18 months

Can you believe Maisie is 18 months old already? Our baby isn't a baby any longer! She can kick a ball, talk in three-word phrases, dress and undress herself... and even walk in her mommy's shoes.

The milestones are passing so quickly now! She is becoming a sweet, affectionate kid, although a very strong-willed one. She won't hesitate to let you know if she's unhappy!

This weekend we did lots of fun things, aside from walking around in my shoes and chasing the cat around.

Maisie discovered that she can actually see through one of the hats that Grandma Jo made her, and hijinks ensued. She pulled it down over her face and ran around, chasing me and Aaron and the cats and laughing like a loon. It was so funny!

On Sunday, we went to check out the May Day celebration at Powderhorn Park. Maisie napped right through the parade, but we took a look at the floats parked in the park.

Her favorite was the Hare Krishna float, because of the balloons. But right as I was going to take her picture, she got distracted by the butterfly person walking by in the background.

Today was also my and Aaron's 8-year date-a-versary. Or, as Aaron said, it's our eight-a-versary! We hired a babysitter and went out to dinner. It was a lovely evening.

So, I'll leave you with a good picture of Maisie, since the above are all somewhat covered up of her! This is Maisie reading one of her favorite books, "Brown Bear Brown Bear," to Spiderman. This was on Saturday, shortly after the chasing-in-hat incident.

Maybe she was trying to make it up to him.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, and happy spring!

We went over to Gramma J's for brunch today, where Maisie got an Easter basket! It was full of yummy treats and fun little toys.

When we got home, Maisie had fun sharing the yellow paper "grass" from her basket with the kitties. She started out trying to tickle their noses with it, but ended up just putting it on the chair they were sitting on.

As you can see, she thought this game was hilarious!

Gramma J made Maisie the cute little dress she's wearing, by the way!

It hasn't been much of a spring so far - we got at least four inches of snow over the last few days. I've been spending my time indoors, when not chasing after Maisie, by learning to crochet.

I managed to make some things that are gifts, and those pics will get posted when the receipients receive them, so as not to give away the surprise! I also made some little Easter eggs and a ducky for Dylan. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of them today... but I did just finish up a little bunny. Isn't it cute?

I am especially proud of the tail, which was my own idea, not even on the pattern! Look at me being creative!

It was remarkably easy to do. I am really enjoying this new crafty hobby. I can't wait to get better at it, and make lots of little toys for all the little ones I know!

We love balloons

Maisie and I went grocery shopping at Trader Joe's today. At checkout, the cashier was making friends with Maisie, and asked me if she would like a balloon - they are tied to the cash registers, and Maisie was pointing at them and saying "Dat! DAT!!"

We were like, are beans green?? Maisie would LOVE a balloon!!

The cashier tied it to Maisie's wrist, and there it stayed all day. We took it off at one point and tied it to a toy, because it was getting a little tight and because Maisie needed a bath. But the kitties chewed through the string, so now it's floating free in the house.

(We didn't see it happen, but we suspect Cool Hand Luke was the culprit... he seemed awfully interested in the balloon.)

Anyway, I know this isn't the greatest picture but I hope it gives you some sense of just how much joy Maisie got out of this balloon. It was really sweet - and honestly, it's one of the reasons we're Trader Joe's shoppers.

A simple balloon may not seem like a big deal, but to me, it's the difference between a happy smiley toddler and one who's screaming and angry. And to me, that is worth driving out to St. Louis Park!

Pet store

This weekend, in addition to the shower, we went to the pet store to buy some food and litter for the cats.

Maisie really likes the pet store. She loves dogs, and there's always a bunch of friendly, leashed dogs she can say hi to. Although this time, she met a pug, which really confused her - the dogs she sees most often are greyhounds, and I think she had a hard time fitting both pugs and greys into the category of "puppy"!

She also enjoyed looking at the birds (in this pic) and the "pocket pets" (mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, etc.). I really hope she does not want one of those "pocket pets" when she gets older... I do not care for rodents in my house! Plus, I don't think they'd last long with our cats.

But, it's always fun to look!

Chasing the kitties

Maisie's favorite game is to chase the cats around the house.

Into and out of the bedrooms, around the living room, and as seen here, under the dining table.

Pretty soon she'll be too tall, but right now she is still little enough to crawl under the table and then stand up to try to get at the cats, who've taken refuge on the chairs.

If she catches up with them, she tries to pet them, but she gets too excited and ends up pulling out handfuls of their fur, or pulling their tails, as we say "Gentle! Gentle with the kitties, Maisie!" Poor kitties. They're terribly patient. Next weekend we're heading down to Iowa to visit Aaron's family. And to give the kitties a little break.

Kitty Interlude 2

Yo yo, blog. Yo yo. My day started out kind of pitchy today, dawgs. First thing of course, I like, wake up, POW, sunny and sweet as always and shuffle my diaper into the kitchen to find me some, I don't know, coffee and eggs or something. So picture it, there I am, just woken up, gettin some grub when I get this tickly sensation on the back of my neck, you know. Somebody watchin.

But of course, mom and her pet bigfoot are still asleep, so I sorta just laugh it off. But then I look up.

Maisie out.

Kitty Interlude

Dear blog,

You may be curious as to how my furrier brothers have been behaving since I moved in. Let me tell you! Badly!

They stay up late and get up to crazy cat fraternity hijinks.

Like creating paper bag necklaces in the shape of the fifty states out of my favorite paper bags. Naughty kitty!

(this one is supposed to be Texas I think, although it could be Oklahoma with the panhandle folded towards the camera)


Don't even bother asking them WHY they're making them. You know what they told me? That they were going to some fancy kitty geography or map ball or something like that!
Called the Cat-rography Society, I think.

Also I'm beginning to think they're trying to replace me, or get rid of me or something. They hide like little crocodiles lying in wait for me. Like under my snow suit, or in my favorite car seat.

I just have the nagging suspicion that when I'm not around, they're plotting against me.



Oh well, I'm probably just being paranoid.
Maisie out.