On Friday, 8/31, after Maya got dressed she told me that we needed to take pictures in the chair with her bear. So we did. That evening, we took a redeye flight to visit with Derek's family. We didn't take the camera so I don't really have pictures from the trip.
On 9/3 we hitched a ride to visit friends, Auntie J and Uncle J. (She is still talking about her buddies G and E. The last few days it's been "remember G went potty" and "I wuv G and E" and "G's shoes?", "G's cup?", "E's chewy?" Also thanks to Uncle J, Maya and her dolls/animals do push-ups randomly in the kitchen or while playing outside. She always asks me to take part.) Maya's first canine, the upper left one, finally cut through the gum on 9/4 (I think). It took forever. She's still working on the upper right one. Hopefully it won't be as bad. Derek returned home on 9/5. Maya and I hung out there for a few more days before driving to visit my family. On 9/6, we visited a certain arcade/restaurant. With her tickets, Maya picked out a mouse whistle, then I picked out a straw and stickers for her.
Saturday, 9/15: we met up with all of the grandparents for a trip to the zoo. I know they all took pictures. I'll have to get some from them.
Tuesday, 9/18: Maya and I finally headed home. That morning, I was trying to pack and Maya was being a handful, climbing, pulling everything out, general toddler stuff. Her diaper leaked on her jammies so I pulled them off but didn't take the time to dress her immediately. Next time she came through she was completely naked. I went to investigate and there was a puddle in the bathroom near her diaper. She had put the little potty seat was on the toilet but couldn't climb up without help. It's the thought that counts I guess. Our flight home was with the same airline that we flew with last time, the one that left us with an overnight excursion. We went with them because we had vouchers to us. The first leg of the flight was great. They crew was helpful. They even carried the carseat onto the plane for me. The second leg, the crew was less than helpful when we were loading. I wrangled Maya, bags, and the carseat to row 17. I get everyone buckled in and settled. Then a helpful flight attendant tells me that I can't have the seat rear facing. I asked her why and she said you just can't have them rear facing on an airplane. She said she was 98-100% sure that you couldn't have them rear facing. I asked her about the infant seats and she said you can't have those rear facing either so she clearly didn't know what she was talking about. I told her I didn't agree with her, that we had flown with it rear facing several times, and that Maya would just kick the person in front of us. She said that wasn't a reason to leave it rear facing. She said she could look it up, so I said yeah why don't you. She said while I do, you change the seat around. I said something like ok but I still think you are crazy. She said that's not very nice to say to a flight attendant. I replied, you're right, I'm sorry, not crazy but wrong, you are still wrong. I saw her in the back flipping through a book and talking on the phone about me. I never heard from her again other than to get a drink later. Maya rode forward facing. But I still think I'm right. Fortunately she slept for most of the flight. And the couple sitting in front of us had 6 kids of their own. The lighting wasn't great on the plane but here she is watching "a time" on my phone before her nap.
Maya's language skill really seemed to explode during the 2.5 weeks we were gone. She went from 3 word sentences to 4 or 5 and her pronunciation of 2-3 syllable words really improved (i.e. she says all of the syllables rather than just one). Also she's pretty hilarious and can carry on a conversation. For example, she has trouble pronouncing one of my brother's name so both of them that still live at home she just calls Matt. She was saying her pray one evening and was saying thank you for everything and everyone she could see. She said thank you for Matt and Matt that one. Also, I was putting Maya, the diaper bag, and groceries in the car. I put Maya in then the groceries, then sat the diaper bag on top of the groceries. I said, "oh no! I smashed the chips." Maya said, "bad news". I wasn't sure if she was responding to me so I asked her what's bad news and she replied, "chips".
Wednesday, 9/19: Trying on her cool new socks. Yes, I know they don't match her pants but they perfectly match the skirt I made her for her birthday.
Thursday, 9/20: Maya pooped in the potty. She got ice cream, the little bite sized chocolate coated ice cream bits, as a treat. No successes since then but she has been sitting on it fairly regularly. We aren't really pushing it but are encouraging it.
Friday, 9/21: Waiting to see the shuttle.
Saturday, 9/22: 19 months old. Hard to believe its been 19 months and she's grown from a tiny little peanut to a squirmy, talkative toddler. I have pictures but I need to upload them. In other news, Maya had a second successful potty attempt.
Sunday, 9/23: Today Maya sat on the potty but got up a too little early and it all went in the floor. Tonight when we were getting ready for bed she ran over and grabbed her dog and said "dog dog, wuv you". Also all day she's been saying more rather than norse/noose. I'm kind of sad to see her baby talk disappearing.
