LA

The Tacketts had a great trip to LA last weekend. Maya and I flew to LA on Wednesday (along with my co-worker Saro). Saro and I attended a conference on assessment systems, while Maya spent time with Wendy. Larkin flew out to join us on Friday. We had a great time visiting with family and spending time with Marshall before he leaves for a ten-week stint in Peru!

While I got to stay in a hotel room (by myself!), Maya stayed at Aunt Diane and Uncle Ira's house with Wendy. Maya kept herself busy with all of her favorite activities:
1. Eating cheerios
2. Answering the question, "How big is Maya?"
3. Finding things on the floor
4. and figuring out how to get down from the standing position

On Friday, Wendy, Saro, Marshall, Maya and I went to lunch at the Farmer's Market.
Saturday, we started the day sitting by Diane's pool enjoying the LA sunshine.
We then went to lunch in Santa Monica.
Saturday night, we had a great Cuban dinner with the Reiners. Maya loved spending time with Aunt Diane (especially with her glasses!)
She also enjoyed being with Cousins Tom and Laurie.
On Sunday morning, we joined the Uncle Dan and Aunt Cindy for brunch in Westwood.
Over all, it was a great trip!

She's back

We spent a great weekend with the Klinglers in Winter Park, FL. As you can see, Maya has completely recovered.

Chillin' in the sun. Daddy is in HEAVEN .

Too cool for the pool?

No way. Check out my backstroke.


Mom, I need more sun on my back.

Maya and both of her parents are HUGE fans of Aunt Kathe (Katie's namesake).

Ahhh-UH.

More pics soon. We'll all be on the other coast this weekend.

We are home!

Maya and I got home about 45 minutes ago. We were greeted by beautiful tulips (Chelsea) and begonias (Jade).... as well as lots of slobbery kisses (Abe!) Thank you for all the prayers, good vibes, and thoughts sent our way over the last 48 hours. We are waiting for Larkin to get home and then the Tackett family is going to go for a walk on this beautiful day. I don't think I have ever been as excited to spend a weekend at home as I am right now!

Friday

Maya is improving - she greeted me with a smile this morning (I thought I would be able to sneak down to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee without her waking up - I was wrong); has been playing with her toys, IV tubing, etc.; and has started pushing the nurses and doctors away. My stubborn little girl is back! The doctors decided to take her off oxygen about an hour ago. After eating 6 oz of formula this morning, she is now back asleep. Her levels are on the low side, but not the "low enough to go back on oxygen" side. It looks like we will be going home later this afternoon!

(Of course, yesterday they told us the same thing at this time, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they mean it today. If her blood oxygen levels stay up, and she doesn't develop a fever, we'll be sleeping in our beds tonight!)

Playful

Although it looks like we're staying another night in the hospital, Maya isn't too sick to do her tricks.

One more thing...

Larkin didn't marry up. He has been by my side every step of the way. He continues to take care of both Maya and me with humor, support, and unconditional love. I couldn't have completed my PhD without him - and I definitely could not have made it through 5 hours in the ER yesterday without him.

Doctors, doctors, and more doctors

Maya was taken off the oxygen this morning. She was sitting up and playing with her toys. However, when she fell asleep about an hour ago, her blood oxygen levels dropped enough that she needed to be put oxygen, so it looks like our great plans to leave tonight have been thwarted. Maya is sleeping peacefully, though, so we can't complain.

The doctors and nurses here have been fantastic; we've been very pleased with her care.

I did pass my dissertation defense this morning, so I'm now officially Dr. Katie Klingler Tackett. Unfortunately, I'm not the kind of doctor that Maya needs right now - luckily she has enough of those so I can concentrate on being Mom instead.

We postponed a planned happy hour celebration for tonight. Larkin ordered cupcakes (my favorite) with the title of my dissertation spelled out, so those are now here in Maya's hospital room for all to enjoy. For those of you in Austin, hopefully we'll figure out a way to share them with you all!