6&7

(love our new letters for his room)

I definitely have not forgotten about this sweet boy of mine. He has been up to so much these past two months, and since I am a tad behind (when am I not?), I decided to combine the 2 months. These past few months, Layton celebrated his big sister's birthday

Got to meet his Uncle J and two of his great aunts (Gwen and Pat)

Went down his first water slide

Dressed like a cow for some free chicken (such a team player even if he didn't get any!)

Layton has changed so much! He is MOVING! Around the 6th month mark, Layton officially started crawling. It almost happened overnight. He is also putting himself in a sitting position and trying to stand up. I am telling you people, I blinked and this happened...

And now, THIS is happening...

He is such a busy fella. He amazes me at how fast he can get into something. He loves playing with his football and his cars. He LOVES his bouncey and has even started walking around in his walker. Boy can MOVE! He loves to be on the floor playing. He also loves to open and close the cabinets and has a pretty good grip on anything he can get his hands on. I won't discuss how much hair of mine he has pulled out. He's STRONG!

Layton also said his first word "dada" in his 6th month. We were pretty sure he had said it before, but there is no doubt now. Everything and everyone is "dada". That's ok. I am patiently waiting my turn. :)

While he doesn't "talk" a while lot, he loves to yell. He's not angry or upset, just likes to get loud. He thinks he's pretty funny.

Layton has the world's biggest smile. He is so incredibly happy. And his laugh...oh my gracious, his laugh. He can make turn any bad day around just simply by giving me one of his full, hardy laughs. It is so deep and full, it just cracks me up to hear him crack up. And he is so easily entertained. He will laugh at you if you tickle him (especially under his arms and neck and around his ribs), if you make funny faces or noises. I am telling you, he is the most joyful kid. 

He is definitely still teething, although no teeth have actually popped through. He's never fussy, so the teething thing hasn't bothered him (or me). However, this boy could fill a swimming pool with his drool. Whew! Who knew a little guy could have that much spit. ha. 

On his 6th month birthday, we starting feeding Layton solids. His very first food was sweet potato. HE LOVED IT!!! He has really gotten the hang of food now that he is 7 months. So far, he has tried sweet potato, apples, bananas (not the best experience with those..like his sister, they kinda made his tummy sour-if you know what I mean), avocado, peas, peaches. 

We are also working on getting him to self-feed using the gerber puffs. Lyla likes to help feed him. She is such a good big sister. If Layton is fussing (which is rare), she will run over to him with a toy and say "It's ok Layton, I'm here." So precious how they love each other. They have started holding hands in the back seat and they play pretty well together (unless he has her toys) He thinks she is the best and will get so tickled at the things she does. She IS pretty funny. :)

Layton is still a great sleeper. He can usually fall asleep anywhere, anytime. He is still sleeping through the night. Isn't he just the cutest..and those cheeks...ahh!!!

Layton is still in size 3 diapers and 12 month clothes (usually) Around his 6 month check up, he weighed a little over 18 lbs. We started treating him for reflux this month and has helped TREMENDOUSLY with the spitting up. He is not a fussy baby, so it is always hard for me to tell if something is bothering him. I feel like we are on the right track though. 

So, happy 6th and 7th month baby Layton. You are too much fun! We all just adore you and love watching you grow and explore new things. 

"I was thinking ...over thinking..."

It's been a while since I've aired out some thoughts...on here at least. So, here's some things God is doing in my life

There's been some "discussion" in our house lately about stress. Maybe it's because our pastor has been preaching on living between our load and our limits. Maybe it's because things are swiftly picking back up and we are on the go more than ever. Maybe it's because the Lord is revealing some things to me and molding me to make me more like Him....Okay, so I think it is all of the above. So, let's talk.

I am married to the most easy going guy on the planet. Things just don't phase him. This works out great most times because there's no anger, no moodiness. You get the idea. BUT, he is married to me. And, I don't always handle things the way he does. I think WAY too much and stress about WAY too much. And I'll be the first to admit it.

For instance,
I just got out of the shower and was replaying some thoughts from a 10 minute time span (don't judge me...i have two kids...who can take long showers anymore???)

Ok, so thoughts from the shower:
Did I turn the steamer off ?
I really shouldn't have turned the crock pot off so early, I'll turn it back on when I get out.
Man, I am really proud of myself for going through all those bills...
BILLS!!!!!
Will anyone notice that I ate one more biscuit? (confession, I ate another biscuit)
Praying for certain people God laid on my heart. (didn't wanna name them out of privacy)
Thinking about the text I would send one of our students when I got out.
What do I need to pack for my retreat today?
Speaking of, where's my bag?
So cool that Shop till you Drop is still on
Is Layton crying? No, he's not.

You get the point....

Jeff and I talked last night and I confessed to him that I would really, really LOVE to not worry about things and think about things the way I do. REALLY! I would love to just sit on the couch and enjoy every second of family time without thinking about everything else that needs to get done.

So, if I really REALLY want to live life that way, why can't I? Why do I worry and stress and then get upset because I am worried and stressed? The Lord wants us to live in freedom from stress and worry. Doesn't his word say "Therefore I tell you not to worry"? (Matthew 6) He also tells us to come to Him and he will give us REST! (Matthew 11:28) So, what does that mean Lord? Do I need to memorize more scripture? Do I need to pray more? HELP ME find REST!

I am reminded of the story of Mary and Martha. Poor Martha had such good intentions with her cleaning and cooking and using that gift of hospitality. (can you relate) We all want a clean home and to just feel productive. But Mary, sweet Mary, was just sitting. If I was Martha (which I am most days) here's what I would have said to sweet little Mary...."DO SOMETHING! GET UP!" I mean, didn't she know that Jesus was there?? Things needed to be perfect! But, Jesus said this.."Martha, Martha,"the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Wow. "Mary chose what was better." Jesus was better.

I know that life still happens and things will still bombard our minds (especially if you are a girl) but, what if we just enjoy Jesus and enjoy life? That's what Mary did. She just enjoyed being with Him. It may mean slowing down. It may mean making a schedule to get the things done for the day and then just enjoying the blessings God has given you.<- I like this idea for my life. It may mean sacrificing something. (maybe it's sacrificing that OCD nature, that control, that extra hour of sleep (just to start your day off enjoying Jesus). Can you tell I am talking to myself??  Whew, Lord knows I am still learning. And He is still leading. So, I'll follow.   

To my 3 year old....

Ok, so clearly I don't have much time to blog these days. I am so behind on so many BIG milestones and just thoughts in general. So, to all my faithful followers, please forgive me:)

Now that it is AUGUST, I would like to recap July. The month of July is always a BIG celebration month for us. Layton celebrated his half birthday (can he really be 6 months old already?! booohoooo!) and Jeff and I celebrated 5 years of wedded bliss. But, this post is not designated to either of those things, but rather another important July event, which happened to be Lyla's 3rd birthday!

This birthday was bitter sweet for me (aren't they all, though?) Besides the fact that my baby is becoming less and less like a "baby" everyday, Lyla has been through a lot this past year. I went back and forth so many times debating whether or not to do the party thing this year. We just moved here and at the time when I started to plan, she hadn't made a ton of friends. In my mommy mind, I didn't want to throw her a bash and have only 2 people show up. Well, after a lot of thinking,  I decided "Ya know what, I am going to throw my baby a party! That would be our gift to her this year. And if it was only us that showed up, she would LOVE it because she would know her mama loved her and wanted her to feel special!" All of this may seem very silly, but for me, it was a big deal. So, the party began in full swing (and guess what?? WAY more than 2 people came. Lyla just has a way of making people fall in love with her!)
Here's a few pictures from her birthday:

So, Lyla turned 3 and I can't help but look back on this crazy, wonderful year she has had.

My sweet Lyla,
Where do I even begin? I feel like you have changed so much this year. As much as I hate to admit it, you really aren't my baby anymore. You are truly a big girl. This year, you gave up the paci, moved to a big girl bed, potty trained, became a big sister, and moved to a new house. Quite a year for a little girl (and a mommy!-but this isn't about me).  You always make me so proud!

Here are some things I have learned about you this year:
* You need a hug after getting in trouble.
* You love to hug and kiss and cuddle. Physical touch does not come naturally to me, but I am learning  to love it because you love it.
* You love to watch anything having to do with Disney. This year you would become obsessed with princesses and even start to think of yourself as a princess. ( you are!) Your favorite is Ariel.
* You play well by yourself, but you love having someone play with you. You have an amazing imagination and can "talk" on your phone for hours, or "cook" in your kitchen all day. I love to watch you pretend.
* You still love your bear Tootles and have needed him more now than ever.
* You have such an appreciation for things...even the smallest of things. I appreciate that you appreciate.
* Your memory astounds me. You can remember things that happened a year ago!
* You love to sing and dance and are really good at both. You even learned how to flip this year. You love to make up your own songs and can bust a move anytime, any place.
* You love coffee. One of my favorite things is when I make my coffee in the morning, you ask to smell it, then reply with "MMMMMM, coffee"
*Your favorite place to eat is "Hot Donnie's" (Mcdonald's...really, don't ask.)
* When you pray you say "God is great, God is food..." I will be sad the day you don't pray like that anymore. While we are on the subject of praying, you thank God every night for everyone is your family (and you call us by name) You also thank God every night for your new house. You LOVE your new house.
* Everyone loves you. (Not really something I just learned) You make friends fast. People are just drawn to you and you are a social butterfly. (I'll take responsibility for that one)
* You have become more independent and love to help and do things to yourself. (You love to help in the kitchen.) You really like having a choice and a voice.
* You are SO funny. I love hearing what you have to say.
* Every morning you ask me "Did you sleep happy" and return the question by telling me that "I sleep happy". You also tell me every morning that "You dream about giraffes."
* Your favorite foods are cupcakes, PB and J, fruit, yogurt, popsicles, cheetos. But when I ask you what your favorite food is you say "green beans" <-This is what you always cook in your "kitchen".

There are so many things I can say about you, but one thing that hasn't changed is  I love my Lyla. (that's probably a given) But seriously, everything about her makes me smile. She is so full of life and brings so much joy to mine.

So happy birthday Lyla Rae. May this be your best year yet!!!!
Here's a picture from each month of your 2nd year of life. It's crazy how much you have grown!

August

September

October

November 

(first night in your big girl bed)

December

January

(you became a big sister)

February

March

April

May

June

July

                                             


(1 year, 2 years, 3 years)