One

It must have been the fastest year on record, because it doesn't seem like a whole year has passed since our Diva entered the world.  In one short year, she went from this:

to this:  

Just five days before her birthday, Maeve started walking.  For good.  She gained her confidence and once that happened, there was no stopping her.  She's a force to be reckoned with.  It's hysterical to watch her, because she walks like she's been hitting the bottle.  She wobbles and bumps into the wall.  Often.  She'll still crawl if she has to get someplace in a hurry, but she's walking more and more every day.  

Maeve is also trying REALLY hard to talk.  She babbles all the time, and has mastered the art of saying "Mama!".  Apparently it must ALWAYS be said with an exclamation point.  She'll sometimes say it like she's Greek, almost like she's saying "Opa!"  She also says "Dada", "Thank-you" (which often sounds like Dada, but it's most definitely a "thank-you").  She's very close to saying "Doggie", and if you ask where the dog is, she will point to him.  She also tries to say "Connor", and "Janet" (her daycare provider).  Now if I could just get her to say "More" instead of a blood-curdling scream when she wants more food, I'll be happy.    

At one, Maeve is very interested in whatever her brother is doing.  She will follow him around like a puppy, grabbing at anything he's holding.  She loves playing with his toys - cars, trucks, action figures, and any type of a ball.  So far doesn't have much interest in dolls or girly toys.  Maeve loves to be outdoors - either in the stroller or swing.  She's very content when she's outside.  I think she's going to be a bit of a tom boy.  

For her actual birthday, I bought her a cupcake from White's bakery.  I figured she had to have a cupcake on her actual birthday instead of waiting for her party.  She had no idea what to do with it at first.  The girl who puts anything in her mouth didn't think to actually eat the cupcake.  Joey had to show her how.  Once she figured out that it was frosting goodness, she devoured it.  It was pure cupcake heaven! 

Happy 1st Birthday, Maeve!  We love you!!

4-15-13

Whenever something horrible happens in the world, people can always tell you where they were when they found out about it.  It's etched in their memory for eternity.  Sadly, the world is a scary place, and it seems that there are more and more tragedies that we just cannot forget.  On this particular day, we were 222 miles away from our home in Massachusetts.  203 miles away from Boston and the Marathon.  The very moment the bombings happened, I, along with my parents and cousins, were blissfully unaware of anything.  We were watching five beautiful children play.  We were watching them collect tadpoles in the pond, pet their horses, play on their swingset.  As my dad gathered them together for a picture, my mother-in-law called me to tell me about the bombing in Boston.  We literally have a picture of what we were doing the moment we found out about a tragedy that hit just a little too close to home.  We were fortunate that no one we knew was hurt, but our hearts went out to those who were.  Events like this remind us that every day is a gift.  We try to not to take these beautiful faces for granted, and hug them every chance we get.    

Baptism

It only took 11 months, but on April 14, 2013, Maeve was finally baptized!  Joey and I knew we wanted the ceremony to be in Vermont, since both Godparents (my youngest brother, Andrew, and my cousin, Becky) lived in Vermont.  The summer and fall were just too busy, and we made the executive decision not to plan anything in the winter (and after two giant snowstorms, a decision we were glad we made!).  At that point, Erica and Nate had asked if we wanted to do a double ceremony with our nephew, James, who is 5 months younger than Maeve.  Joey and I also had the honor of becoming James' Godparents.  Once we pinpointed a date in the Spring, it was just a matter of showing up!  We were lucky enough to have a private ceremony at my old church, St. Ambrose, which was nice.  The babies were very well behaved during the ceremony, although when it came time for pictures afterward, Maeve was getting tired and grouchy.

After the ceremony, my mom hosted a brunch for the family.  She did an amazing job (as usual), and it gave everyone a chance to visit and for the babies to nap. It's a rare occasion that both my parents and Joey's parents have a chance to see each other and visit, and I think everyone was grateful for the opportunity.

Maeve is very blessed to have so many people who love and care about her.  We are so thankful that we were able to spend a beautiful day celebrating with our families.

Erica's grandfather, AKA "The Baby Whisperer"

11 Months

I'm a bit behind on the blogging, so we'll quickly recap so I can try to play catch-up.  Maeve turned 11 months old on April 7th, 2013.  The same day, as it turns out, as Wrestlemania, one of Joey's favorite events of the year.  So, of course, she had to hold the wrestling belt we own to commemorate the occasion.

Maeve is quite the force to be reckoned with.  She eats like a champ, and is almost walking.  She's taken several steps on her own, but still doesn't have the confidence to do more than that.  She says Mama, Dada, and tries to say Connor, but it comes out more like "Onnah!", which sounds an awful lot like this guy:

She's very independent, but always comes back for hugs and cuddles quite frequently.  She loves to be outside, especially in the swing, and loves the water.  She adores the dog and follows her big brother around like a puppy.  She has even started to annoy him by touching his stuff.  I hear "Mooooooommmmmmm, Maeve's bothering me!" several times a day now.  Connor is still an excellent big brother, but he doesn't want his stuff touched, and he gets very upset when she comes along and tears up his school work or artwork he's done.  I can't say I blame the guy!  

We love our little spitfire!  Happy 11 Months!