Layla's "First" Halloween

Layla last Halloween at 4 Months


Last year we didn't even buy Layla a costume. I didn't want to be one of those mom's who walked around with her baby and collected candy just to eat for myself. After all, I was trying to lose weight not gain!

Today our neighborhood had a small Halloween festival where all the business were handing out candy and the kids could jump in an inflatable and paint a pumpkin for free. We met our friends Josh, Katie and their adorable 6 month old , Henry. Layla was a ballerina and she actually loved trick or treating. I would ask her to say please and thank you because these were words she can say rather "trick or treat". It was a good way to practice manners! She collected candy in her little backpack and the she could strap it on and keep walking. At any given time she would always be hanging on to atleast one piece in her hand. To my surprise, we made it back to the house without having to open any. Then we shared a couple of Reese's cups :)

She was the cutest ballerina in town and the little old ladies still made comments about her "juicy" legs in her tights.
Hope you all had a great day with your family. We are cherishing every minute and hope that we never forget the sweet days like this!

Middle Half Marathon Oct. 16, 2010

I am just realizing that I have not written on single post about my half marathon (13.1 miles) experience. Before I got pregnant with Layla I was training for the same half marathon. I was about half way through my training when I got pregnant and very sick. Running at that point was no longer an option since I could not go an hour without throwing up! Anyway, so I began training again at the beginning of the summer. My goals were to finish the race and lose my last 10 or so pounds of "Layla weight".

After a HOT summer of training, the half was this past Saturday (Oct. 16th). The race started at 7:00am with a high at 40 degrees. Much different and better than those 95+ degree temps that I had been training in. Although my goal was just to finish, I had hopes to do it in less than 2 hours and 30 minutes. It took me until about mile 4 before I could feel my hands and feet. My muscles were very tight because they weren't stretched while they were warm. When I came around mile 6, I saw my family there cheering me on! It was so encouraging. Mile 7-8 was a pretty long straightaway that got pretty boring. I didn't walk at all until mile 8 and from then on out I walked through each water station (every mile) in order to drink some water. Then at mile 9, I saw my family again. About mile 10 & 11 I felt like I had gotten a new wind. Then around mile 12 my joints (hips and knees) were really beginning to ache. I probably walked more in the last mile than I did the whole race. My legs were just done! In my training the most I had run was 10 miles, so I knew the last 3 miles were going to be a new experience. By that point I believe that most of it was mental anyway.

I accomplished my goal of finishing under 2:30, finishing at 2:23. I also accomplished my goal of losing the rest of my baby weight. I now weigh about 4 pounds less than I did before Layla.

I learned a lot of things while training for this half marathon. I remember at one point, when I had reached about mile 7,8 in my training I decided that I was done. I was tired of the commitment and really just tired of running! Lucas ever so gently reminded me of what kind of example I would be setting for Layla if I just quit. Of course, when she gets older I want her to do what she says she is going to do, when she says she is going to do it, in every area of her life.

So I continued running.

Later in my training, I came to the realization that "mental" toughness is a lot harder to gain that "physical" toughness. I learned that my mind definitely wants to quit before my body. I think by the end of the training I had more of an "I can do this" attitude than I did when I began.

Overall, it was really a great experience and I think that I would do it again. Maybe after another baby when I have that extra weight to lose again. :) I am going to try to keep running as a part of my lifestyle. It has been a good way to get "me time".
I just want to conclude by saying that running does not take skill. Anybody can be a runner. It just takes commitment to get through the first part that is extra tough. If I can complete a half marathon then you can too!
(the pics uploaded backwards in time, Sorry!)


Medal and Tag

Finish

Mile 9ish

Mile 6ish

Start

Before the Race! Trying to stay warm!

Viewing Blog

I had a couple of complaints of some of you being able to view my blog with the other background that I had. Let me know if you can see this one:)

"15 Month" Dr visit

Now that Layla is 16 1/2 months, we finally got her to the doctor for her 15 month check up. This check up was a little different. She started screaming as soon as the nurse touched her, even if it was just to measure her head. Up until now she has been okay until the shots. Because of her screaming, I am not sure if I got everything exactly right but I think she weighed 23 pounds and was 30ish inches long. She remains in the 50% for weight, but has jumped up to the 85% for height. I never thought she seemed "taller", but I guess that she is! The doctor was very pleased with her development. She was way above the "standard" requirements for children her age. He gave me tips on ways to approach her picky eating and said that he would not worry about a vitamin as long as she had a balanced diet. I am just praying that she doesn't catch everything under the sun this winter since her immune system has not had to fight much...yet!

This month has been full of Layla trying to gain more and more independence. She refuses to eat anything that I feed her and insist on doing it herself, but she is actually pretty good at it! Left hand dominance has definitely taken over. Neither Lucas or I are left handed but I guess it is in there somewhere. We will see if it sticks around! We are also still having tough days with the teething. Guess cutting those molars are rough! Glad we don't remember that. Even though some days I want to pull my hair out, I still find myself missing her after she is in bed and looking forward to the next morning when she wakes.

We have introduced that potty although I know it is still too early. I am just trying to get her to learn the words "potty", and "poo poo" . Layla poops about the same time everyday and I always know when she is doing it. She stops all activity and really concentrates. I really believe that if I went and stuck her on the potty she would probably use it, but have yet to try it. Is that too much info?? Probably so. Sorry.

Nothing else is too significant in her life right now. Other than she is the light of our lives and I am so in love with my family. Thank you Jesus for the gifts of my husband and daughter.
Here are a couple pics of her this month.
She is dressed as a ballerina at her Music Class this week before Halloween.

31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Children

Got this in an email today and thought it was worth sharing. These are definitely my prayers for Layla and all my future children.

31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Children
1. Salvation -- "Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." Isaiah 45:8, 2; 2 Timothy 2:10
2. Growth in Grace -- "I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18
3. Love -- "Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them." Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:2
4. Honesty and Integrity -- "May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection." Psalm 25:21
5. Self-Control -- "Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do." 1 Thessalonians 5:6
6. Love for God's Word -- "May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb." Psalm 19:10
7. Justice -- "God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do." Psalm 11:7; Micah 6:8
8. Mercy -- "May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful." Luke 6:36
9. Respect (for self, others, and authority) -- "Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as Your Word commands." 1 Peter 2:17
10. Biblical Self-Esteem -- "Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:10
11. Faithfulness -- "Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts." Proverbs 3:3
12. Courage -- "May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions." Deuteronomy 31:6
13. Purity -- "Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions." Psalm 51:10
14. Kindness -- "Lord, may my children always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." 1 Thessalonians 5:15
15. Generosity -- "Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age." 1 Timothy 6:18-19
16. Peace-Loving -- "Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace." Romans 14:19
17. Joy -- "May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 1:6
18. Perseverance -- "Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them." Hebrews 12:1
19. Humility -- "God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all." Titus 3:2
20. Compassion -- "Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion." Colossians 3:12
21. Responsibility -- "Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load." Galatians 6:5
22. Contentment -- "Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength." Philippians 4:12-13
23. Faith -- "I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them." Luke 17:5-6; Hebrews 11:1-40
24. A Servant's Heart -- "God, please help my children develop servant's hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not men." Ephesians 6:7
25. Hope -- "May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
26. Willingness and Ability to Work -- "Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23
27. Passion for God -- "Lord, please instill in my children a soul that "˜followeth hard after thee,' one that clings passionately to You." Psalm 63:8
28. Self-Discipline -- "Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair." Proverbs 1:3
29. Prayerfulness -- "Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers."
30. Gratitude -- "Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 2:7
31. A Heart for Missions -- "Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see Your glory declared among the nations, Your marvelous deeds among the peoples." Psalm 96:3

16 Months... WOW!

On Oct. 1st Layla reached the 16 month milestone. With all the running, climbing, kicking, and jumping she as been doing I am glad that I have kept her alive to see this month! Boy is she busy. As with every month, I am really enjoying this age. They are all bittersweet because my baby is growing up but it is so fun to see her personality develop. Each day we are noticing traits and realizing how obvious it is which parent that trait came from. I guess that is the sense of humor that God has...to show us our best and Worst attributes in our children!

Some things Layla Loves this month: Her stuffed Minnie Mouse & Monkey, music & music class, being outside, helping me clean and do laundry, walking anywhere independently, tickling, jumping, kicking, playing "boo" on our phones, playing with other children, her sippy cup

Some things Layla doesn't love: most healthy food (she has become very picky), the vacuum cleaner, big dogs, the nursery at bible study, for me to leave the room even if it is to go to the bathroom, being constrained to a carseat, high chair, stroller, or shopping cart

Sleeping habits: Sleeps at night for 13-13 1/2 hours; Naps 1 1/2-2 hours during the day usually early afternoon

Things she can sign: all done, more, drink, eat (she sticks one finger in her mouth), please, music, down

Words she can speak: eat, drink, hungry, blueberry, banana, bagel, goat, ostrich, baboon, chicken, donkey, kitty, snap, kick, up, down, momma, daddy, papa, grammy (which is mammy), Reese, Gavin, Chris, Natalie, go, music, stop, shoe, bath, night night, minnie, monkey, book, bye bye ....She will try to repeat almost anything we tell her too. It is still baby language that usually only Lucas or I can interpret!

Body movements: Layla can run but her legs move faster when she is actually running in place:), she can kick, jump (only her feet don't leave the ground), she twirls, walks backwards and can almost pull herself onto the couch. She loves to climb all over Lucas and I as we all tickle each other. She does motions with a few of her songs. She puts her finger in the air, can point to her ears, hair, knee, & belly. She claps her hands and says "snap" when she sees or sings about a crocodile.

Teeth: This past month has been a month for TEETH. Layla was a late bloomer in this area but has caught up quickly. She now has 4 on the top in the front, 4 on the bottom in the front, and then 4 molars (2 on top & 2 on bottom). There was about a week and a half of this month that I thought Lucas and I might lose our mind because of all the fussiness! But THANK GOD we have a our sweet little girl back!

We have not been for her 15 month check up yet so I am not sure what her official stats are. I am already buying 18-24 months clothes for the fall and winter but I assume that she is still average like she has been since birth.

Whoooo! Just typing all her actions makes me tired! No wonder I am exhausted at the end of the day!!

I love this little girl so much. Even though some days are a lot of "work", each day ends with the sweetest gift. Layla is now saying "amen" with me at the end of our bedtime prayers, says night night, and I hear her blowing me kisses as I walk out the door. Those 3 things remind me what a joy Layla is in our lives!
LK