3-month photo shoot!

And we're back :)

THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH MINUTES IN THE DAY!!!!

Thank goodness you can save drafts....this makes the 3rd day of "trying" to finish this post!

Where to begin?!?!?! So many updates...let's start with some recent photos of sweet Lyla bird.

As can be seen below Lyla has found her hands and can not keep them out of her mouth. I have to say the most amusing thing to date is when Lyla spots her own hand and realizes it is attached to her and she has control.

And right when you thought those big brown eyes could not get any bigger....

I just love this pic...look at those legs...I just want to eat them! I am very much looking forward to her 4 month check-up (Feb. 12th) I can't wait to see how much see weighs!!!!

Can you believe she is big enough to play in her exercauser?!?! One day I thought "Heck I am going to give it a shot" - she loved her freedom to explore on her own. And what is not captured in this photo is how much she loves staring at her friend - The Sun. Another video moment...she gets "stuck" on the sun and just cracks herself up!!!!

Another first...look at her go!!! She is so strong and sturdy!!! Growing leaps and bounds by the hour!

So did you notice how I breezed right past the part about returning to work??? Sorry you aren't going to get any details about that...I really don't want to relive that day :(

So as I started off by saying...there are not enough minutes in the day. I'll expand on that by saying - thank goodness Lyla is her mothers daughter and loves a schedule:):):) Because she is definitely on one!!!

A day in the life for the Austin Family:

5:00am: Daddy gets up for work- gives his girls a big ole' hug and kiss and takes our supplies (bottles, diaper bag, breast pump,etc...) to our car. On that note - we bit the bullet and got a second car. What started off as a mission to get Michael a reliable enough car to get him to and from work - ended up being a new car for mommy and Lyla. I drove "our" car 1 time and immediately started referring to "her" as mommy and Lyla's car. It's just so darn cute and is perfect for us.

6:30am: Nurse & Play & Cuddle

7:15am: Get ready for work while singing, talking and hanging out with my sweet Lyla:)

8:00am: Morning checklist (do I have everything I need)

8:15am: Change Lyla and get her ready for her day

8:30am: Out the door - Lyla falls asleep in her car seat and sleeps until 10:00-ish

8:45am: Drop off Sweet Lyla bird - give her a million kisses and tell her how much I love her!

10:00am: Double pump session at work

2:00pm: Double pump session at work

4:00pm: YAY time to leave work and get my hands on Lyla

4:15pm: Give Lyla a million kisses, NURSE and take her home

4:30pm: Mom and Lyla are back at home - TIME TO PLAY

5:00pm: Daddy's home - TIME TO PLAY

6:00pm: Fix and eat dinner - mom and dad "fight" over who gets to hold Lyla ;)

6:30pm: Daddy gives Lyla a nighttime bottle (expressed breast milk)

7:00pm: Change diaper, clothes, read a book, and Daddy rocks her to sleep while listening to Lionel Richie:)

7:30pm: Mommy and daddy get things ready for the next day - which includes: make/pack lunch, wash bottles, pump milk for the next day, clean up dinner, laundry, restock diaper bag, set coffee maker, put work clothes in bathroom - get the point:):)

9:00pm: Michael reads his book. Amanda watches brainless reality TV

10:00pm: Bedtime for mom and dad

3:00am: Nurse Lyla

AND THEN YOU START ALL OVER AGAIN!

Okay so I realize the above may sound a bit obsessive, rigid, crazy...BUT it works for us and keeps us all on track:) But like any schedule it's naturally going to get off pace, tweaked, improved! I expect Lyla to give us a curve ball at any point. I've heard it said before...and thought to myself...what a line of bull crap and here I go saying it to myself..."I look forward to those hectic days" but I can honestly say hectic days have never been so enjoyable!! Lyla has made those hectic days a joy...honestly what more could you ask for. Work stays at work. We work with more purpose and count down every hour until we can get our hands on Lyla. Every day I remind myself that I am only away from her 7 to 8 hours...of which she sleeps at least 4 of them!!!

Every morning I wake up and have to remind myself that Lyla is really here!!! The whole pinch me scenario. Those that know me well probably expected a rigid schedule - even a spreadsheet detailing my every move...but I am VERY happy to report that my to-do list could not be longer and it's just okay. It will eventually all get accomplished. Priorities - they are a changin'...

Okay I think that ought to do it for now:) We took Lyla in this past weekend for her 3 month photo shoot. I will post the link to view her gallery as soon as I receive!!!

Oh just remembered one thing...the once thought perfect stroller - The Orbit - is NOT perfect. I just posted it on craigslist. I HATE it! It is the most impractical piece of you know what. Okay so it doesn't help that I have to carry it up 4 flights of stairs but I know there is something more feasible for us out there. Ughhhhh... So if you love your stroller - please pass along your recommendation:)

A Mothers Protest

The Austin Family survived the holidays. In fact, it was the best holiday season ever....wonder why:) I am sure everyone is wondering where the update is....well that is because I am officially protesting "the computer."

Why you ask?

I have 2 more weeks before returning to work part-time:( My plan is to start 3 days a week the 3rd and 4th week of January and then back to full-time the first week in February.

I am in COMPLETE denial and must wrap this post up very quickly before the tears start...

So for now I am enjoying TODAY with sweet Lyla - and enjoying every waking moment....make that EVERY second....I may just even stare at her while she sleeps!!!!

So now my "computer" protest begins...

If you "need" more check out:

http://www.threeschneiders.blogspot.com/

To know surprise....my sister captioned and summarized our holiday beautifully!!!!