2 Years Old

How have 2 years gone by so quickly? It seems like yesterday I was in my friend Erica's prenatal fitness class, talking to my friends about what it was going to be like once we had our babies. Now those babies are two, and well, no longer babies any more. Bittersweet.

Leila and I have spent the last few days watching all of our videos of her since she was born. She loves to watch "Baby Aya" on the screen and thinks the noises the baby makes are hilarious. Which they are. Gone are the chubby cheeks, the downy dark hair. Gone are the chubby thighs and silly cooing sounds. The little girl that has taken her place is tall, has curly blonde hair, is quite silly and loving, and most definitely opinionated.

Patrick and I were taken aback on Sunday when Leila said--completely unprompted-- "I love you Daddy. I love you Mama." We just looked at each other--where did that come from? I don't know if he teared up, but I sure did. I don't even know if she fully understands what it means, but it sure was sweet.

A little about Leila at age 2:

• She is the ultimate girly-girly: wears her hair up, carries a purse ,wears jewelry, has her toenails painted, loves shoes
• Favorite color is yellow
• Knows her ABCs and can count to 12, though only when she wants to
• Current lovey is pink puppy, aptly named "puppy"
• Loves dogs (and cats, much to her father's chagrin)
• Favorite food is pizza (or so she says)
• Wants to characterize everyone as "boy" or "girl," including her stuffed animals
• Likes to watch Elmo, Baby Einstein with signs, and choice Disney movies
• Has a fierce sense of independence
• Is still v. attached to "pink paci" (this is not going to be a fun battle)
• Current favorite books are Winnie the Pooh stories, and The Three Bears
• Has an amazing memory and is able to make connections that surprise me for her age
• Is quite crafty at delaying bed time: "Milk! Story! Kiss!"
  

What an incredible journey this is. We love you LeilaBug! You amaze us every day.

All growed up

My sister Lisa came to stay with us during the time we have been having all of these thunderstorms. As Leila (supposedly) napped, we watched Friends reruns downstairs and chatted. Then we heard some thunder, only Lisa did not think it was thunder. I listened closely to the baby monitor, and did not hear anything else so I did not go upstairs to check on my sleeping beauty. When I eventually went to wake Leila from her nap, my heart dropped when I saw she was not in her bed. I looked around, and there was my little princess, sound asleep in her rocking chair.

Apparently, Leila either climbed or fell out of her crib and was still sleepy so climbed into her chair for a nap! I have been asking her what happened, and all I can get out of her is that she did fall and her teeth were hurt (UPDATE: 2 year molars were coming in!)

Needless to say, that evening we converted her crib to a toddler bed. We were a bit worried about night wandering in her room, but explained she needed to stay in her big girl bed. She is thrilled to have a big girl bed and climbed in and out over and over. The first evening we both checked on her during the night and she stayed in there. When I went to get Leila in the morning, she was sitting in her bed, playing with her toys. She had brought some more toys into her bed but was waiting for me to get her like I do every morning. Precious!

Fredericksburg Wedding - Jimmy & Courtney

My little brother Jimmy got married on June 12. He and Courtney had a beautiful ceremony at her grandparent's ranch in Fredericksburg. Courtney was a beautiful bride and we wish them a lifetime of happiness! Everyone had a lot of fun at their wedding, especially Leila and my niece Sara. Those girls would have danced all night if we had let them. Congratulations Jimmy and Courtney!

Jimmy and Courtney cutting the groom's cake--this is the only picture I have so far. The bride had on cowboy boots for this beautiful Texas wedding.

Fredericksburg was beautiful. Leila got to wear a flower in her hair and her 'fancy shoes,' which she was really excited about.

Leila and her cousin Sara

My youngest brothers, Josh and Jay

My sister Lisa, Leila & me

Sara (l) and Leila tearing up the dance floor. (This pic is one reason I refer to my camera as accursed)

1st Photo Essay

Little Bit got ahold of my camera, with surprising results. I should note this is definitely not wise on my part. The reason I now own this accursed camera is that she dropped my old, bulky, yet wonderful Kodak one too many times and it now neither zooms nor will keep the batteries in place.

Looks like she really wanted to show off her pink toenails!

Buddies

I am lucky to have made some of my closest friends during those long years of high school. Somehow, Kelly, April & I managed to have our first baby within 7 months of each other. Our kiddos are all now 1 and a new baby was just added to the group! Last Friday we got together to let the toddlers swim and ohh and ah over the baby. They were so adorable and get along so well.

Luke & Leila were ready to swim, whether the pool had water or not

This fountain kept them entertained for hours


Gray & Leila playing with the sprinkler--why are the most interesting toys not toys at all?

Baby Jamie (Luke's little brother) is 2 weeks old!

Here comes the duck parade

Ah Sweet Summer

One wonderful thing about living by Galveston Bay is there is always a breeze. We spend a lot of time outside, and it has been really pleasant. We have a covered patio in the back and a sand table and a baby pool so we are set.

The last few weeks have been a blur. Leila is out of school for the summer. Her last few weeks were really fun. The kids had field day, which was hilarious. They had a pool party the last week and a special chapel where they were chosen for specific character awards. Leila was chosen as the recipient of having a "Gentle" character. We think that is really sweet, but as the youngest and by far the smallest in the class she kind of had to go along with everyone else, lol. Not that she didn't hold her own--she managed to make the biggest boy in the class her friend so we think she is pretty smart, lol.

We went to Moody Gardens with Cindy, Mary's closest friend from St. Louis who flew into town to spend time with her and meet Leila. Leila has been asking for Cindy ever since. Thank you for spending your birthday with us Cindy!

For Memorial Weekend we stayed here and had some fun family time. The McKinneys are building a log cabin at the ranch so we will probably wait to go there until it is complete this summer. We went to our "secret" beach in Seabrook and enjoyed a gorgeous day in the (still oil-free) water. We went to the pool, twice, and grilled burgers.

We have had a couple of playdates and parties with friends, and Leila is really into birthdays now. She sang the complete "Happy Birthday" song to her Uncle Sean today which was Adorable. If you ask her how old she is, she will say "two." We have no idea how she came up with that. She knows her birthday is August 3 and is crazy about cupcakes, because they mean "birthday." So funny!

Stay tuned for our next blog... my brother Jimmy is getting married this weekend and we get to meet my brother John's new baby, Samantha, for the first time.

Riding Gray's ATV at a pool party at his house. Did you know they made motorized vehicles for toddlers??

Tanning in our backyard, just like mama

We luuuvvv our pool! Thanks Mimi!

Leila's 1st experience with a push up popsicle was a little traumatic

Chillin at the zoo... and you thought only monkeys could climb

Hanging out with Leila's bff Avery at the zoo.

Mmm.... cupcakes! Leila decorated this one herself. It took me a week to get all of the sprinkles off of the floor, lol.

"Yea Aya!" Leila is proud of herself after she makes a goal at field day. We always cheer her on and now she cheers too. She calls herself "Aya" and I hear the words "Aya do it" about 20 times a day. Leila already has chores (feeding the dog) and if she wants to do more, by all means have at it baby girl!

Cuddling with her Nana after her 1st tea room luncheon

Leila's Mimi, her friend Cindy, Leila and myself at Moody Gardens

Mother's Day at the Zoo

Sunday was a surprisingly cool, cloudy day and perfect weather for our trip to the zoo. After church Patrick made me a delicious breakfast. We went to the zoo and rode the train around Hermann Park and the carousel. Leila got to brush the goats at the petting zoo. Thank you Patrick & Leila for a wonderful, relaxing day.

Leila's class sang a song for the moms - cute!!

Riding the carousel with Daddy

A sweet kiss for mommy

Leila being cute... sort of long but it was taking too much time to edit