HONEY I LOVE

So while I have chance to be on the computer I want to update you about Pook's favorite loves. We both love (maybe mommy more than Pook at this point) the book HONEY I LOVE by Eloise Greenfield. I actually brought a first copy for the baby girl I knew I was going to have in Brooklyn before I even knew I was preggo. Then, Imani gave Pook a copy at her baby shower. IT'S THE BEST BOOK REALLY! (our second to next favorite are books by karen beaumont especially I ain't gonna paint no more and i like myself). But anyway HONEY I Love is a book of poems with the most fabulous illustrations (by Diane and Leo Dillon) ever!! So in Pook's voice she would say at 10 months, "HONEY I Love a whole lotta things like...

pulling off my diaper!

drinking my bath water and sucking my washcloth!

popsicles!!

unpacking anything including mommy's purse, drawers, whatever!

music and dancing, especially the new India.Arie! Our favorite jams are tracks 5 and 15:)

climbing stairs!

watching ceiling fans!

playing with the telephone!

watching tv!

swinging and singing!

tearing up paper!

waving!

spitting!

miniblinds!

drumming! (I swear she is a natural)

HONEY let me tell you that I DON'T love

getting my hair combed!

going to sleep when I'm not ready!

getting my diaper changed!

& getting my ears cleaned or my nose wiped!"

Back from Bahamas

Hey Everyone!

It seems like so long since I've checked in. And so much has happened (kinda). First of all, we are back from the Bahamas. It was a great celebration for all- I was celebrating my dissertation and Pook was celebrating her first ten months of life. We had a really great time. I think Pook had the most fun!! On the boat the rooms are perfectly Pook size (Really small) and she loved pulling up on the bumper and jumping on the bed! One thing about cruising is that there are soooo many people from all over the world! and Pook loved them all and they loved her! She was the little star of the boat. Everyone soon learned her name and was looking for her to show up at the events. When I was sippin whatever the drink of the day was by myself poolside strangers felt free to inquire, where is Maya Sanaa? Wow! She is a people person too. She talked to everyone and waved hello and goodbye and gave out smiles frequently. She even made friends- I mean real friends. One woman, who served dinner at a nearby table was Pooks favorite. Her name was Narvada and she was from Jamaica. I"m trying to think of Pook's single most highlight on the cruise and I think it was enjoying her fan club otherwise known as her cousins-Jasmine, Lauren, and Jalen. They couldn't get enough of Pook - really- and gave her so much affirmation 24/7- she loved it.

Now we are back in rural Champaign and we moved! Pook loves the new apartment and so does mommy. Her room is yellow and orange with butterflies all around. She has some african accents here and there as well as some decor from our Mexico trip. Because of DIY television I went overboad with the room decs and tried (with Dad's help) to paint her a magnetic board (didn't work so well) and I tried to use the stencil Court made of Pook's name with paint (didn't work so well) so I ended up using stencils to write her name and freehanded some flower power. Its the thought that counts right? All definite signs that we need to buy a place of our own so I can really do it up!!

Right now, Pook is at daycare and surviving a minor cold! Two kids at the place are also out because of summer fever. I hate it when Pook is sick. She is not completely out of it though so hopefully this will pass very soon.

Pook now has four teeth, stood up on her own for a quick second yesterday, and is still enjoying every kind of food offered her. She is in a size four diaper (we swear by pampers) and is boosting a size 18months in baby gear. She will mostly sit for a story now, which is really fun and enjoys car rides and baths.