Thursday, December 29, 2011

Layla-5 weeks old


(Picture taken last week at 5 weeks old)
We continue to be challenged by this little girl. She does not like to sleep and is awake at least 15 hours in a 24 hour period. She takes a few 10 minute naps throughout the day and is ready to go for another few hours. She is very unpredictable and continues to have no set schedule yet. The past few days she has been awake all day long, which is unusual as she slept throughout the daytime hours the first few weeks. She likes to be walked around...and really that is one of the only things she likes! She likes to close her eyes and "rest" when being walked around, but the minute you stop walking or sit down, she is awake and usually will start crying. Have I mentioned that we are completely exhausted?

Christmas 2011

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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

One Month!


Layla turned One Month on December 18th.
Wow, we all survived the first month...somehow. This picture pretty much sums up our life right now. "Crying babies" When one isn't crying, the other one is. Of course, the majority of the crying is done by Layla. Not much has changed since my last post. A few weeks have elapsed and we continue to have an unhappy baby on our hands. This is what she looks like, pretty much the entire time she is awake. She is extremely challenging and many times Preston and I have no idea how we have not lost our minds yet! We are not used to this. Parker was such an easy baby. This little girl is giving us a run for our money!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

The first three weeks.

I'm not going to lie, the first three weeks have been a very big adjustment and extremely difficult. Preston and I laugh when we look back and thought that having one baby was hard. That was so easy..and Parker was such a good boy. I have been so far behind in blogging for numerous reasons.
First, when we arrived home from the hospital, our computer was broke. It would'nt even turn on. So we have been trying to get that fixed.
Next and most importantly, Our new baby girl has Colic. I never thought I would have to say those words. Its been terrible. This little girl rarely sleeps at night and is up for 3-4 hours screaming. The only way to get her to sleep after a colic episode is by letting her sleep on her belly on our chest. Which then means Either Preston or I do not sleep. Basically I get about 2-3 hours per night of sleep, sometimes broken up.
Next, for the last three days, I have had the flu with temps between 102-103. I am praying that no one else in the house will get it. It has been complete misery. My mom and sister come over some days to help me while Preston is working. Without their help, I don't know what I would do. Also my mom has come over to spend the night, so both of us can get a full nights sleep. You really don't realize how much you value sleep, until you don't get any!
I rarely have my camera out anymore, which is not like me. Sleep deprivation is to blame...that and keeping a two yr old occupied while holding a screaming baby. Did I mention Layla will cry for hours during the daytime as well. Everyday around 3-4pm, she wakes up and screams on and off for hours. We have tried everything, and most things just work for a few minutes. Everyone tells us, "things will get better" We cannot wait until that day happens.

About Layla at three weeks old
  • Still wears newborn clothing and diapers
  • Eats every two hours
  • Smiles a lot
  • Very strong and can turn over
  • Prefers to be held...all day if possible.
  • Prefers to lay on belly
  • Likes the sound of water running and the vacuum, but only for few minutes.
  • Does not like sleeper outfits with feet . Likes feet out with no socks..just like Parker.
  • Does not like baby swing or bouncer...would rather be held!
  • Basically cries when awake, especially at night.
  • Has colic episode about every 12 hours that lasts for 3-4 hours.

Layla Belle.


3 weeks old

1st week home


Layla at 3 days old.

Parker trying to sit in the baby swing.



Very curious about his sister. He WILL get in her her crib if you're not watching.



Parker has been adjusting pretty well. He gets jealous on occasion, but he loves to give hugs and kisses to his new baby sister. He also started throwing her dirty diapers in the trash for us. The bad part is, every time we throw something away we have to double check the trash. He also likes to throw his toys and eating utensils away!
Layla was a healthy baby at 6 lbs 11.5 oz and 19inches long. Born 8:05 pm on Friday November 18th...just 4 days after my birthday!



Brother giving kisses and meeting baby for first time.

Seconds after arrival.

I dont even know where to begin! I guess I will start by saying around November 16th-17th I think my water started to break VERY slowly. I went in for my scheduled doctor check up on November 18th (Friday) I had a feeling Layla would be making her arrival so I asked Preston to call off of work. My mom and sister came over and Preston and I went to the doctor. I should say my doctor was on vacation that week, so I had to see a midwife I was not really familiar with. She did my exam........and "Accidentally" broke my water!! For every woman who has had their water broke..you know what Im talking about!I was immediately wheeled over to labor and delivery and we knew that November 18th would be "D Day!!" I started contracting just fine on my own, but apparently the midwife on call did not agree, so Pitocin was started at my dismay. The first few hours werent too bad. Tolerable at least. However around 430pm contractions were very intense(about 1-2 minutes apart, many times just 1 minute apart) and before 6pm I was asking for my epidural....I mean crying for my epidural. The midwife said she called for the epidural. However if I could make the story short, Let me just say the epidural NEVER came. Around 730pm there was no staff available. My sister,mom and Preston listened to me scream "I need to push!!!" for about 30 minutes. And again anyone that has had a baby knows when you think you have to push...You HAVE to!" Finally when I was yelling loudly enough the new midwife on shift came in, sat at the edge of the bed, checked me and told me that I was having the baby NOW! Needless to say I had the baby after just 3-4 pushes completely drug free on a regular hospital bed...and the midwife wasnt even gowned up or ready. Actually there was nothing ready! It was a very memorable experience to say the least. In the end both of us were healthy, which is the most important thing.



The baby was blue when she came out! Very scary. My sister captured the first picture seconds after she was born. Maybe its not for the weak stomachs, but its actually my favorite picture. Notice in the second picture, my moms hands at the top right and Preston's hands... they were the ones rubbing her immediately after she was born.





Sunday, October 23, 2011

Starting from Scratch....

Once Preston and I found out a baby girl was on the way, we were ready to start working in the Nursery. For the most part, we started with a clean slate...well sort of.


The walls were new and had never been painted. However we wanted all new White trim, so that meant removing the oak wood trim along the bottom of the wall, around the doors etc. Then Preston painted both doors white. He also added white trim around the doors and windows...(see in later pictures)

The oak wood doors were also removed and painted white. The window blinds were replaced with bright white (they were off white before!)

It was time to place the Wainscoting on the walls...and not the kind you buy at the store already made. This Wainscoting was "home made" so to speak. Preston had to place all new white baseboard at the bottom, then place each piece of wood about 16" apart, then add chair rail molding at the top....Then prime and paint it all. Oh yeah..plus make sure everything is level. (as pictured!)

By looking at this picture, it's hard to imagine what the finished product would look like. What's also hard to imagine..is that I had so many more "before" pictures and accidentally deleted them off the computer ; (

Let the painting begin... PINK..of course.

Preston did all the hard work of removing trim, removing, doors, measuring, cutting, placing wainscoting, taping, priming, painting etc.

I got to do the fun stuff, shopping for decor, hanging curtains, pictures and doing the overall decorating.

We're a good team!

Before and After of The Nursery







The Nursery is very close to being finished. We still need to pick out a rocker/glider...and maybe a few more odd and ends. But here is our progress this far.

little diva details...




Part of the closet so Far...not including all the clothes in her dresser already. It's funny, I thought we wouldn't have enough clothes/accessories for her.

Precious Princess Piggy Bank....for weekend shopping with mommy

I love the Chandelier. The pictures do not do it justice.

Big Brother Practice


A few days ago I brought the bassinet upstairs so Parker could get used to it. I thought we could practice putting the baby doll in it. His idea was different than mine. He preferred to throw her in. Thankfully we still have a few weeks to practice.

Let's have Cake....or not

We had a Toy Story Birthday Party for our little man.

Would you believe that Parker had NO interest in his Birthday Cake. What 2 year old doesn't want cake! He may have eaten 1 tiny sprinkle off the cake, but that's it. He was too preoccupied with the Toy Story figures on top of the cake. I was hoping for some "cake on the face pictures" but not this year.

He may not have had any cake, but he had lots of laughs...

...and played a little peek a boo with his papa.

Playing with some Birthday Toys..


Buzz Light Year....He LOVED this toy.

Dressing up Like Woody from Toy Story..thanks Nana.

The cutest little sheriff I have ever seen.

Riding his new digger truck, thanks uncle Nick...

....and riding it first thing the next morning, with his Woody PJs on.

Grandpa and Grandma from Iowa...


Putting money in my piggy bank...thanks grandpa ; )

Saying Cheese, while sitting with grandpa at breakfast.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Happy 2nd Birthday Parker!



I cannot believe our Precious Baby Boy turned TWO years old today, October 17th. You are more perfect than we could have imagined. Its been a wonderful two years with you.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Our Trip to the Pumpkin Patch..

We took Parker to a Pumpkin Patch. He had so much fun running around, looking at pumpkins, sipping on cider and petting the goats...

Checking out the pumpkins at the pumpkin patch.

Parker ran over to this group of kids, calling all of them babies.(he says "baby, baby" and points to them) Its was so adorable and funny. He calls most other kids babies, even the kids that are bigger than him!

You're getting so big, so fast. Walking the path all by himself ...sniff, sniff ; (

So much to look at. I love all the fall colors.

He loved the goats...