Yay! Uncle Josh is here!
Josh rolled into town this past weekend and quickly set about his business of making Seth and me feel like inferior parents. Uncle Josh spends a full hour cavorting with Maya on the floor! Uncle Josh entertains Maya around the clock! Uncle Josh makes funny faces and does four million voices! Uncle Josh laughs at all of Maya's antics and tricks! Uncle Josh is waaaaay more fun than Mama and Dada!
That's OK; Seth and I are happy to play second fiddle to Josh's first violin. Josh and Maya see each other so rarely, they deserve to leave Seth and me in the dust while they delight in each other's company.
The four of us hit the beach on Sunday afternoon, just as the sun was setting on an absolutely flawless day. It's been like July here in SoCal. I love it! Josh took loads of pictures of Seth dipping Maya's toes in the ocean and Maya and me playing in the sand. An excellent time was had by all, even though negligent Mama nearly let a wave sweep her little peach right into the sea---thank goodness sharp-eyed Dada snagged Maya just in time. I think several years were shorn off my life in that moment.
Maya's new thing is to stand without holding onto anything for a few moments. We try to make a big happy deal out of it when it happens, to encourage her to build toward walking. She's also very much enjoying chasing and being chased, and oh my---the climbing! Look away for one moment, and the next thing you know, Maya has scaled a piece of furniture and is looking around, planning her next ascent. I wish our apartment had stairs. She'd love them!