My Life in Pictures

Mayana the Aussie Berry

2010-01-31T23:34:00.001+10:00

On Australia Day! Cute outfit, no?

And showing off her sweet mohawk-like ‘do. And her tired-looking Mama. I’m pretty sure I looked exactly this way this time a year ago. Except back then I had a 1 week old newborn, and a really good excuse to look this tired. Right now, I’m not sure exactly what’s going on!

she loves to party

2010-01-26T21:35:00.001+10:00

On Sunday Mayana went to her buddy Willow’s first birthday party. Willow is the daughter of two of my school mates. It was a bit belated; Willow is actually 11 days older than Mayana. Mayana LOVED hanging out with all Willow’s little friends – she is very much a social butterfly. She was particularly taken with Callum, the son of another of school friend- and he with her. They all had a great time together.

Three school buddies and their three babies: Nick & Willow, Me & Mayana, Danielle & Callum. Mayana & Callum.

Gorgeous Mayana Berry in her beautiful new outfit from Aunty Penny… how adoreable is it!!?

playtime!

2010-01-19T21:23:00.001+10:00

Today Mayana and I went over to our friend Kelsie’s house. She has the most awesome playground at her house, including a fabulous tunnel and slide and ball pit. A ball pit that Mayana didn’t want to leave!

The Birthday Berry

2010-01-19T21:18:00.001+10:00

My gorgeous Mayana Berry celebrated her first birthday on Monday the 18th. We had a fantastic party in the park on the weekend, and Little Miss was very spoiled and blessed. Pop over to my other blog for more details of the day.

Here are some special edition photos from the occasion…

Mayana & Kelsie

Mayana walking

Mayana & Tante Lexi

Mayana getting ready for cake

Mayana enjoying her cake

Mayana & Tante Bethanie

Four generation photo: Mayana, me, my mum & my nanna.

More Mundubbera Adventures

2009-12-25T15:02:00.001+10:00

Before our trip to Perth, we had a flying visit to Mundubbera for my cousin’s baby shower. Mayana got some early Christmas presents, and loved hanging out with her Great Nanna, Great Poppy, and Great Aunt Nelly.

Opening her first Christmas present ever, from Great Aunt Nelly … it was….

A fairy costume! She loves it, and looks super duper adorably cute in it.

On our first night, we didn’t have a cot for Mayana to sleep in, so we made a little nest for her on the floor. She slept well in it, but must have got off for a little play before she went to sleep. When we went to check on her before bed, this is where we found her.

There were five ‘Jack’’s outside Nanna’s door, much to Mayana’s delight. She spent a lot of time at the glass doors, teasing them.

Sleeping with her cute little bottom in the air.

Lovin’ her Great Poppy!! He got lots of snuggles.

And her Nanna.

Cousins

2009-12-07T21:47:00.001+10:00

We spent Saturday afternoon with some of my cousins. Well, my mum’s cousin’s wife and their kids. Meh. Cousins.

Flynn is 5, and Micah is nearly 2. Flynn looooves Peter. Micah looooves Mayana. Or My-narnie as he calls her.

They had the best time together… climbing the stairs (and giving their mothers heart-attacks in the process), jumping on the trampoline and splashin’ in the tub.

Looking forward to the next play-time guys!!!

Ps… Did you notice Mayana’s groovy shorts?? I whipped them and another similar pair up for her on Saturday morning, as well as some cute pyjamas!

big girl

2009-12-04T18:14:00.001+10:00

Before I start with the photos… I just want to announce that I’m particularly proud this evening because my gorgeous daughter did her very first wettie on the potty!! She got lots of claps and cheers, and seemed very happy with herself. So clever!!!

She is seeming like such a big girl lately. She’s still pint-sized, but she acts so toddlerish, it’s a bit scary actually! Last night we were at our church connect group Christmas party. Mayana got into my bag and pulled one of her wipes out, and spent a good portion of the evening cleaning our friend’s tiles and coffee tables. She’s got a thing with doing this at the moment, and cleans any available surface. It’s not so cute however when she ‘cleans’ her highchair tray with her vegemite toast.

And this one just takes the cake. It was sooooooooooo cute. After dinner at connect group, the big kids always go and watch a DVD in the host’s media room (big screen projector thingo). Last night they watched Madagascar 2. Mayana disappeared into the media room, and I peeked in after her fully expecting to find her playing with the buttons on the entertainment system. Instead I found this:

She sat there next to the big kids for nearly 15 minutes just watching Madagascar. That’s a long time for a 10.5 month old!

How cute is that!?

The princess and her throne

2009-12-03T15:59:00.001+10:00

Even though we’re not actually ‘toilet training’ as such just yet, I wanted to introduce a little potty to our bathtime routine. So now, while Papa runs the bath, Mayana proudly sits on her ‘throne’. The thinks she’s awfully clever. She hasn’t… erm.. produced anything just yet, but if she does she’ll get a big clap and cheer!

So here she is, our little princess on her pink throne, looking like such a big girl:

Mayana loves…

2009-12-01T11:09:00.001+10:00

… drinking out of Mama’s glass like a big girl:

…her Mama:

… going out for lunch with Mama & Papa – and looking totally adorable of course!

… swinging

… A LOT!

… yoghurt!

Christmas Poser

2009-11-28T18:05:00.001+10:00

We took photos for Christmas cards today. I think I’ve chosen the one we’ll use, but I won’t tell which just in case YOU’RE on the list- you can still get a surprise :-)

I think she was a little posed out from our family portrait photos yesterday, and was also a little grumpy because of the heat, but luckily she’s gorgeous even without her toothy grin…

Which one do you like best??

teeth and hair

2009-11-27T21:51:00.001+10:00

Mayana is growing them both. She’s got 7 teeth now, and judging by the state of her poor bottom, I’d say there’s another on its way. And check out that new tuft of fluffy hair on top of her head! We’ll have clips in there before you know it.

Christmas Bliss

2009-11-27T21:47:00.001+10:00

Mayana loves to gaze up at our beautiful tree, which she excitedly refers to as ‘DAT!!!!!!!’. She hasn’t been too hung up on touching it, but she will go over and caress the decorations that are at her height. She ocassionally pulls one off, but will always bring it to one of us so we put it back on. She’s fascinated by the whole thing, especially when we turn the tree lights on.

So each day we sit down next to the tree with her and look at all the pretties. She loves it. I love it too.

how does she do these things?

2009-11-27T21:43:00.001+10:00

Mayana was having a nap in my parent’s room recently. I went in to find her snuggled up with one of her Opa’s T-shrits…

Which she had somehow gotten off the clothestand on the right hand side of the photo. I shudder to think what kind of precariousness she got herself into to pull that trick!

contained!

2009-11-27T21:40:00.001+10:00

I discovered a way to keep the Mayana Berry in one spot for more than two seconds :)

Slack Mama… sorry!!

2009-11-19T10:33:00.001+10:00

But I will make up for it now… a good sized dose of the most gorgeous Mayana-Berry you ever will see!

We’ve been in Noosa for the last week and a half.. Pete’s on prac and Mayana and I are hanging out and catching up with lots of friends… and loving it!

Mayana has just discovered mangoes. Loves them. A lot. Here she is sucking her first mango seed.

We went to visit my friend Naomi and her daughter Elena. They have a really cool TV unit with fantastic baby-sized cubes that are perfect for exploring.

Mayana thoroughly enjoyed herself.

And also really loved playing with her buddy Elena.

Who, believe it or not, is only 3 weeks older than her! Yes, Mayana is a pipsqueak.

We’ve also been to visit Uncle Denis and Aunty Kay (my dad’s boss and his wife). They have a pool, and Mayana had her first pool experience. She loved it. I’m really looking forward to starting swimming lessons with her next term!

This is when we went to visit my friend Krystal and her daughter Willow. A room full of toys and Mayana went for the cardboard tube. Of course.

Mayana and her buddy Willow. They had so much fun playing together.

And believe it or not, Willow is only 11 days older. Yes, my daughter really is a pipsqueak.

But a gorgeous one, don’t you agree??

Mayana’s Mundubbera Holiday Adventures

2009-11-06T10:34:00.001+10:00

Hi everyone! We just got back from a big holiday with my Great Nanna and Great Poppy. It was heaps of fun. Here are some photos of my adventures…

I love hanging out with Mama’s cousin, Torren. He’s pretty cool. He’s going to be an uncle really soon, and he likes to practise with me!

Mama said I got really grubby from playing at Nanna’s house.

I think it’s because I kept playing in Nanna’s potato basket.

My Great-Pop is the best. He gave me lots of tickles and cuddles and raspberries, and makes lots of funny noises. He also taught me how to say, “Allo!!!!!” (hello).

I liked it when my Great-Nanna fed me breakfast. She’s really nice and I love her LOTS!

One day, Mama wrapped my head up in this bandage. It felt really funny, and when I looked in the mirror it made me laugh!

Nanna’s house has lots of fun places to explore. Sometimes I got stuck though!

At Nanna’s house there’s this other little baby. She lives in the hallway in the mirror. I really liked playing with her. Here I am saying, “Allo!”.

Sometimes she got a bit rough, and knocked me over!

There was also a few rooms I wasn’t allowed to go into. But I kept trying!

Torren is really clever at playing instruments, just like my Oom J. I liked dancing while he played Pop’s banjo for me.

I also got to hang out with my Great Aunt Nelly. Every day Mama and Papa took me down to her shop, and she let me play with her computer and with the little guitars she sells.

This is me with my Mama’s cousin, Tennille. She’s pregnant with another little cousin for me! I liked bouncing around on her belly, and I don’t think the baby minded too much!

Every day after my bath, I had a little cuddle with Nanna while Mama got my pyjamas ready. I really loved snuggling with Nanna.

And giving her great big smooch-a-roonies.

Nanna let me sit on Pop’s big motorbike. Do you like my biker face??

And here is me saying goodbye to my Great Pop. Mama really loves this photo. I do too. He’s a pretty great guy!!

I had a really great holiday, it was lots of fun to see all my family. I’m looking forward to seeing them all again soon, when we go back for Tennille’s baby shower!

Love, Mayana…

New Mayana You Tube Video

2009-10-26T22:22:00.001+10:00

My mum and I went halves in buying Mayana this cute walker. She LOVES it. It’s taken her a week or so to get the hang of it, but now that she has, she can’t get enough of it! She has a little dolly that she takes for rides, and if it’s not in the pram when she goes for a walk she goes to find it and put it in. She’s growing up so much, it’s so cute! I’m loving this stage, she’s really starting to play with us, and understand what we are saying to her.

I could go on forever… I’ll do another post later with all the cutesie things she’s been doing lately, but for now, check out this gorgeous video I put together…

Mayana Walking

Enjoy!

princess cheeky chops

2009-10-25T21:22:00.001+10:00

Standing up all by her gorgeous self!! so pretty!

Stealing her cousin’s muffin. Cheeky lil thing.

The smile that makes my heart all gooey

2009-10-22T22:12:00.001+10:00

If only I had captured the gorgeous giggles that went with these!

Then and Now

2009-10-21T10:56:00.001+10:00

1 day old…. 9 months + 1 day old. Same baby, same lambskin.

Sleepy Dinner

2009-10-21T10:54:00.001+10:00

Last night Mayana fell asleep while her Papa was feeding her yoghurt. She just started closing her eyes, but still opening her mouth for more yoghurt. Then she flopped to the side and was asleep. It was soooooo cute.

Don’t mess with me!

2009-10-21T10:51:00.001+10:00

Mayana clearly was feeling a little overprotective of her rusk stick while we were shopping. They’re fantastic, by the way, keeps her occupied for the whole grocery trip! Shame about the mess she makes…

apple stroop

2009-10-21T10:49:00.001+10:00

Mayana’s new favourite. For the uneducated, it is a dutch spread, “Apple Syrup”. It’s very hard to describe, but you can buy it from Woolies in the spread section… go on, I dare you! She thought it was pretty awesome when Opa gave it to her on toast, but even more incredible on a spoon!!!

the many faces of Mayana

2009-10-13T22:46:00.001+10:00

Having a deep and meaningful with Papa

Being angelic.

Her new grin. I think she just likes to show off those teethy-pegs. I love the wrinkly nose look.

Modelling

2009-10-13T22:40:00.001+10:00

Another new dress :) I’ve altered it a little so the wingy look is gone. She looks so cute in it!

the last few days…

2009-10-12T21:23:00.001+10:00

[Saturday]: Mayana clearly loved the craft and fine foods show we went to…

[Sunday]: Thumbs up, off to church

[Sunday] My gorgeous dolly in her church clothes.

[Sunday]: Putting a sock in it. Literally. Oh, and the shirt says it all.

[Monday]: Okay Mama, get me outa bed now!

[Monday]: Finger foods = lotsa mess. But we love it.

cutie cutie

2009-10-09T22:25:00.001+10:00

Mayana loves to clap. You only have to say, “Yayyy!!” and she’ll stop what she’s doing to clap. She also likes the little rhyme, “Clap hands Papa comes, with a pocket full of plums; one white, one red, one as big as bubby’s head”. She claps along, and at the bubby’s head bit she either puts her hands on her head or tips her head to the side and grins at you. I’ll have to capture it on video, it’s too cute not to share.

look at those great big pearly whites! There are 3 more on the top, with another just about to pop through.

I have learnt…

2009-10-09T22:18:00.001+10:00

To always take a camera with me when I get Mayana up from naps. Mayana is very good at putting herself to sleep, and always has a little bit of a play in her cot before she drops off. Because of this, she ends up falling asleep in some very cute positions. Here are my favourites from this week :

Mayana (still) [hearts] Nate

2009-10-05T20:43:00.001+10:00

Their eyes light up as soon as they see each other..

And this is Nate’s little sister, Jasmine. She is Mayana’s birthday buddy – they were born exactly one year apart.

Jedi Knight Baby

2009-10-05T20:40:00.001+10:00

It’s a process…

2009-10-05T20:39:00.001+10:00

The girl loves to shop!

2009-10-03T21:23:00.001+10:00

Especially if she gets to wear Mama’s pretty white beads!

(ps. notice the cute pram liner I recently made??)

Colin Buchanan

2009-10-03T21:18:00.001+10:00

Mama, Papa and Kami took Mayana to her very first Colin Buchanan concert a few weeks ago. She LOVED it (actually we all did)— she was completely mesmerised from beginning to end. Lots of singing and clapping and bouncing, and trying to catch the attention of the many other kids that were running around. First of many Colin concerts for Miss Mayana I’m thinking….

Mayana at the beach: Mark II

2009-10-03T21:15:00.001+10:00

Last time we were in Noosa we took Mayana down to Sunshine Beach for another play in the sand and splash in the surf.

She loves the water, but would get a bit anxious with the loud noise the crashing waves made.

Mayana & Mama about to go for a splash…

And after the swim, Mayana got a bit cold, so Tante Lexi lent her her beach dress. It was just a little bit big, but we made it work.

happy snaps

2009-09-30T19:38:00.001+10:00

Mayana bopping along to the Target ad… it’s her favourite at the moment. And enduring lots of lovin’ from her Tante Lexi who is staying with us at the moment…

The day the bath disappeared

2009-09-30T19:34:00.001+10:00

So it was just a normal day, and I was having a bath in Kami & Opa’s laundry tub…

When I saw this weird black thing at the bottom of the tub. I had to have it.

After a bit of fumbling in the bubble water.. it was mine! I stood up to show my Papa, and before I knew what was happening, all my water disappeared!! I tried really hard to put the black thing back…

But no matter what I did, the water all kept disappearing down the hole in the bath tub.

It was a very sad day.

Joy

2009-09-30T19:27:00.001+10:00

This is Mayana Joy and her Great Nanna Joy…

Mayana [hearts] Nate

2009-09-30T18:23:00.001+10:00

These pics are probably over a month old now, but I just realised I haven’t shared them and they’re too cute not to show off!

Nate is the grandson of my mum’s best friend.. our two families have grown up together – in fact my mum’s mum and her best friend’s mum are also best friends, and myself and mum’s best friend’s daughter and I were childhood best friends… so Mayana and Nate make four generations of besties in our families!

Mayana was completely smitten by Nate, and wouldn’t stop giving him cuddles or kisses. Nate most certainly didn’t seem to mind too much!

New Shoes!

2009-09-23T17:07:00.001+10:00

We found a baby boutique with Mayana-sized shoes today… 50% off! So she got two pairs of shoes for around $9.00 each. One from her Kami and one from her Papa. They’re so cute!

Cutie Patootie

2009-09-23T16:54:00.001+10:00

Thanks Oom J!

2009-09-23T16:53:00.001+10:00

Oom J (my brother - Oom=dutch word for Uncle, J is Jordan’s nickname, Oom J is what Mayana calls him) bought Mayana a new highchair which will live at Opa & Kami’s house. Isn’t he the best uncle ever!

After a finger-food lunch of mushrooms (first time ever – she’s a big fan!), strawberries and cheese. Mmmmm.

Slingin’ It

2009-09-23T16:49:00.001+10:00

I made Mayana a new sling – a ‘wrap sling’. $16 for 4m of 2-way stretch material, cut in half lengthways = two, no-sew slings! Gotta love that :) It’s so comfortable and versatile, you can wear it in so many ways and Mayana seems to quite like it too.

Mayana in her new sling:

‘Rucksack Carry’ with Tante Lexi

Ready for a walk along the river

and she was so comfortable that she fell asleep!

Looks like we have a winner :)

mischief

2009-09-18T21:11:00.001+10:00

Mayana went for an explore today. We were in the loungeroom and then suddenly she wasn’t. Papa followed her down the hallway with the camera just in case… She crawled into her bedroom where she proceeded to empty a basket of clothes I had just folded and drag them around the room. Then she decided to check out what was going on under her changetable. Where she got stuck.

Angelic, no? Well, no. Today, for the fourth day in a row, our cheeky daughter’s bath came to an abrupt end when she did a great big number two in it. Yes, four days in a row! Let’s just say Pete’s quite happy he is no longer bathing with her.

standing, snuggles & swimming

2009-09-18T21:03:00.001+10:00

Mayana spends at least half her day in this exact position. She is obsessed with standing up at the couch, and walking up and down along it (I think they call it cruising). Now instead of holding onto the couch and to stand up, she launches herself to standing and then grabs the couch to balance. I can’t say I’d be surprised if I end up with an early walker.

My new favourite thing that the Mayana-Berry has learned. When I say, “Can Mama have a snuggle please, Mayana?”, this is how she responds. It’s so lovely to be getting little cuddles from my precious! (Oh and the other gorgeous thing she does now is clap! If we say, “Hooray!” she starts bouncing on her little bottom and clapping and laughing. She saw people clapping on the TV the other day and stopped what she was doing and started her bouncing/clapping routine. It was beyond adorable.)

Today it was really quite hot, and we all know Miss Mayana does not approve of hot days. So we decided she could have her first ever ‘swim’ in her ‘pool’. In her cutsie bikini. She LOVED it. She kept trying to stand up though, she just can’t help herself. Landed herself head-first in the grass a time or two- you think you’d learn, but no… In any case, she loved it, and cooled down!

long

2009-09-16T22:21:00.001+10:00

Mayana is looking so long lately! She isn’t particularly long in real measurements I suppose, (less than 65cm) but man she is so much bigger than when she was born! I’ve been looking at some of her little baby clothes (00000’s) and thinking about how huge they used to be on her. At her knee socks, and how they used to come up to the tops of her thighs. At her little pink button up top that we used to put on her as a dress. My little girl is getting bigger!

avocado baby

2009-09-16T22:16:00.001+10:00

Yeah, so I’m thinking the whole vegemite and avocado toast for breakfast thing is a total winner… (and I can’t wait until Mayana is tall enough for us to use the highchair tray!!!)

garden fun

2009-09-13T22:34:00.001+10:00

It’s such fun to play in the dirt…

…even if you do get a little grubby

This is Mayana’s contribution… when Papa told her it was time to plant the seeds, she promptly popped the entire packet into the dirt.

Then Mayana discovered the bucket of water … and decided it was much more fun than helping Papa. I don’t think Papa minded too much though. She splashed around for ages… got herself thoroughly wet and has an absolute ball!

She even got to jump into the bucket so Papa could wash off all the mud she had created.

Chillaxing after a hard day in the garden. This is the first time she fed herself a bottle completely independently. I wasn’t allowed to help at all. She’s getting much too clever!

the hugest adventure

2009-09-13T22:13:00.001+10:00

Mayana had the most massive day yesterday. We went to Brisbane on a train. We left before 7am and got home close to 11pm. She was such a trouper and coped so much better than I could have imagined.

Enjoying the train ride! “Look Mama, it’s my cousin…”

Kisses and cuddles for Hannah…

Watching fireworks with Mama…

All I want is Loving You and Music…

2009-09-13T21:45:00.001+10:00

I am enjoying discovering that a love of music is something that apparently exists intrinsically. Well in my little daughter at least. You gotta admit, it’s in her genes. She has listened to music (a lot of music) every day since the day she was born. I sing to her all the time. Lately, whenever she hears music she starts to dance. She sits up on her bottom and bounces and flaps her arms and laughs. It’s incredibly cute. I have some video of it but don’t have time to get it internet-ready at this moment.

I really hope to encourage her love of music as she gets older. I can’t wait to see which instrument(s) she wants to learn, if she’ll let me teach her the keyboard. If she’ll be part of our little family band! In the meantime, we’ll just practice clapping and singing Twinkly Twinkle and Jesus Loves Me.

We’ve been playing a bit of keyboard together each day. Mayana especially loves it when I put it on the percussion or special effects settings.

Mayana also enjoys banging various containers together. Loudly. You can see her little eyes wincing in anticipation of the fierce noise she is about to make.

Oh bless. She’s too precious!

more adventures of the Mayana-berry

2009-09-08T19:27:00.001+10:00

Swinging! Mayana’s favourite pastime

Searching for something under the couch. Not quite sure what it was.

Beautiful eyes!!

my little dare-devil

2009-09-07T20:48:00.001+10:00

who is today sporting 2 bruises and an egg on her head, because she is experimenting with balancing (standing) without holding on to anything! She’s been pulling herself up on anything she can hold onto, has mastered letting go and only holding on with one hand, and is attempting now hands. She handles about 3 or so seconds before losing her balance.

“I shall conquer you, Gloria!”

showing off to her Papa

“Watch this…” “Ready??”

“Ta-da!!!!” (No hands!!!!!)

weekend

2009-09-07T20:37:00.001+10:00

Mayana modelling her cute new vest

Hanging out with her surprise visitor!

Dancing with Opa

hanging out with Mama!

Matching with Kami!

splish splash

2009-09-03T21:43:00.001+10:00

because we haven’t had many bath fun photos lately…

Evidently this is the way the cool kids play with their bath toys! (she then takes it out and offers it to her Papa for a chew)

“I do all my best thinking in the bath”

Mayana today discovered that her bare tummy makes a really cool noise when she bangs on it.

Strawberry Experience

2009-09-03T21:39:00.001+10:00

Today Mayana stole my strawberry. It was a little bit sour, and I didn’t think she’d like it. Apparently I was wrong.

She started off by scraping at it with her two monster teeth.

Clearly that was taking too long. So she popped it all in!

And just a little bit of pink strawberry dribble and some chewing and sucking later…

Mayana approves. She likes strawberries. Even the not-so-sweet ones.

Nice hat Mayana!

2009-09-03T21:34:00.001+10:00

I don’t know how she gets herself into these situations…but she does!

She was quite happy sitting there with the laundry basket on her head. She actually got cranky at her Papa when he took it off!

Mayana the (cheeky) Explorer

2009-09-02T21:38:00.001+10:00

Fun in the sun

2009-08-29T20:42:00.001+10:00

This afternoon the three of us decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather, and headed to the park for a picnic lunch. Miss Mayana discovered that her favourite food in the world (that she’s tasted so far) is hommus. I gave her some on a cracker, and she licked the thing clean, and promptly held up her cracker for more! When we decided that she’d had enough, and put the lid back on the dip, she kept crawling straight over to it and trying to get into it! She’s never responded to a food like that before, and it was so cute! I have photos of her covered in hommus but they’re on my phone so you’ll have to wait until I figure out how to get them off!

love her

2009-08-25T21:56:00.001+10:00

finger food

2009-08-25T21:52:00.001+10:00

Smorgasbord… vegemite toast, apple, cheese, cucumber, banana, strawberry and yoghurt (which fed to her by me, not by herself!)

“Mmmmm interesting…”

“Not bad, not bad”

Starting to really get into it now

Definite approval

If this is anything to go by, I think finger food was a winner!

told ya she’s cheeky

2009-08-25T21:46:00.001+10:00

Trouble is, once she’s up she can’t quite figure out how to get down…

new tricks

2009-08-22T13:58:00.001+10:00

Waiting for Mama to come and get her after a nap

Trying to stand up using the washing basket. She gets extra points for pulling herself up on something that’s behind her!

I’ve been putting Mayana in the Jolly Jumper while I have a shower. I sing songs to her and she bounces and has a great time! Her favourite song at the moment is ‘The Hokey Pokey’.. she even sings along!

Mayana sharing her teething fishy with Papa. She does this with food too.. delightful!

Apparently this is a fun thing to do… she does it constantly!

My beautiful, cheeky girl…

A hard day’s night…

2009-08-20T20:32:00.001+10:00

For the last few sleeps she’s had, Mayana has been waking up about half way though, having a play in her cot, then dropping wherever she runs out of steam and falling back to sleep. Often when we go to get her after naps she is sitting up waiting for us, and a couple of times even standing up!!!! My little girl is starting to pull herself up on things! I haven’t caught it on camera yet because when she sees the camera she gets all excited and loses her balance. Stay tuned!

Notice in this pic, next to her hand is a crumpled up wall decal which she has somehow pulled off the wall, and had a good chew on before going back to sleep.

Life’s a Beach

2009-08-20T20:25:00.001+10:00

Off to the beach!

Watching Opa and Oom Jordan fly the kite

Getting ready to squish the sandcastle

And there it goes!

Mmmm looks yummy!

Yeah.. maybe not!

Hanging out in the sand

Checking out the surf! Mayana loved the water…

Warming up with Tante Lexi after a fun splash in the water

End of a big day!

highlights from our days away

2009-08-19T22:37:00.001+10:00

{Thursday}

Helped Mama and Papa pack up for our trip..

Went to visit Aunty Mich, and told my buddy it’s time to come out and play!!! (She still hasn’t listened)

{Saturday}

Had coffee with Mike, Naomi, and my buddy Elena. We are only 3 weeks apart. I’m a runt!

Hung out with Lachlan for a while

Decided that Maurice looked tasty

Played with Nan

and Pop

{Sunday}

Fell asleep at church… AFTER chatting and playing throughout the entire service.

Really enjoyed my lunch

Went to the beach for the first time ever (dedicated post to come!)

Caught up with Aunty Ali and Uncle Shane

{Monday}

Found another park to play in!

I also got to visit Aunty Joce, and fell in love with her grandson Nathan, but Mama’s camera went flat and she didn’t get any photos.

I had the best time with all my buddies, and I miss them SO much!! (Mama does too)

the last few days….

2009-08-12T17:25:00.001+10:00

First time on a slippery-dip!

Mayana loves playgrounds :0)

In the tunnel

Mmmmm…. I love biscuits!

Mama, can I come on holidays with you???

Showing off her new leg-warmers.

Sunday = Church

2009-08-09T21:18:00.001+10:00

Dressed up and beautiful for church…

Worn out from having so much fun!

Kisses for Mama!

2009-08-09T21:15:00.001+10:00

shoes!

2009-08-06T18:11:00.002+10:00

We have been trying to find shoes to fit Mayana for ages... we didn't think they existed! Today we popped into a gorgeous little baby boutique called 'Three Little Monkeys', and found these gorgeous shoes. They stock shoes smaller than the ones that sell at normal stores, and they are the perfect fit for Mayana. She wore them all afternoon, and didn't even try to pull them off once!

Cute or what!?

G-L-O-R-I-A

2009-08-05T21:32:00.001+10:00

Mayana really loves Gloria (her special stuffed hippo from Opa) lately. They’re always hanging out together.

I’m still not quite sure how Mayana ended up underneath Gloria!?!?

Mayana and Gloria love to snuggle when they watch TV.

fun at the park

2009-08-05T21:28:00.001+10:00

making music with the xylophone

Hanging around on the swing. She LOVED it.

Our little rockstar…

cos I have the prettiest baby…

2009-08-04T18:13:00.001+10:00

then and now…

2009-08-04T15:20:00.001+10:00

Our little one may be small, but she has definitely grown! Have a look at this…

A couple of hours post-birth

First day at home

and yesterday…. wearing the same singlet as the first pic, and on the same change table as the second..

weekend

2009-08-04T15:08:00.001+10:00

Kami visited for the weekend!

Good toothy-peg shot!

due to popular demand

2009-07-30T11:43:00.001+10:00

here are some photos of the most gorgeous Mayana in the world. Sorry for the recent slackness, she hasn’t been much fun to take photos of when she’s sick :-(

Smiling at herself in a mirror at the shops…

Enjoying the fresh air at the park…

The teeth!! This is the face she pulls when we use the steamer on the espresso machine. It cracks us up every time…

even cute when she’s sick

2009-07-26T20:36:00.001+10:00

yep… she’s cute!

2009-07-21T23:30:00.001+10:00

Check out the thunder thighs!!!

Can you see my tooth??

Gorgeous grins…. (Oh and Pete would like everyone to know that he chose and purchased this outfit.. it’s also got a matching zip-up jumper, and is super cute. He’s got good taste, yeah??)

Playing with her new toy... her 'half-birthday' present.. hehe (we couldn't help ourselves)

6 months old!!

2009-07-19T23:38:00.002+10:00

Mayana the day she turned 6 months. She was watching Zoolander with me. She thought it was hilarious. Must have reminded her of Oom Jordan.

Aaah she's so stunning!!

Chillaxin in front of the footy with Papa.

Ooh.. this feels funnny...

and tastes really weird!

our little poser

2009-07-17T09:50:00.001+10:00

we had these professional photos taken of Mayana a few months ago…

Gorgeous huh!!? Professional poser, our girl…

isn’t she lovely!

2009-07-16T22:50:00.001+10:00

Rubber Ducky… you’re the one!

If you look closely here, you can see my big girl’s tooth!

My two favourite people…

“Papa! Get out of my photo!!!”

“These just aren’t the same as Mama’s somehow…”

Mayana's funny new trick

2009-07-05T21:33:00.002+10:00

Mayana has always been fascinated by cameras - she should be, she's had one pointed in her direction fairly constantly since the moment she was born!

She now really knows what the camera is all about. As soon as she hears the little beep which means it's turned on, it has her full attention. And if you say to her, "poser!", she will oblige and flash you her cutest grin.
Such fun!

More Mundubbera snaps

2009-06-30T20:18:00.001+10:00

Mayana loves her great-Nanna! She has lots of smiles and giggles for Nanna =)

Watching Hi-5 on Pop’s big plasma!

Mayana thinks Torren’s pretty cool.. I think she wants to grab that thing in his eyebrow! He’s a bit of a Mayana hog, just like Opa!

Mayana checking out her favourite new toy: a bright orange ball which she loves to roll back and forwards with Nanna.

Playing with Pop. I think he liked the flashing lights on her colour toy more than she does!!

Some snaps from Mundubbera holiday …

2009-06-27T11:24:00.001+10:00

Bath time at Nanna and Pop’s…

Mayana has discovered that she can see the TV from the bath, and likes to watch “Deal or No Deal” with Poppy…

“Nice to meet you, Slater” – Mayana meets Great Aunt Nelly/Torren’s new puppy.

Cheeky chops standing on her car seat looking out the back window.

family

2009-06-22T22:38:00.002+10:00

Mayana with her great-Poppy

Four generations: Mayana, myself, my mum and Nanna.

My gorgeous family, ready to go out to see 'The Wiz'! (Mayana dressed by her lovely Tante Boo)

happy mayana-berry

2009-06-15T17:49:00.001+10:00

Mayana with Carmen having her first taste of formula. How ridiculous does that huge bottle look!?

I have had the happiest day with my girl today. she has been 200% better than she was last week, I’ve had lot of giggles and gurgles and smiles. I’m loving it!

jeans baby

2009-06-13T20:50:00.002+10:00

Mayana wore her first pair of jeans today. So cute! She also got these sweet fluffy red booties. They make her feet look super-chunky! They are the first form of footwear (other than socks) that have managed to stay on for more than 5 minutes...

love love love!

2009-06-12T20:31:00.002+10:00

I swear, she gets cuter every day! I was trying to take a photo of Mayana's unique thumb-sucking technique, but she turned to look at the camera at the last second. I forgave her though when I saw how gorgeous the photo turned out. You can still kind of see how she sucks her thumb!

swinging + pear

2009-06-11T14:07:00.001+10:00

I hooked up the swing we were given for Mayana the other day. She absolutely LOVES it. She really seems to enjoy being outside, and takes in all the different sounds, and loves to look at the trees and plants in the garden. Plus, the swing is fun!

“I want some of what you’ve got, Mama!” Since she eats pear anyway, I figured it couldn’t hurt her to have a bit of a suck/chew on a chunk of my pear.

She seemed to enjoy it, and I think it felt nice on her poor gums in any case!

new hats!!

2009-06-09T21:42:00.001+10:00

first though… Look Tante Lexi! Mayana’s wearing the pretty 000 dress you gave her before she was born!

Now… hat number 1, according to the tag is a “Russian Doll Hat”.

Hat number two is what Alexie and I like to call a Heidi and Sven hat:

Whatever you want to call them, they’re both gorgeous huh!?

The Sven & Heidi hat also came with mittens, but I’m not sure that Mayana loves them so much.

“where the heck did my fingers go!??”

We’re all set for the winter now…

Mayana LOVES Kami

2009-06-08T20:59:00.001+10:00

Gorgeous girls in their dressing gowns…

Kisses!

All dressed up ready to brave the cold Toowoomba weather… (I made Mayana’s scarf, the little coat was made for me 22 years ago!!)

princess rocker

2009-06-07T21:52:00.001+10:00

This is Mayana’s most recent face. She has pulled it fairly constantly over this last weekend. It must feel funny.. chewing on her bottom lip like that.

Shopping always tires Mayana out.. at least it means she gets to have an afternoon nap!

Up at Preston Peaks with Tante Lexi

Waiting for church to start with Opa (how cute is her new dress!!!)

toes, glorious toes

2009-06-04T20:45:00.001+10:00

nakey nappy-free time.. for some reason it’s always a very happy time :)

Especially today, because Mayana discovered a new trick!!

She can now get her toes in her mouth!!

I bet you can’t do that…

She’s also getting very good at sitting up all by herself

Okay Mama, stop taking photos now!!!

possible photo overload

2009-06-03T20:29:00.001+10:00

But who could resist the cuteness!!>

Hanging out with Gloria

So beautiful!

I’m so in love with her eyes…

Mayana has lately decided that she might like to have a taste of the camera…

too cute!

Rings are sooo fascinating

The picture of innocence..

Lovin’ the Papa

Let me at it!!! Apple, Pear, Baby Rice & Milk.. mmmm good dinner!

fun in the sun

2009-05-31T20:20:00.001+10:00

Thisafternoon after church, we decided to head to our favourite fish’n’chip shop, and head to Queen’s park for a picnic. It was a little cool today, but the sun was out, and we had a lovely afternoon together. I’m so in love with my little family!

Playing drums on the bumbo tray

My two favourite people. Oh how I love them!!!

Happy girls!

Our beautiful family!

tummy time|pear|movies

2009-05-29T22:57:00.001+10:00

I think she’s finally getting the hang of this tummy-time thing!

So, do you think she enjoyed her pear with organic baby rice??

Mayana’s first ever cinema experience… she was such a good girl!

Aw she’s a precious lil button

2009-05-26T19:50:00.001+10:00

Mayana-berry and I have been having some lovely days together while Papa is on prac. She misses him lots though, and has lots of great big smiles and giggles and cuddles for him when he gets home from school!

Gorgeous morning smiles..

Tummy time is happy time when you have something to distract you! I think this may possibly have been the longest tummy time Mayana has ever had!

Showing off to Jill (our midwife) at weigh-in today. Sitting up all by herself… no hands! Mayana is now less than 100g off 4kg… we’re getting there!

Welcome to the family, Gloria!

2009-05-24T20:45:00.001+10:00

Opa bought Mayana a beautiful hippo, whom we have named ‘Gloria’ after the hippo on Madagascar…

“Hmm.. I’m not too sure about this creature!”

“Hmmm.. she’s not so bad… gives good cuddles!”

“And she’s pretty comfortable..”

“… Nice to hang out with”

“and she gives fun rides!”

“Slow down!!!!”

“Maybe we’ll just chillax together (i hope she doesn’t mind if I dribble on her a bit!).”

Yeah, I think Mayana definitely likes her new friend.

Look how clever our girl is, holding onto her own water bottle…

Lovin’ the Papa :-)

Spoons

2009-05-22T20:40:00.001+10:00

Mayana loves them, and if she sees us using one she must have it.

She didn’t seem very happy that we hadn’t left any of our cappuccino froth on there for her though! Maybe in a few more months baby girl!

New videos of our precious girl

2009-05-19T21:57:00.001+10:00

Playing in the Jolly Jumper

Chatting in the bath

Jolly Jumper

2009-05-19T20:24:00.001+10:00

Our friends Rach & Dan have lent us a jolly jumper. Mayana tried it out at their place last night – and absolutely LOVED it!

pumpkin

2009-05-18T14:32:00.001+10:00

She ate it all up! Yum!