Adam and Eve?

My mom got Maya these really cool felt boards for Christmas. There are different sets including a zoo, an outdoor cafe', a park, a pet shop and the ocean. They are her new all time favorite toys and she will spend hours (yes, literally hours) playing and creating stories. She gives the characters personalitites and she'll use all these silly pretend voices. But my favorite part is that she'll use real dolls and toys to interact with her newly formed 2D world.

This is one that I found laying on the couch in her play room today. I think she was copying a picture of Adam and Eve in the garden from my Albrecht Durer woodcuts book. She loves to flip through our art books and look at all the pictures. She was especially interested in this one because the snake had a human head.

You would think that I would stop being amazed at her retention, but she constantly finds new ways to surprise me. We looked at this book over a month ago and haven't talked about it since.

My child the elephant.

General Update

This past month has been beyond hectic. I had my Fine Arts Night Chorus Concert at school, our HOPS annual piano picnic, Maya's ending program at preschool, her last day of school picnic, our Memorial Day picnic, the last day of school at Holy Redeemer and our neighbors 4th birthday party today. I'm a little tired and a little worn out.

Speaking of worn out... Maya was too excited about the prospect of the birthday party today to take a nap. By the time we headed home she was already starting to break down. After a complete melt down after her bath, she mopped around saying "nobody loves me anymore," (wah, wah, wah) and whining non stop. We hear this phrase a lot so it has lost its effectiveness. Then she came up with a new one. "Mommy's going to throw me in the trash." (Say What?) Of course I had to ask why she thought that and she replied, "You're going to throw me in the trash because you don't want a big sister anymore." I laughed for at least a minute before I could even pretend to seriously answer her. The things this kid makes up!

I was looking forward to having a break now that preschool, gymnastics and my school is done. But it seems that that is not to be. We had so many parents interested in a daytime slot for piano lessons for the summer that I am now teaching Tuesdays from 9 am to 12:30 pm and Thursdays from 9 am to 11 am. And of course I'm still teaching in the evenings too. Fall may actually seem like a break this year! The nice thing is that I'm not teaching any later than 7 pm so I'll have a few hours of daylight, and I won't have to rush Maya off to bed as soon as I get home. We can spend some quality lightning bug catching time this summer.

Anya is going for her 4 month check-up this Friday. I can't believe it's been four months already. She is such a sweetie pie. I couldn't have ordered a more perfect baby if I tried. She laughs all the time now and loves to stand is someone is holding her. She has this cry that sounds like a sheep bleating when she wants me, "Maaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!" I'm waiting for "mama" any day. (Not really but it makes me feel good to say it).

The best news for last (for anyone that read this far), Holy Redeemer renewed my contract for next year so I get to continue teaching. YEAH!!!! I really loved it this year and I'm looking forward to next year because my lesson plans are done and I won't be pregnant. Should be considerably less stressful since I'll know what to expect.

I'd like to claim that I'll be updating more frequently but I can barely get the laundry done any more. Spending time on the computer seems frivolous and selfish when I know that the sheets on the beds need to be changed. Hopefully I can post at least one a week for anyone who checks in.

Preschool Graduation

Maya had her preschool garduation last tuesday and her last day of school yesterday. She did such a great job singing all the words and doing all the motions. The poor thing was sick as a dog with a cough and cold and fever of 102, but she insisted on going to the program. She is finally feeling better and if I ever figure out how to transfer video from my camera to the computer I will post her graduation. Until then here are some pictures of her last day of school.

Maya is the really little one in the front row with the striped pants. She's wearing the farm shirt she made herself at school.

Her teachers.

Maya's first Mother's Day Gift

This is the first Mother's Day that Maya has made me something without Chad's help. It was such a cute surprise to find it waiting for me when I got home from work.

Happy Mother's Day

Some things I have learned since becoming a mother.

1. My house will always by cluttered, I have learned to deal with this.

2. Drool isn't as gross as you think when it's coming from your own child.

3. You can function on even less sleep than you did in college.

4. You will cry at commercials, movies and news stories because it's not someone else's child anymore, it's yours that you see.

5. Nothing will drive you more insane that your child kicking the back of your seat and singing nonsense syllables over and over and over.

6. The phrase "Stop crying or I will give you something to cry about," now makes perfect sense.

7. Your child will make you laugh harder and cry longer than anything else in the world.

8. The love you have for your child is so deep and so strong that you really would do anything for them.

9. Even on my worst days, I know that it is all worth it.

Quote for the Day

I was reading around some other blogs in a bit of spare time I had today and I found this quote in response to a question posed by Madcap Mum. I think it sums up my view on religion perfectly.

"Spirituality is when the spirits/Gods tell you what to do and religion is when they tell you what someone else should do." - The Contrary Goddess

Things that make you go hmmm...with a tear in your eye

As I was tucking Maya in for a nap the other day, she was talking about dying (which we often do since the subject is just sooooo fascinating).

And she looked up at me and said "Where will I go when you and Daddy die, because there won't be anyone to take care of me."

To which I answered "Honey, I'm not planning on dying for a long time, and hopefully by then you will have a family of your own to take care of, and you won't need me anymore."

She paused and thought about that for a moment and then she said, "but can't I come with you when you die?"

I started to cry as I whispered, "No honey, I'm sorry, you have to stay here. Dying is something you have to do all by yourself."

Monster Baby vs. Living Doll

Monster Baby (Anya- 10 1/2 weeks) in the left corner weighing in at 12 lbs takes on the Living Doll (Lily- 5 weeks old) in the right corner weighing in at 5 lbs. Dressed in pink, and standing 23 inches tall, Monster baby would seem to have the advantage over Living Doll, dressed in purple and standing a mere 16 inches tall, but this reporter has heard tell of the Doll's secret weapon...gas. Only time will tell if Monster Baby's right kick will win out over Living Doll's slow motion flailing. This is a fight that will go down in history as the first meeting of two life long friends.

The girls were cheered on by their coaches, big sister Maya and big sister Rose. Ever enthusiastic and helpful, they are great supporters of the baby league kick boxing championships.

Happy Easter

Hope your Easter is warmer than ours... it's snowing and 30 degrees here, but we're cheerful and warm inside!

Anya's Room

Although we finished the room before she was born, I never did post a picture of it. Now if we could just get her to sleep in it!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We love Patti!

I just wanted to post pictures of the beautiful wall hanging and blanket that my friend Patti made for the girls. She is so creative!

The wall hanging perfectly matches the walls...

Maya couldn't love princesses more if she tried...

Welcome Anwyn!

I got to go see Mommy and baby at the hospital today, both are doing great!

Anwyn Lily was born March 9th, 2007 at 9:36am. She weighed in at 4lbs 6 oz and 17.25 inches long. She was delivered via Cessarian Section at 32 weeks 2 days gestational age. She will likely be in the Intensive Care Nursury for 2 - 3 weeks. Morgan is a champ and doing way better than I did after my c-secton. Three Cheers for Morgan!!! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!

Congrats!!!

Congrats to Morgan who delivered her 2nd daughter this morning at 32 weeks! I don't have too much info, but everyone seems to be doing well. Big HUGS to Mommy and Daughter!

Finally...sisterly pictures

Yes, I finally got around to taking a picture of the girls together... and it only took me a month! Of course they're in their pajamas because we can't seem to find the time to get dressed.

4 weeks old

Hey, I can stay awake for more than five minutes!

Polar Bear Art

Maya's latest school art project.

Hospital Picture

What a cutie. Her poor nose is a bit swollen becuase she came out face up and got stuck on my pelvis. It makes her look a little Hawaiian.

Winter has arrived...

Look at my snowball!

Chad, Maya, Liam and Rose

Whee! Down the sand mound we go... (Ryan, Rose and Maya)

Thanks to Morgan for the pics! School has been cancelled for the last two days due to -20 degree windchill factor. Makes 30 degrees seem warm! Oh to be able to get out of the house again.

Welcome Anya!

Anya Isabel finally made her appearance Monday morning at 3:44am after my water broke at midnight. She weighed in at 8 lbs. 6oz and 20 1/2 inches long. She has been the perfect baby so far (knock on wood) and we are so thrilled that she is here! She looks just like Maya did, but I think her eyes will be brown like mine. Whether her hair stays dark or turns blond like Maya's did will remain to be seen!