Maeve and Uncle Scott 4-Eva

This past Sunday, Maeve and Uncle Scott logged some serious time together while we snacked and watched the Pats beat up on the Jets. Maeve and Uncle Scott even created their own football fun, calling a fumble during the game using a very playful voice that you'd just have to hear in person.

Fast forward to this morning, 9/17/08. Maeve and I were reminiscing about the time she shared with Uncle Scott on Sunday and she even gave me the "fumble voice" a few times which made both of us giggle. Then she paused and looked at me and said, "Mom, I love Uncle Scott." My heart melted a bit and I told her how nice it was of her to feel that way and that Uncle Scott loves her too. Then she said, "he's a big, big, big, big boy." Not sure what inspired that last sentiment but the bottom line is, Eileen has some serious competition between now and January. The following photo, although not from last Sunday, somewhat embodies the goofy girl that surfaces whenever Uncle Scott is around...

Who Was That Masked Man?

I couldn't think of a better way to close out August, than with a visit to the home of our friends the Santalucias. Chris, (who was holed up in the living room with a plasterer for the day) was skillfully and lovingly represented by Jen, his very astute stunt double. It was the most relaxing of afternoons, complete with a tour of the grounds (hen house, vegetable garden, herb garden, Lake George) and enjoyable encounters with The Lozeaus and Aunt Kate Norris. Then it was back to Teresa and Pepper's where a yummy dinner was lovingly prepared using the freshest of ingredients. I have to say, Maeve and Mateo got along rather swimmingly (aside from a few Maeve meltdowns) and he was very attentive and affectionate toward her which, of course, melted my heart a wee bit. Perhaps the highlight of my day, however, was meeting little Mariela for the first time. She may very well be the most mild-mannered, snuggliest (is that a word?), drop-dead gorgeous baby the world has seen in a very long time. So, from start to finish, the day was pretty much perfect (although I know Chris was slightly tortured by not being there). They made it very difficult to leave, but very easy to come back. Here is a shot of our resident super hero and his damsel in distress while on our walk down the dirt road:

Tried and True

A few weeks ago, Chris and Maeve and I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with my two friends of about 30 years (!), Tina and Karen and their families. I am so grateful to Tina and her husband Chris for arranging the day and for being so hospitable. It felt so good just sitting and talking and laughing and catching up on things. I am also grateful to Karen for snapping these photos of the kids, because although I brought my camera for the same purpose, I think I was just too busy relaxing and chatting the afternoon away. We were also joined by Matt Freda, Chris' brother which was an added treat and I know the kids had a blast running through the sprinkler and walking down to the cranberry bog. It turns out that Tina and I work very close to one another and on the same two days of the week, so I'm hoping I can pop in and see her one of these days after work! Thanks again to the Fredas for such an easy, enjoyable time and thanks also to Karen for the yummy zucchini bread which we ate in one sitting the following morning for breakfast!

Choices

So, the McNamaras, thanks to Maeve, are smack dab in the middle of the "terrible twos." As we try to wade our way through the mire, we have learned to very stealthily pick our battles with our daughter. We have also tried, with the encouragement of our day care provider, Pat, to sometimes turn the tables on Maeve and make her believe she is running the show when, in fact, she is merely falling into our parenthood trap without a clue. What I am referring to is giving her "choices." As Pat explained to us before the madness really began, sometimes it's good to present options to your toddler to make him or her feel as though they are making some decisions (or choices) on their own and navigating their way through life, when in reality, you, the parent, has only given them choices that you could live with. For example, laying out a couple of different outfits for the child to choose from. It empowers them to select the outfit but unbeknownst to them, either outfit is acceptable to you, the parent. This evening, before I arrived home from work, Chris instructed Maeve to hop into her booster seat so that he could prepare her dinner. She quickly demanded that he get her the tray which snaps onto the booster seat. It went something like, "Dada, give me that tray right now!" Chris very swiftly and firmly corrected Maeve by telling her that she won't be given anything she wants without her first asking nicely for it (which of course, includes the word "please"). She quickly corrected herself by demanding the tray for a second time while inserting somewhere in her command, an utterance of the word please. Chris, finding this to be sufficient, handed over the tray to which Maeve responded, "good choice, Dada."

Hot Diggity Dog

We needed a few things at BJ's the other day, including some newborn diapers (yikes) and some baby wipes. As we exited the store, I decided I couldn't resist the Weiner Mobile, screaming out to us in all of its bright orange and yellow glory. Although I haven't touched a hot dog in probably 25 years, I've never wanted to take a nibble of one more than at this very moment, captured on camera for your enjoyment...