In this picture is my friend Jessica and her sweet baby Carter (10 months). We had lunch together over the holidays while I was back in TN. The story is pretty neat because I knew Jessica's husband growing up. We went to Sunday School together for as long as I can remember. He was always like a brother to me and his momma treated me as her own. Then, while I was in college, I began working at this little restaurant called through Through the Grapevine. I can't remember if Jessica was there before or after me but either way, I would say that we were immediate friends. At that time she was dating Dustin, the boy I grew up with. It is a small world for sure. We both worked at TTG for 2-3 years and during that time I became engaged and then later married to Lucas and she then became engaged and married to Dustin. Needless to say we went through major life changes in the company of each other:)

It was neat to go back and see our old boss (who we love) and catch up and watch our kids try to steal each other's food. Although we live in different states, it is friendships like these that I cherish and know they will last for a lifetime!

Jessica maybe you can clarify some of the details...your memory is much better than mine. Didn't I know you a little when we were younger too? You went to church with us for awhile as well right?

Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas with our families. It was super busy but this year I tried to not get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle but really just sit back and take it all in. With a child of my own, I take on the perspective Mary must of had more easily (minus the virgin birth). Our lives were similar in the fact that we both carried a child for about 10 months and our love for him/her was felt way before we even saw their face. The difference in our lives is that I pray everyday that Layla would live a long healthy life so that she will see her great grandchildren. Mary probably desired that same thing for Jesus, even though their life spans were much shorter back then:) Instead, she finds out that her perfectly beautiful baby boy was going to be murdered in the harshest way for people whom Mary had never known and never would know. Maybe her sacrifice would have been much easier if he were dying for sweet "good" family members. But that was not God's plan. Jesus was born to die for all of the world no matter how great their sin. Although Mary and I are both members of the mom club, her story as mom is dramatically different from any story a mom will ever tell again. Although there are VERY hard times in Mary's story, we must always stick around until the very end because it ends well, VERY well.

And it all started with Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ. Since becoming a mom, the day of Jesus's birth will never be passed on as any other day. It takes me back to the immediate, overwhelming love that I had for Layla on her birthday and now the life changing love that I have for Jesus on his birthday!

Here are a few pics from Christmas:

Her Minnie Mouse gloves

Slow present opener

So Excited!

This Year...
Last Year
This Year....
Last Year
This Year...
Last Year

What a difference a year makes!

No, No, No!!!!!!!

Layla first learned the word "yes" a couple of months ago but we have officially entered the "NO!" stage. Lord please give me wisdom in how to deal with my child in this new stage. I have to admit, at first it was kind of cute. That was before she knew what she was really talking about. Now she is beginning to say it with attitude and the cuteness is slowly disappearing:) My favorite though is when she is doing something that I am going to tell her no for and so she starts saying no before I even can. Kids are sure a lot smarter, a lot earlier than we give them credit for!

Other than the word No, this age is definitely my favorite up to this point. I know I say that every month but the more she develops her personality and can communicate with us the sweeter it is! She has also needed a few extra hugs these days which I love, especially when she initiates them. Now when we discipline her there are huge crocodile tears and then a sweet hug usually follows. She has also started walking around the house saying "Go? Go?" while holding out her hands while she is looking for something. Just like we would do when we say " Where did it go?".

She had her 18 month check up while we were in TN for the holidays. This was her last time to see the pediatrician there. At her 2 year old check up, we will use an Atlanta doctor. I feel like a bad mother for not having the exact statistics for her baby book but the doctor visit was full of screaming. I know she was about 25 pounds 11 ounces. As far as her length I really have no idea... 30 something. I do know that she has jumped up to the 75th percentile in height and weight, so at least she is proportional right? She has her second Hepatitis A shot around 2 and then no more shots till kindergarten. PRAISE THE LORD. It just gets more heartbreaking the older it gets. This time she was screaming repeatedly "All Done!!".

We have not pushed the potty anymore since the last post but we are definitely talking about the potty during the day. She will even go to it if I ask where it is. We will be apart a week at the end of January so I think for my 27th birthday (February 7th) I am going to start potty training :)

A post with Christmas pics will be following soon!

Blessings,
LK

Visit to museum

This morning, Layla and I took our first visit to the Imagine It: Atlanta Children's Museum. It was a great escape from these cold days we have had this week. I believe Layla really enjoyed it! We will definitely be back. Here are some pics from our visit!
Have a great Wednesday!

Pooped in the Potty!

Today was a monumental day in the life of parenting for Lucas and I. Well it really wasn't that big of a deal but Layla did poop in the potty for the first time. It was not on purpose though. Now that Layla is 18 months, potty training has crossed my mind but I was not considering anything until after Christmas because it is such a hectic time anyway.

Tonight after her bath, Layla was running around naked upstairs. She was playing with Lucas is his office and running up and down the hallway. Then she paused at Lucas's desk and I saw "the look" and it occured to me that she had not gone yet today. I yelled at Lucas and said "She's about to poop on your floor"! He grabbed her up and ran to the bathroom and set her on the toilet. And what do ya know, she did her business! I knew she was done because she started reaching for the toilet paper. It was so cute. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry because my little girl is growing up. We praised her so much she probably thought we had lost it for sure. Who thought using the potty for the first time could be such a special moment :)

As for continuing/starting potty training, I am still not totally comitted but we will see how tomorrow goes!

All grown up at 18 months

Today, Dec 1st marks Layla's 1 and a half birthday. Can't believe we are on the downslope to 2?!? When Layla was a newborn, 18 months sounded so old to me. Her clothing size now includes 24 months in it! I would say that we are in full blown toddlerhood now. Layla has celebrated her turning 18 months by waking up with a fever. I know that she is cutting more teeth. This is the first time in her life that she has had any sort of fever. I am enjoying the extra cuddling time! We did manage to get out of the house today. I think that we were both about to go stir crazy with all the rain that we have had this week. We took a trip to Lenox Mall to just get a little energy out! Layla does much better at the mall without a stroller. She does pretty well at holding my hand and walking or letting me carry her. Plus it is nice to be able to jump on the escalator rather than always hunting for an elevator. Of course, if I am at the mall for any serious shopping, a stroller is still a must!

Here of a couple pics of Layla from this time last year....
Have you ever seen a bald spot like this??



She still could not even sit up on her own yet.




And here she is as an 18month old. Eating lunch in a "big girl" chair at the mall.

Watching Barney makes her teeth hurt less:)

Day 30 of 30 days of Thanksgiving

I made it to day 30. This is the most consistent that I have ever been with my blog post. What a month of reflection this has been. Let me just say my life is good, really good. I am drinking from a pitcher because my cup is so full. I have a beautiful family, a nice house, drive a nice car, live in a diverse city, with wonderful family, and great friends. All these things are good but as the old saying goes, this month I have learned that the best things in life aren't things. On this 30th day of thanksgiving, I am most thankful for Him who makes all things. He chose me even before I chose Him. He makes all good things extraordinary and gives all tough & hard things purpose. He gives us hope for the future and He is our everlasting when it seems to be the end. He satisfies when we are hungry and loves when we seem to be unlovable. He knows me better than I know myself and makes all things work out for the good even when I can't see the big picture. In Him I put my hope, for He is my rock when all else fails.

Jesus, it is because of you that I have all 29 of these other reasons to be thankful. You are my reason for living. Today I give you thanks for all the joys that you bring to my life. Thank you most of all for saving me from myself. Thank you for giving me a reason to live that is far beyond anything that I can understand with my earthly mind. Thank you that you are not done with me yet and that through me you are going to impact generations to come. You are my father and when my time on this earth is complete I look forward to eternity with you. Thank you for choosing and loving me as if I were the only daughter.
Thank you giving me the wonderful gift of life!