16 New Post

I got behind once again and just updated with 16 new posts! Hopefully now that I'm up to date I'll stay a little more on top of it.

Family of 5

Before Joe and Debbie left, Debbie took this picture of us.  It's the first picture, since the hospital, of our family of 5.  At times it's still strange to me that we have 3 kids, but then most of the time it feels like we've always been this way.  Things couldn't be better.  The adjustment, for me, from 2-3 kids has been a lot easier then 1-2 kids.  Everett and Jacquelyn love little Lyla.  We have our moments, but for the most part things have been great.  Jacquelyn has gone and named all her baby dolls Lyla.  So now she has a baby Lyla, Everett has a baby Lyla, and I have my own baby Lyla.  It took me a few times to realize what she had done.  She kept telling me one day that baby Lyla was sleeping.  No she's not Jacquelyn.  Then it dawned on me HER baby Lyla was sleeping!  Both kids love to help take care of her.  In the beginning all they wanted to do was hold her, but it seems like that has kind of worn off.  When I give her a bath they are both in there helping.  We each have our own washcloths bathing her.  Lyla's probably thinking "seriously how many people does it take to wash a baby?".  Lyla of course has her dad wrapped around her finger.  I love watching the two of them together.  Without having to go back to work I feel like I'm finally able to really enjoy having a baby.  I was lucky enough to take both Everett and Jacquelyn to work with me, but there's just something different about being at home with them.  It's special and I am grateful for the opportunity that I do have to be home with her.

Sulphur Springs, TX

Both sets of Grandparents headed back home today after Lyla's baby blessing.  Joe and Debbie had to leave early so they could make the drive back to Dallas and not miss their flight.  Since my parents had the whole day we decided we'd go and explore with them. My mom and I saw these pictures posted of a mirror bathroom in Sulphur Springs, TX.  It has mirrors on the outside, but you can't see in.  On the inside you can see everything around you.  We'd talk about how we should go and see it, so today we took the opportunity to do just that.

 Everett came in with me when I went to check it out.  I thought he was just coming in with me, but the minute the door shut he started undressing so he could go to the bathroom.  The whole time he was on the toilet he kept asking why he could see everything.  It was quite interesting.

There was also a little water fountain park in their Downtown Square.  Joe and Debbie told us about, but I honestly didn't think anything of it, or that we'd even stay to play around in it.  When Everett first saw it he was a little hesitant, but we told him to just run in it once.  Well, that once turned into a few hours! He loved it.  It took Jacquelyn a little bit to warm up to it, but once she did she was all in.  We didn't bring any swimsuits, or extra clothes, so my dad left us and went to Walmart to get something to change in to when they were done. 

 He finally got his head wet.  Once that happened there was no going back!

 Jacquelyn stayed on the outside for a bit, until she went to this one fountain. I think she was just testing it out until it completely soaked her.  It was pretty cute.  She got this shocked face and then ran over telling us her hair was wet.  And like Everett once she get real wet she was completely in after that.  They were all over the place splashing, laying down in, jumping around.  They had a blast.

Lyla's Baby Blessing

We had Lyla's baby blessing today.  It turned out to be a beautiful day.  We had some friends and family come join us and how grateful we are to them for coming out and supporting us.  We are truly blessed to have Ms Lyla Kay in our home and we know she will be an amazing daughter and sister.

 She was about done by the time we were finished taking pictures.  After her blessing we had a nice little lunch with everyone.  Since we had family out we also celebrated Everett's birthday.  I love watching his facial expressions now.  He truly gets excited about everything!

I just wish I was quick enough to catch all his expressions when opening the presents.  We are truly grateful to be blessed with the family we have.  It has been so fun being closer to family and having them be able to come to these little events and gatherings.

Sisters

When I was pregnant with Jacquelyn I kinda wanted a boy so Everett could have a little brother and they'd become best friends.  Then with this pregnancy I honestly wanted a boy cause Jacquelyn is a little diva and I wasn't quite sure I was prepared for another.  Well the Lord knows what we needed in our little family and I am so very grateful for that!  Now Jacquelyn has a sweet little sister that she loves and adores.  She is constantly telling me when Lyla's awake, or asleep, or crying.  She will go up to her and just start talking away to her.  I truly hope they grow up to be close and examples for each other.  It's so fun to see Jacquelyn interact with Lyla now that I hope that bond continues to grow.

 As usual Jacquelyn playing with Lyla's face, or squishing her cheeks. 

1st Day of Pre-K

 Today was Everett's first day of Pre-K.  It seems a little strange that he's old enough to be going to school.  We've been talking about this day for awhile and he has grown more and more excited.  WHen I woke him up and told him what day it was he got the biggest smile on his face.

The elementary school here offers a pre-k program.  When I first heard about it I was really excited until I learned it was an all day class.  I don't know why but it made me a little nervous.  It shouldn't have since 7 months ago he was going to day care all day.  Anyway, after some thought and discussion we decided he needed it.  This kid needs learning and social interaction and I wasn't giving him enough.  He definitely needs more interaction then what he gets from his mom and sister everyday.

When it was time to get ready to go both Everett and Jacquelyn were pretty excited to go.  Poor little girl thought she was going too.  I felt bad that we had to leave her.

After getting to his class room I was getting more excited for him.  I went to take pictures of him, but he was ready for me to leave.  When I went to say bye his teacher even said "Everett don't you need to say bye to your mom?"  HE just looked at me like come on mom go on already.    Jacquelyn has been pretty bored and every once in awhile will ask "where everett?".  I know he is going to have a blast and learn so much.

1 Month

Our little Miss Lyla is 1 month old today!  Time really does go by so fast.  I keep thinking it'll slow down at some point, but it sure doesn't.  I feel like she is still tiny, but then I look at her newborn pictures and can really see how much she's grown.  We've had so much fun with her this past month.  IT feels like she's always been here.  The kids adore her.  Todd and I can't get enough of her.  She has truly been a blessing to our family. Here are some things she's up to at a month:

Smiling

Starting to make more cooing sounds

Staying up more

Always moving

Loves to lay on her stomach

Loves to cuddle

Sleeps like a frog with her legs tucked up under her belly

Following voices

Smiles

Lyla has started smiling.  It's not just a gassy smile anymore, but full on smiles!

The other day I was taking pictures and within seconds her expressions would change.  I love this stage when you can catch so many faces.

 

And then while taking pictures she'll get distracted

 Because someone is getting her attention

TUmmy Time

 When Lyla has tummy time it usually starts like this and either ends up like this

 getting smothered in kisses, or

 she ends up asleep.