Heaven on Earth

This afternoon, I dropped off Wayne and Maya at his mom's nursing home and went shopping. I came back to pick them up and Maya was SO happy to see me. She was laughing and kissing me. Ahhhhhhhhh (big sigh) I took a deep breath to smell that special maya baby smell and I thought, I don't know what I've ever done to deserve this angel. I jsut don't want to let go of her. She is SO beautiful that I am just in awe. And everytime someone says "what a happy baby!" (and it's said alot), I am so thankful to have her.

We got a card that says, "I heard that an angel showed up at your house, dressed up in a baby disguise - with soft, dimpled cheeks, irresistable coos, and starlight and hope in her eyes....though she traded her wings for her ten baby toes and her halo is now just a curl, May all her days bring you heaven on earth - your beautiful sweet baby girl." So true! It's heaven on earth.

Nifty Fifty

How nifty? I'm fifty! Because of Maya.....as they say in the song...." I FEEL GOOD, dunnna na"

It was a spectacular birthday. Maya learned to wave! Grandma taught her and they both looked adorable.

Maya gave me the sweetest card, a Winnie the Pooh (of course) balloon and some dark chocolate. What a thoughtful, smart baby we have!

We went to Lucrezia for diner and at the restaurant I did a special signal softly in Maya's ear and she gave me a kiss! Awwwwwww, I'm in love with that baby.

At fifty, I have to say......IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE!

It's day eight for dear, patient, girlfriend Jeanne. Saying prayers for Maddy to be home soon, soon, soon.

Friends

Sunday, the Hobart High School crowd came over for brunch. Wayne outdid himself making the world famous waffles (okay, Carpenter friends and family famous waffles).

We had a wonderful time sharing food and friendship, girl talk in the nursery!

Monday, Wayne had some daddy-daughter time while I went shopping with MY mom. I missed Maya, of course, but it was nice to spend time with mom.

Tuesday, Elaine and Joan stopped by! How good it was to see them! Joan is so good with Maya. It sounds like they are settling into semi-retirement just right.

Maya is busy, busy, exploring her world. She is so bright. Wayne and I are amazed at how blessed we are and thank the Lord everyday for this wonderful gift.

Debbie and Ev called me yesterday! It was so good to talk to them too. They are both doing good. Debbie's daughter Susie is 21 and Ev's niece Kimmy is 40! I can't believe how fast time flies.

(from Baby Maya blog)

Wow, yesterday was an amazing day. I think we fit a whole month of love and joy into one day. It's hard for me to describe the things Maya has brought to our lives. I'm working on an analogy, it involves black and white to color.....dusk to bright sunshine....I'll keep working on it.

Anyway, yesterday morning, I took Maya to see Wayne's mom, Leona, at Fountainview Place. Even though she'd seen Maya before, she held Maya for the first time yesterday. Whoa....it was a Hallmark Channel movie. Maya loved her grandma so much, and the look on Leona's face was so full of delight and love. Maya took her tiny little hands and touched all over Leona's face (mommy didn't even have to say "gently, gently"). Maya played with her ears and stroked her hair. It was so sweet! And all the time, Maya was curious and happy, beaming those high wattage smiles. Just amazing......

Then Leona, Maya and I went to a church service there at Fountainview. Oh, Maya loved it! a woman played the hymns on a piano and Maya danced. She crawled into Leona's lap again and played peek-a-boo with the man behind us. He couldn't talk but he made a sign as if to say, "she's laughing".

Then in the afternoon, our dear friend Pat came over to visit. Pat made the beautiful quilt that is in Maya's room. I just love seeing my friends with Maya. Who knew Pat was good at making funny-babies-laugh-and-laugh noises? And Pat brought Maya her first Starbucks. No silly, we didn't give her coffee! Pat brought her "The Velveteen Rabbit" book and cd (narrated by Meryl Streep, how cool is that?!) Then, I know, I can hardly believe myself that there's more....

Wayne and I went to his high school reunion. And dance the night away. Well, not really, but we did dance one slow dance. His classmates are so nice! We had a great evening. If we had to be away from Maya (ouch!) this was a good reason. We heard lots of fifties music and laughed. I didn't say "oopsie" once! My Mom stayed with Maya while we were out partying. They did very well! Maya didn't stay awake to see Notre Dame win (what-a-day!). Grandma, grandpa and Maya had a great evening. What an angel daughter we have, and such amazing family and friends. Thank you, God, we are truly blessed.

Exhaustion

(from Baby Maya blog)

I haven't been doing a very good job of documenting Maya's first weeks at home. I've been thrilled to have her clean, fed, dressed, and smiling - then falling into bed totally exhausted. How does such a "little bit" manage to wear out two grown adults? LOL!

So here's warning, there's going to be lots of baby details.....reader beware!

Maya's Day

(from Baby Maya blog)

Maya slept late today - 7:30! Usually she's up between six and seven. We give her a bottle IMMEDIATELY, because she wakes up very hungry. Usually we try to both go in and greet her - start her day with smiles and sunshine. then one of us stays and gives her the bottle. She's gotten more and more cuddly every day. In the beginning, she would "maintain her space", but now she cuddles in on my shoulder, she trusts me to hold the bottle, she'll reach to touch my face. Such a sweetheart!

When her bottle's finished, we play in her room for about an hour and then it's time for cereal. Our first cereal was an adventure! There was cereal everywhere.....including in my hair and up her nose! Maya was so adorable. She would grab the cereal off the spoon and try to feed herself. Happily, I found finger foods by Gerber. Now, I give her some of those and that keeps her hands busy. I tell her it's "mommy's job to feed her the cereal". she's very cooperative and meals are much neater now! Only food up the nose occasionally now!

We had green beans for lunch and I found out she loves to have her feet tickled while she eats. I think it surprises her, because she can't see her feet in the high chair and just feels the tickles.

I started opening my mouth wide, when I wanted her to open hers, and for some reason, she found that SO funny. She just laughed and laughed. then I noticed she was laughing even when I wasn't doing it. Hey! Laughing at mommy, shame on her, LOL!

Maya still loves watermelon -we went out to dinner and happily they served watermelon as a garnish on all the plates.

Susan, Terri and Samantha came to visit today! It was so nice to see Susan and hear about Jasmine (Susan's granddaughter from Guatemala). Susan is the kind person that told us about the agency her daughter used, that led us eventually to Maya. Samantha is so beautiful. Maya adores her. Unfortunately, she can get a little too exuberant though. She tried to climb on Samantha and pulled her hair......but Samantha was a good sport about the whole thing. Terri brought us more stuff today - she has just been an angel. Not only support and advice but exersaucer, toys, high chair and CUTE SHOES. Maya and Mommy are so lucky to have such good friends.