Delighting in Discovery

A Friend Called Melissa (and Her Gum)

2011-02-13T16:01:00.000-06:00

There's nothing quite like when your kids start getting friends, as in, they start looking forward to seeing certain people and run to say hi to them arms open wide.

Melissa is one of those people for Caitlin.

It might help that she usually offers Caitlin a piece of gum, but we'll leave that up to speculation.

Pedialyte and Pooh

2011-02-12T21:30:00.000-06:00

This past week Connor was down and out with a bit of a fever for a couple of days. His appetite was in and out, as was his interest in fluids. Concerned he might be headed towards dehydration I remembered we have a stash of pedialyte freezies and wondered if I could interest him in one of them...

And then my heart melted. Even when he's sick he is sharing with others. Sweetheart.

Caitlin's Top Ten Latest

2010-12-22T14:55:00.001-06:00

10. Your flawless ability to refuse any and all requests made by me lately astonishes me. If you could only "mess up" just once and accidentely comply I don't know what I would do with myself!
9. You keep me on your toes with your stories and imagination. At any moment you could ask me to participate and I have thoroughly enjoyed every role asked of me.
8. You are AWESOME at repeating back "the usual" instructions. Like at quiet time: I'll say, "Ok, so you have your books to read, but what do you do after you're finished?" And everytime, almost word for word, you say, "If you have to go potty, you come and find Mama, if you feel tired you lay down and sleep, or if you don't feel tired then you just lay down and look around and wait until Mama comes and gets you." You're pretty good at following these instructions, although last week there were a few days where you came upstairs from your room prematurely and said with a smile, "I had a goooood quiet time! Now can I play?"
7. Keeping your brother in line is one of your hobbies. A favorite "exhortation" from you lately is, "We don't touch your hair!" (said while eating. I used to have to tell him that since he's still primarily a "hands" eater.) I try to remind you who's in charge of whom.
6. You love unbuckling your seatbelt when we arrive at our destination.
5. Cuddletime just about fixes anything in your book.
4. You are getting really good at helping Connor choose the option that you don't want (so the alternative automatically becomes yours). Sneaky...
3. All things considered, you really are SO sweet to your brother and me heart melts when I see the special camaraderie between you two.
2. You are such a good nurturer-- today your Thomas was sad (you said) and he needed to "watch a show to help him feel better." Thankfully I was able to convince you to just give him a good cuddle instead, since it was lunchtime.
1. I am so grateful for who you are and especially that although you are in the "I'm three-and-a-half and going to dig in my heels about everything" stage, you are still open to alternatives and able to change your mind when necessary. I am so glad to be your Mama!

Craft Time

2010-11-18T11:55:00.002-06:00

Connor's 10 Latest

2010-11-15T21:45:00.001-06:00

The first thing you say when I see you every morning is, "I awake!"
If bananas and cheese were the only foods you ever ate you'd be perfectly happy.
Everyday when we get you dressed you can't wait to turn around and sit in my lap so we can put on your pants and socks.
Your favorite phrase today when you talked to Grandma was, "You ok?" (Your concern was so sweet.)
You see school buses, trucks, and any other interesting vehicles from your limited view in the backseat long before I do.
Pooh bear, Piglet, Kitty and blankie all have to be in your arms every night before you'll settle in to bed.
And we have to pray. And the music box has to be wound. (I adore you, crazy boy.)
Caitlin is your inspiration for whatever the next thing is that you'll do. Enjoy getting away with being such a copycat while you can...
You insist to "use" a spoon when you eat, but you always end up just holding it in one hand while you use the other to eat. You also seem to like resting that messy eating hand on your head during mealtime more often than I would like. (Although tonight it was a plate as a hat that left a good blob of ketchup behind.)
You've started to say, "poopie!" but it's hard to know what you mean by it. Usually it's been pre-poop, so we've had some marathon potty-sitting sessions with candy bribes, but so far unsuccessful in producing anything of substance. Trying to encourage your interest though!

Dudes n Divas

2010-11-01T10:51:00.000-05:00

Last month the kids had their first haircuts at a real salon! They both did so well sitting in the big chair-- and of course it didn't hurt that there were individual screens for each chair with movies playing. They caught a little bit of Finding Nemo and were hooked, it's both of their favorite movie now that we've watched it a few more times. They both absolutely LOVE Dori and all her crazy antics, it's so fun to see them enjoy the movie so much!

Anyway, back to the haircuts, after they were done they got suckers and color spray...Caitlin thought the experience was just okay until she saw her *pink* hair, then she was through the roof! She made sure Connor got green too, to "match his shirt."

Love my little Dude and Diva!

Perfect Imperfections

2010-08-22T21:58:00.001-05:00

Taken last week on our front lawn, this is my favorite photo of the kids right now. The imperfections are perfect, like Connor's belly showing and the bandaid, how they aren't both looking at the camera-- I want to remember this precious time with them both being so young and cherish the unpredictability.

A Perfect Discovery

2010-05-16T23:22:00.000-05:00

A Three Year Old in the House

2010-05-14T16:46:00.001-05:00

Sweet girl, you are three!

We can hardly believe it. You are such a joy to us and we love who God has made you to be!

Two Whole Months Gone By?!

2010-04-14T00:07:00.000-05:00

Let's just say it's been busy around here...and certain kids have been growing and changing like crazy!

Connor turned 1 in February!

Caitlin and her friend Jadyn peer out from their "house"

Connor loves to giggle

Butterfly Caitlin helps with dinner

Caitlin's first sucker

Caitlin and Connor watch Baby Einstein

A civil engineer in the making?

So creative, she figured out how to make a hole in her fruit leather all by herself!

Connor is becoming brave and wanting to stand by himself lately (only when he wants to though)

Blanket time "pose"

How's that for some volume!

Connor's "cheeeeeese" face (hehe)

Check us out on Facebook if you want to see more pictures!

Snow Day

2010-02-16T22:30:00.002-06:00

So Proud of Himself

2009-12-12T18:19:00.000-06:00

Connor finally has the strength to stand up by himself against something for extended periods now and is SO proud of himself in the process! It is so easy to get him to smile. Here he is "looking out the window" (although it's more of looking at the windowsill...not quite that tall yet!) He is ten months old now, hard to believe...

Monkey Songs

2009-11-30T09:20:00.001-06:00

Teethers are A-Comin'

2009-11-29T22:55:00.000-06:00

I spy with my little eye...

...two front teeth underneath those gums! It won't be long now!

Getting Along

2009-11-24T13:31:00.001-06:00

They get along marvelously! How wonderful.

Punkins and Leafs

2009-10-30T18:01:00.002-05:00

Connor was pretty cooperative during this "photo session" today...what a cute age he is! Almost 9 months...can't hardly believe it!

In Action

2009-10-14T11:29:00.003-05:00

I've finally gotten around to uploading a ton of new videos to our YouTube site and here's one of my favs from this summer!

BIG Owie

2009-10-13T16:34:00.004-05:00

Caitlin leaned over a little too far one day and fell out of her booster seat up on a counter-height stool...right on her head! Poor girl!

This was a swollen as it got, it went down right after this picture.

She even helped hold the "medicine" (frozen peas) on it!

He's a Blondie...

2009-09-25T14:04:00.004-05:00

My dark haired, fauxhawked little boy has been replaced with a rather dapper, thick haired, little blonde one. The haircut today seemed to have gotten rid of the last bit of brown that had been hanging on at the ends-! I still can't help but see his darker hair when I look at him though, the blond makes him look so different!

Now, does anyone have an idea how such a dark haired, dark eyed person like me (and my whole family, btw) ends up with two super blond, blue eyed babies? It's just weird!

Giggles, Squeals and Squawks

2009-09-24T22:18:00.002-05:00

During our trip to MT last month!

Oh Boy

2009-09-15T09:27:00.004-05:00

I just can't get enough of this boy! He is such a delight to our family with his easy smiles and laid back ways. He is thrilled when we show excitement to whatever his newest trick happens to be (most recently this is sitting up and the appearance of his first tooth!) and loves to snuggle in and cuddle with anyonw when he's tired. Thank you God for this little boy!

Sister Dress Up

2009-09-06T16:08:00.001-05:00

In case you can't tell, that's a princess crown on his head! It's SOOOO cute how she plays with him these days!

Grandma Came To Visit

2009-07-24T22:22:00.001-05:00

Before we all traveled to Canada in June Grandma arrived here to visit us first. It was fun to play with her and show her our stomping grounds!

"A-B-C-D...."

2009-07-10T14:49:00.003-05:00

Wednesday night as we were driving home from our small group Bible study Caitlin started singing her ABCs in the back seat. We have sung them here and there, but never "worked" on them with her, so we were pretty impressed (and shocked!).

Be sure to check out our YouTube channel for additional recent videos of the kids!

Love Abroad

2009-06-28T15:40:00.003-05:00

Connor and his Canadian girlfriend!

Don't worry, they had a chaperone around at all times, and he only tried to eat her face twice. (ok maybe three times, but who's counting?)

Look What I Can Do!

2009-05-19T16:39:00.000-05:00

Thumbkin

2009-05-16T16:35:00.000-05:00

Someone found his thumb...

And here he is in action!

Shape Game

2009-05-14T14:53:00.003-05:00

We had a blast playing with sidewalk chalk last week and 'discovered' a new game. Check out the video to see for yourself!

Out Cold

2009-05-14T14:10:00.001-05:00

Hide and "sleep"...

Bathtime Ducky

2009-05-05T22:36:00.001-05:00

Our little bathtime ducky...

Pedicures and Manicures

2009-05-01T11:04:00.003-05:00

Fun girl times!

Handsome

2009-04-30T11:45:00.001-05:00

I just can't get enough of his expressions, so darling!

Naptime

2009-04-28T15:12:00.002-05:00

Wrinkles and Bottom

2009-04-24T11:50:00.003-05:00

I love the wrinkles on Connor's forehead when he looks up like this. And the way his little bottom sticks up in the second picture is just adorable!

Pearly Whites

2009-04-24T11:37:00.004-05:00

I found this Bumbo seat + tray on Craigslist and lo and behold even Caitlin fits in it-! (I bought it for Connor.) And this is her face when I say, "Show me your teeth!" (much less abstract (and much more effective lately) than, "Smile!")

Got His Head in the Game

2009-04-24T11:32:00.003-05:00

Caitlin sat down and read to Connor the other day and conveniently used his head to help prop her book up... (this is why Mama stays around to monitor playtime...)...at least he doesn't seem to mind-!

Siblings

2009-04-17T23:01:00.005-05:00

Blue eyed on a Boppy.
And cute I might add. :)

Miss Caitlin

2009-03-31T22:29:00.002-05:00

Two cute shots of Caitlin from the last week...
Such a good big sister putting Connor's pacifier in his mouth (and showing him how to open his mouth in the meantime...haha!)One evening we had to stall a bit before putting Caitlin to bed (saying goodbye to company) so we sat her on the couch and gave her her bear to cuddle with--she immediately asked for the blanket and snuggled right in...aww....

Vocalizing

2009-03-30T18:31:00.000-05:00

Someone has found his voice....

101 Expressions of Silliness

2009-03-30T16:54:00.003-05:00

These are the faces I got today at lunch when I told her to "be silly" for the camera. She wanted to see each picture immediately after I took it too, so some of them are her funny reactions to her own faces! Classic.(Click on the image to see an enlarged version)

Zonked Out

2009-03-17T15:08:00.003-05:00

Here in the Maass household we wear our kids OUT! :)
See the video before Connor falls asleep here.

Mr. Connor

2009-03-14T11:22:00.001-05:00

Whoa, five weeks old already?! (see the slight smile in the pic above? it's SO sweet!)

Lounging

2009-03-06T21:49:00.000-06:00

It's fun to cuddle with Papa...

Classy

2009-03-06T21:34:00.004-06:00

Not only is she walking around with her onesie undone and untucked, she is so thrilled about her new recorder that she doesn't even care that her necklace is caught over her ears (which usually drives her crazy!!).

Hello Nephew

2009-03-06T14:44:00.000-06:00

Aunt Molly meets Connor for the first time!

She's Got Some Moves

2009-03-05T16:22:00.000-06:00

Lately...

2009-02-26T17:41:00.002-06:00

Playing Together

2009-02-11T16:05:00.002-06:00

Caitlin and her friend Jadyn play together one afternoon. How sweet!

Big Sister!

2009-02-07T17:31:00.002-06:00

Although blurry, what a sweet moment to capture! Caitlin was such a sweetheart to her new brother when she met him for the first time.

Fashionista!

2009-02-05T22:21:00.003-06:00

Umm, no, that is NOT underwear around her neck-! (it's much too stylish, don't you think??) :) (but in my defense, it did come from the clean laundry basket...)

Uh-Oh....

2009-02-01T21:47:00.005-06:00

The other morning while I was eating breakfast and catching up on some phone calls, someone else's daughter made a huge mess, digging in the dirt of one of the plants, including grinding it into the carpet, her foam chair, her hair, pjs, fingernails and to top it off, in her mouth! Let's just say she had a good long time to think about her bad decision in her crib afterward...(and we've gone over how we don't touch plants OR the dirt numerous times since-!!) She helped me clean up though, so maybe that helped her to understand too...

Smile!

2009-02-01T21:29:00.003-06:00

Caitlin found the camera the other day and brought it to me. These are the faces she made when I told her to smile--and her reaction when I showed her the pics after we took them was priceless! It cracks me up that she thinks she's funny!

Dip Dip Dip!

2009-01-20T17:43:00.000-06:00

Ballerina

2009-01-14T13:35:00.000-06:00

Papa Playtime

2009-01-09T11:58:00.000-06:00

I just LOVE this picture! (especially her "hammy" smile!)

Hang on Tight

2009-01-01T22:39:00.001-06:00

...even when you're sleeping!

Morning Playtime

2008-12-16T14:17:00.001-06:00

Mama's Little Helper

2008-12-15T22:39:00.005-06:00

Last week we put together a new office chair for Mama's new crafting space. Caitlin was right there, observing the whole process so closely that I almost think she'll be able to do it herself next time!gotta make sure we don't miss any of the safety features!

smiling on cue!

Snow Bunny

2008-12-06T17:40:00.005-06:00

"it's hard to stand up in all these layers!"

little footprints

"oh look, my shadow!"

Playtime

2008-12-04T09:18:00.001-06:00

Gearing Up

2008-12-03T17:59:00.005-06:00

Here's the first installment of pictures from our adventure outside in the snow today! I've been gathering the necessary gear over the last few weeks and today we had our first attempt to use it all together. Caitlin sat very still as I put on each layer and believe it or not she could walk (albeit not well, think of the little brother from the movie, "A Christmas Story"). Stay tuned for pictures of the fun in the snow! (and note that Caitlin's cute smiles in these pictures are because I asked her to smile! she's getting the hang of it!)

It Rings So True

2008-12-01T16:52:00.002-06:00

We're working on this with Caitlin too...she might get it by the 25th...

(take special note of the grandpa's reaction at the end...classic!)

Oldie but Goodie

2008-11-26T22:59:00.003-06:00

A glimpse back to Caitlin a la early September 08! (listen closely to hear who she had planned to vote for...)

Picture Perfect

2008-11-25T10:10:00.004-06:00

I don't know that I've ever seen her in such an adorable sleeping position! And how classic that she's using her giant stuffed dog ("Olie") as a pillow to boot. Aww....

Banana Cheerios

2008-11-20T10:06:00.002-06:00

It's Always a Good Time for a Book

2008-11-19T09:43:00.004-06:00

When Amy came to visit she somehow knew the easiest way to get into Caitlin's favor...books! She even brought two with her as a gift. here they are reading Hooray for Fish!

It Works This Way Too!

2008-11-19T09:38:00.003-06:00

Well, the picture isn't the greatest, but it was so cute to see her flip around and sit backwards for a bit. She thinks of everything!

Deer to Daddy's Heart

2008-11-13T13:55:00.003-06:00

I promise she's just eating an orange and not about to cry in this picture! I found this adorable shirt on sale at Old Navy and just had to get a snapshot of it (and lunch is a great time cause she sits nice and still!).

So Peaceful

2008-11-13T13:47:00.003-06:00

This week it's just happened to work out that we've been out every morning and therefore had to fore go the until-now necessity known as "The Morning Nap." Caitlin has done well adjusting but it's been a common occurrence to find her like this by the time we pull into the garage, usually around noon......she's just so serene I can barely bring myself to wake her to come inside and eat lunch! Although it's been super easy to then put her down for her only nap (which thankfully has been lasting 4+ hours-!).

Rocker Walker

2008-11-11T16:36:00.002-06:00

A new kind of "cruisin"!

Sizing Up the Catch

2008-11-03T23:02:00.001-06:00

Not Guilty?

2008-10-31T10:05:00.003-05:00

While Grady and I finished eating supper last night Caitlin played in the living room. Normally this is no problem, but with the addition of the bowl of Halloween candy within reach it seemed she just couldn't help herself...

Although, after closer inspection it turns out that she DID obey Papa telling her not to touch the candy and instead gnawed on one of the gummy-window-decoration bats that was also within reach-! (and funnily enough we could barely tell which bat it was--those things are majorly bite proof!) She hasn't shown signs of fatal poisoning yet, so I think she might just pull through. I came upon her sitting in front of the tv she had just turned on, with this expression on her face (see picture) and couldn't help but laugh at how cute she was, just hanging out after her little "snack". Needless to say we fed her more supper after this!

Masterpiece

2008-10-31T09:54:00.004-05:00

Anytime Caitlin goes past the fridge she stops and admires her work of art. A couple of weeks ago we sat down with a huge piece of paper and some washable markers for her first "art class" and of course posted it on the fridge afterward. She will point and describe the intricacies that only the artist herself would pick up and of course pays herself numerous compliments each time (saying, "wow!" repeatedly). Love it!

How Inventive!

2008-10-21T12:03:00.005-05:00

She's recently discovered that she can carry this cat-head-shaped lego block in her mouth, allowing her her normal freedom of movement (ie with both hands)...and as a bonus, it makes a slight whistling sound when she breathes through it! (which ups its "fun" level a ton and also helps Mama track where she is-!)

Lounging ON a Friend

2008-10-21T12:02:00.004-05:00

Maybe we should teach her you don't do this on just anybody? (She's laying directly on her stuffed bear, covering his face!)

Frolicking

2008-10-03T10:56:00.002-05:00

Caitlin loved trompsing around Opa and Oma's backyard this past summer. I just came across this picture of her and had to post it!

Au Naturale

2008-10-03T10:05:00.000-05:00

Sometimes after a nap my hair looks like this, and that's without gel or anything!!

It's not my favorite look, as you can tell by my expression...

Sweet Prayers

2008-09-04T20:52:00.001-05:00

Without a doubt, she's learned how to pray! (And she practiced it alot during dinner tonight!) How sweet!

Bathtime Sillies

2008-09-03T18:23:00.000-05:00

Sit Down Comedian

2008-08-28T12:00:00.003-05:00

Since visiting my family in Canada Caitlin has picked up the art of "telling jokes." The best part is that she laughs at the end of each one (we think she had to have picked that up from my dad, whose jokes are often so dry/bad--I mean sophisticated--that noone laughs unless he starts to...sorry dad!)! See if you can pick out the few she tells in the video. (She usually tells the jokes really quietly and then laughs loud at the end.)

Here are some other videos I've just uploaded as well.
(click on the title to watch)
Lounging on the 4th
On the Move
Virtual Pet Moshi

Storytime with Papa

2008-08-28T11:49:00.003-05:00

Anti-Gravity Legs

2008-08-27T17:16:00.003-05:00

This picture is from our time at camp...I guess the air pressure was so low (being that we were high up in the mountains..haha) that her legs just floated up for part of her nap!

BFF

2008-08-12T21:58:00.003-05:00

Caitlin had a blast on Saturday with her new friend, Maida. Maida visited us with her parents for a couple hours and the two hit it off immediately. How sweet!
thanks Kara for the pics!

Independence

2008-08-06T10:13:00.004-05:00

Someone has figured out how to do things all by herself...

That Can't Be Comfortable

2008-08-05T10:35:00.002-05:00

But yet it's one of her most common in-the-stroller positions!

"The Fuzzy Caterpillar..."

2008-07-30T13:27:00.003-05:00

Caitlin LOVES singing and doing the actions to any song we teach her. Her longtime fav has been, "The Fuzzy Caterpillar," and she lets us know she wants to sing that song by wiggling her pointer finger at us("the caterpillar"). During our visit to Canada, Grandma Cindy captured a real caterpillar and Caitlin was amazed to see it wiggle along the bar of her stroller!

Pitching In Around the House

2008-06-24T14:54:00.000-05:00

It's never too early to get them started on chores! ;)

So Innovative

2008-06-24T14:24:00.005-05:00

Caitlin has some cute little mannerisms and habits I've finally caught on camera. So cute!

She loves to crawl up under the side table in the living room--it's perfect Caitlin-size!

I always get a kick out of her upside-down soother--it's one that's only shaped to "fit" right side up but she doesn't seem to take notice at all!

The other day I couldn't help but laugh as she squeezed herself under her toy to play with it from the "back side"! It must be so much funner that way, she's done it numerous times since-!

If the Shoes Fit...

2008-06-17T15:48:00.003-05:00

Caitlin loves sticking her little fingers through the holes of our Crocs to tickle our feet whenever we have them on. Looks like she doesn't mind wearing them herself either!

In the last month she's started crawling everywhere at super speed, she can pull herself up on just about anything (and has had a few big crashes too--good thing this house is mostly carpeted!), she loves seeing her reflection wherever she can (her current fav is the fireplace doors which are right at her height), she knows how to sign, "more" and "please" and waves "Hi" and "Bye-bye" most of the time, a couple of times now without prompting. She loves going on walks and getting the mail at the end of our driveway with Mama or Papa. She laughs every time Papa does his looncall and it's cute to watch her mimic us as we sing action songs or raise our arms or make silly noises. Her favorite song right now is "Fuzzy Caterpillar" and singing it brings me right back to learning it in Germany while helping with the kids class there (and Chris' adorable spinning butterfly hands!). It's so sweet to see her picking up more and more and be able to interact more with her as she grows. She babbles and points will "Look!" when we tell her to. Overall she's a content little girl who loves the excitement of crowds and loves loves LOVES animals and making their sounds (she used to "roar" alot but recently it's more "meowing" and "ppppfppppfppp!!" (elephant)). Gotta love her!

What If My Parents Were From India?

2008-06-17T13:02:00.002-05:00

I probably wouldn't have this blond hair and fair skin, that's for sure! (see more face morphing here.)

Caitlin Groovin to Annie

2008-06-02T13:50:00.000-05:00

Mini Maestro

2008-05-24T10:02:00.004-05:00

It's so fun to watch her "discover" the piano!

Super Swinger

2008-05-21T10:38:00.001-05:00

She can't deny how much she loves it!

You've Got Something On Your....Oh Nevermind

2008-05-21T10:23:00.002-05:00

Strawberries Taste Goooooood

2008-05-20T10:27:00.000-05:00

Her first bites of a strawberry and she loved it!

Goo-boo-wama-vvv...

2008-05-12T18:56:00.002-05:00

It's so cute to hear Caitlin "read" her books these days!

I'm So Funny

2008-05-12T17:50:00.000-05:00

Yoga

2008-05-12T17:30:00.000-05:00

I've always found Yoga to be good for the mind and body and it looks like Caitlin is following suit. Her favorite pose is the downward dog (pictured). :)

Persistance

2008-05-12T17:20:00.003-05:00

Even with this many on the tray she still only goes after them one at a time-! It gives Mama and Papa a few minutes (if not almost an hour...haha) to get some extra things done, that's for sure!

Watch Her Grow

2008-04-30T12:02:00.001-05:00