Fall is finally here...

I love this time of year when the air starts to get crisp, and you begin to see pumpkins on front porches. We have three on ours, which I hope to carve one of them this weekend. It’s been feeling cooler in the evenings and early mornings. Last Sunday evening, I put Ayla in one of her Halloween outfits. I bought her and Jackson matching orange and white onesies with pumpkins on them, which we plan to take pictures of them in soon. They have matching pumpkin hats, too. Jackson has a cold right now, so we are going to have to wait until he feels better. She was too cute dressed all "Halloweeny" (yes, I do realize that really isn't a word) ... if I do say so myself. It's funny though... she obviously has no idea what I'm putting on her, so I take full advantage of her inability to "fight" me on the few ridiculous things I do put her in. For example, the bow that I had in her hair Sunday had to be slightly annoying because it kept getting in her face, but she certainly wasn’t able to reach up there and take it off, so she wore it for hours. Tonight, I had her in this adorable orange and white diaper cover and pumpkin hat, and she just looked at us with this (I have no idea what you are doing to me) face. Our church fall festival is this Saturday, so, we’ll get some pictures of Ayla and Jackson in their Halloween costumes. They are going to be too cute, but you’ll have to wait until the pictures hit the blog!

Sunday, it was cool before we left for church, so Ayla got to wear one of her cute pink sweaters. By noon it was warm, and it had to come off.

Ayla and "Maverick," striking a pose. Daddy says these shades are coming back in style, but we aren't so sure!


One night last week when I was trying to fix dinner... Brett attempted to entertain Ayla by singing and dancing. It worked for a little while, but I grabbed my camera a few minutes too late. I guess Daddy's "comedy" had worn off!

Ayla on Mommy's lap. Mommy still has her PJs on, but Ayla had gotten a bath and was wearing "day" clothes.


This was taken Sunday night after she'd worn this outfit for about 5 hours. I am really mad that I didn't take her picture before we left, but we were running late, and I waited too long. You can tell she isn't very happy in either picture, but in bottom one her "true" feelings came out!

She was sleepy and ready to eat (again)!!

Aren't her pumpkin socks and size one Keds adorable!

Halloween outfit #2!
Notice her cute socks that look like she's wearing "Mary Jane" shoes. Pam Herren gave these to her. There are several other colors, but the black ones go well with her Halloween attire.

Tornado Warning Day

Well, we started off the day on a "notable" note.... Ayla slept all night in her bed for the first time. I took this picture after she started to stir, but she hadn't completely woken up. I noticed that her index figure was in the #1 position, which I thought was rather ironic and cute. I think she slept well, but I didn't get much sleep because I was constantly waking up to check to see if I heard anything on the monitor. She is in her bed again as I type this. :+}

Since I sleep her on her stomach, her hair on both sides of her head has fallen out. However, there is a patch on the nape of her neck that is thicker than the rest of her hair. I can assure you that this will be the only time in her life that she'll have a mullet!

The remainder of the day was a bit exciting. Sarah and I had planned on taking fall pictures of the kids outside, but the weather had different plans. I woke to thunder and lightning, which followed a few hours later with the Pensacola area being hit by tornado warnings. Brett actually got a few videos of one funnel cloud on his cell phone. There was some minor damage to buildings, houses, and cars in Pensacola, but thank goodness the Avalon Beach area didn't actually have one touch down. However, because the Doppler called for warnings in our area... we were on alert. Ayla, Baylie, and I spent about 45 minutes in our bathtub with pillows and blankets. Ayla nursed and fell asleep (I know... it's the life), and once Baylie got over feeling the need to lick us, she laid patiently waiting for it all to be over. After the warnings were over, we all headed over to my parents house so Sarah could do my hair. It rained and stormed for the remainder of the day, and we stayed over there until early evening. The Avalon Beach area got 6 inches of rain today, and it's still raining. Here are a few pictures from today.

This is another one of those cute, but funny faces she makes when I talk to her. It's like her brain and facial expressions move quicker than she can control. It's pretty funny!

Her eyes are quite blue, and we wonder whether they are going to stay that way. Brett's are blue and mine are green. Hmmmmm... we'll just have to wait and see.

Jackson, getting his first hair cut. Although he still doesn't have much hair, on both sides of his head he had a slight "baby mullet" going on. So, his mommy gave him a quick trim. She actually played hair stylist all day. She did Jackson's, mine, my mom's, and my dad's hair! We sure do appreciate her willingness and patience to help keep all of us stylish!

Jackson Eli and Ayla, with Grandma holding both of them.

I can't believe Jackson is so much darker than Ayla. Ayla looks like so pale compared to Jackson, and he's hardly been in the sun. I can't wait to see what he looks like in a few years when he really does get tan. I was actually pretty fair as a baby, but am able to tan now. Brett is fair and freckles, but he's able to tan. So, there is hope for Ayla, our Florida baby! :+)


DISCLAIMER:
Although possibly a bit uncomfortable, NO CHILDREN WERE HURT IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE NEXT TWO PICTURES!!



"You Two WILL Love Each Other!"

While I was holding both the kids, I tried to get Jackson to love on his cousin. However, you can see by my hand on Jackson's head that it took a little "force"... However, I will say that there weren't any tears shed and little struggle. I don't think either one of them knew what to think, but Ayla's face in the second one is priceless.

This is one of Jackson's hats. I thought it was cute that her onsie says "Princess" while wearing a hat that reads, "Golf Baby!" I thought Brett would appreciate these poses! And...I just had to take a few with the hat backwards. :+)

Jackson, making his way to Aunt Amy. Although I didn't get all of him in the second one, I couldn't resist those eyes! He's got the prettiest eyes, which he gets from his mommy! He's a good mix of both his mommy and daddy.

Tired after celebrating Daddy's birthday!

Mommy and Daddy had dinner together alone tonight for the first time in a long time. They had a really nice time, and Grandma and Grandpa Davis kept me while they went out. I was so tired from the thought of celebrating my dad's birthday that I simply wore myself out! However, my dad should be the one that's so tired. Goodness, he's getting old! ;+] When we got home from Grandma and Grandpa's house I was already asleep, and mommy put me to sleep in my own bed, so unfortunately I didn't get a picture with my dad on his birthday. Last night, I stayed in my bed for about 4 hours before waking up and realizing that I was in a strange place. Mommy came and got me and everything was good!

P.S. These pictures were taken with Aimee Storm in mind, so Sarah, you'll have to forward our blog address to her to let her know that I've actually posted some post pregnancy pictures of myself. ;+} 20 more pounds and three sizes to go, but Ayla is worth every single pound! :+]

Just a few cute photos...

Grandpa Jack took these (first 3 pictures) while riding in the back seat with me. I do much better when someone rides with me.
It's hard for mommy to go anywhere alone because I cry very hard to let her know that I don't appreciate being left alone.

These two (in her bouncy seat) were taken this morning while I cleaned the kitchen. She is just beginning to get interested in the objects in front of her. However, the entertainment is short lived. This morning she only lasted about 11 minutes in her bouncy seat. :+} I have to clean (and do everything else) quickly.

Mommy took this one while we were at Grandpa and Grandma's house.
I was sitting up in the chair like a big girl.
This chair belonged to my great great grandpa.

I'm a little sleepy. Being a baby is really hard work!

Check out those rolls on her legs!
What can I say... she's not a picky eater! :+]
I think it's so funny when she smiles like this. She can't quite control her facial reactions yet, but it's so genuine and sweet!

Growing LIke a Beautiful Weed :+}

Ayla was 2 months old on Friday. She's growing and doing so well. She is smiling so much now... and she's really starting to make a lot of cute facial expressions. I've been able to catch quite a few of them in pictures, which is difficult because as soon as the camera comes out she looks at in instead of paying attention to me and my voice. I then pull the camera away...talk to her in my high pitched voice...and I sneak a shot and hope to capture the moment. Overall, she is a very happy and content baby. I've now figured out what makes her happy, and she likes to be held by mommy. Daddy is still working on his "bag of tricks," but it's a work in progress . :+] He's learned that sitting on the couch watching sports won't always keep her calm. ;=]

She had her 2 month appointment last Wednesday, and we learned that she was in the 90th percentile for weight...and 75th for height. She weighed 12 lbs. 3 oz. and was 23 inches long. So, I guess she's getting enough to eat. :+] She also got her first round of shots. Mommy had to leave the room while they gave them to her, but Grandma Sherry stayed in there with her to comfort her. I just couldn't take watching her cry like that. I got my first "dose" of what that would be like months ago when I went with Sarah to Jackson's appointment. When it was all said and done... all three of us were crying (Sarah, Jackson, and me). It was awful to watch, but I know it's a fact of life that I'll have to get use to. Ayla slept most of the day on Wednesday, but she wasn't very fussy. She's actually been sleeping through most nights for the past few weeks, so I couldn't be happier. However, I must admit that there are some nights that I wake up to check on her, and I miss her so much that I wake her up just to hold her and nurse her for a while. I love the wee hours of the morning because she's so sleepy and sweet. She squints to barely look at me, but seems content in my arms. She then goes right back to sleep. Since he's got to get up early for work every day, Daddy is still sleeping in the guest bedroom, so he doesn't know what he's missed. :+}

I hope you enjoy the following pictures. :+] For the pictures that have captions, the captions follow the picture.

This was taken last Sunday on the way to church. It's always a good time to catch a few shots.

Smiling at mom on the way to church...

"I'm not quite so happy once I figure out that I'm strapped in this thing for the next 20 minutes."


"Okay, that's better for a moment. I have no idea what that thing is that is connected to my pacifier, but my mom sure does think it's cute!" :+]

This was taken in Ayla's room on her rocker. She looks like she's holding on for dear life. She's getting pretty good about holding herself up, but she doesn't look quite so sure in this picture. :+]

This was also taken in Ayla's room. It's on the twin bed, which was mine growing up. The quilt was one that was passed down from my great grandmother. It was morning time, and that's when she does most of her smiling and cooing. I love this sweet face. I also LOVE these adorable pajamas. The feet are just too cute. However, she is growing so fast that it might just be the last time she'll get to wear them. :+[ It makes me sad that I've already had to start boxing up clothes that no longer fit her.

"Okay Mom. I'm tired, so can we wrap this picture session up!"

"Okay, I think I can muster up a few more smiles for you!"

This is her "Elvis" face. She also does this thing with her nose that I can't quite describe, and she doesn't do it long enough to get a picture of it. However, I've caught it on video.

The following few pictures were taken later in the day at Grandma Sherry's while she was keeping her so I could clean the house to get ready for bunco.

This is something she does a lot with her mouth. It's the "fish face." :+]

Okay, although this might not been the "best" shot of her... I think it's great because it shows her vivid facial expressions. Grandma Sherry took this while she was lying on the floor. That tongue is too funny!

These two were taken right before we headed out the door for her 2 month appointment. It's hard to get both Ayla and someone else looking at the camera and smiling at the same time.

She's getting better about pulling herself up.

The following pictures were taken the afternoon after her appointment. She was a bit sleepy most of the day, but as you'll see from the pictures... she was in a pretty good mood! :+]

I love it when she smiles like this. It's so big!!

This one makes me sad. I've had this high chair in our kitchen for several months now. The only one to use it up to this point has been Jackson. Generally, when I or we eat at the table I hold her. However, Friday night when my parents were over for dinner I thought I'd try to put her in it to see if she could sit up. Well, she could, and she looks so big! :+( .... :+]

Ayla and Grandpa Jack. It was late and she was starting to get sleepy.

Grandpa Jack trying to entertain Ayla. She's getting sleepier...

Nope, I'm not sure it's working...

No, it's definitely NOT working! :+] She's sleepy and she wants her mommy!

Grandma Sherry usually knows how to get Ayla calm. This was not too long before she was out for the evening!