The last cast

Yesterday we drove down to Children's Hospital and had Maya's full length leg cast removed, the Dr. checked out the mobility of the foot, a cast was made of her foot to make a brace for when the cast is removed on Jan. 20 and then she will wear the night brace for 2 years. Then the new cast went on... below the knee!!! What an amazing difference it makes in having a short cast. Although the first time Maya tried to walk she fell to the ground. Her poor leg muscles haven't worked in 6 weeks. Today she has been very wobbly and unsteady and trying to figure out the balance of it all. Her leg and foot were also positioned in a different way making things difficult. We had a very rough night last night and as the parents were very slow to clue in to her pain. So tonight she went to bed with Tylenol and Rich and I are praying for a full nights sleep.
Reflecting back on the last year, it is amazing to think of all that has happened. It has been an amazing year, a growing year, and a blessed year. 2009 is a year to remember of many, many blessings.

Joyful moments

This week I have truly begun to see a joyful bond between Sydney and Maya. It has been a rough 5 months for those two. Between Sydney changing from the youngest to having a younger sister and both Maya and her temperment being so similar they have had more disagreements and attitudes towards one another than I could have possibly imagined. I am truly seeing the love. Sydney is seeking Maya out and wanting to play with her. Hearing them play together and laugh and giggle is so much more than my words can express. Through lots of tears, prayer, and frustration it seems we have turned a corner. I have known from the start that all 3 would have a strong sisterly bond.... but there were days I was beginning to doubt it could happen. Mackenzie and Maya have had an easier transition, but I can see a peace in Mackenzie these past few days as she was having a hard time with the fights her sisters had. Ahhh, peaceful, joyful moments.

Tis the season.....

Maya has enjoyed more 'firsts'...Thanksgiving, first snow, hot cocoa, baking Christmas cookes, Christmas lighted parade and painting. She definately enjoyed Thanksgiving and her big turkey dinner and the pie. Having moved into the Christmas season it is so fun to see the joy of it all in her. She loves the lights, the joining us for 'bible time' as we do our Advent tree, and loves the nativity scene and sings Happy Birthday Jesus everyday. We have two nativity sets and one is for the kids to set up and be 'hands on' with. Thus baby Jesus is often in Maya's hands. Very precious.

We are so happy to be celebrating the birth of Jesus this December as a family of 5. So hard to imagine that last year at this time we didn't even have a picture of Maya. We are truly blessed to have our beautiful daughter home with us and are so grateful for all three of our girls. God is good.

Sydney lost her 7th tooth and the excitement was overwhelming as this was the fist one she pulled out. Elated and overjoyed are vast understatements to her reaction to pulling it out. The other 6 teeth stayed in until they fell out on their own, so this was a huge event!!!