Maintenance must be testing the sprinklers…either that, or there’s an error. Normally, we’re only allowed to water the grass at night.

Here’s Maya, completely fascinated watching the sprinklers run outside the patio door.

Hearing the camera sound behind her, Maya turned to see me walking back to my desk, holding not only a camera, but also a lime fruit bar.

This is the face of a baby who genuinely believes she’s being shorted her fair share.

At which time I admit I’ve finally lost it…

Not only was she not getting enough popsicle; she also needed a new diaper. Song for today (to the tune of “Hole in the Bucket.”

There’s a turd in your diaper, dear Maya, dear Maya.
There’s a turd in your diaper, dear Maya, a turd.

With an audience.

From Motherhood is Not for Wimps:

“Jaelyn,” I said. “Did you hit Mary?”

She kept singing. I tapped my foot and looked at her.

“Noooo …” she finally sang. I raised an eyebrow.

“She hit me first!”

“Jaelyn.”

“WELL SHE WAS THINKING ABOUT IT!!” I would have laughed, but the notion of myself giggling naked in hotpants was enough to sober me right up.

“Congratulations,” I said instead, “you’ve mastered US foreign policy.”

My coneflower (aka echinacia) has finally started blooming, and it’s more than 3 feet tall!

For anyone who likes macro photos, I’ve added another photo gallery here.

FINALLY!

Saturday, during the bday get-together, Maya made a first attempt at clapping. Wouldn’t you know, I was in the next room and missed it.

Today, she was finally ready to give a repeat performance. She clapped a few times earlier today, and just a moment ago, she waved at me — first her whole arm, then her hand, then her whole arm again. When I grinned big and told her “YOU DID IT,” she started clapping.

Yay!

A baby girl weighing a whopping 14 pounds, 3 ounces was born in Kentucky, a hospital official said.

14 pounds, 3 ounces. That would be the same weight as my daughter at her nine month checkup. Granted, Maya *is* a peanut, but really, OMG.

Last month, a baby weighing 13 pounds, 12 ounces arrived…so, what’s with these enormo babies? Gestational diabetes? Big-baby genes? They’ve always happened but being reported more? Then again, maybe I’m just *noticing* the stories that I would have blown by in years past.

Tomorrow is the 34th anniversary of the arrival of a precursor to Maya’s existence. The gathering to recognize this auspicious event is today, so no meander this morning.

We’ll go wandering tomorrow if we can get something in before a noon mommy-group potluck.

As I’m putzing away on the computer, I hear the sounds of frolic behind me. Clay is play-bowing at Maya, and she’s giggling at him while he tries to get the “slower” human puppy to play with him.

I WANT THIS ON VIDEO.

But, of course, the instant I turn around, Clay sees me and comes over asking, “Food? Do you have food? You looked my way — that means you have food to share, right, right, right?” The moment is gone.

I think I’ve mentioned before that it’s pretty much indecent how much I enjoy going to the grocery store. It’s not that I love shopping, as much as I genuinely like the people I’ve met since “my” King Soopers opened last June. One of those people is Tom Sluder, who also happens to be a professional photographer. Tom’s been asking me about taking Maya’s photos for some time now, and after this morning, I can’t believe I didn’t take him up on it sooner!

Tom places the
ever-crawling-away subject
back into place for a photo.

Zee artiste and his
pearl-obsessed subject.

Is Scott laughing yet?

Who said anything about period photos? I’m going to call my agent!

I was a bit …um… *hesitant* to dress my babycakes up in something quite so frou-frou. I actually told her that Scott will mock her, so she’d better be prepared. Trust me on this one…these turned out precious, in an Anne-Geddes-postcard, doesn’t-look-like-my-kid kind of way.

Hello???
Why hasn’t Ford
Models called yet?

After the shoot, Tom let me review the photos (stop the presses, we actually have some decent photos of us together!) and I’m impressed. He also told me that any time I’d like to come back, he’ll be delighted to take more shots of Little Miss. For. Free. He’s also going to provide me with prints of all the photos and a CD of the digital files! We’ll be doing this again…duh, ya think?

I’ll post photos after I receive the CD, of course.