Lunch With Daddy

Last Monday, January 12, Maia and I met Joe at work and had lunch on the grass outside his office in Irvine. It was nice and hot outside and it was such a treat to be with Joe in the middle of the day. We had a great time together and we hope to do it next Tuesday with some carnitas soft tacos from Las Gol.

Baila! Baila!

Recently Maia has fallen head over heals in love with two things: electronic dancing toys, and the sound of hands clapping. We feel like this video clip demonstrates one of these two things quite nicely. Maybe she too will grow up someday to become a bilingual master of all things merengue.

Lyla Grace

Maia's newest cousin was born yesterday!

Lyla Grace Wilkin

January 15, 2008

7 lbs. 10 oz.

21" long

She is so beautiful! We are so happy that she is here. Mom and baby are doing well. Congrats to Alli and Cory and big sister Autumn!!!

Baby's First Christmas

We were so lucky to be able to spend Christmas 2008 in Utah with Grandma Lin, Grandpa Keyte, Auntie Carrie and her family, and Auntie Marla. We got there just before a storm came through and left before another storm. We were blessed. We had a great time. Here are some pics.

Rub-a-dub dub Maia and cousin Leah in the tub.

Gingerbread house decorating (Leah, Marla, Noah, Taylor, Lexi)

Joe, Taylor, and Noah shoveling snow... the first time.

Christmas Eve

T'was the Night Before Christmas

Christmas morning stocking love.

Our best Christmas gift.

Maia's Christmas box of tissues.

Santa Baby

Last Saturday, December 6, we went to Roger’s Gardens up in Newport Beach. We wanted to go because we have never been there and we also wanted Maia (and ourselves) to experience something Christmasy in California. I love the holidays. I love the Christmas season. I love going places and seeing them all lit up and decorated and hearing the Christmas music play. Roger’s Gardens was all that! It was so much fun.



At Roger's Gardens they have a lot of decorated trees. There were trees that were decorated in all gold ornaments, one in silver, another in red and another in white. They all had names to them. We found a baby boy tree and another “Pretty in Pink” baby tree. We thought it was so appropriate that they had a tree with all baby girl pink ornaments since it was Maia’s first Christmas. You can buy the ornaments right off the tree. We bought a pink block that has the letters B-A-B-Y on the sides. We thought it was special to remember our super fun time at Roger's Gardens and to remember Maia's first Christmas.

As we walked through the gardens we saw the most expensive trees. This 14 -foot Christmas tree was $600. It was amazing. We decided not to get it.

We got to see Santa Claus and Maia got to sit on his lap. She was all smiles. She loved his beard and was very intrigued. I think she asked him for a pony. It was a only a matter of opportunity.

6 Months

Maia had her 6 month check-up. We are grateful that she is healthy and that she is developing well.

Here's the update on her stats:

Weight: 16 lbs. 10 oz. (52%)

Height: 27" (88%)

Head Circumference: 17" (48%)

She is a great crawler and has said her first sound that includes a consonant. She now says "bda." She has also started to put her hands up on higher objects and kneel. She hasn't quite pulled herself up yet. She also has her upper two teeth in.

This video is of Maia enjoying her Cheerios. She usually sings through her meals and it's no different when it's snack time with her Cheerios.

MAIA'S FAVORITES

Foods: Cheerios and applesauce

Stories: Playtime Peekaboo, Baby Loves Peekaboo, The Sneetches, The Zax, The Cat in the Hat, Too Many Daves

Toys: Yellow bus with different wooden shapes/people (thanks to cousin Autumn), her purple snail chime that hangs from her car seat, Snack Trap with Cheerios in it, the baby wipes package (because it crinkles), the TV remote, and the computer modem with all its glorious lights (we have to hide that one)

Songs: The Wheels on the Bus, The Royal Duke of York (sung by Aunt Amy), Indiana Jones Theme Song (whistled or sung by daddy), Good Morning to You!, I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home (in Spanish)

Daytime Activities: Bath time, being outside, pulling the crib bummer off after a nap

Things that Maia wishes she could have: computer cords, paper, cell phones, a way to the other side of the mirror

A Thanksgiving Noggin

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Laguna Niguel with my mom. It was Maia's first Thanksgiving. She enjoyed her sweet potatoes while Joe and I enjoyed the apple pie we made. We are most grateful for Maia this year. She has brought us so much joy. In the video you will see Maia giving Joe a "noggin" which is equivalent to a baby hug or kiss. She loves her daddy.