Party Day!!!

Today was party day! YEA! The day I have been planning for the entire month, finally arrived! We started our day at 6:30 this morning...yes...you read that right! Normal Saturday morning and Laela was scheduled for her second swim lesson. Ro took her alone because I had party stuff to set-up. Great news about swim lessons: our fish got a fantastic report from dad and even some friends that were there. Yipppeeee! Here is the dessert table. Yes...I sorted those m&m's and skittles. Of course I had to...I only need yellow and green to match my party theme! :)Oh my heavens. The best part of the party...the duck cake! A friend made this cake and she has always done a phenomenal job. Well...she might have outdone herself with this one. It was perfect for Laela! Take a closer look...Then another friend mentioned jello jigglers and this is what I created. These were a hit with several kids (and a couple of adults too).Also, my home-made birthday sign turned out wonderful.Oh...and I could not miss everyone seeing our baby girl on tv. Fox 4 News does a birthday segment for 1-5 year olds. You just send in name, picture, and date of birth. They will say your name and post the picture during the morning news. Here it is...The birthday girl all ready to go in her mommy-made cupcake shirt!Now time for the party and WOW! So many friends and family showed up. We were so excited to see everyone and Laela Grace acted very nicely. She talked and talked. She said "DUCK". Played with friends and family. She said "DUCK". Just sat around and watched. She said "DUCK". Do you get my point? :)Then came the cake. We stripped the baby and gave her the duck. Everyone sang a magnificant song....it went something like..."Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Laela. Happy birthday to you!" Again, like the tester cake on her real birthday, she did not want to do too much to this one. I think she was in shock because of the size of the ducky!After cake, most of the kids went outside and played in the kiddie pools, water sprinkler, and bubbles. They seemed to be having a great time, while the moms and dads were sweating like crazy. SHOOT! No pictures. Sorry! Just imagine 8-10 kids playing outside in the water and bubbles on a sweltering, hot day. That's it!
Oh man...now Laela has missed her afternoon nap, but she is still holding strong. Getting kinda crabby but we managed to open a few gifts. We will have to open the rest tomorrow when she wakes up (kinda like Christmas morning). So much fun!

Before everyone headed out, we gave all of the kiddos embroidered beach towels. They turned out great and I hope that they get a lot of use this summer!

Laela scarfed down her dinner and off she went to bed. Now it is about 8:30 and we can hear Laela on the monitor saying "duck, duck, duck." We clicked the video monitor to see what she was doing and it looked like she was asleep. Oh lord! She is talking to the ducks in her sleep. Maybe we went overboard on duck decorations. hmmm... :)

Laela's birthday...

Oh what a busy day we had planned! Laela woke up this morning singing happy birthday to herself. She is so funny! Most mornings she wakes up and just talks, sings, or plays in her crib. Ro got her up and gave her a bottle and then her and I sat down for a waffle/pancake breakfast and sent daddy on his way to work.After breakfast Laela went for a bath and nap. At first she decided that since she was 1 now, she didn't need a nap. Then she finally caved in and fell asleep. When she woke up we met daddy for birthday lunch. Oh man...that was yummy! If you are looking for a good burger, try The Twisted Root. Super yum! Now over to visit our Granna and Gramps! Laela was so lucky to have been born on their anniversary. This year is number 59! Yes...G&G have been married for 59 years...Congratulations and we love you guys! Laela had a blast walking around with their musical toy walker and playing with both Granna and Gramps. Oh yes...an added bonus...Aunt LeAnn and Cousin Mikaila were there too. Laela played with them too! We left G&G's so Laela could get home for her afternoon nap (she really likes her routine and a nap is mandatory!) She had a wonderful hour and a half nap, then out to the baby pool. What better than the bug bikini? She was really flaunting her stuff today! Why not...she IS the birthday girl!

Now dinner and a birthday cake. I made Laela a small yellow cake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles for the celebration. I told her she could have it after she ate all of her dinner and of course she did that! Laela barely touched the cake at first. Then when she really got her hands into it, she would not ever eat it. She did not know what she was missing because that yellow cake is yum! Well...we let her play in it a bit and then off to the bathtub!

A great finish to the evening...night-night clothes and bedtime. WOW! What an eventful 1st birthday. Good night and sweet dreams!

a birthday note from daddy...

On June 24th of 2008, I wrote “I know people keep saying that having a baby is alot of work, time, commitment, etc. I am sure it’s going to be all of the above and more but it will be definitely worth the time and effort.”
Looking back at that day, 1 year ago, I sit here wishing we could do it all over again but at the same time, looking forward to our bright future. When Laela was born, I was one scared Indian. There was no engineering book covering the theory and concepts of baby. I had a hard enough time taking care of myself. How in the world was I going to be good dad with no formal training? Well, after 1 year, being a dad has been the most rewarding, enjoyable experience I have ever been through. I love science, math, and all the theory that goes with it. But nothing makes me smile like when I see Kelli playing peek-a-boo with Laela and watching her laugh uncontrollably. There is something about Laela that just makes Kelli and I smile. And it’s the little things that are the most special. From her little giggles to the soft kisses she gives, she always does something that is special to us.
I would be a liar if I said that every day has been perfect. We had a few “Laela mailing labels” ready for use, and I am sure there will be another day where they might be needed. But in statistical terms, 355 good days out of 365 days total = 97.26% which makes Laela a Summa Cum Laude Baby! I have her Georgia Tech application already filled out! J
Finally, Kelli has been nothing short of extraordinary. She works like a freight train when it comes to her job, being an excellent wife, and being a caring mom. And having to deal with my quirks and idiosyncrasies as well as a hyper-active dog cannot be easy. Wife, you have done great!

Laela, your mommy, daddy, and your favorite doggie love you very much!

a birthday note from mommy...

Laela Grace...I became a mommy exactly one year ago! It is kinda scary when you become a mom. You are in charge of another life! I thought that I would be exhausted all the time, but you are great! I love everything about you. You have the sweetest personality, with a bit of strong will to off-set. You have already shown me that you are going to be a very strong and persistant girl! I may be raising a future president. :)

Today you turned one. I know...it is CRAZY talk! I look back and think about this day and it is crazy to think that a year ago you were inside my belly (literally as I am writing this, you were being pulled out). We saw your little face through the ultrasound and we knew you had lots of hair, but we did not know "you". Daddy and I were thrilled to pieces when we finally met you and named you Laela Grace. You are a fantastic baby girl and you amaze me everyday. I love watching you grow and learn new things.

Thanks for being "you" and being such a wonderful blessing in my life. Always know that mommy loves you!

The "what" of our 1 year old Laela...

Dear Laela,

Here is what you are doing at 1 year old:

• You are cruising around and pulling up on anything that sits still.
• You can walk when we are holding onto your hands.
• You are a giggle monster and love to be tickled under your arms.
• You have your "own" personality and attitude.
• You love rubber ducks.
• Your words include "da-da", "dog", "duck", "ti-ti" (bye-bye), "momma", "nanna", and you can sign "more". Don't get me wrong...you "TALK" all day, but this is what we understand.
• You wear a size 4 diaper and 18-24 month clothes.
• At your last appointment, you weighed 24 pounds.
• You love to be spinning around, hanging upside down, bouncing, jumping...anything that involves movement and daredevil stunts! (We may have a champion rollercoaster rider on our hands)
• You are not a huge fan of the jumperoo these days.
• You can understand when I ask you to put things into a bucket and take them out.
• You copy certain things we do. For example, I told the dog "No, no, no" while shaking my finger. Next thing you know, you are doing the same thing.
• You can identify the written words "arms up", "dog", "tiger", "clap".
• You love to hear nursery rhymes. Right now a couple of your favorites include The Eensy, Weensy Spider, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, and The Wheels on the Bus.
• You enjoy bathtime. From being "wrapped up like a burrito" to the toys. Also, you have figured out how to plug and unplug the tub.
• Your sleep schedule is approximately 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Naps at 9:00am and 2:00pm. You listen to night-night music to fall asleep and have a special bunny in her crib. You have also found the pacifier plate on the table next to your crib.
• The pacifier is still a big hit during sleep time and some car rides. Otherwise, you do well without it.
• You are "working" on eating table food. You still love anything out of a Gerber container but you are trying more and more every day. Also, you are transitioning from formula to milk with ease. You are currently drinking 2oz. of formula with 6-8oz. of whole milk. YUM!
• You have 2 top and 2 bottom teeth that we are sure about. Otherwise, I think there are more coming but you will not let us in for a peek!
• You are half and half with your feelings about Allie Mae. Some days you let her give you a kiss and other days you scream at the top of your lungs just seeing her within a 10 foot radius.
• You are a MOMMA's girl!

Happy Birthday! We Love You!

Mom & Dad

Dog...Are you out there?

1st Swim Class....

Today, Laela, Kelli, and I hopped in the wagon and headed to the Allen natatorium for Laela's first swim class. Kelli usually gives......ok ok, always gives Laela baths and always comments how much Laela just loves the water. I figured we had a little mermaid on our hands and swim classes would be beginning steps to her Olympic future. Hard to correlate bath time and swimming ability but I'm an engineer and love to hypothesize. Anyway, I was looking forward to this swim class.

The water babies were scheduled to train in the pool area that was ~4' deep. Being that I am not much taller, I figured at least my head would be out of the water and Laela (And I) would be safe. I jumped in the water first and noticed it was unseasonablly cold. Ice fishing is not in season, never is in Texas, so I figured the water might be a little warmer. Kelli then handed Laela to me as I took her into the water. Water must really open up the lungs because Laela's instant crying echoed throughout the place. I didn't want to give up so quickly but at the same time, wasn't sure how to handle the situation. The instructor started giving directions on what different swim stokes the babies should be trying while I was frantically trying to calm down a feisty, cold unhappy baby with a rubber fish (Which didn't work).

I got a few "Whose child is that?" looks from my fellow "Allenites" and many a hairy eyeball but finally got Laela to settle down 20 minutes into our 40 minutes class. It was a good, quiet 15 minutes! I really think the cold water along with my nervousness and inability to soothe a disturbed baby resulted in a troubled swim lesson. May our 2nd Swim Class be better than our 1st. Here are some of the pictures.

Being the persistent parents we are, we figured we would try again in the evening using the kiddie pool in our backyard. The hose water was still cold and didn't get enough sun loading to heat up. At first, Laela would only stand and hold on to the side of the pool. She doesn't seem to like a cold, wet hiney. I decided to jump in and see if I could coerce her into the water. This time, it worked! For what its worth, Laela's evening time in the pool was MUCH better than the morning's swim lesson! Again, more pictures for this evening's adventure.

PS - The yellow object in Laela's mouth is not a giant pacifier. It is a baby rubber duck... :)

Company Picnic...

We survived Ro's company picnic at Swingin' D Ranch today! Whew...it was hot! We weren't sure what to expect, but I have heard some pretty good things about it. Anyway, Laela got in a great 2 hour nap this morning and she was overall very well behaved. We started with lunch in the air conditioned main reception room. Then we moved outside to talk with some friends, visited the balloon man (Who we found out was at a retirement home the other day), checked out the animals in the petting zoo, had a snack, and sweated a little. :)

The balloon man line had 4 kids in front of us when we started. Then siblings/friends kept come up and joining the ones that were in line. At one point there was one boy waiting in line and when it was his turn there were magically 5 brothers and sisters. AH! Seriously. Our baby girl waited patiently while drinking an entire cup of juice.

Suddenly another 2 boys came from nowhere, butted in line with their friend, and Laela got really pissed....she pulled out one of her pigtails! (She may have her mommy's attitude...do you think?)

Finally...we get to the front of the line and she got a duck! You can't see it from this picture, but it had a really cute orange bill. PERFECT!

Then off to the petting zoo. Shoooo-weeee! That was very stinky (and a little scary if you ask me.) Laela was very interested in the goats and she kept saying "guh...guh".

We said hello to a few more of Ro's work mates and off we went. It was a great afternoon! Oh...this is Laela before bed tonight. Ro said her hair looks like Kramer from Seinfeld. :)By the way...did you love her zebra outfit today? I think it is super cute!