8/11/08

Joy more precious than gold

Take ten hours of sleep, mix in a few doses of good, nutritious food, add a pretty much perfect August day, and what do you get? A very, very happy baby...


All of us fed, rested, bathed and ready to greet the day.

How adorable is she??

Daddy and the dogs, making a coffee run.

Still a bit on the hot side for the dogs, and Max is showing the strain.

When we first got QiuQiu, she was not very enticed by toys. Though she had clearly been held and talked to and given a lot of attention at feeding time, it doesn't seem like she had learned to play. She was much more interested in paper, pens and reading material than anything that resembled a recreational item. This picture shows the very first time she reached down and picked up a toy of her own accord and started playing with it. We were just walking along, and there she was in her stroller, playing with the teething ring. She's even started experimenting with putting it against her mouth, though she hasn't gotten as far as biting down. I think when her cleft is fixed she'll find a whole new world of mouth sensations. In the meantime, I think it healthy that's she's learning to think about it without fear.


Look at that happy face. Does that just warm the heart? After a good night's sleep and a few days of a more balanced diet, she really looks glowing to me.

This kid can express joy like nothing I've ever seen before, and it warms my heart that she can do this. I love how relaxed she is, how she can flop back in my lap and wrap her legs around my leg, and just wallow in her comfort. I think her ease has a lot to do with the fact that, as a cleft baby, she received a lot more one-on-one contact from her caregivers. I love that she has that good basis to start off with, even if it's not the "whole picture". Her happiness gives me more joy than anything else in the world, and that smile lights me up from the inside out.



Oh, you know what? I never knew the origin of the phrase "So good it makes your toes curl" until now. Here it is, folks. Flynn's foot at feeding time. So good it makes her toes curl. If I remove my hand, by the way, her foot stays up there in exactly the same position.

An old family friend from Woodstock days sent this hand-made sheepskin lamb for Flynn to adopt, along with a beautiful letter of well-wishes, which made us both tear up (me and Mike, that is. Flynn was just interested in the sheepskin!)

20 comments:

Carrie said...

What a cute little one-her smile lights me up! I know when Miss M smiles at me just because it makes my day!

Brynn said...

She is so beautiful. And looks so happy. It makes me smile to think of you all enjoying the same adventures and sights we heard of this past year...but now with Flynn.

tracy said...

i love baby feet play - when they are discovering their toes and can't wiggle them enough! she is glowing, maia. what a beautiful girl! (and you smell better, btw :)

Yoli said...

She looks refreshed and so lovely! You can tell she is more rested. Sweetie pie, look at those toes!

My Sally was just the same, only liking pen and paper and books. To this day, she prefers books.

A Beautiful Mess said...

Life is good:)

Sophie could correctly hold a pencil when she came home at 16 months. She loves to draw, ead and play with her babies. (it makes me so happy to see her love and kiss her baby dolls)

Anonymous said...

Isn't it great how they perfectly fit into step with a family?

sue williams said...

Hi Maia, Mike and Flynn,
Just got caught up on your blog, Flynn looks right at HOME! So happy for you. Your words are just glowing with happiness only a baby can bring. I love that you have joined the "elite" world of mommy-hood, unshowered, uncombed, unslept, and hungry, and happy to be so.
sue, arlie and jia

Missy said...

Wow, she looks great. I can't believe she has gained that much weight already. You guys are doing a great job :)

Mamacita said...

I love baby feet!

chrissie said...

I love every picture! She looks wonderful...you can see the happiness in her eyes!!!xo cngrats on the sleep!!! :)

Juliette said...

Thanks for sharing all these pics (instead of eating or showering, you're too good to us). Kidding! I am glad everybody is having rest and enjoying the weather outside.
Your girls is a pleasure to watch and I am sure a pleasure to kiss and cuddle with.
Have a fun day!

kerri said...

Glowing, both you and Flynn. ;)
It is so beautiful to behold, we are so happy for you..

kitchu said...

I'm just sitting here in awe of so much good... :O)

Heather said...

You sound like a such a happy mommy! I love it!

Congratulations on the 10 straight hours! That's definite progress.

Amanda said...

Yea Flynn! 10 hours is TERRIFIC!

I agree with you that she is glowing, by the way you are too!

What a joyful baby she is!

Stacie said...

She is more beautiful each day. I am so glad you have had some sleep. That is incredible that she has already gained four pounds. I should say you are most definitely doing something right!!!

Z still doesn't really like toys but would read all day long if she could.

Cavatica said...

Love the curling toes! And, I know what you mean about a smile that lights you from the inside out. Nothing better. Qui Qui is fantastic!

Tish said...

hooray!! and you are right...she does glow!!!

M said...

She is just so, so beautiful - and you're right, she just glows in the most amazing way - and so do you!

Duchess of Lanier said...

Happy face and curled toes... what more could you ask for? Precious!!!
Hugs,
Trena