Forgot About This

Mae and I flew home a week early to help prepare for the wedding festivities. We were lucky enough to be able to go to pick up Julie's wedding dress with her. I took this picture with my phone and I love it. It is as if Mae is walking out of the door to see Julie in her dress for the first time and says, "Aunt Julie you are the most beautiful bride ever."

And she was.

Move Over Annie Lebowitz

I have nagged, pleaded and begged Pearson for a new lens for our camera for the last six months. Not because I have any artistic talent taking photos, simply because I want to be able to capture Mae "in the moment" from super duper far away. My wonderful, hard working husband gave me the gift that I asked for, for my 33rd birthday. I don't know if he really cared that I got what I wanted or if he was just sick of me talking about it. I am sure a mixture of the two.

I finally had a chance to take it out for a test spin this past weekend when we spent an hour at Madison Park beach. As Pearson mentioned, I should read up on how to frame photos and use the camera better. I agreed and said maybe I needed a class now. To which Pearson told me to read online for free. Looks like I am just going to have to take lots and lots of pictures to learn all the artistic techniques of photography. Thank goodness I have the most adorable model and don't get sick of her face.

What to say, what to say

I realize I have been a little delinquent in writing recently. I have been having a hard time trying to figure out what I want to say (unimagineable for some of you to believe). I realize maybe I should be less focused on what I have to say and more focused on what Mae has to say. Since it has been quite a bit. I am not alone in my opinion that she likes to talk, strangers, family and friends all remark that "she has a lot to say." (I hope they are paying her a compliment).

I have mentioned that Mae started saying "who dat?" a couple of weeks ago. Some days there are more "who dats?" than the next but it is still her one and tried true saying. She uses it to mean who is that and what is that. I swear that today I actually heard her say "who is that?"

Most impressively, she knows what noise a duck makes. If you ask her, "Mae what sound does a duck make?" She says, "ack, ack." And then smiles from ear to ear. I can't fault her for not getting the "qu" part out. Along with all the "words" she is saying, which also includes Ditka, she still manages to do a lot of gibber, gabber. Although it sounds exactly like a real rant about something.

I know this year is going to be pretty interesting in terms of speech development. When I said today to a friend that she will probably be saying many words by age two, she responded, "she is going to be saying whole sentences." I am always blown away about how quickly these little people become "big" people. Needless to say I can't wait to hear what she has to say but until that time I will just enjoy the gibber, gabber, it is music to my ears.

Babies Know How To Party

We left for DC the day following Mae's birthday party, hence I haven't had a chance to upload photos from it. Of course, we had party. Much to Pearson's chagrin and protest but as I kept telling him, "you only turn one once." Which is also true for every age and will probably be the same argument I use to throw a kid and adult party every year. My view is that we weren't only celebrating the anniversary of Mae's arrival into this world but also a reason for Pearson and I to celebrate our achievement for keeping her alive (yes, something I was concerned about when we brought her home from the hospital) for one year, injury free for one year, and generally happy for one year, right? Also, let's be honest it is an excuse to drink and eat some treats.

This year there was no theme, except a color scheme, because I figure this might be the only year that I can get away without her wanting princesses or butterflies or a Disney character. We kept with the color of the invite - pink and navy blue. One of my favorite color combinations.

Since Mae's birthday fell on a Thursday this year, we decided to throw her party on the following Saturday. It was an open house from 3 pm to 7 pm. We had some snacks and cake. I had held off on giving Mae any cake until the date of the party. I settled on a carrot/pineapple cake recipe. I figured there was some nutritional value with the fruit and vegetable in the cake. The frosting not so nutritious, there was about a pound of butter and pound of cream cheese in it, which she of course loved.

The day was made even more special with all our great friends and family. We couldn't have made it through this first year without their support and love so it was wonderful to be able to celebrate with them.

Cookies for the guests.

The bar. No drinks suitable for children in sight.

Mae and I before the guests arrive.

Mae's very own carrot, pineapple cake.

Pearson wrote and sang a son to Mae on her birthday.

Mae during the song reaching for the cookies.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...

Enjoying frosting and cake for the first time.

Sigrid and Felix came all the way from LA.

Mae following eating of the cake. She loved it.

Kate and Nora

Alison [AJ], Lucy, Mae, Chloe, Makana [Mr. Amazing], and Nora

Mr. Amazing with the ladies.

Good Friends: The Imels/Taos and The Cummings

The End.

Congratulations to Julie and Matt

We have been in Alexandria, VA all week getting ready and celebrating Julie and Matt's wedding. The wedding took place this past Saturday on September 11, 2010. Julie was a beautiful bride, the ceremony was lovely, and the reception was too much fun.

Here is a photo from the day. This was immediately following the wedding. I will be sure to put more photos up soon.

Flashback Friday - Mae's First Birthday

Here are photos and a recap of how Mae spent her FIRST birthday. I know this Flashback Friday isn't as far "back" as previous but it definitely was in the past.

The day was pretty spectacular.

Mae started off the morning by opening the card Grandma and Grandpa Kogut sent her. Thanks to them for their very generous check. I made Mae pancakes [her favorite] for breakfast. Here is Mae reading the card from G&G Kogut.

Pearson bought Mae four hand puppets. He wrapped each one individually and decided to give her the first one at breakfast. Yes, that is Christmas paper since that is all he could find.

We then had playgroup at Madison Park. It was a beautiful day and we stripped Mae down to her diaper. Mae and I brought Vietnamese sandwiches and cupcakes for everyone.

Then we headed to Grandma Cummings apartment to celebrate. Grandma Cummings really outdid the presents this year. It was awesome!

Her "big" present. Her very own piano.

Thanks Grandma for all the presents. I love them all and you.

Mae also got her very own dog. She is saying, "Daddy, hurry up and get it out of the package." Of course, there was so much packaging it took a couple of minutes for the dog to come out.

After opening gifts (we didn't get through them all because there were so many), we headed to the Sculpture Garden for a walk through the Farmer's Market.

We then decided to enjoy a dinner at Waterfront outside. Mae had this very indulgent grilled cheese while the adults dined on oysters.

Mae taking a walk after dinner.

The day couldn't have been more perfect.

My Dearest Mae

My Dearest Mae,

You are ONE today!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (Sorry for all the exclamation points). I made a terrible decision to make your doctor's appointment for today, which included shots. It included the "more difficult" shot this time, as the nurse and doctor told me, which is thicker and causes more side effects (fever, rash, etc). Your mom isn't always the smartest lady (but don't tell your dad because I pride myself on always being right). Please forgive me for not making this the most physically enjoyable birthday. Despite a rough start to the day, I think today couldn't have been more perfect, just like the day you were born.

Your doctor's appointment today confirmed what we have known from other appointments. You are petite. In fact, you are in the 10th percentile for height (27 and half inches), 10th - 25th percentile for weight (18 pounds 14 ounces). But for head you have lots of brains, you are in the 75th - 90th percentile (something we all knew). As the saying goes, "all great things come in small packages." I couldn't agree more.

Your father and I couldn't be more in love with you. Everyday, we are blown away by everything you say, do, and achieve. You are absolutely perfect in every way imaginable. You are curious, adorably funny, active, passionate and intelligent.

Over the last year, you have come from a little ball of swaddle with arms, legs, and a face to this person with a TON of personality. Your dad and I went from merely trying to keep you alive and happy to hopefully keeping you entertained and trying to teach you about the world, your surrounding, and life.

This last month has been pretty spectacular. As I was mentioning to a friend yesterday at the park, I feel that it has all come together. Everything for you seems to have clicked and linked. For instance tonight, you got a present tonight from Grandma Cummings. You understood it had to come out of the box before you could play with it. You also know if you encounter someone you need to say "hello" and wave. You also now say, "who dat?" on a number of occasions per day.

Along with all the brainy things you have been doing, you are a proficient walker and no longer crawl. You love balls and can throw them. You also love boats and birds and anytime you hear a noise coming from the sky you know it is a plane and you then point and look up. You also love doors and opening and shutting them repeatedly. Unfortunately, you sometimes slam your fingers in the door. That doesn't stop you from doing it again and again.

As I write this to you I am reminiscing about the last year and the day you were born. I wish I had words to describe to you how truly joyful you have made the last year for me. There is nothing I enjoy more than being your mom. I know that might sound small, silly, trivial and not ambitious but honestly, I have been small, ambitious and silly and this is far better than all those things.

Here's to such an equally aMAEzing year ahead. Can't wait to continue our adventures together (or me watching yours).

Love you always and forever,

Mom