Auntie Kara and Uncle Cam

As a parent you hope and pray that others in your life will love and cherish your little one -- make her a part of their lives. Paul and I are very fortunate that we have such amazing family and friends in our lives who not only love and support us, but love and support our little girl as well.

The relationship that I find the most beautiful is the relationship Maelyn has with her Aunt and Uncle. My sister and her husband are nothing short of fabulous with Maelyn. I knew that they would be an important part of her life, but I never anticipated how profound the relationship would be -- it is a love that I watch with wonder and joy.

It began while we were in China as we talked daily over Skype. Maelyn was able to develop a relationship with them immediately -- they taught her how to make faces and stick out her tongue. The silliness hasn't lessened one bit -- and you can't help but laugh when they act like kids themselves just to get a laugh out of her. They are conscientious about making the trip from Toronto to Newmarket as often as they can to visit with their niece and once they are here, Paul and I no longer exist -- it is all about 'Kawa,' 'Caam,' and their dog Jake.

In fact, lately when I go to get Maelyn out of her crib in the morning, she is asking 'Caam, go?' She asks this over and over again. She also loves to talk on the phone to them, kissing the phone throughout the entire conversation.

Auntie Kara and Uncle Cam are the best -- just ask Maelyn!

Sick Kids Visit

About a month ago we went to Sick Kids for another follow-up visit. In a funny way, we look forward to these appointments because we feel like we are moving forward in helping Maelyn to heal from her surgery.

The day started out as an early one -- we were in Toronto by eight in the morning. We signed in and then we went to get some breakfast at Tim Hortons before we had to be at our first appointment.

I was really, really excited to see the speech therapist. Our little miss started talking only two weeks after surgery, so I was really anxious to hear what the therapist thought about her progress. Maelyn was in a fabulous and very cooperative mood -- thank goodness! Throughout the assessment the therapist gave us many tips and techniques to use with Maelyn at home. She also gave me some books to read -- the teacher in me kicked into high gear and I couldn't wait to start into this new project at home. All in all, Maelyn's language was only about six months behind where she should be -- not bad, considering that she has had to learn an entirely new language and that she just had her palate repaired. I was so proud of her -- our little miss is amazing!!

We received more good news when the audiologist reported that Maelyn's hearing was now in the normal range and that her tubes were still in place -- yay!!

We then saw the plastic surgeon and the doctor and his fellow were giving each other high fives when they looked at her palate -- it was looking good and no holes were evident. We were really worried about this because the palate was a tight repair. Now, we don't need to go back to see him for another year!

Our little miss didn't compensate for her speech while her palate was open -- she just didn't speak very much at all. This ended up being a blessing as it has made it easier for her to learn new and appropriate habits for speaking. She is having difficulty, however, with learning to suck and swallow properly. Maelyn is a champion eater and therefore made many compensations for her open palate. She adapted fabulously to having an open palate -- but it means that she now has some 'bad habits' to break. Maelyn will be seeing an occupational therapist to help her learn to swallow properly.

We are also starting private speech therapy this week. She will have another assessment and then her sessions will begin. I am excited about the progress that she will make. She has so much to say -- the little girl that was once so quiet is now always gabbing.....and I love it!

She makes her needs known and is even beginning to put two words together, telling Paul 'over here' when she was trying to tell him that she wanted a yogourt from the freezer. In fact, as her speech improved, she has started calling me Mommy (pronounced Ma-eeee) instead of Mama. Hmmm....I think I miss being called Mama -- but I can't help but laugh out loud when she yells Ma-eeee over and over again when she wants me to watch her do something.

Maelyn is making strides and learning quickly -- and I am in awe of her daily.

Figuring out how to remove her diaper...

Random Cuteness

Learning to drink out of a big-girl cup...

First time painting...wouldn't use her hands with the finger-paints,

so she used two brushes instead!

After enjoying a popsicle...

When she was eating this piece of bread, she kept pointing to my shirt -- she thought the bread looked just like a t-shirt!

Maelyn didn't want Auntie Kara and Uncle Cam to leave...

Meeting wonderful friends Kim, English Hubby and Sweetpea...

Beautifully said...

A poem I found as I was going through some paperwork this week....

I've been asked it I feel different, if I'm a "real" Mom.

I assure you, I am a real Mom.

When my children are hurt, I cry real tears.

When I see joy on their faces, I smile a real smile.

We laugh together, real laughs.

I defend them like a lioness.

I stand guard over their hearts and nothings gets past me.

While they sleep, I watch.

I look at their hands, and eyes, and expressions, and I see me.

My love is immeasurable.

I hold on to these moments of life, my heart records it all inside.

My children are exact answers to prayer.

There's nothing I'd change.

I've been given more than I could have ever even dreamed of.

My children are signed masterpieces, signed with God's own hand.

I've seen an awesome God through my children.

If I'd been asked I'd have taken the pain of childbirth for them.

But, instead God made it a birth of the heart.

I'm the natural Mom, it was a lifelong plan.

I'm righteously proud. I've been given first prize.

Anything else I do pales at the blessing of being their Mom.

I'd live content to just sit and watch their every moment.

They should walk tall, for they are valued above all else.

Well, maybe I do feel different.

If it's different, it's more.

Janice LaRosa

Christmas Blessing

On Christmas Eve I received the best gift a mother could receive -- the love of her little girl.

Paul and I were getting Maelyn ready for bed -- I had her on the bathroom counter and was starting to wash her face. She looked up at me at said 'Mama -- awwww' and then put her little arms around my waist. She reached up to kiss me and then hugged and kissed me all over again.

I stopped breathing for a moment -- this was the first time that Maelyn had reached out, hugged and kissed me all on her own. In the past, kisses and hugs were prompted by hugs and kisses from one of us. Paul looked over at me and I could tell that he completely understood what that it meant -- what a pivotal moment for us as parents.

The best gift a parent could receive -- unconditional love from her little miss.

On the topic of love -- one that I have been thinking about often over the past few weeks...

From the moment I first looked at Maelyn's picture, I knew that I loved her with all of my heart. She was my daughter -- meant to be born in my heart. Shortly after we returned from China, AM told me that my love for Maelyn would deepen and change over time. Oh how right she was -- I feel a love for Maelyn that has rooted itself deeper and deeper in my heart. I am always caught off guard when I realize that my love for her has changed and deepened yet again -- it takes my breath away. Every day I get to know my little girl and marvel at her amazing personality. She is so special -- how did I ever become so blessed??

Tonight I held her in my arms while we danced to our favourite Glee music and the tears came -- I love being a mom and I love my little miss with all of my heart -- deeper and deeper every day.