5 Months

Our little Lyla Anne is 5 months old today. She is a constant joy in our lives, and I feel truly blessed everyday to have her in our family! I know I say that a lot, but when you wait (what feels like) forever for a little miracle, and it finally comes........ you count your blessings everyday!

We never bought an infant tub. We never really saw the point. We just bathed her in the bathroom sink, until the got too big. This was her first time alone in the big tub, and she loved it. She just kicked her legs and splashed water everywhere.

In her new Sunday outfit she got from Grandma for Christmas.

Riding in her stroller for the first time without her car seat. I miss not being able to see her face, but she loved being able to look out at the world!

Lyla on her new Changing Table. This is the first piece of furniture we have bought for her!

'I really want my toy........ I just don't quite know how to get it!'

5 months of growth, all in the same outfit.

Back Porch

Today, Lyla and I spent some time on our back porch. And this is what we saw....

Wild Cats

 Ugly Ducks

 

 A little bridge going over a dry creek

 It was nice being outside and getting some fresh air.

On the Plus Side

So..... we are now back in Tennessee. We chose our apartment by looking online, since we were living in Washington at the time. In fact, that's how we have chosen our last few apartments. We never saw our first Memphis apartment, or the one in Utah and Washington before moving in. We have been lucky to have moved into nice homes in good neighborhoods.
Without going into too much detail, our current apartment isn't what I thought it was going to be. There website was a little deceiving. So now me are in the smallest apartment known to man. Two people can't fit in the kitchen, and you can't turn around in the bathroom with the door open. The appliances are ancient and there is a funky smell wafting around.

But on the plus........ we are only here for 4 months, Daniel graduates in May, we have Lyla in our lives and I found a Saturday job to help with finances. So yes, our apartment is small and smelly, but we have so much more to be thankful for.

Big Move

Last week we made our long journey from Yakima WA to Memphis TN. Daniel had previously driven up with all our stuff and started school. Then he flew back to drive with us so I didn't have to drive the car by myself with Lyla. We had planned on taking 5 or 6 days to drive, but only ended up driving for 4 days. Lyla was an absolute rock star. She stayed awake when she was supposed to be, and took naps when she was supposed to. She slept amazingly in the hotels, and was mostly a pretty happy baby. 

We made it through 10 states, 2268 miles, snow, ice, rain and sun. I sure feel blessed to have made it safely and with a happy Lyla. 

 Nothing but roads ahead

Excited to get a whole King sized bed to herself. 

 Happy to finally be at home!

Blessed

Since Lyla was born, Daniel has always been the one to put her to bed. He gives her her last feeding of the night so I can go to bed early, and then he puts her down for the night. 

When Daniel left for Memphis, I was so afraid that I wouldn't be able to get her to sleep like he does. I have come to realize that we have been blessed with a great sleeper. She sleeps for 8 hours before needing to eat, and then will sleep for another 2 more hours. 

I believe I also owe it to the SwaddleMe wrap. When her arms are free, she wakes herself up, so we have to tie them down. This is how she sleeps every night. (any pictures seen with her arms out, is during a nap)

So I am blessed to have a great sleeper so I can get the rest I need to survive while Daniel is gone.

Something to say

She was supposed to be taking a nap, but after doing this for the past hour, I just had to laugh.

0-3

Lyla is officially out of her newborn clothes. I was devastated when I packed away her preemie clothes a few months ago, but now I think I'm okay with her growing. She is becoming a little lady and her personality is starting to show threw.
She is now wearing 0-3, but as you can tell by her rolled up pants that she will be in them for a while. I just love the girl she is becoming!

Strange

Daniel left early this morning in a Budget truck headed for Memphis. Right now our room consists of an air mattress and suitcase. The shower is lined with travel sized toiletries. The freezer is packed with frozen meals. And I have a daughter in my arms who depends on me to keep it together. 

Over the years of infertility, I heard many cruel and stupid comments from people. One being - that maybe this was the Lords way of telling me that I shouldn't be a mother. That He knew I wouldn't be a good mother. 

As we loaded up the truck yesterday, those thoughts came back to me. I was going to be left for 10 days to take care of Lyla by myself. What if I couldn't do it? What if I completely fall apart? It's only been a few hours since he left, and I already feel lost. I should have known I'd have to deal with my insecurities at some point. Just didn't think it would be so soon!

Lyla sleeping on her cradle mattress next to my air mattress. Did someone say slumber party?

Christmas

We were fortunate this year to spend Christmas with Daniel's family. We traveled up to Moses Lake WA the day before Christmas, and were welcomed with the wonderful smell of cookies. Daniel's family has a tradition of making a ton of goodies for Christmas, and we were really excited to dive right in. 

I had a really hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. We have been so focused on our big move back to Memphis at the end of December, and with all the stress it brought, it was hard to focus on Christmas, relax or enjoy. But being around family helped a little. 

 Christmas morning in her Christmas jammies.

 We were really excited that it snowed Christmas day. Being in TN for the past 3 winters, we didn't see much snow. So we were thrilled to see it before we left to go back to TN. Lyla got to feel her first snow, and she was more curious then bothered. I think snow makes everything look magical. 

Hanging out with Grandpa

 Lyla napping in the pack 'n play, shielding her eyes from the light. 

 I guess it was no surprise that I like chocolate, because I got a ton of it. But I sure ain't complaining. 

 On the ride back home, Lyla was completely exhausted. She gets overwhelmed with so much excitement, but a couple days later, she was back to normal.  

Sooooo sleepy

Can't........keep.......my........eyes.........oh.......pen!

4 months

Our little girl turned 4 months old. My heart has been so full this last month with gratitude to have our little Lyla in our family. I just can't believe how blessed I am. She is the most perfect little girl and fills my life with so much joy. She is my proof that the Lord answers prayers. Maybe not in the way we want, or in the time we want, but He sure hears us. I have learned to treasure every moment I have with her, because we never know what the future holds. 

She is growing so fast, smiling, laughing and simply a happy baby. She loves to sleep, bath, cuddle, dance, stand (with help) and has learned to fake cough to get our attention. I love watching her learn and study the world around her. I love waking up to her smiles and hugs. Yip.....she sure is a blessing!

 Looking adorable

 Learning to hold a bottle

 Fell asleep playing

 Ready for church

I have a million pictures of her sleeping, just can't get enough!

Aug 24th: 4lbs 15oz

Sept 10th: 6lbs 1oz

Sept 24th: 7lbs 4oz

Nov 1st: 9lbs 3oz

Nov 21st: 9lbs 12oz

Dec 27th: 11lbs 3oz

Sugar Cookies

As one of our Christmas traditions, Daniel and I made sugar cookies to give to our neighbors. It was freezing cold outside as we went around delivering them, but it was a lot of fun. I love seeing peoples faces when they open the door and are confused as to why you are standing on their doorstep. It makes it all worth it. 

2 days with daddy

Last week Daniel decided not to go to work for 2 days to hang out with us. 

Let me back up a little and explain. For those of you who don't know, Daniel is in his 4th year of Optometry school and will graduate this may. During his 4th year, he has to complete 3 externships in 3 different locations. Each are 4 months long. This past summer we were in Utah for 4 months, we are now in Washington, and then at the end of the year will be moving back to Memphis where he will complete his last externship and graduate. YAY!! This is his last week at his current location, he doesn't get paid for doing it, and we still have to pay tuition for the semester. So it's not easy working so hard, not making money, and knowing that you are about to leave in a week anyway. 

So last week he took off 2 days and stayed home with us. 

 We just walked around the grocery store just to get out of the house. It's way to cold to be outside, and there isn't much to do in Yakima (a small farming community). And since we are planning a big move, we are saving every single penny we have. But we made it fun anyway!

Wearing daddy's glasses

Tuckered out after so much excitement!

Fashion Show

Lyla got these adorable outfits from her Grandma Creviston. So we decided to put on a little fashion show.

Naps

I don't know what it is, but when ever I see Lyla sleeping, it just melts my heart and I can't stop myself from pulling out the camera. I just love this girl!!

Visiting

This past weekend we went to Moses Lake to hang out with Daniel's parents. They only live an hour and a half away, so it's not a bad drive. We spent our time putting up Christmas decorations and the Christmas tree. It was really fun. This year Daniel and I aren't putting up a tree since we are moving to Memphis right after Christmas, and we aren't even going to be home for Christmas. So it was really nice putting up a tree with family. 

 Daniel putting up decorations

 Lyla hanging out with Grandma

Our new little family