1 Month Update

I cannot believe my little girl is over a month old! She's growing up so fast! Well, she's still real small, but I can tell that she's getting bigger and bigger everyday! She holds her head up pretty good and she absolutely loves to be sitting up straight so she can look around and check things out. That is, when she's awake. She takes a couple of long naps during the day and she sleeps pretty well at night, getting up about one to two times a night to eat. It's not too bad getting up to feed her at night because after she eats she goes right back to sleep so that's great. However, sometimes her little belly hurts her and there is no going right back to sleep if that's the case. That's when I wake Rhett up and say "here ya go"! =) But the reality is, when she's screaming her little head off no body gets much sleep. Hopefully in the near future she'll start sleeping through the night. Oh what a good morning that will be!! Hmm, let's see....she's now into Size 1 diapers and she's so sneaky. Whenever I take her diaper off to change her she pees. So I have learned to keep a diaper underneath her at all times. She also usually poops two times in a row so I have to do the same thing (keep a diaper under her) if she has a poopy diaper because I know another ones comin! And man, when she poops it sounds like an explosion! It's hilarious! My little sweetie can also fart with the best of them. She'll let one loose and Rhett will say, "was that you?" to me and I will then inform him that it was his lovely daughter. She's getting better at burping after eating. The first couple of weeks I didn't think she would ever burp, but ohhhhh I should have known that any child of mine was going to be a good burper! At her last pediatrician appointment her doctor told me that Lyla needs tummy time everyday to help build her upper body strength so she will be able to crawl. So Lyla has been having tummy time everyday and I am surprised to say that she actually enjoys it. That's what she's doing in the picture above. She is also fitting and sitting better in her Bumbo. I love it when she sits in it, she's so cute! And as far as me and my recovery from having a child...it's been pretty good. I'm not sore anymore and I'm losing a little bit of weight. Yay. However, I don't think I will ever wear a two piece bathing suit again. Maybe one of those bathing suits that's like a tank top, but no bikinis!! Lord, no bikinis!! =)
Lyla Grace in her pink Bumbo and her mommy being crazy and taking an insane amount of pictures!

Uncle Jesse's visit home!

My brother came home this past weekend to visit family and meet his new little niece Lyla. I was so excited to see him because I hadn't seen him in about a year and a half. He's in the Navy and has been deployed on a ship for about 6 months. Getting to spend time and laugh with him was just awesome! He definitely loved little Lyla, although I think it was weird for him....I mean, the last time he saw me I was not pregnant and in the entire time he was gone I got pregnant, went through 9 months of pregnancy, and had a baby. So I definitely think it was a little weird for him to see his sister answer the door with a baby in tow. Anywho, while he was here he was able to catch up with several family members, take me to the NEX (Navy Exchange), play a little softball, and basically, just hang out. I know I say it all the time, but Jesse can seriously make me laugh like no other. He made me cry laughing so many times this weekend....it just makes me miss him so much.

Lyla, me, and Uncle Jesse

Jesse loves his niece!
My granddaddy let Jesse try some homemade moonshine...that was like 15 years old! YUCK!
Monday, Lyla was able to meet little Kennedy! Kennedy has grown so much! It really is amazing to see what I have to look forward to. Sitting up, rolling around on the floor, laughing...it's just so exciting! Kennedy was definitely interested in Lyla and Lyla was basically just real tired! Anywho, I had fun playing with Kennedy and catching up with Jill.

Me and Jill with our baby girls, Lyla and Kennedy!

Kennedy was very interested in Lyla....

Also, in other news my cousin Karen just got engaged to her boyfriend (now fiance) Luis! I'm so excited for her! I think they are planning a Spring 2010 wedding! YAYYY!

Mommy and Me

Lyla and I went to our first Mommy and Me class at Sacred Heart Hospital. We had such a good time and it was so nice to get out and be able to talk to other moms of young babies. Here's a couple things I learned:
* Breastmilk is apparently a cure-all liquid. I was informed that if Lyla gets an eye infection then I should put a couple drops of breastmilk in her eye and it will help clear it up. Crazy huh?!
* I am not the only mother who's child is not sleeping in their crib. In fact, some of the mothers say that their babies love their car seat so much that they sleep in that at night. Whatever works!
* I am very lucky that breastfeeding is going so well for Lyla and I. Alot of the mothers in my class are having a difficult time with it. Thank goodness Lyla is a piggy.
* Lyla is now 9 lbs 12 ozs....like I said, she's a piggy. She has a duck and a cow outfit and now all she needs is a piggy!!
* Alot of mothers have the Soothie pacies for their babies! Apparently they are very popular! I know Lyla loves her Soothie.
* Two other moms in my class told me that they wanted to name their daughter Lyla/Lila too! However, they said their husbands would not allow it. Hmm...
* I think there were like 10 moms in my class and out of those 10, only 2 gave birth vaginally. Everyone else had a C-Section. C-Sections are quite abundant these days.
And finally,
* On the way to the class I learned that I am truly becoming a mom! Lyla was in her car seat facing backwards and she lost her paci and started to cry. So, while I was still driving and looking forward I reached behind in her car seat, found her paci, found her mouth, and put that thing back in! All without looking! =) He he...oh, the things I am proud of now!
Anywho, Lyla and I will definitely be attending the Mommy and Me classes from now on!

My Cup Runneth Over...

This weekend was reaaaal nice. I can't really remember what we did Friday night...oh yeh, Lyla and I went up to the Tate Baseball field and helped Rhett collect tickets for a couple innings during the Varsity game. Then we all went home and had a movie night. Although I can't remember the movie...hmmm, my memory is getting bad. ***Update! I just remembered the movie! =) Slumdog Millionaire! It was so good! Sorry, just had to add that in there!***

Saturday we got ready and went out to Chumuckla and met Rhett's parents out there for the Bluegrass Festival. That's right folks, I went to a Bluegrass Festival...and enjoyed it. We stayed out there all day (Rhett's parents had their camper set up) and just listened to the music and ate good food all day long. Rhett's parents got to spend time with their granddaughter (Lord know they love that) and I got to spend a little time with Rhett. Needless to say, I think little Lyla loved the Bluegrass music because it would always put her right to sleep. Anywho, it was such a nice Saturday.

The fam outside the camper...Rhett's dad was "jamming" on the guitar for us.

Me and my Lyla getting ready to go listen to some good ole country music! Yee haw! =)

Sunday I cleaned the house (I had to take advantage of Rhett being there to watch Lyla) and then Rhett and I took a nice, long nap while Lyla napped. Oh that was so very nice. I miss naps. I miss sleeping soundly. But I do have to say the trade is so very worth it.

Lyla wearing the new hairbow her mommy made her....she loves it! Can't you tell??!

I also have to say (I was talking to Kristi about this the other day) how much having a baby changes your life. And not just in the lack of sleep department. I'm talking in the relationship with your husband department. Mine and Rhett's relationship as husband and wife has changed so much since having Lyla....I'm more in love with Rhett now then I was before we became parents. I don't know if that sounds bad, of course I loved him before but now it's just different. I can't really explain it. I love the way he is with Lyla. His love for her makes me love him even more. It's just an amazing love we both have for Lyla. A selfless love, and I think that that love carries over into mine and Rhett's relationship. I suppose that's the only way I can explain it. My love for him has just grown exponentially. Rhett and I don't get much alone time anymore and the alone time we get we treasure more now then ever. Lyla is the best thing that has or could ever happen to me and Rhett and we are so very blessed and thankful for her. That's all. =)

Her shirt says "I'm Nuts About Daddy"...it's one of those iron on things. I got a bunch of things like that from JoAnns Fabrics and made her a few cute onesies!

My First Hairbow!

I am so proud of myself! I finally made a bow! YAYYY! This is only the beginning!!! =) Thanks for all the tips everyone!
And I just had to add how much my little animals are loving Lyla...they are always always around her! Especially Libby!

3 Week Update

Lyla's already 3 weeks and 1 day old! I can hardly believe how fast the time is passing. It makes me very sad, because I can foresee that this is how fast life is going to pass now...in the blink of an eye.
Lyla is a growing girl!! When she was born she weighed 8 lbs 5 ozs, then she weighed 7 lbs 15 ozs when she was discharged from the hospital, then she weighed 8 lbs 14 ozs at her next weight check appointment, and then at her 3 week appointment she weighed 9 lbs exactly! She's a big girl! She holds her head up pretty well and makes the cutest, craziest faces. Her eyes get really really wide sometimes and it cracks me and Rhett up. She loves to sit up and look around at everything. We really do just love her and all her cute little facial expressions. Breastfeeding is going really well. My little monster can eat. I do, however, have to really watch what I eat because depending on what I eat, her stomach can get really upset. We definitely don't want that. No more spicy foods for me (which I love)! As far as sleeping during the night goes, it's getting better. Last night she went to sleep at about 10:30 pm, woke up at 2:00 am, went back to sleep at about 2:30 or 3:00 am, and then woke up again at about 5:30 am. So, she's definitely doing alot better with the whole sleeping thing. One of our friends let us borrow their bassinet and Lyla has been sleeping wonderfully in that right next to our bed. Baths are so much better these days. I do believe that she actually enjoys them now and I love giving her baths because I love the smell of a clean little baby! There's nothing better! She also loves going out to different places. I think she loves looking at everything. We went to Hobby Lobby yesterday in search of supplies to make hairbows (which I'm not having much luck at finding or finding out how to make them) and she was so good! I was really worried about taking her out places fearing that she would scream and just not be happy, but she has been such a pleasure and that makes me so happy. I'm getting use to hauling around the car seat and getting out the stroller. It's so crazy how fast you adjust to becoming a mommy. So basically, that's about it. Lyla is getting more and more of a personality everyday and I am so happy that I am here at home with her.

My little pumpkin, 3 weeks and 1 day old!

A Very Happy Easter

Easter weekend was so very nice, relaxing, and fun! Saturday night Rhett and I went out on a date while Rhett's parents babysat little Lyla. Rhett called his mom early Saturday and asked if they wouldn't mind watching her for a couple hours that night and his mom squealed (I could hear her even though she wasn't on speaker phone) and said "Ohhh, you want us to babysit??! Of course"! Needless to say I don't think they look at babysitting as an inconvenience. Thank goodness! =) Rhett and I had a nice dinner out and we were going to go see a movie but we missed out Lyla too much so we went to pick her up. Rhett's parents said they didn't even get to change a diaper or give her a bottle. Oh well, there's always next time! =)

Of course Sunday was Easter! Rhett, Lyla, and I went to church and got to celebrate the special day and see all my family. It's so neat having a cute little baby girl, everyone at church loved her and thought she was a cutie in her little yellow Easter dress. Lyla was very good throughout the service (it was her first time at church) and only fussed a little tiny bit (of course during prayer time), but we stuck the paci in her mouth before it became a full-blown scream! After church we went to Rhett's parent's house where all of his family gathered for Easter lunch. Lyla was held by her Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle Wesley the entire time. They are just in love with her. I just love my family. After a huge lunch and a short nap on the couch, Rhett, Lyla, and I went home and spent the rest of the day on the couch watching movies. We watched The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and man let me tell you, that is one depressing movie. So, basically the weekend was oh so lovely and I was so sad when it was over because Rhett had to back to work today. So now, it really is just me and Lyla. It's been a good day so far! She ate and has been napping ever since! However, I'm fixing to have to wake her up to eat again and get her and myself ready to leave for her 3 week check up. I believe this is the appointment where she gets a bunch of fun shots (my poor baby!) so we shall see how this experience goes! =)

Mimi and Pop-Pop's Visit

I am so sad right now. My mom and Charlie just left. I hate hate hate having to say goodbye. However, I do get to look forward to seeing them again when they come back for Lyla's Baptism.
Anywho, we had such a great week. My mom and Charlie were able to spend pretty much every waking moment with their new granddaughter. Both of them of course fell in love with her. Even though we had our little newborn Lyla we were still able to do fun stuff like go out to eat and shop. We even went to a couple baseball games (so Lyla could see her daddy). Lyla has been so very good when we go out. She may fuss a little, but she pretty much calms down when you give her her paci or pick her up and love on her (which I don't mind at all!). She's also really good in her car seat (thank goodness!) and usually just falls asleep to the sound and vibrations of the car moving. My mom showed me and Rhett how to give Lyla a bath that she actually enjoys. Rhett and I tried to use a baby bath tub thing in the big tub, but she was not having any of that. The way she had to sit in the tub really did look uncomfortable and I doubt I would have liked it either. So my mom showed me how to wash her in the sink, that way she's in the warm water throughout the whole bath (in the baby tub she was kind of sitting out of the water). Lyla loved it! I am so happy about that! Also during the week Lyla has been gradually sleeping more and more in her crib (she's napping there now in fact), which we are so happy about. We want her to love her crib as much as she loves our bed! Basically, we had a fabulous weekend with Lyla's Mimi and Pop-Pop! They helped us out so much and we definitely miss them! We miss our very own personal chefs and handyman Charlie! =)
Oh, I was also going to say how it's so funny that I love it when Lyla naps because I am able to get a little rest and get some stuff done...but after she's been napping for awhile I begin to miss her so much! Almost to the point where I want to wake her up! Ohhhh, but I don't! I'm no idiot! Never wake a sleeping baby, right?! =) She's just so sweet and I love her so much, I just want to look at her all the time. Being a parent is so awesome!

Lyla loves her Pop-Pop!
Bathtime! She loves bathtime now that Mimi showed her Mommy how to do it right!
Grandparents with their granddaughter...Lyla's the little bundle in her Grandpa's arms!

Mimi loves "her girl"...

My mom, me, and Lyla Grace...3 generations! Pretty cool!

Lyla's Newborn Photos!

Here's the link to Lyla's Newborn Photo Gallery:

http://www.raeleytham.biz/pickpic/gallery/splash.php

The password is Summerford, case sensitive.

Rae and Wes Leytham did an amazing job and we love them so very much (the pics, and Rae and Wes too of course)! =)

Excited about Easter!

Lyla had a fun photo shoot in her Easter dress today! I wanted to dress her all up so my mom and Charlie could see her in her Easter outfit before they left, because they won't be here for Easter. She loves dress up....or at least I love dressing her up! =)

My Turn!

8 things...stolen from Jill and Jo Jo! =)

8 TV Shows I Love to Watch:
1. American Idol
2. Jon and Kate Plus 8
3. ANTM
4. Grey's Anatomy
5. Dancing with the Stars
6. Days Of Our Lives (even though I'm way behind on it!)
7. A Baby Story
8. Deliver Me (are we seeing a theme here?)

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Coach N Four
2. Vallarta's
3. Zea
4. Logans Steakhouse
5. Hemingways
6. Melting Pot
7. The Deli Case
8. O'Charleys

8 Things that Happened Today:
1. Got labor/delivery pics developed and made into photo album
2. Shopped at Storkland
3. Shopped at Walmart
4. Ate at Goatlips Deli
5. Rented some movies (Doubt and The Day the Earth Stood Still)
6. Changed many a dirty, stinky diaper.
7. Took Lyla on a stroller walk with my mom.
8. Bought Lyla a cute flower hair bow that goes with her Easter dress!

8 Things I Look Forward To:
1. Lyla sleeping through the night in her crib.
2. Seeing my brother in two weeks!! YAYY!
3. Having my husband home the whole entire weekend!
4. Easter Sunday and Lyla's Easter dress.
5. Not having to work for the next 2 months!
6. Watching Lyla grow and become more and more active and interested in everything!
7. Summertime and warm weather! I know, me wishing for warm weather!
8. Spending good quality time with my mom on her last day here. =(

8 Things On My Wish List:
1. An all expense paid trip to Disney World!
2. To lose my baby belly.
3. My mom and Charlie lived closer to us.
4. To see Kristi sometime very soon!!
5. An iPhone
6. Tons of cute girly stuff at Gymboree and Children's Place f0r Lyla
7. A trip to SC soon
8. Chocolate Fondue from the Melting Pot! Mmmmmm....

Lyla's Newborn Pics by Rae and Wes!!

I can't believe it's been a week already!

I can't believe my little Lyla is already a week old (actually over a week today)! I can definitely see what people mean when they say the time is going to fly by. She has been getting better with the napping and sleeping, although she still prefers to sleep with us at night. We're also getting better at calming her down when she's fussy. I'm just so happy because we're getting use to each other and it's just so amazing! This morning we had newborn photo's of Lyla taken by Rae and Wesley Leytham and we just can't wait to see the way they turned out!! But in the meantime, here are some pics (mostly for you mom!) of our baby girl over the past week.

Me and my baby girl

Daddy and Lyla Grace....he just loves to hold her. Sometimes we fight about who gets to hold her. =)

Oh my favorite!!! NAP TIME!!!

I just love her chubby little cheeks!

Most of the fam on the couch...this has pretty much become everyones favorite spots.