Ayla and Daddy

I thought this was a sweet moment. I took these pictures last night. I had bunco last night, and although Ayla was asleep when I got home, she woke (as usual) around 10. Brett was bouncing her on his knee while I got ready for bed. I guess between the soothing motion and the television, it was was too much for her because as you can see... she gave it up. However, it was sweet because she calmly sat there in Brett's lap even before falling asleep, just enjoying the bouncing and watching the cartoon on the television. She looked so soothed.

Fun in a box...

This past weekend, while I had a yucky stomach virus, I had Brett grab a cool mist humidifier while he was out running errands to help with Ayla's cold. It's kept her stopped up, not sleeping or eating well, and eventually caused another ear infection. I had the humidifier box next to the trash, and she kept heading there to play with it, so I drug it into the living room. She's really starting to explore more and more....however, after about 10 minutes, if she doesn't see me, she kind of lets out a sigh, as to say, "Where are you, Mom?"

I know I've said it before, but it amazes me at the things babies will want to play with. She's got a basket full of interesting toys, but that box won out. I sat her in it, and she thought that was pretty funny... until she had trouble getting out, and then she wasn't as amused when I let her try and figure out an escape route. Oh, and now, one of her eye teeth came in this past week. I actually got a pretty good shot of it in one of these pictures. I cropped it to make it bigger. :+]

If you'll look real close... you can see the right eye tooth there poking through. Her look is really going to start changing once more teeth come in. It makes me a little sad. :+(

These are some pajamas I got her that I think look so cute on her...
if I do say so myself! :+]

Luke and Ayla, waiting their turn on the edge of the pool at swim lessons. I'm not sure either one of them knew they were waiting. I think they thought it was all over. Little did they know...
For some reason... I was unable to continue uploading pictures into the "Swimming Lesson" posting, so I placed these here.

This one looks like Luke has just told a good joke, and Ayla's laughin' at it. It's fun to see them develop together. Luke has a mouth full of teeth and his walking, and Ayla is still crawling with only a few teeth. :+}

Swim Lessons

Ayla started swim lessons this week. She's taking them at the Farley's on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays this week and next with Luke and three other kids. Aimee warned me that the first week would be pretty brutal for me especially because Ayla would probably cry the entire time. Monday was day 1, and we started off the lesson slowly by simply counting to three, blowing in their face, and then placing them under water. I was surprised because she actually didn't cry until almost the end of the lesson when Mary (the instructor) took her from me to count and then put her under water to swim to me. Tuesday, with Sarah and Jackson, we went over to my parent's house to practice what we'd learned, but she wasn't in a very good mood. I later learned why when I took her in for her re-check appointment for her ears. She again had two inner ear infections (unrelated to water in the ear). :+( She hasn't been sleeping well lately, and she's had a bad cold, so I suspected that the ear infections were back. Aunt Sarah pushed me to go ahead and take her in, and I'm glad I did.

So, Mondays lesson went well, but Wednesday's was a whole other story. I think her memory was better than I thought it was because she cried as soon as I got in the pool with her. She cried the entire lesson, and she'd clench her fist in anger while Mary held her and counted. It was very hard as her mom to sit there with a smile on my face (trying to look happy and encouraging), and to see the look on her face. I'm the mom that refuses to stay in the room while she gets her shots, and I know the crying for that will just last a moment. SO... having to sit there while she has to do this time and time again was pretty tough. I found myself saying, "You only have 4 more times... now 3 more... now 2 more..." Although quite distraught, each time she would stop crying long enough to take a breath before being placed under water to swim to me, and she even kicked her legs. Not once did she take in water. I was quite surprised that even with her crying so hard she still could hold her breath under water. Once she knew the lesson was over and we were getting out of the pool, she did seem to perk up a bit. I was very proud of her, and Aimee said she thought I did rather well for being a first time mom going through swim lessons. :+] She was sweet to even call me later to tell me again!

Jackson was funny on Tuesday when Sarah and I took the kids to my parent's pool. She tried the "1...2...3...blow... and under water" thing with Jackson, and he did really well and held his breath every time. However, the funny part came when, as we normally do, he'd be sitting or standing on the side of the pool, and we'd count for him to jump to us, and I guess because we'd done the "1...2...3" with the under water part, he didn't want to do anything associated with counting. :+} As soon as we'd start saying "1...2...3" he wave his hands to let us know he didn't want to do whatever it was that came after. :=]

Here she is swimming to me.

Aimee's Birthday

Sarah, Aimee, Me, Judy, and Terri

June 3rd was Aimee's birthday, so us girls celebrated by enjoying an evening out at the Global Grill in downtown Pensacola. They've got dozens of different tapas, which we all ordered one of and shared, along with great salads.
As we were leaving and getting in the car, we stopped a couple walking by and asked if they'd take our picture. After the gal took it we thought it was funny when she asked, "Where are y'all from?"...as if we were tourist. We just laughed and said, "From here. We just don't get out much." ;+] We enjoy our "girl" time together that we don't get enough of, but we enjoy it when we do!

Beach Babies

My parent's anniversary was June 2nd, and we took dinner to the beach to celebrate. It was a beautiful day, and the water was just right. It's been unusually warm here (for this time of year), which makes us all fear what our summer is going to be like. It also creates an uneasy feeling for the upcoming hurricane season, which has already begun. However, we've all got our fingers crossed and are hoping for yet another "hurricane free" summer!

I thought this picture of Ayla and Jackson was so cute. Notice the way Jackson has his hand on Ayla's foot. I think that was the same foot he bit just two days earlier. ;+] It wasn't out of aggression. He'd leaned over to give her one of his "signature" hugs (with his head in her lap), and I guess her chubby leg looked too inviting because he decided to take a bite. She immediately started to cry, and he got a very worried look on his face, like he couldn't figure out what was wrong. I tried to talk to him to tell him that "we shouldn't bite," but I don't think he ever knew what I was saying. I think Ayla's completely forgotten all about it, and there was no scaring, so all is okay. :+]The last time we were at the beach was Ayla's first time crawling around in the sand. This time she acted like a real pro. Neither one of the kids were at all afraid of the water coming up on the shore, and both would go at the waves like there was nothing to fear. It was like one big playground for them, and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We'll be spending a lot of time there over the years.

Look it all that hair. It is especially "wild" in the humid, salty beach air!

She's so serious at times. She studies the most detailed things.

She loved the sand dollars. She liked putting them in her mouth. I think she liked the saltiness.

Here she is crawling towards the waves. Once, one of them even spun her around, and it didn't phase her a bit.

Here she is focusing on one of those small details. :+] We had to watch her because she'd find the smallest of shells, and they'd be in her mouth.
At one point, I had her in the water, and I'd throw her up and let her splash in the waves and she loved it. She'd laugh, and she wasn't afraid at all. I hope she continues being unafraid of the ocean. The beach is one of my favorite places to be, and I hope that's one thing we can share together for many years to come.

Ayla update: She now has two bottom teeth, and it looks like her right eye tooth is coming in. She's been extra clingy the past few days.

Old Christ Church

This past weekend, Judy's sister, Cara was married at Old Christ Church in Historic Downtown Pensacola Village. Old Christ Church dates back to 1832. It's a beautiful building, and makes for a very romantic backdrop for a wedding. While sitting there, I couldn't help but think that maybe Ayla could be married there one day. That alone brought tears to my eyes.

The reception was held at a nearby park the fronts the water. It was within walking distance.

Aimee, Sarah, Me, and Terri, at the reception afterwards. It was a little warm, but still a very pretty day. Because the park was adjacent to the water, there was a nice breeze.

Jackson Eli turns 18 months old

As Sarah said in her email yesterday, it is really hard to believe that Jackson is already 18 months old. :+] He's got such a cute personality, and quite the strong will. He loves all of us so much, and sometimes can't decide who he wants more and plays "musical relatives." He is an absolute joy to have in our lives, and I get just as excited to see him on the days my mom keeps him as I do to see Ayla Grace. I am very glad Ayla and Jackson have one another. As Ayla's personality evolves, and we see more and more "strong will" from her, I predict the future is going to be very lively! :+] Through the ups and downs, this is what life is all about!

Thank you, Sarah and Justin, for sharing him with us this past year and a half. We love him dearly, as we do you two, and we're thankful we get to spend the time we do with you three!