Winter Bugs

After pining for winter weather, my romanticized view of winter forgot the winter bugs.  Oh yes, a nice jolt of reality as I cough up a lung and spend sleepless nights with my own sore throat and then coupled with poor Maya's aches and pains.  We have been quarantined in the house for the last few days and going a little stir crazy.  John is recording his vocals for the album today and next Monday and trying desperately to avoid any germs (yes, good luck with that).  So far so good.  He is a firm believer in Zicam, EmergenC and well, the "avoid the house" technique, can't say I blame him.

Maya and I have spent the last few days cuddling, reading and whining (in unison).  She has recently discovered the joys of Mommy's shoes and spends a good portion of the day walking around in them.  Very cute.

We are in holiday overdrive and loving it with Maya at this age. Now that we live in a neighborhood, we are starting to feel the pressure to decorate (when you realize you are the dark spot on the block). We were fully schooled by the homes near us. The houses one block over spend two months preparing their home for the holidays. Here are a few of the houses, a true hit with Maya and her friend Zoe.

Maya loves to hug fake, inflatable snowmen...

Knowing that we have failed on the outside decorations, we thought it was time to bring the smell of Christmas indoors. We went to pick out a cute tree for our living room and Maya is in heaven.


Here is a little video of Maya jamming to the music outside the spectacle of lights...


And here is a video of Maya jamming to her own song...

Maya's Obsession Report

Well, you can take Maya out of the midwest, but you can't take the midwest out of her (strange, because she has never lived there, but who likes technicalities with such pithy little statements). Maya's many daily obsessions including eating - yes, her 15 month appointment is still keeping her in the 98% for height but she has dropped down to the 90% for weight, she's been watching her weight recently ;o) She has discovered corn on the cob and it works wonders for her teething gums as well.
Reading is her all time favorite obsession. One night, we read every book in the house and thanks to Grandma Liz, we have a mini library. She loves books about snow (again the midwest theme) and screams "no" for snow at all the fake cotton snow along Magnolia Bl. (the sad reality of LA living, although I get over quickly when we reach the park and let her run like a crazy banchee).
She has recently turned around in the car and faces Mom and Dad. Big milestone and I had to take a picture for YeYe who gave us such a hard time for the rear facing seat (granted her knees did nearly reach her face).
John and I recently purchased a new table and chairs for our early Christmas present and Maya loves to climb the new chairs. We were all so excited about the purchase that we had to have a round of hugs...
Maya's number one obsession these days is her "DeeDees" (babies). She drags her babies around wherever she goes. This poor baby endured about 100 times up and down the slide. Maya carries her up the stairs, sends the poor baby down the slide on its own, pretends to cry like the baby because it bumped its head, then slides down to swoop up the baby, hug it and then repeat 100 times.

Chasing Bunnies

Aunt Mary outdid herself once again with a fabulous birthday party.  Mary's granddaughter, Amelia flew in from Boston for Thanksgiving and her b-day celebration.  Maya loved to tag along for this one.  Mary brought in bunnies, ponies, turtles and guinea pigs.  Maya could not believe her good fortune, chasing bunnies and riding in a carriage with her Aunt Mary, what could be better.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day with perfect fall weather. Maya and I spent the morning in the park while John worked on his album. She is mastering the slide these days and after our much needed rain, loved the wet sand. After naptime, we headed to Audrey's house (poor Aunt Jen and Uncle Tom, their beautiful home is officially the house of Audrey, according to Maya).

Nothing says Thanksgiving without a little outdoor games and play.
Maya opted for the brutal sport of hockey, no surprise.

Lots of yummy food.


After Maya ate half the bird (she loves turkey but can do without the mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes - she does not take after me in the department), she crashed hard!
On this day of thanks, Maya did lots of singing and dancing. So much to celebrate. Here are 2 videos of Maya...

John in New York

While Anna and Maya were in MI, I spent a few days in NY with my brother Paul and his partner, Peggy. The above pic was taken after my photo session for the new album-what a couple of fly dudes!
Paul and Peggy were kind enough to let me stay at their amazing Manhattan condo (my favorite is the elevator that goes right into their kitchen). They're planning on remodeling their place in preparation for the new baby. Peggy's due in February!
Who's more pregnant? Stay tuned for this amazing story here on the Dr. Phil show!

Grand Rapids with the Dancing Schultzs

Maya and I headed to Grand Rapids for a little family lovin'. It was a wonderful trip with lots of family QT time. It also happened to be a performing weekend for the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. They performed the Tempest and it was a fun show. David was a half naked drunk Jester (not a far stretch) and Nick was Ferdinand, the young love interest of Miranda. Laura and Chelsea were fairies and did a marvelous job with the fast movements.
Maya spent the week eating up the cousin attention. Nokomis and Althea were so sweet with her!


David moved back in the house to save money so he can possibly dance in Europe and brought along his cat, Zamil. Maya loved the cat and I spent the week sneezing and downing Benedril.
Joey and Chelsea quickly broke through the Maya shy curtain and found her squealing with laugher. YeYe was a done deal from his trip before and she even called out for him in the crib.
Nick and Laura get ready to spend Christmas in LA this year (yeah)!
David and Grandma Liz get ready for the many meals.
The early part of the week was perfect chilly fall weather and we walked around and enjoyed the last of the colors.

We even stopped by Uncle Jimmy's place for a quick hug.
As the weather turned snowy and cold, what better way to spend the evening than with Nokomis' famous hot chocolate.

We are going to miss the endless evenings of games...



the many family meals (my pants buttons are bursting)...

and just hope that the family will live through the long winter without us (we shall see)...
A video of Maya enjoying her cousins and their great slide bed.