Thanksgiving 2017

I shared this on my social media but wanted to document it here too since this is essentially my family journal. A single picture and a message about Lyla's first Thanksgiving ...

It's unlike me to not have a single picture from Lyla's first Thanksgiving but things didn't exactly go as panned. We had what felt like our whole house packed up for the 4 of us by Wednesday night and were ready to hit the road the next morning to spend the holiday in Meridian with my side of the family, only to wake up to a nasty case of pink eye. So invested, we spent the day at home and apart ... Nic and Liam on the living room couch covered in washable sheets and Lyla and I in our master bedroom, living on a prayer that she wouldn't get it too. Our fridge was completely emptied of groceries since we planned to be gone and our pediatrician, taking longer than usual to respond with an antibiotic prescription (rightfully so). I found myself with a sleeping Lyla in my grocery cart, surrounded by a last minute pre-cooked ham bag of frozen corn stovetop stuffing a small bag of potatoes, and a miraculous bottle of eye drops that I was counting on to clear up Liam's eye in 24 hours and on the verge of tears. As i put all of my items not he belt, the sweetest old man greeted me with a warm and friendly "Hello!" and "Happy Thanksgiving!" Swallowing the lump in my throat I half smiled and said "Hello, I'm sorry I had to give you a reason to work today by needing groceries." I'll never forget the moment when he looked up at me, smiled once again, and said, "Oh, it's quite alright. I'm happy to be here for you." The tears actually came that time and in my heart I knew that he was an angel in my path, changing my focus and reminding me of all the things I have to be thankful for. Thankful for a sweet man willing to be away from his family and work on a holiday, for the food in my cart that would make a warm Thanksgiving meal for my family, the money in my wallet to afford it, and the sweet family I shared the day and rest of the weekend with. So I may not have gotten a picture of you on your first Thanksgiving Lyla, but I want you to know that you spend the day and the rest of the weekend in the arms of this who love you, being so thankful you were born in our family this year. 

Happy Thanksgiving! XO

Lyla's baby blessing

Last Sunday Nic gave Lyla a baby blessing at our church and it was the most beautiful blessing day for the most beautiful girl! She wore the sweetest little white dress and I hope someday she'll be blessed with a daughter of her own she can pass it down to. 

The day started out on a bit of a rough note. Poor girl got her first cold after several sneezes in her face throughout the week from her sick brother (definitely doesn't understand not to share his germs). We tried our best to keep him away from her and wash our hands constantly but she still ended up with a terribly congested nose. It was really hard to see her so stuffy at only 2 months old. Liam never got sick as a baby because it was easier to avoid bringing germs like that into our home when it was just the two of us. Anyway, we were worried she would cry for most of her blessing but some combination of her daddy's calming voice and being bounced in his arms, she remained calm through the whole thing and just stared up at him. Such an angel!

As we bowed our heads in prayer, I was filled with emotion. I didn't get teary eyed like I did during Liam's blessing but instead I just felt so deeply thankful for a spouse who loves me and our children unconditionally, a wiggly son in my lap who made me a mom and stretches me to be a better version of myself every day, and a sweet baby girl who I've dreamt about my whole life. Along with so many special things, Nic held her in his arms and told her how much we love her and her Heavenly Father loves her. It was perfect in every way.

Our darling girl on her blessing day ...

After sacrament meeting, we had several family members from Nic side over for chicken noodle soup, rolls, and pumpkin muffins. We visited for a while before they all had to drive home.

By the end of it all, everyone was beyond exhausted so this was the best family picture we could get ...

Happy Blessing Day, Lyla girl. We adore you and are so grateful Heavenly Father blessed us with you!!

two months | letter to Lyla

Lyla is 2 months old already and changing so much every day! Hanging on to those sweet newborn snuggles as long as I possibly can.

t w o   m o n t h s   o l d

14 lbs. 2 oz.
22.5 in.

| LOVES |

Nursing.

Being Held.

Taking a bath.

The Solly Baby wrap.

Getting her diaper changed. (a big change from last month!)

Being naked.
Being upright (on your shoulder, standing/sitting up with help). 
Smiling.
Binkie.
Blankets.

| HATES |

Getting out of the bath.

Tummy time.
Having a dirty diaper.
Being cradled in your arms like a baby.

| DEVELOPMENT // GROWTH |

First of all, I have to mention that we were totally shocked to hear that a 14 lb. 2 oz. baby is in the 50th percentile. haha Her rolls made us think otherwise before her 2 month doctor visit. ;) Speaking of her doctor visit, she got her first round of shots the other day and took it like a champ. She only cried out for a minute and then was already back to her smiling self. Thankfully she didn't get a fever in the night but was a little more fussy in the later afternoon. It was not surprising to us that her head was 40 cm and in the 75th percentile. haha That there is a Williamson noggin for you. She smiles and coos all the time now and it is my absolute FAVORITE thing about this stage!! She is incredibly strong and able to see a lot further away now. She just finished her last box of size 1 diapers and is in 0-3 month clothes (although they are beginning to get tight).

| SLEEP |

Lyla consistently started sleeping a 5 hour stretch at the beginning of the night since 7 weeks old, only waking up once to nurse!!!!! She even did a 7 hour stretch last night for the first time! LOVE! She still sleeps pretty inconsistently throughout the day. Some days she takes three longer naps and other days she takes a bunch of random short cat naps. Her swaddle sack is still her best friend and she loves to sleep with her arms above her head and her hands in tiny little fists. 

| EAT |

Lyla nurses just about every hour and a half during the day. Despite my constant effort to keep up my supply, she often wants a 4 oz bottle right after nursing before bed time. Girl can eat!! She still spits up constantly which I'm pretty sure is due to reflux.

Lyla,

Every time we blink you are doing something new. I forgot about that part of the first year. It is both the greatest because we are so proud of every one of your successes and the hardest at the same time because it means you are leaving a stage behind. Definitely bittersweet! I think both daddy and Liam would agree with me that the best part of our day is when you wake up and are filled with smiles. You smile with your whole face and it lights up an entire room! You have the most darling coos to go along with it. You also have wicked bed head and the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen. If you had it your way, you would have us walking around with you on our shoulder constantly so that you can see the world around you. You still sleep in mommy and daddy's room and are much less noisy of a sleeper than you were when we first brought you home so I think we'll let you stay in there a little while longer. ;) You are the happiest with a fresh diaper and no clothes on. After several weeks of only pooping every 3 to 4 days (which your pediatrician said was normal after I panicked and checked with him), you've given us several blow outs in the last week or two and it seems to have picked back up again. We celebrated your first holiday this month (Halloween) and you were the sweetest little jewelry box ballerina I've ever seen! We can't wait for your next holiday because it is a time to reflect on the things we are most thankful for and for us this year, that is you. We love you to the moon and back again!
Love, Momma

| TWO MONTH PICTURES |

THOSE CHEEKS AND LIPS!!!

In case you were wondering what she will be wearing for Thanksgiving ...

She grew out of that little flamingo sweatshirt in a second!

I love baby stretches!

AND baby bonnets!!

 See what I mean, she smiles with her whole face!! Cutest girl in the whole world!

She is beginning to discover her tongue ...