Happy First Birthday, Maia!!

Maia's first birthday was on a Friday. I was torn: send her to daycare to keep her on schedule while I get the house ready for her party (and reduce the chances of a meltdown), or spend the day playing with her, telling her how much I love her, and reminiscing about what was happening at this time last year? Her party was planned to start at 5 pm. However, a few days before the party, (Aunt) Tara and Ray were talking about the party, which Tara was thinking was scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Ray corrected her: No, it's her birthday, Friday the 14th. As it turns out, Tara was planning on showing up on Saturday morning to surprise us. She really really really wanted to be here for Maia's first birthday So, a few phone calls and an email or two later... it was arranged. We moved the party to Saturday afternoon the 15th. Same time, same place. So as a result, Maia and I ran errands for part of the day, played a bunch, and spent a quiet evening at home. After dinner, Maia opened her gifts. ... or, well, I did: I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone! Throughout the day, I gave Maia little updates on what we were doing a year ago... Well Maia, at this time last year, you were born! ...you were getting your first bath! (something there are, unfortunately, no pictures of. I was recovering, and Ray and Kathleen had gone to get something to eat.) ... we were going up to our room. You were in my arms, and I was looking down at you thinking: I thought for sure I would know what your name was when I met you... but I don't! What a difference a year makes!

Maia and Lydia's Weekend of Fun! (part 2)

This blog entry brought to you by this event: On Saturday it rained. All day. So we spent part of the morning watching Finding Nemo, and Maia and Lydia played together in the living room. After Maia went down for her long-afternoon nap, it seemed like Lydia needed to blow through some energy, so I brought her to the Mall to play on the over sized breakfast food. That evening, the four of us had dinner at Brann's with my parents. This marked the first time we actually ordered Maia her own meal from the kids menu: Macaroni and Cheese. It was a good sized portion, and she ate over half of it... off her spoon. Similar to this:

Sunday was sunny and HOT. I'd filled up the pool early to let it warm in the sun... but Lydia wasn't really interested in waiting that long. She had a list of things she wanted to do with Maia: 1. Play in the kiddie pool (check!)

2. Push her in the swing (check!) 3. Play outdoors (check!) 4. Go for a walk with Maia in the stroller. That we didn't get to... However - Lydia DID want to climb a tree. Sorry for the horrible quality, but I was more involved with watching Lydia than the video!

Maia and Lydia's Weekend Of Fun! (part 1)

Lydia's family were all Elsewhere for the weekend, so we got to spend our own special weekend with her at our house (her first time sleeping over here!). The weather was lovely, although increasingly overcast, on Friday afternoon. So we went to Meijer gardens to play. Maia in the wading pool: Her favorite! Maia at 11.75 months, this other child at 9 months (I think that's what her mom said... 8 or 9. And coincidentally... her name was Mia) At the Story Telling Garden, Lydia shows Maia the puppets Then off to the Rock Quarry to dig for fossils Lydia and Maia have a Tea Party! Maia thinks the tea is delicious (Hey! There's nothing in here! What gives?) I didn't even teach her to put her pinkie out like that. Isn't she dainty?