Maya's First Christmas

Maya said, "No thanks, Santa!  I'll take coal."

Fortunately, she still had her grandparents

to load her up with gifts.  

"Clippity Clop", the singing pony, is one of her favorites.

But the Tupperware cabinet at Babcia's 

was probably the biggest hit.

Maya finally got to meet her cousins, Mino & Lyla!

We're going to be best buds!

Our Family

Grandpa & Babcia Boyan with their babies

Maya spent Christmas in Phoenix with the Carrolls

December 2008

Maya has been had a great start to december.  First of all, she got to meet her baby (3rd cousin?), David.  

Great-Grandma and Grandpa love having new BABIES around!

Secondly, she is finishing up swim class.  Daddy even got to take her one time!  She can't swim, float, or blow bubbles yet.... but she loves splashing her heart out.

What do you get when you combine Maya, water, 

and a dash of salt????

CHUNKY SOUP!

Baby Steps

This month Maya has been honing her greatest trick yet.  On November 1st she took her first steps independently.  (November 12th = 10 months old).  All month she practiced, but would usually laugh herself off balance after just a few steps.  By the end of the month, she was wobbling across the room with ease.  

Surprise, It's Maya!

Maya and Mommy hopped a plane to Phoenix mid-month to surprise Grandma and Grandpa Carroll.  Boy were they surprised when we showed up!  Aunt Courtney really helped us trick them!  We had a lot of fun and enjoyed the nice weather.  Maya can't wait to see them again at Christmastime.

Happy Halloween

TRICKS -

Maya is standing up very well on her own but still needs a steady hand for walking.

OR TREATS -

Visiting The Pumpkin Farm in October

Halloweena-Ballerina!

Autumn in Michigan

We made Columbus Day a long weekend and headed north to Traverse City and the Leelanau Peninsula for an Autumn getaway.  As it turned out, we were about a week shy of peak color season up there and the weather was unusually hot in the high 70's.  Regardless, the area was beautiful.  We really liked Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Maya says Lake Michigan is a-OK.

A Special Visitor in October!

Maya loved cuddling with Auntie Courtney at the beginning of the month.

Aunt Geri's Petting Zoo is the best!  See what you're missing, Mino & Lyla!  Don't worry - we can all ride goats together next summer.

September 2008

We did a lot of walking this month.

Kal-Haven Trail

"I need a snack.  Has anyone seen my rice puffs?"

Binder Park Zoo

Bishop's Bog - this little park in Portage had a unique plastic boardwalk, that literally floated on the Bog.  We were here a few weeks after some serious rain and the trail actually went under water as our weight passed over.  We began at the south entrance and when we reached the other end, there was a sign at the north entrance that said "trail closed".  OOPS!

Camp Chief Ouray's 100th Anniversary

Don't worry about the dirt, I'm at camp.

We travelled to Colorado for Labor Day Weekend to celebrate Camp Chief Ouray's 100th Anniversary.  It was great to see many old friends and introduce them to Maya.

Lisa, Amber, Maya and Daddy check out the 

original CCO Lodge.

"Please store personal items under the seat in front of you"...

Once again, she was a good traveller (2.5 hour drive to Midway, 3 hour flight, 2 hour drive to Granby!)  Luckily for our fellow travelers she happily ate, slept, and played on the plane.

More August Pics

Maya loved meeting Sister Pascalita. Not everyone has a great-great-auntie who wears such a fascinating habit! Our little busy body laid calmly with Sister and listened to everything she had to say!

A slice of cucumber is a yummy summer treat

Maya loves to stick her tongue out!

Mis Amigas

We like to play and stroll with our new friends, Maritza & baby Angela.

August News

After the celebrated sleep success of early summer, the first 2 weeks of August bedtimes were unusually crabby!  There were a few things keeping poor Maya from her golden slumbers.  

First off - she learned how to stand in her crib.  Sadly for her, learning to sit back down came later.  Until then, she would cry until we rescued her.  Now she pulls up on everything, cruises, and can get back down with ease.  (it is funny to watch her "spot" her landing before she plops down).

Mid-August the bedtime drama happily vanished and now she is back to going down without a peep (or just a small, short peep).  Then the Tooth Fairy visited Maya late this month.  Her bottom right chomper popped through on the 23rd.  Perhaps it was giving her those fits a couple weeks before.

August 2008

The Savvy Traveler

Maya is logging a lot of miles this month.  Last week Mom and Babcia took her to Southern Illinois to see Jim & Barb's Kite Hill Winery and B&B.  It was a LONG drive - but our babe held up very well.  She also didn't mind the varied sleeping arrangements... which bodes well for our next excursion... 

Colorado for Labor Day Weekend. 

Maya couldn't keep her eyes off Jim.

Mommy, Babcia, & Auntie Barb took Maya hiking at 

Giant City.

Uhg!... a 5 hour  drive!

July 2008

Maya passed the 6 month mark in July.  She marked the occasion with new tricks... crawling and pulling up.  She never tires of holding your hands to stand, walk, or dance.  Her second favorite thing is blowing raspberries on any patch of bare skin she lands her mouth on.... which is hilarious.

She didn't pull herself up in this photo (she pulls this contraption OVER onto herself), but as you can see, she can stand pretty well.  She does pull herself up on whoever is playing on the floor with her.  She crawls all over Mommy all day! 

Awww.... sharing at such a young age!  This month Maya had a playdate with cutie, Reagan.

"Cheeks of Concentration"

Maya has been trying crackers.... if she could just pick it up!  You can tell by her cheeks and tongue that she is really concentrating on the task.

Maya achieved forward motion mid-July and now goes straight for the blinds.  See her go go go, and squeal, squeal, squeal!

More July Pictures

The Secret to Our Sleep Success

The Nightcap! After ignoring this recommendation for months (who wants to wake a sleeping baby?!?!), we finally tried waking Maya for a 10:30 feeding and it instantly cured her of random night waking. Now she consistently sleeps until 6am. {and even goes back to sleep until 9am!}

Maya is finally learning to appreciate solid foods. This week she tried green beans from Great Grandma's garden

Our Sweetie

The Little Mermaid