Tough stuff...

Hi Maya,
Since I last posted less than 48 hours ago a lot has gone on and unfortunately not great stuff. We got a call on Monday that your Grandpa Bernie was really sick and was being transferred to St. Cloud. Your dad rushed home from work and we headed up there. I wanted to be there for your dad and the family and we thought everyone could benefit from some Maya therapy!

They took your Grandpa Bernie into surgery late Monday afternoon and had to remove part of his bowel that had died. The surgeon was pretty straightforward that he was really sick and may not make it through the night.....so your dad decided to spend the night in the hospital and I drove with Jeanne to spend the night at her house. I thought you had felt a little warm during the day but you were otherwise acting like your normal self so I didn't think much of it. Plus you had been held a lot during the day. However after I fed you at Jeanne's I noticed you still felt hot so I took your temperature.  It was 102! I was obviously very worried. I called your Auntie Soni and she thought it would be best to take you back to the St. Cloud Emergency Department due to your young age. I will admit I was pretty emotional and scared. Especially after the stressful day we had with your Grandpa Bernia. I was in shock, how could this really be happening!

We got seen in the ER pretty fast which was nice. Because of your young age you had to go through what is called a septic work up where they take a urine sample, blood cultures and take a sample of your spinal fluid.  I had a really hard time watching you being poked and prodded. But your dad was amazing. He sang to you the whole time. You would cry a fair amount during the procedures but would fortunately calm down pretty quickly afterward. You were such a trooper....Your urine came back positive indicating a urinary tract infection and because of your fever that the infection had reached your kidney. So you needed to be admitted to the hospital. Everyone was really nice but it was a really tough night for your dad and I...They had a really hard time getting an IV in you and they therefore had to poke you more times than I would have liked. Eventually they ended up putting it in your scalp.  They also had a hard time drawing your blood, which resulted in a few more pokes. I hated to see you having to go through so much...

Fortunately you are responding very well to the treatment and your fever curve is coming down nicely. You are eating really well and haven't been more fussy than normal. So this makes us feel better.

They have taken very good care of you, so that has made it easier to be away from home. We are hoping to be discharged on Friday. You will need to go home with IV antibiotics, so you will most likely need to have a PICC line put in.

Your Grandma Lynne came yesterday and has been wonderful. Your Auntie Soni was also here yesterday and we really appreciated her support. The whole Maurer clan has also been here because of your Grandpa Bernie and they have been supportive.

This whole experience has made me love you even more, which I didn't think was possible. You have been so precious and been so strong. I am so proud of you my love. I am glad you won't remember this at all, but I know I will....

With your IV in your head which we decided to pretend was a bow!

 Mom and dad giving you a bath!

 Grandpa giving you a bottle in your room at Saint Marys. Dad and I had run home to get clothes for the night!

Your nurse checking your IV!

Your dad holding you in your room in St. Cloud

 Grandma holding you in St. Cloud

Sleeping in your hospital crib

Grandma Helen getting baby therapy and you getting snuggle time with Grandma Helen!

 Auntie Soni holding you in your room at St. Mary's.

Home from the Cabin!

Hi Maya,

I haven't posted an entry in 5 days!So lots to catch up on.  Your dad and I enjoyed our final days at the cabin. We really liked being in the little cabin with you. One morning we pulled you into bed and we all cuddled for about two hours, it was great. You were so content laying between us. I wish you could always sleep in such a comfy spot, rather than the hard surface of your pack n play! But I know it is not safe for you!

We left the cabin on Friday and headed down to Coon Rapids where your Uncle Steve and Auntie Missy live. We spent the night there in anticipation of Auntie Soni's triathlon the following morning. Your Uncle Steve loved you and spent a lot of time holding you.

You attended your first triathlon "out of the womb" Saturday morning. You did great! You pretty much slept the whole time in your stroller, which you of course love! After the triathlon we headed to REI with Auntie Soni. On the way there you had a blow out and messed in your carseat! That was a first! It got into many nooks and cranny;'s of your carseat, you little stinker!!! You like to keep us on our toes.

We then headed to Frontenac State Park for the annual Felland House camping weekend! We obviously weren't planning on actual camping, but were excited to introduce you to everyone. It was your first time meeting Amber, Rachel and Laura! We had a great time. You were held a lot and were not fussy at all. Your dad and I even got to play kickball. So Saturday was a busy day for you! A triathlon and a camping trip and lots of driving! We are so glad that you do so well in the car.

You continue to change every day. You are starting to outgrow your 5-8 pound clothes, your cheeks are getting bigger, you are sleeping longer and going longer between feedings!

You have a blocked tear duct on your left eye, which results in major crusties in the morning. I hope you outgrow it!

Anna and Ella Strand are in town and planning on visiting us today! I am really excited. I will have to post some pictures of the two of you together.

 Anna holding you and Ella! Pretty Crazy!

 Dad holding you at Auntie Soni's triathlon. Your first one out of the womb! You were a trooper!

 Rachel meeting you for the first time!

 Laura hugs are the best!

 Amber was in love! She held you a lot!

Big stetch!!!

Spa day!

Hi Maya,
Our time at the cabin is coming to a close!! Which is sad. But it has been wonderful! Last night we went to a fish fry at your Great Uncle David's and Auntie Diane's. It was your first time meeting them. It was a great evening! We then spent our first evening, just the three of us, in the little cabin. It is so cozy and was nostalgic for me, as this is where I spent my summers when I was little!

Today we left you with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Soni, Uncle Majid and Auntie Katy for the day and headed to Ely. Your dad and I got a wonderful couples massage and then went out to a nice lunch at the Smiling Mouse. We were away from you for over 5 hours! I did miss you a little but was not worried about you. It felt good to be able to leave you and still enjoy ourselves.

You continue to grow everyday! You are filling up more of your carseat!! I fall in love with you more everyday!

Cousins unite!

Dear Maya,

As I said in my previous post, yesterday was your first Culbert party! You ended up doing great...considering that yesterday morning you were really fussy and would NOT BREAST FEED!!! I got a little worried that you were liking the bottle too much and therefore tried holding off resorting to a bottle of breast milk. But you would not settle down and I could tell you were really hungry and you still wouldn't  breastfeed. So I finally resorted to pumping a bottle for you which you of course took like a champ!!! After this you were great the rest of the day and fortunately you didn't have anymore more problems breastfeeding.

You met a lot of new people yesterday....and they all thought you were beautiful, which of course I had to agree with! For the first time I didn't let people hold you because you had been fussy and I wanted to let you settle down and not get overstimulated. Once you had been calm for awhile then people got their turn.

The most exciting person you met yesterday was your second cousin Ethan!!!  Kaylee and I were due only 6 days apart but Ethan decided to come 6 weeks early! He fortunately did great but we hadn't met him yet. We were really excited that Adam and Kaylee decided to come to the party.  We set you and Ethan next to each other on the floor for a photo shoot and you were adorable. It was like you could sense each others presence and were happy next to each other! It was fun to talk baby with Adam and Kaylee. We could already imagine all the trouble you two will get into together in future summers at the cabin. (just like your parents did!!).

You continue to get lot of love from Grandma and Grandpa, Auntie Katy , Uncle Jeebo and Auntie Soni! The Tabatabi's are also up visiting and Lily loves you and does really well with you!

You continue to grow and change every day! You don't track with your eyes yet but you will suddenly fixate on something and stare for minutes at a time! I am not sure at what age you will start tracking, but I am looking forward to it!

 You and Grandpa-he likes to have you next him rather than holding you so he can look at you!

 Love this picture!

 You and Adam! You were very content when he was holding you! He is very gentle!

 Not sure how to rotate this picture! You and Ethan!

 The dads and their kiddos!

 A close up. 

 Cousin Eric and you. He was also very sweet with you. 

 Your great Auntie Chris!

Day of firsts!

Hi Mayabird,

You are finally settled down and sleeping on your daddy's chest so I am updating your blog!

Yesterday was a really big day for you! You slept over 6 hours straight Thursday night for the first time, you met your Great Grandma Culbert for the first time and you met your Uncle Majid and Auntie Katy for the first time!

You were really fussy Thursday evening! You kept wanting to eat and were awake for a long time! You seemed really tired but wouldn't let yourself fall asleep! You finally fell asleep and we put you in your pack and play and you slept over 6 hours!!! It was amazing. It made your fussiness early in the evening well worth it!

Yesterday Grandma Lynne and I took you into Virginia to meet your Great Grandma Culbert! She loves babies and she of course loved you! She held you a lot and we took a 4 generation picture. Your great Aunt Robin was also there and got to hold you. Afterward you got to meet your cousin Nicole while Grandma Lynne got groceries. You were a good girl and not too fussy.

Last night your Uncle Majid, Auntie Katy and Auntie Soni got up to the cabin! Uncle Majid and Auntie Katy loved you immediately. Uncle Majid would not let anyone else hold you at first. They brought you a ton of presents! They have started to spoil you already!!! They are so good with you...gentle and patient. Now Uncle Majid wants one of his own!

You continue to take a daily bottle with out a problem! We will keep it up! Well it should be a fun and busy weekend Maya! I hope I can hang in there as I am feeling a little tired and crabby. You will get to meet many more of the Culbert side as we are having people over tomorrow. It will be your first cabin party. First of many as I imagine we will have fun celebrating your birthday every summer at the cabin!

Your first bottle!

Hi Maya,

One of my goals while at the cabin was to start giving you a daily bottle of breastmilk! So yesterday I cleaned all the supplies and pumped for the first time. Then your dad actually gave you your first bottle. You of course took it like a champ! I had read that most newborns take about 3 ounces so that is what I pumped! You finished off the 3 ounces easily and I think you probably would have taken more! Your dad was so happy to be able to feed you because this is something he hasn't been able to do! I was excited because now I know I can always use a bottle as a back up if I want to be gone for a longer period of time or if I need a night off!

 This was after you were done feeding, cuddled up in one of the blankets your Grandma Helen made you!

 Here is a close up of your dad feeding you your first bottle!

Proud dad!

You made it 4 hours again last night, followed by two 3 hour blocks, which felt great! I actually got a fair amount of sleep, so thank you for that!

You are in your swing right now just hanging out! We are going to go for your first cabin walk this afternoon. I am trying to convince your Grandma to come so I can run a little!

In other news your newborn pictures are up! They turned out so great. You have already changed so much from then. Your face has filled out! 

4 weeks old!

Dear Maya,
I can't believe you were 4 weeks old yesterday. I was busy packing for 9 days at the cabin and didn't have time to blog. But I did take your 4 week photo and I will try to get it posted on here! I was just looking at pictures of your birth and your first few days of life and you have changed so much already. You are starting to get some fat on you, which I love, it makes your cheeks even more kissable! Your cry has definitely gotten louder!  You nap a little less now which means you have more time that you need to be entertained. You are definitely a kid that likes movement, must be from all the workouts I did while I was pregnant with you. You actually just sized up in diapers too, which is bittersweet for me! Your small onsies are also getting smaller on you and you are filling up your 0-3 month clothes better.  You are sleeping a little better at night and sometimes we can get 4 hours out of you between feedings! You continue to LOVE your carseat and stroller!

 I had to get a close up because you looked so cute!!!

 The teddy bear I am using as a reference was a gift to me from your Great Grandpa Culbert! He gave it to me when I had surgery in 6th grade. I named it Poppy!

We are at the cabin right now as I write this blog. This is your first trip here and your dad and I are soo happy to finally be here. We got up hear around 11pm last night. Grandma and Grandpa were really excited to see you. Grandpa immediately wanted to cuddle with you. He is enamored by everything you do! I was really tired last night and your dad was nice enough to take you for awhile. I woke up a 2am and found you and dad sleeping in one of the chairs in the loft. It was pretty precious! You have a great dad!

Only 2 more days and then Majid, Katy and Soni will be here too! It will be great to have the whole family together. You will get plenty of love! 

Annual Maurer Family Camping

Dear Maya,
You are content in your swing (for now) so I thought I would sneak a little blogging in! This weekend you experienced your first family camping trip. This year it was at your Aunt Jeanne's in Royalton.  We headed up Friday morning. Our goal was to leave Rochester by 7:30 and we left at 8:30. Your dad and I thought that was pretty good! You were kind of fussy Thursday night and your dad and I were EXHAUSTED by the time we got there! Luckily there were lots of people wanting to hold and snuggle you so your dad and I were able to relax.  It was a great weekend! You got lots of love and got to meet more the of the Maurer clan. Of course everyone thought you were so beautiful and cute. The Haig's were there with Jacob (who is 3) and new baby Issac (who is 7 months). Jacob thought you were really cute and wanted to trade in Isaac for you. I had a lot of fun talking baby with Mistyn! Dad got to sleep on the porch while you and I slept in one of the bedrooms. So dad felt more rested by the end of the weekend. I also got a little more sleep because dad would stay up late with you and then Grandma Helen or Auntie Jeanne would take you in the morning and then I would get a couple more hours of sleep.  Grandpa Assad was worried that you would get your first mosquito bite while we were camping! Fortunately the mosquitoes were not bad and you made it through unharmed. On the way home we stopped in Saint Paul and saw your Auntie Soni!

 At Auntie Soni's place!

 You spent lot of time in Grandma Helen's arms. Jacob checking you out!

 Cousin Molly wanted her time too!

 You are sleeping away in Auntie Amy's arms. 

 You and your cousin Laura

 A close up of you snuggled up in your Great Grandma Karimi's chador! I took this home with me the last time I was in Iran. It worked great all weekend as it kept you covered from bugs and the sun but wasn't too warm. In addition it made me happy to think that we have a little piece of Grandma Karimi here!

 Hanging around the camp fire!

 Your cousin Sam loves babies and was pretty excited to hold you!

 Cousin Marie was soo good with you!

Three generations! Grandpa Bernie did hold you but I didn't get a picture!

You are still waking up a fair amount at night. Sometimes every 2 hours to eat!!! However you are getting much better at falling back asleep right away. Almost too good of a job because you only feed for 6-8 minutes at night before you fall back into a milk coma. I try to get you to feed longer in hopes that you will go longer between feeds but you are stubborn!!! Last night was better. You went 4 hours, then 3 hours, than a little over 2 hours! I will take it!

Tomorrow we are heading to the cabin and we are soo excited!!! You Uncle Majid and Auntie Katy will be flying in on Friday and I am so excited for them to meet you. Your dad and I are looking forward to just relaxing at the cabin and hopefully will get some naps in as there will once again be lots of people to help out with you!

I have a lot to get done today in anticipation for the cabin, so hopefully you have a calm day!!

Active little thing!

Hi Maya,

You have been one awake and busy girl today! I guess you got most your sleep in yesterday because today you have more fussy than usual and just awake more! And of course this was the day that I was going to try to take a nap. Just reinforces that you run the show right now! Right now you are finally sleeping in your swing and therefore I am able to blog a little. We did go for our daily walk this morning and I was feeling so good that we did the pond loop for the first time, which takes over an hour! Lucy loved it because she could be off her leash for most of it. Of course you slept through most of the walk. Regina and Brooke came over today to visit which was fun!

Tomorrow morning we are heading to Little Falls for the annual Family camping trip. Fortunately this year we are camping at the Moes and therefore we can sleep inside as I think it is a little too early for you to be in a tent! Hopefully I will have lots of good stories and photos to post on Monday after a fun weekend. Your dad and I are really looking forward to it. We will have lots of people to hold and snuggle you which will hopefully allow us to take a few naps!

Lots of love to you my Maya bird!!!

It's a roller coaster!

Dear Maya,
I want to share some more personal thoughts with you as hopefully one day when you are preparing to have your first child or when you do have your first it can provide some insight into what your own mom experienced.

These last three weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions. The high's have been great but there has been anxious and blue moments! This is the biggest change I have ever gone through and to tell you the truth it is not always easy. Trying to find myself again has been a challenge. My major new role is to be your mom! And I want to be the best mom I can to you! But at the same time I am grieving my old life! Your dad and I have had the luxury to be pretty "selfish" these last three years...we have traveled a lot, been spontaneous, done triathlons, been very social.....now you have entered our life and I know we will establish a new normal and it will be wonderful, but the transition is tough! I would never want to go back and I am so happy you are here. But I think I have put this expectation on myself that I should be enjoying every moment with you and be so happy all the time. Therefore I feel guilty that I am not. But in reality I am sleep deprived and feeling somewhat isolated being alone all day! Yesterday (with the help of your wonderful dad) I realized that it is okay to have some of the feelings that I am having and that they are normal and that I shouldn't feel guilty. This was a huge weight off my shoulders.

Yesterday my goal was to nap during the day, which was really hard, but I did get two small ones in! When your dad got home we had dinner and then walked to Liz and Iain's to say hi. It was a perfect summer evening, somewhat cool and everything smelled fresh! That was definitely a high. Yesterday morning we went and visited Beth and Benjamin. (Beth is a co-worker of mine and Benjamin was born a week after you!). It was great to get out of the house and hang out with another new mom!


You got a bath this morning. It went a lot better than the 2 previous ones! I think you might have even enjoyed it. You didn't cry until the end when I took you out of the water. But as soon as I got you snuggled up you were happy again! I shouldn't jinx things but you have been really peaceful and calm today.....hopefully that doesn't mean a rough night to come. Last night overall went well. You tend to be fussy late in the evening so it takes a while to get you settle down for the first time but after that you slept in 3 hour increments which meant I did too! While was great!

Well time to wake you up and feed you as we have to bring Lucy to get her haircut at 12:30! Speaking of Lucy, she is so cute with you! Below if a picture of her "guarding" you while you sleep in you pack n play!

All wrapped up after your bath!!

First day of just you and Mom!

Hi Maya,
Today was the first day since you were born that it was just the two of us during the day. Grandma Lynne went to the cabin on Saturday with Grandpa! We did our normal routine of going for a morning walk. I even did some push ups when I got home. My arms are strong from carrying you around.  We did some errands in the afternoon. I find that I have to keep my days a little structured and busy otherwise I go a little stir crazy! Plus you do so great on "field trips."  You love your carseat and stroller so it is easy to cart you around!

Yesterday Cara came down and while you slept in your swing we cooked up a storm! We made gazpacho, potato salad and a pasta salad.  Now we have food for the week. It was so great to have Cara here. I was having an emotional day and feeling kind of anxious! But I got through it and your dad has been so supportive and is good at helping me when my emotions get the best of me! I know it is normal to go through this but it isn't fun as I just want to enjoy ever minute with you!

You are sleeping better at night. You will go for 3-4 hour stretches and I actually sleep pretty hard when you sleep at night. I have had a hard time taking naps during the day when you nap, which surprises me because I have always been really good at napping. We will try again tomorrow!

You love your Moby wrap. You spend time in it every day and always end up falling asleep while you are in it! I like it because I can look right down at your cute little face and give you lots of kisses! Well you are crying and I bet you are hungry!

Your first wedding

Maya,
You went to your first wedding last evening. Our good friends Kate and Rafael were tying the knot! Kate had been staying with us a couple nights a week since this spring as she works on her PhD project. Therefore all along we have discussed whether or not we would be able to make it to the wedding. But things have overall been going well and your dad and I find we do our best when we stay busy and do things as we normally would. We decided to skip the ceremony as you were fussy all day! Usually you will nap at least once in your swing but yesterday you wanted to be held ALL day. I was worried you would fuss through the reception, but you finally fell asleep in your swing 30 minutes before we needed to leave-you little stinker. So we plopped you in your carseat and took off. You did amazing through out the reception. You were the only baby at the reception and everyone thought your were adorable. You wore a cute little dress/jumper that your Grandma got you and a cute headband that Auntie Soni bought for you. You were held by many people and didn't fuss. Dad and I actually enjoyed ourselves. The reception was at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Anna and Ramsey Peterson were there (as well as Auntie Soni), and they were more than happy to hold you! This allowed dad and I to relax and eat and enjoy ourselves!

We got home around 10:30 and were both tired but feeling good about life! Then you had your best night yet!  You slept in your pack n play from midnight to 3am and then again until about 6am!!! You are still a loud sleeper, but that is normal for an infant. I got three blocks of good sleep as daddy took you in the morning and I slept until 8:30! Thank you Mayabird! I feel really good today. It is amazing how one night of "better" sleep can improve one's spirits! It is also funny how my version of "good" sleep has changed! Well I am going to try to figure out how to upload my pictures from my iphone onto this computer so I can post some on this blog!