July updates!

Whew, I haven't posted in awhile! July has been really busy for our little family. I spent July 16-20 in Dallas with my family--Lyla and I had a blast! It was really hot, but we kept cool by swimming everyday, and I had fun just hangin' out with my brothers and sisters. Even better, my sis Lauren has decided to return home for a little while. She's 18 now, and I am helping her get started on college. She wants to be a nurse, and I think she is perfect for that job! She literally took care of Lyla the whole time I was there. I am so proud of ya sis! :)

Lyla in the pool--it has a great beach area so Lyla can just chill
and play in the fountains.


Lyla in the highchair being silly--this highchair was actually mine, and my mom used it for all 8 of us! Cute!


Lyla and Shelby--I love my mom's cat, and Shelby thought Lyla was really interesting.

A way better picture of Shelby. She's a doll!!! I need one of these cats! They are so different!

Lyla and her first experience with a front facing carseat. Also, my mom found this baby doll for Lyla to play with, and she's OBSESSED with it. She says baby all day long and hugs/kisses her. So sweet!
I came home the evening of my 23rd birthday! Man, I am old! Nate got me a Tim McGraw CD, treats, and we went and saw Hancock later that week. Thanks babe!

For the 24th, we went up to Pineview with Andy, Ash, Jenny, Eric, Parker and Nate's mom. It was great to get up there early before the crowds and the heat--everyone had a blast!

Let's get serious--this is so adorable.

Nate made me swear I wouldn't put this picture up on the blog--sorry babe! It's cute!
We are VERY close to walking, and turning 1 year! I have been a little obsessed about planning her party. I just can't wait! :)

On Friday the 25th, Nate and I had our first doctor's appointment for the new baby! I know I posted about going to a midwife, but I ultimately decided to go back to the doctor who delivered Lyla at Jordan Valley. I decided that I had a really good experience, so why change it? After the appointment, I felt completely happy that I went back to him. He's really funny, and I totally trust him. Nate feels confident with him too, so it's nice to have a lot of support.

Basically, I am measuring right on, which makes me about 10 weeks and 2 days as of today. He did a quick ultrasound, so I was able to see the little girl/guy! We saw a heartbeat, and everything looked perfect! My due date is February 22 for now, and we are really excited. I get to have an ultrasound at 16 and 20 weeks, and I am so looking forward to it. I am already wearing maternity clothes...so maybe when I feel cute one day (keep dreaming, right?) I will take some belly pics. More to come!

Weepy Wednesday

Well, I can definitely tell that I am pregnant....I don't want to eat anything, but if I don't, I am absolutely miserable.

I met with a midwife at the University of Utah yesterday. I read a book called "Birth" when I was pregnant with Lyla, and it got me really interested in having a midwife, but I guess I was a little worried about it. I really feel like I need to have my baby in a hospital just in case something goes wrong, though I think women who deliver at home or a birthing center are amazing. I had a really good feeling when I met with the midwife--they don't do inductions or episiotomies (unless necessary), and the University hospital has all the equipment necessary for a more natural birth--they have the tubs, birthing balls, shower massage, and they encourage women to get out of bed during labor. I really like the sound of all that, but I will most likely get an epidural, which they are totally supportive of too! The best part? From the moment you check into the hospital, your midwife is there the entire time. I really like knowing that the person who delivers my baby will be there for every moment.

I guess I have just been really overwhelmed lately. I never expected to have 2 children before I turn 24, and I certainly never expected to have them close together. I often wonder if I will be a good mom to them both. Am I cheating Lyla because I won't have more time with her? We will never have this special time ever again, and the new baby will never have just me. How will having 2 babies affect Nate and I? We're pretty indestructible, but I miss him enough now. I had big dreams of graduate school, or teaching, and I wonder when I will ever get there. I miss my family, and they live so far away. I want to be a great example to my sisters, and make my mom proud of me. I just want to do everything right. I am happy to be having this baby, I know it's meant to be, but it is such a different feeling this time around---can anyone say hormones? :)

Ok, no more tears. I know it's a little personal for blogging, but it feels good to just say it.

Exciting News and a Fun Weekend!

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS KINDA LONG, BUT I PROMISE THERE ARE REALLY CUTE PICTURES, SO HOPEFULLY IT'S NOT SO BORING!

Okay, the big news of the week is that Nate and I are expecting baby #2!!!!! We were totally shocked, but are excited for our family to grow! I found out last Wednesday, and Nate can't keep a big secret like this, so we told our family right away! I know it's a bit early, but it is nice to have support. I am still trying to wrap my brain around the concept, but I think we are going to have a lot of fun! My estimated due date is late February (which will make Lyla 18.5 months!!!!), but when I go to the doctor I am sure I will have a better idea. So there it is...I am sure I will be posting more about my thoughts, hopes, fears and excitement.

Nate and I had a fun weekend, considering we actually got to spend one full day together! He has been working so hard lately, and I appreciate him so much! On Sunday we took a drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Silver Lake. The weather was PERFECT up there, and it was a great escape from the heat. Lyla had a really fun time, and of course, charmed the pants off of anyone who saw her. :)Like she'd ever keep the hat on for more than 5 seconds.

On Friday night, I went to the Tim McGraw concert with Jenny and Ashley. I was so nervous about leaving Lyla at bedtime, but she was so GREAT for dad and went down without a peep. The weather was amazing, and I had a lot of fun. Jenny and Ashley both have this picture on their blogs, but I think it's cute, so here it is again!

On Saturday we went to the Blaze playoff game. Andy scored us awesome seats, but the Blaze lost...sad. We still had a great time, though I will probably not be bringing a 10 month old to another sporting event. She is so busy and wants to be everywhere! It's definitely hard to keep her contained for 3 hours!

I also wanted to post these super cute pictures of Lyla and Dallin. They are the cutest cousins ever! Lyla just lights up when he is in the room. Lyla has also been a total ham lately. Whenever she eats her oatmeal, she loves to make this super funny face. I can't help but laugh!

Anniversary!!

Yesterday Nate and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary together! We had a lovely day. For lunch, we decided to splurge and try the new Five Guys Burgers and Fries place in Midvale. The burgers were sooooo yummy, and the fries were to die for! It is definitely reminiscent of In n' Out Burger, and I think we will definitely go again! On Saturday night, Nate's parents came over to sit with Lyla while we went to Cafe Trio for dinner. It was nice to get out alone, even though the restaurant was totally dead! The food was GREAT, and it was even better that I just put Lyla to bed before we left so I didn't have to worry---or be so paranoid about getting home to nurse!

A note to my Nathan--Happy Anniversary again, and I love you so much!

Our new goal for year 4 of marriage--have TONS of fun with Lyla, and go out twice per month ALONE!!!

Fun in the Sun!

This afternoon Lyla and I went for a little dip in the pool before her afternoon nap. It was so relaxing, and Lyla was being so sweet in her little buggy. I have to work really hard to keep her out of the sun...she's fair like her mama!

Sleep Update!

Well, the last 3 nights haven't been bad at all! Lyla went down last night after less than 30 seconds of whining/crying. I couldn't believe it. She slept completely through the night without a peep, and woke up happy at 7 a.m.--which is still really early for her. Yesterday Nate and I tried laying her down awake for a nap. She alternated between playing and whining for an hour and a half, but then slept for 2 hours. I was so proud! When she got too rowdy we had to go into her room and say "Lyla, it's night night time. I love you, now go to sleep!" I figured napping would be harder since I can't make her room very dark, and she's considerably less tired than at night.

Today I knew she'd be ready for a nap earlier than normal, so I nursed her at about 9:15, and she went down without a peep and slept until 11:30. It was awesome, but I knew she was really tired, and it was pretty easy to lay her down. The real test came when I knew she needed another nap at 2. She wasn't as tired, but was dozing off while she nursed, so I laid her in the crib. As expected, she alternated between crying and playing for an hour, and eventually fell asleep at 3. The good news is she woke up at 5:15!!! I am so happy that I have finally buckled down and tried to get her into some better sleep habits! Tonight we are watching Dallin at Andy and Ashley's, so I hope she does okay in a Pack n' Play. Now if only I could get her to bed by 8---not a chance tonight since she slept until 5:15. Oh well! Most of this is probably boring, but I figure it will be good to look back and read about all this when she is a bit older, or when I have another baby.

My brothers and sisters visited from Wyoming yesterday, and it was great to see them. I will post pictures later, but they are HUGE! I hate living so far away from them, but I cherish them even more when they are here.

Lots to Say!

It's 6:30 in the morning, and I just got Lyla back down to sleep. The last 2 nights Nate and I have tried letting her "cry it out" to go to sleep. Lyla has started waking up 2-3 times per night since about 9 1/2 months, and the doctor told us she would probably continue to do so if we let her. I have been dreading this moment for so long, because I could never stand to make my baby cry! So on Friday night, I nursed Lyla, and she of course fell asleep. I decided that if she woke up, I would not pick her up. About 30 minutes after I put her down, she was crying, so I went into her room and told her I loved her, gave her the blanket and walked out. She was so mad, and ended up crying for 50 minutes!!! I was so sad! I had to shower and basically lock myself in my room so I couldn't hear her! When Nate came in and told me she was sleeping I had to go check on her--and when I did I realized she had pooped her pants!! I couldn't let her sleep like that all night, so I did my best to sneak in and change her diaper. Luckily she went right back down!!

Last night I nursed Lyla and tried not to let her fall asleep--a very hard task for a baby who loves to nurse at night. She did end up falling asleep, but I woke her before laying her in her crib. Boy, she didn't like that. I was really nervous about how long she would cry, but she only cried for SEVEN MINUTES! I thought it was a total fluke--we went swimming yesterday, and she was really tired and a little sunburned! She slept through the night again, and woke at 6:15. I thought she might be pretty hungry, so I just nursed her and laid her back down. I hope my good luck continues tonight, and then we can move on to naps!! In a way, I wish I had done this months ago, but in all honesty, I am so glad I have had the time to hold Lyla and rock her to sleep. I know I will never have that again, and I have truly loved it.

On another note, Lyla had her 10 month checkup on Thursday. Here are the stats:

Weight: 20 lb. 4 oz. and 70th percentile for weight
--I was concerned that she dropped a percentile, but the doctor said that is totally normal since she has been crawling/standing since about 8 months. She's still a big girl!

Height: about 30 inches and about 90-93rd percentile for height
--they had a really hard time getting her height because she would NOT hold still! My baby is one tall chica!

I am weird because I totally love to go to the doctor. I am always wondering if she's gaining enough weight, if I am feeding her enough, etc. I am definitely too paranoid, and the doctor reassures me for a little while!

Finally, I want to say Happy Fathers Day to my lovely husband. He is such a great dad and husband. No one has more laughs than we do, and Lyla just adores you. Thank you for giving me such a sweet and beautiful daughter! Enjoy your day! I love you!