Sunday, March 21, 2010

Part 3: Sunday - RAIN in the 40's

Part 3: Sunday - RAIN and in the 40's
Well at least we got out of the house. Michael kicked off the running season by running the Shamrock Shuffle Sunday morning...in the rain might I add. Lyla and I were nice enough to get up early and drop daddy off downtown - what he didn't know was I had an ulterior motive. Lyla and I were going to go to breakfast. I have to say it was kind of strange just the two of us having breakfast - a good strange - but daddy was missed for sure! We headed to our favorite neighborhood diner for some pancakes and fruit.
Grapes....or as Lyla likes to say "apes". Lyla is going to turn into a grape! She picked out every last grape and of course wouldn't touch anything else.
After breakfast, Lyla and I went home for some couch cuddling and Sesame Street and before we knew it "Daddy's Home." A cold - wet daddy that desperately needed a warm shower!!! After a long nap for Lyla and March madness for mommy and daddy it was time to entertain Lyla "indoors" again.
Time to open Lyla's new playdoh kitchen set...would she get it?? Here's your answer :)
Putting her food in the oven....
And closing the door....
Concentrating on cutting her spaghetti noodles perfectly...
At the end of this day I was pulling out all stops...what can we do now to keep Lyla entertained? Ah ha - an early Easter affair.
I love you Target $1 aisle - I love you so!
Just what we needed on this day - I new activity that held her attention as long as her crayons do :)
I stopped trying to explain that it would look better if she spread them out instead of putting them all on top of each other...it's Lyla's world!!
So proud! I didn't get a picture of her racking them all off the glass. They are now covered in cat hair and dirt and no longer stick to the glass. If you are thinking about going to Target to get some - you better get there before me cause I am going to buy the entire bin for a rainy day...pun intended.
Note to self - have a box of "go to" items for snowy/rainy days...it's very hard to keep a VERY active Toddler happy and entertained indoors!!
So that concludes our hot/sunny/snowy/rainy weekend - we survived!! 

Videos, Videos, Videos!

I can ask her to dance - but she decides what she really wants to do:)


Now she feels like dancing - well for a few seconds :)

Our future photographer - saying "Cheese" into the camera:)

Monday, March 15, 2010

"Purple"

What do you do when you receive a special request from Aunt Carri? You make it happen...luckily, Lyla cooperated fabulously. My favorite word Lyla says is "Purple" and you'll see why once you hear the cuteness on the video. I think Aunt Carri had heard enough about how cute it sounds...she needed to witness it for herself.  Here you go Aunt Carri - especially for you:) Leading up to "purple" she decided to show some of her news skills by pointing to and saying "Nose" and "Eye". Everyday is a new word. What will be next?
Enjoy Aunt Carri - thanks to you we captured this gem:

Thursday, March 11, 2010

A Walk in the Park!!!

Can I get an amen for seeing the Sun!  Can I get an amen for it being 60 degrees and seeing the Sun! Spring has Sprung into our life...please do stick around.

The last time we took Lyla to the park she was not walking yet....boooo to Chicago winters!
A walk in the park has a new meaning! On this day, Lyla showed us the way and vocalized herself by saying "Dada Up" while pointing to the swing.
We hear it almost everyday. "Lyla is always happy - Lyla is always smiling" We do think we have the happiest kid on the block.
To our surprise Lyla went down the slide all by herself. We have read on her daily daycare log that she loves going down the slide but we didn't realize until witnessing first hand just how much.
She even knew how to stop herself...
And again...notice Daddy's arm in the background...he isn't too far away!
Playing peek-a-boo....
Here's to our first walk in the Park with Lyla!

The Date!

20-week ultrasound has been scheduled - Folks we will find out the sex of our baby on:
Wed, April 7th at 2pm
Cast your vote to the right - - - - >

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

First kick!

So I was thirsty - So I went to the vending machine - So I decided on a Fruit Punch Gatorade - So I downed the entire bottle....which lead to me feeling the baby kick for the first time :)
You just know the feeling the second time around...what a wonderful familiar feeling. Today I have a doctor appointment which I will schedule my 20-week ultrasound appt - finally we will know the official date of finding out the sex of our baby! Stay tuned.....

Thursday, March 4, 2010

A random weekend...

Here comes an Awwwww moment.
Someone please tell me why Lyla allows her daddy to comb her hair but will not let me?!?!?!
I was cleaning up after bath-time and walked out to find this! Is this not the sweetest thing you have ever seen?
Lyla LOVES to color. I guess playdoh is along the same lines so we gave it a try...
Of course wanting to do it on her own...
So proud of herself...
Then right back to coloring...it always starts with 1 crayon...
Then the entire box of crayons...
She will lay in this position for 30 mins and just color...picking out different colors...flipping through her coloring book...and asking us to color along with her (giving us a crayon and forcing our hand on the page - haha). Look how good she is at holding the crayon!  No she didn't draw the circle :)
Daddy and Doogie getting in on the action...
Here we are trying to get Lyla acquainted to her furry friends...
This did not last long...back fired...now she is a tad scared of her furry friends - ut oh! Maybe I shouldn't have buried her in them - haha!
Teaching Lyla her colors - she will say "Purple" which is my favorite word she says...she doesn't understand the meaning quite yet but I love when she repeats it - so cute!
Tomorrow is Friday - YEA - TGIF - I hope you all have a great sunny weekend!

Surgery Free!

Now that I think of it I haven't mentioned anything about this...so in short Lyla had to be seen by an ENT - back in November she got a double ear infection that didn't clear up until the end of January. Because it took so long to clear up the ENT recommended she get Tubes - UGHHHH! With that news we wanted to get a second opinion so I called upon my best office buddy (Giganti) who's sister is an ENT. After I explained Lyla's ear history her exact words to me were, "As a mother of 2 children with tubes and as an ENT I would not proceed with getting tubes at this point." After hearing that we were pretty much convinced that we would wait it out a little while longer. But yesterday was our confirmation.  Lyla had a follow-up appointment with her Pediatrician...she took a look in her ears and said "They are perfect!" The first call I placed this morning was to Children's Memorial Hospital - SURGERY CANCELLED!
Lyla didn't understand why were jumping with joy in the doctor's office and I am sure she was really confused by the treats daddy gave her on the way - haha!!
What a HUGE relief!!!! Here's to SPRING...winter Flu season I have seen enough of you!!!!

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Kohl's Children Museum!

A day at the Children's Museum with friends = the perfect day!
On this day we met the Garland Family out in the burbs for a special treat.
Check Jaida out - look how big she is...
Fooled you...not quite that big...we just had to find the perfect chair so Jaida could get in on the action!!
Child swap...trying to get a feel of what it's like to have a toddler and a baby...
Potbelly's - A Chicago staple - yummy sandwich shop!
Lyla played the role of cashier great!
Hanging with Reese - her pal :)
The best sandwich maker - Reese knows how to make them extra special with lots of extra sauce - just like her daddy!!!
Guess who's still behind the cash register?!?!?!
I am sure Lyla was thinking "Finally a computer I am allowed to play with."
Whew...a quick breather from all the action...Story time!
Lyla and Reese are such pals. Lyla loves to follow and watch Reese. Reese wants to be a Veterinarian when she grows up...seriously she has been taking care of all her pet animals for years!!
Kaden of course doing what his big sister is doing...
Kaden's artwork...yep he painted his own face...he said he was a cat :)
Reese & Kaden - aka ABDC for those in the know. They have some mad break-dancing skills!! Check Lyla out in the bottom corner in amazement.
Lyla's favorite part of the day was by far the grocery store.
And she's off...
Filling up the cart with lots of yummy food.
And finally the music room...here I am teaching Lyla how to play the drums...
She was patient enough to allow me to show her...but very anxious to prove that she didn't need my help!
What a fun day! For those that live in Chicago you must head out to the burbs to experience this Children's Museum. I know I have been dreading the trip to Navy Pier, which is the closest Museum, but the biggest pain in the butt to get to. When I heard about Aunt Casey and Natalia's trip to Kohl's Children's Museum...I immediately knew what we had planned the first free weekend:) I see many more trips in the future. It's a great time for all ages...even adults!!

Monday, February 22, 2010

16 month updates!

Thanks http://www.threeschneiders.blogspot.com/ - you reminded me how behind I am on Lyla's monthly update. It's been several months...well actually 4 months...last update was when she was 12 months.  I have really been debating if I was going to continue blogging so with that came lots of slacking - but thank goodness my sister helped me see the light! It was a hard decision...should I expose my family?  Privacy means alot to Michael and I especially because we live in a world where you have none?  After asking myself several times "Is blogging really worth it?" I decided to continue for the simple fact that this blog is really for us as a family. Blogging definitely has many negatives but I am choosing to focus on the many positives - which most importantly is having a journal for us to have for a lifetime. For those that blog or are considering you have to check out: http://www.blog2print.com/. The day my sister and I discovered this is the day I really started to change my views on blogging!! The most important part is the ability to print this blog to a book that Lyla and Baby #2 will have forever.

Okay so with that long winded explanation here comes Lyla's 16-month update.


* "Clear" words: mama, dada, ball, cat, hat, up, down, all-done, bye-bye, book, lyla, yeah, elmo, duck, dog, ut oh, wow, cheese, more
* When asked what an animal say she will reply with sound for: cat, cow, dog, tiger, frog, duck, and lion.
* A total chatter box. She most definitely thinks she is talking. She will point and tell us what she wants by babbling.
*When asked she will point to all her body parts and also when asked she will point to the animal parts in books as well.
* Most definitely understands what we are saying.
* She will follow instructions like: 'Bring me the ball' 'Look under the couch' 'Go get your stool' 'Go get your suitcase' 'Where's the duck (will pick-up duck and hand to us during bath time)' - any many many many more such as this.
*Will point out cat, dog, frog, horse, dog, zebra, tiger, lion, elephant, giraffe, bird,pig in her picture books.
*We have miniature animals - when you dump them all out on the floor she will bring you the animals you ask for.
*Can put a puzzle together - scroll down for video :)
* Loves reading books. She will bring book after book over and say "up". When the book is over she'll say "all done" crawl off your lap and go grab another book and bring over and the cycle starts all over again.
* Has 4 favorite books: The big red barn (we know this one by heart), ABC flap book, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and a mini animal picture book. She will look through the pile of books until she finds one of her favorites.
* When you tell her it's time for bedtime she'll walk back to her room and get a binkie and wait for mama or dada to come back to put her in her crib.
* Signing over 20 words
* Will do the hand gestures while we sing: Patty Cake, Wheels on the bus, 5 Little monkeys jumping on the bed
* Starting to cuddle with stuffed animals. Will pick one up and give it a hug and kiss...then throw it on the ground:)
* LOVES LOVES LOVES to color. Her favorite things right now are her crayon box and coloring book. She will move her stool over to the ottoman and/or her activity table and then bring over her box of crayons and book and start coloring all on her own will.
* Throws a ball really - really - good!
* Prefers her spoon and fork over using her hands for eating...and is quite good at it...becoming a very neat eater. Daycare commented, "Lyla is the best in class with her spoon and fork - she is teaching the other kids how to eat properly" :)
* She hates the vacuum cleaner and garbage disposal - freaks her out big time :(
* In daycare she will walk up to her friends and give them a hug and kiss. Oh and she has a boyfriend that she holds hands with.
* Starting to imaginary play. While at a friends house she played with a play kitchen. She acted like she was dumping out ketchup in a bowl and then got a spoon and stirred it - hilarious. A play kitchen will be purchased sooner than later!!!
* Schedule: Wakes up between 6:30/7:00am, Naptime: 11:30 to 1:30, Bedtime: 7:30pm
* She is a very good eater but definitely has her favorites: hummus and bread, bread and butter, cheese, bananas/fruit, bagel and cream cheese, raisins, gold fish, organic puffs
* Foods she hates: any kind of pasta, green beans, spaghetti sauce, pizza
* She is playing us big time during dinner-time...she knows what to do for us to give her something she likes to eat. Ut oh!

Okay and that ought to do it for now. Wow that was longer than thought. Another good thing about blogging - it really makes you stop and think about ALL the things you forget. See blogging is worth it - how quickly I have switched back to being an advocate - hee hee!

A SPECIAL delivery from Grandma!

A surprise box - oh what could it be - it's from Grandma addressed to Lyla - you just never know what fun surprise you'll find instead :)
Grandma's are the BEST - Lyla is the luckiest girl in the world to have such a fabulous grandma!!!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Puzzles - Puzzles - Puzzles!

Lyla has a new obsession. Puzzles!
We have had a rack of puzzles for a very long time that she loves to dump and make us pick up. So when we noticed she was "working on her puzzles" you can imagine how excited we were. Now every time she dumps one we are sure to say "Okay Lyla let's put the puzzle back together!"
Check her out:

Lyla amazes us daily with something new. Rather it be a new word like "WOW" when we gave her a big bite of banana last night for dinner or picking up her stool and bringing it to the kitchen so she can stand on it to see what Daddy is making her for dinner. I think she is going to shape up to be the best Big Sis ever:):)