Hawaii - Part I - The Beach

As mentioned, we spent 10 days in sunny and beautiful Oahu (well actually there was torrential downpour for 2 so there was only 8 days of sun). I took an abudance of photos so I thought the best way to break down our trip would be to discussed various aspects of it. The first post, and in my opinion the most important part of any warm, tropical vacation, is the beach.

Johanna (aka Grandma Cummings aka mom) rented an unbelievable two bedroom condo just a little south of Waikiki, right near Diamond Head. It is considered deemed the "Gold Coast" of Honolulu. The neighborhood had a couple of neighborhood beaches. The one we visited almost every day was called Sans Souci beach. It was a lovely place that had many friendly locals that we talked to about the culture and sights of Hawaii.

We also went up to the North Shore to check out all the beaches with the REALLY big waves and fearless surfers. It was pretty spectacular and something out of a movie to see the surfers dropping in on the waves without any hestiation. We also did the touristy Hanauma Bay (snorkling) and spent a morning at a beach in Waimanalo. Hawaii beaches lived up to the hype. Crystal blue waters, beautiful sand, warm weather, hot sun, and not crowded.

It took Mae a couple of days to warm up to wanting to be in the water. In fact, the first day she cried when the water touched her feet. However, after the first couple of days, we couldn't keep her out of the surf and wanting to get in the water.

Here are photos from Hawaiian beaches.

Mae's First Steps in Hawaiian sand.

Barefeet, shorts, and a t-shirt feel so good.

First night together on the beach.

First day in bathing suits. Mae is happy her dad is going to build her something in the sand.

At the North Shore.

Mae has warmed up to being in the water.

Mae just got dunked.

At Waimanalo

Merry Belated Christmas

Merry Belated Christmas! Peace on Earth! Joy to the World!

We were in Hawaii all last week (pictures and recap of our trip to paradise will be up soon) and spent Christmas Day traveling to Seattle. Even though, we missed Christmas morning, I was bound and determined to make sure Mae had a "true" Christmas morning, complete with Santa, homemade cinammon rolls, Christmas carols, and hanging in our PJ's all day. Pearson and I were little elves and set about getting everything ready for Santa's visit to our house on the 26th (instead of the 25th). We are fortunate as well that Mae has no idea about dates or Santa.

Mae was very good this year and Santa and our families went above and beyond what was necessary for one little, one year old. She got her own table and chairs. I will say they provide her a great amount of joy but they also provide many tears and yelps for help (she has many accidents on them and some times has difficulty getting onto them). She got an awesome tea set, cake stand, puzzles, books, a lego bus, baby legs, arts and crafts supplies, money, a stuffed cat and pig, and a kazoo. And of course, I let Mae open one gift on Christmas Day. We decided to select the gift from Aunt Heather, Uncle Matt, Will, and Luke. You will see from below she got a baby! Needless to say, I am a little concerned that the baby is going to have to go everywhere with us.

Most importantly, we were blessed to have each other, our health, the love of our family and friends this holiday season -- the gift that matters the most.

December 25th - Mae spies the baby through the plastic

Mae hugging the Baby.

Santa came!

Here Comes Santa

Today, Mae and I took part in a Christmas tradition - going to visit Santa Claus. Mae's friend Lucy, and her mom, Sarah, joined us for what is considered a festive and a highly anticipated event for many small children all over the world. I got Mae dressed up in a new outfit (thank you Aunt Julie), sang "Here Comes Santa Claus," and told Mae about how Santa brings toys to good little girls and boys. (Disclaimer: I am aware that Mae cares nothing about this and this whole adventure was for me). I know she doesn't know about Santa or even care.

Here is a series of photos from today's events. You tell me if Mae had a good time?

In line with our friend Lucy.

All smiles.

I love Santa's grip on Mae's arms.

Recommitted

I have been beyond delinquent in keeping up to date with the blog. The sad part is that I have started some entries and just haven't had a chance/energy/motivation/time to finish them. I promise I will get those up in the next week. I have many excuses (none of them good)...being pregnant (yes, that is a post that still hasn't gone up), being back in DC for a week and half for Thanksgiving, preparing for Christmas, and being a single mom a lot this month (Pearson has been traveling a bunch for work). As mentioned, none of these excuses are worth a hill of beans but they make me feel a little bit better about myself and negligence in posting.

This post is my re-commitment to myself (and anyone else if they are reading) to getting back on the computer and let you know about the exciting and mundane things happening in the Cummings household.

15 Months Stats & Progress Update

Today, Mae turned 15 months and it coincided with her 15 month doctor's appointment. She weighed in at 21 pounds and is 29 and half inches long. These numbers put her in the 25th percentile for height and weight. All I can say is, "Go Mae!" She is now out of the 10th percentile for height and weight. I am happy Mae is petite but as any parent, I want to make sure she is growing and thriving.

Also, Dr. Sheridan asked me if Mae says about ten words, which I said, "at least ten." This makes me want to be a little bit better about documenting her growingly extensive vocabulary.

On that note, Mae's word for today is bucket. Mae walked up to me with a bucket and said, "bucket." I think that I can thank Grandma Cummings for teaching her this. She keeps her recycling in a pink bucket and Mae loves it. Thanks Grandma! Other words she knows, include (but not limited to), cool, book, bird, and bear. And obviously, mom, dad, and Ditka.

There you have it our girl is growing up.

My Dearest Mae

My Dearest Mae,

You might be wondering why I am writing you a letter today. It isn't your birthday or the second of any month. I decided this news should come from me to you and it seemed only fitting it come in the form of a good old fashioned letter.

We are having a baby! Well no, you are not having a baby, neither is your father, I am having a baby. Most importantly you are going to be a big sister and you will have a little brother or sister, who you will adore, love, and some days maybe even loath. Right now you might not think that this news is very exciting and actually might be a little bummed to be sharing the spotlight with a sibling. I will tell you (despite some quarrels over the next 18 years) that you will be happy to have a forever friend, a partner to gang up on your mom and dad, and

Your father and I want to tell you that being able to be a sibling is one of the most incredible, enriching, and greatest honors of both of our lives. Our lives, our memories, the fabric of who we are, and what we want to be is has been shaped by our siblings. We have shared our childhoods, our parents, our secrets, and our dreams with these people in the quiet and loud moments of our lives.

You taught us the love for a child that neither of us knew existed because of this love we wanted to add to our family. There will be times when your brother/sister will divert some attention away from you. A newborn crying is bound to get anyone to move quickly but know that we will love you more than ever.

Oh Mae the best thing about adding to our family is that I get to introduce YOU - the most important person in my life - to the soon to be newest member of our family. I can't wait to tell him/her that you are the most amazing person that I have ever met. You are the smartest, funniest, wittiest, sassiest, cutest, and cuddliest kid. I can't wait to tell him/her about how much you are going to teach him/her and how much love you are going to give them over these countless years together. I am sure you are going to show him/her how to take advantage of your good ol' mom and dad, all your favorite toys, and how to be a funny, witty, sassy, cute, and cuddly baby.

Thanks for sharing the journey with us. Can't wait to begin the adventure.

Love you always,

Mom

PS - The reason I haven't been updating this online diary so often is becasue I am exhausted growing your little brother and sister.

Just In Case You Were Wondering

And you probably weren't.

You might be thinking that all I wear are hot pink, very uncomfortable, thong underwear (from the photos I posted the other day). Here is another photo taken on Sunday of Mae wearing two other, more practical, pairs of my underwear.
And since I don't want this post to be all about my underwear, I am also sharing a couple of photos of Mae doing another favorite past time. She likes to hurdle her body on to the blankets and pillows I throw on the floor.

Update (14 Months)

A couple of things happened this weekend that I wanted to be able to report on. I also realize that without a monthly note to Mae that I am missing out on telling you all the little, and not so little things, that Mae has been accomplishing.

• This Friday, I noticed Mae sitting and playing with the toy that has a pole and stackable colored rings. She actually was putting the rings on the pole! I know this might not seem big but I have never seen her do it before. I clapped when she did it and cheered for her. She would then stack them and cheer for herself. (I will get a photo of her doing it).
• Mae's vocabulary is starting to expand. She definitely can say "bye" and wave while doing it. Tonight we left a party and she said bye to the guests and waved. Her favorite word is "cat" and her favorite phrase is, "it is a cat!" Sometimes she says it when there isn't a cat (oh well!) but when there is a cat that she sees she screams, "it's a cat, it's a cat." She can also "yep" but unfortunately she can also say, "no." Something Pearson is concerned about it. I tell him she doesn't know what it means but when does use it correctly I pretend not to notice. She can also say, "ba" [ball], "caw" [car], and truck.
• Mae loves sitting in chairs, getting on the furniture, and yesterday was able to get herself into her Macclaran stroller by herself.
• Reading definitely is still her favorite activity. As told from the photos below, we spend a good deal of time reading.