The first 24+ hours...

Amazing! It's only been a little over 24 hours, and I feel like I've known Maya for a lifetime. Life really does change THAT quickly when a child enters your world. She is such a GOOD baby girl! She's still not warmed up to Grandpa, they had a little spat earlier when he very innocently tried to move her from sitting on the bed to sitting on the floor. She'll wave at him, but that's about it for now. We'll be working on that relationship over the next few days!

Here are some things I've learned:

She really likes to suck on her fingers - not just at nap/sleep time, but just about all the time - particularly when she is feeling insecure.

She likes to have a leg or two outside of the crib when she sleeps.

She CAN walk - she just prefers not to - we will also be working on this over the next few days - she can get quite heavy and I've not yet perfected the sling. Another family gave me a snugli that their daughter is too big for and Maya LOVED it - that is, after Tom (a Dad in the group) had to help me get her in there which involved MUCH screaming and then a follow up with fingers in the mouth.

She is very helpful - when I went to change her diaper, I had moved around the bed to get the wipes, and she already had the tabs undone.

She SMILES! You have to earn it - but when she deems you worthy, it's a very sweet smile and I think I even heard a giggle or two. (Sorry - not captured on film yet!) More smiles later in the day, also not captured because I was alone with her and did not want to lose the moment...we tried again with Grandpa in the room, but she's very uncertain of him right now. Just a matter of time, he hasn't lost his touch!!

She likes to eat - but she sometimes misses her mouth (remind you of anyone?). We left quite a few noodles on her lap and around her high chair at lunch today.

And....she is the most special girl in the world in her mamma's eyes. I was laying in bed this afternoon pretending to take a nap when a warm sensation flooded my heart just looking at her face.....that MUST be a mother's love!

Oh..and one more thing....she can suck down a bottle like NO ONE's business. Could be because the one I made last night did not make the cut and this would be her first one in 24 hours. But don't worry - she's been fed!

Another picture of the finger-sucking, eyelash stroking, eyeball poking princess (and no, I was not asleep!)

The development of the day would be Maya's clingy-ness to me. She is fine if others come close to her and try to engage her, but if they should want to hold her or pick her up - WATCH OUT! Not happy...at all....lots of ear-piercing screamin' going on! One of our guides explained that this happens very frequently...they start to get a little more comfortable with their main caregiver and will not allow for change of any sort. I believe this is a good step in the bonding/attachment process...but it's certainly not the whole journey. We have a long way to go...but we'll get there!

I'm sorry that I don't have any more pictures of the day.....it's hard to get pictures when I'm with her alone and Grandpa was giving us some space today. I promise to do better tomorrow!