Another molar popped today. And MAN, is the household unhappy. No sleep for the fam, lots of crying and thrashing for the wee one last night.

I'm sure she's in a lot of pain, nose running, and chomping on her fingers. We're doing homeopathics and ibuprofen, but with three molars erupting at once, there isn't much relief.

And, writing deadline looms.

I just have to remember that we leave for vacation verrrrry soon, and all will be done and well.

Breathing, breathing, breathing.

Now, back to writing.

I had a dream last night that we weren't paying attention and Maeve was pretty cranky and suddenly I noticed...she's got molars! (Which then seemed ridiculous...)

So, I looked this morning, and indeed, she has at least one of the big teeth in the back that cut through! Thursday she got another in the front, number seven, so I guess this is number eight.

My god, this is all happening in a rush. I guess she's trying to catch up.

On other notes, GAH, cranking on the writing deadlines, last big one before vacation is Monday. A designer profile for Interweave Crochet. Was a great interview, I'm looking forward to the writing of it. Once the transcript is done.

Aaaaaaaand, we leave for Strawberry Music Festival (strawberrymusic.com) on Weds. HUZZZZZZAAAAAAAHHHHH! Vacation. Music. Camping.

So much love.

Now, to get some laundry away, and some packing started.

Today Maeve figured out how to blow bubbles in the swimming pool -- both thru her mouth and nose. This is very, very helpful in the not-swallowing and choking department while swimming. She also cried for the first time, not wanting to get out. Swim, swim, swim, tadpole.

She also put on her shoes for the first time by herself. Sure, sandals with two velcro straps, but they were correctly fastened and on the right feet!

How did we get here so fast?

tooth number six showed up today. poor kid. really, two teeth in two days?

no wonder she's cranky.

it will be ever so good when there is no more illness in this house and the teeth settle down.

s'all i'm saying.

Well, Maeve hit the 18 month mark on Monday and promptly fell ill. It was like that...woke up from her second nap lethargic and flopsy and scared the crap out me. Hot, hot, too, so we traipsed off to the doc's and he dubbed "it" a virus, prolly wouldn't go gastrointestinal, who knows how the rest would manifest. Three hours later, she puked all over me. :) Classic, no? Anyhow, the fever lasted until late yesterday, the congestion kicked in in full swing yesterday, too. Today was a challenge, also, the wretched cough has kicked in, but I'm hoping tomorrow will bring her some relief.

( more updatey kidstuff behind here )

tomorrow! We'll be taking her for her first hair cut. Holy fu schnickens, where did that time go? So, I'll, over the next couple days, methinks, write down the milestones and brain dump about her here. In case you have no desire to read kidlet catch-up, I will kindly put it all behind...

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The girl learned to jump this week, and I don't know who was prouder...me or she. She got air on Monday, while bouncing with Lila on Lila's bed, then was able to repeat it while grounded on Wednesday. So dern exciting.

The crazy talking all the time has begun, too. Oh my goodness, the words and sentences even, though they aren't that long, they are intentional. She has A LOT to say. I love it when she says, "darnit" and "goodness" after me. Heh.

She also generally molests the cat quite a bit, but tonight was so gentle and kind and loving to Cleo, I almost wept. The sweetness in her little mitt, as she actually *felt the fur while petting her. And her fingers are getting so long (as are her feet and toes...my feet & toes!).

Oh..man, I need to write, REALLY write about what's going on with her, before I forget it all.

Tomorrow may be the opportunity, N will be going off mid-day to work on building pantry cupboards for us, and to finishing our bathroom vanity. Writing and crochet will be my goals when Maeve sleeps manana.

Had a great first today with Ms. Maeveling. She was getting cranky before her first nap, and started to cry, the asked to be picked up and said, very clearly, "Nigh-night!" Ok then. Nursed her and she was out in minutes.

Day before yesterday, she got up from a late nap and started chattering excitedly to me and signing "bath." She took me into the bathroom, just for good measure, and pointed.

Girl's really starting to communicate her needs/wants quite clearly (what a relief!) and in a positive way. It makes such a difference in our daily routine when we can understand each other, however the method of communication.

Her 15-month checkup went well the other day -- 17 lbs 2 oz, 29" tall. I love our doc, he's just so damn supportive. Rare these days, I hear so many horror stories.

What else? Well, just completing one deadline...will only have to send in my spreadsheet on that. Last check from that gig. Moving on. Now to complete a couple little articles for Friday. Am feeling good about them, tho only have one partially written, I'll be fine. Will need to whip out one more article this weekend, about 700 words, and then get the sample done for a crochet class in Feb. Is a small cuff, I hope it is simple! Ha...I should know, but don't. Is the way of it nowadays.

I sure miss posting here regularly, I really do. It's now in the middle of the night, and this isn't a tenable way to keep up. I think after we get back from Hawaii I am going to make a concerted effort to find space to write. I miss writing poetry and playing with beautiful words. I used to have lots of drive time, and would play with them in my head, then scramble to write them down before I forgot. Now, my bandwidth isn't so wide as to think through wordplay much. I need it in my life, I really do, but I also need sleep first. Maslow's hierarchy of needs, anyone?

Count 'em, 11 months today.

Wow, that is the fastest year, ever. I knew intellectually that it would be, but there is no understanding the reality of this fog and brilliant, shifting light.

For fun tricks, the Maeveling just tried crawling in her sleep. I snagged her right before she careened into the wall. Good Mama! This little trick is new, and an addition to her talking, laughing and crying in her sleep. If this continues into adulthood, I really feel for her future bed partners. :)

So, just a little energy and loves going out to *my daughter*. It still trips me out, that phrase. It's still sinking in.

Counting down to the big year mark. Time keeps on tickin' tickin' tickin'...