Growing Up Graff: 2012

FOOD! FAMILY! FIREWORKS! FUN!

It sure was a wonderful day! As a mother one of my favorite things about any holiday is dressing everyone up to match. So of course it was no different on this day! Having a little girl just makes it a little more exciting because I now have bows, skirts, and matching shoes.

The kids and I had a great day with their Paw Paw B. and B.B. We simply just hung out around the house and ate a wonderful lunch.

As Chase said, "Look how cute we are."

B.B. got them a pool to play in.

Getting ready for fireworks!

One of us slept through it all!

Yeah for fireworks!

This past year I've done so many things I'm just not use to doing. The fireworks use to be something the boys dad would take care of and I was the one standing to the side kinda worried.

Well this year I had to get over it! I became the "cool" mom lighting, popping, exploding fireworks with Blake.

Some of them EXPLODED a little to close, some almost hit the neighbor's home and the neighbor, a couple hit us, we scared Chase to the point he ran inside, we all lost a little bit of hearing in both ears, and mom refused to come out with the baby.

Both Blake and I walked away with a few burn marks, but all and all it was a great night.

When we walked inside Blake said, "That was the coolest night ever, mom!"

A job well done for me!!

HAPPY 6TH MONTH BIRTHDAY

LAYLA NOELLE!

This month I thought it was a good decision to go for the natural look.
So, no bows or ruffles just her sweet little pjs.

Layla Noelle you weigh 18.1 pounds.

You wear a size 3 diaper. Those size two diapers did not last long.

You still wear a size 2 shoes.

I'm loving all your cute summer sandals. I'm glad we have our beach vacation this coming month so we can get some use out of them.

You are still my little plump princess, but I figure that will come to an end soon. I know you will begin moving around a little more from being in your jumper to learning how to crawl.

Look at those piercing blue eyes!

It's so hard to believe that you are 6 months old. That means you have been in my life for about 180 days, 180 wonderful days. So for 180 nights I have been the only one on night duty. I find that quite impressive and I'm extremely proud of myself. I actually love night time with you.

You are such a sweet, little cuddle bug!

You are still sleeping in your pack n play in my room. I like being able to look over my bed and watch you sleep all safe and sound.

In 180 more days we will be celebrating your 1st birthday. I know the next 180 days will come and go just like the first half.

Every night I pray that time slows down just a bit. I don't want you to be a big girl just yet. I love the way you fold into my body when we snuggle together and I'm just not ready to give that up, along with many other things.

This month I watched your cousin, Kolby, walk across the stage at his high school graduation. I just kept thinking that's going to be you and your brothers before I know it.

I cherish the time I spend with all of you!

Layla you are just about sitting up on your own. I prop you up and you stay for a bit then slowly fall to the side. I figure by the end of the next month you will be a pro at sitting up.

Layla you love to jump in your jumperoo, so much that when I pull you out your still jumping. Also, you think it's a blast to play on the floor with your two big brothers.

Your brothers adore you more then you'll ever know. They are always checking on you and helping entertain you when I'm a little busy.

You always want to be right in the center of them. Your little head is constantly following them around the room. Once you are crawling I foresee you will be right there with them at all times.

Triple Trouble! Yikes! I'm scared!

No tears in the basket picture this time!!

Layla I finally started you on baby food.

You like to eat rice cereal, applesauce, bananas, squash, peas, and green beans. You really didn't like the peaches. So far I see no signs of food allergies!! Yeah!

Also, you are still working on your sippy cup skills. You love to drink out of it and laugh when the juice rolls out of your month.

Look at those little toes!

Layla you are still my little thumb sucker. I do not foresee it going away anytime soon. I think that is why you are such a great baby. You are able to soothe yourself; a built in pacifier.

This next month I will probably bump you up to stage 2 foods. I'm thinking you will be sitting up pretty good and I will probably start hearing lots of talking from you.

I look forward to visiting B.B and paw paw for the summer, our Florida vacation with your cousins, and just lots of stress free fun times.

Below are all our fun activities from this past month. We celebrated Mother's Day, crawfish boil for my birthday, Memorial Day, fun in the sprinkler, etc.