Expectations

My aunt told me it would get better at 6 weeks. You know what? She was right! She's so smart! It's not perfect, but better for sure! Today is my 6 week postpartum date and I have been looking forward to this date for a while now! It was the same way with Jax too. There definitely is something magical about 6 weeks and 6 months. I am an idealist at times. And I am super type A. I had high, high expectations for everything to be perfect and easy. Unfortunately, those first few weeks are so HARD. Bleeeh! I hate them! But I survived! Layla is a tough baby but we sure love her! She is pretty colic-y which is no fun at all. She also has some reflux which makes her pretty cranky and fussy. But she's cute so she makes up for all of the crankiness in her beauty :) And on top of all of that she seems to really struggle with gas. Poor baby! We had her on gas drops around the clock but just stopped those today because I don't think they are really working anymore. We also have her on Biogaia. They are probiotic drops that are supposed to calm the tummy. I don't know if they are really working or not. I think we will try those for a few more days. I'm sure you all will totally judge us on this, but we finally broke down the other day and gave her a pacifier. I am ALL about pacifiers now!!! Her pacifier has saved me from completely losing my mind! It calms her sometimes when nothing else will. I am a little worried about having to ween her from it when she gets older because I've heard horrible stories from friends of what a nightmare it is to ween their kids from a binki; but we will just cross that bridge when we get to it! Layla 3 weeks old

She was totally camo with this outfit in her carseat! Whoops! :)

Thank goodness for the pacifier! Don't you think her eyes are beautiful!? I am keeping my fingers crossed for blue! They are still changing all the time!

First bath. Check out those chubs! Love the rolls... double chin and all!!!

Jax is an awesome big brother!! He is so, so sweet! Completely unsolicited from us, he held Layla's hand the whole way home from the hospital. He is constantly giving her kisses and lightly stroking her hair. He calls her "pretty eyes", which I think is super sweet! "Hi pretty eyes!" "Good morning pretty eyes!" The other day we were sitting at the table having dinner and Jaxton randomly said "YAY! Layla is HERE!!!" He is so gentle and kind to her and it makes me so happy to see him interact with her. What a nice boy!! I am so happy that he loves her!

Even tho I am exhausted...to the point that it physically hurts sometimes - I SO love being a Momma. It is seriously a hard job but I love it. I really do. I know I complain a lot about things; nursing is hard. getting up in the middle of the night stinks. it's annoying when jax throws a tantrum and acts like he is two... but gosh, despite the 'hard' stuff, these kids bring me so much happiness. I have the best kids out there! I sure am lucky and I love them so, so much!! I really can't imagine life without them and I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

He melts my heart EVERYDAY. Love him so much!!

Completely wrapped around her finger :)

we're not april foolin'....

...Layla is here!!

Born 3.31.12 @ 1637. 7lbs 11oz 20" long. We are so excited to have her here!!






sweet big brother!!




We can't get over how much Jax and Layla look alike!! Jax top, Layla bottom. Isn't it incredible!?



She's our little angel! We love her so much!!

BELLY PICS

Annie took some belly pics for us. Thanks Annie! I think my belly looks seriously small for 9 months.... especially compared to belly pics from Jax. ...which were taken at EIGHT months. I guess this girl is going to be tiny!?

















AND... our SWEET little boy!! LOVE this pic of him. he is seriously so wonderful and such a blessing! love him!!!

8 and 9 months and Nursery Reveal

FOR DOCUMENTATION:
8 month belly


9 months!


** It is no accident that my hair is exactly the same in both pictures...This is how you will find my hair most days. I live in that headband with my hair pulled back. It's easy and gross and I'm tired :) **

We finally got the little bug's nursery finished. It isn't that great or creative and was totally hodge-podged together on a strict budget... but it's PINK, which is what really matters :)

We had an old white shelving unit in the garage that I re-painted. I lined the back with beadboard that I painted pink. It turned out OK. I invisioned it to be cuter, but it was really, really cheap to fix up!

and, YES, we finally decided on a name - you can see it there on the wall. Don't you love it!!? :) I made the wall letters. They are pink glitter (it's kind of hard to tell in the photo) with flowers and bows that I glued on. AND, I was SO stoked to find that cute little dresser!! I got it at Hobby Lobby (oooooohhh how I love that store!) for $25.00 *marked down from $100.00!!! STEAL!


Lately, Jax has really been loving the piano, which is awesome, since we bought it so that he could learn to appreciate it!



Jax has been so funny lately! He got into my hair ties the other day and LOVES to wear them as bracelets. We went three straight days where he wouldn't go out in public WITHOUT them. I thot it was cute, Shawn was a little worried.

This week, when I was painting my toenails, Jax INSISTED that his get painted as well. He LOVES them! And has been walking around saying "preeeettty toes!" I think it's totally normal and Shawn is completely mortified. Normal, right?


Ha!! :)

Jax's 2 year stats:
88th percentile (32 lbs) for weight
99th percentile (38") for height