Update from Deb on life with Maya

Hi All,

We all have some watershed event/reason for having this surgery. For my friend Deb, it was because she wanted very much to become a mom. Many 'old timers' will remember our dear friend Deb_M and a few have recently asked me how she is doing. Deb was very successful with her weight loss and was blessed with Maya 9 months ago. Deb had a complicated pregnancy (not related to WLS), delivering little Maya at about 28 weeks.

The following is an update I received from Deb. As you can tell, she, Ryan and their dearest little Maya are doing very well. 

**************************************************

Maya is now over 9 months old!  At 15 1/2 pounds and 25 1/2 inches long, she's definitely catching up in size.  She is now on the growth chart (just 3%) for her actual age!  As you can see from her pictures, she doesn't look like a preemie anymore!  Developmentally, she's doing all that is expected of her.  She's not crawling yet.  She just rolled over from her back to her belly for the first time.  She prefers time on her back, but is constantly moving.  She kicks and pushes with her feet and moves across the floor that way.  I don't know if she's trying to get anywhere in particular, it's all just part of her playing around.  She's grabbing toys with her hands, and puts absolutely everything in her mouth.  No teeth yet, but she's chomping on everything, so you know she's working on it!  She loves to spend time outside, be sung to, plays peek a boo and patty cake, but her absolute favorite pastime is watching the dogs.
Healthwise, Maya is doing pretty good.  She's just getting over a cold right now, but she never did get a fever or anything, so I feel like we made out OK.  She's on preventive lung treatments for the flu season (inhaled steroid twice a day) to make sure her lungs stay strong.  She'll also be getting a monthly antibody shot to help protect her from RSV.  She has gotten the first injection of both the seasonal flu and H1N1 vax.  Now we're hanging out to see if she'll be able to get the booster for them both too.  It's a scary season - but we're just trying to do what we can to keep her safe.  Unfortunately that means a lot of shots for her, but also lots of hand-washing and paying attention to what's going on around us.  
Yes, Maya is a great eater.  She's still fond of her bottle, but she is eating real food like a champ too!  We have been feeding her sticks of food such as steamed carrots, broccoli, roasted sweet potato, cucumber, apples, pears, mango, rice cakes with hummus, and even some meats (steak, chicken and ground beef.)  Yesterday we gave her a piece of pancake and she loved it.  Essentially, if it comes from mommy or daddy's plate, then she wants it.  The dogs are pretty fond of Maya eating real food too...it's quite a messy endeavor and they take their job as clean-up crew very seriously!
We had a wonderful Halloween with Maya dressed up as a bumblebee.  She didn't actually trick or treat, just hung out with all of the neighbors in our annual chili get-together while we all passed out our candy to the rest of the neighborhood.  It was a beautiful day - got up to 80 degrees, so we skipped the long sleeved onesie and tights that I had searched and searched and searched for!
We're still enjoying each and every day watching Maya grow and discover the world around her.  The holiday season with a little one will be exciting too.  The blessings just keep coming!
Love from us all,Ryan, Deb & Maya

If you can't see the photos I embedded in the post, go to http://www.obesityhelp.com/myoh/photos/557439/album/Maya-and-Mommys-First-Halloween/

 

Thank you for updating us!  I'm glad to hear Maya's doing so well.  She truly is a miracle and blessing.  I was just wondering last week how they were doing, but wasn't sure if anyone was still in touch with Deb for updates.  Please keep us posted every now and then how Maya's doing...and ask Deb when she has time, can she can pop in and post some pictures for us old geezers who don't 'Facebook.'  It's hard to believe that in just a few months, Maya's going to be celebrating her first birthday already!  Time does fly.

Hi Holly,

I'll let her know. I 'embedded' photos into this post. Did they show up?

 

Nothing showing up here..

Hmmm.... I can see them on my computer... I'm not sure why you don't them. I'll work on it.

Thanks!

I'm adding a link to my photo album and have added a couple of shots of Maya.

Enjoy

 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/myoh/photos/557439/album/Maya-and -Mommys-First-Halloween/

im glad she is doing so well.. keep us updated!

Thank you for the update Barbara....I often wonder how she is.....her story is so inspiring...there are a few ladies here on the board that I am hoping read this and are touched as they are going through some of the same things....please do have Deb come by and keep us updated....I loved the update and Maya is one of the most beautiful bees I have seen......

Thanks again!