Baby Got A Boo-Boo

"Poor Baby!" That's what Maeve keeps saying. That and, "Baby got a boo-boo."

Poor dog indeed. Baby developed a small skin lesion that the Vet said was cancerous, so she went in for surgery to have it removed last Friday. Good news is they got it all and all the lab work came back that it had not spread further. Upon picking her up, they warned me that she might be a little lethargic (have they met my dog....she sleeps 99% of the day, any more lethargic, she would be in a coma.) Also, the Vet told me not to be alarmed on the size of the incision. Even though the original lesion was the size of a quarter, she has a 7 inch scar. The Vet took out extra skin on all sides and went down a fat layer or two to get it all out and make sure it had not spread. I told him not to worry. Baby, my very tubby dog, would have been fine to lose several fat layers. Now when people see the stitches and asked what happen, I simply say, "liposuction". 0 comments

Posted by Laura at 7:23 AM

High Hopes - Swim Lesson Update #2

Our first swim lesson on Tuesday, while not a complete disaster, did not go quite as well as I had hoped. So, the strategy on Wednesday was to talk constantly about how wonderful Michelle & Mandy were and generally convince Maeve that they were her new two best friends in the world. Yea right. Why do I ever think I can fool Maeve? She just gave me that look of hers... a mixture of "Are you nuts?!" and "You are going to have to do a whole lot better than that!".

So Thursday, the day of our next lesson, arrives and I tell Maeve that we are going swimming. I now have one happy, excited little girl. After trying on three bathing suits, we settle on the one above...a little to small but she was determined to wear it. We gathered our gear and I told her, "Okay, let's go to our swimming lessons." Mini Sherlock Holmes caught the "lesson" in that sentence and announced, "No!". "No wimming esson Mommy." The ride over consisted of me trying to convince her that she would have a fun time.

Me: "Swimming lessons are so much fun!"
Maeve: "No!"
Me: "I like Mandy, She is really nice. Do you like Mandy?"
Maeve: "No."
Me: "What about Michelle? She is really nice too. Do you like Michelle?"
Maeve: "No."
Me: "Don't you want to go swimming in the big pool?" (she usually begs to go in the big pool)
Maeve: "No. Ittle pool Mommy."
Me: "Swimming lessons are fun. Don't you want to take swimming lessons?"

This was my favorite part. She really said it just like this.

Maeve: "Mommy, I have to say No."

This conversation continued the five minute ride over and then for another 30 minutes while we played in the little pool waiting for our lesson to start at the big pool. I managed to drag her over a few minutes prior to the lesson starting, but she insisted on sitting wrapped in her towel next to me for the first few minutes of the lesson. She was watching the instructors (Mandy & Michelle) and the other little girls (three this time as another joined the class) intently, checking for any sign of distress, sharks and electric eels. Finally, I insisted that she "unwrap" herself from the towel and sit with me on the steps. Maeve did, but whimpered any time the girls came close. About half way through class (another looonnnnggg thirty minutes), it seemed a little better. I motioned to Mandy that I was going to hand Maeve over to her and she got ready. The look on Maeve's face as I picked her up and gave her to the alleged enemy was priceless, but at least she wasn't screaming like she did on Tuesday. She made it through the "ordeal" of Mandy walking her the length of the pool practicing her kicks and swirling her around (she almost smiled here). Still slightly terror stricken when she got back to the steps, she did nod her head that she was having a good time and she stayed in the pool. When it was her turn, Mandy took her out again and she did even better this time...hardly a single whimper. Still by the end of class, Maeve was ready to go and while the other kids are begging to stay, we were off...Maeve on a mission to make the parking lot in five seconds flat.

Still there is hope...On the drive home, Maeve is happily babbling about the ice cream I promised her when we get home, when out of the blue she says, "Mommy. I like Michelle and Andy." Tuesday is looking better already. 0 comments

Posted by Laura at 5:22 AM

Swim Lesson Update

Oh boy!

It all started well. (I know, it's an ominous way to begin the story.)

We arrived early and spent about a 1/2 hour in the kiddie pool waiting for the lesson in the "big pool" to start. Maeve happily splashed around and played with the other little kids. Then it was time to go to the "big pool". As soon as I said, "Let's go over to the big pool", Maeve made a dash for it, completely happy and excited to try out the steps at the big pool.

So far, so good...but then Mandy & Michelle entered the picture. The swimming instructors.

Although they were both perfectly sweet and ever so ready to make a good impression, Maeve wants nothing to do with them. This is a class for 3&4 year olds, nonswimmers only. The other two little girls in the class today could not wait for their turns with Mandy & Michelle. They took them out in the water and practiced kicking, blowing bubbles and all sorts of fun things in the pool. Not Maeve, she eyed them like they were international terrorists, watching closely to ensure they didn't make any sudden movements. Mandy assured me that this was standard behavior and it would pass if I let her take Maeve for a lap or two to practice kicking. So I tried that....Hmmm....Let's just say now everyone in the general vicinity of 2+ miles now knows that Maeve does not like to go swimming without her Mommy. So enduring the slight disdain of two teenage swim instructors and returning a few knowing grins from a couple of other Mommys in the area, I jumped in the pool and appointed myself the third swim instructor, just for Maeve.

Thirty minutes took a looonnng time to go by today. Maeve was happier with me in the pool, but the "Mandy" incident left her wary and she had her guard up the rest of the time. Heaven forbid I get to close to one of the girls or she started to whimper again. I asked her a few times if she like Mandy & Michelle and she nodded her head "Yes", but when I asked if she wanted to go swimming with them, she shook her head "No" so hard I thought she would give herself a concussion. So, that is how swim lessons proceeded, until right before the end of class. The other two girls are begging to stay and Maeve is insisting we leave...NOW! She wanted out of there and quick. So, I thanked the girls and packed Maeve up and off we went.

By the time we hit the parking lot, Maeve was happily babbling to me about the trees and the flowers around us (that wonderful short term memory lapse of hers was kicking in strong.) Five minutes later, driving home, Maeve shouts out to me from the back seat, "Mommy, Go Swim?!?"

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Posted by Laura at 11:31 PM

Swim Lessons start today

Maeve's loves to go to the pool. It is her "most favorite" thing to do. In the summer, every conversation ends up talking about the pool, or going swimming or her bathing suits. Here are a couple of examples.

The obvious...

"Mommy, Go Swim???" (chant this incessantly for 15 minutes or 48 hours)

The sneak attack...

Me: "Maeve, what do you want to wear today?"

Maeve: "Swimsuit. Look, Mommy, swimsuit. Go Swim????" (whine and throw fit when Mommy insists you wear something else...up to 30 minutes)

The subtle change of conversation...

Me: "Do you like your juice?"

Maeve" "Yes, I like juice. I like milk. I like water. Go Swim??? I go get bathing suit???" (repeat with conviction 20, 30, 400 times as appropriate)

Luckily we live very close to the neighborhood pool and go quite often. Right now we spend most of our time in the kiddy pool, with Maeve usually asking to go to the big pool to play on the steps after we have been there a bit. Our community has several swimming programs and I have signed us up for lessons on Tuesday & Thursday night.

1 comments

Posted by Laura at 5:51 AM

Is it time???

Quick & TRUE story about my parents. Here is what happened....

I called the morning of the "4th" to chat with everyone. Mom mentions that she showed Melissa (my SIL) the Easter video on my blog, but then goes on to say she is going to try to get my brother to show her how to make it bigger, because it is so small. She also asks me when am I going to send a new video. The rest of the conversation goes something like this...

Me: "Why do that? I sent you a link so you can view the video full size."

Mom: "You did? When did you do that?"

Me: "Right after I sent you the link to the Memorial Day video I made of Maeve."

Mom: "What?! I never saw the Memorial Day video. I never knew about that."

Me: "I sent it to Dad. Didn't he show it to you."

Mom: "To your Dad?!...(slightly muffled as she calls to Dad) Tttttooonnnny! Did Laura send you a video of Maeve for Memorial Day"

Dad: "(slightly muffled) I remember nothing. I don't know what you two are talking about. I have the right to remain silent. I don't remember."

Mom: "(talking to me now) Laura, you know your father. He doesn't remember. Here, you talk to him and give him heck."

Me: "(now talking to Dad) Dad, how could you not show Mom the video??? I don't know about this memory of yours....a little drool and it's off to the old folks home."

Dad: "I don't know what you are talking about. I am sticking to my story."

Me: "Okay Dad. I'm resending the link so you can show it to Mom. I'll call back later today to see if you received it."

Dad: "Great, because Tony (my brother) is fixing the video hook up and we can talk with video so we can see Maeve (sooooo not about me anymore.)

Later I resent the link, but something seemed fishy so I checked my old emails as well. Guess what I found from Dad on June 9th...

Laura,

I had no truoble downloading or playing your file, it was great. Send more. I am sure that with your imagination and talent "which you get from your father" you will just get better and better.

Love

Your Dad

I kept looking and found this from Mom the same day...

Laura:

You are GOOOOOOOD. I loved the video. I'm so jealous of Vern. I should be the one having fun with Maeve. Oh well, I'll just have to wait until Labor Day.

Love, Mom

Proof positive that both had seen the video (Vern is our neighbor and I have a shot of him playing with Maeve in the Memorial Day video). So, later in the day I call back for the video call armed with this new information. Everyone was laughing over this one, and I and my brothers are now questioning when it will be "time". :)

Of course, Mom with a big smile just said. "See what you have to look forward to Laura."

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Posted by Laura at 10:48 AM

Happy 4th of July!

Maeve & I had such a good time on the 4th! We went to the pool, ran a few errands and then headed off to our neighbors for a nice "4th of July" picnic. Maeve had a blast, and thanks to a mid afternoon three hour nap, was ready for more. We watched the fireworks, or as Maeve calls them, "the sparklies", from our own backyard. Maeve finally konked out about 10pm at night and I think I made it to 10:01pm. ;) 0 comments

Posted by Laura at 10:40 AM

Baby's Revenge

Here's the back story:

As you know, Smudge (one of our dogs) passed away in May. Smudge was Maeve's biggest playmate and buddy. Those two would play for hours, usually with Maeve chasing Smudge around with a big funnoodle. When Smudge would finally tire out (& I have to point out it was always Smudge that tired out first), she would just go to her spot and lay down. Baby, our other dog, normally was laying somewhere like a lump through out all the ruckus, oblivious to it all. To say Baby is a bit on the "sedate" side is putting it mildly.

Now fast forward to present day, without Smudge, Maeve looks to Baby and tries to get her to play...all the time. Baby on the other hand, is still her normal "do I need to get a mirror to prove she is breathing" self and not much interested in rough housing with Maeve. This is okay with Maeve, because this makes Baby a sitting target. Maeve jumps on her, tries to ride her, and generally puts her through the wringer of love & doggy adoration.

I am working with Maeve on this ("Yes sweetie, I know you love Baby, but let's not break her in two to show it.) But it appears Baby in her own passive manner found an opportunity for revenge the other night....

I tucked Maeve in at 8:30pm Wednesday night, with Baby already asleep in her room (despite the "abuse" Maeve is the favorite). About 10:30pm I hear Maeve crying in the hallway. Walking out I see the problem. My daughter is half asleep and had gotten up to use the bathroom, but at some point, Baby left Maeve's room and laid down to sleep in the hallway. Or should I say sprawled out in the hallway from wall to wall (she is a big dog). A wide awake Maeve would have climbed right over her, but a half a sleep and "I gotta go" Maeve didn't know what to do and started crying...and peeing on my carpet. I quickly swooped up Maeve, jumped over the dog (who still hadn't moved), headed towards the bathroom. After cleaning her up and changing her PJs, I put Maeve back to bed. Baby then decided to get up and moved back to her spot in Maeve's room to go to sleep...but not before getting a lecture from me.

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Posted by Laura at 5:40 AM

Hair Pretties!!

I owe a big Thanks to Christy of "The Chrysanthemom" blogspot. Her June 20th entry showed how easy (& inexpensive) it was to make these flower hair pretties. Check out Christy's blog (the link is on the side under Other Blogs to check out.) She also makes jewelry and sells it online at etsy.com. This is a site that specializes in hand made items by individual sellers. They have everything from paper crafts, jewelry to clothing and toys. Mom, check it out and show it the girls too. You could sell your jewelry there if you wanted. (Christy's blog posted with permission.)

(Quick note - do wait until the glue has completely dried before letting your daughter actually put them on her head...no matter how hard she begs. You will avoid gluing the hair pretty to her head...I admit nothing.)

Here are a few more pictures of a very happy Maeve showing off her favorite new hair pretties.

Smile for the camera. Maeve is happiest in motion.


Here she is posing for Mommy...

Close up time...

"Jacket" forever. I still have to sneak her jacket away to wash it. It goes everywhere with her.

1 comments

Posted by Laura at 6:01 AM

Smudge (2004-2009)...In Loving Memory

"Desert Winds Smudgalicious"

Smudge

Born on March 24, 2004

Passed Away on May 10, 2009

The first "Baby" in the house, she willingly and easily ceded her title as "Princess" to Maeve when she came home. Always gentle, always sweet, she routinely checked on Maeve anytime she fussed, Smudge was trained as a Therapy dog and specialized working with children. Her devotion to Maeve & myself was complete and we were devoted to her. She was loved and is now sorely missed.

When we talk about Smudge, Maeve usually tells me, "Mommy, Smudge playing with the other doggies in heaven. She okay." Maeve is right. 1 comments

Posted by Laura at 11:29 PM

Poor Baby...

Here is Baby & Maeve crashed out on the floor. It was a long day of fun and games for Maeve and another long day of "Maeve" for Baby.

Unfortunately for Baby, Maeve looovvvveees her. I say "unfortunately", because Maeve shows her devotion by...

- using her as a handy "step-stool". Why climb up, when Baby provides such a nice step next to the sofa, chair, etc.
- jumping up and down on her. Who needs a trampoline when you have an ever patient 130+ lb happy hippo to jump on.
- constantly ordering her around. "The General" is still alive and kicking with poor Baby bearing the brunt of most of Maeve's commands.
- horsey back ride anyone? Well she is as big as a small pony.

Now, for the record, I do not allow any of the above and have had several talks with Maeve on proper ways to show Baby how much she loves her. Except for ordering her around all the time, Maeve is getting much better at treating poor Baby in a more appropriate manner. For Baby's part, she is as gentle as she is huge & adores Maeve. She puts up with everything and comes back for more, constantly following Maeve around (when she is not napping.)

Don't be fooled by her slightly droopy looks, Baby has a sense of humor with the situation. More than once Maeve has gone sliding down Baby's back when a "horsey back ride" abruptly ended when Baby sat down. My favorite was the "bounce back". This is when Baby was standing by the counter & Maeve smacked into Baby when she came running around the counter at full steam. Baby didn't move, but the force of the collision caused Maeve to bounce back at least a foot. It was the funniest thing, with Maeve all upset and Baby acting completely innocent. 0 comments

Posted by Laura at 11:11 PM

The Weekend

We had a fun weekend. Maeve was a good sport while Mommy did some shopping, so we hit the playground and the pool each day. Tons of fun, but most of the laughs were from our shopping trip. Or should I say, Maeve was quite entertaining to all around us. Oh, where to begin...

- First there was the exclamation from Maeve at one store, "Look Mommy! I made a seven!!". And indeed she had. She had licked a number "7" onto one of the full length mirrors. (Licking is a new favorite past time...It could be worse.)

- Then there was the to be expected, "Mommy! I gotta go POTTY!!!". Of course this happened when we were in a dressing room and I was half dressed. Did I mention that I had asked her 10 minutes prior. Hmmm.

- My favorite was when she tripped and landed on her little tushy. (You know where this is going.) I asked her if she was okay. Maeve replied, "I okay Mommy. I hurt my tushy. Mommy, kiss it. Kiss my tushy!". Then I had a three year old following me, shouting loudly, "Mommy, kiss my tushy!!". She finally settled for a kiss on the head, but not before half the store was in stiches.

Life is never boring with Maeve around. 0 comments

Posted by Laura at 10:50 PM

Maeve Update

Tonight, Maeve offered me the moon...



We were sitting out on the patio in the early evening. Still light, but the evening sky was beginning to show. Maeve happily pointed out the moon to me way up in the sky. Stretching her arms out, standing on tip toe, she made several attempts to "reach" it.  This is her normal routine when she sees the moon, and tonight was no different.  She kept trying to grab the silly moon. "I can't reach Mommy! I can't reach!!", she told me.  "Stretch higher, you can do it", I replied, envisioning a future NASA astronaut.  Then she stretched up so high, straining on her tip toes and brought her hands together, gently cradling an invisible moon. Walking over to me, she said, "Here you go Mommy. The moon" and handed it over.   Some moments I will treasure forever and this is one of them. We spent a half hour throwing it back into the sky and catching it again. Who knew the Moon was on a "catch & release" program.

This past Saturday, Maeve offered me a moon of a different kind. ;) Saturday night, Maeve had been in a bed for awhile and I was just dosing off, when I heard Maeve get up and go to the bathroom. So far, so good. About three minutes later, I hear the distinct sound of....humming. Loud. very loud, tuneless, little girl humming. I ignore for a minute or two, then wondering that all consuming question that typical parents of toddlers have at any given hour of the day, "What the heck is she doing in there?", I got up and opened my door to see what was up. And what do I see??? There's Maeve. Standing square in front of the toilet, with a hand on each side of the toilet, peering intently into the bowl, her pants were still down. She is loudly humming her tuneless tune while she is patiently waiting for me. The following conversation then ensued.

Mommy: "Maeve, what are you doing?"
Maeve: "Oh, Hi Mommy" with a hint of surprise, like imagine seeing you here.
Maeve: "Look Mommy" (pointing into the toilet) "There's a lot of poop in there!"

Then with a big grin, Maeve immediately turns around and presents me with a bare tushy for wiping. She had been patiently waiting for me to show up for my part in the potty routine. Just one of the many things they don't put in those nice official baby books. :)

Note: Those goggles in the picture. We were no where near the water, but one of my friends offered them to Maeve that day and she wore them the rest of the day. Goggles, after all, provide a polished finished to all toddler looks. 0 comments

Posted by Laura at 11:19 PM

"I reading!"

This picture was taken on January 4, 2009.

Maeve, my little chatterbox, was unusually quiet. The norm is that I can tell from the volume level where she is at any given time. She is a bit of a chatterbox...just like her Mom. This afternoon was different. The conversation went something like this:

Mommy, calling out from the other room: "Maeve, what are you doing?"
Maeve, hollering back: "I reading."
Mommy, questioning, still from the other room: "What?"
Maeve, hollering back again: "I reading!"
Mommy, this time poking her head into the room: "You're what?"
Maeve, losing patience: "Mommy! I reading!!"
Mommy, seeing very cute picture opportunity: "Don't move!!"

PS - Mom, that is the book that you gave me at Maeve's baby shower. 2 comments

Posted by Laura at 12:42 AM

"That was fun!"

Today, we went to Maeve's 3 year check up. As per our tradition with Doctor visits, Maeve cried through most of it and really screamed when she received two shots. But...the funny part came as we were leaving. Her face still red & puffy from crying, the nurse offered her a sticker and a lollypop. After careful consideration, she made her selections. A elephant sticker and a pink lollypop.  Before leaving the office, I dutifully unwrapped the lollypop and stuck the elephant sticker on her shirt.  As we are heading towards the door, Maeve turns to me, big smile on her tear stained face, and says....

"Mommy, that was fun!" Then, happily trotted out to the car with me and we went home.

Mental Note: At Maeve's next check up, make inquiries about short term memory loss symptoms. ;) 0 comments

Posted by Laura at 10:23 PM

Easter 2009

My first attempt at making a movie with my updated IMovie. It's not quite how I would like it, but not too bad considering this is the first time I have used the program. :)

2 comments

Posted by Laura at 12:03 AM

FBI's Most Wanted!

Obviously, the business of crime fighting must be getting a bit slow (a good thing) and the G-Men (or G-People to be more politically correct) are expanding their search parameters just a bit. Not sure what I mean?? Maeve and I just returned from our Christmas vacation visiting family in the Midwest and guess WHO was "randomly" selected for search at the checkpoints in the airport, both on our departing & return flights.

My reaction was, "Are you kidding me???". Evidently not. So you wonder, what does a potential fugitive and causer of mayhem look like...



Now I was curious, what might have tipped the authorities off on this suspected troublemaker? I've put together a few items of interest that might explain it.

The Addictions
- Orange Juice (also known as juice & juicy). Any child guzzling down such copious amounts of the orange stuff is subject to suspicion, especially after knocking off a hefty sippy cup in seconds flat, comes the incessant chant of "More, more, more, more, more..."
- Dora. Although innocent enough at first glance, the glazed, hypnotic trance it produces when played should be the first tip off. The extreme & unhappy reaction when the battery to my laptop gave out mid flight...mid Dora show, should be the second.

The Escape Attempts
- Sometimes the temptation of the wide open spaces of an airport and an overloaded Mommy can be too much of a temptation. My favorite part was after rounding her up for the umpteenth and delivering a stern scolding, I could hear other parents use Maeve as an example of what not to do in the airport with their children. Can we say "Timeout" and a sobbing child? Yes, we can.
Note - Mommy wised up and turned on Dora at this point...dilemma resolved.

The Alias
- She was wearing her "Cinderella" necklace, that when the button is pushed spouts out "I'm Cinderella". Maybe they took her a bit too seriously or someone went a little loco after hearing it for the 245th time. (Not me, that's what they make Ipods for...guaranteed to drown out all mention of Cinderella within a 10 foot radius).

The outfit
Now this one I question, because I picked out her outfit that day. So, none of her crazy concoctions of colors, materials and headbands as accessories that day, but looking back...I wonder. I did have her "Pirates Loot" t-shirt on her. That combined with all the "Bling" she was sporting (multiple hair pretties, huge Cinderella necklace, multiple Cinderella bracelets & rings) might have tipped them off. Maeve played with all her "jewelry" all day, taking it on & off, storing it in her pockets. It might have been mistaken for her "Loot".

I do want to note, that in each case they did end up exempting her from any additional searches.

PS - The holiday trip was fantastic. I'll have more details in a later post. 1 comments

Posted by Laura at 2:36 AM

A Toddler's Fashion Sense - Maeve's Style

Fashion Styling Rules according to Maeve....

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD...NEVER BLEND IN!



1) A girl can never have enough shoes nor have enough occasions to wear them. Sparkly purple shoes that fit over footsie pajamas are a bonus! (Still likes to suck her two middle fingers and you can see the old pink jacket in the corner of the picture. New twist is has to sleep with MY pillow. )



2) Snow boots are for everyday wear and notice the hair pretty...only on one side, rarely on both. Maeve loves those boots and she insists on multiple hair pretties, but prefers them all on one side.



3) Hats are in! Lately she has been all about the "hat" and loves to try all her hats & baby bonnets on. Notice the red around her neck. That is a headband. She never lets me use them in her hair, rather she wears them as necklaces and usually about 3 or 4 at once. Another favorite pair of shoes.



4) On our historic election day, Maeve actually let me pick out her outfit, all except the socks & shoes. 9 times out of 10 she will pull out those tomato red socks no matter what she is wearing. It is all about bold fashion choices after all.


5) Chicken Little for Halloween. Nothing to crazy here, but for those who know this is one of the costumes that I bought for her last year. This year I had found matching penguin costumes for us. I was so excited because Maeve loves penguins and seemed to like the idea, until four days before Halloween. Then it was, "No Way Mommy! No Penguin!!" Hence, Chicken Little was resurrected from the depths of the closet. Of course, the outfit would not be complete without her favorite Dora shoes.



6) I call this her 'Superhero' phase, although I'm not sure why she started to do this. For a solid 3 weeks, she insisted on wearing her bib backwards and inside out.



7) Just like Mommy! Here my budding fashionista has discovered eye makeup and boy did she have a ball. This takes you to the number one rule for Moms...If it is quiet, there's trouble! (Another headband.)


1 comments

Posted by Laura at 10:32 PM

A Tradition Continues...

Everyone remembers last year's picture with Santa? Right??

The screaming child struggling to get away from the "grit your teeth smile, rolling eyes and gripping my daughter for dear life to keep her in his lap for the picture" Santa? The picture that made such an impression that it graced the Christmas card cover of her adoring Grandparents?

So, this year was going to be different. I had it all planned out. Maeve & I have been talking about Santa for over a month. She has a Santa toy that she loves to give hugs and kisses too. Every time we see a Santa picture, I make sure I point it out and say how wonderful he is. Maeve regularly tells me she "loves Santa" and is excited to see a new picture or display. So, overall a perfect plan geared to procure the perfect picture.

Here is how it went down.

The day in question was a typical lazy Sunday. After treating Maeve to all her favorites that morning at the local coffee shop, we set off. Planning our arrival the the Christmas village, I ensured that we arrived ahead of the opening time, so Maeve could check it out and get comfortable. Maeve was wearing a dress that she loves and her noisy shoes. (We have been watching "Happy Feet" lately and she loves to 'tap dance' like the penguins.) So off she went to explore the play area, stopping to pose for pictures for me in front of Santa's house. Giggling and happily chattering away in that toddler mix of understandable & gibberish words, Maeve was so excited to talk about Santa. We had our Santa hats, our Santa toys and other little children were showing up to see Santa too, so plenty of company for the short wait.

We missed the actual arrival of Santa due to a well timed poopy diaper on Maeve's part, but we quickly took care of that and resumed our place in line. Looking back, I should have seen that as the omen it was, cut my losses and taken off. Instead, we waited in line with all the other children. Maeve was happy and care free, smiling at the other parents and making friends with some of the kids her size. As we drew closer, we could actually peep into the Santa's window and we saw Santa a scant four feet away, sitting in his chair talking to a little boy. I was worried about Maeve's reaction, but she leaned right into the window and waved at Santa, turning to me saying "Santa! Mommy, Santa!!". Santa waved back and Maeve had a grin ear to ear on her face. As we turned the corner to Santa's door, Maeve let go of my hand and joined all the kids hanging out in the doorway, literally pushing her way to the front to get a closer look at Santa. Still all smiles, still excited, still happy.

Then, suddenly, as the parents behind us pulled back their children & those in front of us finished with their pictures, Maeve found herself alone in the doorway staring a big guy in a red suit. We were next and the realization appeared to hit her like a ton of bricks. "Maeve, do you want to go sit in Santa's lap like the other kids?", I asked. Her smile fell, her eyes welled, her arms reached out and a huge "NOOOOOOOO!" sounded out her as if she was predicting the end of the world. So, I did what every good parent does in this type of situation. Picking her up, I turned to the Santa & the photographer and said, "Tell me when you are ready." ;)

4 comments

Posted by Laura at 3:12 AM

A few of my favorite things

We have quite a few new stories to share...

1) Earlier, I posted our Mother's Day picture of Maeve & I sporting our "Me" & "Mini Me" shirts. We are in that phase where she copies everything that I do. If I cross my legs, she crosses her legs. If I sit on the couch, she sits on the couch. It's a riot to watch.

2) We are quickly memorizing the entire dialogue for "Madagascar" ( Zebra as Maeve calls it), "Finding Nemo" (Nemo), "Toy Story" (Toy), "Monsters Inc" (Monster) and of course "Elmo goes to Grouchland". I'm sure this will prove vitally useful at some point in my life.

3) Maeve loves those movies and has her favorite parts in each of them. In Madagascar, she loves when the lion and the zebra sing "New York, New York". She insists on putting our faces cheek to cheek like the characters and we sing "New York, New York" right along with them. She also likes to go "Surprise" along with the lion at the beginning of the movie, complete with goofy look and hands up in the air. :) In Toy Story, she always grabs the microphone from our video game player and participates in the staff meeting that Woody gives to the other toys. In Monsters, Inc., she pretends to be scared at the beginning. Somehow, she has figured out that she should be scared, so as soon as the movie starts, the movie that she insisted on watching, she will hightail it out of the room and peek around the corner during the first scene. Then she comes back laughing.

4) Bedtime is going very well now...although we went through a very, very, very, very (did I say very) rough spell there. We are down from 2-3 hours of Maeve & I struggling over her bedtime, to 8:30pm sharp, we have our routine and off to bed she goes. Sunday, she was so tired and cranky that I asked her if she wanted to go to bed at 7:15pm and she said Yes (I almost fell over). So upstairs we went and off to bed without a single fuss.

5) She loves her dresses, especially one in particular. I have to hide it sometimes, or she would wear it everyday along with her pink sandals with the flowers. I swear people think I have nothing else for her to wear. When she isn't wearing her dress, she likes to pick out her clothes. She has come up with some pretty interesting combinations, but what can I say, she is a fashion forward trend setter, just like her Mommy...that's what I say when I don't match. :)

6) Who knew the sound "Ugh" could have so many inflections and meanings...and who knew that I could understand them all.

7) Maeve still carries around her 12 month pink jacket religiously. It is her "blankie" and I am careful to always have it nearby. I finally did convince her that it is too small to wear. She reluctantly agreed to wear a bigger jacket, so now we tote around two jackets everywhere.

8) Maeve has excellent eye sight. She can spot a M&M 4.2 miles away. 1 comments

Posted by Laura at 11:58 PM

It's been awhile...

Between work, connecting with SKYPE with the folks and Maeve's new found dislike for bedtime...it has been a struggle to find time to update our blog. Work is still crazy, but the 2-3 hours it was taking to put Maeve to bed seems to be finally over. She only got out of bed once tonight and went right back when I asked her too. YEAH!!

Here are a few pictures to catch up from April...





3 comments

Posted by Laura at 9:25 PM