Happy 1st Birthday, Maeve!

What a year it has been!  We've enjoyed the milestones and can now look back at some of the stressful times in the first few weeks and months and laugh. We don't find time to cook much during the week and getting things done around the house makes for busy weekends but we wouldn't have it any other way. Below are a few of the memorable highlights from the past year.  Looking forward to many more memories and cherished moments together!!

*Walking: It's become more and more of her daily routine within the past week.

*Laughing: Still today, her laugh is awesome and always makes Mom & Dad laugh too.  See earlier post: Laughing post

*Traveling: She started traveling at an early age mostly by airplane, and she has done magnificent.  She has been to Florida, New England, Idaho, Indiana to name a few and will be on her way to Texas over Christmas.

*Warm Bottles: Oh how our little girl hated the bottle at first.  Dad would dread when Mom left - she is much better today, however we still tote a bottle warmer around with us wherever we go for her bottles.  Soon she will have to learn its acceptable to not have her drinks at "latte like temperatures"

*Books and bookshelves: Dad built her 3 very nice bookshelves in a nook in her room thinking how nice it would be to have all her books so nicely stacked.  Well, as she gets older she has decided its more entertaining to watch Mom & Dad play pick up 152 books.  While visiting Grandpa Dawg in South Bend, she even thought she would offer to help him re-arrange his perfectly organized books.

*Going to the Park: Maeve loves the swing sets at the park and enjoys watching Mom and Dad push her.  She was not as much of a fan of the slide at this age.

*Out on the town: She very much enjoys any type of activity out in public - whether it be joining Mom and Dad at a dinner, grocery shopping, going out with the new Mom's group, or shopping at the mall with Mom, she seems to enjoy them all.

*Eating: One of the least picky infants ever when it comes to eating food (aside from the bottle woes mentioned above).  Truly makes it easy for Mom and Dad (hopefully I don't jinx us).

*School: She is doing so well at school and enjoys seeing and spending time with her friends every day. Everyone at daycare says how smiley Maeve is to everyone she sees. She has already transitioned to two new rooms at school, currently in Infant C, and she did well with all of her new teachers and schedules. Her excitement at the end of the day to see Dad when he picks her up brings a smile to Dad's face every day.

*Sadie our 10 year old golden retriever: Maeve and Sadie have a special relationship.  Maeve loves to see Sadie, and Sadie loves to see Maeve.  Sadie will often join us in Maeve's room as we are getting her ready for bed.  Maeve giggles and screams everytime she sees Sadie roaming about the house.  Fortunately Sadie has been wonderful around Maeve and never shown any aggression.

*Blonde hair: Mom is loving that her hair sticks straight up and has some resemblance to Mom as a baby. Dad, on the other hand, thinks the blonde hair will be trouble for him as she grows up!

*Swimming lessons: She has finished her 1st set of lessons and we will continue throughout the winter.  It has been fun for Mom and Dad to actually watch you improve and enjoy spending time in the water with you.

*Pictures: Whether Maeve approves or not, she has been the subject of MANY MANY pictures and videos in our household.  Despite all the props Mom keeps making her wear, she continues to keep smiling for the camera (most of the time)

*Naps: Until recently, she seemed to think naps were more for the birds than anything else.  Wonder who she gets that from?

All in all, we are very blessed to have a healthy, happy, and energetic addition to our family!!  Thank you everyone for all your support over this past year.

Happy birthday beautiful!!  We love you!!