Ayla's EARLY Christmas Present

Ayla is loved by many, especially her Tios & Tia. They couldn't wait to give Ayla her Christmas present so she got to play with it a little early (besides I don't think they could fit this train set into their luggage).

I think it's an adorable present, I just wonder where the heck are we going to store this thing!

The train tracks took up their whole living room so I know it's way too big to be left set up.

Thank you Elton, Gerson and Vanina for the awesome gift! I'm sure it will get lots of use in the next coming years.

Bye, Bye Chupon!

Do you notice anything new or different about this picture? Besides that she's trying to ride something that is much too small for her?
Her chupon (pacifier) is gone! Ayla had become very attached to her chupon and had to have it with her most of the time. Milton and I were wanting to break her of it months ago, but there was just so much going on and then I was so sick that it just didn't happen...so a week ago I made the dreaded decision that it was time. I rounded up all her chupons, snipped the ends and handed them to her. I proceeded to explain that they were all broken and she was too big for them anymore. For the first 30 minutes she thought it was funny, but after realizing they were all broken she became quite upset.
Luckily, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. At bed or nap time she would cry for about 10 minutes before falling asleep, but overall it went quite smoothly.
I miss it sometimes when I need the quick fix to make her happy, especially since she is now cutting her top canines....however, it was time to say goodbye.

Ayla's Sure Knows How to Dance!

Ayla has always loved music! She started head bopping and moving her legs as soon as she knew how. She is now starting to make her own choreography and it sure is fun to watch!

November Updates

Unfortunately, the beginning of November was the worst of my morning sickness so not many pictures were taken....But here's Ayla's ready to go for a walk in the cold!
We were very happy that Thanksgiving was at our house this year and we were able to celebrate with so many of our family and friends. My parents, McKelle and Ben, Justin and Celeste's family, Milton's whole family and a few friends were able to make the trip!

Xander LOVED pushing Spencer around in Ayla's doll stroller (Spencer actually enjoyed it too).

On Saturday we all met at Justin's to have dinner. Rachel and Grant were on their way back from having Thanksgiving in Missouri so they stayed the night there before continuing onto Ut.

Grandpa & Grandma

Justin, Celeste and Spencer (Xander was too busy playing to join the picture).

My family!

Ayla has become quite the toe jam picker and will take every and any opportunity to do so, even if it is someone else's toes, LOL.

After finding no lint in Spencer's toes she had to check her own.

On Sunday my family left so we headed over to Tio Elton's to hang out. Ayla LOVES to listen to music!

Thank goodness for Ayla's abuelos! Abuelita was so much help the week and a half they were here. I was starting to finally feel better but she made sure that I did as little as possible. She is always so much help and we just love when she's here to take care of us!

Why I've Been MIA...

There's a reason I haven't posted in 2 1/2 months...And you can contribute it all to the picture below, our first ultrasound of the little nugget. I was really sick with Ayla and even more sick with this one. The morning sickness (all day sickness) started right at four weeks and didn't end until midway through 14 weeks. Yep, that's 2 1/2 months of seeing way too much of our toilet!

Poor Ayla, she didn't make it out of the house much and play time was very limited. She's such a sweetheart and would pat my back while I threw up (I hope she hasn't been traumatized). She even got to where she would "fake" throw up with me.

Luckily, I managed to only lose a few pounds where with Ayla I just didn't care and ended up losing 12 pounds (either way I was chatised by my midwife that I shouldn't be losing weight). I'm finally out of the major morning sickness and feel almost back to normal.
A lot happened during that time. Ayla started taking her first steps at the beginning of October and had it perfected on my birthday, Oct 27th. Her favorite walking practice was grabbing a book from the book shelf and bringing it back to me (who of course was curled up on the couch trying to stay alive).

Papa still finds the most random things to put Ayla in and she loves every minute of it.

One morning I wondered where Ayla had gone off to and sure enough she was getting into things...This one being her old walker (which should have been put away months ago). I couldn't figure out how she did it, but eventually got some pics of her in progress. She would start by climbing up the back and pulling herself forward.

Once she was forward enough she would slide her feet into the walker.

And tada...she's in.

Halloween was a lot of fun! We spent it with the Gagon's who really know how to throw a cool party.

Ayla had picked out her custome months ago while shopping at Costco. Yes, she did pick it out herself and held onto it the whole shopping trip giving it lots of hugs and kisses along the way. By Halloween she was a pro at walking!

On Halloween day Milton was asked by a good friend to baptize her daughter Astrid.

Ayla and I hanging out at Justin and Celeste's for the afternoon. Ayla LOVES her cousin Spencer!

We were invited to celebrate Kaden Talbott's 2nd birthday. Ayla had a lot of fun playing with the big kids!

She's just growing up way too fast!