4/27/2011 141 Days Old

On the 141st day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Maya and Erin stayed asleep as I got ready and left for work. While I was away Maya had a busy day. Grandma Patti came by to take care of Maya so that Erin could work from home. This afternoon Maya had a visit from her dietition, and her occupational therapist. Maya weighed in at 9 pounds 15.5 ounces. If she would not have filled a diaper before the visit she would have broke the 10 pound mark. We also got some new exercises for Maya. Maya is doing well with holding up her own head and turning from side to side to see around her. She has some stiffness in one of her hips still, but we are trying to stretch her out.

Before her visits Maya had just gotten to sleep. Erin used a new technique called the slow wake up. I found that if I rub Maya’s arm while she sleeps I can slowly bring her out of sleep, and then just as her eyes open stop. She thinks that she just woke herself up and doesn’t get cranky. We are thinking about renaming the process the snooze button, but right now it is the slow wake.

After her visit Maya stayed awake until just after I got home. I got some good snuggle time with my little girl. Most of the time when I hold Maya why she sleeps we combine to make a sweaty mess, but today she stayed nice and cool while snoozing in my arms. Later in the evening Grandma Kathy came by to help us out. We ate dinner and now we are watching Community. Maya still loves her ahbed. It was a good day for Maya.

4/28/2011 142 Days Old

On the 142nd day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. I thought that I would make it our the door without waking up Maya and Erin. I was wrong. Just before I left Maya started to wake up. I got to hold her for a little bit, and then I decided to change her diaper and her clothes. She was stinky and I thought I would help Erin out. 5 minutes later Maya was wailing and Erin was awake. OOPS. Maya eventual was able to get back to sleep after I left. Erin was not.

While I was at work Michelle came over to help take care of Maya. After she left Erin got to take Maya for a walk. It was a beautiful day, and I am sure that at least Erin got to enjoy it.  Maya slept through the whole thing, which is better than she has done before.

This evening Grandma Kathy came over and brought chipotle. We spent the night cleaning the house and preparing for Erin’s big party tomorrow. The house is spotless. Now if I can only talk the dogs into keeping it that way. We need our rest tonight. We will have more people over tomorrow than we have ever had in our house. It looks like the weather will cooperate, and we can hangout on the deck and around the fire pit. I think it will be fun. The best part is that Erin’s friends are planning the party and taking care of every thing. It sounds good to me.

4/29/2011 142 Days Old

On the 142nd day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Today was party day. I had to go to work, but shortly after I got home the party began.

Her is a list of people that were here. I hope I don’t leave anybody out, except Lori. I think I’ll leave her out.

Me and Erin

Jennifer

Gerilyn and Connor

Grandpa Bob and Grandma Chris

Grandma Kathy

Grandma Patti, and Grandpa Greg

Chris, Lori, Hunter and Tristen

K.C., Michelle, Micah, and Luke

Krissie and Travis

B.J.

David

Morgan

Julianna and Jonathan

Bonnie

Rhonda, and Eric

And Maya

5/1/2011 144 Days Old

On the 144th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. We didn’t do anything today. We tried to sleep as much as possible. We are going to try to sleep some more. Goodnight

P.S. Maya is doing well.

5/2/2011 145 Days Old

On the 145th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. we were both able to get ready and get off to work with out any trouble. Grandma Patti came by to take care of Maya until I got home. Last night Maya got herself into a crank session. She was not happy about something. We are still giving her morphine once or twice a day, and it seems to help. It helped last night but not enough for her to just relax. She was doing some diaper assassination practice. She stayed cranky for 30 to 45 minutes, and cried the whole time. It was near the end of her crying that I realized that she was connected to her monitor and it had not gone off. Her sat had gotten low, but not low enough to make that awful sound that we have come to know. It was then that I realized that she really was a little bit better. I know we have had reports from the nurses and we have seen her awake and more happy recently, but I never really let myself think that her condition had improved very much. We know that she is not better, and she still has struggles ahead, but she is doing just a little bit better now than before. It is a happy confusion that we have found ourselves in. We hope that we stay confused a little longer. That would mean that Maya once again is doing what we thought could not be done. She is the strongest little thing I have ever seen.

5/3/2011 146 Days Old

On the 146th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. I woke up at about 7:00 when Erin had to leave for work. I thought that me and Maya would sleep late this morning. Maya had other ideas. She wasn’t cranky or hurting. She just didn’t want to sleep. We layed on the bed and every time my eyes would begin to shut Maya’s hand would go up to her face searching for her cannula. Maya didn’t want to sleep and she didn’t want me to sleep either. Eventually Maya won and we moved out to the couch.

At 11:30 or so Michelle came by to take care of Maya for a bit. I was badly in need of some coffee and we were all out. I finally got my coffee about noon. Maya did not go back to sleep until 1:30. The afternoon hours wee spent the opposite of the morning hours. Maya stayed asleep. She stayed asleep through her nurses visit. Her nurse was impressed with the sound of her lungs today. She is amazed at how well Maya is doing. Every time she comes over she tries to help us understand that trisomy babies don’t normally look as good as Maya. She seemed pretty cute lying in her boppie. She was still asleep when Erin got home at 6:30.

This evening Grandpa Bob and Grandma Chris made us dinner. Maya got to sit at the table with us and eat her foot too. Right now Maya is resting on grandpa. Maya had a good day today. I am hoping that her sleepy afternoon continues through the night.

5/4/2011 147 Days Old

On the 147th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Maya woke up just before I needed to leave for work. Erin was able to get her calmed down, and she was almost back to sleep by the time I left. While I was at work Grandma Patti came by to take care of Maya. For weeks now Maya has been practicing and getting better at reaching her little hand up and grabbing her cannula. Today she succeeded in pulling the cannula clear off her face. Grandma said “she pulled it off then swung it over her head like a lasso.” I can imagine she had a look of satisfaction on her face. Grandma’s face was probably a little different. Erin and Grandma were able to get her back to normal.

When I got home B.J. was over to see Maya. Grandma and Maya were siting on the couch. Maya slept for most of the day. She was snoozing when I got home.

This evening Grandma Kathy came by to see Maya. Maya is still tired and stayed asleep for most of the time. Our night is winding down now. We are hoping that Maya sleeping all day doesn’t mean that she will be up all night. Fingers crossed.

5/5/2011 148 Days Old

On the 148th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Maya stayed asleep as I got ready and left for work. Michelle came by today to take care of Maya while Erin worked. Maya stayed awake for the morning hours, and again in the afternoon. She is getting good with her left hand. Today she was able to get her hand to her mouth. Shortly after a lip puckering her tongue would come out to taste her fingers. She is starting to explore her world with more than just her eyes and ears. Her hands and mouth are new tools for discovery.

This evening Grandma Kathy came by with Tacos for Cinco de Mayo or Cinco de Maya as grandma would say. We ate our tacos and took turns holding Maya while watching The Big Bang Theory. Later in the evening Travis and Krissie came by to get some Maya time. It has been a long week and we are looking forward to some recovery time this weekend.

5/6/2011 149 Days Old

on the 149th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Maya woke up early and was a little bit cranky. I moved her up into bed with Erin and she seemed to calm down after a bit.

While I was at work Grandma Patti came by to take care of Maya. Maya had a nurses visit late in the afternoon. Her lungs are still sounding the same. She has been a little more tired today, and she has been cranky from time to time, but she is still doing well.

This evening Grandpa Bob came by to eat dinner with us, and see Maya. Maya got to sit at the table with us as we ate. She rolled to her side in her bounce bounce and cuddled up against the edge to fall asleep. During dinner BJ came by to see Maya. We got to hang out for a bit, and watch some Eddie Izzard stand up. We are all ready for some sleep tonight, and hopefully some sleeping in tomorrow.

5/7/2011 5 Months Old

A few pictures of Maya to capture her 5 month milestone!!  We are blessed and treasure each and every day she is here.