Easter 2011

On Good Friday, me and the kids headed out to Grandma's for the weekend. Daddy decided to stay home this trip so it was just us three. We left a little after lunch, which is Layla's usual naptime and thankfully, she slept the entire way. Driving 3 hours by yourself with 2 little ones can sometimes be nerve-wrecking, but we managed just fine.

We really didn't do anything out of the ordinary while we were there, but as always, it's good to visit with family, especiallyl when you don't get to see them too often.

Miss Layla getting bathed in Grandma's sink

And of course, the Easter Bunny made a visit to Grandma's house and brought them both lots of goodies. When Isaac woke up, I told him to come and look by the door. When he saw all the goodies, he said "Mama, did Santa Clause come to Grandma's house?"

We tried to do lots of pictures before church since this was Layla first Easter, but she wasn't in the cooperative mood and neither was her brother. We got a few decent ones so I guess I can't complain too much, but they weren't nearly as good as the ones I had planned out in my mind!

After church, we went to Moms' house for a wonderful lunch. We didn't get to visit very long after that because we had to get on the road back to Savannah.

It's always good to go home and visit and no matter how long I have been gone, Carthage will always be my home. I hope my children will grow to love it as much as I do. I can't imagine having grown up any other place and hope I can pass the same beliefs and values on to my own children that I learned growing up. They are some of the most important life lessons and I'm so very thankful I was raised in an area that allowed me to be exposed to them.

April

April started off with an exciting milestone for Miss Layla. On the 3rd, she crawled just a little and within a few days, she was going all over the place! She ended up having to go to the doctor on the 6th and had an ear infection, but we got it cleard up pretty quickly. She also weighed 19 pounds 11 ounces and was 27 1/2 inches long. We have been very blessed so far that she hasn't been nearly as sick or had as many ear infections as her big brother did as a baby.

They have both been enjoying the nice weather and we can't wait for it to keep getting warmer. They both LOVE being outside!

This was taken on the 9th. We were going out to eat with Mimi and PawPaw to celebrate their anniversary.

On the 15th, we headed up to my Dad's for the weekend to visit and also to celebrate our nephew Ethan's birthday.

Isaac definitely loves his Papa!

Isaac and Papa enjoying the tire swing Papa made.

And of course we had to squeeze in time for a tractor ride! Layla loved it too!

Layla wasn't quite sure what to make out of the grass and flowers.

Isaac also got to experience a first. My Dad's friend has lots of horses and was able to make time for us to come visit. Isaac got to ride a horse for the very first time. He was very hesitant at first, but luckily decided to give it a try and had a ball.

It was a fun weekend for everyone and we are always glad to visit Papa, Nana, Amanda, and Callie Grace. We hope to come back soon for another visit!

Also, on the 20th, Layla (finally!) started saying "Ma Ma Ma". She still says Da Da most of time, but at least I'm in her vocabulary now!

March

March came and went in a hurry. It was a busy month with lots of firsts for our little lady. Grandma and Moms came the first weekend of the month and got to accompany us for Layla's 6 month photo shoot. She did wonderful and the pictures turned out so cute! I can't believe she's 6 months old already!

That same day, Layla started sitting up on her own and did really, really well. Then, a few days later, she was getting on her all fours and rocking. This lady will be on the move very soon!

On April 9th, Layla went for her 6 month check-up and shots. She was 18# 12 oz. and was 25 1/2 inches long.

As you can tell, she is quite a little chunk!

She also reminds me soooooo much of her big brother when he was this size

Love that sweet smile!

Layla also started babbling this month and of course, the first sounds out of her mouth were "da da da" and you can imagine how proud that made her Daddy! The last accomplishment she had this month was a big one. On the 23rd, right before she turned 7 months, she pulled up to a standing position on our coffee table. Isaac didn't start pulling up until he was about 9 months so this caught me completely off guard. She's trying her best to keep up with her big brother and she will very soon be on the move!

February

These are my 2 John Deere cuties one morning before heading out to school.

Happy baby

Happy big brother too!

On the 9th of this month, Layla rolled over from her tummy to her back. Since she learned this new trick, sleeping on her belly is the only way she wants to sleep now. Isaac slept on his belly almost immediately, but she's been on her back up until this point. Maybe this will make her a better sleeper! I just think babies asleep on their tummies are the cutest thing!

Isaac just loves his baby sister and I'm so thankful!

This is one of my new favorite pictures of my babies!

We got a visit from Papa this month too! He came down on the 11th and stayed the weekend. We are always glad to get a visit from grandparents and Isaac had a big time playing with Papa. It won't be long until a little lady will be big enough to get in the floor and romp and stomp with the boys too!

Layla also started baby food this month. Squash was the first thing we tried and it didn't go over too well at first, but we are still trying and hopefully she will come around soon.

Layla has also recently discovered her feet and LOVES to play with them! If she is laying on her back, this is what she looks like almost all the time. I just think babies playing with their feet are the sweetest thing!

I still can't get over how much she looks like her big brother when he was this size. I will try next time to post a picture of him at this age, just for comparison's sake. Her hair continues to grow and she already has more hair now than her brother did at his 1st birthday! We still have no teeth and they are really giving us a hard time. I keep thinking any day now one will break through, but so far, no such luck.

Layla is still having quite a bit of trouble at night. She has never been the best sleeper and she goes through spurts where we have several rough nights in a row and it's extremely hard on me. I keep praying and hoping she will do better, but so far, we haven't had much luck. I keep telling myself this is just a phase of her life and it won't last forever, but it is so hard to deal with when you are living it each and every day. Please keep us in your prayers that I can always remember to be a patient mother and that I take the time to slow down and enjoy these moments because like the saying goes, the days are long, but the years go by so very fast.

January 2011

Well, I have to admit I have let my blogging take a back seat for awhile now. I never would have dreamed how different life would be after adding a second child. You think you are better prepared with a second one and to a certain degree, you are, but no one can tell you just how hectic things will be. You just have to find that out on your own!

January came and went fast. On the 5th, Miss Layla had her 4 month check up and shots. She was 16# and 5 oz. and was 24 1/2" long. She is just growing way too fast!

Mommy's two cuties

Miss Layla has also been trying some cereal and so far, seems to be doing very well with it!

Also this month on the 18th, Layla rolled over from her back to her tummy for the first time. Way to go Layla!!

This little girl is full of smiles almost all the time and I'm so thankful for a happy baby

I'm very thankful for this sweet little guy too!

This was from the big snow we got in January. Isaac was so excited to go out and play. Unfortunately, me and the little lady had to stay in and just watch through the windows, but he definitely had a big time with Daddy!!

Layla's other new trick she has learned!

On the 24th, I had to take both of my babies to the doctor. They both had bronchitis and Layla had her 1st ear infection. :( Luckily, a quick round of antibiotics for them both and they were good to go in no time at all. I hate having sick little ones.

I love these sweet babies more than you can imagine!