A Very Maevey Christmas

This Christmas marked many a first for the "O" family. First Christmas with Miss Maeve, first Christmas meal cooked, first trip to Santa (who later swung by the house), first attempt at midnight mass with our little addition and the first time to build new traditions as a new family. This year was bittersweet for us; my family was in Hawaii (due to Adam's new job he couldn't take off just yet), and sadly my Granio is no longer here to call and send packages to. But Maeve brought us new life and excitement for the holidays and we were able to celebrate with Adam's siblings too. Friday afternoon marked the start of our merriment with Adam scurrying home from work at noon and our first trip to see Santa since our own childhoods.

I was a bit nervous about Maeve and Santa, but she slept until we placed her in his arms and was too confused to cry. Adam and I laughed at how her blue eyes and rosy cheeks match those of St.Nick, as if he could be her secret great-grandfather.

Saturday we lazed around the house and ate way too much pie. We put Maeve down at her bedtime and then scooped her up at 10:00 for midnight mass. A tradition in my family, midnight mass has always seemed peaceful and light...not so with a little one. We arrived to "The Carol of the Bells" and Maeve bolted awake, eyes wide and completely confused as to where her bed had gone.

I.felt.awful.

Mother's guilt my Christmas gift to myself. Luckily no crying she made, and instead she sat up and looked around; marveling at all the people, the greenery and song. It was hard to enjoy the service, I was so concerned about Maeve missing sleep, but I did love the end. Candles were passed out, and softly we sang. There is something so sweet and lovely about holding your not quite three month old babe and singing "Silent Night." It's a memory I will hold onto forever, Maeve's head finally resting, nuzzled in my neck.

Christmas morning found us eating my nana's sausage squares, and our own cinnamon rolls and mimosas while we marveled at the gifts under the tree and listened to "A Celtic Christmas." We were happy to see Santa had come, bringing our girl some clothes for the coming year, a book and a toy or two. He must have taken into consideration how far away her first birthday is. :)

Maeve and her daddy open her very first Christmas present, which happens to be from Shannon, Kyle and her whirly girly cousins Meg and Alice Virginia

The only picture of us ladies on Christmas. As you can see, I'd already been a spit-up casualty and had to change my pajama top to an old t-shirt

All day I found myself thinking..."how different this will all be next year, when she's nearly fifteen months..." By the afternoon we were in Little Elm, celebrating Christmas with Maeve's aunts and uncles. She was happy to get some extra cuddles, and we were happy to eat without holding her.

Uncle Jacob and Aunt Leticia

With her Elliott cousins

Uncle Mark and Aunt Cynthia with their Christmasy neice and nephew

Tonight, Adam and I are enjoying the fire and wine by the tree, waiting for Maeve to settle to sleep before we can enjoy our own Christmas feast. Just the two of us.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Merry Christmas

Maeve Kathleen, the first of none, has blessed us with an air of fun.

Euless is where we returned to take root, our family of three needed city to suit

Running her races with no signs of stopping, she finished a ten k with baby bump popping

Recruiting and staffing are Adam's new game, employment brokerage will lead him to fame

Yawning means Kaitlin and I aren't sleeping, for even in silence we're baby room peeping.

Can't recall what it feels like to sleep, if we don't get more rest we just might start to weep - seriously, this is big enough to be two in a row

Hawaii kicked our year off right, but three from two was not in sight

Red hair to match an Irish name, Maeve’s heritage was most to blame

Ink and love breed Kaitlin's blog, and save our story from the fog

Some cookies, pies, and cheesecakes too are products of a hobby new

Thanksgiving at a frousin's home was added to our scrapbook tome

Mother and child together all day is how the O's rock it (while Daddy's away)

Adam's woodworking tools are for now put away, but his violin sings when there’s time to play

So from our nuclear to yours, may Christmas spirit bless your doors.

Love, Adam, Kaitlin & Maeve

Thanksgiving 2011

For Thanksgiving Adam, the bean and I headed over to Oklahoma as we have these past three years and celebrated with my cousin Shannon (read more and see more about our Thanksgiving on her BlogHer blog) and her family. The first Thanksgiving we spent together was at my parents in 2008, after Adam and I got married. By the next year my parents were back in DC and we've been headed to Oklahoma ever since! There's no telling what our plans will become next year, Shannon's family is moving on to Texas (WOOT!) so hopefully we're able to continue things here in the Lone Star State.

Our grandmother passed away the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, so it felt safe to be with another of Granio's girls the week of her passing. I've been avoiding thinking of her too much, though now that I'm here in DC it's a challenge. I find myself in tears after looking at my Dad for too long. Time in Oklahoma though was fun and surprisingly relaxing. Full of giggly excitement from 2yr old Meg and coos and cries from the two redheaded babes, just 12wks apart.

Our hands were full, but so were our tummies. Yummy food, storytelling, meandering walks, real time with our husbands and SO much pie! I love the holidays. As they develop and pass I find myself wondering what it will be like when the girls are older and running around together, when Maeve is helping me bake in the kitchen, when there is more than just one "O" baby.

Through everything, life is sweet.

Ballerina Baby-22wks

I LOVE holiday weekends. Any kind of holiday weekend. Really, any kind of holiday. This weekend was especially relaxing (despite the 107* heat) because a family friend had expiring Marriott points and gave them to us for a stay-cation! Yay for not making the bed & picking up! Yay for not worrying about dogs! Yay for not having to make breakfast! Yay for big fluffy beds & cable! Needless to say, even though we were still in Amarillo, it was a relaxing break for the two of us. We watched movies on tv, ran some fun errands around town, enjoyed breakfast outside, took luxurious naps, slept in and stayed up late talking. We had our weekly date night, enjoying dinner out & Pirates of the Carri bean in 3D. (totally worth it ps)

To make our weekend even more exciting....

These last few weeks I've been experiencing all sorts of weird and sometimes tingly, pressure and sensation. None of it painful, though sometimes uncomfortable. I haven't really been able to distinguish what's going on and one google search of my feelings even turned back "Braxton Hicks"...hmmm.... I was having similar sensations Monday morning and instinctively reached down and BOOM there was baby kicking (or something) at me! BOOM, BOOM! I quickly grabbed Adam's hand and put it on my belly-BOOM BOOM BOOM. I asked "That's definitely not my heartbeat is it?" (Sad that I needed clarification for something so obvious, but it seemed so impossible and unreal!) Then as suddenly as she started, she stopped. I spent the rest of yesterday hunting for her kicks and punches, but couldn't feel any. Although, in my bath last night she did two swift rolls which delivered the oddest sensation I've ever felt! Even today I've sat patiently, hoping to feel her, and an hour ago she made herself known...for about two minutes. Such excitement! One mother-friend of mine warned, "Soon you'll just wish she'd stop so you could get some rest!" In the meantime though I can't help but wish to feel her constantly, in love and amused by her tiny ballerina movements.

It occurred to me that I haven't posted a 'proper' baby bump picture in some time, so Adam took a few of me this weekend. (none of which I was crazy about, but oh well) Here are Baby 001 and Mama at 22wks (5.5mo)

I never got around to posting the outfits I got for 001 when my mom and I went shopping, and Adam and I snagged some jammies & two dresses this weekend as well. Out of their sheer cute factor, I feel compelled to post. I am sure this will just get worse as time goes on!

Two More Seersucker Dresses for 001

3-6mo Outfits for 001

(mostly purchased with my mom the day we found out the sex)

Sweet Lil' PJs

PS: I had to get the green long sleeved onesie out of amusement, "Peas on Earth, but NOT on my plate." No telling if her palate will be much like her Mama's but I've never been one for peas, and plan on being understanding! ;)

New Year, New Traditions

This New Years was also a little different for us. Normally my family is aflutter with candy making, the kitchen is full and constantly sending out wonderful food of one kind or another, Christmas music is still playing, and we can't stop talking. Things are generally a little different at the Owens' house...except for this year. This year, they hosted a New Years dinner, which included all of us, and some of our friends. Homesick, I made my mom's 3 signature Christmas time dishes, Carrot Casserole, Spinach Soufflé, and Mushroom Stuffing! This was huge since...I don't cook. But, I have to say, it turned out pretty well, and made me want to try cooking more often! (you'll have to ask Adam whether that is a good thing or not...) We played some games, and even made it to midnight!!! (I crashed at about 1:30am...)

We also spent a lot of time hanging out with Mitchell, Jessica, Cydney & Brandon, playing Wii (I so, so want one!), Balderdash, and hanging out in the hot tub!!
Being with them always makes me laugh, and reminds me how lucky Adam and I am to have friends who are so awesome!!!

3-2-1 Happy 2010!!! Here's to the next year!!!

Happy Holidays Indeed

So, as it turns out, Adam was right (I hate admitting this, but it seems so often to be the case). Christmas was wonderful! For starters, we got lots of play time in with our niece and nephew,(I am now a Hungry Hungry Hippos Champion) and my best friend Cydney was kind enough to take them out to her barn to ride her horse and play with her miniature ponies and donkey. We had several nights of staying up with Adam's sister and her husband, whom we love very much! Two nights before Christmas, Adam and I snuck out and set up the tree, which no one had brought down yet, which was one of my favorite thing we did all break, a bit like playing elves!
For Christmas Eve, we were invited to Cydney's mother's house, which was really nice. I even tried some of the tofu ribs and have to say, I'm a fan!!! We did Christmas with them there, Candy gave us all the makings of a homemade date via Williams and Sonoma, and a gift card for a night out, it was very sweet. Cyd & Brandon were a bit more adventurous...we both got one of Cydney's famous chocolate dipped pears, and I got my very own....3 dimensional unicorn mug!!! (You know your're jealous!!) Even better, she got Adam an oil diffuser that's a giant dinosaur guarding its eggs....they make me laugh so hard sometimes. Oh! And in keeping with meatetarian v vegetarian t-shirts, the vegetarians gave him a new one from the collection "I didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain just to eat lettuce." :) Following my family's tradition, Adam and I made it to midnight mass by ourselves, and then quietly snuck in to the house, knowing we only had a couple hours of sleep before the kids would wake us up with the excitement of Santa's visit. Christmas morning was wonderful, Cynthia and I spent a good deal of time getting ready together in the bathroom, after it always being Ry and me, it's fun to have a big sister now, especially one with a sense of humor! Christmas day had the whole family together and presents being passed every direction, Adam surprised me with gifts from Santa, since we had decided to do gifts for our ever-expanding family instead of each other. Imagine my surprise when there were 3 packages under the tree for me! (Don't worry! I have his too, but am saving them for Christmas at my parent's house!!) I was given my traditional Christmas Nutcracker, since I collect them, and this one was beautiful, and my tallest at two feet! Adam also got me a new Steinbach ornament for our tree, "something a little Irish and a little German, since I missed my family", it was the Irish Steinbach. And last, but not least, he managed to find a Lenox 2008 "Our First Christmas" ornament!!! I was so sad no one had gotten us one last year, but felt silly buying one now, it was absolutely perfect!

The rest of Christmas was spent between the McCulloughs with dinner and games and back at the Owens house, where we taught the games to the rest of the family. I forget until I have moments like Christmas day, how lucky I really am to have such a wonderful and loving family, O'Connells, Fishers, Owens, Elliots and the like! It was a very happy Christmas, and one I'll treasure.

Ghosts, and Goblins, and Trick-or-Treaters Oh My

Halloween--easily one of Adam's favorite holidays, and who can argue with that? You get to dress up, act ridiculous, dance around and be silly---people expect it of you! We had grand plans for this years costumes, but they turned out to be a bit too grand, so we stepped it down a notch and went with our backups. The week before Halloween, every year, our friends the Leslies have a big blow out bash in honor of Matt's birthday. The only rule, you MUST dress up. (Let me remind you, that within our circle of friends, we tend to be the youngest, these are our heroes, people in their 30s committed to dressing up for Halloween)This year Adam and I went as Bunnicula and Raggedy Anne--a total success! Adam even went so far as to wear prosthetic vampire teeth! On the way to the Leslies, we were stopped at a stoplight when a car next to us motioned for us to roll down the window so that they might take our picture. It took me a minute to figure out why, I had forgotten for a moment that I was wearing yarn hair in pigtails and Adam was sporting some bunny ears as we made our way down Seminary.

The party was great, as it always was, dancing, a fire in the backyard, and as many taquitos as you could possibly want, haha. Of our friends who attended, we had, Super Woman after 3 kids, Michael Jackson (obviously my favorite), Wall St, Lady Gaga, Rosie the Riveter, and Marla via Fightclub.

Though there is no telling where we will be for Halloween next year, our costume plans are already forming and we will only be going for bigger and better!

Christmas!!!!

I was really worried Christmas wouldn't feel like Christmas this year, since my parents and Ryan are in Hawaii for the first time in y-e-a-r-s (they almost always come to our house, wherever that may be) and we couldn't afford to join them since we got married in October. But, it actually turned out to be one of the best Christmases I've had, and definitely one to remember. On Christmas Eve, we went to a candlelight service at a local Methodist Church and came home drinking hot tea and listening to "A Rat Pack Christmas" on Cd. Even though it was just the 2 of us, we still got up at about 8am--too excited to keep sleeping, I guess some things stay the same! We turned on our Christmas music and ule log, and began to open stockings and presents. I have to say, we made out like bandits! Adam got me a framed "Cartoon of St.Anne" by DaVinci and a TomTom, while I got him a massage, some movies and a t-shirt he's been dying to have. I don't really see what's o funny, it has a picture of several animals and reads "Animals Taste Good", he thinks it's the funniest thing....ever. After we finished out present opening and showered, we headed to Corinth to see Cynthia, Mark & the kids (Adam's sister and her family). On the way, we got a chance to call Adam's parents and Granio for a Merry Christmas hello, which was nice.

The house, upon arrival, was a Christmas explosion and a frenzy of Elizabeth and Ethan showing us one gift after another. We gave them their Christmas presents, ate lunch and hung out until about midnight. All in all, a wonderful and very Merry Christmas.

Halloween

I LOOOOVE Halloween! Not as much as I love (obsess?) over Christmas, but Halloween makes a very good second. However, it is by far Adam's favorite holiday. Last year was a blast because we took Nick trick or treating with Pat and Jenn, but this year we stuck to our non-apartment neighborhood and decided to watch scary movies and hand out candy. I even splurged at Walmart for some foam tombstones, cobwebs, and orange lights to decorate with! I set out our creepy pumpkins (I wish I had thought to take a picture) that we carved a couple days ago got our huge bowl of candy and sat to wait....and wait..........and wait. Finally, around 8 we could hear little giggles coming up our walk and opened the door to some vampires, princesses and a little pumpkin, while the screams of "Nightmare on Elm Street" filled the house. *sigh* How I love holiday traditions! Once the children quit making it to the house, we feasted on the leftover candy and watched scary movies until about 3am! Then came the fun part....attempting to sleep....I fear I won't be doing a lot of sleeping for awhile. I am such a baby...I even made Adam find a nightlight for our bedroom.