Grandm...I mean, Nana B

My Mom, who recently changed her Grandma name from Grandma to Nana B, came out for Thanksgiving. I'm going to be completely honest here, I don't think there has ever or will ever be a better Grandma. She'll play with Maxine all...alllll.....alllllll day long. Anything Maxine wants to do, she's happy to do it. She'll swing her in a toy bucket, for.ev.er. She'll play hide and seek, for hours. She'll chase her, until both of them are exhausted. I've never seen anything like it. She genuinely loves to just play with Maxine.

Maxine doesn't know how good she has it. Or does she....

At the restaurant, when my mom left for the salad bar, Maxine frantically called for her.

When Nana B has to use the restroom, Maxine points at where she was, yells, and looks at me like, "How could you let her leave?" 

Maxine freely gives her hugs and kisses. 

She'll snuggle on her and hold her hand while she relaxes. 

So, I'm pretty sure the affection is mutual. We are sure lucky to have Nana B in our lives. Good thing she's headed out in February for the next little one. It's not good for anyone to go too far in between Nana B visits.

I hope I can be as great of a Grandma as Nana B is. Love you Mom.

Baking with Mom

I grew up baking cookies with my Dad. I'd sit on the counter and help him add the sugar, taste the dough, add the butter, taste the dough, add some chocolate chips, taste the dough. I was a super big help, obviously.

I cherish those memories of making cookies with my Dad. He was always so patient to let me help and make up jobs for me to do. I'm grateful for the memories he gave me by spending 20 minutes every now and then making cookies with me.

Today, I wanted some chocolate, well, everyday I do, so I decided to make brownies. As Maxine ran around my legs I thought, perhaps it's not too early to start this tradition with my own kids. I pulled her up on the counter and had her help me.

She helped tip the sugar measuring cup over. She helped get butter all over her pants. She held an egg for a moment before it was ready to be cracked. She helped almost grab a nearby knife. So, we have room for improvement, but all in all, it was a fun moment for her and I.

At the very end I gave her the spatula to lick. She'll probably be wanting to help me again.

Communication

I have loved Maxine since I found out I was pregnant. She's been the light of my life through all her stages.

With that said, I have been having so much fun with her lately! It is amazing how all of a sudden she can communicate with me. We can have little conversations, tease each other, even have little jokes. I love seeing her nod or shake her head at my questions, voicing her opinion. She's just so big now.

Seth watched her over lunch so I could go to the dentist and he asked before he left, "What should I make her for lunch?" I gave him a few ideas and then remembered, "You can just ask her what she wants." It's wonderful!!

I'm just starting to feel what it's like to have a daughter and not just a baby girl. And I love it!!!

Oh my little Maxine, you're growing so big.