Happy Halloween

Due to Mae's illness our original plans of going to a friend's Halloween party got scrapped. As the saying goes, if "life hands you lemons, make lemonade." That is just what we did. We decided instead to take part in our local trick treating event. And boy oh boy, was it the perfect event. We live on the cusp of the Central District and Madrona. Each year, the businesses in Madrona get together to have an event at the local park and have trick or treating at most of the local business. (Note: I felt comfortable taking Mae since it was all outdoors and she did not touch anyone). We saw lots of friends and many, many kids dressed up in costumes, even some adults. Mae got to trick or treat for the first time, even though she didn't really understand getting the candy. And Mae was, stop dead in your tracks, adorable in her shark costume.

The SHARK ready for some candy.

We decided to hit the playground prior to trick or treating.

Mae loves the park and being dressed as a shark.

Climbing up to go down the slide or hunting for her prey.

Classic Mae face.

Another shark! And in fact there was a third.

Pearson checking out the goods (since we all know the candy isn't for Mae).

Our pumpkin.

"More" & Hand, Foot, and Mouth

Things were a little out of sorts this past week and kinda took me for a loop. Pearson was out of town for a couple of days. Normally, not a big deal but since he hasn't been out of town in awhile I was trying to re-figure out being a single mom. My biggest gripe (besides missing my honey) is taking care of Ditka. Two things of significance happened this week.

The first, Mae has FINALLY learned the sign language sign for "more." Oh my goodness, I almost fell down I was so excited. There is a parenting philosphy out there that says that we should teach our kids sign language so that they can better communicate with us at a young age. I guess the theory is that children can sign quicker than speak. I decided that I wasn't going to go overboard on sign language and teach her two signs. The two being "more" and "all done." I started doing it at six months when I introduced solids. I would give Mae food and if she was done with the food in front of her, I would ask if she wanted "more" and sign the sign for "more." Or I would say "all done." This, me making silly gestures in her face, has continued (ok, maybe not as religiously as I should) for the last eight months. Also to note, kids in our play group have been doing it for months. I gave up all hope Mae was ever going to sign and realized maybe she would be the kid that would develop verbal cues before signing cues and thank goodness, I didn't waste a whole lot of time doing other signs. Unitl yesterday! She finally did it while I was feeding her pumpkin bread. She did the sign for "more." As I said, I nearly fell down.

The second significant thing. Mae has finally gotten sick. She has had a cold before but nothing really affecting her sleep or required a call to the doctor and a visit to children's on the weekend. Mae has Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. My poor sweet girl has been miserable all week and I have been chalking it up to her getting some teeth. It all started on Wednesday when I picked her up from Johanna's [Grandma C.] place. Johanna said she had been fussy all afternoon and all she wanted to do was to be held. She also thought she felt warm. I thought so too. When I got home, I took her temperature and in fact she had one - 101.5 to be exact. I put her to sleep and she woke once through the night but put herself right back to sleep. Thursday morning I woke up to her still having a fever but it was only 99.5 - pretty low grade. I chalked it up to teething but canceled our appearance at play group to be on the safe side. That day Mae did not nap and was beyond fussy. She cried, didn't really want to eat and wanted to be held. I have NEVER ever, in my short 13 months of parenting, asked Pearson to come home early. I did on Thursday. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to. On Thursday night, she slept horribly and was up on and off throughout the entire evening. Friday morning her temperature was normal and in fact she seemed in better spirits. Again, I chalked it up to teething and decided to take her to "college." (Ughh, I am feeling so guilty about that now). At college she was great and her happy go lucky self. We came home and I tried to put her down for nap but she didn't want to sleep. I got her out of her crib and fed her pumpkin bread for a snack (she gobbled up a healthy amount and this is when she used the sign for "more" for the first time). I also noticed that her tongue was white and she had red sores on her tongue. She refused dinner and was up every hour and half throughout the night.

Saturday morning I had had enough and decided to call the doctor. The doctor said it was either two things herpes or hand, foot, and mouth disease. Since there was nothing that they do for either she told me that I could just wait it out or if I wanted a proper diagnosis I could go to the after hours clinic at Children's. I hung up and said, "well we are just going to have to wait it out." BUT then my brain started worrying BECAUSE we were planning on having friends over for brunch tomorrow for Pearson's birthday and were supposed to go to a kid's Halloween Party. Since hand, foot, and mouth disease is contagious, I feared Mae was going to infect a whole mess of kids. As much as I wanted to have everyone over and see everyone, I just couldn't do that to other parents. So with Pearson in step, we headed to Children's Hospital in Bellevue. We were in and out in 30 minutes (blew my mind) and had the diagnosis that Mae in fact has hand, foot, and mouth disease.

All plans have been canceled and we are officially going to be lame for this Halloween season.

Tickling the Ivories

Mae received a beautiful pink piano from Grandma C. for her birthday. Of course, Pearson and I are having visions of her being the next Mozart, Bach, or Chopin. (Ok, not really, we would be happy with Three Blind Mice or maybe a little bit of Chopsticks). As we all know, I have no musical ability whatsoever. Can't even carry a tune. We were hoping Mae might have a little bit of ability in her genes since Pearson has a decent voice and can sing in key (the defining mark, in my opinion, of having some ability).

We have shown Mae how to play the piano with her fingers repeatedly but she being our daughter likes to do things her way. Until tonight, she would only "play" the piano with her butt. She would just sit up and down on the keys. This evening she showed me her true musical genius, she started playing it with her toes.

Mae Day to Day

I realize I haven't been as diligent about taking photos of Mae day to day. I have only been bringing my camera out during "special" times and outings. I realize I am robing myself (and you) of so many special times because Mae does all her quirky, funny, and lovable moments when we are going about our routine. Also those are the moments I hope to remember and keep in my heart forever. Tonight, I got out my camera and took photos of Mae doing what she LOVES more than anything.

Mae reading on her changing table. I guess it is the year old equilivant to reading while in the bathroom.

What's So Funny?

On any given night, Pearson and I will be talking in the kitchen and Mae is sitting in her high chair. What we are talking about doesn't matter. One of us says something funny - which of course is me because we know I am the jokster in this relationship. (Massive lie). One of us laughs at what the other person said because it was funny. Mae laughs too.

Other scenario, Pearson and I are driving in the car. One of us says something funny. One of us laughs, Mae laughs too.

Other scenario, we are out with friends. Someone says something funny. People laugh, Mae laughs too.

It is downright the cutest and silliest thing ever. As soon as someone laughs, she gets this big grin on her face, laughs, and then has this look that says, "boy, that sure was funny wasn't it. Glad I am part of this conversation."

Glad to know, if the doctor, investment banker, or lawyer thing doesn't work out, our girl could be the laugh track for TV shows.

Fall Tradition

Today, we partook in a fall tradition - visiting a pumpkin patch. This was our second attempt. We tried last week but due to the weather [rain], we turned around and went to the children's museum. Pearson can attest that I have been dying to do this with Mae this year. Not only Fall is truly brilliant with all its colors, smells, traditions, food, and memories but I also want to get the perfect picture with her on the pumpkin (yes, I am lame).

Despite, the morning starting off a little shakey. Pearson went out with the guys last night (and you know what that means) and complained that I was being a drill sergeant this morning when I ushered everyone out the door, "to get to the farm." In addition, the weather when we got there was cold and foggy, which dampen my spirits for a couple of minutes. Pearson and I had asked some friends with children where would be a good place to go. (Western Washington is not lacking for the real deal pumpkin farms). We landed on a place that Pearson's colleague recommended - Jubilee Farms. And oh my was it jubilous!

The farm was complete with a tractor ride, farm animals (pigs, chickens, and horses), fresh pressed apple cider (must say that I did enjoy it), tons of mud (thank you hunter boots), a pumpkin sling shot, pony rides, fresh organic tamales, and gobs and gobs of other families.

Despite the crowd and the fog in the morning, we loved watching Mae be amused by the farm animals and frolick in a field with pumpkins. We look forward to this fall tradition being a Cummings Family tradition

Wish this picture had smell.

Me telling Mae that we made it to the pumpkin patch and to get excited.

Mae and Daddy waiting in line for the tractor ride to go to the field to pick our pumpkin.

On the tractor

In the pumpkin patch

"Yes, this is fun, Mom."

The photo that I had imagined. Too bad Mae isn't looking and Pearson didn't take any others.

Mae selecting her pumpkin.

Waiting for the tractor aka the Snort (from Are You My Mother?) after selecting the perfect pumpkin.

Mae posing with her pumpkin.

And another shot. And another because I can't help myself.

Still Going Strong

A little over three years ago, Pearson started this blog to let our friends and family know about activities and happening surrounding our nupitals, hence the title Nuptials and Much More. After three years together, this little "diary" lives on, our love for each other grows stronger, and the MUCH MORE has definitely been much, much more. As Pearson said to me this morning, "we are together through thick and thin."

Happy 3rd Anniversary to my always eloquent husband! Here's to "much more" love, happiness, surprises, and laughter in the next year of marriage.

DEVESTATION

I think the subject of this post is the only word to describe how I am feeling. You might be wondering how a photo of my laptop could bring me to such a heavy word and also to tears yesterday. The answer: I dropped it. Yep, I wasn't being 100 percent careful and it fell out of my hands while moving it from the counter. I was especially heartbroken because all the photos of Mae since her birth are stored on the computer. And NO, we haven't backed them all up.

This morning I went to the Apple store hoping they would be able to deliver me a bit of good news. I explicitly told the man if he wasn't able to tell me that the photos were retrievable I would cry in front of him. I knew in my heart of hearts that the computer was beyond repair. It does turn on, there is just a blank screen.

The Genius Bar attendant told me the news I had been hoping. The data is retrievable but the computer is beyond repair. I guess you win some and you lose some and there are other times that you win and lose.

Now on to shopping for a new computer. Suggestions welcomed!

Hair Bender Kinda Days

This picture sums up what the last couple of days have been with Mae and I. Yesterday, Mae definitely woke up on the wrong side of the crib and I was not ready or equipped to handle it. Mae's sunny disposition was taken over by a cloudy and moody one. She cried and whined most of the day and if she wasn't crying or whining she was destructive - destroying plants, putting everything in the water bowl (her favorite stuffed animal, her shoes, a package of napkins). It was one of those days that I didn't know whether to tear my hair out, scream, laugh, or cry. Today was a tad better but still I was wondering where was "my" Mae.

We were able to get through it but are definitely looking forward to tomorrow.

Community Organizer

Barack Obama began his career as a humble community organizer, which during the 2008 campaign, he didn't let us forget. He went from that to now President. You might wonder why I am even mentioning this...well, community activities have been taking up quite a bit of time recently.

I think I have mentioned before that I am the co-site leader of my local PPatch. Essentially my job is to monitor other gardeners plots and make sure that they are gardening. As well as, the garden walk ways are maintained, work parties are planned (by other gardeners), and handle any other random things that come up (pickup fertilizer, handle auction items, etc).

Recently, I have taken on a new assignment through the Central Seattle Parent Resource. By no means am I tooting my own horn. I am not solving hunger or drug abuse or homelessness in my neighborhood or community. I am merely organizing play groups for parents and children under the age of 3. A task that I thought was going to be relatively easy and carefree has taken up quite a bit more time than I had anticipated. Instead of offering set dates and times for playgroups, we asked anyone who wanted to participate their availability. Bad decision. That came with nap schedules, feeding schedules, other activities, people's best time of day, etc... I am happy to report, after much back and forth, we have three playgroups set.

Relief! Now on to my personal blogging at night. Or maybe planning to become President one day.