Don'cha Just Love It?

I know I'm her mom, and I am probably pretty biased... but honestly, she is so cute, I can hardly stand it sometimes!

New Toy

As she becomes more active, I've sort of been feeling like Maia needs to kick AT something. So I thought I'd find her a floor toy where she could use her hands and feet. I underestimated her smallness as it turns out it's rather big for her right now. But she seems to really enjoy it, and clearly she'll be able to use it for a while. I have only 10 days left with her before I return to work, and I'm getting a bit sad and anxious about it. I'm fortunate in that she will be with my folks for two days before I have to turn her over to people who are effectively strangers at the daycare. It's a good daycare and I think I made a good choice. It's just a bizarre thing, when you think of it.

Rocket Maia

So after a nice bath (she kicks and splashes now) and long infant massage, she was in a great mood. So Ray took a break from watching hockey and played rocketship with Maia. After a few run throughs, she was starting to anticipate what was coming next, and was pretty happy about it! Too cute! Now... bedtime!

Recent Pics

Autumn is here! All bundled up. A beautiful handmade sweater from one of Grandma Effie's co-workers. Chillin with Daddy.

Pumpkin Sunday

On Sunday, Kath and I took the kids (Emily, Adrian, Lydia and Maia) to Schwallier's Country Basket to choose our pumpkins, pick some apples, eat some doughnuts and other autumn fun. It was another beautiful autumn day, and the place was VERY busy. But we had a really great time, and Maia slept through most of it. It was certainly very easy to keep her moving with all the off-roading we did with her stroller! Is Lydia trying to be Princess Leia?

Soccer Saturday

On Saturday morning, we took Maia to Lydia and Adrian's last soccer games of the season. It was a cool, crisp, beautiful autumn morning, and Maia did great! Emily and Adrian walked her around to keep her happy for a while. Lydia scored three goals! That made it four total for her season. Adrian played goalie for half his game, and forward for the other half.

Pediatrician visit

Maia had her 2 month physical exam and immunizations. She was having an oddly fussy day, and cried starting in the waiting room, with a few breaks in between. Her weight was 11 lbs, 9 oz today, which puts her in the 75th percentile for her age. Her length was 22 1/2 inches, which is the 50th percentile. So... as big as we felt like she was getting so quickly, she's doing just fine. I thought for sure she'd be out of some of her 0-3 month clothes by now, but she isn't yet. Yay! Anyway - everything looked good. Developmentally - good. Healthwise - thriving. Ray and I suspect she may be having some teething pain or pressure, because there has been a marked increase in drooling, spit bubbles and chewing. We're not sure if this is related to the fussiness or not. Pediatrician seemed to think it was probably more to do with being out of sorts and off-schedule following the trip, and perhaps a bit of GE Reflux. So we're keeping our eye out for that too. And, of course, the big round of shots. Three injections and an oral solution for a total of 7 vaccinations. Ray's glad he wasn't there, and it was me observing that. I think I may have been more prepared than some new moms, simply because I've seen SO many infants getting vaccinated. Poor Maia screamed for another 4-5 minutes before I could calm her enough to leave the exam room. Once I got her strapped in the car and moving, she fell sound asleep for about 3 hours (which was a nice opportunity to get some grocery shopping done).

To New York We Go... part 6

On our final day, Ray got stuck in the elevator at the hotel for half an hour. One of those Murphy's Law things. We had gotten ready in good time, and had to leave by 8:30 to get to Uncle Dave's by 9:00 and then to Uncle Len's by 10:00 to keep everyone on schedule... and, well... We didn't end up leaving the hotel until almost 9:15. So we visited briefly with Uncle Dave, Aunt Brenda and Mercedes (whom Ray and I hadn't seen for years!) And then on to visit with Uncle Len, Aunt MaryJane, Leonard, Christine (who is expecting! Yay!) and Jaime's girls: Destiny, Faith and Patience. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon with the family at Tara and Dave's, before leaving at 5:00 pm to drive half-way. Again, Maia did great on the car ride, but wasn't terribly sleepy when we got to the hotel. She was up every 2 hours, crying to be fed, when she typically goes 6-8 hours at night. At 5:00 am we gave up trying to sleep, loaded in the car and headed home. While it was nice to be home, it was bittersweet. It's so hard to be away from family! Thanks again to everyone for their generosity, hospitality and love for Maia!

Girl on Film

... or, well, digital video. Some miscellaneous fun! Talking to Grandpa

Walking and Kicking Daddy

Laughing with Aunt Tara

Grandma just wound her up and let her go!

Late night chat with Mommy

To New York We Go... part 5

On Thursday: First professional pics of Maia, thanks to Aunt Tara. We brought Aaron, Rachael and Maia to JC Penney's to get some pics done of the three of them and then some of just Maia. Maia did great for the shots of the three of them, but was pretty much over it by the time we did the shots of just her. There were some cute ones, though. On Friday - a quieter day. Time to hang out with the family and play with Maia. Sometimes she was sleepy... Or contentedly hanging out with her mom and dad... She gave us lots of smiles... And sat on Grandma's "porch" and looked around contentedly She stood up to play with Aunt Tara And later in the evening, we went to visit our good friends, the Gibneys.

To New York We Go... part 4

Maia was the belle of the ball, and was shown off proudly to both Effie's and Tara's co-workers. In the afternoon, we went to Aaron's football game (Shendehowa vs. Saratoga). It was a beautiful day, and Maia slept through pretty much the whole game. Oh, and Shen won! Go Plainsmen! That's our guy... Number 73: He made a fumble recovery toward the end of the game: Maia slept in Aunt Tara's arms, nicely bundled:

To New York We Go... part 3

October 7th, 2008: Our Anniversary. We had a generally quiet day. Breakfast with Uncle Len, Uncle Dave, Raymond and Effie at Bubbles. I brought Maia to visit my old co-workers at Capital Care Pediatrics (quite a few of whom were at our wedding reception... eight years ago!) Effie made spaghetti for dinner: Maia had some cuddle and play time with Aunt Tara: And at bedtime at the hotel, we chill:

To New York We Go... part 2

On Monday, October 6th we headed back 'Home' to Clifton Park, which meant a drive through the Adirondacks. Not too shabby on a crisp fall day! We stopped to get some pics (Ray's excellent photography): Postcard Prints! After all that, dinner at exit 15, and we turned in for the night.

To New York We Go... part 1

Maia's first trip (of MANY, I'm certain!) to New York. We left on Friday, October 3rd and drove the first half of the trip, with an overnight stay just outside of Toronto. We continued onto Massena the next morning, and stayed a few days with Uncle Buck and Aunt Linda (Thanks again for everything!) Maia met her great-grandmothers on Sunday the 5th. First Great Grandma Kay (Queor) Oakes Four Generations: and then Grandma Lois (Lawrence) Ashley: Four Generations: And she met lots of (Great) Aunts and Uncles, and a few cousins, most of whom I stupidly didn't get pictures of. She did great after all that traveling and being passed around. Slept pretty well. She's such a good baby. We're so lucky! She also met Nicholas Derouchie, her cousin (third?), who is also closest in age.