When it rains, it pours.

So, many of you have probably heard that Ryan's mom had a stroke last week that left her with partial paralysis of her right arm and leg. The physicians are having trouble determining her prognosis because they can't see any evidence of a stroke. Because she has a pacemaker, she cannot have an MRI and so we can't get any more information. The great news is that in the week since this has happened, she has regained some feeling and some ability to move her hand. Some is better than none, but mostly it's the fact that she is continuing to make progress that leaves us feeling really hopeful.


Then, we found out yesterday that my mama has breast cancer. What? My mom? No way. She is healthy and active and young(ish--wink wink, mom). I feel like I could puke right now. We don't know much, which is a hard place to be, but I'm learning that breast cancer is a series of long waits. The little info that we do know is very reassuring, and my mom is pretty upbeat about the whole thing. We have a consultation with a surgeon next week, which will, hopefully, give us more info. But, surgery is imminent at this point. So we'll just take it one day at a time, do what the docs tell us, and get better. The odds are highly in our favor.


But, I do find myself feeling a little defeated and sorry for myself. Like they say: when it rains it pours. But, why is it raining in August (literally and figuratively)?? Then I remember, right now, in this moment, we're all okay. And, we have the most beautiful, happy, silly little baby/granddaughter/niece etc who proves that this is a rollercoaster, and it's these low moments make the highs even better, and that silly babies make the lows a lot more bearable.

Case in point:

Crazy baby!

Maizey is learning to scream when she is excited or having fun and it's illegally cute. Here is a video from this morning. She has been doing this non-stop for the last 2 days.

Another cute Naartjie outfit from Auntie Erika (and there are more on their way)!

New photos

I don't really have anything new to report. But, I do have some cute, new photos...

The girls cuddling

So proud of herself in a too small onesie.

Grammy and an in-her-high-tops-Maizey.

A little giggle

Maizey laughed tonight for the first time. It was so quick, I wondered if it really even happened, but it did and it was adorable and one of those moments in life you don't ever want to forget. Commit first laugh to memory: check. Document first laugh on blog: check.

Also, my sis discovered a store called Naartjie in Redmond Town Center. I'm in love with it and it's cheap. Too good to be true. Here are a couple pics of Maize rocking her new Naartjie duds.

Naartjie skirt/pants above and Naatjie pants below

It doesn't get any cuter than this!

Maizey and Harper at Greenlake and Maizey in her bouncer (which she is almost too big for now)...

I Heart Bumbo

Moms of young babies listen up: RUN, don't walk to get a Bumbo for your baby. Maizey is so relieved to be able to sit-up and play with her toys, she has such a good time. And, I cannot even begin to imagine how great it is for her developmentally (physically and emotionally).

Also, when I tell you I love BabyLegs legwarmers, I mean I psychotically love them, I'm having a love affair with them. Take any dress or romper, add a cute cardie and a fun beanie, a pair of legwarmers and some Robeez and you get the cutest, funky, little ensemble ever. People automatically think you're awesome when your baby (or niecey) rocks this outfit ;-)

oh yeah...most recent doctor's visit found Maizey weighing in at a hearty 12.5lbs!! That puts her in the the 41st percentile and that doesn't even take into account her prematurity! My girl can eat.

Maizey in Bumbo heaven.

Today's version of the perfect outfit.

Allie being weird. Why does she insist on sleeping on all the baby stuff? It's not because she's jealous--she sucks her own nipples, jealous is far too complex an emotion for this animal.

Mostly Pictures

Not a lot new to report. Maizey is doing great. She is silly and smiley all the time. She only cries now when something is really wrong. We had a wedding last weekend and then went to the cabin the first half of this week. Fun fun fun. Oh, I think my house is haunted. Scary. And, we are really into BabyLegs legwarmers, they're the cutest and most practical baby invention ever!! It was really hot today and I love the evenings of really hot days because our house is super hot and muggy so the whole fam (dogs, kitty, and all) go into our bedroom, which has a/c, and eat dinner in bed and watch movies (plural)...it's a total guilty pleasure and it reminds me of being in a hotel room (only I'm usually doing laundry or something too and that doesn't usually happen in a hotel room). I think that's it???

LEGWARMERS:

THE WEDDING:THE CABIN:

A little munchkin asleep on a big couch.

Now that Maizey can grab things, this is our new predicament with hats.

Maizey enjoying her reflection with Grammy.

Here she is trying really hard to sit forward on her own. She ends up just sort of doing a sit-up and grunting.

Cute and nude on a hot day.

All dressed in her swimming gear to cool off in the water.

MORNINGS WITH MOMMY and DADDY:

She loves her silly pop.

She loves to stand (btw that's just her drool next to her foot).

Lovin' the kisses from daddy.