7 Month Update

This is a record. I am actually posting Maya's monthly update, only 4 days after turning 7 months old! 

Maya has shown such incredible growth this past month. She has mastered the army crawl, gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth, ready to take off at any moment after her big sister. 

Even taking her monthly photo this month proved more challenging as Maya allowed me to snap just a photo of two before taking off her monthly marker and trying to crumble, rip off and chew her new monthly sticker.

Trying to eat her sticker

So pleased that she got her sticker off

Maya was also introduced to solid foods this month, with fruits and orange vegetables being her favorite. Any day I'm expecting her nose to begin to show a tinge of orange to it, just like Elliana's did around this age. I am loving every part of being Maya's mommy, and I am so abundantly grateful that she is a part of our family!

Laughing at her sister while she eats

Sisterly Love

Elliana and Maya are amazing. I know I'm biased, but the love they share literally takes my breath away. Reviewing photos of our recent adventures reminded me of the little things the girls do, the important, special, sisterly things they do everyday that I don't want to ever forget. 

Every morning, Maya and Elliana eagerly await the other to wake up, and greet each other with smiles that light up the room. Elliana will read, play, share, encourage and explain all she can to her baby sister. Maya responds positively and looks for Elliana when she is not by her side. At night, during potty breaks, Elliana whispers "Don't flush the toilet, Maya is sleeping and I don't want to wake her." Maya scoots toward Elliana with almost lightening speed, just to see what Elli is up to. During meal times, Elliana makes Maya giggle repeatedly and it warms my heart, fills my heart with joy and adds laugh lines to my face, every single time. 

Rapunzel and Maya the giraffe snuggling at HallZooWeen

Swinging together

My girls, with their smug, perfect smiles

6 Month Update

Every month I seem to say it, but how on earth is my baby girl already 6 months old?! Well, given I am late yet again in posting this blog she is now almost 7 months old!  Maya continues to fill our days with joy and laughter. Such a happy, smiley little girl who is no longer content to just sit back and watch,  but eager to participate in all she can.

Elliana at 3.5 years, frequently says, "Mommy, remember when she used to just lay there and not move? Those days are gone!" Boy, is Elliana right! Maya is an army-crawling, straight sitting upper, eating machine!

Maya weighs 18.2 lbs (84%) and measures 27" (86%) with an estimated BMI of 17.5! Wow, what a big healthy girl! These stats were all BEFORE she began eating solid foods which she is loving and happily eager to try.

We are all so abundantly grateful for Maya's contribution to our family. Thank you sweet girl for being YOU!

Walt Disney World 2012

Without really realizing it, we have created a family vacation tradition of going to Disney World. Our first time was with Elliana when she was just 15 months old. Elliana's laughter, excitement and growth on that short trip quickly made us realize that you can never be too young (or too old) for Disney World.

We returned again last year when Elliana was 2.5 years old, and again, we were swept away with the awe and magic of the vacation.

And so, we booked a trip again this year, with Elliana at 3.5 years and Maya just 6 months old. And again, it was a WONDERFUL vacation for all of us! I'll allow these few pictures to tell a thousand words :)

Elliana cuddling Maya tight on her first flight

Meeting the Fairy Godmother

Maya loving the Dumbo Ride

Elliana meeting her favorite princess, Rapunzel

Daddy and his girls

Family Photo with the Toy Story Gang

First day of school

Elliana, 3.5 years, 1st day of preschool

I knew this day was coming. Preschool. Three hours a day, two days a

week. An opportunity for Elliana to flourish with new opportunities,

new people and new experiences. It's a time when a mom should be

rejoicing, but I found myself full of anxiety and sadness. Never

before had my baby been away from me for so long at a time. We are

together all day, every day (a few dates with Hubby excluded) and the

idea of someone else influencing her for several hours at a time was

overwhelming to me.

Well, today was the day. Elliana awoke early in the morning, sometime

in the 5:00 hour, full of excitement and loudly pronouncing "My belly

tells me I am all done sleeping. It's time to get up." I suppose that

is a three year olds explanation of butterflies in her belly. :)

And so, I sucked it up. I held back the tears, put on my happy face

and celebrated the special day with my eldest daughter. And I am so

glad I did. For in her happiness, I gained happiness too. I know this

is a good opportunity for my precious little one and just the first of

many steps toward independence.

Happy First Day Elliana! I am so proud of you and the little girl you

have become!

Happy Little Girl giving Daddy a squeeze

Me and my baby!

Elliana and her best friend Jay eager to start school

When I picked her up from her classroom, I think she was excited :) 

Standing next to her Busy Bee