Kiddos Updates - Birthdays & Milestones

I've done a terrible job documenting the kids milestones lately as I'm a little more than busy. They keep my hands, feet and mind going strong all day long into the night lately as a few are fighting sleep.

Let's start with the oldest, Miss Isla Rae. Our big 5 year old!
Wow, I can't believe she is 5. Isla is my sidekick. She has the sweetest heart. Always helping, thinking of others and doing everything she can to put a smile on my face.
For our sweet girl's big birthday milestone, we visited Great Wolf Lodge on her birthday. She LOVED it! We all did. We were in the water for two straight days, celebrating with late nights, cake and yummy mac-n-cheese (one of Isla's favorites). Emery came along with us as well and it was so much fun for Isla to have a partner to do all the fun slides with.
We spent the summer going to parks, museums, libraries, pools and the Discovery place.
This week, we started her official first day of Kindergarten at home! Homeschool is our newest adventure and I can tell she is going to excel at it like she does so many things.
She has a deep love for cooking, art, singing, learning and Jesus. She makes my days so sweet!

Our little Laylin Jane just turned 3! This comes as a shock to most people we meet as she weighs a whooping 22lbs. But oh, she makes up for it in personality. There is nothing little about this girls strength, will and fierceness.
Laylin's birthday was a week+ celebration. We got to celebrate with the Jones family at the beach with a little party, then continued the celebration with the Bradbury family at one of Laylin's favorite places, Chuck-e-Cheese. On the day of her birthday, we had a small party at home, went out for ice cream and she went to Bible school where the whole VBS crowd sang happy birthday to her on stage! And guess what....she wasn't the least bit shy!
Our sweet little firecracker's favorite color is pink, she loves to change clothes 10+ times a day, she is hungry 24/7 for snacks and loves her siblings fiercely.

My little heartbreaker Jonas Finn is on the brink of taking his first step. Last week he started standing without holding on to anything. He's already improved his balance in just a few short days. He is nearly almost smiling. He recently got his first cold and even through being sick, he continues to have a smile on his face. He is such a light! He loves wrestling with Laylin, playling peek-a-boo and watching Isla. He's constantly on the go, but I love how he still loves to be snuggled by me.

These kids keep me busy and mostly crazy from sun up to sun down, but the simple blessings they pour out on me daily are irreplaceable. I thank God for calling me to be their mommy, chef, maid, caretaker, chauffeur,  nurse and teacher. It's a heavy weight some days, but such an incredible calling!

24 from my 4 yr old!

I asked Isla these 24 questions just after her 4th birthday and here are her answers... some are hilarious including the fact that she thinks I'm 12 yrs older than Joel! Makes since that she sees him as a big kid :)

1.       How old are you? "Ummm...I am 6. Just kidding, I am 4."

2.       What do you want to be when you grow up? "But every time you tell me not to grow up!? I AM going to grow up. I want to be a nurse."

3.       What makes you happy? "Laylin"

4.       What makes you sad? "Laylin hitting me"

5.       What makes you laugh? "Daddy tickling me"

6.       How old is Mommy? "20" 

7.       How old is Daddy? "8"

8.       What is something mommy always says to you? "Don't you grow up!"

9.       What is your favorite thing to do? "Go to the Y and swim"

10.   Who is your best friend? "My cousins"

11.   What are you really good at? "Doing my princess puzzle"

12.   What is your favorite book? "Princess story book"

13.   What is your favorite food? "Noodles"

14.   What is your favorite song? "Let it Go"

15.   What is your favorite animal? "The Alligator"

16.   What is love? "Mommy snuggling with me"

17.   What does daddy do for work? "He looks on his computer and he does some work on there"

18.   What does mommy do for work? "She spells everything out"

19.   Where do you live? "North Carolina"

20.   Where is your favorite place to go? "To the store with the fishies and the tiny shrimps" (Great Wall of Chinese Restaurant)

21.   What is your favorite thing to do outside? "Throw Bella's ball"

22.   What is your favorite holiday? "Come here, it's a secret...Christmas!"

23.   What do you like to take to bed with you at night? "Baby bunny rabbit"

24.   What are do you thank God for? "My family"

Growing Up...

These two girls are growing up. Neither no longer "babies" all though they will both always be My baby.

Laylin Jane wants to do everything Isla is doing so even though she's small,  I can sense her growing up even quicker. She's starting to talk more, humming songs, dance, run and twirl and is very playful. She's also still very feisty. She has a big temper and is not afraid to show it, but at the same time she is sweet as she can be. I love how she wraps her little arms tight around me now when I'm carrying her or rocking her to sleep at night. I can really feel her love for me and it makes my heart so full. 

Isla thinks she's nearly grown up now. She announces to me everyday... "Mom, when I'm 7 and all grown up..." She tells me about what her wedding will be like. How she will continue living at home with her cousin Lawson and all the fun things she will do. Its so entertaining to hear her tell stories. She is really good at it! She loves to perform, dance, sing and be the spotlight. I, of course, love it too. She keeps my days happy and there is never a dull moment with her.

My blessings, my gifts, my challenges and accomplishments these girls teach me so much about true love, understanding, patience and our Father's love each and every day. 

Sweet blessings!

Little Miss Laylin is In.To.Everything! This full blown toddler is keeping me busy. I never had to child proof this much with Isla. Laylin finds every small thing and every big place to climb.

She LOVES to climb. Up the stairs. Up onto the potty. Up on to tables. Up on her sister. Up on Bella. She can't get enough of climbing.

Big sister, Isla loves to encourage her to climb too and get into a lot of other things she shouldn't. These two are playing very nice together lately, but also getting into lots of trouble together. Its fun to watch their bond growing and see the love and excitement they share for one another each day.

Laylin is starting to talk and communicate with signs a lot more now too. She is signing a lot.
She signs: more, all done, eat, water, bottle, milk, banana, dog, night-night, sleep, bath, clothes, shoes and a few more words.
She says: Momma, Dada, Isla (her favorite word), Bella, Poppa, Mamaw, Papaw, dog, duck, water, bye-bye, hi, night-night, ball, baby and many more.

Isla has been learning to read with Daddy at night. I love to listen to the two of them reading together as I'm rocking Laylin to sleep. I think it's my favorite part of the day. Isla loves to learn. Her enthusiasm is contagious. She is a very quick learner too. She knows many sight words and loves to practice sounding words out bit by bit. She also likes to be the teacher too. Each night she tells Daddy or I that she will read one book to us and then we can read one to her.

I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to be with these sweet girls everyday and watch them growing, learning, changing and developing their own special personalities together.

Feisty Laylin

Oh my sweet and oh so feisty Laylin Jane!

You have really started growing and doing lots of new things lately! You love doing everything big sissy, Isla, does and you want everything she has too! You follow her around like a little shadow. She looks out for you and mothers you now too. I've seen a shift in the way she plays with you, takes care of you and "mothers" you. She calls you her little honey and darling. You are sweet to her too. Giving her hugs and love in the morning, sharing your toys with her and playing together nicely.

You love playing with your babydoll and giving her a bottle. You like to put her in the baby swing to go night-night, but then try to open one of her eyes so she can still see you. You've started exploring everything and are into nearly everything as well. You especially love the pantry and pulling things out of organized places.

You love playing hide n' seek with me and your sister. It's so cute to hear you say, "Rarr" when you find us or when we find you!

You also love to color and do art projects. Usually lots of fun, but very messy.

Speaking of messy, your new favorite thing to do is eat with a spoon. Just like Isla of course, you love to copy cat her at the table. If she has a bowl and spoon, you want one too. Most days, the bowl ends up turned over on your plate or in the floor. Its messy, but its even more fun to watch. I've learned to embrace the mess. Our messy home now embodies our busy and active kids, and that's ok!

You still only have 4 teeth. The cutest little teeth ever...two in front on the top and bottom.
You're still a peanut at only 18lbs, but you are growing at your own pace.

You love to dance and hear music, take baths, give kisses and say BYE!

At 17 months old, you can say....
Isla
Mama
Dada
Bella
Baby
More
All done
Bye
Papa
Mamaw
Ball
Block
Book

Lots of B words, but you are starting to say many other words too! You said your name for the first time this week and it was oh so sweet to hear!

We love your gentle spirit and your sweetness. Can't wait to see what else you are doing in the next month!

She can...

Laylin has really started showing more signs of being a true toddler. Recently, she has started signing more than just, more. All the work and videos have started to pay off because she is communicating with us through sign language!

She can now sign:

• More
• Eat
• All done
• Milk
• Drink
• Dog
• Sleep
• Diaper

Isla has gotten into signing again too. Signing is helping her communicate with us and reducing some frustrations, but I've also noticed that it is encouraging her to talk to us. She's starting to say more words now too. 

She can say:

• Bye bye
• All done
• Mama
• Dada
• Isla
• Bella
• Night-night

She's also taken a new interest in reading...and it's literally all she wants to do during playtime!

She brings me a book, sits down on my lap and listens to the whole story without moving... except to point at the pictures. Once the book is done, if I put it down, she will pick it up and hand it to me again. It's so cute how she has favorite books that she wants to read over and over again. Her favorite little story is about making toast with jelly. For some reason she LOVES this one. She will want to read it 10 times before she moves on to the next book. 

She's growing and changing everyday and becoming the sweetest little girl. Can't wait to see what she can do next. 

Laylin Milestones

Wow, Laylin has hit a lot of milestones since my last post and these milestones have been keeping me busy!

• For starters, she turned ONE!
• She hit her biggest milestone - WALKING! She is now up to 15 steps. She's getting more and more confident every day. She took her first steps on September 21st! 
• Now, she's not only a walker, but also a dancer! She loves banging her head to the beat of...well, anything. The TV tunes, music, sounds from a toy... it really doesn't matter. This girl just loves to dance! 
• She's still holding strong at just 4 teeth, but she's a great eater. 
• Still weighing in at a whooping 17lbs, but healthy. 
• Her personality has really started to shine recently. She's giggly, goofy, playful and feisty! 

We love our little Lay-LION!

A note to my girls...

Isla,

You're three years old and SO.MUCH.FUN! I love everything about you... you are strong willed, full of personality, incredibly sweet and sympathetic. Every day, you wake up bursting with energy, ready to take on the day! You are adventurous, brave and determined. You love to read, learn new things and do it yourself. You're so sweet and such a great big sister. I love to see your love for your sister growing and your special bond with her growing. Laylin lights up when she sees you and I can tell the two of you will have a lasting bond. 

Laylin,

My sweet one year old baby... you are oh so cute, and oh so feisty! I love how observant you are. You carefully study and watch everyone you encounter... taking it all in before you flash your toothy smile. You are playful and vibrant. I can see your curiosity increasing as you are eager to get into everything and explore. You are getting more confident with standing and I think those first little steps will happen any day now. I love how loving you are. You are such a cuddle bug. 

My heart grows bigger every day I spend with you girls. I'm amazed with how much love and joy you two have brought to my life. 

Laylin Jane - What I think about your first year...

As you are just 9 days shy of turning one. I hold you and think about you growing inside me. I think about the miracle of my pregnancy. I think about your little body intertwined in mine. I think about our first ultrasound. I think about how perfect God make you. I think about the pain I felt during labor. I think about the indescribable joy I felt holding your tiny body for the first time. I think about your first breaths. I think about what I thought was your last breaths. I think about how beautiful you were the first time I saw you. I think about those first few months. I think about the long naps and how content you were. I think about what a good baby you are. I think about the night I almost lost you. I think about the miracle of waking up that night to find you not breathing. I think about your little grey lifeless body laying on the floor. I think about that faint cry you gave that reassured me you were still breathing and broke my heart all at the same time. I think about how strong you are. I think about the hospital stays, doctors appointments, worry and fear. I think about the miracle of your life. I think about the alarm sounding from your monitor and the panic we used to feel. I think about the sleepless nights. I think about all the time we spent together in the dark. I think about how you love to be held. I think about how loving you are. I think about you growing and thriving. I think about your sweet voice saying mama for the first time. I think about how petite you are and how much you love to eat. I think about your feistiness and independence. I think about your strong-will. I think about how determined you are. I think about seeing you crawl for the first time. I think about you standing tall. I think about you clapping and waving bye backwards. I think about your sweet grin and your one and only tooth that's only a fourth of the way in. I think about the joy you have brought to my life. I think about you lighting up every time you see your sissy. I think about God's plan for your life. I think about the blessing that you are. I think about how much God must love me to bless me with you.

Onederful Laylin Jane

Our sweet girl is almost one! I can hardly believe in just two short weeks she will be turning one. In a way, it feels like a year has gone by, but at the same time when I look at her - I can't believe she is one. She still feels so much more like an infant to me rather than a toddler. I know part of that is me not wanting to let go of each stage, but part of it is because she is still such a peanut.

She is so incredibly smart. Absorbing everything we say and do. This week she started putting words together and said (and signed) "All done" at dinner time. She's also saying, mama, bye-bye and Isla.

She is signing all done, nurse and I think she is starting to sign sleep. Isla loves doing baby signs with her and Laylin is really starting to catch on.

She is standing up all by herself and in to everything!

I thank God everyday for such an incredibly sweet blessing. She is just the sweetest!

Happy 10 Months Laylin Jane

Laylin did a lot of big things after she turned 9 months old. She began to crawl and pull up to a standing position all on her own. She is babbling more and starting to make more sounds... I think mama and dada will be coming soon.

This week she is 10 months old, and the sweetest thing ever, but I've noticed she has started to develop a feisty side and her personality is really starting to show! Now, if Isla you take something away from her or do something she doesn't like, she will yell and smack her hands together letting us know she is not happy! I remember how much fun Isla was at 10 months and I love that I get to relive this stage with Laylin.

Looking forward to seeing all the things she does this month!

She has my heart...

If I counted the kisses I give this girl daily, I think I would loose count after 100. So so sweet!

Sweet Laylin Jane is 8 Months Old!

Every day gets better and better as Laylin grows. She is such a sweet heart. I think she's going to hit some major milestones this month and next. I can tell such a big difference in her lately.

She is getting louder and really finding her voice. She has taken a much bigger interest in toys and her big sister. She is also showing more effort in rolling over and trying to crawl. She pushes her body up with her arm and squirms her legs behind her, but hasn't quiet figured out how to get up on all fours yet. She will though... and soon!

She doesn't show any interest in eating though. We've tried several times, but aren't forcing it or in any rush. When she's ready, we'll know it!

She LOVES the water. She squeals as soon as we turn on the faucet or start filling up the tub. She also LOVES her mama! She lights up when she sees me and immediately gets sad when she can't see me. A little separation anxiety starting to form...

Her and Isla have started to play more and I love to see the bond forming between these two sweet girls.

She finally weighs over 16lbs! Such a chunkier!

We're a little behind in taking her 8 month pictures since we were on vacation during her 8mo bday, but I'll get those posted soon.

The differences...

Love watching these girls and seeing the differences and growth, development and especially personality. They are both so uniquely special! I love how God crafts each one of to be special in our own way.

7 months of sweetness...

Our lil peanut is officially 7 months old. She is full of happiness. I am sometimes amazed at how happy and breathtakingly sweet this little girl is. Oh, and she is incredibly loving.

• She smiles and giggles a lot
• Lights up when she sees Isla
• Is rolling over
• Loves to listen to my voice
• Is sitting up
• "Talking" and cooing a lot! - its as if she is humming sometimes
• She's very ticklish, easy-going and content

We feel incredibly blessed to spend every day with the cute little miracle of Laylin Jane!

Laylin, you make me melt

Sometimes I catch myself playing with Laylin and tears of happiness are floating in my eyes. She has brought so much joy to our lives and I truly feel like she is a miracle. 

She has the sweetest personality and is so loving. Lately, she holds onto me while I'm holding her. It's as if she is hugging me back. When her warm cheek presses up against mine, I just feel like I want to melt right into her. 

I love how squishy she is and how every inch of her is ticklish. She is so giggly now too which makes it tempting to tickle her every time we do a diaper change. Hearing her laugh makes all the troubles of the world melt away.

She's sitting up better now. For longer periods of time. She holds herself up very well. Her favorite thing is her feet. She loves to grab her toes and try to put them in her mouth. She is definitely teething, but we haven't seen any new teeth yet. She loves the water, her sissy and she has taken on a new interest in Bella.

I've been feeling a little guilty lately that I haven't documented as much for her as I did with big sis, but I've been fortunate to be able to spend even more time with her. Time that is so priceless and irreplaceable. I hope these sweet little moments we get to share on a daily basis will forever be in my memories. 

The Sweetest Tush!

Look at that little tushy and those beautiful blue eyes! Such a sweet sweet girl Laylin Jane is. She is growing so much.

I love using big sis as the growth meter for Laylin's infant months.

Happy 1/2 Birthday Laylin Jane!

Laylin Jane is 6 months old today!!! Sweet sweet peanut is growing so quickly.

Yesterday, she rolled over for the very first time and we managed to catch it on camera. Ironically, we were taking her 6 months growth chart pictures on my grandma's quilt when she did it. She saw the blocks we use to identify how many months old she is and she went for it. Just a few swings of her cute little chunky thighs and she was rolled over from back to belly! Isla was so excited that she did it, but she wanted to roll her back over.

Laylin is so sweet. I think that is the best word to describe her right now. She has the sweetest disposition about her. She loves face time, smiling, snuggling, being held, looking at her sister and when we make silly noise at her. She also LOVES to take baths.

At 6 months she is...

• Rolling over
• Sitting up
• Making lots of noises
• Laughing lots
• Smiling often
• Holding on to toys really well
• Teething

Feisty growing girls...

My two girls are such firecrackers... both in their own unique way. Isla Rae has so much energy, love and zeal every day. From sun rise to sunset she is raring to go, ready to face each day with a roar! My sweet Laylin Jane wakes up happy and calm, but don't let that foul you.... she's become so feisty.  She likes to yell and be heard and she likes for her momma to stay where she can see her!

Both girls are growing up so quickly.

Isla has become quiet the artist. She loves to do crafts. She has mastered drawing circles and just recently has started to draw "people" or "guys" as she calls them. Its so sweet to see her drawing. She is so invested in each little mark she makes and she wants every line to be perfect. I love to hear her say, "Mom, look! I made this for you!".... yes she calls me mom already at two.... so grown up.

Laylin has started sitting up on her own for longer periods of time. It won't be long until she's doing it for 5-10 minutes at a time. She loves to sit up too! She's also started to show interest in rolling over and we think she'll be rolling in another week or two. We know our lives are about to change in a whole new way once our little peanut becomes mobile.

Each day is fun, sweet and challenging, but I wouldn't change any of it for the world (well maybe a few things...). I've learned so much in the past two years and prayed more consistently than I have my entire life. These girls have made me grow, pushed me to my limits and shown me a love so deep it makes my heart feel like its going to burst.

Growing girls.... can't wait to see what the next month holds for these two feisty gals!

Laylin Jane's 5 months new...

My little sweetie hit the five months milestones over the weekend. Our little Lay-lion is sweet as can be, feisty, loving and such a cuddle-bug. She probably weighs close to 13lbs now. On our last check-up at four months, she weighed a little over 12lbs and was between 8-11 percentile on all her measurements. She is tiny, but she is still on the charts and her personal growing curve looks beautiful.

She is smiling a lot, ticklish and giggly, she's taken on a strong interest in toys in the past few weeks and she loves loves loves looking at her big sissy.

She is still having challenges with reflux and tummy pains so we are still on medicine. I can't always soothe her, but I hold her through the pain and try to help her best I can. She is such a fighter and we can see her sweet personality forming with every day.

Happy five months Laylin Jane. You are such a light to my world!!

Love you,
Mama