Long awaited crawling video...

Step 1: Finding motivation...

Lyla would much rather laugh and play with daddy....

Step 2: One green ball and mommy cheering = motivation!

(Tilt your head to the left)

And an added bonus...the funny thing about this is Michael was more proud/happy that she was enjoying watermelon than when she crawled.

I absolutely believe that she only now enjoys watermelon because she gets to feed it to her daddy. Michael has a thing about sharing food - yes even with his daughter - Lyla has had many failed attempts trying to feed daddy - but when he opened his mouth wide - I believe Lyla knew this was a special treat and she had better go with it...what she didn't know is that she was totally distracted and forgot all about the watermelon!!! Hey whatever works!

Is Lyla crawling yet?

Answer yesterday: Getting close but not quite yet.

Answer today: YES YES YES! Lyla took 8 crawling steps last night! Belly didn't drag the floor, got on her hands and knees and crawled about 5 feet.

In a matter of days she figured it all out - so I know in a matter of a few more days she will be crawling from one side of the room to the other side.

Okay Mom - I can hear you now "Manda you better go purchase a gate!" I hear you loud and clear mama!!!

Video coming soon.....

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day Da-da!!

Michael's day started last weekend at Arlington Race Track. Why not celebrate for 2 weeks:)

Such the proud father. In the middle of a conversation, I would look up to find the two of them missing. What I would do to hear some of those conversations :)

Lyla was Daddy's good luck charm - he broke even!!

And even though Daddy could have held Lyla the entire day he let her have a picnic with her friends Savvy and Kennedy.

The only thing missing in this picture are the girls braiding each others hair :)

And to think they wanted boys...

And as much as I enjoyed watching Michael and Lyla having their moments...the petting zoo...oh the petting zoo....

As I mentioned in a previous post - Lyla got a little freaked out by birds flying....but that's understandable right?!?! We were anxious to see how she would react to animals not in flight!!

First up the puzzled look - gaze - stare....

Followed by a high pitch squeal with jitters.... So daddy gave it shot....which did not help because daddy was just as "freaked" out and quickly made his escape... This video does not even come close to showing the full magnitude of her reaction...

Lyla is obviously still uncertain about animals. I think that means many more zoo trips, which seems torturous doesn't it!!!!

We had a great day...a great jump start and Round 1 to celebrating Father's Day.

What Michael didn't know was that I had a couple of surprises yet to reveal. I surprised Michael with a golf day with his 2 golfing buddies - Hamister and Levon. Knowing how Michael doesn't like surprises or gifts...I knew he would think this was over the top. BUT very deserving. There is only one true 1st Father's Day!!

Sunday - we concluded with Brunch and Michael building Lyla her playset for the rooftop!

And lastly, have you seen those cards where you can record a message - after a week of trying I captured Lyla saying Dadadadada. Michael opened his card to hear Lyla saying Dada-dada. He definitely had "a moment" - his face said it all.... Happy 1st Father's Day!!!

Watermelon....

Oh how yummy and juicy and refreshing is Watermelon?!?!?! Everyone loves Watermelon right - especially the seedless kind.....

Not Lyla...

We were hoping it was just because it was her first taste so we encouraged her to take another bite....

Unsuccessful!!! The funny thing is a few days later we tried again - she immediately squinted her eyes when we put it down on her tray - she wouldn't touch it. If this is what is in store for us - wish us luck:)

In just one day...

This morning Lyla was "talking" in her crib...nothing unusual until I realized something sounded a little different. I looked at our video monitor to determine if this was like any other morning...Lyla babbling still half asleep and on her way back to lala land to catch some more zzzzzz's...I looked at the video monitor and found Lyla sitting up in her crib and thought "How on earth did she do that." I went into her room in complete shock to find Lyla sitting up with the biggest smile I have ever seen. I tried putting her back on her belly to see if I would see her work her magic...but no luck there.

Tonight Michael and I put her on her belly to see if she would show us her new trick and look what we witnessed:

In just one day Lyla learned this new trick and while half asleep at that. The days of Lyla just sitting and playing are long gone...we have reached the day that an eye must be on her at all times - she is ready to test her limits and explore things outside of arms reach...mobility has arrived!

On another note: Lyla has her 3rd tooth...it just broke through on the top. If like the other 2, now that it has broke skin it will pop out within days...she will be looking like snaggletooth in no time :)

A little bit of sunshine...

Chicago weather...our 3 months of summer are getting even shorter this year. The past 2 weeks it's been raining and in the 50's...yes 50's.

This photo was taken 2 weeks ago - our little bit of sunshine.

Lyla and I walked to the lake while Michael got in some time at the driving range. But I am so sad to report that she was confused by the flying birds...a little bit of fear along with a very puzzled look. We love that she is our little girl in the big city - but I'll be darned if my child is confused by birds...

Lyla even had a costume change...but with one well equipped diaper bag to the rescue...no sweat!

And a bottle with a view...

So the weekend was off to a great sunny start...the key word being "was." Just that quick the night brought cold rain clouds. Saturday morning we decided to chalk it up and have some fun around the house...

S0 we focused on Lyla crawling...I know what were we thinking?!?! Most of you are probably thinking - once she is on the move you'll wish she wasn't...

And as you can see from these videos - Lyla is most definitely on the move!! YIKES - so after a quick "Baby Proofing 101" google search - off we went in the cold and rain to Ikea. We returned with a Sunday project - Baby proof the condo...

And I'll wrap things up with this video - we have entered the squealing zone - Lyla discovers a new sound daily - but keeps going back to this high pitch squeal....got to love it!!! Her legs are getting so strong. Her harness made her have what we called "jello legs" meaning she would just collapse and not bear weight on her legs...but those days are behind us. Look at her go now...

Happy Birthday!

Happy 8 month Birthday to Lyla!

Happy 8 month Birthday to Lyla!

Happy Birthday to you Lyla!

Happy 8 month Birthday to you!!

Happy Birthday Reese

Happy Birthday to you - Reese!!!

Happy Birthday to Reese. Reese turning 4 is so hard for everyone to believe. Reese was the first baby within the "crew" - so to celebrate her turning 4 was an eye opener for all of us. As we all sat around and reminisced the past 8 years...the carefree no responsibilities of the early days to the middle years which are some what of a blur to the present....

We all sat around to see everyone either in a long term relationships - engaged - married - pregnant and kids...lots of kids!!!!

Oh how we have all grown-up...haha..we are in full blown adult mode. It was such a great day not only because we were celebrating Reese - but to have that moment where you stop and look around and see the faces of so many close friends...friends you know you will have for a lifetime.

And here is Kade - right by Reese's side so he could be next in line for his piece of cake...

And Lyla's husband to be...Tyson...aka "T"... is a few weeks younger than Lyla...what a power couple they will make. Well that is if Michael & Marvin approve the situation first...

And in typical Lyla fashion - when it's time to sleep there is no stopping her....

Happy Birthday Reese - such a big girl but you will always be the "1st" therefore extra special in our eyes - XOXOXOXOXO!!!

Sunday Fun-day

Sunday...Fun-day!!!!!

Finally it's summer AND WARM - we can now resume our Sunday brunch al-fresco...one of our favorite things to do. So we headed to Division Street to see what would strike our fancy...

After brunch we quickly realized it was perfect timing - it was the Division Street Festival - so off we went to explore...

We quickly discovered how family friendly Division Street had become...with a children's store every where we turned and the best discovery of all - The Adventure Stage...look how adorable the lady is in the background...we sang along and danced until Lyla...well I am sure you can guess what happened next....

...until she fell asleep. "Fatha" was relieved - he was a little embarrassed at the sight of one very uncoordinated mother dancing along to children songs. I am not sure what happened but the rhythm that was once inside me has left the building - haha!! But Lyla didn't seem to mind...

So Sunday-Funday was drawing to an end...

Just one last stop...to the flower shop around the corner from our place. Lyla was mesmerized by all the bright colors and of course wanted to touch everything...so while I loaded up the wagon - daddy took Lyla on a botanical adventure...now how much fun do you think Lyla had? Aren't we all jealous ;) What a great time to announce that Lyla is saying Dada!! Anyone surprised?!??! Do I dare tell Michael that "dada" is the easiest...most common first "word" for babies...sorry to break it to you Michael via blog land. But it still melts your heart all the same - rather it is with purpose or not -there is no better word to hear than your daughter muttering the "word" - DaDa!!!!

Can't get enough...

The past few weeks, Lyla has started to play peek-a-boo....on her own...and we can not get enough.... And look at how good she is getting with her fingers...we could just sit and stare at her for hours...her determination and the excitement that follows when she pops the "O" in her mouth...oh and how could I forgot - her cute little mouth and lips when she chews!!!! You may notice her shaking...which is from her feet clapping with excitement..which you unfortunately can't see :( Happy Friday to all - hope you have a great weekend!!!