Pictures of the Week

Bug eyes (i.e. scared by the flash)

smiles on the playmat

chillin in the basket 

staring at the ceiling fan

She's been feeling a little left out lately...

She needed a little blog recognition.

Love you Poodle.

Joining the "Mom" Club

So I officially felt like a Mom today as I started my first of two "Mom" groups. I joined a group called Stroller Strides that meets every weekday morning from 9:30-10:30 and MOPS at my church, which meets on Thursday mornings from 9:00-11:30.

I am really excited about both groups as it will give me a chance to make some friends and meet some other Moms in the Huntington Beach area and at my church. I got the "all clear" from my doctor this morning so I am back in business to work out and get back in shape. Stroller Strides will give me a reason to get up every morning and get out of the house with Laila for a bit. MOPS will be a great way to incorporate some bible study and prayer into my day as well as find some other Christian Moms to fellowship with.

And lastly, because I can't leave you all without a photo:

We're Starting Her Early...

Collin wants Laila to be bilingual, so we're starting her early by making her wear outfits with Spanish words.

La Princesita de Papa

Random Adorableness

yawning during playtime with daddy

excited about her cute pink adidas shoes from auntie codi and uncle freddy

this shoe doesn't fit me quite yet, mom

playmat fun

first bathing suit!

yes! finally! a smile caught on camera :)

and again...

and again...I'm a mom. Gimme a break :)

6 Week Checkup

Tomorrow Laila will be 6 weeks old, and we went today for her 6 week well visit at the pediatrician's office.

photo shoot while waiting for the doctor

 Laila is now 10 lbs 1 oz (up from 8.2 at 2 weeks), which puts her in the 50th percentile for weight, and she is 23.5 in (up from 21.5), which is the 90th percentile for height. Not surprising, given what her parents look like! I was 10 lbs 11 oz and 22 in at 6 weeks old.

10 pounds and 1 ounce - getting so big!

The doctor confirmed that Laila is in fact smiling responsively (we still weren't quite sure), is tracking things with her eyes well and looks like a happy, healthy 6 week old. She did have to get her first vaccination today, and she took it like a champ! She only cried for about 3 seconds which made it a lot less traumatic on mommy and daddy. 

post-shot

band-aid for her shot :( 

No Turning Back

I took the leap and have officially registered for the Huntington Beach 1/2 Marathon! As I mentioned before, it has been a goal of mine to run this marathon as a way of getting back in shape after my pregnancy. It is also a goal to run an actual marathon before I am 30, and I will be 28 for this one, so thought it would be a good first step! I convinced the hubs to run it with me so he registered too! I am really looking forward to starting my training. I have my 6 week checkup with my OB on Monday, so I am hoping I get the all clear to start jogging again. I really can't wait to get out there and get myself back in shape!

Laila's First Book

We were probably a little behind the eight ball on this one, but we had yet to read a book to Laila! We have a good little library started for her, but it just hasn't been something we have tried yet. Until today! Yesterday we received a package in the mail from my good friend Matt and his wife, and one of the items was an adorable book that their daughters love. So, during some mellow time today with Laila we decided to read to her! Well, Collin read and I video taped :) She was very attentive the entire time and seemed to enjoy listening to her Daddy's voice. Thanks Matt and Francesca for the sweet gifts!

Playmat Fun

One Month Old and a Busy Weekend!

Laila is officially one month old today!

(and cuter than ever, in my opinion)

We had a fun and busy weekend. On Saturday, we met up with our friends Shane and Sara and their little girl Hayley who is 7 weeks older than Laila. We started off with coffee at Starbucks, walked along the beach in Corona del Mar and then ended up at Rose Bakery Cafe for some delicious breakfast sandwiches. It was fun to have a little family outing and catch up with our good friends! We look forward to many more times like that!

And also, don't our husbands look sexy holding their little girls
and pushing them along in their strollers? Sara and I think so :)

After we got home, it was time for Collin to give Laila her first bottle! She was a little hesitant at first, but soon figured it out and quickly took 2 ounces from her daddy! He loved being able to look at her and bond while she ate from him. I loved watching it :)

On Sunday, Laila got dressed for her first Patriots game. Her onesie is for 6-9 months, so it was too big, but she needed to at least try it on for a photo op! Next time she wears it she will have a big bow in her hair, because I think she looks like a boy here.


I also took Laila on her longest car ride to date (first time on the freeway, which was scary for me!) and picked up my best friend Katy at LAX. She flew in from Providence for a few days to meet Laila! We are so excited to have her here and look forward to a few fun days! Laila graciously welcomed her by blowing out her diaper while sitting on Katy's lap. Wasn't that sweet of her? Good thing Katy is a doctor and is used to messes or I might have been taking her back to LAX sooner than I had hoped :)

4 Weeks Old!

I can't believe my baby girl is already 4 weeks old. It feels like yesterday that I gave birth, but it also feels like forever ago that I was 9 months pregnant. We can't really remember or imagine life without Laila in it.


I want to take a moment to thank our families for coming out here and helping us immensely during the first few weeks of Laila's life. We are so thankful for all you have done for us...grocery shopping, cleaning, running errands, and taking care of me, Collin, Chloe and the baby! We love you guys so much and miss you already.


Notes of Interest:
-She is still feeding on demand so she hasn't developed much of a schedule yet, but she seems to have more and more happy and alert time every day.
-She isn't sleeping quite as well as she did in the beginning, but we still get at least one 4 hour chunk of sleep each night, so that is good. She is typically going to sleep around 10:00pm, waking sometime around 2-3 and then again around 5-6 and then will sometimes go back to sleep until 8, but sometimes won't.
-She is starting to smile - sometimes it feels like it's intentional but I am still not convinced.
-She is a very musical baby and loves her mobile in her crib. She really responds to music.
-She doesn't love "tummy time" and tends to get frustrated pretty quickly but we're working on that.
-We're going to start her on 2 bottles per week tomorrow so that she will get used to a bottle and Collin can participate in feedings.
-We started trying to give her a pacifier last week but that hasn't gone very well. She has taken it a few times for a minute or two, but on the whole doesn't seem to like it too much.
-She continues to LOVE baths. She never cries and really seems to enjoy them every time I give her one.

she looks really good in yellow.

trying to nurse collin.

she really wanted a sip of my chocolate shake.
(she didn't really get any...don't worry folks)

flower power - hippie child.

did some tummy time in the boppy. fell asleep.
woke up and vomited all over herself and my bed.

note to self: don't do tummy time in the boppy right after a big feeding.

Laila is such an angel and we just love her so much.
Happy 4 weeks baby girl!!

Baby Dedication

Today we enjoyed the privilege of having Laila dedicated into the church. Collin's Uncle Brad is a pastor and we asked if he would dedicate her, and he happily agreed. It was so special because all of our immediate family was in town, so they all got to be witnesses to Laila's special day. We take the charge of raising Laila in the church very seriously and know that we have a big task ahead of us as we teach her to believe and trust in Jesus and love Him with all of her heart, just as our parents taught us to do.

Here is a flip video of the dedication prayer (approx 5 min long):

pastor brad praying over laila

with her grandparents

with her great grandparents

with the vataha family

with the johnson family

VIP Reception

Back on July 18, my sister-in-law Courtney got married. I was supposed to be her matron of honor, but due to the timing of my pregnancy I was unable to travel to Boston for her wedding. Courtney's grandma was unable to travel as well, so Courtney and her new husband decided to have a "VIP" reception here in CA today in order to take some photos with us and celebrate again. She looked so beautiful in her wedding dress and I was so happy to be able to be a part of her "second wedding"! (and have Laila be a part of it too!)

{photo credit: courtney}

2nd Week Home (in pictures)

smoosh face.

-laila's first trip to the tuesday night street fair in the bjorn.
-4 generations: great grandma bonnie, grandma, collin & laila
-finally got to meet auntie codi who flew in from boston!

had her 2 week check up and was back to her birth weight, 8lb 2oz

the faces of laila.

time with mommy, daddy & chloe