That was then....this is now!

This highchair was a shower gift we received when Maya was born. It seemed like it was going to be one of those things that we would be storing forever. Well, that really wasn't the case. We were told by our doctor that once Maya was old enough to sit up by herself, that we could use it.

Well, on February 22, 08, Daddy and I were thrilled that we could finally pull it out and put it together. Maya was definitely sitting up by now, but wasn't quite ready to be fed here. We figured at least she could hang out in the kitchen with us.

This was the first time Maya sat in her highchair. It was so awesome to see her play while we prepared and ate meals.

Here are some of our favorite pictures of Maya in her highchair.....

The first time she tried rice cereal.

First time with carrots and squash.

Eating (she really didn't eat) her 1st year birthday cake, she mostly just played with the fork.

First time feeding herself with a fork. Kiwi became one of her favorite foods to eat.

A first for pasta. Nothing makes a messier meal than pasta!

A bowl on Maya's head always meant that she was down with the meal! Sometimes she would put a bowl on her head and say, "happy birthday hat." (I hate to admit this; but sometimes she still puts a bowl on her head and starts to sing Happy Birthday To You.)

Maya's first time coloring. Covering the tray with aluminum was a great idea. I couldn't even imagine what her tray would look like now if we hadn't covered it.

Maya's first time eating with a spoon.

Just the other day, Stewart and I realized that Maya was getting too big for her highchair. It was time for a booster seat!!

Maya eating her first breakfast in her new booster seat!

I have to say that Maya has really done really well with the transition and enjoys eating at our breakfast bar or table with daddy and I. Even though the highchair has been in the kitchen she has not asked to go back into it. This weekend we are going to take the highchair apart and put it back into the box and back into storage.

"See ocean water"

This past weekend, we went to the beach to escape from our hot weather. Maya has been to the beach numerous times, but never had any interest in going into the ocean. That was, until this last time..

We were on our way! Mommy and daddy were so excited to go to the ocean as a family for the first time. When Maya stepped onto the sand, she said, "Maya walk on hot sand." (The sand was warm, but not hot) When I asked if she wanted her shoes on, she said, "no momma, Maya go see ocean water."

Now walking in the wet sand. YIPEE!! When Maya's feet touched this sand, she said, "Maya walk in cold sand." She took only a few minutes to get used to the wet sand and then she took off running.

When the ocean water was in sight, Maya slowed down. She became very distracted by all the boogie boards in the water and people riding sand bikes.

When we finally reached the ocean, we rolled up her shorts and that's when she had second thoughts. Daddy tried to talk to her about the water and instantly she didn't want anything to do with it. We didn't push it, we stood for a short while and just watched her. She was very interested in the bubbly foam and the small puddles of water.

When the water reseeded we saw her starting to walk towards the ocean. When she saw a small puddle of water, she said, "Maya step in puddle."

She did great, until we said, "Maya come back, the ocean water is coming in."

That was the end of the ocean water! Maya frantically said a couple of times, "Dadda, Maya up!" When Maya was safely in daddy's arms, she said, "Maya go home." Dadda carried Maya all the way back to the dry sand.

When we arrived back to dry sand, we had a picnic lunch and Maya kept saying, "Maya see ocean water." We told her next time we come to the beach we will see ocean water. She seemed ok with that answer as she then said, "more cracker please."

While Maya and I finished lunch, we caught dadda sleeping. Maya and I were very busy watching kites, dogs running, and people walking by.

Of course we had to stop off at the swings on our way back. While Maya was swinging, she said, Maya walked in ocean water." I said, "yes and you did such a great job!"

Then we met some people who had this awesome wheelbarrow which Maya had to test out. When she discovered that she could fill the empty water bottle up with sand and pour it in the wheelbarrow, that kept her busy. After playing with these other kids and their toys for over an hour, we finally made it back to our beach house where we cleaned up and changed for dinner.

We had a great day in the sand and water and hopefully next time we will be able to spend more time in the ocean!

Our little dolphin

The weather here has been really hot. It has been in the upper 80's to lower 90's for about two weeks now. On Sunday we got a special invite to a cousin's house who had a pool. Maya had a blast! She had such a wonderful time playing with cousin Rileigh, daddy and Papa. Since I wasn't able to swim due to a stress fracture in my foot, my job was to take pictures.

Lately, shadows are very interesting to Maya. When she realized that she saw her shadow on the deck, she waved her hand and said, "funny shadow wave hand."

Maya kicking with daddy.

Our cousin's dog buddy, loved getting the pool. Maya had a great time watching buddy jump in and swim to the other side. When he jumped in, she said, "more doggy swim in pool." She also immediately wanted to be held! I didn't blame her, I wouldn't want a big dog swimming towards me either!

Papa, Maya and Rileigh watching the dog run around the perimeter of the pool.

Rileigh and Stewart goofing off in the deep end of the pool.

Stewart getting ready to throw Rileigh into the water.

Ready......set......go!

Papa and Maya having a heart to heart talk about swimming.

Maya swimming (floating) on her back with the help of Papa.

Maya swimming on her tummy.

"Let go Papa!"

Maya taking a break from working so hard in the pool. She loved riding in her cousin's little police car floatation.

"Beep, beep!"

It has been many months since Maya finished her swim lessons. We really weren't sure how she would react to the water. Even though she forgot some swimming techniques, we were happy that she wasn't afraid to go in. When it was time for her to get out, because her lips were blue, she threw a fit. We hope to get her back in the pool soon, because she had a fantastic time.

Thanks daddy and papa for all your help with Maya in the pool!

Camping

Just the other day an image of one of my favorite childhood activities popped into my head, CAMPING. I remember going many times each summer with my family. I loved it; helping set up the tent, preparing meals (one of my favorites was making omelets in foil, making banana boats, starting bon fires, roasting marsh mellows, sitting in lawn chairs singing songs late into the night, taking showers with my flip flops on, taking a raft out, and going water skiing on the lake. The list could go on and on.

Well....it just so happens that the other day, my friend Lindsay and I took the kids to the Children's Museum where they had an exhibit on camping. The three of them had a hay day playing with all the camping gear. After taking a bunch of pictures, it was very clear what would happen if she went camping with Henry and Elliot now. Take a look for yourself....

After the three of them set up camp, Maya would probably take a few minutes and have a snack. One of her favorite lines these days is "more snacks."

Then Henry would probably be thirsty, so why not make a whole pot of something hot to drink. Since Lindsay's kids always see her drinking coffee, it would probably be coffee.

Maya would probably be the first one to try it. I'm sure that her response would be "good." Her response to everything these days is good!

When it would be time to prepare a meal, Henry and Maya would plan it very carefully.

They play so well together, that I am sure that it would be a team effort. Whatever one is doing the other one is not far behind.

Speaking of working together and team effort...has anyone seen Elliot?

Oh here he is! Yep....that's right. RELAXING on a hammock!

Henry would then be cooking the food by the campfire. We would just need to give him a quick lesson that pots don't have to be IN the fire, just close by!

But the biggest decision would be who gets to sleep in the tent?? Everyone during the day can play in the tent, but at bedtime, girls sleep with girls and boys sleep with boys. So, I guess that if the three of them really did go camping that we would need another tent!

Maya and Henry resting in the tent.

Maya and Elliot playing in the tent.

Stewart and I can't wait until she is a little older and we can go camping as a family. It would be great to make it a summer family tradition.

Thanks Lindsay for a great play date. Looking forward in seeing and playing with you soon!

My grandparents came to visit

Dear Grandma Grace and Zadie,

I just wanted to tell you that I miss you guys so much. Last week at this time you were here and now you are back home. We were so busy and our time together went so fast! Where did the week go? I guess time flies when you are having fun? Talking on the phone is nice, and I love hearing your voices, but I just wanted to say that I miss you. I miss playing with you, having you read to me, going to parks with you, I miss our wonderful time at the beach, and getting spoiled by you. But, the two things that I miss the most are your hugs and kisses. Doing Skype and talking on the phone helps, but I miss seeing you in person.

Here are a few pictures that mom and dad took of us together.

On the big girl swing.

Zadie pushing me. When I wanted Zadie to push me more, I would say, "more push please."

Of course, I had to do some hanging from the bars.

"More push Maya, Zadie!"

"Grandma Grace right there." "Mommy, push Grandma Grace please."

Playing peek a boo with Grandma Grace and Zadie.

Swinging on the bench swing at home.

Zadie reading me a Dr. Seuss book.

Watching the fire works.

I hope that it won't be long until you come back to visit.

It is really late now and mommy and daddy would be upset if they knew I was still up. I'm off to bed, so goodnight and g-d bless.

Maya