I Think I Can, I Think I Can

So Many Books, So Little Time

Summer is quickly emerging, and for two of Lyla's

 great-grandparents that means one thing...garage sales.

They called and asked if there was anything for Lyla they could shop for.

My initial thought was this little girl already
has everything she needs, plus so much more.

But I didn't want to discourage the excitement in my grandpa's voice,
so I'm happy I remembered that Lyla was lacking in the book department.

no longer lacking....

"these books are mine. ALL mine. yes, all of them. don't touch."

After a very eventful storytime, Lyla was hungry and needed a snack.

She says thanks for the books....you little bargain shoppers, you....

And how about one more picture, because I can.

My sweet girl first thing in the morning, being a cutie, 

giving her monkey loves.....or something.....

The Usual

As I begin to type, I think to myself, 

don't do it...you're going to jinx it...

but of course I keep typing!

The awesomeness I want to share is that Lyla is 

officially sleeping eight hours through the night. 

Yes, yes, this means no longer waking up for no reason. 

Sound asleep for eight straight hours. 

ahhh bliss!

The second part I am about to jinx myself on...

After the eight hours of sleep, she wakes up to eat
and falls back asleep for three more hours.

This makes me so happy, but I'm not expecting it to be a permanent thing.
We've made a lot of progress, I was getting worried she 
was going to sleep with us in our bed forever...
 
Regardless, I'm still not getting my hopes up.
I continue to tell myself that this sleeping pattern will not stick around. 

I assume that, just like everything else, this too shall pass. 

Plus, it has only been four nights so far. 
I don't even think that's really brag worthy.

I just wish my body would relax at night and enjoy this peaceful period.
  Instead I'm still waking up every two hours in a panic, 
thinking there must be something wrong with Lyla!
I dash into her room and find her just as I left her, sleeping like baby...
(it's funny cause she is a baby)

In other news, Lyla is finally up to six ounces per feeding.
I don't believe this to be a milestone or anything,
but I'm happy she is eating more because I still feel she isn't fat enough.
Actually, I just decided that fat isn't the right word. It's okay if she isn't chubby.
I simply want to ensure she is getting adequate nutrition.
I want to ensure she is eating as much as a four month old should.
I think she caught my drift and we have now compromised on six ounces.

If any non-mothers read my blog they probably think I'm a big freak.

but HEY, sleeping and eating are very important factors in the life of a baby.

Aside from the basics, she is in such a cute stage right now.

Motherhood is a blessing. It is also very challenging.

I will be the first to admit that I've, selfishly, wished for certain
 baby stages to pack their bags and get the heck out.

But right now, I have no complaints.

Let's just freeze time right where we are... 

A friend brought her newborn baby over to my house recently and 

it was shocking to see the difference between the newborn and Lyla.

I really hadn't realized how much she has grown and changed 

until this little munchkin came over to hang out.

Lyla, of course, totally invaded his bubble and violated his face.

And when he began to cry, she looked at me with
 a very concerned look on her face.
She was fascinated by him and it was adorable to watch.

This is Lyla's other baby friend from my work.
She also likes to invade her bubble and touch her face.
We haven't really discussed "manners" with her yet...

All of the things I wished to happen before, I take them back. 

I want her to stay exactly the way she is.

No more growing up!

So Sick of the Paparrazi

Beauty Shop Baby

Dear Mom,

Yes, my hair is growing. 

No, you may not style it into this pitiful mohawk.

Love, Lyla

Summer in the Air

Lyla has been a social butterfly lately.

 The interaction is great for her development,

but I have this odd feeling that she is going to foster quite the ego as well....

rock on!

(a lot better than some of the other hand signs he could teach her)

*note: Jake will not approve of this photo posted on my blog. This is me not caring. mean sister. :)

Hanging out with some cousins on Mother's Day.

Having some good times with her Aunt Taylor.

OH, yes, and just in case her ego isn't BIG enough....allow me to brag some more.

She is starting to sit up all by herself. I'm a proud momma!

I am just so excited for sunshine and summer. bring it!

Happy Mother's Day

I've always envied that special bond between a mother and her baby.
I've always longed to have that "magical touch"...now I've got it!
From this day forward I will forever be on the other side of the greeting card.

I can't thank my own mother enough for molding me into the person I am today.
Without the lessons and values I've learned from her I'm not sure
 I would have the knowledge or strength to be a good mom to Lyla.

I've only been a mother for a few months

and it has already been such an incredible journey.
I am looking forward to so many more experiences with Lyla
and there are so many things in life that I can't wait to share with her.

I am so fortunate to have so many amazing mothers in my life.
I love them. I appreciate them. I would be lost without them.
And all of them deserve recognition on more than just one day out of the year.

Happy Mother's Day!

Lemon Sour

Shots Shots Shots Shots x2

4 Month Doctor Visit

Weight: 12 lbs, 9 ozs, 25th percentile

Height: 25 3/4 inches, 95th percentile

Head: 17 1/4 inches, 97th percentile

For whatever reason I am paranoid about her weight,

but the doctor assures me there is no concern

and she is growing at a normal rate.

This is America! Obesity is a must!

But I guess I won't start feeding her big macs quite yet...

 I told her we were going to the doctor, she wouldn't even look at me....

"Yo doc, look at me, that's right...I'm drooling all over your table!"

I made Kirk hold her hand this time in hopes
 that it would prevent the water works.

Well, I didn't burst into a crying rage like the last time,

 but my eyes did swell up just a little.

I just hate to my poor girl in pain.

Plus, she is already feeling crummy because she has a bit of a cold.

Her eyes are watering like crazy.

She has a cough.

Stuffy nose.

How much baby Tylenol am I allowed to give her again???

Fun Times

Happy Cinco de Mayo

This day is significant to me.

One year ago today I learned I was pregnant.

A little story...

I took my chances and ripped open that intimidating plastic stick, 

aka the pregnancy test. eek!

The result was just as I suspected. 

I told Kirk immediately. 

He didn't believe it, because how could a pregnancy test

 from the dollar store possibly be accurate? 

I purchased a few more tests, which continued to test positive. 

However, I don't think reality really sunk in for Kirk really until
I obtained a positive test from the doctor's office. 

Well, fast forward one year. 

Here we are. We have Lyla.

 our beautiful, smart, amazing baby girl.

I survived pregnancy. Kirk survived pregnancy. (ha)

and we both survived those shocking first few weeks of becoming parents.
Now I don't think either of us can even imagine life without little Lyla.

It's pretty interesting to me that in the beginning of my pregnancy
I would obsess over the thought of having a boy or girl.

It's clear to me now that I wasn't looking for a specific gender...
I was looking for Lyla. She is exactly who I wanted.
we were meant to be!

Four Months Old

Happy Four Months, Lyla!

I messed up.

I was snapping pictures of the little miss throughout the day,

but in the excitement of getting my new phone,

 I decided I wanted to start fresh and clear everything off my memory card.

oooops. Totally forgot to remove the new pictures of Lyla first.

At least I backed it up a few days before, 

but sadly, a few really cute pictures are gone forever!

After I realized what I had done and got done feeling sad about it,

I went into her room and took one picture.

I mean, if she doesn't have at least one picture documenting her

four month birthday, her life may never be the same!

A Tasty Treat

Because baby Lyla has been so interested in our food lately, 
we decided to introduce her to some delicious rice cereal.

I wouldn't say it was a complete failure, but it wasn't exactly a success either.

Then again, nobody expected her to be a professional eater her first try.

Eating is something that takes practice!

We will wait a bit longer before introducing her to fruits & veggies.

Her two attempts with cereal have been, at the very least, entertaining!

Attempt #1 

  "I don't know if I'm ready mom..."

 

"I told you I wasn't ready!"

Attempt #2

"I really don't know if I like this!!!!!!"