Squeezing our Sweet Maya

We invited ourselves to swim at my Aunt Debbie's on Friday, stopping by Great Grandma Jewell Rae's cottage before we hit the pool.  Collin set a new record, being in her house for at least 90 seconds before sneaking over to the glass bowl holding Hershey Kisses. 

 

After successful photos with B the previous evening, we took some with my paternal grandma and my kids.  I love the sweetness here -

Everyone's having more fun with Maya now that she's smiling and interacting more - 

Jewell Rae was saying, "I just want to squeeze her."  We know, this girl is hugged and kissed all day long!

Maya spent a few minutes in the pool in diaper and hat, but was happy to get out of the water and into the arms of cousin Jasper.

While Collin, Jewell Rae and I ate lunch, Maya was rocked to sleep in the arms of Aunt Debbie.  

Great grandma time two days in a row plus time with our great aunt, cousins, and their pool make us continually thankful for our wonderful family minutes from our home!

Gleeful and Girly

Maya had soaked her outfit with drool, so we put on a cute hand-me-down set to celebrate my grandma, B, coming to dinner.  My big girl in her ruffles -

This girl is growing SO MUCH - she pretty much fills up Collin's lap -

Big brother kisses lead to gleeful giggles -

Oh we are so blessed with these two wonderful kids.

Blue-eyed beauties, my grandma with her great-granddaughter -

Two laughing expressions, one deer-in-the-headlights -

With Cas out of town, my sweet grandma brought dinner to our house.  I love watching my kids spend precious time with their great grandma, having an adult conversation at dinner, and the extra hand for the bedtime routine.  I am so fortunate to have healthy, happy kids and my wonderful family nearby!  

FaceTime and Family Sunday Funday

Last Sunday we finally got it together to FaceTime with Uncle Alex and Aunt Coady.  Of course that Sunday afternoon, Collin was a wild man, sitting still for a whole 30 seconds of chatting with his cross-country family.  And Maya wasn't in the mood to show off her smiles or giggling tricks.  We tried though, with Maya and I connecting from the floor.

Though I was the only one pushing for this family photo, my mom was able to get two pretty good shots.  Reverse psychology - telling Collin he cannot be in our photo and shouldn't smile at the camera - was the only way to trick him into cooperating.

Feeling the love -

This Sunday the kids cuddled with Cas for some reading time -

Our bug-eyed little girl so far appears to enjoy books -

She just started rolling over this weekend.  Maya will get to her stomach, look up, and then whine for help to return to her back.  Cas, Collin and I act as her cheering squad for her new trick.

According to Collin, T-Rex was saying mean things and he was protecting Maya . . . not sure that's what is evidenced in this photo!

Moving through the infant circuit - from her rolling blanket to the infant gym to exersaucer, Maya is a pretty happy camper.  She went to the nursery for the first time at church today and did perfectly, sleeping almost the whole time.

Maya coos, squeals, and is beginning to grasp onto the rings and toys under the infant gym.  She is such a content baby, and it is a joy to celebrate all the tiny milestones with her.

The Park to Ourselves

Working around Maya's eating and napping schedule, we hit a park just before noon in August in Houston and were the only maniacs there.  We went because it had a splash pad, and Collin went charging in.

Maya watched from the shade, and I took her in to splash her toes every few minutes.  She was neutral to the splash pad, as you can see, but as she didn't cry, I figured she was happy enough.

Relaxing in the grass and making spit bubbles, Maya's exciting new trick that her big brother highly encourages!

Collin burned all his pent-up energy from spending the morning inside with us, jumping up and down and then using the plastic shovel to fight the water.  Always a battle with this super-hero loving guy!

Maya and I watching from the shade -

My daughter in my lap -

Sticking her tongue out at her big brother -

Collin takes a breather from his water battle, and we snap a photo before heading to the playground.

Posing by the rock steps, showing how we are the only ones using the playground in the middle of the day.

Collin hasn't really figured out how to play with strangers yet (though I have tried to teach him that walking up to young kids and roaring in their face is not the best approach), so I think he enjoyed having the park to himself.

Getting braver on the "lily pads" - a few months ago this would have required a helping hand -

Spinning and smiling -

Maya was entertaining herself with this rattle that our neighbors gave us that attaches to her wrist or ankle.

By himself on the see-saw because I'm apparently too big -

Very cautiously and seriously walking the shaking balance beam -

After maybe 20 minutes, I was done.  We hit the splash pad for a few more minutes and called it a day.

And one last shot of our lovely but lonely visit to the park -

Leg Warmer Love

After bath the other night, I decided it was time for another modeling session.  Until I find leg warmers with more gentle elastic for my girl's big thighs, they'll be a photo-opp-only accessory.

Winking for the camera -

I love those sweet curling fingers, especially when she's cuddled up with them wrapped around my fingers.

Practicing her ballerina poses

And gazing at her big brother -

Oh how we love these two and love watching them love each other!