Maya's first word and other happenings in September

We've spoken with Collin about how his one-year-old cousin, Nico, is learning to talk, so when he says “ba” pointing to the ball, that’s his word.  So this morning Maya was in the exersaucer babbling away and Collin heard her say “ba.” 

He says to her, “Great job, Maya, that’s your first word.  Ba, your first word.  You’re talking just like everybody in the world talks.  I’m so proud of you, Maya, you’re talking.” 

I thought it was so cute, especially the "I'm so proud of you."  He's a really good big brother, and Maya will be lucky to grow up with such encouragement!

The only pictures I've taken in September were with my parents, since they enabled me to have a free set of hands.  And my mom even got some of Maya and me.  I am just crazy about this sweet girl!

When you go exploring at Grammy and Brownie's, it usually involves attacking ant beds with sticks.

Intense with three sticks

Maya observed the exploring from the front porch in my mom's arms -

We are still obsessed with her smiles and giggles, just as we were at this stage with Collin -

Collin loves making her smile and laugh -

When his form of tickling wasn't working, he tried the nibbling-on-toes move -

But he's also happy to have everyone focused on him, especially when the attention is coupled with tumbling and wrestling -

Drooling, grinning, bright-eyed girl -

Giggling with Brownie -

One evening at my parents', my dad was reading Collin and Maya a bedtime story and Maya passed out, clutching Collin's arm, in the midst of the book -

The next day, Collin and Grammy set out with their sticks to explore and destroy the enemy mushrooms -

After the yard was safe from ants and mushrooms, they headed to the backyard to swing "a google high" -

This is about as dare-devil as Collin gets, leaning back in the swing -

Swinging on the swing set that has lasted three generations - from my mom, uncle and cousins to my brother and me to my kids -

We brought Maya out for some gentler swinging -

Happy kids in the swings -

And posing before church, Maya in her first Oshkosh B'gosh overall outfit and Collin with a stache - 

Wrapping up with one last conversation with Collin:

E:  Collin, I'm going to wash your sheets and silkies

C:  [with tears in his eyes] You have to remember to wash Eric [cabbage patch doll] too

E:  What?

C:  You have to remember to wash Eric.  Every time you wash the silkies you have to wash Eric too.

E:  Okay buddy, I can put Eric in the wash with the silkies.

C:  That is what you have to always remember.  Just like never giving me spankings.

E:  Alright, so my two things to remember are to never give you spankings and to wash Eric with your silkies.

C:  Right.