BUGFEST and SPARKCON 2015

The photo above. So classic. And hilarious. I snapped it at BugFest at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on Saturday. It was so bright out that I couldn't see the photo until later, when we got home. Your dad and I laughed and laughed and laughed when we saw it!

We also went to SPARKcon Saturday. It was very hot out, but we enjoyed our time in downtown Raleigh. You also logged some quality time with grandma and grandpa this weekend. And we began planning our NYC trip (we leave Friday)! We're so excited!

YOUR FIRST TIME IN A GROCERY CART

Yesterday was your first time in a grocery cart, sitting upright, like a big girl! I almost cried! Ha. And at least half a dozen people stopped us inside Whole Foods to tell you how cute you were.

Oh, and for the record, we don't really call it a "grocery cart." It's a "buggy." So much more fun to say, and make-believe that your buggy is being pulled through "town" by your horses.

JUST A BIG GIRL EATING HER BREAKFAST

This week's new foods include pears+berries, peas+brown rice and prunes. This morning you had prunes for breakfast. Topless. Because eating big girl food is messy business!

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH MAEVE

Sunday was the most perfect day. It felt like fall. It was just one of those days that begs to be spent outdoors.

The night before we celebrated Sherry and Gideon (they both had big birthdays last week) at their house with a big group of friends. You love social situations, so you were in heaven. While your friend Lucy wasn't able to make it, you did meet Edwin, who is a year old and not much bigger than you. It was the most you've ever interacted with another baby. He would walk up to you and, very gently, but your face in both his hands. You loved it. He definitely put a spell on you. You were mesmerized.

The next day we woke up to the crispest, most perfect weather. We ventured out to Oakwood Park (our old street!) where you tried out the swings. AND YOU LOVED THEM.

We spent the better part of this week playground-hopping around town looking for the best swings. Our favorites so far are at Oakwood Park, Community Center Park and Umstead Park. You can't get enough and your daddy and I can't get enough of your joy!

OVERALLS

So cute it hurts.

NEW MAEVE-ISMS

You now smack your lips and lick them dramatically. The first time you did it we were out at a Mexican restaurant. It's so funny. You also mimic us now when we do this (we do it because you did it and it's so cute and funny).

You also splash around like a wild woman in the bath. You always kicked a little here and there during your bath, but since your pool time last weekend, you go bonkers in the bathtub. And it's so cute.

Speaking of kicking, when someone is holding you and you get excited, you kick and kick. For example, when we're out running errands and you're on my hip and a stranger stops to say hello to you, you kick and kick!

Finally, you always coo and talk to us in the mornings. It's your most expressive time. You turned to me this morning, and I swear you said "I like you!" Ha.

Other things we (daddy and I) swear we've heard you say:

-"Hi daddy." Casually. Again, in the morning. Your favorite time to talk.
-"Better." When you were like a month old. You were "talking" to me while I changed your diaper. When I was done I said something like, Don't you feel sooo much better now, Maevey?! I swear, you looked up at me and said, "Better."

Ha. We love you so much, Maeve! There's never a dull moment in our home anymore!

GIRLS' BEACH WEEKEND

For Labor Day weekend we packed up and headed to the beach for a long girls' weekend with friends (including grandma!). And we had the best time!

You slept the entire drive on Friday afternoon. When we arrived at grandma's condo I fed you then put you in your coziest pajamas - you needed your rest for the big weekend to come!

Saturday was particularly major because it was your first REAL time in the pool. We dipped your toes in the (very same) pool the last time we were down with your daddy, but you screamed. I think maybe because the water was colder, for some reason, then, and because we had just gotten back from the beach. It was a lot.

But this time you were totally into it!!! We did sort of pumped you up for it. Grandma blew your float up in the condo and put you in it. You know, to practice. When we got to the pool we went into the water together and you were a natural. You kicked your legs while in the float. It was just the cutest. But the funniest thing? When grandma was holding you close to her in the water one time, you leaned back (as if you were lying on top of the water, stretched out), closed your eyes and laughed and laughed and laughed. You kicked your legs, too. It was like you were doing a backstroke or something. Cracking yourself up. With your eyes closed. I mean, honestly, Maeve. You are too cute.

Watching you discover the water in the pool was truly one of the happiest times of my life. It was so fun.

Later that day we ventured out to the beach. I don't actually have a picture of that (the one above is from the following day) because it was sort of traumatic! For me at least. We got all set up on the beach. You were sitting right next to me on the sand. I blinked, and you face-planted right in the sand. Grandma and I saw you at the same time. I sat you up right away and your face WAS COVERED with sand. Your mouth. Nose. Eyes. Sand everywhere. I sort of freaked out. Your pal Peggy handed us a bottle of water and a beach towel and we cleaned you up. You didn't even care. Ha. So mellow, my Maeve. Then it started raining so we rushed back to the condo.

That evening we tracked down the Dank Burrito food truck then went to boardwalk/marina area. You watched the boats drift by as the breeze blew through your hair. We even caught a bit of live music. You kicked your legs to the music.

The next day was spent at the beach and the aquarium. You actually warmed up to the beach. You would look on seriously as the tiny waves made it to your toes. Your feet sank into the sand. And you closed your eyes when the water touched your little legs and feet. It was darling.

We also went to the aquarium. It was so fun. A highlight was the shark tanks. So many sharks and big fish! That was the only exhibit where you would pull me close as I held you, each time a school of huge fish swam by you. They were big. We also got to see some divers in the shark tank. You put your hand against the glass as they did. It was adorable. That night we ate seafood nachos and you ate avocado and sweet potato! We headed home the next day. And again, you slept the entire way!

Thanks, Maevey, for being the best travel partner a mama could ask for! Up next, NYC to visit uncle Wade! Can't wait!

#lucyandmaeve #babybffs

You girls. You're too cute together! Last night we had dinner at Sam and Meg's house and it was the first time you had seen Lucy in about a month! This time you both definitely noticed one another! You each sat on your respective mommy's lap in the floor and checked the other out. Noises were made. Cutie-pie faces were made. It was pretty much the most adorable thing ever.

Then you both played together on the floor. Well, you were so excited about Lucy's toy that you played with it while Lucy looked on. She kept rubbing her feet against you, though. It was so cute.

There's something about seeing longtime friends as parents. In the same season of life. It's pretty amazing. The other day while waiting for coffee at Weaver Street I saw two little girls holding hands and skipping through the market. I immediately thought of you and Lucy, years from now, and my heart swelled. We love you Lucy!