JT's Baptism

On August 9th we celebrated JT's, my nephew, baptism. Joey, Maya and I headed to Spartenburg on Saturday to begin the festivities. We stopped by the Gaffney outlets, forgetting that it was tax free weekend- wow it was crowed, to look for Maya a baptism gown. We didn't have any luck with Maya, but Joey and I each found a couple of shirts. Then it was on to Erin and Chris's for an awesome dinner prepared by Chris with his family and ours. JT had a wonderful baptism ceremony at church on Sunday and then we had a great lunch to celebrate, again prepared by Chris. It was a great time with family and friends.

Four Month Check up

Maya had her 4 month check up on July 22nd. She weighed in at 15lbs 11 oz and was 25 inches long. She is now 90th percentile in weight and length and 95th percentile in head circumference. As soon as we walked into the exam room she started showing off to the nurse by smiling, blowing bubbles, and squealing. Then when the doctor walked in she kicked it up a notch and became VERY vocal-to the point we could barely hear each other. The doctor's response was "is she always like this?"..... That would be a yes, yes she is! Four month accomplishments include: finding her feet (and now she plays with them all the time!), rolling from back to stomach and "Blowing bubbles" AKA spitting loudly if you are Maya!

Four Month/ Beach week

On Maya's 4 month birthday Taylor (my cousin), Maya, and I headed to the beach for the O'Shields 26th consecutive family beach week. Unfortunately Joey had to travel to Toronto to work for the week so he was unable to make it. But, about 20 people on my mom's side of the family converged on Garden City on July 11th for the week. My mom and dad didn't get there until Sunday, so I sure was glad to see them and have some helping hands with Maya. Although I didn't have to look hard to find helping hands, there was about 40 of them anytime I turned around or Maya made the slightest complaint- which lent itself to a very spoiled baby when I got home! This was little Macy's first trip to the beach, so it was a blast to have Maya and Macy together, we would just stick them under the tent at the beach and they would hang out together. One of the highlights of the week was celebrating my Granddad O'Shields 80thbirthday. We had a cookout in the back yard overlooking the inlet. Janey, my mom's cousin, her daughter, grandson, and son made the trip from Columbia to join us and surprise Granddad. Another highlight was going to the water park. We had a blast; Becky, Adam, Blakeley, Adam, Kristin, and I went- the grandparents did a little babysitting (Thanks!)! It had been years since the last time I made it to the waterpark, and I could definitely tell- there are A LOT of stairs! I remember running up and down those stairs like it was nothing when I was little- not so much the case this time! Highlight number three would be getting to see my friends Erica and Tommy and their precious baby girl Addie (21 months). I went to school with with Erica from Elementary school through Clemson. We were in 5th grade together, which was the year I moved to Lexington, and she was one of my first friends in Lexington. It was wonderful to get to see her family including her parents and brother and catching up with her. What a blessing good friends are! Maya had a couple of first this week, she rolled over for the first time from back to front on July 15th to a crowd of applause from the entire family, and she perfected "blowing bubbles." Although, for Maya it isn't so much "blowing bubbles" it is more spitting very loudly with a couple of bubbles thrown in here or there. Family beach week has been such a blessing in my life and has taught me many great lessons about the importance of family. Thanks Granddad and Grandmom O'Shields!! We love you!!

Story Time

I have only occasionally read to Maya so far, but I think she has now convinced me to make it a regular thing. On Monday, after a busy weekend in the mountains, I decided to try to put her down for a nap in her crib. Which typically doesn't work very well (she prefers her swing at nap times) and it didn't work that day either, but we did make some wonderful memories trying. I was reading a book called "Noodle," this is a great story about a dachshund that Aunt Diane sent Maya. As I read to her she just quietly laid in my lap and looked back and forth from me to the book the entire time! It was the sweetest thing! I loved it!

4th of July

Maya had a great first 4th of July. Ok, I know she probably didn't know it was the 4th, so I really should say Joey and I had a great 4th of July. My weekend started on Wednesday afternoon when Maya, Tillman, and I headed up to the mountains to meet my parents at the cabin. For diner we all went to Black Mountain and had some great pizza at "My Fathers Pizza," then of course we had to stop by Bi-Lo to buy some ice cream for later that night. On Thursday Mom, Dad, Maya, Tillman (the dog who can't be left out of a mountain trip, she loves the mountains!), and I took a walk to the near-by lake (although when you are walking it doesn't seem so "near-by," but it is only about 0.5 miles from the cabin). Then, that afternoon Mom, Maya and I headed back to Black Mountain to do a little shopping and pick up some groceries. Thursday night the Steed family arrived right as Maya was having a meltdown because she was exhausted from the days activities added with only a couple of short naps. So, Maya went to bed and the rest of us had a wonderful dinner of pork chops and burnt Veggies (had to throw that one it dad!) Then, Dad, Sarah and I played a mean game of hide and seek! On Friday we all went to the waterfall and had a picnic. That night we had a gourmet meal prepared by the family chef, Chris. Maya had another melt down that night at bed time due to activity and lack of naps. But, I guess melt downs at bedtimes lead to a good night sleep because both nights she slept 12 hours. Maya, Tillman, and I headed home on Saturday morning. Maya was so cute when she saw her Daddy, she was so excited she started shaking! Joey had spent the past couple of days working on the patio and had finished laying all of the stone by time we got home!! That night we had a small cook out with Melissa, Brandon, Liam, and Berny; and ended the night watching some folks on our street put on a fireworks show.

Welcome to Miami!

Joey had a business trip to Miami on June 16th, so Maya and I decided to tag along. We flew down to Miami on June 18th. Maya did great in the airport and on the plane ride. She had a blast watching all the people walk by and of course would give them a big grin if they made eye contact! We had a great trip to Miami, we spent the mornings on the beach until about 10:30 or 11, the afternoons at the pool, and the evenings we spent people watching as we ate dinner at one of the many sidewalk restaurants. One of the restaurants that we ate at was appropriately named "Maya Tapas and Grill." South Beach has to be one of the top 10 for people watching, and for me, who is a big time people watcher, sometimes to the point of obnoxious if you ask Joey, it was great entertainment! Maya was not much for the heat, so of course we spent all of our time outside in the shade and the heat of the day in our hotel trying to stay cool. That Sunday June 21st was Joey's first Father's Day. He didn't get breakfast in bed like I got for Mother's day, but we did hit up a great restaurant on the main strip and had some great french toast and omelets. Maya had picked out a card especially for her Daddy and gave it too him as soon as she woke up. The rest of the day was spent hanging out at the pool and in the airport. The flight back home went smoothly as well, what a difference having an extra set of hands makes in the airport and on the plane!

Macy is here!

On June 14th Macy Monczynski made her grad entry! Macy is my cousin Kristin's new baby girl. She is too cute and a great baby. I worked the night side of June 14th at Matthews, so was able to spend several hours snuggling with my new little cousin while Kristin and Matt got some much needed rest. We are so happy to have her here safely and can't wait for Maya and Macy to become great friends!

Uncle Jimmy Graduates

Joeys little brother, Jimmy, graduated from Topsail Highschool on June 13th. So, the Egan 3 plus 2 dogs packed up and drove down to Hampstead on June 12th and spent the weekend with Grandma Thoma. Of course when we arrived Grandma had some goodies waiting for Maya; she had a pink sand bucket and shovel with a pink Beach towel with Maya's name on it, a topsail beach hat, and some precious little outfits for the beach. We went to Jimmy's graduation on the 13th and Maya did great, she was very entertained by all of the people, loud noises and whistles! Maya had a blast playing with Grandma, Justin, and Jimmy while we were there and was one tired out baby when we left! She slept to entire way home which is almost 4 hours!

Three Months!

Maya was three months old on June 11th. I can't believe how time flies! She is doing awesome and has brought so much joy to our lives! Maya has had a big month full of accomplishments and firsts. She first rolled over from her tummy to back on May 18th, this was the day of the famous "puke and roll." Now she is rolling over pretty consistently anytime you put her on her belly. So tummy time is hard to come by seeing as she just flips over as soon as you put her down! She has also starting laughing and I'm talking full out belly laughs! We love it! She truly laughed for the first time on June 3rd while her dad was fussing at Tillman for barking, she apparently likes when her sisters get in trouble! She has laughed several times for me, but she really things her Dad is funny! She smiles all the time, all you really have to do it make eye contact with her and she gives you a big gummy grin! She can also grab her toys on her play mat and her bouncy- she can even make the music play on her bouncy by pulling the little ring. I'm pretty sure she doesn't know what she is doing and her hand is just getting stuck on the ring, but it is pretty funny when it happens and she looks around like wow, where did that come from! She is also becoming VERY vocal! We are talking down right loud at times! Her favorite toys right now are "Mr. Moo Cow" and "Gerry the Giraffe."

Road trip

My friend Melissa, her son Liam (2 1/2 years), Maya and I hit the road for a short trip to Mount Pleasant this past Monday. It was quite the trip with a 2 1/2 year old prone to throwing up and a 2 1/2 month old prone to blow outs in the diaper area. We headed to the beach on Monday evening and ate at Coconut Joe's, one of my favorite spots on Isle of Palms. My parents were at annual conference for the first night, but managed to skip out early on Tuesday. It was really good to spend time with them! On Tuesday morning we went to the SC aquarium in Charleston. Then Mom, Melissa, Liam, Maya and I spent about 3 hours at the beach that evening which was just wonderful. On Wednesday we went by Hibben UMC, my parent's church, to visit and let my mom have a chance to show off Maya. After that it was time to head back home. It was a great trip, although was way to short!