Family Day

Laila and Dad in her sporty outfit. (2/27/10)

Kelly would sing his own rendition of 'Momma said knock you out' to her! (2/27/10)

She's so stylish! (2/27/10)

Laila in her sweatsuit. (2/27/10)

Laila wiped out after our walk. I think her neck looks funny, but this is how she sleeps all the time! (2/27/10)

Relaxing after our walk. (2/27/10)

On our nature walk. The trail is right near our house. (2/27/10)

The trail is about two miles round trip. (2/27/10)

Kelly was pointing out a dog like Snowball. Plus you can see the frolfers in the background. (2/27/10)

Lindsey and I in Starbucks at Green Lake. (2/26/10)

Lindsey and Laila. (2/26/10)

Checking each other out. (2/26/10)

Today has been a pretty relaxed day. Laila slept in until about seven, and then laid down for a little bit more. Kelly was nice enough to pick her up and take her to the living room, so I could try and rest a little bit more. After her second feeding, we decided to go for a walk. We stuck her in the Baby Bjorn, and went for a walk on the trail that's right by our house. It doubles as a frisbee golf course, so we always see some interesting people there. One of the frolfers (that's what they call the frisbee golfers!) lost his frisbee in the creek, and another group somehow managed to get a frisbee about forty feet up in a tree. They were using a sling shot to try and knock it out. Never a dull moment with the frolfers!

I also realized how fast Laila is growing, and that I have about five newborn outfits that she hasn't worn yet. So, I'm going to try and get her in them over the next week, before she grows out of them!

Yesterday I went down to Green Lake again to meet up with Lindsey Bernhardt. Lindsey and her husband, Micah, were both in our wedding. Kelly and I were also in their wedding. So, it was great to see her!

Laila Meets Even More Family!

Laila and Grandpa Jim, her first trip down to Longview. (2/22/10)

Laila in Longview, at her changing station on the floor. We went through MANY diapers that day! (2/21/10)

Mom, Dad, and Laila before heading to Snohomish. (2/20/10)

Uncle Michael and Aunt Sara with Laila. (2/20/10)

Grandma Karol and Laila at Beth's Cafe, pre-meltdown. (2/19/10)

Laila with Grandpa Jim and her Great Aunt Helen. (2/20/10)

Michael and Sara with Laila, right before they had to head back to sunny California. (2/21/10)

Uncle Michael, with his crazy hair, just hanging out before they headed out. (2/21/10)

Laila's pretty little outfit. (2/19/10)

The ladies fawning over the baby. (2/19/10)

The beginning of our impromptu photo shoot. How cute are those little pants??!!(2/19/10)

My brother and his fiance, Sara, took time out of their busy schedules to come and see Laila. They were here from Thursday 2/18 to Sunday 2/21. It was great to have them here, and I'm so happy that they were able to meet her when she was so young. I'm not sure if the crying baby made my brother want kids, but at least now he knows what he's getting into :)

On Friday, we went to Beth's Cafe. It is a greasy spoon restaurant in Seattle, near Green Lake. It's been featured on Discovery Channel's Man Vs. Food. They have a twelve egg omelette that they guy tried to eat, but he couldn't quite finish. My brother put away a six egg omelette, so that was pretty dang good. Laila was good going to the restaurant, then got a little fussy in the Beth's. I fed her, and then I was thinking 'Great, perfect timing! She'll conk out on the way home!" No such luck. She has her first MAJOR melt down. She was inconsolable in the car. We had to pull over so I could comfort her, and change her. She simmered down a little, but then was back at it. By the time we got home, she had cried herself asleep. She was exhausted!

Before we headed out to Beth's, my mom, Sara and I dressed Laila up in one of her little outfits. We were quite a sight to see, all three of us were above her taking pictures. Thank goodness the boys were on a bike ride, or else they would have made fun of us to no end!

On Saturday, we went up to the cute little town of Snohomish. Kelly and I took a little longer than the rest of them to get up there, so we met them in downtown Snohomish. We went to eat at a pub called Picadilly Circus. I kept Laila in the Baby Bjorn the whole time, and had to put a napkin over her so I wouldn't get crumbs on her from lunch!

On Sunday, we whisked Michael and Sara off to the airport. I can't wait to see them when they are up for the alumni soccer game! After we dropped them off, my parents and I headed down to Longview. The trip was a bit tough, we had to stop three times to feed and/or change her. The trip usually takes about 2 1/2 hours, and it took over 3 1/2 this time! But, she was great on her way back up to Seattle :)

Laila's Second Photo Shoot

All photos are courtesy of my friend Alyssa (Hansen) Riley. She did an amazing job! (All pictures were taken 2/22/10)

On the beautiful quilt Nana made her.

Getting some quality time in with little Laila.

Alyssa is so artistic! I would not thought of this shot, and it looks so neat!

She was pretty calm the entire time.

Her eyes are still blue, not sure if they are going to stay or not :)

This is my absolute favorite! She looks like she's dancing the 'Cha Cha Cha'! I can't believe Alyssa captured this shot!

I'm talking to her, she's debating on whether to listen to me or not.

So peaceful when she's sleeping :)

This week has been a bit hectic. I think that Laila is just realizing that she has lungs, and is learning how to use them. Last night was a pretty difficult night, she couldn't really be soothed, and wanted to eat almost every hour. Finally, after 1 am, she went down for a couple hours. Kelly is great at dealing with her when she's bawling, much better than I am. When she is crying, and we've done everything to calm/soothe her, it feels like my heart is literally tearing apart. As lost as I feel during those tough times, it's worth it when she is being a little angel.

On Monday, Feb. 22nd, Laila had her picture taken by the amazing Alyssa (Hansen) Riley. Laila did pretty good! We only took one little break when she got hungry, and we got some great pictures. I'm going to use a few of them for her birth announcements.

Mommy and Laila Take a Walk :)

Mommy and Laila rip-roaring ready for their walk of the day! (2/17/10)

Today Laila and I went on a walk all by ourselves. I wrangled her into the Baby Bjorn by myself, which I considered a moral victory. Thank goodness she was pretty sound asleep! She didn't put much of a fight, so that was nice. I walked down to the park, and walked around the track four times. She stayed asleep the entire time, and I made it back just in time to feed and change her.

Laila's First Date!

Laila on her first date with Conor. (2/16/10)

Little Ms. Laila Jean. (2/16/10)

Today my friend Tracy came over with her newborn baby Conor. Conor was born on 12/31/09. We chatted about the babies, half heartily watched Ellen, and fed the babies when they got fussy. So, Laila officially had her first date! There was talking, tv, and eating, not a bad date for the first one out of the gate!

After Laila's playdate she had another well baby check up appointment with the doctor. She weighed in at 7 lbs 6 ounces! The doctor was quite impressed with her weight gain. I also had a chance to ask about a couple of things that were bugging me, her dry skin, and a twitching motion that she does in her sleep. The doctor assured me that the skin and twitching were perfectly normal. The skin will resolve itself in its own time, and the twitching is just a reflex. Definitely eased my mind! After the doctor, we went over to the lab at the hospital to have the PKU shot. She was sound asleep when we got there. The lab techs applied heat to her heal, and then pricked her. I was ready for a melt down, but she just squirmed, cried a tiny bit, then went back to sleep! The techs thought it was pretty funny, and said it was the first time they had seen a baby do that!

Happy President's Day!

Laila's first trip to Target! Kelly was slightly embarrassed that I was taking a picture in the middle of the parking lot :) (2/15/10)

Laila just lounging around with her daddy. (2/15/10)

Today is the last day that Kelly has off work, it's back to the grind for him. We went for another walk, the weather was beautiful, and we were able to go for a little longer than our last walk. Made a pit stop at the QFC, picked up some snacks, and made our way back home. Laila slept through the entire walk again. We also took Laila's first trip to Target. If she's anything like her mom, she is going to love it there! We plan to give her a bath, but she is currently in a deep, deep sleep. So, we'll see if she's cooperating with us :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Grandma Karol, Grandpa Jim, Great Great Uncle Pat, Great Great Aunt Madeliene with Laila, and Kelley at Pat and Madeliene's house. (2/14/10)

The whole clan on Valentine's Day, with Kelly replacing Kelley. (2/14/10)

Grandpa Jim helping Great Great Uncle Pat with Laila. (2/14/10)

Great Great Aunt Madeleine McGinty meeting Laila for the first time. (2/14/10)

Today we went to Laila's Great Great aunt and uncle's house. Pat and Madeleine McGinty were very happy to see the new addition to our family. It was a great way to start out the Valentine's Day. The visit was followed by a lot of sleeping. Hopefully she will still be able to sleep through some of the night :) Last night she did great, but I don't think she is going to make a habit of it!

Laila's First Breakfast Out!

The family out to breakfast. (2/13/10)

Laila at her first breakfast out. We went to Voula's, a cute little Greek restaurant. (2/13/10)

Grandma Leslie at SeaTac catching her flight home :( Thanks for everything, we'll miss you!! (2/13/10)

Grandma Leslie, Kelly, and Laila (2/13/10)

Grandma Leslie and Laila (2/13/10)

Since Laila did so well out and about last night, we decided to head out to breakfast. After she fed, and fell asleep, we went to a Greek breakfast joint that's right down the street. Again, she was perfect! The waitresses and the owner fawned over her for a bit, and she slept through it all. Pretty soon she'll be a pro at these little outings! Grandma Leslie went home today. Laila already misses her! She was such a big help with the baby!

Laila's First Dinner Out!

Laila in her 'I love grandma' onesie.' Thank you Sheila Dove, we love it!! (2/12/10)

Laila showing off her 'I love grandma' onesie with her proud grandma's. (2/12/10)

Kelly and Laila in Buca di Beppo's. (2/12/10)

Today we decided to test the waters and see how Laila would do at a restaurant. After one of her feedings we packed up and headed to Buca di Beppo's. We were there from 5:30 pm until 7:15 pm. She was completely asleep the entire time! Inside the restaurant the atmosphere is pretty loud and boisterous, but she slept through it like a champ! It definitely gives me hope that Kelly and I can brave restaurants in the future.

Laila's First Walk

Kelly and Grandma Leslie with Laila. She was in mid stretch.

The Crain family after our walk!

Kelly and Laila in the Baby Bjorn after our walk. She was zonked out the whole time!

Laila being wide awake and alert. So far, her eyes are still blue. Not sure if they are going to stay that way.

Today we took Laila out for a little stroll. Kelly wore the Baby Bjorn, and Laila slept through the whole thing. It drizzled on us a little bit, but we were prepared with an umbrella, so it didn't even phase her. We cut the the walk a little short, not b/c of Laila, but b/c I was feeling a little tired.

Laila seems to like to sleep during the day, and is up during the night. During the day, she is an angel, and the grandma's give her all the attention she needs. At night, she likes to be wide awake and cranky from 12:30 am to 3:30 am. Kelly and I are working on functioning on less sleep :)