My baby turned 1

My little Lyla is one year old already.  I still can't believe that.  In some ways it feels like she has been with us a long time and in other ways I feel like I just had her.  But, it also feels like a very long time ago that I was pregnant.  We have pretty much decided we feel are family is complete, but I already am starting to forget what it was like to carry those babies inside me.  I have a feeling I will struggle with this decision for quite some time. 
Anyway, Lyla's birthday was a made special with a day of fun planned.  She shares her birthday with my sister, Rachel.  Rachel and my mom were able to joing Lyla, Irelyn, and me on a fun trip to Lark toys in the morning.  Lyla is not a big fan of the carousel yet, but Irelyn LOVES it.  She now rides on her own without someone standing by her and without wanting to ride on the ones that don't move up and down.  Lyla enjoyed walking through the toy store and playing with toys.  I was going to buy her something for her birthday, but she didn't seem overly exited about anything so I just bought a rock :).  It grows crystals over time if you put it in vinegar so I think the kids will get a kick out of watching that and maybe learn something too.  We came home (after getting pulled over.  FYI having a sleeping baby, a toddler, and a grandma shoved in between 2 large car seats with kiddie music playing helps you get out of tickets!) and Lyla and Irelyn took lonp naps.  When they woke up we continued the tradition and went to Chuck E Cheese.  Both Grandparents joined us as well. 
On March 16 we had a party with family, her Godmommies, their kids, and a family of good friends.  We deemed this the Waffle Ruffle party.  I had the ruffle idea long ago and Irelyn came up with the waffle idea.  The cake was ruffled and my favorite cake ever!  So pretty!
Lyla is so adorable.  She dances on command and spins in a circle or stomps a foot, gets a hand going in the air.  Oh she melts my heart. 
She knows where tongue is and thinks it is hilarious to stick your tongue out.  She is starting to point to nose and ears when asked, but gets them mixed up some times.  She says meow meow really well for cats.  She says Mama, but calls lots of things mama.  Not too many words happening yet.
She is very attached to her mommy though and cries if I leave the room and does not go to Daddy very well if Mommy is around.
She is soo active.  People cannot believe how much and how well she walks.  She has great rhythm and joins in at dance class at the museum and dances in the waiting room at Irelyn's dance class.  I tries to climb everything she thinks she can.  And although she is my shorty, I have a feeling she may be my more athletic child.
She is 29 inches (50%) and 21 lbs and 15 oz (63%).  Still much smaller than Irelyn was at the same age and does not fit in to the same clothes. 
We are trying to keep her eating baby food containers as long as we can because let's face it we are just not the healthiest of cooks.  She likes to feed herself though, so we like the squeezy food containers and then find some real foods we can break up for her to it.  She currently will eat just about anything.  She switched to organic whole milk from formula with no issue.  Is also doing very well with using any kind of sippy cup. 
Takes mostly 2 naps a day, but sometimes will push through and take only 1 afternoon nap. 
Sleeps about 8:30-7 at night. 
Favorite toys include stuffed animals and the little rocking chair and little soft chair she got for her birthday. 

6 month Comps

Christmas 2012

What a wonderful time of year!

It was Lyla's first Christmas and Irelyn's first Christmas where I think she really understood more of what was going on.  It's so fun to see things through her eyes.  She doesn't remember last year so it's all new and sooo exciting to her.

Well to start off this was my first year of witnessing some serious Black Friday shopping.  I think mom and I might make it a tradition.  I had so much fun shopping for weeks months for my girls!

Our Christmas celebrations started Dec. 20 with an evening celebration at my in-laws.  Joe's brother, girlfriend, and son came to town from Montana and it was the only night we could all be together.  Irelyn went nuts over all her presents and wanted to help everybody open their presents.  Her favorite that night was probably an apron that came with a check pad.  She took everybody's order.

Dec. 22 we went to my Grandma's in Westby.  It is tradition to sing carols and Irelyn enjoyed belting out Jingle Bells.  She then handed out all the presents and tore through hers (and Lyla's).  More great gifts!  Joe and I left from there to head to Green Bay and my mom took the girls for the night.

I had never been to Lambeau and Joe actually got the tickets for our anniversary back in June.  Yes, I would have preferred a September game, but it was exciting and great nonetheless.  Joe's brother and his girlfriend, son, and father all went to the game.  It was a total blow out. 63-7 I believe.  Go Pack!

Christmas Eve- Joe and I both had to work.  We went to church with my mom after work and then back to her house for a short little celebration and some present opening.  Irelyn got the bike she had been asking for that night.  My mom had bought her a bike before she started asking for one from Santa and she was not about to let Santa take credit for that one!  Lyla also got a ride on toy that they both enjoy.  We came home and Lyla went right to bed, but I let Irelyn stay up and make cookies with me for Santa.  She even wrote (scribbled) the cutest little note and put a sticker on it "so he knows it is from me" it was sooo sweet. 

Christmas Day- we hosted both our parents.  Lyla didn't care about any presents as usual.  Irelyn opened a baby set containing a toy baby car seat, stroller, swing/highchair and then the baby (Bitty Baby) and didn't care to open any thing else.  Just wanted to play with that stuff.  We were having to beg her to open more so we put it on hold and ate dinner.  Then after dinner she was ready to open the rest.  After they napped we played at least for a little bit with just about every toy they received.  Lyla got Little People Princess Castle that Irelyn of course loves as well as a Little People carnival set.  Lyla will grow into them and of course she can stick the people in her mouth safely ;).  Lyla had a bit of a cold, but it didn't affect her much at all.

I also got some great gifts, but it is more about the kids these days and the traditions and time with family. My mom gave me money for a new bike and I ordered the bike I did not think I could offered on Christmas night because I just happened to find it 50% off!

I think as the kids get older our Christmas' will just continue to be more exciting and magical.  God Bless!