a short break

It is quite a chore to get Maisie to eat different foods and so lunchtime has now become messytime to encourage Maisie to try lots of foods and tastes. Maisie enjoys getting messy but is still not eating a very varied diet.

Maisie enjoying playing with Pasta

Maisie has been enjoying the fantastic weather ;

It's lots of fun playing outside especially now there are more balls in her ball pit.

"I might get lost in here" 

Ar the weekend Maisie took a short break in the Lake District with Grandpa and Grandma Jan. It was really lovely to see them and Maisie enjoyed catching up on all the cuddles she'd been missing out on.

Maisie loves cuddles

Maisie's weekend at the caravan was a little like being at home;

lots of play on her mat;

Meghan was very protective over Maisie
and was close by the whole time

lots of walks;

Maisie found all the walking very easy

lots of food;

"is this all I'm getting? "

and of course a wee drink;

Grandpa! 

It was a really busy weekend and for once Maisie slept in the car on the way home;

enjoying a quick nap to recuperate after a busy weekend

The physio is happy with Maisie's progress and says that Maisie is capable of doing all the movements required to move from lying to sitting, to being on her hands and knees, to being on her knees and to being able to stand - she just isn't connecting how to do it yet.

It's a little bit like when Maisie had to be taught to pick things up. We needed to show her the item, place it in her hand, close her hand around it etc.

It's just a matter of time and lots of homework and Maisie will soon connect it all together.

"I'll soon work out how to open this gate!"

Maisie and Daddy had another sleep over at the weekend which once again resulted in very little sleep. Maisie's oxygen saturation was high and so the nurses turned down Maisie's oxygen straight away. It was turned down to a flow of 0.1 litres. Maisie coped very well at this level and so the nurses tried Maisie without any oxygen.  All was well for about half an hour or so and then Maisie's oxygen saturation started to drop so it was back onto 0.1 litres.

"what do you mean I should be sleeping?
The alarms are keeping  me awake!"

Maisie left the hospital on 0.1l which is fantasic. The consultant will be happy when he sees her next week.

The wonderful weather is continuing in the East Neuk of Fife and so Maisie decided to she'd like to go to Elie Summer Fayre with Darcy. It was quite busy so Maisie decided that she be better sitting in a quiet corner of the pub garden.

Maisie was more interested in her toys than having a beer. 

Maisie - still more interested in her toy 

There were special visitors to see Maisie all the way from Italy. Matthew and Alison couldn't wait to see Maisie and once more she was spoiled with cuddles;

Alison waited very patiently for a cuddle but Matthew wasn't letting go! 

looking very stylish

Maisie tried Mummy's noodles this week in an attempt to vary her diet - although not successfully. This could be because Maisie still prefers porridge and wotsits or could be because she can't use chop sticks;

"it's no good Daddy, I can only hold one at a time" 

Maisie put the chop sticks to better use as drum sticks. 

Maisie loves playing and is really appreciative of all the toys that she has. All Maisie's visitors comment on how many she has and they only see what Maisie is currently playing with! Daddy and Mummy were looking through all her toys and were a little ashamed to see that they had only contributed a toy car (from Daddy), a teething ring and some books.

Maisie loves her toys and makes good use of them all
even using them to perch on

All her toys and books are useful to help Maisie with her development and as Maisie gets bored quite quickly being able to rotate her toys helps to keep her stimulated. (No comments on where she gets her short attention span from please).

There have been quite a few visitor popping by this week;

Tanya is visiting from the States and brought Maisie some lovely gifts ;

an International visitor

Then Mrs Arroll came around to play;

Maisie loves playing with Meghan and her ball

Meghan is always around Maisie making sure that she is safe although it may look like she's only around to help Maisie eat her biscuits. Mummy caught Maisie stretching out to hand a rusk to Meghan the other day which Meghan was very tempted with however managed to resist long enough for Mummy to ensure that it didn't happen. Meghan has been told that the only food deemed "fair game" is food dropped on the floor.

Maisie; " why can't I feed Meghan?"
Meghan; "why can't Maisie feed me?" 

It's been beautiful weather and Maisie has been making the most of getting out and about and spent an afternoon with Mummy and Megan - some shopping was involved and it was decided that Maisie need to be accessorised to keep her curls out of the eyes;

Aunty Eleanor loved the flowers in Maisie's hair

Daddy and Zach aren't so sure that Maisie likes it as much as everyone else.

"are you sure I don't look silly?" 

taking it easy

Maisie went to visit the eye doctor - it wasn't an enjoyable visit for Maisie. The last couple of times Maisie has visited the hospital Daddy is sure that she realises where she is. The initial eye tests went well and showed that Maisie's eyes are working well and Maisie is visually reacting as required to the tests that she is given.

The problems came when the wonderful eye doctor who has help Maisie so much arrived. Maisie cried and cried and cried. Maisie never usually cries. Not only did she cry but she fought back at everything that the eye doctor tried to do. With perseverance the eye doctor managed to get the required checks done and he is  very happy with Maisie's eyes - next visit is in four months.

eating pasta will help Maisie grow big and strong to fight the eye doctor

Daddy and Zach went camping on Friday and then climbed Ben Nevis with some of Daddy's ex-colleagues who were doing the Three Peak Challenge that  Daddy usually takes part in. Daddy really enjoyed getting back out on the hills and Zach seemed to enjoy running up and down the hills, Daddy is sure that he has never been as fit as Zach is right now - although it need to be pointed out the Daddy did carry all Zach's food and gear.  www.sponsorme.co.uk/costafoundation/3peak2013-team-expresso.aspx

Daddy and Zach at the top of Ben Nevis

While Daddy and Zach were away Mummy and Maisie spent Saturday together as Meghan was at work. They had lots of playtime but the best bit was when Mummy decided to bake a chocolate cake;

"Mmm, chocolate!" 

It has been a little bit of a lazy time for Maisie, Saturday spent eating chocolate, Sunday Maisie slept in and missed church and Monday's play group was cancelled as it would be only Maisie attending. To continue on the theme of doing nothing Maisie decided to have an extended bathtime;

doing well to keep her dignity in front of the camera

Maisie has been weighed again and as you may have noticed in the picture above Maisie has put on more weight (maybe due to the chocolate) and is now 16lbs 1oz or 7.3kgs. It's seems that Maisie's growth has slowed down a little - we'll find out more when we see the dietitian at the end of the month.

Maisie has grown up a lot over the last few weeks and is very much more aware of a what is happening around her and becoming more involved.

When Maisie has finished getting her bottle she climbs off Mummy's lap but then quickly realises that once she's done that she can't go anywhere but it wont be long before she gets more mobile - there could be trouble ahead.

In the car Maisie spends all her time trying to turn around in her wee seat to see Daddy and to see what's happening - she loves the car especially now Daddy has treated her to a new seat;

Maisie loves the car even more now that she can see where she's going. 

Maisie is looking forward to going on more adventures in the car the next one being a trip to Edinburgh to say goodbye to Aunty Manu who is off back to Italy for a while.

Maisie took a road trip with Mummy and Daddy on Friday to visit Aunty Boo and her cousins, Jasmine, Christiano and Alexandro in Inverness. It was wonderful to see Maisie interacting with her wee cousins as she only sees other wee ones at the development centre on Monday mornings.

Maisie really enjoyed playing with them and they had just as much fun giving Maisie attention.

Maisie enjoying Aunty Boo's Pancakes
(Betty Crocker's aren't as good as Richard Crokers though)

to many other things going on to be interested
 in having a photo taken with her cousins

Christiano loved giving Maisie cuddles

Everyone but Jasmine (typical teenager not around for a photo)

Maisie was heavier than Alex expected

A great time was had by all - we'll see you again soon guys. Thank you very much for letting Maisie have your old buggy we're sure she'll love it eventually.

Maisie is getting more and more like her Aunty Cat

Sunday was Zach's birthday and he'd been invited to run in the Glenrothes 10km. Zach did really well and came 2nd beating his previous time. Zach got lots of bits and pieces for his car for his birthday to help keep it on the road and was particularly happy with the trolley jack that Maisie had chosen to give him.

There isn't a photo of Zach running his race as Daddy has some how lost it on the computer somewhere along with pictures of his birthday dinner which he chose to have at MacDonalds - apparently Maisie's first visit of many with her big brother.

If Daddy can find the photo's he'll let you seen them.

Maisie has been a wee tyke this week, it maybe because she has cut her second tooth but Daddy thinks it's most likely due to all the constant cuddling Maisie got over the weekend - he's not sure that she was put down at all during the visit to Aunty Boos.

"please don't put me down in my new buggy"

Maisie has been busy

What a busy week it has been for Maisie;

Maisie didn't enjoy getting her jabs but was very a brave wee girl and only cried for a few seconds.

The Physio visited and is very pleased with Maisie's progress, the latest homework for Maisie is to try to sit up on her own from lying on her side or back. Maisie also needs to spend more time on her front as the physio would rather Maisie could try and crawl before she starts to walk.

At the weekend Maisie was very busy spoiling Daddy, firstly it was his birthday on Saturday and then the extremely important Fathers Day on Sunday. Daddy realised that he must be getting old - it is old people that get slippers and a dressing gown as presents isn't it? Daddy made a mental note that Mummy might also need the same for her birthday.

Daddy and Maisie willingly (?) posing for a photo
after church on Fathers Day.

Daddy's lovely cards and photo

Incidentally it's true what Daddy had heard - Fathers day finishes at 10am!


Maisie really enjoyed seeing her friends at the development centre on Monday and especially enjoyed painting;

"mmm, don't think I've used yellow yet"

It was quite similar to getting in a mess like Maisie does with Daddy at dinner time, Mummy doesn't like Maisie getting messy. 

"are you sure Mummy is okay with this?"

Maisie had such a great time that she decided that she had earned a wee rest so took a well deserved nap

recuperating to have more fun

Maisie is packing on the pounds and is even starting to look a little bit chubby. The health visitor weighed Maisie and she has put on 1lb 3oz  and weighs 15lbs 11oz or 7.13kgs.

Maisie may be gaining weight but she is not varying her diet. Porridge is still the favorite. She'll have a little  cauliflower cheese but is still not to interested in trying many other different tastes. Toast is sometimes taken along with a rusk, apples and other fruits are just just seen as toys, as are carrot sticks which is disappointing as everyone knows orange food is good for you;

"mmm orange food"

Mummy let it slip that she had fed Maisie a whole packet of cheesy puffs one afternoon - no wonder Maisie is getting a little rounder. Food seems to have been a recurring theme for Maisie this week;

"thank you for the chocolate buttons Joshua
but I think I'd prefer your Milkybar"

"these noodles are great daddy but the blue one is bit chewy"!

 Maisie and Daddy had a sleepover on Saturday night, the alarms were not as bad as usual and both Daddy and Maisie got a little more sleep than usual. Maisie's oxygen saturation was good when she got wired up so it was decided to try to turn the oxygen flow down to 0.1l but then Maisie's saturation levels dropped so it was back up to 0.2l.

Maisie is happy to sleep on her side but still will not roll over for the physio

Maisie saw the consultant on Sunday morning who explained that the real need for Maisie to have the oxygen is to help her grow - she's doing that just with the cheesy puffs that Mummy is feeding her.

It seemed that Maisie actually remembered where she was when she arrived at the hospital - there must have been a wee flashback going on in Maisie's head.

Sunday was a very special day for Maisie as this was the first time that she got to meet the "head of the family" - Grand Uncle Johnstone and Grand Aunty Gloria came all the way from Wales to visit.

Maisie was trying very hard to be on her best behaviour

It was a lovely day so after a spot of lunch everyone went on a walk around the village finishing up at the East Pier Smokehouse for ice cream - although Daddy would have preferred the smoked langoustinesh. http://www.eastpier.co.uk/

Not to miss out of course Maisie took the opportunity to sample ice cream for the first time and decided to add it to her very small and exclusive list of food she likes.

It was then back home for more fun and games with her Grand Aunty's;

"I don't think that we can all fit on my playmat Aunty"

 followed by more precious cuddles;

Monday it was back to Maisie's wee playgroup at the Childrens Development Centre - there was lots of singing and playing and fun with her new friends - it is so great to see Maisie interacting with other wee ones.

It's another busy week for Maisie,
Tuesday it a visit to the health centre at lunch time although unfortunately for Maisie there will not be any food just the needles for her immunisations.
There's a visit from Nanny T on Wednesday followed by the Physio

The rest of the week Maisie will be getting ready for a busy weekend - Daddy's birthday on Saturday and then Fathers day on Sunday, it's a good job Maisie has a healthy bank account as this could be an expensive weekend for her.

"Don't tell Megan but I like her bed - it's very comfortable"