HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!

We all had a blast at Maria's big birthday bash. She got to eat cake for the first time and got so many gifts. The best part was being surround by family and friends.

Dave's 1st Fathers Day

Dave enjoyed his first Father's Day. Doesn't he look like a very proud Daddy? Maria had fun hanging out with the guys (Papap, Uncle Todd, and Daddy) and watching golf. She's very excited when she says "da, da, da, da....!" Looks like she's gonna be Daddy's little girl.

The Childrens Institute

It has been a long month for Maria and the family. Mommy and Maria have been staying at the Children's Institute in Shadyside. Maria has been participating in the feeding program, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. A nasal feeding tube has been placed so Maria can get all her essential nourishment. She has made a nice weight gain and is getting some of that baby fat. During her stay she has made huge gains developmentally. Now Maria can roll, sit up on her own(almost), and is ready to start crawling. She loves to grab and pinch everything. Everything goes in her mouth including her toes. She has started blowing raspberries and said DaDa and MaMa for the first time this last week. Mommy and Maria are being discharged today. Maria will need to continue with her tube feedings and go to outpatient speech therapy. We are all praying that soon Maria will enjoy eating as much as we do. A special thanks goes out to all the staff at the Children's Institute for their loving care of Maria during her stay.

Feeding Troubles

Well, she is super cute alright!! Unfortunately, Maria has developed some feeding issues. She will not take her bottle with the milk that is vital for her to grow. Maria is going into Childrens Hospital for GI testing tomorrow. She may be there for three days. Please say your prayers. Hopefully, Maria will soon be in the care of the feeding specialists at the Childrens Institute.


Here are a couple other pictures of our little angel!!



Take a look at that big girl in the highchair!

Ready for spring!

Maria is looking very happy and ready for spring in this photo. She has been giving mom and dad a very hard time lately, not wanting her bottle. Maria is probably going to see a feeding specialist at the Children's Institute. She is even busier having occupational therapy too! She continues to be a joy to everyone....laughing and cooing. What a little blessing she has been for all of the family and friends.

Yum, Yum....

Look at me now!! I am growing up and becoming a big girl!! I admit I'm a little sloppy, but it is soooo yummy! Mommy says Maria likes her new foods and makes happy noises when she eats. Maria has been working hard on her physical therapy every week and getting stronger. She is still on her apnea monitor, but we are all praying she comes off this month. Maria is quite a handful giving mommy a hard time with her eating and napping....wait til she's a teenager.

New Cute Pictures!

Maria on Christmas Day! She was quite happy!





So maybe she can be a little moody? She's just practicing her pouty face with Aunt Julie.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone. Maria had her first professional photo shoot and was looking as sweet as ever. She is starting to make little cooing baby noises. Maria is much more alert and looks around all the time. She likes to look at the Christmas tree. Mom says she is getting close to rolling over! Maria is slowly being weaned off of the oxygen and monitor, hopefully, she will be rid of it by January.