Maia's birthday and Easter

What a great weekend! Easter and Maia's first birthday.

Maia woke up with a huge smile on her face, as if she knew she was one. While she ate her blueberries, we practiced holding up one finger to show how old she is. Now when I say "How old is Maia?" she'll vaguely hold up one finger, usually with her left hand.

After breakfast, Maia got to open the presents that Aleks and I had bought her.

Of course she was more interested in the box than the toys.

Maia also got her first Easter basket. Mom and Dad enjoyed the candy, but she loves opening and closing the plastic eggs.

After church and lunch, Maia got to have her first taste of chocolate! At first she was unsure...

but it quickly became apparent that she is my daughter after all. It was so yummy!

We were invited over to a friends' house for Easter lunch. It was a lovely time of eating, talking, and enjoying the kids that were there.

These are my friend Michelle's beautiful children. Maia adores them both.

Toward the end of the afternoon, all the kids were reading together, it was so sweet.

Aleks had to fly home Sunday night to teach on Monday, but my dad flew into Hartford on Monday night. Maia was super excited to see him and to open the birthday present he brought!

Maia in her new outfit from Grandma and Grandpa.

Hartford has been absolutely beautiful since I got here a week ago. The weather has been warm and I've seen the trees bloom in front of my eyes. Maia seems to be adjusting well to the time change and is having minimal anxiety with her new surroundings. Rehearsals for the opera are going well. The show opens next weekend and we're all feeling a little panicked at this point. I know it will all come together and be something wonderful. For me, I'm enjoying being a performer and taking a bit of a break from mommy land a couple of hours a day.

More updates to come in the next few days on my birthday (29!!!) and opera pics.