2008 In Memoriam

1. Maya singing the ABC's and counting 1-10
2. New daycare
3. New house and newly remodeled family room
4. Auto start (can't say enough good things)
5. New blog design (I'm still in love with it)
6. Mom and tot swim lessons
7. Maya's first boat ride
8. Seattle trip
9. New adoption friends
10. Maya's 1st birthday and 1st forever home anniversary

Just a few things and in no particular order...Happy New Year!

Sledding and Pizza

Last night we joined some friends over at our friend Betty's place.  We first went sledding and then had some pizza and hot chocolate.  Maya HATED every minute of the sledding.  She just cried and cried.  Thankfully she had a blast playing at Betty's.  Thanks Betty for the fun night!

Not sure if she hated sledding because it was dark outside or that she couldn't move from all her layers...
 
Maya found a way to color in the middle of an Uno game :)

Christmas 2008 - Part III

On our final couple days of our Christmas holiday, we traveled to visit Dave's family. We specifically wanted to visit his grandmother one last time. Dave's brother and family from California were also back so we also wanted to see them. It was nice to have them meet Maya. On Friday night we stayed over and drove home on Saturday. It was very hectic and tiring but very fun.

Maya with cousin Leslee

Maya had a ball playing with Aunt Karen

Maya with one of her favorite aunts, Aunt Kerry

When we got home on Saturday, Maya learned that Santa not only visited Grandma Julie's house but also visit our house. I just loved her reaction. Priceless.

Christmas 2008 - Part II

On Christmas Day morning we played at the water park at our hotel. Maya thought the kiddie pool and the slides were so fun. She must have gone down the duck slide at least a dozen times. Maya also went down the big slide twice - once with daddy and once with Aunt Tori. I didn't feel confident enough to take her down. After playing at the pool, we spent some time at Grandma Julie's place. She made a wonderful Christmas meal and everyone opened up their stockings/gifts from Santa. What fun! Later in the day some of us saw a movie and then even later we met up with our friends Suzi and Ronnie. They are in the process of adopting a little boy (domestic adoption). It was a crazy/busy day but very fun.




She is a natural - look at those curled fingers!

Just to prove that Maya has an ugly face...

Suzi, Ronnie, and Joseph

Christmas 2008 Pictures

Christmas 2008 - Part I

This year we spent Christmas with my (Theresa's) family.  We left on Christmas Eve morning for my mom's.  The day was jammed packed with church, dinner, and opening gifts.  Maya was so tired by the time we opened gifts that she sat on daddy's lap for most of it.   Maya must have been a very good girl this year as she received many wonderful presents.


We couldn't get a very good shot of Maya with her Christmas dress on but you get the idea.  Thank you to Aunt Kerry for picking it out and for giving it to her. 

 

Maya received a big girl sleeping bag from her aunt Tori and family.  
 
Maya had fun playing with her cousins

Maya sure loves her Aunt Tori

Maya received some dress up shoes - maybe she'll wear those versus mine
 
These are just highlights of Christmas night - stay tuned for pictures from the rest of our trip.  What a busy few days we've had!

Whew, finally home

It feels like forever since I have updated my blog.  I guess being out of town for the holidays is a good reason.  We had a wonderful Christmas with my family.  We also had a great visit with Dave's family yesterday and this morning before driving back to Fargo.  Unfortunately one thing wasn't so good.  We lost Dave's grandmother early this morning.  She was a very sweet and lovely lady who lived a wonderful 97 years.  Maya kept saying "Grandma Barbara" today.  We told Maya she is sleeping so she says "Grandma Barbara sleeping".   It is too bad that Maya will never know her.

Pictures of Maya's hair

Today Maya got her hair done by Tarsi.  We finally tracked her down!  I couldn't stay long as I needed to get back to work but Dave said Maya did really well.  Tarsi sat Maya in a highchair on the ground and played a video for Maya to watch.  It was during Maya's nap time so she was a little antsy and very tired.  She fell right to sleep as soon as she got in the car.  I highly recommend Tarsi and would be happy to share her phone number.   Here is my attempt of getting some pictures.  Maya is very clingy tonight as she is still very tired. 

I'm excited for tomorrow!

What is tomorrow you may ask?  Well...tomorrow Maya is getting her hair done by Tarsi!  We finally tracked down the gal that had done Maya's hair before.  We are hoping she can do something cute for Christmas.  I'll post some pictures tomorrow night.  Please pray that Maya cooperates as it is during nap time (only time we could get in with her). 

Fun Day with Maya

We didn't do much but we had fun.  One of Maya's favorite activities is coloring.  She LOVES it!  I think I need to buy a new coloring book soon as she is quickly coloring each and every page in it.  Maya will actually sit down for 30-45 minutes at a time  to color. 


Maya also had a blast today wearing dad's hat and gloves.  She wouldn't take them off! 
 
Another thing Maya loves is to look (and touch) the Christmas tree.  She thinks the lights and all the ornaments are "pretty".   Of course the tree looks a little silly as it is only decorate on the top. 

Hope you all had a great Sunday too.  Can you believe Christmas is just days away?  Unbelievable.

Gifts from Daycare to Maya

How awesome are these gifts? I just love Maya's daycare and I love her teachers. They are the best.

I feel like a bad mother...

So today I chose work over Maya's holiday party at daycare. I guess I didn't feel I had much of a choice as I missed work already this week due to having the flu. I didn't think much of missing the party until I picked Maya up. Not only was she one of very few kids there but she also received lots of wonderful gifts. Her daycare gave her an adorable outfit and puzzle and Santa brought her a brown teddy bear. I then learned that Maya was terrified of Santa and went screaming the other direction. Where was I during all of this? At work. Really? I completely regret not being there to celebrate with Maya and her daycare friends. Is work really that important that is comes before your child? I realize I need to help pay the bills but really? I should have taken the time and attended Maya's party. I missed it, all of it. No pictures, no stories, nothing. One thing for sure, I learned my lesson and will make these parent/child events a priority from now on. They are important even if Maya is only 22 months. She is #1 and will always be in my book.

Lots and Lots of Hair!

I think it is time for Maya to get some braids or something. Her hair is getting so long and out of control! It is hard for me to style these days and that darn stocking hat doesn't help matters. Here is Maya right after her bath tonight:

Here is a picture of Maya right after we got home. Boy her hair has grown even with 2 haircuts!

Newest Fashion Trend

Check this look out...Maya wasn't too happy that I was taking her picture. She kept saying "no pictures mommy, no pictures". Sorry sweetie but don't you know that mommy is blogging your entire life?

Snow Storm Part 2

As crazy as this may sound, Dave and Maya got all dressed to go visit our next door neighbors last night. Here are some pictures...they both had so much fun!

Snow Storm

Today we had our first blizzard of the winter season.  It is actually one of the worst ones we have had in a few years.  The roads are closed, no travel is advised, and even the retail stores have closed.  You know it is bad when the retail stores close during December.  We even found out that all the schools are closed tomorrow which means no daycare. 

Since we are snowed in today, we decorate some sugar cookies.  Well...Maya decorated some cookies and did a great job.  She LOVED it!  
  


Maya also had fun playing with dad's hat and a beverage pitcher.  Who needs toys when you have this stuff to play with?

Here Comes Santa Claus, Here Comes Santa Claus...

Today we went to Santa's Village with our friends Kimberly/Greg and Lacy/Dan along with their little ones. Maya had fun watching the trains, writing Santa a letter, meeting Mrs. Claus, playing with the toys, and meeting the reindeer. Unfortunately we are 0-3 in the Santa Claus lap thing - Maya wanted nothing to do with him. Oh well. We all had fun together and the kids really enjoyed themselves. What a great family activity despite the cold weather.



Best of buds - Maya and Abygail

Maya thought this was close enough to Santa


Maya's favorite part was decorating cookies with Mrs. Claus

Dave entertained us all by making a snow angel - too funny

The Gang

Maya got to meet a reindeer - I think it was Dancer but I could be wrong :)