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 :)