
Yesterday was such a sweet Mother's Day for me. The last few have been good, but I always felt an emptiness not having all of my children with me. This year I felt so at peace. I got hugs and kisses from all 4 of my kiddies, not to mention the beautiful cards and letters from the older 3.

Last Friday (May 11), Maimie Beth turned 19 months old. We got some fantastic news from the plastic surgeon that day. The hole that developed in Maimie's soft palate area after the palate surgery is actually healing closed. We will have it rechecked in the fall, but it may not require any further surgery. What an answer to prayer!
Maimie and her daddy are getting along better lately, too. She loves to mooch treats from him in the evenings. She gives him hugs and squeezes, and he gives her a few bites of his cookies. Most days she asks where Steve is. She signs "daddy" then shrugs her shoulders.

Walking isn't nearly fast enough for Maimie. She insists on running most of the time even if it means wiping out. The words she says most clearly are "more", "mom", "eyes", and "hi". Attempts at other words are infrequent and not very understandable. She is signing well and even combined 2 signs this weekend-much to our amazement! She has been working on body parts and can point to her nose, eyes, lips, cheeks, teeth, tongue, belly, and hair. Sometimes she points to her chin, ears, and toes.
We are working a little on potty training, but once school is out we think we can give it a more earnest attempt.

Maimie Beth enjoys playing outside with her big sister and brothers. Inside she prefers sitting on the bottom step or inside the fridge when we open the door. She even gets involved in disciplining her older siblings. Often she makes an angry face and shakes her head no while pointing her little finger at one of them. Sometimes she adds some yelling for good measure. Poor Maimie's hair is finally growing. Mikaela keeps trying to give her a ponytail, but there's only so much you can do with a mullet.