I Doo!

Yesterday was Maeve's 2nd birthday. We had a wonderful celebration with both sets of grandparents, her youngest cousins (and their parents) and some good friends stopping by.

We were practicing all week saying I'm two and blowing out the candle. But when the moment arrived, she was a little to shy to say the words and blow the candle out. Oh well.

She loved the look of her Pooh Bear cake, but wasn't interested in eating any of it. Strange, because she eats almost everything else in sight! Maybe the thought of biting Pooh Bear was unappealing to her. I've saved her a piece and will try again tonight when things are a bit calmer in the house.

She got tons of presents from her adoring family, but was so overwhelmed by it all that she gave up opening presents about half way through. She just wanted to play!

We are thrilled to see her growing and developing so well. What a joy she is to us.

Maeve's stats at 2 years:
* 32.5 inches tall
* 25 pounds
* still has a giant cranium (the small/medium child's bike helmet from Costco didn't fit her, we have to try the large now)
* loves to put her rubber boots on and walk around the house (as a result mom has to wash them when we come in from splashing in the puddles)
* can put on her hat, coat and some of her shoes by herself (although we have to leave a lot of extra time for the multiple attempts that it takes)
* is pretty adept at stripping off her clothes and putting them in her hamper (usually needs help with snaps, buttons and zippers though)
* loves to dance to Elton John's Crocodile Rock
* occasionally says 3 or 4 word phrases (e.g. "me go outdide peas")
* still seems to understand some Mandarin and can say zai jian (goodbye)
* would love to drink everything through a straw
* is totally in love with grandpa, grandma, po po and gung gung

Happy Birthday Baby!!

Just a bit of Pooh's Bottom left. I'd rather have juice!
Thanking cousin Bram for the lovely heart.
Checking out the great book from the gang down East.
Just like Mama, Maeve will need another closet soon.
Trying to get the cows from cousin Robyn out of their tube.
Mesmerized by the wonderful play cottage from Grandma and Grandpa!
She's a dancing queen in her new tutu from cousin Sarah.
Taking a goldfish break.
Sharing a laugh with Mama.
Exhausted after a long day of partying!

Happy St. Paddy's Day

Much of Pat's family are from Dublin, so celebrating St. Paddy's Day is a must. The clan decended on Grandma's house on Sunday to enjoy some jigging and singing and some wonderful stew, scones and of course soda bread. 'twas good crack!

Pat's sister Sheila had scanned in some of the old family photos that most of the kids and grandkids had never seen before. So we got a chance to travel back in time and hear some tales of life in Ireland from "Pa" and "Ma" (as Maeve calls them).

Here's Maeve in her Irish cape.
One of the rare times that Maeve will actually pose for a photo
Looking all grown up, but still with a big buddha belly
Having a laugh with cousin Miller
The three wee ones with Pa and Ma
Hey Bram, let's party!
Always a great helper, Maeve tidies up a bit

A Great Discovery

When we first got our referral for Yu Cai Ling (now Maeve LiLi), we were allowed to send a shoe box sized care package to China for her and her foster family. In that package we included a disposable camera along with translated instructions on how to use it. Unfortuneatly, it must have jammed and perhaps we did not translate the part about using the flash indoors. So we only got a few good pictures of her with foster family.

Recently, one of our travel group mentioned that they found another picture on their film when they took in to be processed here in Canada. So, we thought, why not give it a shot?

Are we ever glad we did! Here are a few shots of Maeve when she was with her foster family. These shots turned out well because they were taken outside. Maeve is squinting because of the sun, but I don't think she was unhappy.






Here are a few more shots that are too dark and hard to see. She is clearly very happy with them. We are so thankful that they loved and cared for our darling daughter so well.




The rest of the photos are pretty much black. We are thankful to have these.

Happy Birthday Uncle Andrew

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Uncle Andrew! I love you and wish you weren't so far away. Please give a big kiss to my cousin Robyn and Aunty Evelyn for me.

Your favourite niece, Maeve

CHOO CHOO!

Maeve was home with a fever for a couple of days. She really got into her train set during that time. She definitely was not using her inside voice.

NOTL

We spent a wonderful long weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake with Uncle Peter, Aunty Carolyn and Cousin Connor (or "Noor" as Maeve calls him).

NOTL is a lovely little town down the road from Niagara Falls. Its main draws are the Shaw Festival and many wineries. It is off season now, so things were a little less expensive than normal and many of the stores were having end of season sales--a real boon for shopaholic mama.

We rented a little place called the Casablanca Cottage and spent three days relaxing, shopping, sightseeing and enjoying each others company.

Maeve did really well being away from home. She loved the cottage and was fine sleeping in a playpen. She got some really cool ladybug rain boots and a matching raincoat for this spring. It was warm enough that she wore the rain boots around all weekend. She loved them, although they are a bit big on her so she is a bit clumsy in them still.

On Sunday, we made it down to Niagara Falls. But Maeve was pretty bagged by then and slept in the stoller the whole time we were checking out the falls.

A few shots from our weekend.

Maeve with Cousin Noor
Casablanca Cottage
Maeve in her fuzzy hat and new ladybug boots
Maeve's much taller when Uncle Peter picks her up!
Watching Baba out the window
Niagara Falls
All bundled up and sleeping
Everything is beautifully frozen including the mist on the trees.

Apology

To my darling daughter,

First let me say that I love you very much and that I always have your best interests at heart.

Second, hair grows. Yours a little slower than others... but still it grows.

That being said, I want to apologize for my ill-advised attempt at cutting your bangs. I was just trying to get the hair out of your eyes and keep from accidentally poking you in the eyes with the scissors. I suppose that’s why there are professionals out there that cut hair.

Baba thinks your haircut looks cute. And it does. But, half an inch less would have been much better. Then again, you would look cute no matter how your hair was. Suffice it to say, I am keeping my day job.

Please forgive your silly mommy for both the haircut and for putting these pictures on your blog.

All my love forever,
Mama