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Maya Update

Maya turned four months old on July 25th. I'm obviously behind on my blog updates since we are now upon her five month birthday. We saw the doctor for her four month wellness check-up. Of course she's perfect in every way. We discovered that she has a big head like the rest of us. She's much taller though. Somewhere in the 90 percentile.

So, what has she been up to the last two months? Her neck and arm strength have given her a whole new perspective on the world. We were able to put her in Lila's old exer-saucer a few weeks back. This beats the boredom of always laying on her back! She laughs at everything. Lila seems to be her favorite entertainer. She's also taking a bottle and is pretty good at holding it herself. She's still sleeping through the night, but daytime naps are becoming less routine. I think it's just too busy in our house during the day for her to dose off. She's also found her singing voice and regularly serenades the family with her pterodactyl impression. In the next couple of days she's going to try her first taste of rice cereal. I'm sure that will lead to some great photos!

The famous delta papasan

Maya & Casey Dog

Lila does enjoy feeding her baby sissy despite the bored look

Watching J.D's first big league game!

We love you Maya!

Happy Birthday America!

Just like last year, we spent the Fourth of July in Flagstaff with Gigi & Poppa. I love the Fourth and have since I was a kid. It's the best part of summer! We spent a week in Flag, but it went by too fast for all of us. We were kept pretty busy. Thankfully most of the time we were able to relax and enjoy the scenery. Flagstaff is a beautiful town! Gigi and Poppa have a great house and always throw the best parties. Good times!

Daddy & Lila at the parade

Mommy & the Little Girls

Daddy, Maya & Lila Bean

Three generations!

Nana & Lila Bean

Mommy & Maya

Matching Jammies! My Favorite!

Magic Poppa

Lila in her frog pool!

Lila & GiGi playing World Cup

Lila Bend'n it.

The whole crew... minus Uncle Paul. He was missed!

Thanks to all our Flag friends and family for making the Fourth memorable and fun for my girls. It was truly a great trip. See you next year, for sure!

Roll'n Roll'n Roll'n

Oh Maya! You are nearly four months old. So many little milestones are being reached by you. Recently, while we were in Flagstaff, you rolled from your tummy to your back! It's so exciting to be the first to see these little triumphs. Lila rolled over for the first time around the same age. Strangely enough, Nana was there to see that too. She feels really proud about that. I know it won't be long now before you are rolling all over the place, cruising, crawling, and eating big girl food. Let's take it easy though, please? I'm still enjoying our babymoon!

Father's Day

Father's Day was spent with our awesome Oaklandish neighbors to the left... Jane, Andy & Jasper. Eric and Andy rode their bikes all morning and met us gals plus Jasper at the Tourist Club. We ate, drank beer, sat in the sun... love those Germans for creating this place in the middle of the Muir Woods.

Baby Girl Maya, sleeping as usual.

Lila & Eric... Pretty Tourist Club

Jane, Maya & Jasper

Eric & Maya

Jane, Lila, Jasper & Andy

Daddy's Little Girl, definitely.

Tried many times for a family shot. This is all we got.

Elmo's Green Thumb

Elmo has a lot of power in this house. Whatever he wants to do, Lila wants to do. Elmo takes a bath, so Lila takes a bath. Elmo takes a nap, so Lila takes a nap. I never thought I would let her watch T.V. as much as she does, but it's not the first time I've eaten my words when it comes to parenting. Sesame Street is alright though. If Elmo can get her to bath and nap, all is well. Eric took her to see "Elmo's Green Thumb" at the Oracle Arena over Father's Day weekend. We made a big deal about it. I'm not sure she knew exactly what she was in for though. Eric said when the curtain rose, Lila clasped her hands together and yelled "WHAT IS HAPPENING DADDY?" Out comes Elmo and she nearly clawed her own eyes out. Check it out.

Meeting Thatcher Hartman

A few weekends ago, we celebrated Russell Staine's 60th birthday! It was a great time that sadly wasn't captured on camera... but, we did manage to get a few shots the next morning when we had breakfast with cousin Will, Juliet and their new baby boy... Thatcher Hartman, born ten days after Maya. Maaan, is he cute or what???

Maya, Lila & Thatcher

Juliet, Thatcher & Will

BFF's

What's with the stink eye, Thatch?

Lila the Lounger

Maya Turns Two Months Old - May 25

Maya's Two Month Stats:
Weight - 11 lbs 7 oz,
Height - 23 in

Seriously? It's been two months? I remember when Lila was two months old. It seemed like a lifetime had passed. In a way it did if you consider how quickly our lifestyles were turned upside down. We had no clue what we were doing back then though. The days were long and our nights were exhausting. There are so many ways Lila and Maya are different. But, I think Eric and I are better, more patient parents these days which makes everything seem much easier.

Maya is the Happiest Baby on the Block. Yes, I watched the DVD and so should every new parent. If I could make that doctor dinner, I would. Maya is mellow and calm. She seldom cries and is easily soothed. At two months old, she has a big, gummy smile and is starting to chat it up with us quite a bit. She been sleeping most of the night since she was born. She's really strong. Sometimes she lays on her tummy in front of the mirror. She props herself up on her elbows and holds her neck upright so she can smile at herself. There really is no better cure for bitchiness than watching this little girl laugh at herself. Come to my house if you are in a bad mood. We have the cure.

Happy Birthday, Maya Rae. The joy and excitement of having you with us is the same as it was the day you were born. Lila Bean can't stop kissing and hugging you. Mommy and Daddy are madly in love with you. Thank you, cherub. xxooxx

Memorial Day

I love me the month of May. Cinco de Mayo, Eric's birthday, Bay 2 Breakers, and Memorial Day. When I used to work (at the job that paid, not the job I have now) it was the first holiday since Christmas. A long stretch to go without a day off. It also means that summer is right around the corner. So, this Memorial Day we had lots of visitors including the Hicks' Family. Maya had not met her Uncle Tom yet, and Grandma and Pappy hadn't seen her since she was three days old. It's hard for our families to go so long without seeing the little girls. They are both growing so fast and each day brings some sort of change. I love Girl Stuff because we can quickly update the family and they feel more connected. Unfortunately, it's been hard to keep up with a two month old AND a two and a half year old. I'm working on it!

Marie was up from Manhattan Beach and spent all day Friday with us. We missed you, Patrick!

Russell & Leanna came to see Maya. Thanks guys!

Wish Tom could swing by every night at around 8:30.

Grandma & Maya Rae

Everyone went to the zoo! Tom, Lila and giraffes.

Lila finally discovered the huge kid house in our backyard.

Lila & Maya

I can't help it. These pictures are the best. Eric took them so I don't have any background dialogue to add. Enjoy the love people.

Fourth Street

Berkeley's Fourth Street is one of my favorite places to push a stroller around on a Saturday morning. I love this neighborhood - good shopping, great food, live music... what's not to love? I also love these pictures of Eric and Lila. Maya was sleeping as usual. Cruising in her stroller does this to her. She's starting to stay awake more and more everyday, so keep checking in for some shots of my lovely little Mimi.

Lila getting ready to stroll. Love the Italian purse, Grandma.

She grows tired of accessories very fast. We did a hat change mid-stroll.

Look! There's Maya... under the blanket to the right!

Those giraffes are like family now.