2 months!

10lbs 13 oz - 22.5 inches

Lyla had her 2 month check-up yesterday. She is in the 50th percentile for weight and 75% percentile for height. With that I have begun packing away her "newborn" clothes and her Buddha belly is filling out those 0-3 months so they won't be around for much longer!

She also received her first dose of vaccinations. We are following Dr. Sears alternative method so she only received one shot and one oral. We have heard so many horror stories about babies and shots...so naturally Michael and I were not looking forward to this visit. I decided to hold Lyla and Michael had enough nerve to watch the process. Michael said she had a very delayed cry...and it only took a few seconds to calm her. All in all...a very successful first experience. That night she was a little off and fussy so I had the perfect excuse to cuddle with her all night:)

The only trace of yesterday's event is a band-aid! Well that along with 5 inches of snow that made the normal 15 minute trip home an hour and 45 minute one. Gotta love Chicago weather and city driving.....we were only 3 miles from home!

Below are a few pics I took on her 2 month birthday:)

We have also started a bedtime routine...Part of which Michael reads 2 books:

"On the day you were born" & "On the night you were born"

We look forward to the day when Lyla goes to her bookcase and picks out her favorite book for daddy to read.....okay I realize that is awhile away but it's all about setting the tradition:)

And speaking of traditions....we are stealing one from The Schneider family. We are on a hunt to find the perfect Christmas story/book....one that we plan on reading to Lyla every year. The Polar Express is taken by The Schneiders :)

Daddy really gets into this....I see a video post in the future:)

Tata for now. The next post will likely recap our trip back to Ohio for the holidays. We wish everyone a very safe, healthy and happy holiday.

Santa - ho ho ho!!

This may be - by far the sweetest thing I have ever seen. Michael decided to call into work and take his two ladies downtown to hang out with Santa Claus. Santa doesn't get many visitors on Monday's so he was thrilled to spend some quality time with Lyla...and Lyla was the sweetest little girl...she did not want her first encounter with Santa to land her on his naughty list!

Santa was so smitten that he asked if we had a bottle that he could give her.

HOW COULD WE SAY NO TO SANTA!!!

I had just breastfed her...Lyla was most definitely not hungry and I still gave Santa a bottle of expressed breastmilk. And for you none believers out there...come on...get into the holiday spirit!

Introducing the "real" Santa Claus:):)

Santa reached into his bag full of goodies and gave Lyla this adorable penguin. She didn't let go of it...so I think the green bean now has a rival...to be continued!!!! And how could we pass up this opportunity!?!?! You may find this one in your mailboxes this year...this one most likely is getting uploaded into Shutterfly to create the perfect holiday card:)

Thank you daddy (or as Michael likes to be called...fatha) for taking us to meet Santa Claus!!!

Holiday Part-tay!!!!

I wanted to capture a better picture...but then I decided this one was perfect! This picture pretty much sums it up. Kids and presents = an unorganized frenzy of fun!!

We spent Saturday afternoon at the Garland residence. "The Crew" got together for pizza, football and of course a gift exchange for the kids. It was a perfect way to get Christmas started...it definitely got me in the holiday spirit!

And the aftermath....wrapping paper every where...trying on clothes....playing with new toys! Exactly as it should be!!!!

Lyla helped open her first Christmas gift(s) .....

....got lots of sweet kisses :)

.......and hugs :):):)

......and hung out with her friends :):)

And of course I had to dress her up for the occasion!

Family photo opt:)

A great day spent with our extended families!!!!

Jazzercise:)

Thank you Aunt Carri - I just love my legwarmers. They got me in the mood to sing and dance...so mommy popped in some Elizabeth Mitchell and helped me move my arms and legs to the beat:) We had such a great time!!!!

XOXOXO - Love,

Lyla Anne

See I wasn't joking - look at those long skinny legs....

Oh and mom/grandma....I totally see it now...I see "my eyes" in Lyla in the picture below:) I think the binky also helps her look like me - haha!!!! We need to do a side by side comparison of a photo at Christmas!!!!

...and the green bean. I started to put things in Lyla's hand to see if she would grab on...the green bean was a success so I think we have found her first favorite toy!!!

I have this video thing down now:) So turn up the volume again and enjoy....

A voice!!

Lyla has found her voice!! The only bummer about videos is I can only upload 30 seconds...so now it's time to figure out how to upload larger video files:)

Turn up the volume and enjoy!!!!!!