Many Faces of Maeve

You remember those "identify your emotions" posters they would have up in school? The ones with the distorted cartoon face, usually hanging in the counselors office? That's what photographing Maeve often reminds me of. All of these were snapped quick in a row. That child has so many expressions; shes' bursting with emotion. (Wonder where she gets that from...ha!)

My sweet little girl and I matched by happy accident.

My first mother's day with a baby in my arms instead of in my womb was almost perfect. Perfect in that I got to spend it with my mother and nana in Hawaii, rounding us out to three generations of Fisher moms. Almost in that Adam was back in Texas and not here to share the magic with. He's telling me he has a secret surprise planned for Memorial Day weekend, a Mother's day for just the three of us. Truthfully, the best gift he could give he already gave. 

This is a priceless memory: 

Four generations of Fisher women celebrating Mothers together. 

How many chances will I have to celebrate such a beautiful change in my life with two of the most important women in my life? My Pappy was there with us, our manly chaperon providing laughs and smiles for the baby. 

Pappy and Red

My favorite little person.

Our Little Fishie

Back in Texas Adam and I have taken Maeve swimming in the pool across the street twice and she

 L-O-V-E-D it. It could not even compare to her love for the beach. 

We went for the first time last week to Waimea Bay, my mother's favorite beach on the island, and let our baby loose. We covered our pale princess head to toe in sunscreen, rashgaurd, hat, and umbrella and sat her in the sand to play. She took time to study the little grains beneath her hands and feet before stuffing giant fistfuls into her mouth and later down my swimsuit. By the time we went in the water her entire face was covered. We let her jump waves, but couldn't let her swim since it was too rough. 

This little lady doesn't have much in the way of fear. 

So...naturally we went to a beach where we could swim. We let her play in the sand for awhile before making our way down to the shore where our little bit attempted to climb face first into the waves. Big giggles each time one hit her legs or even her little face! I was curious how she'd fare in salty water instead of the pool but twenty-five minutes later she was still wanting to swim! Legs kicking, arms flailing and lots of happy squeals we have a definite beach babe on our hands!! 

Little Island Girl

 For as long as I can remember, and then some before that, my summers were spent wandering the island of Oahu where my grandparents live. Some years we would make it up for Christmas or a spring break from time to time, but every year that's where we spent my summers. My grandparents have lived there since 1973 and life for them there seems frozen in time. Being a military family, the things they can control they choose not to change. Same church, same exercise class, same Friday night group at the club, same routine.  

I loved spending my summers here as a child. A magical place for me and my family, bringing Adam here in 2007 was a dream come true. 

Little did I know my then boyfriend had a ring hidden in his carry-on in hopes that some of the Hawaii magic  would be on his side for a moonlit beach proposal.

This picture was taken right after I said yes by the only other people on the beach. 

It is one of my favorite pictures of us. 

My Nana and Pappy were incredibly shocked and beyond overjoyed. We kept hearing "we didn't know if we'd ever get to meet you little one!" and "let me show you this..." as Nana takes her to explore hibiscus and wind chimes, or blowing trees and new sweet fruits. 

Right after I took this picture I caught Maeve eating her lei and breaking out in a rash...

My Pappy is famous for silly nicknames. I was and am forever Harriet and Geraldine while my cousin is known as Wednesday and my brother Flyin Ryan. The nicknames of our childhood have followed us into adulthood. I remember at about six or seven asking my Pappy why he had a name for me that made no sense. His response was quite simple. "Because that's who you are to me." Now, as at 81, and a touch more serious, I smile each time I hear "Harriet, can you get me a soda?" and I hope that in a few years time Maeve can ask me why Pappy calls me something that makes no sense. I asked him if he had a name for her, but he told me he needed some time because "it needs to be just right." For now, he's falling into calling her "Little Red", an unknowing nod to my Granio who gave Maeve her curly red locks. That was my PopPop's nickname for her, and I think it would be quite sweet if it stuck. 

We MADE it! 

Morning snuggles in bed with her great-grandparents: Nana & Pappy.

We are both missing Adam like crazy, but I am so, so glad he was generous enough to loan us to my family for a few weeks! To be able to have my daughter with me in a place that's so special is something I can't quite put into words. Everyday makes me giddy thinking of Christmas when all three of us will be here together!! 

Mommy Moments Challenge: #7 Messy Moments

Last night after getting the mail (the mail I had forgotten to collect in nearly a week....) I put it all on the couch to go through later and made my way to the kitchen to try and get some dishes done. I had forgotten that the lovely little girl playing over by the windows can now quickly crawl her way to the couch and help sort the mail. Because paper is in the number three slot on Maeve's all time favorite things, right under plastic bags and electric cords. We live on the edge in the "O" house. Yeesh.

I kept hearing crinkly, tearing noises and came back around the corner expected to find the dogs making a mess...

Busted.

"You're not mad, are you?"

Sorting it for us.

Checking out the produce sales.

But it was our proud little Maevey simply giving us a helping hand with the junk mail outs.

Mommy Moments Challenge: #8 Makes You Go Hmm or YUM!

This last weekend our little family joined many of our friends from church for a weekend long camping trip at Cedar Hill. 

Here's a tip, if you are considering camping with your near seven month old. Don't. 

Adam enjoying his rest while Maeve and I hangout in the
 tent...since it's only 5am. 

She kept trying to crawl down inside our sleeping bags
 and explore ever nook and cranny of the tent.

For the most part she did really well, only woke up once the first night and slept all the way through the second. The real problem was that, try as we may, there was no way that child was going to sleep on Saturday. Wonderful friends took turns wearing her in our new Ergo carrier (LOVE!) and that would do the trick for about 25min. I was able to get an hour out of her late Saturday by wearing her until she fell asleep and then laying down with her and slowly rolling and unbuckling until I no longer had her in the carrier. I still don't know how Adam managed to nap, it was ridiculously hot, bright and loud in the tent. (Did I mention I'm not really the outdoors type?) 

Studying the waves.

My two favorite people.

There were obvious perks to camping though. Late night conversations with friends by the fire, playing by the lake and indulgent camp food. I don't know how many kids I counted roasting miniature donuts for breakfast! We didn't bring suits to go in the water, so we didn't swim, but we did walk along the tiny waves with Maevey. She was a hoot! She loves the pool and bathtime is her favorite, so it was no surprise to hear her tiny giggly shrieks everytime a small (and I mean t-i-n-y) wave hit her legs. Because we're in a crawly-put-it-in-my-mouth-I-want stage the little pebbly beach was interesting. I don't know how many times we had to fish rocks out of that child's mouth, and if it wasn't rocks in her mouth, it was her Daddy's hat. Or my soda bottle. Or the dog's leg. (yes, really, the dog's leg.)

Beach pals.

This is PERFECT for teething! Thanks Daddy!

All in all it was fun. Though, I did come home more exhausted then when the weekend began, I will admit that was no perk. I think if I had it to do over Maeve and I would have spent the night at home or at least gone home part of the day Saturday so she could get some good sleep in. But as someone who thrives on people time, camping is the perfect setting for my conversation fix. And though I may not be much (HA!) of an outdoors-woman, it is beautiful to make these new memories with our new little family. So one day we can tell her "Oh, we've always had so many adventures with you Maeve, even when you were a wee little babe!" 

Mommy Moments Challenge: #2 Puts a Smile On My Face

My days are full of Maevey giggles, squaks and babble. She can make a thousand faces in a single moment, and she constantly makes me laugh. 

"MAMA!!!"

"Hallo?"

"HI!!"

 We started crawling last week. Just tiny moves, we're up to about five crawls before we fall down now! Woot!! If you lay on the floor, Maeve-O will give a loud, happy squak and start coming at you to grab your face. 

Who wouldn't love hanging with this kiddo?