Recipe for a Forever Family: Take One Mom (formerly from the Midwest), Add One Cutie Pie (formerly from China), then slowly Stir in Two Big Drooly Dogs.
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Sure!


 Maeve's new things.  

- "Sure!" or "Sure, Mommy!"  That is her typical response when I ask her to do something.  She says it in such an agreeable tone of voice, it is just the cutest thing.  We still have our moments where "No" and occasional "deafness" occur when I ask her to do something, but most of the time she is completely happy to go along with the flow.  Of course, when she has a popsicle in her hand, her favorite word is "Mine!".

- Bedtime is the new playtime.  :)  It took her a little bit, but Maeve loves the fact that I converted her crib to a toddler bed and she can now get in and out at will (which she does!).  Now, after I put her down at night, she usually gets back up and plays in her room for a little bit.  I can hear her on the monitor cruising around. Most nights, she is quite the conversationalist, talking (although I don't know to who), humming and singing up a storm. She evens picks up after herself! In the morning, she is always sound asleep in her bed with all of her toys put away, even the ones that were left out from the previous day. Now...I just have to teach her how to load the dishwasher. ;)

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A Lazy Sunday...


The weather was very agreeable today.  After the excitement of Saturday, we were both ready for a nice relaxing day.  Did I mention she slept in to 7am this morning.  Of course, I am now programmed to wake up at 5am, but the early morning quiet was a pleasant surprise.  

It was so nice, that when Maeve did wake up, we both dressed in shorts and t-shirts.  The clothes are size 2T and fit her for the most part, but a few brands run a bit large as we found out today.  Walking the dogs through the park, Maeve was running along side of me.  Then, all of a sudden, she came to a complete stop and hollered out, "Mommy!  Wait!!!"  Looking back, I see Maeve, about 8 feet back, with her shorts falling down around her ankles. :)  

"Mommy!  My Pants!  My Pants!", she is very indignantly shouting at me.  I am trying not to smile, and just tell her to hoist them back up.  Which she does, with a painstaking grimace that only a two year old can manage.  Then I hear, "Mommy, I coming!", as she hurries to catch up .  

Now this scene repeated about four times before we made it out of the park (& I folded over her waistline to try and keep them up).   If anyone had a video camera, I'm sure they would have made it big on "America's Funniest Home Videos".
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Party Animal

It was a busy day today.

In the morning, we had our usual walk and stopped off at the coffee shop to read the paper.  (Well, I read the paper, and Maeve colored it purple.)  After that, we stopped at the store to grab some wrapping paper for our gift for the birthday party we were going to that afternoon.  Looking back, that is where the trouble began. :)  

Normally, we eat in a very healthy manner, but today I decided Maeve could splurge a bit.  So, I let her have some M&Ms.  The result was a small child (25 lbs soaking wet) chasing a large bullmastiff (100+ lbs dog completely dry) around the couch, madly waving the roll of wrapping paper and shouting "Go!  Go!  Go!"  Both were having a great time with this new "game" and it went on for about 20 minutes or so.   The dog tired out before the child. ;)  Then it was time for the "CLOSET".  That is where Mommy has many of her shoes.  Maeve took out most of them and spent the rest of the morning clomping around in them.  She was a good sport and put them back afterwards...not exactly as neatly as I had them lined up before, but at least they were in the closet.   Finally, it was time for a nap.  A good thing, because Mommy needed one too.  After a quick nap, it was off to the party.  We didn't have time to eat before we left and Maeve was such a good sport about it...that Mommy indulged her again.  So, she dug right into the chili dog (fully loaded), Mac & Cheese, a little potato salad, and plenty of chips and cheetos.  Maeve is not a big eater, but she loves to sample.   After washing it all down with some juice, it was time to play.  Her first experience with a Jumper (the big inflatables that the kids all jump around in) was a huge success.  Maeve loved it and all the other games that were out too.  She even took turns with the other kids swinging at the pinata, although she didn't know what to do with the candy that came out of it (probably a good thing as you will figure out soon enough.)  After the pinata, it was time for ice cream & cake, with the tropical floats (sherbert & 7-Up) as the big treat.  Maeve only had a couple of bites of her cake, but downed her float in record time.  Still ready to go, she grabbed a handful of Cheetos and headed inside with me to watch the birthday boy open his gifts.   This is where it gets really fun.  Looking down, I see Maeve with a Cheeto in each hand and a funny look on her face.   The funny look didn't last long...it was quickly replaced by a full view of all the things she had eaten during the day, not necessarily in chronological order.  OHHHH NOOOO!!!   Luckily we were in the kitchen, which is much easier to clean up and few noticed, so we didn't take away from the moment, but I'm thinking, my poor Baby, she must feel horrible.......Not really.  

"Champion Partier" that she is, Maeve took it all in stride.  Looking up at me, with a look on her face that said "You don't think I'm going to clean this up, do ya?", she calmly stuck one of the Cheetos in her mouth.  Quickly grabbing a couple of wet wipes and paper towels, a friend helped and we had her cleaned up in no time.  At which point, she ate the other Cheeto and took off for the Jumper again.  After I chased her out of that, Maeve snagged a cup of jellybeans on the way out and was merrily chomping away on those while I was saying my goodbyes (the party was over) and profusely apologizing about the rug.  Driving home, I kept checking on Maeve, but she was fine.  She was perfectly content to drink her water and read her new "Elmo" book (a party favor.)  We even ran a couple of errands on the way home.  Then true to nature, as soon as we arrived home, Maeve turns to me and says "Eat?!"  I played a little safer this time and stuck to Chicken & Rice. ;)   








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A Few Mysteries Solved!!

1) Why I can never find my shoes...






















2) Why my water bill is so high...




















3) How to dry your hands...
  • First, wave them around.
  • Then use cheeks to wipe off excess water.
  • Be sure to intently watch "Little Einsteins" throughout the whole procedure.
  • As a back-up, keep dog handy for petting to speed up drying process.




















4) The most comfortable spot in the house to relax...














5) The proper way to sit in a chair...


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A Lazy Day...

Here is "The General" spending a lazy afternoon watching "The Little Einsteins".

First, it is very important to wear your green, fuzzy, "don't know what it was exactly, but on sale for St Pat's Day" headband. Next, snuggle up on the couch, after jumping up and down repeatedly to ensure said couch is at maximum snuggleness!



When tired of the couch, go get one of Mommy's good pillows and plop on the floor for a perfect headrest. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
Hi Mommy!!
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My GIFTED child!

Here's proof! Maeve will dazzle you with her skills handling not just one cup, but TWO cups!!
(If you want to turn off the music, just click the little speaker icon above the "rockyou" emblem.)


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This one is for Grandpa!

Here you go Dad. I found this and thought you would like it.



You can either "click and drag" the penny to "scratch" off the picture or you can just wait and it will "scratch" on it's own. 0 comments

Happy Birthday Day Maeve - The Big "TWO"!!


Maeve's Birthday was today, March 23. She is now officially "TWO", although she has been breaking me in on the "Terrible Twos" for a bit now. It was a busy weekend, complete with her birthday party on Saturday and then Easter and her first visit from the Easter Bunny on Sunday.

Saturday's party was a simple affair and a complete blast. The theme was an eclectic mix of holiday and toddler favorites - meaning Mommy shopped Target sale ads and the dollar section. :)) So, we had a combination of Elmo, Spring Festival, Easter Bunny, Balloons & Leprechaun theme happening. The weather was perfect and we had plenty of cake & ice cream, games and treats for all the kids. Overall it was a huge success.




Easter Sunday was an excellent excuse for Maeve and I to get all dressed up. We stopped off at the Coffee shop first and she received so many compliments on how cute she looked and then off to Mass. I forgot that on the holidays, due to the crowds that they split up the Spanish and English services and we ended up at the Spanish Mass. That was okay. After all, we are both learning Spanish, so we just took it all in.

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Adventures in Motherhood - The Saga Continues...

Cute as a button and ready for bed. Seems like it would be easy doesn't it?

When Maeve first came home, she was very much a self-soother, in that she was able to calm herself down when she was upset. She was so used to having to do it herself, she had no idea what a "Mommy" was for. Well, that has changed. "Mommy" is good for all sorts of things, including comforting you when you are sad or upset or just don't want to go to sleep.

Bedtime goes pretty smoothly. We have our little "rituals" that we have settled into. When it is bedtime, she gets into her pajamas and we brush her teeth (which she loves to do). Then it is off to watch the "Ni Hao, Kai Lan" episode that I downloaded from Itunes for the millionth time. Twenty three minutes later, she presses the button to her sound machine and climbs into her crib after a hug and kiss from me. Then we play peek-a-boo three times with her blanket, before I tuck her all in and wish her good night. It usually goes pretty smoothly.

Usually, until her first, full flung temper tantrum last night at bed time. Oh my goodness! It was almost funny to watch her seethe and then scream at increasingly high decibel levels at the indignity of going to bed before 8pm. It would have been funnier if I had not lost hearing in at least one ear. I did not know a child could scream "Mommy" so loudly, so angrily, so indignantly and so often in less than two minutes. Finally, after five minutes...."Mommy" caved and we watched "Ni Hao, Kai-Lan" again. Then off to bed she went, not too happy, but decidedly less noisier (notice I didn't say quiet) than the first attempt. :)

Here is my little angel at a Baby Shower that we recently attended. She had such a good time, unfortunately every time I pulled the camera out, she instantly became more serious and refused to smile. The flower "pretty" in her hair was a gift from the hostess. She is very talented and makes a variety of hair "pretties". Maeve loved her new flower.

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Just a few photos with a little commentary...

Here are a few photos taken over the last month...

I'm not spoiled...I just like having everything my way!





















Every modern girl can work a little Yoga into the busiest of schedules. And it's a nice way to wind down before a nap!






































How to rule the world in 5 easy steps!

1) First understand the dilemna. "Hmmm, I am not the supreme ruler of the world yet...I do not like this."









2) Next, take careful notes and make a plan.











3) Double check to make sure you didn't forget anything.











4) Give instructions to your faithful minion, that is Mommy. "Okay Mommy, we are at the dog park and we will take control. When I say Go, you get that dog and I'll get the other one. Got it??!!?? Good!"








5) Grrrr...Charge!!!!

























Just make sure you don't get distracted. "Oh look! A picnic table for me to climb on. Yeah!!" 0 comments

The crazy lady with the really small feet.

Shopping with a toddler is always an adventure. One that will surely land me in the looney bin one of these days. It is not Maeve. She is a good shopper, especially if shoes are involved. No, it is the Mommy that is in question and normally under constant surveillance. I'm on the lookout for the big white van with the nice men and the white coat with extra long arms. :)

Still not sure what I am talking about? Let me describe a couple of our typical outings.
- This past weekend at the grocery store. Me talking to Maeve, "Let's get some BLUUUUE BERRRIEES! WE LOOOOVVEE BLUUUE BEERRIES!! They are right over there, so let's go get them! YEAH!!! BLUEEE BERRRRIIIIES!!!" Maeve is jumping up and down with a huge, ear to ear grin, because she loves her blue berries. Now look at the same situation from the point of view of the five other people in the fruit and vegetable area of the store. Did I mention they can't see Maeve. Mini-me is below eye level behind the fruit stand. So, it's just some crazy lady talking about blue berries. Loudly and in a sing-song voice.
- Target, two weeks ago. Maeve is doubled over pushing the cart. She loves to push the cart and insists on doing so at every opportunity. Mini-me can not reach the handle, so she bends over and holds the bar at the bottom. Did I mention, no one can see her, especially with a Target cart in front of her. Again the crazy lady is talking, "GOOD PUSHING!! Oh my goodness!! Great Job!! You are the BEST PUSHER EVER!!" Meanwhile, Maeve is going full throttle and if I'm not careful will take out anything in her path. So not only is the Crazy Lady congratulating herself on what a good job she is doing, but she is blazing through the store like it is the Indy 500! One woman finally approached me laughing, saying that until she was finally close enough to see Maeve, she just thought I was some crazy person with really tiny feet. (The only part of Maeve that she could see.)

Oh well...I am resigned. People think I am crazy and I'm okay with that. After all, who wants to be predictable??

Here are a couple of pictures after our last trip to Target. I found a purse and cute hair accessories for Maeve. She insisted on carrying the purse and wearing the headband throughout the store. Of course, all the sales tags were still there and the headband was still attached to the cardboard holder, but that didn't phase Miss Fashion Statement. Truly, "The General" can pull any look off! Did I mention that we spent a hour in Barnes & Noble after that with the same fashion statement? I can only imagine what people were saying. :))

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The General Returns!

Sorry everyone! Between major computer issues and all the hoopla of starting a new job, my blogging has lapsed considerably. The good news is that the dust has settled well from the job switch and my computer is back home after major repairs. There is plenty to update everyone on, especially our Christmas holiday, but I'll just do a quick post tonight to put a few pictures up.

By the way, my new nickname for Maeve is "The General", as she can bark orders out with the best of them.

Case in point...what is a bored toddler to do when her Mommy is taking too long in the shower??? Wait quietly? Not Maeve. Cry or throw a tantrum?? Oh No, not my Maeve. Wait patiently, while amusing herself with the many toys Mommy has left out for her??? What?! Are you living in Fantasy Land?!?

Not "The General"! When Mommy forgets her place in the pecking order and interferes with the stated order of the day (Eat, Park, Eat, Watch Einsteins, Eat, Play, etc.), "The General" quickly re-establishes order to the impending chaos! Stomping over to the bathroom door with every ounce of her 24 lbs in each step, her miniature Mary Jane shoes make an impressive squeak as she nears her objective. Then with a decisive swoosh, "The General" pulls back the shower curtain with one sweep, barking out in a surprisingly deep voice, "MOMMY! AAAH DON!!!!". Just in case the angry look is missed, "The General" pulls down the bath towel and throws that into the tub for good measure. (Seriously she did all of this!) Private Mommy is once again reminded of her rank within the household and order is restored.

Here she is calling Grandma & Grandpa to tell them all about it.














More news....
Smudge had 8 puppies!!!

Our friend, Doug, actually had three sets of litters including Smudges', for a total of 27 puppies. Maeve loved them all!

Here she is with Niki's puppies.








"The General" had a great time, until all the puppies decided she was a big puppy toy. :) Don't worry, prior to leaving she had re-established control of the situation. ;) 2 comments

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