5/29/2011 172 Days Old

On the 172nd day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Maya was up at 5:30 this morning. After getting to sleep around midnight I wasn’t very ready to be up at 5:30, but as Maya wants Maya gets. I moved out to the couch with her so that Erin could sleep. I think Maya was just excited for her big day. Maya made it out to grandpa’s house today. Erin has family in from out of town, so we packed Maya up and headed south to grandpa and grandma’s house.

I’ll write more about todays events tomorrow. It is now almost 11:00 and we just got home. It is time for sleep. I hope Maya agrees.

5/30/2011 173 Days Old

On the 173rd day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. We all slept in a little bit this morning. We needed our rest after yesterdays busy day. Today was much more relaxed. We had a nice slow morning. Grandma Kathy came by at noon and brought us lunch.

This evening KC, Micah, and Luke came by to see Maya. We fired up the grill and had a good dinner. Maya got to spend a little time out on the deck. It was the first time we have taken her outside and she enjoyed it. It was the perfect time of day, and a good temp for her. We ate our dinner with Maya at the table.

I thought that since I didn’t have time to do so yesterday I would post some pictures from yesterdays events.

5/31/2011 174 days Old

On the 174th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Maya woke up early enough this morning for Erin to get some cuddle time before she left for work. It was the begining of a trend for the day. Maya was quite the cuddle bug today. She just wanted to be held, and if I didn’t hold her she threatened me with a forceful removal of her cannula. At about 10:00 Grandma Patti showed up to take over on Maya cuddling duty. Later in the afternoon Grandpa Greg would join her for a little Maya time.

Maya has really changed a lot in the last few days. She is holding up her own head more and more. I can see her looking around, and she is getting better at focusing her eyes expecially on faces. This evening Grandma Chris was holding her and I was sitting across the room when I started to talk to Maya. She could hear my voice and I saw her looking around trying to find me. After a few minutes exploring the room her eyes came to rest on my face. She looked right at me for a long time. It is little things like this that I treasure in each day. Every day that Maya keeps up her fight she learns more and more. As long as she keeps fighting we will keep helping her learn all that she can.

This evening Grandpa Bob and Grandma Chris came by and brought us dinner. They got some time to cuddle with Maya as we watched Steve Martin play the banjo on Austin City Limits. I guess Maya likes blue grass, she even seemed to tap her feet to the music. She is lying in her boppie dozing now. I hope that she has as peaceful of a night as she has had a day.

6/1/2011 175 Days Old

On the 175th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. I awoke to Maya snuggled in Erin’s arms. Maya was up early enough for Erin to hold her before she left again. I am sure that Erin appreciates her early morning moments with Maya even though it does make it harder to get out the door.

Grandam Patti came by to take care of Maya today so that I could go to the dentist and go for a bike ride. Maya wanted to be held most of the day today. Grandma obliged.

This evening Grandma Kathy came by. We got to do some of Maya’s exercises. while she was awake this evening. I sat her up in the middle of her boppy and propped one arm against it so that she could sit up by herself. She did really well balancing there for a minute before her head tilted to the side and she fell softly to her boppy. I picked her back up and propped her arm up just as before, only this time she remembered how to get out of that annoying work. Immediately her head leaned back and to the side and was greeted by the nice soft boppy. She beat the exercise.

I am worried as I type this post. You see Maya has not had a poop all day. I am hoping she is not going to go for a ninja diaper assassin tonight. I think she might be waiting until the dark of night before she lets loose. I feel sorry for the diaper and the outfit she is wearing to bed tonight. We will see whether it survives come morning.

6/2/2011 176 Days Old

On the 176th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. I was on Maya duty by myself today. It was just me and and Maya in the house from 7:00 o’clock this morning until 6:00 o’clock this evening. I’m not gonna lie. I got a little bored. Maya had a talkative day today. Every few minutes she would squirm and make a little noise. I think it was because she hadn’t filled a diaper in about 36 hours. So we passed our morning watching movies and playing guitar. Maya spent a lot of time in her vibrating chair. After her 4:00 feeding Maya stopped squirming. In the course of the next hour Maya would succeed in knocking out three diapers, and then fall fast asleep.

We didn’t have any visitors today. This evening it was just the three of us. Maya got a bath, and the house got cleaned in preparation for our busy day tomorrow. Maya has a visit with her nurse tomorrow, and a photo shoot. She is approaching her six month birthday rapidly. We thought that a photo shoot would be a good way to celebrate. Both of Maya’s favorite photographers will be coming by tomorrow. Petra and Kendall now both volunteer for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. If I haven’t said so before, I think everyone reading this should look up N.I.L.M.D.T.S. They are a wonderful organization that helps families going through situations like ours get pictures of their little loved ones. It is sad to think but I think most of the families receiving help from now I lay me down to sleep have a far shorter time with their loved ones than we have. I know that Petra enjoys being able to see a little one keep up her fight for so long. So check them out. they are a great organization.

6/3/2011 177 Days Old

On the 177th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Erin had the day off today. We got to spend a lot of time together with Maya. It was also the busiest day Maya has ever had. The morning began with a photo shoot.

Maya’s two favorite photographers were both here at the same time today. Maya started out a little bit cranky, but we were able to get her calmed down and I think we got some really nice shots. We kept Maya modest most of the time, but a few shots of our little girl in nothing but a diaper were taken. In preperation for the shoot Erin made Maya a new dress. I love that Erin can use her creativity to make things for Maya, and she was adorable in her new dress.

This afternoon we had visits from about everyone from carousel. Maya’s nurse was here. Our case worker and our chaplin came by as well. After our visits we had a couple of hours to nap on the couch before our busy evening.

Tonight we took Maya on a trip for the second week in a row. We went to Uncle K.C.’s and Aunt Michelle’s for a family gathering. I guess it was to celebrate mothers day, but I think that was a while ago. Maya did well on the trip. I still think she does better than her parents when venturing out of the house. We are not as stressed out about it as we used to be, and the cold and flu season has been driven away by 90 degree temps, so I think we will try and get out with her more often. Tomorrow night we are going to try and make it out to dinner with Maya. It should be nice. We have only been out to dinner once since Maya was born, and she didn’t get to go with us. I hope she likes Mexican food.

6/5/2011 178 Days Old

On the 178th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Today was Maya’s 6 month birthday party. Erin made some awesome cupcakes yesterday, and we had almost the entire family over to enjoy them with us. It was a big weekend for Maya. This weekend she had her first trip to uncle K.C. and Aunt Michelle’s house. We took Maya out to dinner with us for the first time, and we celebrated Maya’s 6 month birthday.

Maya’s Grandpa Chris and Grandma Lynn were in town this weekend. Saturday my side of the family all met at Dos Realles for dinner. For the first time Maya went out to a restauraunt. I don’t think that she really cared that we were out to eat, but her mom and I enjoyed being out with her.

Today Maya’s party went well. We were able to fit everyone in the house. It was a good thing because it was way too hot to be outside today. The AC was barely able to keep up, but it did and everything went well. Maya even posed for some great pictures with her cupcakes. I think she has gotten used to being passed around to everyone who visits. As far as I know everyone got to hold her for at least a little while. Maya is resting from her busy weekend now. She has been really tired.

Party guests

Grandpa Chris and Grandma Lynn

Grandpa Greg and Grandma Patti

Grandpa Bob and Grandma Chris, cousin Jadin

K.C. Michelle, Esther, Micah, and Luke

Lori, Tristen and Hunter

Krissie and Travis

David, and David’s ego

Morgan, and annie (sort of)

6/6/2011 179 Days Old

On the 179th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. We all tried to sleep in a little this morning. Maya decided that she liked to be up when the sun was down last night. Me and Erin took shifts holding her hand and rubbing her forehead to try and put her to sleep. Try and try and try again all night long. She finally went to sleep for more than an hour after the sun came up. To avoid another night of butt pats and handholding we launched a premtive strike. We would not allow Maya to go to sleep this evening. Every time her little eyelids would droop her foot would get tickled. Every time her little arms would relax and drop to her sides we would sit her up straight. It was a constant barrage of sleep defeating tactics that at times worked and at other times did not. I hope that they pay off with a restful night tonight.

6/7/2011 6 Month Birthday 180 Days Old

On the 180th day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. Today is Maya’s 6 month birthday. It still amazes me everyday that Maya has outlived and outdone all of the predictions. Today was a day that I remember thinking about many months ago. The Dr.s had told us Maya would live 3 to 4 months. They covered their butts and carefully chose their words as not to be pinned down on a prognosis. I believe one Dr. in particular said babies like Maya tend to live for 3 to 4 months. Silly Dr. There are no other babies like Maya. She is still here six months after her arrival. And she is stronger than ever. She has developed quite an attitude over these last six months, and she is getting better at expressing herself. I think she has a few things she would like to express to her Dr.s. But we will have to wait for her to speak to find out.

Happy Birthday Maya

6/8/2011 181 Days Old

On the 181st day in the life of the most beautiful girl in the history of the world the morning began peacefully. I woke up as Erin was leaving for work. Me and baby girl moved out to the couch to watch the Daily Show. It has become a summer vacation tradition. Every morning me and Maya move out to the couch and open the shades. We watch the Daily Show and the  Colbert report, and then I help Maya with her exercises. Maya is getting better at sitting up everyday. She has mastered holding her own head up. Her legs and hips are so much more flexible than they were even two weeks ago. All of our morning work wears Maya out and she normally naps for a few minutes as soon as we are done.

At 10:00 Grandma Patti came by. She has been taking care of Maya so that I can get some house projects done. It works out well. Maya likes to be held on a sholder while she sleeps now. When I lift her up and get her comfy on my shoulder we can only stay there for about 10 minutes before we are both a sweaty mess. Grandma doesn’t have that problem. She runs cold and Maya runs hot. They even each other out.

This evening Krissie and Travis came by with dinner. B.J. showed up a little while later. Krissie helped Erin give Maya a bath. Maya is still not a fan of bath time, but that clean baby smell is like crack to new mothers. A friend of ours once sniffed Maya’s head and proclaimed ” oh girl you make my ovaries hurt.” I have to admit she smells pretty good after a bath.

Tomorrow is my day alone with Maya. I am looking forward to it. We have a few movies to watch, and some new music to listen to, and of course her exercises. I think Maya might like it too.