Photos

I doubt we have many remaining readers as we rarely post updates. Maizie is doing well. She is growing quickly, eating more and different foods, babbling more and saying "da da" and "boop", moving around quite a bit, and asserting her personality. Anyway, here are some photos from the past few weeks for those who may still be checking our blog.

Maizie at 11 Months

Maizie turned 11 months old today. Today also marks four weeks since Carrie and I first met Maizie. With these mini-milestones, it seems appropriate to take stock of what our little girl has been through and how she has changed.

In the last four weeks, Maizie has been through a lot: a cultural, language and time change. She has traveled half-way around the world and become a U.S. citizen. She has met a new family and been introduced to cats and dogs. Maizie seems to take all these major changes in stride and is, although she is starting to assert her will and personality and is quick to let you know when she wants something, still a very happy baby.

It’s amazing how much Maizie has changed in the time we have known her. Four weeks ago, Maizie did a military crawl; today she can walk behind a walker and with Carrie or me holding her hands. Four weeks ago, Maizie would only take bottles; today, she eats three meals of solid foods a day, snacks on puffs through out the day and is weaning herself off the bottles. Four weeks ago, Maizie was content to play with her toys all alone; today, she wants to be paid attention to and the center of attention while playing. Four weeks ago, Maizie could only stand with our help; today she can pull herself up, walk around her activity table and even has even let go and stood for a few seconds on her own. Four weeks ago, Maizie had probably never had a book read to her; today, she points out the books she wants read to her (she generally prefers touch and feel books or books with photos of real babies, although she has recently warmed up to illustrated books) and helps with turning pages. Four weeks ago, Maizie didn’t know Carrie or me; today, she looks for and lunges towards us when someone else is holding her. Four weeks ago Maizie had never seen a cat; today, she goes nuts for Meadow and chases her with not one but two cat wands.

We feel very lucky that Maizie seems to be making so much progress and adjusting to her new life. We are really happy with Maizie’s progress to date and are looking forward to her first words (I think she said daddy in Mandarin the other day when she babbled “ba”, although Carrie disputes this) and first steps in the coming months.

Maizie's First Zoo Trip

Carrie and I (and Aunt Beth) took Maizie to the zoo on Saturday afternoon. It was Maizie's first trip to the zoo. Although it didn't fill her with uncontrolled laughter and smiles, I think she enjoyed the zoo. She was alert and interested in the animals (as long as they were active). She would try to touch the animals and fish through the glass and get frustrated when she couldn't actually touch the animals. She would also get frustrated when the animals would not come back to her viewing area. Maizie probably enjoyed the petting zoo most, which is not surprising given how much she likes the cats and dogs. Here are some photos from Maizie’s first zoo trip.

Cat Whisperer

Maizie loves the cats. J does not return Maizie's affection, but Meadow is her BFF. The only time J comes around Maizie is when she is eating breakfast and while she is in her bath. Maizie loves to use the cat dancer to make Meadow jump. She has a hard time getting the dancer to move in a way that Meadow can actually chase, but she refuses our help. Her new skill today was to race around in her walker holding on to the cat dancers with Meadow following.

What Maizie Likes

Maizie likes reading books. Her favorite books are ones that have babies in them and the touch and feel books.












The Learning Table is Maizie's third favorite toy. Mr. Bumble Bee is number one (as seen above in Maizie's mouth), followed by her beach ball.










Maizie enjoys playing in her crib, but has yet to sleep in it.












Some of our favorite times is when the three of us cuddle in bed after naps. Maizie hates waking up, but once she does she is always
full of giggles.










Maizie likes flowers, but not too sure about grass.












Maizie started off with scooting, but now is walking short distances with the aid of this toy.
We do not think it will be long before she is standing and walking on her own.