Maya's First Visit to the North Pole

The Smiths in the Xmas Spirit











Maya, all bundled up and ready to face the cold.











Mummy and Maya at the North Pole











Mummy showing off her snow bunny.











The Smith Family meets Santa Claus







For Maya Rose, the North Pole was located at Travel Town in Burbank. Brad surprised us with a nightime rendevous with none other than Mr. Claus. After a very successful physical therapy appointment, we piled into our trusty Corolla and braved Friday night traffic. Once we got to Travel Town, we piled into a train that took us to the North Pole. On the way we saw lots of reindeer, candy canes, snowmen, and lots and lots of fairy lights. It was 49 degrees so Maya was bundled up in her snow bunny outfit and wrapped in a warm blanket.
After standing in line and feeding, Maya had the energy to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what she wanted for Christmas...wonder what she asked for. Her first visit with Santa was a success and even Santa commented on what a beautiful child she was. The people in line were also taken aback by her beauty...do I sound like a proud Mum or what? After our visit with Santa we took a return train ride back to our car and onto another adventure...Sebastians.

Santa Has a New Elf

Santa Claus recruited a beautiful little elf named Maya Rose. She has a button nose, rosebud lips, three chins, rosy cheeks, a thick head of hair, and chubby arms and legs. At seven weeks this elf is now responding to our voices with giggles and smiles. Maya has a swing that keeps her busy for hours. As she swings back and forth watching the mobile overhead, she listens to what sounds like church music. This swing allows her Mummy and Daddy to eat dinner and watch TV in peace. This swing hypnotizes the little elf and sends her into slumber. Maya is now very animated, laughing when tickled and giggling away at her reflection. Her sleep patterns are getting more consistent and she has increased the amount of milk she has. The eating and resting is a good thing since Santa is going to depend on little Maya these next few days as he races around the world.

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