At the request of the new parents, I'm not to post any pictures of Layla on the internet (insert loving smirk here)...I can't wait to get to Arkansas and get my hands on that baby!! 

SOOOO, here are some of Blake, random and just because.

Layla made her way happily into the world this afternoon.

8 lb 14 oz!!, 19 3/4 inches (and that's one week early!)

I don't have a picture yet, my stupid phone won't receive them, but I'll post one as soon as I get my hands on one :)

Blake didn't cry one tear today when I went to the gym! It was sooo encouraging. I took her in and showed her a few toys then snuck out (going against every Parenting magazine I've ever read)....but it worked! They said she played and had a great time.

My sister Heather started pushing about 1/2 hour ago!! I can't wait to get some pictures from the family, I will post them as soon as I get them. Come quickly Little Layla!!

Gym Update

We tried the gym again this morning. We prayed before we left and I had fruit snacks ready in her bag to distract her :) They ended up coming and getting me about 40 minutes in because she was upset. Again, she was fine when I got her in the car and home. I'm determined though! Thanks for all your feed back. It's harder than I thought it would be letting her get used to a new place. But we'll keep at it!!!

This is how Blake got clean last night after Daddy let her play in the dirt.

Have I mentioned lately how incredibly God has blessed my life? Not that things are perfect, but we are truely blessed. I love my husband now more than ever, my career lets me work part time and have that outlet but still get tons of time with Blake, I have friends here that I can count on, and sisters back home working on Blake some cousins. God is good.

Advice, please?

Here's the situation. We just joined our local YMCA. Nick and I are both excited about getting in better shape and just being healthier. Working where I do I see the effects first hand of a life lived without any concern for health and wellness. As a perk they have child care right there! Cool, right? Well I thought so too. The first day Blake did excellent, smiling and playing when I dropped her off and when I picked her up. A few days later Nick and I decided to go together when he got off work, but Blake threw a major fit when we dropped her off, so I checked on her 10 min later and the fit had continued. I didn't get to work out that day and we left.

So today I take her and it's just me. I'm thinking it will be better because lets face it, it's easier for her to leave me than me and Nick together. But it's the same thing!!! I was gone about 40 min and they said she was fussy the WHOLE time. She cheered up as soon as I got there and put her in her car seat.

So do I just keep it up and hope she starts to do better? I feel sorry for me, her and the poor child care workers that have to hear her fuss. I really don't want to quit going. I feel like I should give it time and she'll hopefully do better, but what do you guys think??

Who wouldn't love a Daddy that lets you get dirty and play in the water?!?

Here's how Sunday went for Nick and Blake...

Believe it or not, Blake can throw a MEAN fit. This one was induced by her intense desire for the camera :) She gets over it quick and is back to her happy self. Thanks Nick for being such a good Daddy while I'm at work (and for having her all clean from a bath before I get home!!)

The past few weeks Blake has learned approx one new word a DAY!! Today it was "all done". We've signed all done for months, but today she decided to say it!

Here are her list of words

-daddy
-mommy (she now wakes me up in the morning by calling my name)
-bubba
-woof woof
-hi
-bye bye
-floppy (her stuffed bunny)
-drink
-all done
-more
-knock knock
-baby
-bebo "belly button"
-boo boo
-nana

She also tries to "sing" the tune to the ABC's!!! It cracks me up every time.
She can point to her nose, eyes, ears, mouth, and belly button.

Nick pointed out to me today that Blake is as smart now as I was when I was three...hmmmmmm. Not very nice, huh?

Ode to the Capri Sun

Here's Blake and BFF/Cousin Lexi each having Capri Sun's at Baus' race this weekend.  Thanks Nick for the pictures! And Congrats Baus for winning some races!

It cracks me up to think of these little girls out at a race track...I hear they have lots of fun :)

Our trip Home

Though I love Texas, Arkansas is where my family is and therefore will always be home to me. Blake and I spent 5 nights last week in Arkansas visiting family and going to my sister Heather's baby shower. She is having a little girl, Layla Grace, due April 6th.

I was SO nervous about our plane ride this trip. We've flown several times before, but now Blake is a toddler, not just a baby, which completely freaked me out. The trip there was great, the flight was only about half full and we had a whole 3 seats to ourselves....the ride back the flight was FULL and we were holding on for dear life for Dallas Love. But I had my bag full of goodies and treats and we made it with no major mishaps, very few dirty looks from other passengers and the lady next to us even managed a nap! It seems like eons ago I could read a book or take a leisurely nap on an airplane :)

Time with my parents is so precious to me. I try to soak as much as I can in while we're together, watching them play with Blake is such a blessing and knowing that she knows them and is excited to see them is wonderful.

Ok, enough writing, here are the pictures! There are a lot, I'm terrible at editing down.

We were able to attend my grandma's birthday party! 

Me, Grandma Brown, and Blake

My sweet grandma, she's the best.

Grandma got this wagon for her birthday. Blake, Caitlyn and Tyson the dog enjoyed the rides.

Who wouldn't love this face!

Blake doing the pulling

Derek, Mom, Blake and I

My brother and his girlfriend, Dawn.

We gave Blake a spoon and bowl and let her play in the dirt at Nana and Papas, she sat there for probably a good hour!!  How cute are those rain boots!!

Blake saw my Dad picking up rocks so she kept bending down looking for rocks too :)

Blake and her Nana

Heather's Shower

Blake at the shower

A Look Back

I stole this picture from Jodi's blog, but I just had to share it on here. The picture is Jodi and I in nursing school. Jodi is conked out, with me dilgently taking notes beside her.hahahahaha...it really cracks me up. (By the way, Jodi would still do as good or better than me on all the tests!) The quality isn't that great but hopefully the sentiment comes across :)

We had an early birthday celebration for our friend Brianna yesterday. Blake had a cupcake and was WIRED!! She loves Bri so much, she snuggeled her a lot!





My Loves....

By Emily...

Have you seen my awesome new pendants?? My friend Emily is crafty crafty crafty and has started making these beautiful pendants. Her website is www.byemily.etsy.com, so GO, order some!!

Sleepy Bug

There are MANY reasons I love Tuesday morning bible study, the Esther study by Beth Moore has blessed me and taught me so many things, but I admit, below is an added perk to bible study. Blake is so stinkin' exhausted from having all that fun in the nursery she just can't keep herself awake for the 10 minute ride home...