Prints Time! 15-17 Months

We've uploaded all of the blog photos for "15-17 Months" to Kodak Gallery.

Maya Photos, 15 through 17 months

New Year's Eve Bell Ringing

On New Year's Eve, we went down to the Asian Art Museum. Maya loved running around among the beautiful statues in the regular collection, but we came there for a special event. Every year they bring out a beautiful 16th century bronze bell from their collection, special guests perform a short Buddhist blessing ceremony, and the bell is rung 108 times to get rid of the ills of the past year and ring in the New Year. Everyone is allowed to participate and we struck the bell for the 47th time. Here's to positive change in 2009!

Mom and Maya watching the Buddhist blessing ceremony.

Maya is meditating on creating less drool in the new year.

Standing by the bell after ringing it.

When Mom and Dad are Away...

One of our babysitters, Terie, came by to take care of Maya one day during the holiday week so Mom and Dad could take care of some thrilling financial errands. Terie took some cute pics of Maya while we were away...you can see how much Maya missed us...

"Why, hello there."


Trying on Terie's hat!

Mom and Dad...who?

Christmas Day

We had a great Christmas day with Maya. After a morning of present opening with just the three of us; Sarah, Eric and Leo came over for dinner. Maya still doesn't understand why trees and presents appear in her living room this time of year, but that doesn't stop her from having fun.

Finally, an excuse to put Maya in a Santa dress passed down to us from Cousin Nancy. Too cute!

Daddy reads books to Leo and Maya.

Merry Christmas!

Maya's first visit with Santa...

"Failed Jedi" video

Mom and Dad went to the Lucasfilm holiday party on December 13th. It had a carnival theme with rides and a bunch of games with prizes. At the wreath toss, we both won lightsabers. We brought them home, but discovered that Maya may not have what it takes to be a Jedi...

For those of you wondering...no, this is not a 'real' lightsaber. It is a little plastic, non-licensed (ironically), made in China, light-up toy that doesn't make any sounds. No visual effects were added, but Dad did a great job adding a sound effect or two.

Mother's Group Holiday Fun

We hosted a little Mother's Group holiday gathering at our house this year. We were very excited that so many families could make it (Dads were there, but were on photo duty for the group shots). It was fun to see everyone and watch all the little kids running around and playing. It's amazing to see all the changes from last year. Three of the moms are now pregnant with their second babies...CONGRATS! Time flies.

We wanted to get a group shot of all the babies, but we weren't sure how it would work with the very active 16-18 month old set. First, we took one with all the Mommas and toddlers and then we tried to plop down all the toddlers on the couch for the coveted babies-only shot. This gives you a taste of the excitement.

Kathy and Sadie, Susan and Charlotte, Mommy and Maya, Kirstin and Corinne, Sarah and Olen, Natasha and Gabriel. (Julie was there, but Natalie was sick at home so their not in the photo.)

Sadie (not enjoying being plopped on the couch), Charlotte, Maya, Corinne, Olen, and Gabriel.

Things are breaking down fast...Sadie is really not enjoying the couch.

Here's a little video of the end of the picture taking chaos. Good thing the parents were entertained.

Mexico: All Good Things...

Well, we couldn't stay in Mexico forever, but here are a few more moments from our trip:

Lulu and Maya.

Pop and Maya.

Pop and Maya on a mission to get tacos for lunch.

Our little girl.

"May I offer you this fine hat?"

Maya goes all natural.

The benefits of owning your own slide.

Mexico is fun. Hope to be back soon!

Mexico: Santi

Here are a few shots of Maya's cousin Santi. He's a year older than Maya and a very high energy little guy. He loves cars and Coco gave him a very cool toy car that he rapidly tested for endurance and strength at Lulu and Pops' house. He's wearing a neato shirt we brought him all the way from San Francisco.

"Ready, Set, GOOOOOOOOO!"

Mexico: Beach Bum

Maya really got into beach activities on this trip. She loved digging in the sand, wading in the water, and people watching. She might take after her Auntie Coco who considers the beach to be one of the best places on earth. Here we are at Cerritos Beach:

"Hola Maya!" video

Since Santi (one year older than Maya), is being raised in Todos Santos, he is more fluent in Spanish than in English. On Thanksgiving night at Lulu and Pop's house, we were having fun with Maya and Santi on their Mommas' shoulders. You'll hear little Santi with his Spanish 'si' and 'hola.' Maya can't wait to learn Spanish from her cool cousin.

Mexico: Thanksgiving

Mexicans don't do Thankgiving, but we were able to create our own version complete with a pre-cooked Costco turkey, canned cranberry sauce brought to Mexico via suitcase, and a little tequila. Delicious.

Maya started out her day with her five year-old friend Isabelle.

Then we went to Marimar's wonderful cafe, La Esquina, to get breakfast.

Marimar takes our order like a champ!

Pop and Maya.

Isabelle and Maria.

Then we enjoyed the rest of the morning at a remote beach, Las Palmas.

Maya enjoys beachy applesauce.

Nice!

Finally, dinnertime arrived. Santi and Maya were very excited.

Here are three things that we are really thankful for: Maya, Isabelle, and Santi.

Mexico: Tortugas!

On our second evening in Todos Santos, we went down to the beach at sunset to watch baby turtles (or tortugas in spanish) being released. Apparently, sea turtles numbers are decreasing and there are organizations that try to help the turtles chances of survival by collecting the eggs that are laid along the beach and burying them in a known location. Then when the eggs hatch, volunteers dig up the eggs and help the turtles get to the sea. Maya loved seeing little baby turtles...we did too.

After the hatched turtles have been dug out of the sand, they let us carry them to the shore and let them go.

Maya touches a little tiny turtle.

Turtle before a wave.
Turtle after a wave.There they go!
Bye, turtles!

Here's a little video that shows the turtles attempting to make it into the sea. While the pictures make it look very peaceful, the poor little turtles get pushed around quite a bit by the big waves at they try to get into the water.

The turtle crew: Pop, Lulu, Isabelle, Maria, Maya, and Dad.

Mexico: Here Comes the Sun

On November 25th, we headed down to Todos Santos, on the Baja peninsula in Mexico, to visit Meredith (who lives there year round) and Lulu and Pop at their vacation home next door. The whole Higgins family including Meredith (Marimar), Oscar, Santi, Courtney (Coco), Lulu, Pop, Mommy, Daddy, Maya, and our very close family friend Maria and her beautiful daughter, Isabelle, were there. Maya was very excited about seeing everyone and being somewhere nice and warm!

On the thrilling 3 hour flight.

Maya in shortsleeves and shorts...crazy!

Maya explores the patio at Lulu and Pop's house.

Ready for a swim.

Maya gets her feet wet with Daddy.

Ready for deeper water.

Maya's first swim in a pool!

Yay!