Tutu Time!

We loved the sunny days this past weekend and spent lots of time outside enjoying them! On Saturday, Maelin and i went to Great Grandma Schmidt's house to visit with her and to meet Uncle Tom and Aunt Chris for the first time. We had a really nice visit, and Aunt Chris won Maelin over with "This Little Piggy Went to Market" :) Afterwards, we went to Aunt Shelli's house and played outside with Drew and Adrienne (poor Adrienne doesn't have a namesign yet, so Maelin calls her 'baby' - ha!). Maelin had SUCH a great time playing with all the cool stuff ... when it was time to go home, she threw a major fit! But she was asleep in the carseat about two miles down the road :)

On Sunday morning, the three of us did the grocery shopping and ran a few errands. When we got home, Maelin napped and Baba mowed the lawn. That evening, we had a wonderful time when Uncle Jon, Aunt Laura, Jacob, Lucas, and Popa/Nana Gleeson all came over for a cook-out and some family time. Fun! Uncle Jon gave Maelin a golf cart ride (top picture), which is always appreciated! We also went for a walk in the woods looking for morrels, but we didn't find any. (Baba is ITCHING to get up north for some proper 'shrooming!)

So far this week, Maelin and i have balanced our week with some venturing out and some staying home. I find that Maelin really enjoys the times that we go out. When we're home for too long, she gets whiny. Maybe it's because she's such a social person? I'm not sure. I still think it's important to spend lots of time at home, but i'm glad she enjoys our time out.

On Wednesday morning, we went to an audiologist in Flint for Maelin's first hearing test. They were only able to do part of the testing (most children need more than one sitting for a complete hearing test due to the time it requires). So far it looks like she has a moderate hearing loss (50-60 dB) in both ears, with the right ear being worse than the left. The audiologist was concerned that Maelin's tympanogram (which measures movement of the eardrum and can signal an ear infection, and therefore, an inaccurate hearing test) showed a possible ear infection, so we went to the pediatrician that same afternoon. He also did a tympanogram (with the same results) and looked carefully at her ears. He does not believe that she has an ear infection, but rather some significant scarring on her eardrums -- which can affect the typmanogram measurement (i think) and contribute to hearing loss. He referred us to an ENT in Flint, so we'll make an appointment and follow up with him soon. We'll also go back to the audiologist again in a couple of weeks to complete the hearing testing.

I forgot to mention that Maelin and i visited Baba at work this morning (see picture above). She loved seeing him in the middle of the day, and he loved showing her off to his coworkers :) Maelin was much less delighted at leaving Baba at work when we left...again, we had a screaming-crying-fit (until Mama drove up to a park and Maelin got a glimpse of the play equipment - then suddenly the tears disappeared!).

Isn't the tutu picture a hoot?! This afternoon, Maelin and i pulled out the dress-up box (thank you, Aunt Jeanie and Amy!), and she has worn the tutu ever since, except for bath time. She insisted in putting it back on after bath, over top of her pajamas! I'm guessing we'll wear it to bed tonight...!

Time for American Idol and some ice cream for The Three of Us :)

XOXO,

Mama, Baba, and Maelin