sisters and sprinklers

My sister, Stefanie, was in town for a few weeks post surgery. She so kindly helped us out by watching my kids a few days each week, driving places, washing my hair, braiding my hair, doing laundry, etc. I am so grateful for her help! 

Jenny came into town for a weekend, too.

We went on a walk to a nearby park one afternoon. Perry was living the life. Quite pleased with himself for convincing his sweet cousin to push him the whole way there. 

We made it to the park and it was hot! So everyone was thrilled when the sprinklers came on next to the playground.

Layla turns 7!

Our little L Belle, Stinkerbelle, Ellie turned 7 years old! She is all sweet and sour—one minute being so thoughtful and generous and the next oh so defiant or disobedient. But even so, she brings so much joy into our home!! She loves art projects and her stuffies and spreading her toys out all over the house to play with them and then abandon them. She is an emerging reader. She loves singing. And she really, really loves being a big sister.

On her birthday, my sister took us to her sister/brother-in-laws house to ride horses. The kids all loved it! I was feeling really weak that morning and had to lay down in the house for a bit while they showed the kids the miniature horses, too. I know they had a blast though.

Twin cousins!

Layla and Riley made Layla’s birthday cupcakes. Then family came over to eat pizza and open presents.

Riley gave the girls a set of best friends forever necklaces. So sweet!

Later we took Layla to build-a-bear for the first time. She picked out a fairy bear. While the whole process is fun and cute, it was way too much money for me to stomach (thank goodness Grammie offered that as her present to the girls). I think we will take Perry next month for his birthday, but never again! Haha.

My sisters brought some of their kids, too.

Happy birthday, Layla!! We love you more than we could ever say!

Eleven Months!

Oh, this little love! She is really eleven months old.

She is in size 9 months clothes. But a few things are size 12 months. We did transition to size 3 diapers this month.

She has eight teeth now.

While she has been able to roll and scoot a long for a few months now, this is the month that it became more natural for her. We don’t have to try to entice and motivate her to move very much. She will make her way across the room. But she’s still quite content to just sit and play and stay. She’s not moving quickly yet, but she’s getting there. 

She loves to play “peek-a-boo”. When you say “where’s B?” She quickly covers her eyes with her hands. She is delighted when she takes her hands off and you find her, especially with some tickles. 

She is also waving and blowing kisses. And she claps at everything!

Before my surgery she was saying mama and holding her hands out to me. We’ve had a bit of a setback on that one since surgery I haven’t been able to care for her as much as I’d like to, but she’s bonding so well with her daddy, too.

She still gets smothered with love by her siblings (especially her sister who thinks she’s her doll sometimes).

She is eating so much better now and doesn’t gag like she used to. When we give her a new finger food, she will put it to her nose to smell it. Then bring it down. Then she will bring it to touch her lips. Then she sticks out her tongue to lick it. Finally, she will put it in her mouth. She is still a little sensitive to textures, but doing so much better. 

She sleeps well at night. She recently transitioned from two naps and an evening cat nap to just two naps during the day. 


We LOVE this little girl.