Layla Bae

So....let me tell you something awesome!! Last weekend, I spent 90% of each day trying to get Layla to sleep. I would rock her for 45 minutes and lay her down only to hear her wake up 30 minutes later. Then I would rock her 45 more minutes to try to extend her nap. That’s not the awesome part. Actually it was a long weekend for everyone...especially Lily. We knew we needed to make some changes. 

So Monday we packed up the mamaroo, we packed away the swaddle and we prepared ourselves for sleep training (ahhhhh...not that...anything but that). We decided to teach Layla to self-sooth, help her become less dependent on eating to calm down, and sleep in her crib without a swaddle. I mean, if we’re doing it, we might as well do it all. 

The first night was rough. Layla did a lot of crying. I watched a lot of YouTube videos to try to distract myself from the crying. But (here’s the awesome part) the last couple nights, Layla has done a great job!!!! She still needs a little help getting back to sleep and I think Husband must have the magic touch because he will hold her for a minute, put her down and she will fall asleep in a couple minutes. Can he use “helping my kid learn to fall asleep” or “helping my wife stay sane” as a reason to call in sick to work this weekend? 

We are very thankful!! Sleep training isn’t an easy process and we haven’t totally got it down yet but we are so thankful for the success Layla has had so far!!!

Halloween

Sure, Halloween was a week ago but we’re still eating the candy so this post really isn’t that late. 

Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader (who “loves her church”) and a tiny Ewok. We already have our costumes picked out for next year too...guy wearing regular clothes, lady dressed as an angel, girl wearing a cape and baby teddy bear. 

It was a bit chilly and dreary but it was still fun. Mimi and Papa brought a wagon and carted Lily around the neighborhood. Our cute little Ewok did a great job too. 

And there weren’t very many scary things in our neighborhood which is great. That means Lily can stick to being scared of alligators...apparently a very real danger...in Missouri...to a toddler. 

#babyinapumpkin

“You aren’t going to be one of those parents who makes their kids take weird pictures, are you?”

Yes. That is my exact parenting style 😀

Sweet Sisters

Lily got sick last night and hasn’t been feeling great today. I came upstairs from putting her sheets in the wash and both girls were laying quietly on a blanket. “It’s okay Layla. Don’t be scared. Don’t be afraid. I love you.” 

So sweet.

I took a moment to absorb the sweetness, snapped a picture, then told Lily to “please stop breathing on Layla.” 

5 Months

Layla isn’t quite 5 months yet but these pictures were so cute I just couldn’t wait. 

Sunny With a High of 75

It finally feels like fall outside!!! Which means I need the largest pumpkin spice latte around STAT. The weather has finally been cool enough to go on some adventures. 

We went to grandma and grandpas house and picked up some delicious vegetables. We also played with every toy around and made sure to wear grandpa out. I don’t have any proof because I didn’t have my phone with me but you can take my word for it. 

We also went to the zoo with friends. I was a little apprehensive about taking both chicas (How do I take Lily to the bathroom while Layla is in a giant stroller? What if our friends want to stop while I need to keep the girls moving? How am I going to feed Layla if she gets hungry somewhere around the zebra exhibit?). But it all went really smoothly. 

Some days I’m all like, “Yeah, I totally got this whole parenting 2 kids thing.” And then other days I don’t get to shower until 4:30 pm and we have tortillas for dinner...just tortillas. Luckily Lily doesn’t mind because thinks any circular food is “pizza.” #winning

Happy Weekend

Happy weekend!! Hopefully you have something awesome planned...like a nap. We are planning to do some tummy time. Tiny Chica is discovering that tummy time isn’t always terrible. It’s probably because she’s been getting more practice. When I turn my back, Lily likes to roll Layla on her tummy. As a result I try to never turn my back. 

In other news, Lily Girl has almost completely mastered potty time...even when we aren’t at home. It’s kind of a big deal. Now we have to tackle night potty training. But not today. Definitely not today. And maybe not tomorrow either. 

Oh, and one last thing. Have you ever had a birthday cake shake? They’re pretty delicious. It tastes like birthday cake batter in a cup...without the frosting (and hopefully without the salmonella). Layla was pretty bummed that she couldn’t have any. I can’t say I blame her. 

Have a fantastic weekend!!!