Lyla's Newborn Pictures

Lyla turned three weeks old today! I look at her and already see so many changes in such a short time. The cutest rolls are beginning to form on her thighs and she's starting to stay awake for longer periods of time (most of which are at night, PARTY!) As always, time is such a thief and I am doing my best to live fully in each and every moment. She has completely captured our hearts!!

Believe it or not, because of her time spent in the NICU away from us (where this usually takes place during a hospital stay), we have yet to get our first family picture of the four of us. Crazy, I know! It is on my weekend wish list though but for now, here are a few billion pictures of Lyla during these early newborn days ...

This sweet little strawberry outfit was from my childhood. :)

There is something about seeing Nic with Lyla in his arms ... it absolutely melts my heart every time. I think these two will share a really special daddy/daughter bond.

The verdict is still out whether or not this girl likes to be swaddled. She struggles to fall asleep if I swaddle her but sleeps so much more peacefully and for longer periods of time when she is swaddled. Liam hated it and fought it from the very first night we brought him home so it went out the door pretty quickly. It is one of those things where you wish babies came with a standard manual. haha

Those sweet little pursed lips, I always wonder what she is dreaming about ...

Lyla has a full head of darker hair and she has yet to lose a strand. I feel like Liam was half bald (in the back) by the time he was three weeks old like her. I can already tell you right now, it is going to look darling in pig tails. ;) It also has a bit of curl at the ends that I wonder if she'll keep?!

I know my Liam wasn't in any of these pictures because most were taken during his nap time but I have a whole other post in the works with pictures of him and Lyla and all about him becoming a big brother so stay tuned for that! XO

Lyla's First Bath

Unlike her big brother, Lyla was not a fan of her first bath! haha He stretched his head back under the running water as if he was spending the day at the most luxurious spa imaginable and she wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. We waited to give one to her until Liam was at school so that there wouldn't be too many helping hands around because heaven knows, there are a lot of those these days. ;) She was given a sponge bath while in the NICU after she was born and we were told she screamed through the whole thing so we didn't really expect any different at home. Her umbilical cord still hasn't fallen off yet so it was more of a second sponge bath than being fully immersed in water.

Thankfully she calmed down after we dimmed the lights a bit and gave her a binkie. I waited to take most of these pictures until after she was a little more relaxed and looking back on them now, they remind me how much I LOVE first bath pictures!!!

Liam's First Day of Preschool

Last Thursday this little goofball had his first day of preschool!!!

We barely made it out the door on time so if that is evidence to how the school year will go with 9 am mornings twice a week (now with a baby in tow) we are in trouble! haha He proudly put on his backpack which is the equivalent of 2/3 his size and agreed to pack just two tractors even though it could fit his entire room. He looks like such a little ninja turtle whenever he wears it ;) ...

Our brave boy marched right in the front door on the first day with his picture of his family and two "beep beeps" for sharing time in his hands and never looked back. Surprisingly enough I didn't cry either! Nic and I took him together that morning and spent the next two hours anxiously pacing around (while finishing packing hospital bags because I was induced that same day) until it was time to pick him and hear all about it.

He told us his favorite parts were "num nums" and "choo choo's"! They celebrated a birthday for one of the kids in his class with cupcakes and also got to play trains. In other words, it could have been Liam's birthday and you wouldn't have noticed a difference ... ALLL his favorite things!

With Lyla here, Nic has been taking him to school and 75% of the mornings he still does great joining the other kids but sometimes has a hard time saying goodbye. He thankfully has a wonderful teacher, Ms. Ang, who he loves and has already made his first friend there, a little girl named Eve who he calls "Eep!" haha In just the last week I've noticed his vocabulary has absolutely taken off, I'm talking more full sentences than single words and it makes my momma heart so happy and proud! I know he is going to learn so much this year and I can't wait to see him grow!

she's here!

L Y L A   M A E   W I L L I A M S O N

Friday, September 8, 2017 

6:20 a.m.

8 lbs., 3 oz.

20 1/2 in. long

My baby's birth stories are something that I hold so close to my heart. In those moments leading up to and the one very special moment where we meet for the first time, I've never felt closer to heaven. After having not one but two babies spend time in the NICU, it is hard to top the moment when you walk through those doors and get to take your sweet baby home. It feels even better than Christmas morning! 

We are so happy to have her home with us. She is the perfect addition to our family! We love you so much, Lyla!!!

second baby bumpdate | 38 weeks

It seems crazy that this will likely be my last bumpdate post before baby girl arrives! I had another doctor's appointment yesterday morning and am still measuring ahead so we scheduled an induction for next Thursday evening if baby girl doesn't decide to come on her own before then! At this point, every single part of me aches all the time but we are almost there and I feel so grateful that I have now made it over a week past when I had Liam and am hopeful that this baby is out of the woods from having to spend any time in the NICU like he did. 

How Far Along ...

38 weeks

Gender ...

GIRL! 

Maternity Clothes ...

I have about 4 outfits left that actually fit my body so wearing the same dresses and maternity leggings on repeat until this baby girl makes her appearance!

Belly Button & Wedding Ring ...

Belly Button barely in & Wedding Ring off

Sleep ...

Sleep (or lack thereof) hasn't changed much in the last couple of weeks. On a good night I get at least one 2 hour stretch but mostly wake up every half an hour to an hour throughout the night. Basically I'm a walking zombie and I don't have a newborn yet. 

Best Moment(s) this Week ...

Spending time with Liam. This is our final weekend together as a family of 3 so we have just been focusing on making the most of it! Squeezing in park dates, trips to the pet store, time at the library picking out new fun books to read together, going for wiggle car rides around the neighborhood in the mornings and evenings, and eating special treats! 

Miss Anything ...

I miss not having to sleep on my side with a body pillow all night. I seriously can not wait to sleep on my stomach and back again!! 

Movement ...

This is what I'll miss the very most about this pregnancy and have been spending more time each day just sitting and watching/feeling her move. She doesn't have any more room left in there so her movements are very obvious and clunky. It is fun to be at the stage when I can feel a little hand or foot poking out and kicking me! The Braxton Hicks contractions almost completely died away and I have only had a couple in the last 2 weeks. 

Cravings ...

Oh man, we tried a new place by our house called The Soda Barn and their coconut lime sugar cookie is to die for! Like I have to stop myself from going there for one every day.  

Feelings & Emotions ...

Feeling pain in just about every part of my body these days! It is becoming a struggle to go from sitting/laying down to standing and to not hobble around while walking because my inner thighs are constantly on fire. I am feeling anxious about leaving Liam when it is time to go to the hospital. I know he will be in good hands and just fine without me but I've only ever left him overnight once before and thinking about spending time away from him is hard.

Looking Forward to ... 

Next Thursday evening unless she decides to come before then! I can hardly wait to meet her, finally figure out her name (she still doesn't have one), and hold her in my arms for the first time!! 6 days and counting, our sweet September babe!!