Dance Class

Dance class had all the hype of a great movie or book.  People were talking about it for weeks, planning their outfits and trying out their best moves.  And then, it started--day 1--near disaster.  Jenna was NOT interested in participating without her Mommy and Maya trailing right behind!  She screamed, she cried, she wailed, she drooled, she DID NOT like it!  But she persevered and stayed for the entire 45 minutes of class.  At the end, she even got the "good job" stamps and the coloring page.  She exited the room a new lady--smiles and much happier.  

Then it was class number 2, better, less crying, no screaming, no insisting on having Mommy nearby-but definitely not a perfect experience at all.  (Baby Lily was even in attendance to help Jenna get through the hard times, but it didn't seem to be enough.)  

And then, class # 3--it just clicked!!!!!!!!!  Jenna was FANTASTIC!!!!!  She participated, she smiled, she created some of her own dance moves while was awaiting her turn, she talked to the teachers, she helped clean up-she even gave Mommy Lily to hold so she could "do her dancing better!"  :)  At the end of the class, one of her teachers, Miss Brigitte, told Jenna that she "did a super job!"  She was so brave!  She let Mommy watch outside the room for the first time, she checked in a few times, but more to show off how well she was following the kids and enjoying herself!  After class 3 we went to visit at Hunts and Jenna insisted on wearing her "dance clothes-"tutu and all-all around the store.  When people asked where she had come from looking so pretty-she would answer with a smile, "I did a super job!  I was at dance class!"  

Now we anticipate class # 4--Jenna is SO excited!   We all are thrilled to see her having such a blast!

Lunch and Swimming with the Langille family

What incredible hosts Michelle, Ben and James were and always are.  We went over to their house for lunch, preceded by a swim in their pool-Maya's first swim in a pool ever.  We had SUCH fun and James shared his toys so nicely with the girls.  They prepared a delicious lunch, filled with some of the family's favorites.

Toward the end of our visit, Jenna climbed up on the couch and James followed-when we asked her what she was doing, she informed us she was tired and "taking a nap."  James then opted to read her a book--too cute!!!!!

Meeting Marie and Luke Dickey!

What fun to FINALLY meet Marie and Luke Dickey-Mommy's LONGTIME friends who came to visit all the way from California!  

We spent the morning, with the Sullivans as well, at the Children's Museum.  We had lunch, all went home to nap and then headed to Cheryl, Joe, Justin and Drew's house in Mansfield for an evening filled with delicious foods, great toys and amazing friends.  We had a blast!

Maya Climbing the Stairs!

So, one afternoon, Maya decided she wanted to climb the stairs!!!!!  And she DID!  To the third step!!!!!!!!!  Scary part, she thinks it is funny to stand up, let go and fall back--that is as long as Mommy is there to catch her-when she roars with laughter!!!

Curious George Read Aloud

Jenna is a BIG fan of Curious George and Clifford these days.  Listen to her as she reads Curious George and the Puppies.  :)  

Maya moves to the BIG GIRL carseat!

Maya has never been a really unhappy car rider-not that she was a huge fan of sitting in traffic, but she'd happily doze with her lovey and her giraffe/neck Sofie or watch and listen to Jenna chatting away with whomever was driving.  However, after feeling as though carrying Maya in her infant carseat was like carrying a basket of bricks, Mommy and Daddy opted for the transition to a "BIG GIRL" carseat.  

Her initial response was not such a glowing report of her new digs, however, after some time in her new seat, she seems quite pleased.  Jenna cannot wait until Maya is big enough and old enough to face front like she does so that they can trade carseat locations when they want to!  

Jenna as the Rabbi!

So we are sitting having dinner tonight, when all of a sudden, Jenna busts out with THIS!!!!!!!!

You may have to watch and listen to it a few times to get her exact words, but let's just say, the GRAPE does not fall far from the vine!  (Between her Nana and her Sabba's love of religion, it is only natural that she has indirectly picked this up!)

NO ONE has taught this to her, it is all from pure and occasional observation!!!!!!!  

Raspberry Picking at Connors Farm

These days in our family, there are a few major areas of interest; we've got: babies, "Jewish studies," trucks and animals-farm and zoo animals to be exact.  

On July 4th, we spent the morning in the sweltering heat, picking raspberries at a farm in Danvers called Connors Farm.  It was truly amazing, amazing in the sense that no one else thought a 95 degree day with over 90% humidity was the day to be taking part in such an adventure, so we had the entire farm to ourselves!!!!  But seriously, Jenna is now at the age where she could grasp the concept of only picking the red raspberries and was able to and enjoyed carrying her own basket.  Maya is at the age where as long as it isn't a puree of some sort, she wants to eat it!  

As we dripped with sweat, we gathered one basket full of berries and headed back to the farm store to pay for our work and pick up some additional treats-bread for Maya, lemonade for Mommy and Daddy and yogurt covered craisins for Jenna.  

A great time was had by all.  (So much so, that after the girls' naps, Jenna suggested, "We COULD go to another farm now!"  :)  )

July Candids

ENJOY!!!!!

Sleepover at Emmy/Sabba's!

As we arrived at my parents' house this morning, I saw a frightening sight-my dad was sitting on the driveway, in what looked to be an awkward position.  I was immediately alarmed-did he fall?  Was he hurt?  What on earth could he be doing?  And then I saw it.... JENNA and her babies were with him!  Special Sabba.  He, Jenna and Emmy were bathing pink and blue babies on the driveway and to really get into it, Sabba was sitting somewhat pretzel like on the driveway to get up and close to those very special babies!  

As we got an even closer look, it became apparent that my parents were living up to the traditional grandparent role, let the grandchild do special things they don't typically get to do at home.  Jenna had towels, washcloths, pretend soap and Maya's old baby bathtub all spread out on the driveway and they were scrubbing up those dolls.  

Jenna then explained to us that she and Emmy had baked Challah rolls and we "needed to try one!"  We each did happily of course, as did Jenna and she remarked "Yum... those are GOOOOOD!"  

Tonight as we packed up our bags after the girls' tubs, Jenna kept on requesting a simple question be answered, "Why are we leaving?"  "We could just stay at Emmy Sabba's!"  Think she had fun?  That's two sleepovers in one week!   We've got to be careful, next thing we know, she's going to want to move in with them!  :)

Visiting with Auntie Sam and Uncle Derek

Auntie Sam and Uncle Derek are such fun!  The girls clearly sense the undeniable love their NYC Aunt and Uncle have for them as the greetings they received today were filled with love.  For the first time ever, Maya initiated a wave and vigorously waved to Auntie Sam as she entered Emmy and Sabba's house.  Jenna immediately wanted to initiate them into her "club," by requesting their assistance with pink and blue babies multitude of needs.  

It is so precious for us to see how much the girls love Sam and Derek and how unmistakable their pride is in their nieces.  Whether it was cheering over and over and over again when Maya signed something at the dinner table, or listening intently as Jenna told all of the animals we saw at the farm last week one time and then immediately asking to do it all over again, Sam and Derek expressed their joy for the experience as if it was the very first time!  

We feel so blessed to have them in our lives; we all adore them!  (And Puppy Charlie too!)

Maya is 9 months old!

We can't believe it, but Maya Blake is now 9 months old!!!  We are in awe of what she has learned to do in the last few weeks, maybe even week!  

Maya now can sign: milk, "yay," up, wave "hi" and "bye," and clap her hands.  She grabs for the food or drink she wants and is a smiling machine!    

Maya has also recently moved from just crawling slowly to actively crawling, pulling to stand up and even cruising a little bit!  Maya is most often un-phased by small bumps or falls.  She gets a quick hug/kiss and then moves on, often attempting to conquer whatever set her back the last time!  :)  

Maya enjoys eating "grown-up foods" now, no more purees for this little girl.  Some of her favorites include: Town House crackers, Cheerios, vegetable pancakes, yogurt and bananas.  Boy, she is a good eater!  

On her "9 month birthday" Maya had a first-her first tooth broke through the gum and she officially has a TOOTH!  

Maya is a physical little girl, wanting to get into things, learn by her own experience and is not afraid to nudge someone or something out of her way to get what she wants.

Maya Blake continues to be an easy-going, happy, charismatic baby.  We are loving watching her grow!