Vacation Time

Well, we just came back from vacation. We visited Maeve's grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins over the holiday. We both had a lot of fun, but it is good to be back home and not living out of a suitcase again. Maeve was a trooper throughout it all. She is fast earning her stripes as a road warrier! Flying out, she was a perfect charmer to those around us. We only had one tough moment. Right after we landed while waiting to get off the plane, she had a complete, and I mean complete in every sense of the word, meltdown. It lasted only a minute or two, but if I had a picture of the people sitting around us it would be priceless. It varied from complete surprise (as she was so good throughout the flight) to complete astonishment (that so much noise could come out of such a little person.) Once we were off the plane and heading towards G'ma & G'pa, she was fine again. Of course, she recognized them both and greeted them with huge smiles.

Then we were off to spend the night at Grandma & Grandpa's house, only to get up the next morning and drive down (along with Maeve's grandparents and two of her cousins) to her Aunt & Uncle's new house three and a half hours away. Maeve did pretty good on the drive, although at one point my Mom turned around and asked if this is what I called a "meltdown". Not even close, just a little cranky. ;) Once we arrived, all the kids had a blast playing with their cousin, exploring the new house and swimming in the pool. Maeve did her best to keep up with her three cousins and they were all great sports about including her in the play. Maeve laughed and giggled the whole time, well most of the time. The next day once the kids woke up, the fun repeated itself...more games, fun and swimming in the pool. In the afternoon we said goodbye and headed back home, my parents, myself and the three grandchildren. On the way home, we stopped at McDonalds and Maeve wowed everyone with her ability to stuff several french fries into her mouth at once. Matter of fact, everyone was happy to see her eating so much (last time we visited, she was still only taking the bottle with very little solid food.) That day, not including dinner, she had eaten two bananas, a hotdog, two granola bars, three pieces of watermelon, countless french fries, several McNuggets, milk, water and I know I'm forgetting some things. She was constantly signing "eat" and chowing on everything in sight.

Once back at her Grandparent's house, she rather grumpily settled in for the night. I think she was a bit thrown by another new bed, but after walking her a little bit she was ready to go to sleep. After that it was smooth sailing at Grandma & Grandpa's house. She ate, played, ate, visited her cousins, ate, took boat rides and ate some more all week long. Did I mention she ate? My little skinny mini has turned into quite the chow hound. Normally, she signs and says eat and I make her something. Not at Grandma & Grandpa's house...oh no. Now she wasn't content with what I put out, it had to be exactly what she wanted. In the end, I just took her to the refrigerator and let her point at what she wanted. She tried it all, especially loving corn on the cob, brats, bananas and beef stroganoff. What is it about the grandparent's house that children know their every whim will be catered too?!

I have several pictures to post, but I'll just put the following up for now. Here is Maeve and her grandparents right before we left for the airport to go home. She knows she is leaving and is not happy about it. Would you be, if you had to leave a house where you were the PRINCESS! :)

Bye Grandma & Grandpa!! See you at Christmas!!

Posted by Laura at 7:57 PM