Shopping for Maya

Well, this year, Christmas shopping has taken on a whole new dimension. It's been difficult getting to the stores, but thanks to Grandma Betty, I have been able to get quite a bit done. I usually do my shopping through the year as I see things that people may like and try to get everything wrapped way before December 20th. Having just met Maya seven weeks ago, I am now getting an idea of what she will like. The problem with this is that I am reliving my entire childhood through her. My shopping cart has been piled with dolls, a doll house, a radio flyer wagon, a kitchen set, shoes, clothes for a toddler, and all sorts of ridiculous stuff. Thank goodness my brain restarted itself and helped me rationalize the situation and put the stuff back on shelves. Instead, I settled for some rattles, books, lots of cute infant onesies, a red velvet dress with shoes to match, a porcelain ballerina pig piggy bank, and some learning toys.
Thanks to our good fortune this year, Maya will be blessed with a household full of love, warmth, grandparents, family, friends, and a few extra items under the Christmas tree.

Maya's First Christmas Party

Yesterday, we bundled Maya up and took her down to Playa Vista for the Rhythm & Hues holiday party. Brad was such the proud Papa showing off his little girl. Maya made quite an impression on everyone as we toured the buildings and met many of Brad's colleagues.
The party was great. There was a full holiday buffet with ham, turkey and all the fixings, a great appetizer buffet and a killer dessert buffet. Maya was awake for most of the party and after taking a tour of the studios and production areas, she slept soundly. What a great start to her holiday season.

Maya in All Her Photo Glory

Grandma Betty's Living Doll

Maya has a Grandma Betty who has a great love for dolls, as can be seen in her doll collection. She has a beautiful Russian doll dressed in lace and gold threads, a cute sailor boy doll, pretty Victorian dolls, and lots and lots of others. Now, Grandma has her very own living doll. Grandma calls Maya Rose her dolly with smooth skin, big blue eyes with long eyelashes, rosebud pink lips, and hair that can be styled. Maya Rose can play dress up in the many outfits that she has and even poses for Grandma when pictures are taken. Can you tell who the doll is?

Letter to Maya

Hello Princess Bonkuli:
I know, I know...this is a nickname that will only last until the day before you start school...I promise. I call you Princess Bonkuli because you, first and foremost, are my princess, and second, your bonkuli (butt) is so tiny and cute that it fits in the palm of my hand. It is now clear that the bump I felt protrude from my tummy was you, sticking your butt out at me.
It has been about a month since we met and what a great month it has been. You have taught me love like I have never felt before. I drown in your eyes and am brought to tears by your gurgling sounds. I missed your birth, eventhough I was there; the drugs made me loopy and I don't remember much of the day you were born. Your Daddy showed me a video of your birth and I got to experience everything, without the pain. What a cry you let out, letting us all know that you were here, and ready to live! What an attitude to start life with...I am so proud of you.
Thank your for giving me such a positive perspective when my hormones got the better of me. I would look at you when I felt like crying and my heart would well up with such warmth for you. You have been very kind to your Daddy and me with your sleep pattern. Thank you for giving us the quality of life that allows us to take care of you and ourselves.
My favorite time with you is when I feed you and you grab onto my breast, or onto my shirt. You look up at me when you feed and you talk to me with your eyes. I sometimes hear you say "Hi Mum." I love putting you on my bed after your early morning feed and snuggling with you until it's time to wake up again. You press up against me and I can feel you breathe, and as I gently caress your cheek, you coo. I love our little silly songs about burping and pooping and feeding and how you laugh when I blow on your tummy or nibble your toes.
I could go on and on, but it's time that I get some sleep before your midnight feed. Good night my Princess Bonkuli and I will see you when the clock strikes twelve.
xoxoxoxoxo
Your Mummy

One Month Mark

Maya Rose turned one month old today. She has changed so much since her birth. Her hair is getting long, especially around her ears and her eyelashes have thickened and got longer as well. She is more animated, if you can believe that. Her thousand expressions are still there, but some are more expressed than others. After she feeds, she turns into a mini drunken sailor with droopy eyes and a droopy mouth. There are times when I think my little girl suffers from narcolepsy because she feeds and when burping, she immediately passes out. Maya now drinks four ounces of milk every three-four hours. She sleeps between most feeds, but after her morning feed, she likes to play. After her 7:00 p.m. feeding, she sleeps for about six hours before waking up hungry. We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to sleep well at night. Maya's eyes have got more focused and when carrying her, she will stare deep into one's eyes, mesmerizing them. She coos and giggles and makes her likes and dislikes very clear. Our Maya is truly an angel and we are so blessed to have her in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving

Brad and I have so much to be thankful for this year, most of all, our Maya Rose. She is now four weeks old and gets cuter and more animated by the minute. Her hair is getting longer, her eyelashes are getting fuller and longer, her eyes are getting bluer, and her cheeks are getting fuller. Maya smiles, coos, and makes a thousand different expressions keeping us fully engaged. She has such a happy and relaxed personality.
Maya's first Thanksgiving was spent at the home of Auntie Al and Uncle Ed. She was the star of the feast being ooohed and ahhhhed over by all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Her feast consisted of a 4oz bottle of milk after which she went into a deep slumber, allowing us to sit down to a bountiful feast.
After visiting for a while, we packed up and came home, satisfied, loved, and thankful for the many gifts that God has granted us.