The Napier News: 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! :+( .... :+]