4/17/2011 131 Days Old

On the 131th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Maya slept well last night until her 5:30 feeding. It took Erin quite a while to get her to fall back to sleep, but eventual Maya slept and so did Erin. They both stayed asleep until about 11:00. They needed the rest. It was going to be a busy day.

Maya had many visitors today. Erin has family in from out of town this weekend. Ron, Micki, and Katherine came by with Grandma Kathy and Austin and Eric. It was a beautiful day today, and we were able to spend some time out side with our visitors. Later Grandma Patti and Grandpa Greg came by to see Maya as well.

Maya had a better day today than she has been having. The last week Maya has been congested. It is not clear whether or not her head congestion was because of her heart, but it is clear that it was interfering with her breathing. When she wakes up she has a build up of gunk in her throat and she can’t seem to get her throat clear to breathe. This morning she had a little congestion, but most of the day she breathed a little easier. She still had times where she would hurt and she needed morphine a few times, but she responds really well to the medication. She had long times today when she was awake and not crying. Those times are very special to us. There are days when we think that they may never return, and she is so tired from her fight. But then there are days like today where she shows us what the word strong means. We are grateful for today.

A special thank you to Aunt Krissie for hijacking the blog Friday night. We had a great time out, but it was better to get back home  to our girl.

4/18/2011 132 Days Old

On the 132nd day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Both me and Erin had to work this morning, so we handed Maya off to Grandma Patti at about 7:00. When I got home about lunch time Maya and Grandma were sitting on the couch. Her good day yesterday continued today. She had some struggles today, but was also awake and happy for long periods of time. I got some couch time with Maya this afternoon. We sat and watched some TV for most of the afternoon.

Maya had a visit from her nurse and her social worker this afternoon. Her check up went well. Her last visit was on Thursday, and it did not go as well. Last week her lungs were not sounding well. She had developed a strong wheeze and the crackle in her lungs has spread through out her lungs. When her nurse listened to her lungs today she got a puzzled look on her face. She could not hear the wheeze. She listened to both sides of the lungs and could not find it. For some reason Maya is doing a little better these last two days.

Tonight Grandpa Bob and Grandma Chris brought us some Thai food. We all are sitting around enjoying May during her awake time. It has been a good night. Tomorrow Erin will have to go to work, and I am home alone with little Maya. It will be the longest time that I have taken care of Maya by myself. I am a little nervous, but also excited. I better go rest up.

April 19, 2011 133 Days Old

On the 133rd day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Erin had to go to work this morning, but it was my day off. My first day taking care of Maya alone went well. I did get a little help this afternoon, when Krissie came by. This morning I thought that me and Maya would sleep in. Maya went along with the plan but the dogs did not. I did get to sleep until 7:30, which sounds early, but it is a lot better than 5:30.

Maya had a good day today. She was happy for almost the entire day. She had two cranky spells this afternoon, but was able to comfort herself. She only needed morphine once today. Her diaper assassination has gotten more advanced. It used to be that before she attacked she had quite a battle cry. We always knew when one was coming. She must have decided to work ninja style, because now there is no warning. Sometimes she doesn’t even wake up for more than a few seconds, then bam diaper down. She is quite sneaky.

This evening it was just the three of us. Erin made us a great dinner, and so far Maya has slept all night. I hope that trend continues through the night.

4/20/2011 134 Days Old

On the 134th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Erin did not get much sleep last night, so I woke up to take car of Maya at about 5:00. I fed her a little early and she was able to get back to sleep before I had to get ready for work.

After I left Grandma Patti came by to take car of Maya while Erin worked from home. When I got home there were quite a few stories of the diapers that gave their lives to unsuccessfully  protect a onesie. Maya is on her fourth outfit of the day. Apparently one of her hit jobs was epic. Erin did not take any pictures. We have to take her word for it.

Maya has been awake most of the day. She would not let grandma put her down. When I got home grandma was holding up a book for Maya so that she can practice focusing her eyes. On days like these last few we really try to help her development as much as possible. She is so tired from her fight most of the time that she sleeps most of the day, so when we get a chance to stimulate her little brain we try not to miss it. She was doing an excellent job of focusing today. She would look right at the pictures in the book, and we could see the wheels in her head turning. Grandma made her a high contrast book a while back. She quilted and sowed together a few pages of white shapes with colored outlines on top of a black background. Grandma is trying to teach her shapes. I think from here we will move on to Dr. Seuss and then maybe War and Peace, Les Miserables.

This evening Grandam Kathy came by to see Maya. She got to help Erin give Maya a bath, and got to hold her for a while. Maya just now finally got to sleep. We are hoping that her day of diaper disasters, and awake time will lead to a sound sleep tonight. Logic would tell us that would be the case, but we all now know that Maya runs the show, so we will see what she thinks about it.

4/21/2011 135 Days Old

I forgot to blog tonight and since it is 11:00…. See you tomorrow.

P.S. Maya is well

4/22/2011 136 Days Old

On the 136th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. I got ready for work, and moved Maya into bed with Erin before I left. She slept well last night. When I got home she was on the couch with Grandma Patti. She had a visit from her nurse today. The nurse said that her lungs sounded better. Maya still has a crackle in her lungs but her nurse seemed to think it might have sounded less than before. She did really well today.

Tonight we had a little celebration. Tomorrow is Erin’s birthday. Tonight Grandpa Bob and Grandma Chris came by to see Maya and eat dinner with us. After dinner KC and Michelle, Esther, Micah, and Luke all came by. Right after they got here KC was holding her when she released an epic flurry of diaper disasters. She was pushing so hard that she spit up a bit. After I got her throat clear of the spit up I began to change her diaper. It was the fullest diaper i have ever seen. Front to back and side to side there was no white left. When I was already three wet wipes in she let out a little more. Each time I wiped she let out a little more. I have never seen so much come from so little. It was a craptastrophe. Every one in the house got a good laugh. 7 wipes and two diapers later she was all cleaned up.

We are relaxing from our day now. Grandpa Is holding Maya as she looks around the room. We might have had too much wine and birthday cake. Sleep is sounding really good right now.

4/23/2011 137 Days Old

Maya’s Mommy’s Birthday!!  Maya put on a pretty dress and a flower in her hair.

A photo from Maya’s Mom and Dad’s evening out last week.

4/24/2011 138 Days Old Happy Easter

On the 138th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Maya slept well last night. Both me and Erin were able to get a good amount of sleep. We were not able to start our morning slow. Easter brunch would be at our house today. We had to get up and get ready.

For Easter brunch Grandpa Bob and Grandma Chris, Chris, Lori, Hunter, and Tristen, Tracy, Austin, and Eric, Holly, Jay, and Jadin all came over. It was a full house. We ate some good food and had an easter egg hunt. Maya stayed awake for the whole party. She was wide eyed and happy. Many people got to hold her today. We were very happy that Maya was awake and happy for the event. It felt like she got to take part in the festivities. I’m sure she didn’t know that it was easter, but we did, and we were happy she got to spend it with us.

After the party wound down and people left we sat on the couch and watched a movie. Maya rested. This evening Travis and Krissie came by in another shameless attempt to make the blog. Or maybe they just wanted to see Maya. It is hard to tell. Maya is a little cranky now, and a little tired. We will go to bed early tonight. We return to work tomorrow.

4/25/2011 139 Days Old

On the 139th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Grandma Kathy came by to take care of Maya while Erin and I went to work. It was really hard to leave the house this morning. Not because Maya was having a rough time, but because she was awake and being cute. She woke up about 15 minutes before we had to leave. Her blue eyes were wide open. We sat on the couch and played with her as long as we could before leaving. For Easter Lori got Maya a little toy bunny. It has a string that sticks out of the back and when it is pulled the elephant vibrates and dances around while making a somewhat annoying noise. I placed it under Maya’s hand and pulled the string. We all watched as her eyes opened wider. She was puzzled by the bunny, and every time I pulled the string and the bunny began to move her face would light up. It was a good way to start our day.

Grandma Kathy was the only visitor today. She took care of Maya while we were at work, and then stayed and fixed us dinner. Maya was up from the time we left this morning until her 9:00 feeding. She has been asleep ever since. She is very tired today. Right now Erin and Maya are both napping. Maya is curled up against her mom, and other than a few snores, and a few squirms now and then she is resting peacefully. She knows when she is next to her momma. They have a special cuddle bond. There are times when much to the chagrin of her dad, all Maya wants is her mom. We are listening to Mumford and Sons. The Sigh No More Album has become one of Maya’s favorites. Thanks Sarah. All Maya’s Grandmas keep trying to sing her the ittsy bittsy spider, or the ABCs, but all Maya wants is some Little Lion Man. She is quite the little connoisseur.

4/26/2011 140 Days Old

On the 140th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. I got to stay asleep as Erin took care of Maya’s 5:30 feeding. It was just me and Maya until 11:00. We had a good time. We stayed in bed until 10:00 and then watched some TV on the couch. Michelle came by at 11:00 so that I could got get a hair cut. Maya was in good spirits today. She slept a lot. After Michelle had left at about 2:00 Maya had the worst craptastrophe I have ever seen. There was very little left in the diaper. She did have some in her arm pit, on her back, and in her hair. Lost in the battle were a yellow dress, and blanket, 3 changing pads, a burp rag, half a box of wet wipes, and a couch cushion.

This evening I had to go in to work. Krissie came by to fill the gap between me leaving for work and Erin getting home from work. Grandpa Bob and Grandma Chris came by later to eat dinner with us. Maya is getting a bath now. She is not enjoying it.

It has been a good day for Maya. She got a little cranky a few times, but nothing to serious. She has been awake and happy for some time today. She has gotten really good at holding up her head. Earlier tonight she was laying on grandma’s shoulder when all of the sudden her head was up and she was looking around the room. We love these little moments. She has to fight so hard to stay with us that there is not much energy left to do all of the normal baby development stuff. So these moments are very important to us. They are Maya’s milestones. I wonder what she will be able to do tomorrow.