Time Flies...

We must have had ALOT of fun this month, because I really can't understand where the time went! I have SO many pictures that I think I should set up a flickr account or something, as they will not all fit here. (patience, patience... I PROMISE to put them up soon!)

As you know, little Peanut Face turned the big "1" at the beginning of May. Auntie Beth came to visit for a few days, and we all took Maggie back to the NICU to say thank you. (Cake included) It was a very strange feeling to go back into the unit where we spent 1/4 of Maggie's life. I literally had palpitations walking to the elevator! It was good to see some of our favorite nurses, and we also got to see Dr. Guida, who you'll recall spent MANY days taking care of Maggie. Maggie was an absolute princess, but I think was overwhelmed by the whole situation. She didn't really smile or do any of her cute tricks, just sort of looked around like a deer in headlights. Maybe she remembered... who knows? In any case, it was good closure for me. I plan to bring her back next year, and every year that they will let me. "Thank you" might never be enough, so I'll keep bringing cake!!

That weekend, we had the first of Maggie's birthday extravaganza's! My parents were nice enough to host the party at their house, which meant I didn't have to clean bathrooms (yipee). Family, friends, and neighbors came from all over to help us celebrate Maggie! It was a wonderfully exhausting day for all of us. I sobbed like a baby when everyone sang "Happy Birthday", and poor Maggie looked at me like "Who ARE all these paparazzi, Mommy?" as everyone took her picture. We are so blessed to have such a loving network of support!

We also took Maggie to the Philadelphia Zoo for the first time this month. My grandparents' birthday gift to Maggie was a year membership to the Zoo, so we'll be able to go whenever we want. My cousin Tricia came up from college for the weekend, and we had a great time showing Maggie all the animals! I think she had more fun looking at the PEOPLE, but... she had fun, and that's the important part.

Over Memorial Day weekend, we took Maggie to Connecticut for Part 2 of the Birthday extravaganza. Nana and Pa Daley hosted a party at their house for all of our CT family and friends. Another huge group of people to celebrate this Miracle! We had a wonderful time, and Maggie seemed a little less overwhelmed by the large crowd. Maybe she's finally getting used to her VERY big fan club?

Yesterday, we took Maggie to the Brandywine Strawberry Festival. We put her on the swingset for the first time, and I really think she liked it! We pushed her for a while in the baby swing and then I sat with her in the big girl swing. She smiled the whole time, and looked at us like "Hey, this is really cool! How come we haven't done THIS before?" She rode her first merry-go-round, which was probably the cutest thing I have ever witnessed. She was a little unsure when the ride started to move, but quickly figured out that it was fun! She laughed and sang and smiled the whole time. She loved it so much, we sent her on again (this time with Daddy). We also took her up on the ferris wheel. Again, at first she wasn't sure what to make of the whole experience, but she seemed to warm up, and loved looking out over the fields and down at Grandma waving below. It was a really nice morning.

Maggie is still struggling to eat. We are introducing more foods to her, and while she seems to enjoy a variety of things (EXCEPT bananas, which she absolutely HATES), she still only eats a small amount. We have an appointment this week to meet a Pediatric GI surgeon at Hershey Medical Center. Maggie will get a GTube placed surgically in her belly to replace the tube currently in her nose. I am scared about the surgery, but it's the right thing to do. I'll update more after our appointment this week.

Maggie is beginning to move more. She is now sitting up by herself, which you'll see in some pictures! She is spending more time on her belly, and is rolling all over the house! She is very active and always happy. She seems smart, doesn't miss a beat. She is starting to talk all the time as well. She says DADADADA all the time, and I heard her say MAMAMA one time. Evidently, she only says it when I'm out of the room. (Much to this Mama's disappointment.) She tries to say "Hi", and mimics our vocal tone for alot of things. She laughs non-stop. She even waves hello now! When she first started doing it, I thought I was just WANTING to think she could do it. But it's clear that she waves INTENTIONALLY, which is great!

I'm going to try to update this blog a little more frequently, I know how much you all look forward to Maggie updates and pictures. I promise to get the May pictures up just as soon as I can. Wait 'till you see our Peanut! She's getting to be such a big little girl!

~Sara