"I Love You"..Be Still my Heart

I always thought that I knew the power of these three tiny words until I heard them come from my own daughters mouth. She said it to Mike two nights ago before bed. She really said it...just as plain as day..."I love you"! Now, I am sure it was just one of those things like you have seen on the funniest videos shows where a tiny baby babbles something that sounds like I love you, but none the less, she said it and I know she meant every word. I was getting ready to put Maya to bed for the night and Mike was getting his nite-nite sugars. He got his kisses, was getting a hug and pat and he said, "I love you Maya" and she said it right back. We both were struck speechless as we stared at each other with our mouths hanging open and tears welling up in our eyes. Maya was still hugging and patting and "awwwing" on Mikes shoulder and had no idea that our hearts were about to burst. Our girl is so amazing. We love her beyond measure!!
Here is something else that Maya loves. Climbing and sliding, oy! We took her to the park today so she could get her fill.

Then we took a little walk along the river. It was a beautiful day today. It's finally starting to feel like fall.

Just Found Her Way Home...

That is what this super cute little tee shirt says. This tee shirt was a shower gift almost a year ago. It's so hard to believe that it has almost been a year since our shower for Maya. My how the time flies!


Carrie posted pics of her sweet Audrey in her nightgown just a few days ago. Great minds really do think alike. I had put this soft and cozy nightgown (This little nightgown was my niece Sarah's when she was a little girly. It's more than 20 years old...love the hand-me-downs!) on Maya the very same night with the exact same results. I thought about putting pants on under it before I put her to bed because I knew it would be up around her belly just minutes after she started the ol' kick and roll in bed. Sure enough she had cool legs when we got up the next morning. I guess it didn't bother her enough to wake her though.

Try walking a mile in Dada's shoes!

Or maybe even backwards in Mama's.

Maya gives the new 4 Runner two thumbs up and so do Mom and Dad!!

Maya wants Maggie to be her friend so badly. She gets very excited when Maggie comes around. Too bad that most of these encounters end in a swat or scratch to Maya's arm or hand.

Where Does the Time Go?

And then all of the sudden it has been 2 weeks since I've posted pics of this beautiful girly of ours!
Well, here she is. I hope you're sitting down because her cuteness will make your knees weak;)

We are doing great. The changes we have noticed in Maya lately have been incredible. I felt her hand on the back of my neck for the first time ever. She has always pushed on my chest when I'm holding her, and still does most of the time. But just recently she has been holding on around my shoulder to my back or even around my neck. She almost always pats me on the back when I'm holding her on my hip. We have gotten genuine hugs. Even with a little "awwww" as she hugs. She loves Fisher and he is such a good boy with her.


She has been all about her shadow. I catch her in the kitchen watching her shadow while she dances. Here, she is waving to her shadow.


Yesterday was our 10 year anniversary. These are my beautiful flowers and my beautiful daughter.


In the course of 2 weeks we have had temperatures from 100 to 45 degrees. It was chilly in the house when we woke after the 45 degree night. Maya had to try out her new slippers.


Any mirror in our house that is Maya height, has lip prints all over it. She knows something cute when she sees it and will always give those cute things a kiss...including herself! Here she is kissing herself in the truck bumper.


According to my car thermometer, it was 100 degrees out on this day. We had already retired the pool so we played in the water hose. She loves to drink out of the hose. I think she likes it so much because Fisher drinks out of the hose too.


Maya got to experience her first parade a couple of weeks ago. She had a good time. She loved the music. This is Maya and her Dad waiting for the parade to start.


Maya's nickname for the past couple of weeks has been "Skeeter". Notice the giant mosquito bite on her forehead. Well, it is nothing compared to the mountain of a welt she had on her forearm a few days later.

6 Months of Maya

The half year mark of being a family of three has come and gone. I thought it would be a momentous occasion but, alas, it was just another wonderful day in the life of the McFee 3. I actually didn't even think about it until days later when I saw someones blog that had celebrated their anniversary of I can't remember how many months. Each day with Maya is a celebration. Some days a joyful celebration and some days not so much, but, none the less, a day that Mike and I have dreamed of for many years...a family day. Some say that it seems like their children have been with them forever and that they don't even remember life without them. I have to say that is not the case for us. I vividly remember life without Maya, the good and the bad. And I would not have it any other way. This sweet girl has made our lives so much richer and full of love that we didn't know we had in us. She brings a smile to every face who is lucky enough to see her. She is not always willing to give those smiles back but she will in her time. She is Maya. A radiant beauty learning to love the family who loves her and has become her very own. And we are ever so thankful, with our whole heart and soul, for her.
Now on with the show!