Stubborn little thing!!!

Hi Maya
I just put you to bed and you are already fussing. I knew you would even before I put you down as you have been very feisty this evening! A little girl on a mission. You have been scooting around and CRAWLING around and getting into things. Tonight you even pulled yourself up by the cupboard into a standing position! Those are two big milestones. Although you still love to scoot I think you have now realized that you can get somewhere faster if you crawl. You now do a hybrid of crawling and scooting. You like to crawl more on the carpet than the hardwood floors.  Well back to tonight. You were a little hard to please...and you attention span was short...so it was hard to keep you happy so I decided to just put you to bed as I thought you were just tired, even though you napped really well at daycare today.

You continue to eat well. For dinner we usually just give you part of what we are having and cut it up and you go to town with it. Of course you make a HUGE mess, so it hard to know how much goes into your tummy versus onto the floor.

Now time to talk about our "sleep issues". So last week I started giving you some oatmeal with milk before you went to bed. The first night you didn't wake up to eat until 4ish, the next night it wasn't until 4:30 and the following two nights you slept through the night. So your dad and I were feeling pretty good about things and proud of ourselves for figuring out how to get you to sleep through the night. But then of course you decided to prove to us that you run the show and have been waking up again!!! The last two nights it was around 2 even-which is early!! And now you won't eat much of the oatmeal that I try to feed you.  These are all good lessons and make us parents realize that just when we have things figured out you CHANGE!. I even made you this homemade mixture of apples, raisins, cinnamon and oatmeal to eat at night. But it was too sweet for you and you want nothing to do with it.  What are were going to do with you- I guess just love you!!!

In other news you got to meet your possible future husband this past weekend-Charlie Dean! And boy is he a cutie!!! You found him pretty interesting. Although you were a little rough with him. He is only 8 weeks old! Your dad and I had a wedding Saturday night (Susan and Claytons) so you spent the night with Auntie Soni and your dad and I spent the night in a hotel. It was the first time you were away from both of us. But you did great with Auntie Soni and dad and I enjoying sleeping through the night and not having to get up early.

Other tidbits....you love to pull your socks off and according to Mary you like to pull Hudson and Brody's socks off too. You little stinker. Your favorite "toy" right now are socks, shoes and laundry. You are so cute. You will pull everything of a laundry basket if I let you. You also like to scoot around with a shoe in EACH hand!!!  You also love opening cupboard doors and pulling open drawers and exploring whatever you find inside.

Well Maya love, you truly are at a fun and amazing stage. It is so fun to watch you grow and develop each day.  As you grow you become more and more independent!!!  I have a feeling you are going to be a confident and feisty young lady when you get older!!!

My little monkey

Hi Maya,
You are currently up in your crib screeching/crying while I write this. It is bed time and we are now entering a stage where you don't always like to go to bed right away and would rather sit up and scream. We are still giving you a pacifier at night but I think the next step is to take that away as you are way tooy dependent on it to fall asleep! Your dad was just watching you from the doorway and you were sitting up (not crying) sucking on your pacifier and then you took it out of your mouth and threw it on the floor and THEN started crying. You have a our number as you know if you cry we will come in and give you your pacifier back...bad habits...we need to break them...but is hard to hear you cry!!! You are still crying as I type this. I think it is important for you to be able to fall asleep on your own....but at the same time as a mom it is hard to resist consoling you and making sure you know everything is okay!

Well on to other things. Tonight you had garbanzo beans and peaches for dinner. You really like the garbanzo beans, which I cut up into smaller pieces. You are starting to cut back on the amount of milk you take during the day, but still take a lot from me during the night, in the morning and before you go to bed. You might soon be down to only 3 feedings a day!

You are still not crawling but definitely moving fast and continuing to get into everything. You do this hybrid crawl/scoot thing that reminds me of how a monkey moves. You also will just throw yourself forward on to things, including me. Even though you are not a big cuddler you definitely like to be near me and crawl on me! Which I don't mind. You are just so darn cute and kissable, sometimes I can't handle it!!! Even though you are crying right now you are overall a very happy baby, you are always smiling and laughing. I love walking into the room and getting a big smile from you. You also have the best giggle!

Grandma Lynne is now watching you twice every week. I am so glad to have her to watch you. It has been very special for both of you. You bring a lot of joy to her life and you love being with your Grandma. She takes you outside a lot and will even bring you to the park to go in the swing (which of course you love). Well you are STILL crying...i should go check on you.....okay I am back. I went up to comfort you and you definitely wanted your pacifier...i broke down and gave it you...but tomorrow is the big night...we are going to stop the pacifier and if that goes well let you cry it out when you get up at night to eat...it is going to be tough but it must be done! We have no plans this weekend, so it now or never.

Last weekend we visited you great grandma Culbert. I will try to upload some pictures.

Love you Mayalove!!

Going backwards

Hi Maya,
Well lots of new things to talk about since my last post!! First of all you are sure testing dad and me. In the last few weeks you have decided some nights to get up twice to eat!!!! And now that you can sit up on your own you want to play when we put you in your crib at night instead of going to sleep! So your dad and I have been very tired. Last week was the worst! You had a low grade fever that we were watching. However when I got you home from Mary's I checked you temp and it was over 101.   You didn't seem sick overall where I could blame it on a cold, so I ended up bringing you into the ER to make sure you didn't have a urinary tract infection. Your dad was out of town and so were Grandma and Grandpa so it was just you and me! We got in and out of there in 2 hours and fortunately your urine test were negative. You ended up developing more of a cold the next day and a tooth starting popping out (which then explained the fever). So you were really cuddly that day (which I didn't mind). But Friday night was AWFUL!!! Your dad was home and I had a swim meet the next two days so your dad wanted me to get some sleep. But you had other ideas.  I ended up feeding you THREE times that night and your dad spent a lot of time laying on the floor by your crib rubbing your back trying to get you to fall asleep. By the next day we were EXHAUSTED (we weren't getting good sleep prior to that night either). But we packed up and you went to your first swim meet!

You have definitely said your first words. Which is either "mama" or "dada". You babble so much that it was hard to tell if you were saying them by accident or knew what you were saying. You probably said dada first, but once again hard to know.

You continue to eat more finger foods. You like black beans, cheese, greek yogurt, peas etc. I even gave you pieces of green olives when we went out for pizza in St. Paul. I love feeding you new things!

You continue to develop a personality and you are feisty! In addition you play rough and like to hear yourself screech! You take after me with the loudness factor. You are also starting to demonstrate some stubbornness. If I take a something away from you that you wanted you will cry!!! And when I lay you on your back to change your diaper or change your clothes you sometimes throw a fit! But overall you are still a really happy baby. You get really excited about things (which I like to think you get from your dad).

Last night you were back to only one night time feeding, which is great compared to how things were going before that, but I would love to get you down to ZERO!! But I don't have the heart to let you cry it out.

You still like your pacifier but we are going to try weaning you off it, starting with no pacifier during the day!

Well I am about to fall asleep!
LOVES!!!

On the move!

Hi Maya,
I have been slacking lately on updating your blog-I have been too busy chasing you around, you little stinker!! It is Friday, so I am off and we are hanging out. You have started to become more affectionate to me and wanting to crawl on me and I must admit I like it...as you are usually fairly independent and just want to play play play and don't have time to snuggle dear old mom!!!

The big news is that Grandma and Grandpa Karimi and Auntie Soni are back from Iran!!! We picked them up at the airport last Sunday and of course they were very excited to see you. You and your pictures were a big hit in Iran. Fortunately due to wonderful technology we were able to facetime twice with Iran so most of them could see you in person. It was pretty special! Your great grandma Karimi has a blown up picture of you in Iran that she talks to on a daily basis. I wish so much she could see you in person, but it would be such a big trip.....one day....Normally I would get lots of presents from Iran from all the family, but this time there were mostly for you!!! You got your first two gold bracelets, a gold lady bug pendant and matching ring! Very precious. You look so cute with your little bracelets on you. The most special gift you got was from you Great Aunt Shireen. She made you a tradiational silk outfit that went with a matching hat. It is difficult to describe in person so I will have to put a picture of it up. It is pretty big on you right now but it will be something you will enjoy and cherish for many years to come. Your Aunt Shireen stayed up almost all night making it for you...You have all this family in Iran that have never met you yet they love you so much! That is the same love they have showed me when I have traveled there. You are so lucky Mayabird to have them in your life, even if they are far away. I hope one day you will be able to meet them....

Right now you are sitting in a cardboard box! You were playing with it so I decided to put you in it and it is definitely keeping you occupied which is allowing me to update your blog, because you continue to BE INTO EVERYTHING.  You aren't crawling yet but can scoot anywhere you want and get into anything you want. And you are one quick kid!!!

The weather has been nicer so you have gotten to spend more time outside which is great. We put your little walker outside and you scoot all around the driveway, garage and sidewalks. It is so fun to watch. When grandma is here she attaches a leash to your walker to "lead" and "guide" you, which is hysterical.

You continue to eat like a champ and I am now trying to feed you three times a day. However despite eating a fair amount during the day you still like to get up in the middle of the night to eat.....I just don't have the energy/strength to try to wean you from this habit.

Well I should take a picture of you in your box before you figure out how to crawl out of it!!

Loves you!

Maya in her new stroller waiting at the airport for Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Soni!

 

In your new hat from Iran!

 

In the outfit your Auntie Shireen!

More new stuff

Hi Love,
So much to catch up on.  But first of all you are currently up in your crib screaming!!! It is bedtime but one of the new things you have done is learned how to sit up on your own from a lying down position. Your Grandma Helen worked on it a lot with you while she was here and you were really close to doing it before she left, but not quite. But low and behold when I went to feed you at 3:30 am (that is another thing to discuss) you were sitting up in your crib looking at me!!! This morning you showed us your moves while we were eating breakfast. From your tummy you push yourself back with your arms so you are slightly on your knees and then you lean to one side and sit! It is so fun to watch. But now you can do things like you did tonight where suddenly we heard a crash in your room and we rushed upstairs with our hearts pounding.  There you were sitting up in your crib and had reached through the rails and knocked your music box thing over. You little stinker!!! Lesson learned!!!

The common theme lately is that you are INTO EVERYTHING!!! We definitely need to start the baby proofing process.

You and your dad brought your Grandma back to Little Falls this past weekend. We were really sad to say goodbye. The two weeks she was here were so great.  You went on daily walks with her and played a lot. She taught your a lot, like how to clap and wave goodbye!!!  Since Mary is still gone and Grandma and Grandpa Karimi are still Iran you have to go to the Mayo back up day care this week.  I was kind of nervous to bring you this morning, but you ended up having a good day there.

You are continuing to eat more solid foods. I have gave you some cooked carrots and green beans for supper tonight. You can't quite pick them up with your hands as they are slippery, but you love when I feed them to you.  You will keep taking more food when I offer it, but sometimes you don't swallow and have a mouthful of food!

Well you are still fussing up in your crib......I need to figure out how I want to approach things as you start to develop more of a personality and are starting to respond more emotionally to situations...you definitively have a stubborn side to you. You are STILL getting up at night to eat...but you are starting to drink better out of your sippy cup so I might try to give that to you tonight to see if I can get away with out feeding you.

Well I am sure there are a lot of other new things you have been doing but it is hard to remember everything!! But time if definitely flying by and you are changing everyday....I just don't want it to go by too fast.....

Love you!

Hanging out with Grandma Helen before bedtime!!

 

An attempt at your 8 month picture! Hard to get you to sit still, you kept falling off the chair!!!

 

At Applebee's with Grandma Helen and Sister Lillian!

 

 Another attempt at your 8 month picture!!

 

Spring is in the air!

Hi Maya love,
Even though it is only March 17th it feels like a beautiful spring day. You spent some time outside and loved it. Your Grandma Helen has been here for the last week to watch you since Mary is on vacation and Grandma and Grandpa Karimi (and Auntir Soni) are in Iran. It is has been WONDERFUL! You have had so much fun with your Grandma. You have been going on daily walks and been playing all day with her. We love having her here, and we are so glad that she gets to spend so much time with you. You still aren't crawling forward but have figured out how to crawl backward! It is pretty funny. You have also learned to wave and clap your hands which has been pretty exciting. Grandma Helen taught you how to clap your hands. You keep one hand stationary and then clap the other one against it! It is pretty cute. You are at such a fun stage. You are into everything. Now when I get home from work you give me a really big smile which I love. You are not loving your naps this weekend. Right now you are screeching from your crib because you don't want to nap! This morning I finally resorted to pushing your around the cul de sac in your stroller-i am such a push over-he he! The big problem is that you like to have your pacifier when you sleep so if you wake up and don't have it you start crying (this happens at night). We probably should wean you from it at some point....but I like it and it is a good back up when you get crabby!!!

Your other new thing is that when I put you on your back to change your diaper you scream!!! You would think that I am torturing you!!! So it makes getting you dressed or undressed a little difficult!!! And you don't sit (or lay) still, so that makes it even harder. Oh well.

You continue to eat well and still like your vegetables over fruits! You even like peas. Your dad and I both HATE peas, but I didn't think it was fair to you to with hold them! You eat them like a champ.

Yesterday morning, Grandma and Grandpa Karimi and Aunty Soni Face-Timed us from Iran. So all your relatives from Iran got to see you. It was pretty special. I was so happy to see everyone in person, especially your Great Grandma Karimi. They all thought you were beautiful and were so happy to see you live!!!

We have a walker for you and you love to scoot around the kitchen in it. They are considered dangerous. But I watch you carefully. Since the weather has been so nice I took you outside in it, and you rolled around the driveway and sidewalk in it. You are also starting to try to pull yourself up on things, so I am sure before I know it you will be walking along the furniture.

Love you honey!!!

 Your first time in a swing!!!

 

Your first wagon ride with Bethel Blanshan!

 

 Hanging out in your walker!! 

Your funny sleeping pose-silly girl!

 

At Assisi Heights having dinner with your Grandma Helen and Sister Lillian 

Having fun with Sister Lillian. You loved her walker!!

Troublemaker!

First time on an airplane!

Hi my little love bug!

We have had a big last week. You had your first cross country trip to San Diego!!! I had a medical conference to go to. Auntie Soni came along to attend the conference and Uncle Jeebo and Auntie Katy flew down from San Fransisco to hang out. So it was a big family get together.

Fortunately we had a direct flight. You did really good on the way out. You were pretty happy through out the 3.5 hour trip and I even got you to take a short nap! You were hardly fussy at all and we were really proud of you. You loved looking around the plane and grabbing at things.

Of course Uncle Jeebo and Auntie Katy were very excited to see you. You got lots of love from them. We stayed at a nice hotel where it was like a little apartment with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. You did not sleep well the night before we flew out and the first night in San Diego. You thumped all night and cried more than usual. So your dad and I were exhausted. Uncle Jeebo and Auntie Katy volunteered to have you in their room the second night. We gladly accepted their offer. Your dad and I took tylenol PM and were out!!!  By the morning they were ready to give you back to us and Uncle Jeebo had a new appreciation of the challenges of parenting. They recovered by taking a long morning nap!

Your dad would take you for a morning walk along the beach every morning while Auntie Soni and I went to the conference. You loved having your morning walk in your stroller. It was special time for you and your dad. I would meet you during a break and sit on the beach and feed you. You LOVED playing with sand and of course got sand all over yourself. The ocean was really cold but I did dip your feet in it!!! You didn't cry but had an interesting look on your face.

We took you to the San Diego Zoo. Even though we had your stroller your Uncle Jeebo wanted to carry your around in the Baby Bjorn. You loved being in it as you could look around at things. Of course your Uncle Jeebo and Auntie Soni argued over who got to carry you. It was a really fun day!!!

The pool at the hotel was unfortunately cold, but I was determined to take you swimming. So on our second to last day there we took you to the local community center where they had a beautiful outdoor pool with a zero gravity part.  The water was also much warmer. You were a champ in the water. You were splashing around and giggling. It was so fun!!! I then went to swim laps in the big pool and your Auntie Soni played with you. Uncle Jeebo and Auntie Katy then came. Once you were done swimming Auntie Katy got you all dry and warm. You were so exhausted from playing so hard that you fell asleep on a towel with your arms and legs all sprawled out! It was adorable.

Uncle Jeebo and Auntie Katy were sad to say goodbye to you and I think you miss them too. The flight back didn't go as smoothly.....it was later in the day and you were way over due for your afternoon nap, so we thought you would for sure take one on the plane...but you had other ideas. You were wide awake and hyper. You were into everything and shrieking and cooing and crying. You were into everything around you. You even figured out how to get the tray to come down.  We tried so hard to get you to nap but you were not interested. Auntie Soni was nice enough to take you for a little bit! I eventually fed you and then you  immediately fell asleep right against my chest. I loved having you all cuddled into me. Unfortunately the nap only lasted 30 minutes and then you were right back at it. We had every toy out and were trying our best to keep you happy until we landed.  You were definitely running the show.

You continue to show your developing personality on a daily basis. You are now at the point where you will get upset if something doesn't go your way. For example if you are playing with something you shouldn't (like my phone!) and I take it away from you will cry! You little stinker.  Fortunately you get over it quickly and move onto something else.  We need to baby proof our house soon as you can scoot around pretty well on your bottom and I think you are close to crawling. You are interested in everything around you. You also pay  attention to detail, which surprises me. You will take your little pointer finger and touch the tiniest little things in front of you, like a small piece of a Cheerio. Or you will pick up little things from the floor, like a piece of thread.

You had peas yesterday and liked them. Your dad and I don't like them at all, but I think you still deserve a try at them!

You are growing up fast my little nut  nut. I get sad during the week when I only get a couple of hours with you.....I want to make sure I enjoy and appreciate every stage.  Love you!

 At the airport in MSP before we left!

Snuggling with Uncle Jeebo after a bath in San Diego (you were full of sand). 

Playing in the sand. You of course loved it!!!

Lunch with Aunty Soni. 

Family picture on the beach!

First time in a pool. This was at the hotel pool. It was too cold for you.

This was after swimming at the community center pool. You were out!!! It was so cute!

These are out of order. At the San Diego zoo. Uncle Jeebo wanted to carry you in the Baby Bjorn. 

Love this outfit on you!!!

In your swim diaper at the community pool.  Look at your chubby tummy!

In the pool with mommy and daddy!

 Walking the beach the last day in San Diego. 

 At the zoo with Aunty Soni and Uncle Jeebo.

 Cute picture of you, creepy picture of Uncle Jeebo. You were excited about the jaguar!

Saying goodbye to Uncle Jeebo and Aunty Katy. 

On the beach the last day....