Christmas and Thanksgiving, early

This year we had Thanksgiving and Christmas and one of Maeve's parties in one weekend at Chris's parents' house. (a big, giant Maeve post is coming soon).

Here's Elena helping Grandma decorate her little tree
Chris got a marble run that can be added to every year, and they've had a great time playing it

Chris and I left the girls for about two hours one day, and when we came back, Elena and Grandpa had built a working paddle boat! She is so proud

When we got back, this is what the girls were up to!

Decorating Grandma

Maeve and Reid playing with the exersaucer

Elena opening gifts

This is one of Elena's gifts, but both girls have played on it every day since she got it!

Grandpa and the two littlest


Maeve attempting to un-decorate Grandma's tree

Chris and Reid

Reid looking silly!

Elena and Grandpa opening presents-this was the trampoline!

Nana and Elena

We had a fun, and very busy trip! I"ll post Maeve pics soon, and all the other things going on!

50 things about the birthday girl

Today is Maeve's first birthday, and I thought I'd write up a list of the first 50 things I could think of that I love about her! We love you so much sweet girl-Happy Birthday!

Rather than posting a ton of her first year, I have made a share site that have 100 pictures of her on it! Go to:

maevebirthdaypictures.shutterfly.com

How much you love your toothbrush

“singing” along with us

Banging together your pots and pans

Your sister’s trampoline

That you say “hi” or “hey” to every person we pass

That you wave bye bye

Sometimes you stand at the door and cry when daddy leaves

Mama was your first word

Any rhythm that you can find-dripping water, drums, etc. means a dance beat

You are our animal girl, and any puppy or kitty will be loudly told “hey”

Even if it is in a book and drawn

When your cousin’s dog goes outside, you cry for her

Instruments are some of your favorite toys

You love to “love” your animals, but have zero inclination towards your dolls

“Sis” is one of your favorite people

At her name, you try to climb off the bed to go see her

When you do see her, you clap, say “hi” and try to hug her face

Immediately after that, you try to pull her paci out of her mouth if she’s sleeping

You hated purees and still won’t taste anything if I try to put it in your mouth

Even though it keeps us busy, I’m glad that you forge your own way

You can walk, but you’d rather crawl because you’re faster and can get into things more quickly

Even though you are pretty opinionated, you listen when mama says no

You love books and bring them to me to read and crawl in my lap

You will listen even longer than your sister will now, and you have definite favorites

You can eat and eat and eat…you almost never quit on your own!

But, you are super picky and don’t like bread or pasta, or tomato sauce. We aren’t sure what we’re going to be feeding you!

You are very snuggly

You love to have your back rubbed and will lay still endlessly for it!

No hairbows are allowed to stay on your head-they get pulled out

Sometimes when we say yes, you nod in agreement

Phones are your favorite toy, and if they get taken away, beware-it’s ugly!

You love to climb stairs, Elena’s stool, and into the dishwasher

You know to talk on the phone and babble when you pick one up

But, if someone really does try to talk to you, you get frustrated

You are our friendly girl, and love to see new people

If anyone tries to take you from mama, though, you turn away

You are your mama’s girl! We’re together…a lot!

Sleeping is not your favorite thing-too many things that you’re missing! Lots of times you only get 9 hours of sleep in 24-which isn’t many for a one year old!

Mama’s been trying to teach you nose forever, and now you’re saying “eyes” without prompting-a girl with her own mind

Your mama and daddy love how much you love animals, us, and your big sis.

You like to be with your people all the time, with nothing between you including a walker

The trashcan seems unspeakably fascinating

You blow kisses by putting your hand to your mouth, sticking out your tongue, and making a slurping sound

Everything goes in your mouth

You put your hands up to say “oh no” but you cover your whole face

You found your ears recently, and think they’re hilarious

You think getting your own apple, cracker, pear, whatever, is super great

Pre Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving early at my parents. Uncle Nathan was (as always) super popular. Jumping

Cami had built a fort at my parents' house, so Elena (of course) wanted to do the same. I was cleaning up and didn't want to get it all out, but we compromised on the pack and play with a blanket, where they played happily for about half an hour.

Before Thanksgiving we went to Festival of Trees with our friends Ariaun, Aiden, Alyssa, and Molly Grace. Maeve highly enjoyed the stick of icing from cookie decorating.

Ariaun and Aiden

Painted fingernails and a headband!

Posing, sort of

Maeve doesn't stay still for pictures, but I got a couple of cute ones!

professional pics

We went to Portrait Innovations in Louisville to have a family picture and Christmas pictures taken. This is 4 generations! Susan made outfits for the three grandkids to wear for a Christmas card picture-Elena has asked if she could wear hers today! (it has to be washed, but soon!)

these are the coordinating Christmas dresses I made the girls

I like this picture of Maeve! So sweet, big girl!

A little self promotion

I've been keeping these separate, but I thought I'd let you all know that I have a craft site where you can order things I make. There is a giveaway of one of my waldorf dolls on couponingincriticaltimes.blogspot.com, which is a great coupon site run by my friend Gabe, and which will hopefully bring traffic to the site. The site is mybluepocketgirls.blogspot.com. Please don't mention the girls by name on the site! Thanks.

ashley

Walking!!!

Okay, so Maeve took one step on three different occasions tonight, but she's on the move! We'll take a video as soon as we can catch it!

This almost one year old girl....

Is keeping her mama very busy! Maeve is almost walking, and is into E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. Everything. She sat on the floor next to me on Wednesday since she stays up all night and is basically back to two naps. I heard a crinkling noise and silence, and looked to check it out. She found the bag in my diaper bag and got out a cookie from market, and broke it in a million pieces.

We've also had our first taste of disobedience. She always wants to get in the dishwasher, and we move her. I decided it was time to work on it, since she understands no. She put her foot up, was told no, put her foot down. Good so far. Then she looked and me and put her foot up again, and got it (very lightly) popped, and told no again. Well, you might have thought the whole world ended, since her mama fussed. Utter hysteria for half an hour.

While mama was unloading groceries, Maeve found an apple on the floor all for herself. I don't know what it is about my girls and whole apples! They think it's a special prize for sure!

Mama loves this girl!

(there is another new post below this one.)