I'm Ready for My Close Up Mr. DeMille.

Mummy's Little Angel





















Ooooh...That's Soooo Funny!








Mummy's Nose is Definitely Bigger Than Mine!











Maya, posing in her "I'm on the phone" pose.








Maya's First Bath at Home











Here's My Crib Companion Everybody.











I've Got a Secret...











Eeew...Who Let One Out?

Getting Accustomed to Her Face

Maya has been home with us since Sunday and it has been quite an experience. Brad and I are so lucky to have our mothers a phone call away. My mother came to spend a whole week with us, and as I write this, I have just said goodbye to her. The funny thing is that she lives a whole 37 seconds away by car, and I feel that she has left to go home miles away. I guess we never stop needing our mothers. She on the other hand left with a heavy heart as she will miss waking up with Maya, holding her at every chance she got, and just enjoying her ever-changing expressions. My Mum will just have to come by every day for a cup of tea and a shot of Maya.
As I said, we've been home from the hospital for five days now, and we have experienced quite a bit. Maya is truly a blessed child; she cries only for her milk and if she has a dirty diaper. She sleeps during the day, and I have just begun to learn how valuable that is in terms of me getting much needed rest, and getting things done around the house. Brad took to Maya like a duck takes to water. He had to care for me, and her, while I was recovering from my C-Section. Diaper duty, bottle feedings, caring for a nauseated me, administering pain medication, dealing with hormonal highs and lows, getting the house "babified", running errands, getting up for night feedings, and learning how to use the breast pump (on me, not him!) - to summarize, my Brad has been my rock.
Maya is the queen of expression and she can entertain us for hours with her smiles and coos, and funny faces. Her eyes have such focus and when I talk to her she stares deep into my eyes and sucks me in. Never have I experienced such emotions as when Maya looks at me. I see her love and devotion to me and in return I want to give my life to her. The best time I have with her is when I feed her. I hold her close to my heart and feel her feeding, and when she's done, the sleepy look of satisfaction on her face is to die for. It is now time for my nap; Maya is resting, and I should take heed to all the advice I've been given, and get some shuteye.

Maya Rose is Here

Maya Rose Smith was born on Wednesday, October 24th at 12:37 p.m. at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7lbs 14oz and measured at 19.5 inches long. Maya has thick black hair, blue-gray eyes, and rosebud lips. She looks like a lot like her father, but has a few of my features. Maya was born by C-Section after being in labor for about ten hours. We are home today after four night stay and we are so glad to be home!

Biting My Nails...

Tonight Brad and I are checking into the Encino-Tarzana hospital to begin the first phase of labor inducement. I have now been off work for two days, and this has not necessarily been a good thing; my nerves get the better of me at home. This morning I went out for some last minute errands and then had a special car wash. Maya needs to come home in a freshly cleaned car. Now, it's back to biting my nails as I count the hours before we go to the hospital. All of Maya's clothes from the 0-3 month range have been washed, dried, and put away. Her closet is slightly more organized with hanging shelves and baskets. I baked cupcakes for the house and for the nurses at Tarzana, and am now creating the phone tree. As long as I keep myself busy, my nails will be saved.

Waiting for Maya Rose

Maya should ideally be here on Wednesday, and having a time so tangible brings so many thoughts to mind. There is going to be a little somebody in the cradle, a little somebody to fill the closet-full of clothes, a little girl to put her feet on the rug I just got her, and just some little body to hug close. There will be another voice in our home of two, and another choice when it comes to what to do. I am in the home stretch now. It's the first time that I have ever been excited to walk into a hospital as I will be walking out a whole new person, with a whole new person. Keep reading, we may have pictures of the little munchkin next.

Bring on the Love and Please Pass the Tea

Can you imagine that little Maya Rose had yet another shower. This one was thrown on Sunday, October 21. The kind faculty and staff at The Mirman School joined two other expectant mothers, and myself for a high tea, hosted by three very lovely ladies at Mirman. Hosted at a beautiful home in Playa Vista, we were treated to baby decorations, decadent sandwiches and dessert, a spot of tea, brain teasing games, and last but not least, a hamper full of presents.
We got lots of wonderful presents and Maya's closet does runneth over. The love for Maya and our family keeps coming from all those around us and for that we are so thankful!

We Have a Date...and a few hiccups.

This morning I visited Dr. Kahen, who told me that Maya's head has moved lower and is in the "ready" position. My sugars are still high, despite the increased dosage of insulin, so the plan is to induce on Tuesday, October 23. I am to check into the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center at 8:00 p.m. at which time they will begin the process of induction. From what I understand, labor will either begin naturally that night, or a dose of Oxytocin will get the ball rolling on Wednesday. This is really exciting for me because I now know when to expect her.
I also had a chance to visit a pediatrician that we are strongly considering; it's a husband-wife team named Drs. Irani. The office staff were so friendly and the waiting room was very child friendly. I am going to sign the papers this morning to ensure that they can visit Maya in the hospital after she is born.
That's it for now - we have a few bumps in the road - Lulu Belle is sick (she has some gastrointestinal obstruction) and Brad hurt his eye. Other than that, things are going pretty smoothly.