Hot & Sweaty

Sorry it has been a while since my last post but there has been a lot going on lately and I have not had the time to get on the computer. Our AC/Heat in the house went out 2 weeks ago (smoke was billowing out of the returns) and hopefully will be fixed on Thursday of this week. It has been so hot in the house that we have had to get out as much as possible to avoid the stuffy heat. The inside temperature in the house is averaging 82 degrees at night so as you can imagine sleeping has been tough and spending time at the computer has not been a top priority for me.

To get out of the house during the heat of the day Mom and I have taken several excursions. We went to see Dad at the Museum, we went shopping in Carrboro, and we went to hear Doc Watson and Jack Lawrence at Mom's Museum. This week Grandma Mary has been in town so we have enjoyed the AC and pool at her hotel! We've also had to eat out every night because the heat from the stove would have us all sweating bullets. I usually fall asleep in the sling when we go out to eat so Mom and Dad can eat peacefully. I will miss all of our little trips out to dinner when the AC returns but rest assured I won't miss the sweltering heat in a house with no screens and a yard full of mosquitoes.

Today I went to see Dr Ramsdell for my 2 month well check and I passed with flying colors. I weighed in at 11 pounds - 11 ounces and now I am in the 71st percentile for my age group. Looks like I am in line for a great childhood!

Enjoy a few of my latest pictures and the new article on where babies look that I posted in the articles section. - Maya

Enjoying some NC Bluegrass from Doc Watson

Mom's milk perfectly packaged!

A neighborhood walk to see our friendly neighbors.

Tennessee

I had to take some time off from posting because we needed to travel to Tennessee last week to be with my grandparents. We started off our trip with a 7-1/2 hour flight delay in Raleigh, just a few diapers (the rest were under the plane), no wipes (under the plane as well) and nothing but a small stretch of carpet to sit on while we waited out the storm. We arrived in Nashville around 12 midnight and headed to the house to be with everyone. We had a good trip and believe it or not I slept the entire flight both ways and didn't even make a peep!

Wiped out after a full day of traveling!

This is my cousin Joseph and my good friend Bella enjoying a Popsicles together.

What is she doing?

Posing!

Thanks for the drinks!

Uncle Tony and Mom

Mom, future aunt Lindsey and cousin Elizabeth.

Paw-Paw is home!

A Day In The Life

Here is a video about a day in the life of me - Maya Dorothy Herring. I know it is a bit long but it is my first try at making movies. I wanted to show everyone what life is like here in North Carolina.

I usually wake up in the morning to tickle time with Mom and Dad. After breakfast I take a bath and then I either head to the beach, pick blueberries or just relax in the hammock. I may take a nap or get in my Moses basket and play with my farm animals. In the evening I'll get on the computer to update my blog before Mom and Dad tuck me in for sweet little dreams.

Enjoy!

7-7-07 - A Lucky Day

We woke up early this morning and headed over to Jordan Lake for a little sand and water play. Mom and Dad packed up the cooler with fresh watermelon, blueberry pancakes and biscuits for a breakfast at the beach. We had to get there early to avoid the crowds and the heat. We arrived around 8:15am before anyone showed up. We got to see Osprey, Blue Herons, and even a Bald Eagle! Before long the crowds started to roll in so we packed up, went for a swim and then walked up the shoreline to find a more remote place to relax and soak up some vitamin D!

My new swim suit

Soaking up some vitamin D

Learning to swim but the water was just a bit cold

This is Dad just before he got bit in the armpit by a turtle!

Another family shot

This sling always puts me to sleep

Our own beach

I think something crawled out from under the stump because Mom about dunked me!

Yes, I do cause sleepless nights!

Festival For The Eno!

Listening to Bearfoot Bluegrass at the Grove Stage.

Today we celebrated the 4th of July at the 28th Annual Festival for the Eno. All proceeds from the festival go to preserve and protect lands in the Eno River basin. In 1998 the festival raised over $100,000 which set a record for the Eno. It's nice to know that the proceeds are benefiting a great place!

My friends Alex, Karin, Drew and Anna sent me this t-shirt just in time to wear to the Festival. I was able to show off my recycling outfit at one of the most environmentally friendly festivals in the US. The festival prides itself on their trash free recycling program and solar powered stages. All of the vendors use compostable dinnerware and recycling stations are set up throughout the festival to educate the public about the importance of composting and recycling. Only an amazing fraction (9%) of the total waste generated by festival-goers ends up at the local landfill. Let's hope that other events and festivals around the world will follow in the footsteps of the Trash Free Festival for the Eno!

Meet Sandy Feat! Ed Moore has been sculpting sand art for many years and travels to festivals all over the US. By the end of the festival on Sunday he should have this sculpture of chipmunks complete.

We ventured over to see what critters the Museum of Life + Science had on display. They always have fun animals and activities. I got to see and touch a Giant African Millipede. This species is among the largest of the millipede family. Did you know that there are approximately 6,500 species of Millipedes throughout the world. Only about 600 live in North America. He had lots of legs but no where near 1,000. I'm not that good at counting yet but he probably had around 200-400 legs.

Flower girls!

A brief swim in the Eno River.

A Sunset Walk at Yates Mill

Last night we went for a sunset hike at Historic Yates Mill County Park. Yates Mill is where my Mom used to work before she went to work for the Museum Park. We enjoyed a brief hike around the lake before heading over to see our friends Celia and Bronson for a cookout and bonfire. They cooked a great dinner and then we spent the rest of the evening enjoying the bonfire. They have a beautiful German Shepard named Orla who really seemed worried every time I cried. She would come over and lick my head trying to console me. Maybe she thought I was one of her puppies?

Ah the life! I get carried everywhere in either my sling or my Baby Bjorn! Though I do look forward to getting my hiking legs in shape.

The sunset was masked by a thunderstorm that threatened our hike along the pond.

Loaded up on Gentian Violet prior to our hike.