A Hat For Every Occasion

Mary has several hats - all of them made by Emily.

The boob hat (that's a nipple at the top) -

Sock Monkey -

Special Star -

Dyed Pilot's Cap -

Mary will see her cardiologist and have an echo tomorrow at Loyola. Hopefully we'll get a better idea of when her surgery will be. To look at (all 13+ lbs. of!) her, you'd never know there was anything wrong. And truly, there is so much that is right. Sometimes, my heart bursts with the 'rightness' of Mary.

Skeptic

This is Mary, today, 12 weeks old, being held by her daddy. When she was born, he was standing up looking over the drape as the doctor pulled her from my body. Scott immediately said, "It's a girl!". I responded with, "Are you sure? How can you tell?" Ha! I was afraid maybe there was a penis hiding between legs. Some days, I still find it hard to believe I have a daughter. She is everything I didn't even know I was dreaming of.

Sleepy Time Gal

(Click the phot to enlarge - her little hand is especially delicious)

Mary is a very good sleeper. She has a fussy period for about an hour every night between 7 and 9 pm, but once that's over, she is actually pretty peaceful. She wakes only 2 or 3 times to nurse in the middle of the night (sleeping through her brothers' coughing and the cat prowling on our bed), and does so quietly. I love her so much - I can even appreciate 3am with her.

Rub-A-Dub

Mary loves the bath. The first few we gave her were in a baby bath, and she did not care for that one bit. After 3 or 4 episodes of hysterical crying, I started getting in the regular tub with her and - presto! She loves it! She will stay in happily for as long as we let her. She really stretches out, and bounces if her feet are touching the bottom. She used to cry when we took her out, but that is getting better now, too.

We were at Loyola today, getting Mary's blood drawn. It is difficult to see her so upset. This time, however, she actually calmed herself for a moment in the middle of it. I am so proud of my Mary-girl, she is such a little trooper!

Quite Contrary

Here is Mary with her oldest relative, at Scott's dad's wake. I have never let any of my babies cry while in someone else's arms, but I didn't know when we would see Mary's Great-great Aunt Dorothy again. Dorothy is 84 and she said it was wonderful to hold a baby. I agree.

Little Mary Sunshine

Charlie snapped this picture. Mary smiles like this every morning. She really does chase the clouds away.

Mary had a check-up with our pediatrician today. She weighed in at 12 lbs. 4 oz. He was very impressed with her growth and said "no neck" is always a good sign.

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Desmond is my best friend Emily's baby. He's looking up at his awesome mama in this picture. This is the first time Emily and I have had tiny babies together. It's fun to be able to celebrate and commiserate about the same things, at the same time.

During my pregnancy with Mary, I was very...despondent. I was finally pregnant with a much wanted baby, but there were many challenges involved. I was really afraid to love the baby completely, because I was afraid of losing her. Emily wasn't. She loved Mary with her whole heart from the minute there were two pink lines. With every setback, Emily was there, encouraging me, always surprising me with gifts for the baby, such as the hand crocheted "booby" hat, and loving notes exactly when I needed them. She always had time for my tears, even while pregnant herself and dealing with 4 older children. She threw me the most amazing Blessing Way - with everything I love. She made a beautiful sock monkey set for the baby, with a stunning hat and blanket, adorable burp clothes and undershirts, and of course, the spectacular book, "Colorful Esteban". After Mary was born, and we knew she was going to have surgery, Emily found a lovely medal of The Blessed Virgin for "our girl". When the nurse told me that after Mary's next surgery, we would have to keep her incision covered to prevent any sun-damage, Emily made a bunch of bright, cheerful onsies for this summer. She arranged a month of meals for my family when Mary came home from the hospital. Emily understands the (often inappropriate but oh so hilarious) equation of "tragedy + time = comedy". Emily is an amazing artist and a loving mother who gives unceasingly of her time and talents. I wish everyone had their very own Emily in their corner. However, she's one of a kind. I am so blessed to call her my friend.

That handsome boy up there was recently diagnosed with his very own heart condition, SVT. He's been such a trooper, through two ambulance rides to the hospital (complete with overnight stays!), an ice pack on his face, and wearing a heart monitor for the last month. All this while trying to enjoy his first Christmas! He's taking medication now, and hopefully will outgrow this, but in the meantime, please say a prayer for Des and his mama.