Dallas in April

I am still here as i type this, but Layne is sleeping and I am enjoying my last night in Dallas on the couch in the air conditioning.
Layne and I had such a wonderful trip here in Dallas, and I am so sad it's coming to an end.   I have never done so much in this city, even when i lived here.  The weather was beautiful (for the most part) and everyone loved on Layne so much, it just about made my heart explode.  I don't think i could love this little one more and I just love it when everyone loves on her.  SO MUCH LOVE
(TEAR)  - lots of those were shed... but what's new?

We were in Dallas on Wednesday to the following Wednesday.  Here's what we did.. and pictures to follow. Layne was a champ on the plane!  (hope she is on the way back too!!)

on the plane

On Wednesday we landed, and my sister Dori came to pick me up from the airport with her friend.  And we went to the All Good Cafe for breakfast.  YUM
Then back to my parents house to say hi, then off to Frisco (Little Elm, Texas) To Dori's house.  We made it just in time for bed, and put the kids to sleep and proceeded to bust out the wine.

The next day, we travelled back to Dallas, and my brother OJ came into town from Houston just to see me  Layne!  ;)
That night I put Layne to bed and went out for a drink with Holly.

Then on Friday- Dori and I and her kids (Simone and Julian) and of course Layne went to a great new park in downtown Dallas called Klyde Warren Park.  It's in the middle of downtown Dallas very close to my old high school.  They built the park above the highway and it was packed! With food trucks to boot.   After that, i rushed home and got ready to meet some old friends at one of their houses for a happy hour with friends and kiddos.  It was so great to see everyone!  I should have taken more pictures.....  dang!

Road trip to the park!

First time in her whole life wearing shorts

and a summer hat

Crutchfield's

Kelly & Cortney with Layne and our friends' Kyle and Adrienne's baby

Saturday- my family and I went to the Dallas Zoo. I can't remember the last time i was there.  We walked around for hours, ate lunch at a picnic table helped sing Happy Birthday for the Dallas Zoo's 125th birthday and got free cupcakes.  We rode the monorail, saw koalas, and kangaroos, and giraffes, and i successfully nursed my baby all the way throughout the zoo in my carrier without anyone knowing.  It was a wonderful day and i got my first sunburn of the season.
Saturday night, holly and I went bar hopping after I put Layne to bed.  It was a great day.

on the Monrail

Penguins

Happy Nana and kiddos

beautiful little Simone

Happy Papa and Layne

Sunday- We met the Wyner's (Alison & Lindsi's mom and Dad) for Brunch at Mattito's.    Aka- best breakfast buffet in Dallas.
Then we came home and had a relaxing day and evening.

Sally and Michael with a gift for Layne

Monday- We all went to the new Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and out to lunch.  Such a fun day. Then Monday night we said goodbye to my sister and her kiddos as they went back home to frisco.  (tear). Thanks for talking mom and dad into buying our plane tickets Dori! ;)

Layne's first encounter with a Racoon ;)

High Chair at Lunch! (she barely fit)

such a cultured little 5 month old

I got tired of carrier her (my back!) - Sitting like a big girl for the first time in a stroller

Beautiful building - Perot Musuem

Holly & I

Tuesday- we went to the Dallas Aboretum for one last day of nature and sunshine and flowers.

Spring has sprung

Loving the sun

Beautiful Day

Mini Photoshoot in her new Mexican Dress

love you Nana!

Yes, Holly is always with us. She is just as much apart of my family ;)

Tomorrow we leave.  It's been such a great trip and every time I come I wish we could move back to Dallas.  But it's not in the cards for now.  Thanks for a such a great trip Nana & Grandpa, Dori & Holly and the rest of you that I love.  Layne and I had so much fun!  We are anxious to get back home to see Papa and Chai.

Side Note: I was worried her sleep would be affected here.  But she's been going down great every night.. right to sleep!  BUT... she has started waking up again at night.  I don't know if she's just been so exhausted from ALL of the activities we did or what, but I hope she gets back to 10-12 hours of non interrupted sleep when we get home.

Thanks for making it thru the longest post ever.

Dear Chicago.... please be summer when i get back,  (or very soon).  We will miss you Dallas.
xo

Layne got Baptized!

Hey folks.  I am going back in time here because i finally got some photos on my computer from Layne's Baptism and Easter.  (Easter will be another post).
And i have been inspired to write my birth story.. so hold your hats, that's coming one day soon too.  (not for the faint at heart).

Here are some photos from Layne's baptism that occurred on March 17th, 2013.  2 days before her 5 month birthday.

Andrew and I were both raised Catholic and so we decided that we wanted to get Layne baptized.  As much as I wanted my family to be here, all the planning happened so fast and we all decided to go ahead and do it with them in Texas,  and show them pictures.


Layne's Godparents are:

Mike & Aimee Adair (Andrew's sister and Brother in law)

Photo dump...

Aimee getting Layne dressed

I'm always ready for a camera.. (i wonder were Layne gets it from?)

Priest doing the sign of the cross

Listening closely...

Getting Baptized.

YAY!

Us and Mike and Aimee

Us and Andrew's parents - (hands in the mouth- tastes so good!)

Aimee and Mike's kiddos.  Check out this girl, she's got sass!  Mason, Alivia and Tyler.  And Andrew's 98 year old Grandmother- Baba.

5 months!

My little boo is 5 months old! We are almost half way there to one year! Not a lot has changed really since my last post. But lets see..

She got baptized! She got baptized in the same Catholic church Andrew and I got married in. Andrew's sister Aimee and her husband Mike are the God Parents. Ill post more on this later

She's still just as happy and giggly as always.

She's droolfest 2013 at all times. We gotta keep a bib on as to not ruin every outfit immediately.

She's growing our of all her clothes.. We are moving into the 3-6 month and 6 month range

We are going to Dallas! Just Layne and I are going in April. So I had to go out and get her some short sleeve onsies. Layne is gonna feel warmth for the first time in her sweet little life. Yay Texas!

She's been sleeping pretty good. Momma has even had a couple nights out on the town after putting her to sleep and daddy stayed home with her. (High five!)

I've been going to a bunch of momma meet ups so she's been meeting lots of babies her age. This is good for momma.

She got her first rash. :/ not good. Not sure what it was but it scared me! It went away after a couple of days. Don't come back!

She's a babble machine.
And a cute one at that.

Weight (measured by me carrying her on the scale.)  16 pounds

Looking forward to:
Her first Easter!
Back to Dallas!
Momma and daddy date night: The Book of Morman... Woot! (Be good Layner bird)
Warm weather!
Sitting up by herself (When does this happen?)
First foods! (I'm waiting till 6 months I think we are starting with avocado)

Photo dump:

5 month photo shoot

red cheeks and beating up the poor panda

Auntie Aimee and Layne getting ready for the baptism

During the baptism (disregard my face)

teeny tiny Toms a gift from Auntie Aimee

Just a little tummy time

Busted out this jumpy thingy-  not sure if our base boards in this old chicago apartment can handle it. This might get returned

hieeeeeeee

twins!

Here's a pic of the rash.  It CLEARLY didn't bother her.  ;)

Firsts!

Here are some more first that occurred between 4- 5 months. We have had some real good ones this time with videos to boot.

I am finally blogging from my computer so these pictures are actually a normal size.

Here we go:

First: time facing OUT in the baby carrier

We weren't ready for this shot- this is with out the awesome hoodie for the carrier.

Sushi date!  Andrew, Layne and I went for sushi.  Layne slept the majority of the dinner....

Then she woke up- and just hung out! 

First: Layne and Wally McDonald meet at last... they fell in love.  

Our sweet friend Adair was on her way to Florida (From LA) with a lay over in Chicago on the day of a major  snow storm. So she got stuck here!  (in the burbs) And we had an impromptu get together to see her and meet WALLY! (who is one month younger than Layne)

First: family reading night (in my 10 dollar pink craigslist rocking chair)

First: Oscar Party! Alison and Layne at our 3rd annual Oscar Party. Layne was a trooper!

First: sitting up so good on this chair (last: time for this outfit)...

Here's a good little giggle fest:

Please click on this video.. I am pretty sure we have Layne's official first word.!  If you don't want to click it's, "MA MA!"  - Although I know it's not intentional, it's going down in the books!

These firsts are real fun!