Maeve is 2!

Our sweet girl turned 2 earlier this month! A really momentous birthday in my mind. No longer a baby, making her way to being a big girl. We are equal parts thrilled and devastated. She had a birthday as fun, sweet and active as she is.

The day started with presents so she'd have the day to enjoy them while the boys went to school. Excitement and pure joy.

Those presents are all for me??

Presents!!

 

She may have spent more time savoring and playing with each gift before moving onto the next, except big brother was too excited, practically throwing the gifts at her, "Maevey, another present!!!"

When the boys were off, we headed out for a morning at the zoo with Joey and Audra. It was such a beautiful day! The girls have so much fun there and no mater how many times we've gone, we're always discovering new areas and animals.

Stopping to say hi to her friends on our way to the metro

Lunch at De Pizzabakkers complete with prosecco drinks for the mommys (because a child's birthday is always a celebration for the mommy, right?!). 

It was HOT, so naked dining it is! 

Sweet, sleeping birthday girl. 

The boys were home at 4 and we spent the afternoon playing with new toys. Paw patrol figures, Peppa plane, scooter, water table- lucky girl! 

She's a silly one

And loves to give us her best "cheese"

Then a favorite ravioli dinner followed by cupcakes. 

Hippity hip, hoera! 

The following day, Maeve celebrated her birthday at day care. They make the most ridiculous birthday hats, but she sure was happy.

Her birthday present was a Dutch book about the potty- alright!

Some of Maeve's favorite things:

Doing anything her brother is doing. In this case, bike riding.

Tipping bottles with straws, refusing to be shown the right way and being upset when her juice spills everywhere. 

Is it wrong to envy your daughter's hair and skin tone?!

Music: Singing, humming, playing daddy's harmonica and dancing to it all. 

Helping make snacks at her beloved Montessori class:

And a little bit about our Maevey girl at 2!

Her personality is sweet and salty. Loves hugging her brother, snuggling and giving sweet kisses. Loves getting her way and protesting strongly when she doesn't. Loves flirting with guys and generally has good taste. Loves spending time with my friends and their kids.

Her brother is "guh-guh" and even when she learns to say Jude, I hope the nick name sticks. She has a few distinct Dutch words, "op" and "brood." Her English vocabulary is slowly expanding. She's starting to put some words together and I can't wait to watch her language skills develop further. For spoon she says "ludyludyludy" while swirling her hand. I guess that's the sound a spoon makes?! When Pete came home from school today she said in Maeve speak, "yogurt, strawberries, bowl, ludyludyludy" to tell him that we'd just had a snack of yogurt and strawberries. I'm thrilled she hasn't picked up the Dutch word for no, "nay." I just don't like how whiny it sounds. Instead she says in a low pitch, "nooooo" while wagging her finger back and forth. And yes is an even sweeter "yesh." This girl melts our hearts!

We've employed a number of montessori principals to help her achieve more independence at home. Food prep is a big favorite as is snacking while helping. She's got a real sweet tooth so cookie making is a dangerous activity that tends to end in tears when I tell her that she can't have any more of the dough. Favorite foods are pasta, cheese, fruits, yogurt, peas, red peppers, pizza and anything dipped in ketchup, just like her brother. She has good coordination and is proving to be quite sporty! This week she started jumping and getting her feet off the ground (it is the little things). She's obsessed with TV- loves Paw Patrol ("rubble"), Zack and Quack ("quack") and still the Wiggles.

She continues to be our good sleeper. She went through a week long separation anxiety stretch when Opa and Oma were visiting where she wouldn't let me leave her room until she was sound asleep. Thankfully we are back to our usual bed routine. Books with mommy, walk to Jude's room to tell him goodnight, back to her room for lights out and a song and then into her crib to put herself to sleep with her paci. Not sure when/how/if we'll ever get rid of the paci!! We are down to just the Clifford Red dog wubanub from aunt Rach so I suppose when that one is gone, we'll be done! Maeve's mommy phase lasted a really long time and she still only wants me to put her to bed, which I love, but also hate that it means I can't do Jude's stories.

And the big development of the last week is potty training. We decided since Jude trained relatively easy at this age, it wouldn't hurt to try. If it was a failure after the 3 day method, we'd scrap it and wait until the fall. But she has made really good progress so we're sticking with it and feel confident we'll get there in time for our summer travels. She really is growing up!

You bring us so much joy, baby girl! Happy 2nd birthday!

Idyllic Trip to the Swedish Countryside with Friends

We just came from a super relaxing get away to the Swedish countryside. We went to visit our friends and meet their newish, adorable baby, taking advantage of a 4 day weekend. Having already seen Stockholm pre-kids, we loved the idea of just relaxing and spending time together in the country. They found an awesome rental house 2 hours west of Stockholm. Jude is still talking about wanting to go back! 

Wearing Swedish blue and yellow (not planned) on our way. 

Kids bedroom heaven! A loft and swings, climbing ladder hanging from the rafters! 

Our room had two looms and the owner weaves beautiful rugs, which were all over the house. My grandma Copeland had a period in her life where she weaved and I have wonderful memories learning to weave on her loom. I have a new life goal to do this one day! 

Outdoors we had a trampoline, soccer field, sand box, hammocks and two outdoor eating areas. The house had a separate building with an indoor eating area. This place was really hooked up! We did not want to leave!

We spent our days taking day trips in the mornings to neighboring towns, then home for nap time and afternoons spent playing at the house. In the evenings we'd grill and drink and chat. So nice!

Our first day trip was to the sweet town of Nora. I would add that it was lake front, but all of the towns there seemed to be lake front as the area is riddled with small lakes. This town had a popular ice cream shop that had just opened for the season. We played for a while at the big playground and then had a nice set lunch in town with salmon (smoked and then cooked) and potatoes with dill.

Inside seating at the ice cream shop

Pete and I took a stroll through the fields behind the house one evening.

The earth cellar behind the house. 

I mean, really! This place was so idyllic! 

Second day trip to Arboga, a small town on a river.  Another fun playground and a stop in the grocery store for picnic fixings. 

Second year in a row ending vacation on Mother's days. Last year was our fun group trip to Texel! After a relaxing morning, we took off for the town of Mariefred, halfway to the airport. Would I like to spend Mother's day at a castle on a lake? Yes, I would!

Sillies at Mother's Day brunch

Mariefred was the home of Gripsholm Castle dating from the 16th century. We didn't take the time to tour it, enjoying the surroundings and playground (what else) instead.

Charming Mariefred

It was very hard to force ourselves into the car on this beautiful day. It was such a relaxing trip and I did not want to leave! It was made worse by a 2 hour delay once we got to the airport. So I count this as a lovely 1/2 a Mother's day :)