Halloween

stop #1: pick-up costume

Grandma made Lyla the most adorable owl costume for Halloween.

Lyla wasn't really diggin' it, at first...

stop #2: boo at the zoo

Then we went to the zoo with "baby bee" Avi. 

If I had known how packed it would be, I probably wouldn't have gone...
I'm kind of lame like that, but we ended up having fun anyway.

 Lyla really enjoyed the animals!

stop #3: trunk or treat

We then attended trunk or treat with grandma & grandpa.

Lyla scored big time here!

stop #4: boo & stew

We ended our night at aunt Kari's for the annual grilled cheese party.

delicious mozzarella, tomato, basil grilled cheese and tomato soup.

mmmm....my mouth is salivating all over again!

note* pictures of the boo & stew party are on a memory card
 in the bottom of a box somewhere. sorry!

Don't Cuddle Me, Mom

As I was getting ready for bed last night,

 not looking forward to another night of sleeping alone, 

I decided I would sneak Lyla out of her crib and bring her to my room. 

I needed a cuddle buddy. And it started out just perfect. 

The little cutie snuggled up right under my shoulder and was snoozin' away.

 This was a very special moment for me because Lyla is much too busy

 during her waking hours and refuses to cuddle me...at all...ever. 

I was thoroughly enjoying myself for a good five minutes. 

And then, the cat walked in.

meow. meow. meow. 

Lyla's slumber ended immediately as she bolted up into a sitting position. 

She started laughing at the cat while pointing and from there

it seemed she forgot she was ever sleeping at all.

This girl is fierce, I tell ya. 

I tried my best to curl her little body back into mine. 

I kept wishing that dang cat would just go away.

But suddenly it was play time. 

What have I done, I asked myself?

Just as I was feeling the need to abort my cuddle mission

Lyla went from giggling to falling back into my arms sound asleep. 

Strange...was she "sleep playing" I wondered? Oh well. 

Suddenly she would shoot back up again looking for the cat. 

And, once again, her body would go limp and she would fall over.

 This happened at least three times. 

I couldn't help but laugh myself.

I kept imagining her trying to keep her heavy eyes open in the darkness. 

She was fighting it, but in the end, she couldn't resist her body's desire for sleep. 

 I eventually took the cutie back to her crib where she could rest peacefully.

Cuddle session failed...but not forgotten.

Fun with Grandpa

Lyla hanging out with her great-grandpa Dave. 

According to my mom, these silly kids can 
keep each other entertained all afternoon....

oh yeah, and she can drink out of a straw now. who knew!

Weekend Warrior

We survived our first week and weekend without dad.

I'll tell you one thing, it is a lot harder than I thought it would be.
 

Our Saturday morning went a little like this....

 

 

 This was probably the most fun I've had during breakfast....ever!

 

 

so much fun, it required a bath afterwards.

 

 

Our house is officially listed with a realtor. The packing has begun.

I am starting to feel less nervous about Texas and

 more excited about spending my days with Lyla.

I'm ready for a change.

 

I'm also ready for 2012 to quit with the life changing events.

It has been a crazy year...and I have a feeling the surprises aren't over quite yet.
2013, I ask you in advance, please take it easy on me!

No Shots!

9 Month Doctor Visit

 

Weight: 18 lbs, 4 ozs, 50th percentile

Height: 28 inches, 60th percentile

Head: 18 inches, 97th percentile

 

The little miss had her 9 month visit with her doctor today.

No shots this time, so that made her happy.

She did flirt with the doctor as he checked her vitals,
in return he reminded us that Lyla has the biggest noggin' in all the land.

 

Also, I totally understand that 'waiting' at the doctor's office is pretty standard,

but if the appointment is for a baby they should really try to hustle!

Wall murals simply do not satisfy the entertainment needs of a little person.

 

Be sure to check out Lyla's previous stats by clicking

here, here and here!

Big Changes

After 23 glorious years I am saying 'goodbye' to Idaho and 'hello' to Texas.

I love Idaho.

I don't want to leave this beautiful state.

I don't want to leave my mom. my pops. my bro. my gram. my gramps.

my aunt. my uncle. my cousins. kirk's fam. my friends.

I need them! all of them!

I don't want to leave the traditions I know and love.

I don't want to leave familiarity.

I don't want to quit my job.

This is my home!

But the stars have aligned and opportunity is calling our name.

You see, Kirk's sister and brother-in-law are constantly

trying to recruit their Idaho family members to Texas.

I've turned them down at least one million times,

but they finally hooked us, right on the lip...

  like a poor, unsuspecting fish in the river.

Kirk's brother-in-law offered him a great job with

 his evergrowing and very successful business.

After much consideration, and when I put my aching heart aside,

I agree that it will be a good decision for our family.

As a mother, I was especially looking forward to sharing Idaho

 and the experiences from my childhood with Lyla.

But we can come back to visit. You can visit us.

 Lyla can still learn to appreciate Idaho from 1,500 miles away, right?

Kirk is from Texas. So, it is home for him.

I will do my best to make it home for me, but it ain't gon' be easy ya'll.

(see, I'm working on my southern draaa'l already)

Kirk leaves this Sunday and Lyla and I are quick to follow on November 2nd.

This is more than just a new chapter...this is a whole new book...

Nine Months Today

23,667,694.5  seconds.

384,462 minutes.

6,574.3 hours.

40 weeks.

274 days.

9 months

the skills and life experience of a nine month old:

1. she waves! to everyone and everything!

2. she can kiss. she is very selective about who she will kiss,

 it is most likely to happen when she is in front of the mirror though.

3. she has attended two weddings, two funerals (regrettably),

 two family reunions, and one baby birth. 

that's a lot of action for only nine months!

4. she is a really good eater. seriously, she likes everything! 

she has only made a 'yuck' face when trying my beloved avocado. 

we will just pretend that didn't happen. she will love them next time around. :)

5. give her a beat and she will make that diaper booty boogie.

6. daddy taught her where her nose is.

7. we are fairly certain she pronounces her name. 

we say "Lyla" and she says "Lah-Lah" right back. vain, much? 

8. she's never been much of a cuddler and I can respect that. 

but she is finally giving out hugs. yay!

9. sometimes she balances all by herself while standing.
it only lasts three seconds tops, and it's a good thing cause 
one second longer and I may start crying.

10. she has developed a fake laugh....serious.
she definitely has a genuine, real hard, belly laugh.
but we've also noticed that she has a little chuckle
and seems to put this chuckle to use when she hears a 
group of people laughing. silly stuff!

kirk comment: she has developed a sense of humor early on 
which is a sense of relief really, considering what kaili brought to the table. 
thanks, babe.

if you feel like crying, be sure to check out lyla's previous 

milestone lists by clicking here and here.

A picture of the bed head on her 9-month birthday is above.
Gassssp, a black eye, you may ask? Yes.

 It was very tragic and I considered writing a post about it,
but frankly, I want to forget it ever happened.
Plus, I just know one of you would turn me in for child abuse. hehe!

Long story short...she fell face first on grandma's fireplace.
All is well and she is healing just fine.
In the meantime, feel free to call her Rocky.

Happy Nine Months, Lyla!