[blparent] Ayla Update

[Sirena]

Jo Elizabeth,

No worries. I don't mind answering questions. Yes, her dad does live in 
another state. He travels here around once a month or once every other month 
to see her. Things may change with travel after the court date, but for now, 
this is how it works.

Si

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jo Elizabeth Pinto" <jopinto at msn.com>
To: "Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2013 2:00 PM
Subject: Re: [blparent] Ayla Update


> Ayla sounds like a sweetheart.  Doesn't her dad live in a different state, 
> though?  Is he coming to see her?  Not prying, you don't have to answer if 
> you don't want to, I just try to keep everybody's stories straight in my 
> head because I'm interested and want to be supportive.
>
> Jo Elizabeth
>
> Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may 
> kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at 
> evening.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Sirena
> Sent: Friday, August 16, 2013 9:44 PM
> To: Blind Parents Mailing List
> Subject: [blparent] Ayla Update
>
> Hey guys. It's been a little while since my last Ayla update.
>
> Ayla turned 8 months old on the 13 of August. She's crawling now and 
> getting into all sorts of mischief. One of her favorite new toys is my 
> guide dog Tony's water bowl. I keep the kitchen gated off now. I was doing 
> that anyway, but this gives me a really nice reminder not to neglect that 
> action. LOL
>
> She said "mama" for the first time the other day. It was clear as a bell 
> and surrounded by no extraneous baby babble. I'm not sure if she 
> associates me with the word, but it was "mama," no matter how she views 
> it. She said "ma" today, so maybe she *is* starting to associate. I won't 
> know for a few more months yet, I'm afraid.
>
> Now that she's mastered crawling, actually, this began a week after she 
> learned how to crawl, she is now trying to pull herself into a standing 
> position. She can stand on her feet if I hold her hands or if she's 
> holding onto the couch, but she's a bit wobbly, simply because she loves 
> to bounce up and down and hasn't yet realized that she'll fall over if she 
> bounces. So when she stands, I've always got a hand on her back to steady 
> her.
>
> She's eating solids like a pro and now eats chereos as well. She's got 
> four or five teeth and another ready to break through any day now. 
> Actually, she might have six. I'm not sure. Isn't that awful? They're just 
> coming out at such a rate that I can't count them. And she doesn't like me 
> probing around in her mouth.
>
> She drinks a cereal bottle at night now. Mine is a concoction of formula, 
> rice cereal and a jar of baby fruit, usually apples, bananas or an apple 
> banana mixture. I'm still nursing, but the formula weighs heavier on her 
> tummy at night. She's sleeping through the night now due to this. I've 
> checked with her pediatrician since I know cereal bottles can be a rather 
> controversial topic, and he assures me it's all right.
>
> Last we checked, Ayla was eighteen pounds, two ounces, twenty-seven inches 
> long. She's bigger than three out of four girls her age.
>
> We go to play group every Tuesday, Music and Movement every Wednesday and 
> Baby Gym every Thursday. If good fortune is on our side, she'll begin swim 
> lessons in September. I'm also looking into baby gymnastics.
>
> On a more sour note, we're still suffering through a legal struggle. 
> There's a court date set for November, so I'm pretty worried about that. 
> Our case is strong, so that comforts me. I always just fear that one small 
> chance, you know?
>
> Not to end on such a sad note, Tony (the guide dog) and Ayla are pals! 
> Ayla crawls to Tony's bed and tries to talk with him. She gets very 
> indignant when he doesn't answer.
>
> Tony is so good with her. Today, I was cuddling Tony and Ayla got jealous. 
> She crawled over Tony and nursed, nestled between my body and Tony's head. 
> After nursing, she reclined on top of Tony and watched TV. Then she rolled 
> off of him and reclined against him while she continued to watch TV. All 
> through this, Tony just laid there and snored.
>
> He gives her kisses all the time, doesn't growl or get bent out of shape 
> when she steals his Nylabone and lets her tug on his collar, play with his 
> ears, drool on his head and she even bit him once with no reaction. Of 
> course, I don't encourage biting or hitting or even excessive yanking of 
> the collar. I don't want him to think he's getting a leash correction. But 
> babies will be babies and he's just an amazing boy for taking this little 
> critter's actions in stride.
>
> Ayla's got an overnight weekend visitation starting tomorrow, so she'll be 
> gone until Monday. I'll really miss her, but it might be nice to get a 
> little break. I'm just trying to remain positive and with God's blessing, 
> all will continue to go well.
>
> Hugs,
>
> Si
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