Dearest Maevey, lately you are changing constantly. I sometimes feel like you're turning from a baby to a little girl right before my eyes. You are! But of course, you'll always be my baby! Every day you do something new or say something new. It's truly amazing. Here's what's up in your world lately...
- While at the beach I finally discovered the apparent culprit behind your fevers/fussiness! Your first high fever(s) and bout(s) with extreme (for you) fussiness over the last few weeks were a bit of a mystery, especially since we took you to the doctor and they told us your ears and throat looked perfect. Last week I discovered you are teething - with not one, but two huge molars coming in (one on each side) at once. Plus it looks like you have several new ridges on your lower gum. Poor baby. No wonder you haven't felt well! So many teeth at once!
- You have started using sign language! So far you have used the sign for "shoes" and then lead us over to your shoe shelf, and you use the sign for "more" multiple times per day now. You also seem to have made up your own sign, that we are still trying to figure out. :)
- It seems like you are saying a new word each day at this point! Today you said "cheese" which was funny because I don't really use that word often, but you pointed to it today and said it very clearly!
- You greet your daddy every morning by rubbing his head enthusiastically. It's almost as if you created a secret handshake (or headshake?) of sorts. Ha.
- You took your first bike ride in the past few weeks, and have taken several since! You love it, of course.
- When you see your reflection now you like to clap and dance. And you say, "Mmmmmmmmmmaaaeee" as if you are trying to sound out your name.
- You love watching videos of yourself on my phone. The other night, you sat completely still for 45 minutes watching them and laughing.
- Your dad introduced you to ESPN while we were at the beach. And you loved it. Considering your favorite toys are balls, and how generally athletic you are, this should surprise no one who knows you.
- You are going through a bit of a clingy spell with me (which I don't mind at all, by the way). I'm thinking it may be because you haven't felt well or because we spent so much time, just the two of us, together while at the beach. Either way, I'll take the extra snuggles.
- You've begun leaving what I refer to as "Maeve was here" treats around the house for us. I found one of your shoes in the kitchen sink yesterday. And a book in your clothes hamper. Random stuff like that that reminds us that we have a toddler in the house. And that if we turn away for a moment, our toothbrush may end up in the toilet. :)
- I started a food journal for you. I know. Sounds boring. But it started to feel like you were eating a lot of the same things, and not enough vegetables, so I began writing down what you eat. It's actually been really fun. And really fun making new recipes for you!
- We haven't been to the park in weeks! I blame it mostly on you being sick the week before last then our beach trip last week, but deep down I know I'm really scared to take you there after your fall a few weeks ago. Even though tripping and getting hurt is "normal," it wasn't for me and the first time you got hurt was traumatic! I'm going to try really hard, though, to get over my (irrational) fears and take you again by this weekend. Maybe early one morning before it gets hot.
Whew, that was a lot. But truly, it doesn't even scratch the surface. You are doing. learning or saying something new literally every single day. And it's the best. You are the best! Every night your dad and I have the same conversation, it seems, about how we can't believe that you are our girl. We are so lucky and so very very in love with you, Maevey! xo
