Lyla @ 9 Months

Poor girl...Lyla has had a 'sick' month.
Ear infection that won't quit, fevers, runny noses, sleepless nights and on & on.
She is weighing in at 15 lbs, 2 oz and is starting to wear her size 6month dresses to church!!
Crawling ALL over and loving it. (I have never kept my floors so clean)
Top 2 teeth that have been bugging her for weeks. seriously.
Figured out that arching her back is a rather efficient way to throw a fit.
Swats at anyone who gets too close.
Laughs when I sneeze.
We love her to pieces.

VaLAMEtine's Day2011( because we had to)

trying to get a cute outside shot of Lyla and she HATED the grass!!

My one accomplishment...cupcakes for Regan's class. (I promise I wasn't sick when I made them)

We had no choice. It was for the kids. They would have been so disappointed.
That was my attitude toward Vday this year. Oh, I started out excited and with big plans, but after everyone of us was bed-ridden/fever-struck/too weak to sit up/sicksicksick for two weeks my mood had fizzled and I did the minimum. The kids were happy and they are young enough not to know better, lucky for us. We did manage cupcakes, class valentines, handmade cards for the kids, some squinkies (they are too weird), pink pancakes, roses, heart balloons, pink & red outfits for the girls, and an attempt-gone-awry at a photo-shoot with all the decor.

Okay- when you put it that way it was still a lot & I am shocked we managed anything at all, but I promise I wasn't in a very loving mood. My favorite part of the day was that Brady woke me up at 430am (his alarm goes off then) with a beautiful card that he took the time to choose and was totally for "us"...and I gave him a card that said on the front, "When I first met you I thought to myself, 'Ok, don't do anything stupid'..." and the inside said something like, "and you did ok! Way to go!" I laughed out loud in the store and still laugh just thinking about it.
But, yeah, like I said...it was lame.

Rounding Up

I am for sure closer to 30 now.
I don't feel like that.
I know I am not the only one who thinks like that.
I have had a nice day.
All the friends and family that have celebrated with me and sent bday wishes are much appreciated.
Made me feel special.
Lyla said "ma-ma-ma-ma" for the first time TODAY.
That made it even better.
I don't need to put a picture because I don't feel the need to document how I've changed in the last year.
Hopefully there have been more inward changes than outward.
I am blessed.
I will keep growing up...
I think I'm ok with that.
Life really is a beautiful thing.

A Mini-Vacation for 4

An unexpected and fabulous Christmas present this time around was this Flagstaff get-away. We stayed at a fantastic condo and relaxed for two days. Lyla had her own "staycation" with the Becks so it was sleep-through-the-night, eat-a-meal-without-interruption, no-diaper-changes kind of fun! I felt guilty leaving her at first, but I got over it...quickly. Emma and Regan had fun playing in the snow, so great to have a built-in bff. There wasn't a ton of snow but just enough to impress and entertain the girls for hours. So glad we don't live in it, but it makes a really awesome weekend trip! And, I decided there should always be some kind of trip in January...something to pick-me-up after my annual "post Christmas-crash".
Thanks for the great present, Lance & Pam!

Lyla @ 8 months

Always so entranced with what is going on...this baby's "curious" face is fun to watch. She is so aware of her big sisters and loves when they come to play with her. Dad coming home from work each day is so exciting too. (for everyone:) She is very into food, but you wouldn't know it by looking at her!

2 Things About Preschool

Regan just got home from preschool.

I still miss her every time she goes.
She came home today and said,
"Mom. (with one hand on her hip and one hand gesturing as she spoke) Two things about preschool today. It was good that Isaac got in trouble so then he had to sit by me. And I want to wear a totally cute outfit on Friday cause we are having popcorn...cause we are like having a letter 'P' week!"

How do I reply to that? I just hugged her and told her she can never leave the house again.
She giggle & rolled her eyes.
And yes, I know. In about 10 years I am in trouble!!

Christmas was...

...full of firsts for Lyla...
among other things army-crawled for the first time on Christmas Eve
...the most exciting thing EVER for Regan...
seriously overjoyed with all the candy & jumped up and down for her favorite gifts
...full of surprises for Emma...
loved seeing Regan's face when she gave her a present & got things she "didn't know she wanted"
...our 9th together & the best yet!
it was a beautiful holiday spent with people we love & full hearts

Better Every Year

ZooLights. Our favorite.

Lyla @ 7 Months

This little doll is bringing joy to our home in ways that we never thought possible. She is full of smiles, chuckles, & open-mouthed kisses that keep us loving and laughing all day long!
This month we did the zoo (hated her stroller, loved the baby bjorn~of course) & peas (don't know where she got that)

Baby in a Basket

Lyla has figured out how to be silly. The best part of her discovery stage is the way E & R go hysterical over just about everything she does! Every time I lay her down she rolls herself to her basket of toys, manages to get everything out of it, and then puts it over her entire body...only peeking out to see if anyone is watching! On this day she managed to scoot herself out of her leggings {Emma had tears from laughing so hard} and then added to the fun by getting in her basket!