New addition to our family...

Well...here she is...

Ro ordered a treadmill for our big Christmas present this year. I think that he was finally tired of hearing me complain about how large my butt is, or how flabby my arms and belly are, or maybe BLAH BLAH BLAH. Also, my gym membership just keeps getting charged without me taking advantage of it. We are so blessed to have Laela go to sleep early, so I can not use her as an excuse. I could have gone to the gym in the evening, but I never felt like it. I am tired when I get home from school! Then, Ro and I decided that we could get a treadmill for the house. So over the Christmas break we swapped office furniture because his fits better with the treadmill. We really wanted to put the treadmill in Ro's office, but that is next to Laela's room and it may wake her up. Well...now here is my office:

Notice the SUPER CUTE canvas print of Laela that we just ordered. It looks so great on the green walls! Now for the crazy treadmill story. We get it in. Some crazy company delivers it, literally just dropping it in the house. As Ro has practically assembled the entire treadmill, he realizes there is a small "hole" on the metal bottom side bar. He goes back to check the box...and yes there is a fairly large gash in the box. It looks like a fork-lift jabbed the box and then the treadmill. AH! Ro immediately calls Amazon and tells them about it. They reimbursed us 10% if we will keep it. Are you kidding...my Indian husband will keep anything with a hole in it if you reimburse him 10% of the orginal cost! So...whatever...we deal with the hole. Then one night we are trying to get Allie to get on the treadmill and get her exercise (it is something we saw on the Dog Whisper, but obvisously we are not Dog Whisperers!) Allie refused to get on, but in the process I find a crack on the main motor plastic covering. Finally, I notice the heart rate monitor does not work. There is no way that my heart rate is 79 when I can barely breathe! Ro called the company back and told them to come get there piece of crap. Yesterday, a new company delivered the second treadmill. We made sure to have the delivery company help Ro get out the treadmill so he could take a quick peek. Ro didn't see anything....nothing that is until 2 hours later when he has the entire thing put together. There is a dent/small hole in the SAME SPOT as the other treadmill. AHHHH! I decided...unless the treadmill gets mad and throws me off then we are not switching again. So...I have missed one day so far. During the week I have been getting up at 5:00 (okay...really 5:1oish) and walking/running for 30 minutes or so. On the weekends I did the treadmill during the day. Within the last two weeks, I have already worked my way from running for 5 minutes to now running for 15 minutes. Eventually I want to work my way up to running for at least 30-40 minutes. Hmmm....can I do it?

She's growing up!

You wouldn't believe what we did yesterday. Well....Ro and I have talked about this, but we just have not taken the time to go do it. Then, Brooke called and asked if Laela may wanted to join Maddie for an outing? Ro and I talked. He says that he is so afraid of Laela growing up too quick. Well...he ended up saying okay, so off we go....to get Laela's ears pierced.

We decided daddy would be the event supporter and I would follow up at the end. :)

She was a mover and a shaker the minute she saw the gloves go on, but Laela really did great!
Laela screamed a bit right after they pierced the first ear.

After the other ear I picked her up and loved on her!
All done. Now Laela has earrings that make her look so beautiful!

More Photographer Pics...

Here are a few more pictures the photographer took...

Daycare and Big school...

My day was absolutely insane! People kept talking to me and I did not actually start to really get things accomplished until after 1:00. Then the principal came on the intercom and said we could leave early due to the weather! Oh heck...I was not going anywhere! I did finally leave at 4:00 so I could get my little sweet Laela. On the other hand, today was a great day for Laela. I was a little worried she would have some difficulty transitioning back into the school routine. Well...not our precious little angel. She had a phenomenal day! I went to check on her mid-day and she was all smiles! The teachers said she was doing much better than the others. When I picked her up, another super report. The teacher said, "she is the only baby that did not drive me to want to start drinking today." I take that as a good thing. YEA for Laela! At school, she took a 40 minute nap in her crib. Yippeee...we are really working on the school naps in the crib. Then we will work on them lasting a little longer. She did take a nap on the way home, but woke up only to be in a fantastic mood and want to play a little more. Here she is playing...

Oh...so much playing. Laela needing something to drink!

ICE...

I forgot to post these pictures from ICE. It was very neat. If you haven't been, it is at the Gaylord in Grapevine. Everything is hand carved from ice and it is FREEZING inside. (Literally, it is nine degrees and they give you a parka to wear!!!) I wore gloves and the tips of my fingers felt like they were going to fall off...very painful. Anyway...we had fun looking at this great pieces of artwork...we just went through very fast!

Monday...

I love teaching kids, but I am very sad about going back to school tomorrow. :( This last two weeks with Laela (and Ro) has been great! I absolutely love spending time with her (and Ro too).

New & fun adventures...

This week has been great! Ro and I have been able to spend some extra needed/wanted time with the baby. With us having two weeks together, next Monday is going to be a very difficult day for all of us! Here are a few things we have done the last couple days.

Our fantastic Gramps made Laela a wagon (seriously...from the wheels to the handle). The wagon is great because he customized it...pink with a Laela Grace sign! (She sits in her Bumbo for now until she can sit up by herself a little better.) We have ridden around the house a few times, but Tuesday was a beautiful day so Ro took her outside for a ride. Of course, she loved it because she was able to wear her sunglasses and observe everything going on.



Laela absolutely loves sitting in her high chair. We have been using her Bumbo seat to feed her, but here I think she feels like such a big girl!

Her new fascination....water bottles! She loves to inspect them and try to tear off the wrapper. Too funny what kids love. (Don't miss her jammies in this picture. We have been putting Laela in the super cute and comfy Gerber brand sleepers with feet. Well...we just figured out that they do not make them in her size. They stop at 9 months, so we tried a new kind. These are thermal undies. It is a one piece, so that is great. No feet, so that is a downer. BUT...mommy and daddy did not allow for the tight fit of thermal underwear. These are 12 months and Laela had to suck in her belly when we put them on!)

Our 6 month pictures...

We tried a new photographer on Sunday. She was nice and the session was quick and painless. Laela was not feeling well, but over all she did really great! Here is our sneak peek...

Merry Christmas Laela...

Today was a fantastic day. Laela was a little out of it because of her shots two days ago, but she did so well. She napped when she needed to and opened gifts when it was time. I think she really enjoyed her first Christmas. I especially loved having Laela here. She makes me smile and I am so thankful for her being part of the family. I can not imagine our days without her!

Laela got Elmo Live from her Grandad. She was a little freaked out with him at first, but now she laughs.

We tried a sippy cup for the first time! She seemed to love holding onto the handles, but we are still working on sucking the spout instead of chewing.

Laela loves getting cards from Granna and Gramps!

Also, anything with lights and noise are super right now!
Paper and bags were a big hit too!

We didn't forget Allie Mae. She enjoyed her gift of treats. YUM!

Oh man! We were all pooped at the end of the day!

We ended with a great big hug and kiss before heading to bed!

Elf Dance...

Hilarious! Turn on your volume and get ready to laugh!

I have seen these around and finally decided to play around with our pictures. It was a blast! Ro had no idea what I was doing until I showed him the final product. GREATNESS! We have not laughed so hard in awhile. :)