"happy monica"

It's been so sweet to see Maya get into Hanukkah this year. She asks to light the candles in the "nora," likes hearing the blessings and even finishes one with me and is giving enthusiastic shouts of "happy monica." We've only done a couple gifts with her and she has been truly surprised and delighted and it's so fun to see. Tonight she opened a gift from Angela (who watches her three times a week) Here are a couple photos of her excitement:


I've been on the barrette campaign with her- trying to get her to wear them is proving to be quite the challenge. She usually has them in for a few minutes and then is "all done."

It's December and Maya turns two soon- she is practicing saying she is 2, she is really getting good at counting, she's workin on the ABC's, can point out most colors and just yesterday she was playing with her little letter magnets and I couldnt believe how many letters she can identify. "W?" when did she get to know "W" so well!? I wanted to tell her "stop growing up so fast!"

This week is Tom's (Papa) birthday (love you Daddy!) and Sarah is in town. Big love for more girl time. :)

thank & full

Thanksgiving weekend was a full one- full of thanks, full of family and friends and full of some serious eating. From the Thursday feast to meeting up with Matt and fam on Friday to Tom and Tracy's place Friday and Sat- our hearts are full of thanks and our belly's were full of food. (Glad to have all pies and cookies out of site! ) Maya had a blast with all the activity and could be seen doing the "pokey pokey" & "posie" (ring around the rosie) with just about everyone.

Hanukkah is starting up this week, next week I have some fun plans with girlfriends, Josh goes to Portland soon and then we're talking almost NYE- where is the time going?

November begins

I started out the month with a bang. I had 4 full days with some girlfriends (go Jessapalooza!) and then came home to 2 nights out with friends to see a couple shows (that's right- I rocked the Usher concert in Oakland.) Maya had lots of fun with Grandparents and of course fun time with Josh. We are looking forward to a full Thanksgiving weekend with family this next week. Here are some recent photos and a video of little Munchkin:

Here are the ladies of the Jessapalooza weekend:

Goofing off at home:

Maya has some really cute friends she sees at the park all the time (Jenny, Gianna and Deklan, who she talks about often.) Here they are with teacher Maureen doing the Hokey Pokey (or as Maya says "Pokey Pokey")

Go Giants

Maya and Elise- Cute pals:


Maya and her "ice cream" at the park:


Halloween came and went and you would never have known it at our house. Between the costumes and scary houses and being 21 months- it wasnt a big hit this year. Fine with me- I know we have plenty of Halloween celebrations to come. This is about as close as we got to it:


Here is Maya cheering along with everyone for game 5 of the World Series:

I am heading out for a long girls weekend (4 full days!)- Looking forward to the girl time. Big thanks for all the help everyone. Big love.

sentences

Maya is now talking in sentences and its so fun to hear (ok- they are short sentences- but three or sometimes four words together). I'm just amazed at the language & social development happening right now. She talks about her friends often, she has a great memory for details, and is expressing herself really well. We've been frequenting the park - as usual, have made some recent trips to the zoo and it seems like we are in the birthday party cycle. She loves the jumpy house and has been in one the last 3 weekends in a row!

Maya and her pal Elise (holding hands) at the park:



JD and Maya Rose ("Daddy soccer"):

harmonica

Maya had fun learning this while Oma and Papa were here...

fun, busy week!

Sarah has been in town and I've been lucky enough to spend a bunch of time with her this week. Maya and I went up the coast to Jenner for a day to hang out with Sarah, her parents and fun little Parker. It makes my soul happy to see Maya and Parker together and they had a blast running naked out in nature for a day filled with snacks, art projects and a kiddie pool. I also lucked out with an evening with the college gals and then a full day with just me and Sarah on Thursday (thank goodness for girl time!)

Oma and Papa came into town this week, too, since its Romi's 2nd birthday. We spent the day playing and singing to cutie Romi. It was a fun family day and its been a full, busy but great week.

Maya's language continues to be such fun development. She is really into saying "Oh yeah" and is starting to sing along with songs in the car. She specifically asked for "More Donna (Madonna) and More Usher" the other day and she is so into an English/Hebrew CD we have and often asks for "Song Hebrew." She's funny and spunky and growing like a weed!

Maya and Parker- art project (Maya's 1st pigtails this week):

Maya and Uncle Matt ("Uncle Mack")

Birthday Girl Romi:


Maya practicing her last name: