system must be on for the updates a young child's brain gets while rewiring for all the new activities it's about to embark on.

Lots of visits from family. Uncle Brendan and Monica then Uncle Paul and Michelle. Soon Grandpa Evan and Nana Fran will be here then off to Virigina Beach for the Healy compound.

Generally lots of summer time fun - swimming, running around bare foot, ice pops and friends.

There is the update - I'll try my best to check back here soon with some photos for all.