Summer Holiday

We had a chance to get away last week for an extended break over the 4th of July. As it was our only shot at anything resembling a vacation this summer, we took it! So last Wednesday we packed up the mom-mobile and headed to the cottage. This was Genevieve's second trip up there and we were really hoping to spend piles of time swimming, but the weather for the first two days was unfavorable for aquatic adventures. However with a little jacket we were off to the races on the boat. Captain Matt and his first mate kept careful watch over the rough seas:

Step aside canoe-ers, there's a new driver in town


Man, navigating the Upper Mill Pond wears a girl out

We spent two days hanging out, taking walks, taking naps, and -- are you ready for this -- I read a book where the words did not rhyme and there were no illustrations. Wow! Grandma & Grandpa Maio and Uncle Steve all showed up on Friday. Fortunately it was a bit warmer then and we could venture out with fewer layers.

Our little watermelon



This is what happens these days when you tell G no. On this particular occasion she was going for Steve's beer bottle which he took away. The humanity!!


Daddy makes it all better (natch)


Ahhhhhhhhhhh

Lake festivities for the 4th began with the first annual boat parade. Although we were not in it (much to the dismay of Grandma Maio) we enjoyed being spectators. Some of the neighbors really went to great lengths to decorate their boats, so if anyone has a great idea for next year you know where to find us.

The fireworks this year were a bit of a Debbie Downer, mostly because Matt and I did not make our annual stop at Uncle Sam's Fireworks on our way up. What can I tell you, it's hell buying diapers and formula. A few of the neighbors put on small shows which was nice, and G miraculously slept through the whole thing. Thank god for that north woods air - knocked her out for the entire week.

On Sunday we finally ventured into the lake with our big girl. We only put her in to her legs but she was really interested in it and loved hanging out with dad.

Bonsoir, hat


Squish looks for fish


What do you want from me?


The first picture in 9 months without a baby in it

Everyone left on Sunday but we stayed over until Monday. It was a finally a gorgeous afternoon and evening, and once baby was down we started a campfire and went fishing. Ralphie supervised.

Vicious guard Poodle


What a handsome guy

If there's one thing that G came away with after all her time on the boat last weekend, it was the ability to cruise. This is the stage between crawling and walking where they motor themselves around on furniture. Well the bench seat in the boat provided the perfect practice area. Once we returned home we were horrified to find her getting into the dog's food and water, the electronics, and anything else she can motor herself toward. Uh, crap.

Eat


my


dust.

Matt is off this week as well and has been ticking off items on his honey-do list left and right. There are some major before-and-afters coming up, hopefully most of which will be done this weekend. He's also managing to squeeze in a few Brewer games, and we'll be taking G to her first one on Friday night. More to come!

Party Animal

Last weekend we had not one but two children's birthday parties to attend. We had originally planned to be out of town but with our many social engagements decided to wait until Wednesday to head to the cottage. Anyway on Saturday we started off at Ford's second birthday party (how he's already two I'll never know) which was great fun. Young Ford has a huge, fantastic play set and there were piles of toys and yummy food. Plus of course presents in every corner for the birthday boy.

Me & G with Heidi & Lilah (the girls sporting the same Cindy Lou Who-do)


Ford's playset is the BEST!


The birthday boy tearing into the goodies


Hey, I see presents and cake over there. Hook a girl up!

After Ford's party we went to Peter's first birthday. Peter is the son of Brian, who coaches the Dominican Knights with Matt. Last summer Peter's mom and I sat around at their games with our huge selves. This summer we're chasing munchkins here there and everywhere. There was even more food and cake at Peter's party so by the time we left, all three of us were in sugar shock.

Wardrobe change


What is it with babies and water bottles?


A refreshing dip in the pool


The birthday boy being Shop-Vac'd after polishing off his smash cake


Hello Peter. I shall fish hook you for your birthday.

Earlier in the week it was so insanely hot that I broke down and bought G a pool. Emily & Erin - you are welcome to come soak in it anytime...I'll even help you out! G was a little suspicious at first but once she realized it was like the tub she was thrilled. The hat is still a no-go for this one, which she felt obligated to share with me once again.

Hey, my toys followed me out here


This is fun, mom!


See this? I hate it


Although it appears to make a decent waterfall


Chewing on Sushi (our name for her fish. The other is Sashimi).

9 Months & First Trip to the Zoo

Matt had last Monday off, and as I don't work on Mondays we decided to take advantage of it and take G to the Zoo. The Milwaukee County Zoo pass is a well known must-have for the local parenting set - unlimited visits for less than $100 - including parking! So we got our pass, packed a picnic lunch and about 20 bottles of water for the 95 degree day, and set off to see the creatures. Genevieve liked watching anything that swam...penguins, fish, turtles. We didn't make it around the whole park so her take on big mammals is yet to come.

Forget "Squishie"...her new nickname is Crested Screamer


Seeking shelter in an air conditioned exhibit


G now hates her hats. Here's our attempt to show her how fun it is to wear them.

After our wild adventure we headed off to our next appointment: G's 9 month visit to the doctor. Although there were no shots involved there was a quick finger prick for a blood test. The nurse said, "9 out of 10 babies don't even notice this". Matt and I knew that Miss Drama would surely find it a reason to shed some big fat tears, which of course she did. She measured 28.5 inches (80th percentile), and 19 lbs 4 oz, which is just the 60th percentile. Translation: she's getting taller and skinnier. Which we find hard to believe because she still looks, and feels, like a chunky monkey to us. Her hair is getting longer and much lighter, and her little bald spot from sleeping on her back has mostly filled in. Her two top teeth are juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust about to pop out, and she eats almost anything that we do. The pediatrician was surprised to learn that she's on mostly table food and gave G props for being a star eater. She's crawling like crazy now which Ralphie does not find amusing. He just gets up and leaves whenever she comes near, and he looks at us like, "what the heck do you call this?" It also takes the "easy" right out of activities like changing diapers and dressing her. Why get your rear end cleaned off when you could roll around naked instead??

Here's our big girl:

Scheming her escape

Maybe if I just keep crawling off the chair..... what mom, I wasn't doing anything! I swear!


Giving bear some loves


Loves her green ball...to the point that she's willing to dive off the chair for it.



Later Gator

Next week we're headed to the cottage for a long 4th of July weekend. Hopefully the oppressive heat wave we're experiencing is warming up the lake and we'll be able to swim. And hark...the Crested Screamer calls.

Adventures!

It's been a hopping last 10 days or so here at the Maio family ranch. Two weekends ago we visited Grandma & Grandpa Martin in Rochester. We have officially reached the point at which average car rides turn into seemingly endless treks across the landscape. What used to be a drive-lunch and 10 minute detour is now a solid hour...I guess that's what happens when one member of your family eats lunch in morsel-size portions. We finally arrived on Friday afternoon and were treated to dinner out on Friday night. Genevieve showed off her considerable eating skills and was very well behaved.

Bath time - wheeeeeeee!

On Saturday we went to visit the Mayowood estate (the summer home of Dr. Charles Mayo, as in the Clinic, not as in my in-laws) (although an estate would be great). They were having a family day and the weather was really gorgeous. We had lunch and hiked around the grounds. It wore one of us out.

Family fun day


Flirting with the camera


Our hungry baby bird


Playing is hard work

Later that afternoon our friends Kyle, Robin, and their now-one-year-old Miles stopped by. Miles made us fear for the inevitable crawling stage - he was off like a shot up and down the stairs and into any open room he could find.

Hey, this table is fun


Dueling runny noses


Super sneaky!

We came home on Sunday and although we didn't know it at the time, we had a rough week in our future. Squish managed to land another double ear infection so there were several sleepless nights to be had. Oy! But she made up for it for her daddy's first Father's Day by sleeping until 7:45. It was like being on vacation. And it must have done him some good because Matt went on to pitch a shut-out game that morning. Go Orioles!

We also had a bit of a surprise on Saturday morning where, in the space of about 10 minutes, our little girl went from potted plant to crawlie-crawlerson. It was like a switch flipped and she figured out that the goodies in the TV cabinet were actually well within reach. I've been trying to post a video of it for the last two days but for some reason can't get it to upload. Let's just say that (a) it's adorable and (b) we're terrified.

Standing by so the little minx doesn't crawl away


Matt's first Father's Day!

We go for her 9 month appointment this afternoon so more shots & stats to follow!