Our 2 1/2 Year Old...

Laylie is now 2 ½ and is a complete joy. I must say, I love being with her every day that goes by and I am so blessed to be her mama. I love teaching her new things and watching her grow into the little girl God is making her to be. She truly is our shining star and a twinkle in our eyes.

Some fun facts about our 2 ½ year old:

She started dreaming at night and calls her dreams – “Movies in her forehead”

She is a true prayer warrior and offers to pray at every meal. Sometimes the prayers will even go for about 2 minutes with her eyes closed shut and hands folded tight as she talks to God. I love it!!

She is going to be an amazing big sister. She can’t wait until Rael comes and she talks to my belly every day. The other day when I was in the swimming pool she swam up to my belly and asked “do you like the water Rael?” Then she gave my belly a kiss and swam some more.

She says the cutest things…When she does not know something, instead of saying “I don’t know” she says “I can’t know.”

She loves the outdoors – going to the park, swinging on the swings, going on bike rides and sitting in the stroller every morning while I go on my morning walks.

She is getting braver about the water and is now a full on swimmer with the help of her floaties. This is a huge improvement over last year when she did not even want to set foot into a swimming pool.

She loves her big girl room and sleeps like a champ in her full size bed.

She does not like loud noises and is still completely fearful of the gardeners. We are hoping to conquer that fear soon.

She knows all her ABC’s, colors, and shapes, and even recognizes most of her letters and numbers.

When we go shopping, she must be the one to unload the shopping cart and help pay for the food. Makes things a little more difficult and slower but it sure brings her happiness.

She still enjoys wearing flip flops every day. Thank goodness we live in sunny California.

She loves picking out her clothes and if she had her way she would wear her “dance” shirt or her “big sister” shirt every single day.

We love you sweet Laylie J. and think you are one amazing 2 year old!!

Pregnancy Photoshoot

Thanks to my amazing and most talented sister Lisa for taking my beautiful pregnancy pictures. You truly have a gift and talent. These photos are such a treasure and will be saved for a lifetime. Love you and thank you sister!!

PS - if anyone is looking for an amazing photographer, check out www.lisalain.com

Rael's Baby Shower

I was blown away with so much love and blessings. My sister Lisa and Mom threw me the most amazing baby shower for Rael. I had the most wonderful day and could not believe all the little details and how beautiful everything looked. The shower was decorated to the fullest with a sweet love bird theme, beautiful bright flowers, party favors on each table, fun games, delicious food, and gifts. It truly was a perfect day and one I will remember forever.

Conquering Fear

Would you think a 2 year old would have a fear? Where they ask their parents daily if it is coming that day, or as soon as the child hears it or sees it they start to cry and run straight for your arms? Well, yes my little Laylie is completely and utterly fearful of our gardeners. She dislikes the loud noises of the lawn mower, the weed whacker, the tree trimmer, and the leaf blower. She can hear them miles away and gets herself ready as she knows they are coming towards our large greenbelt. Wednesdays are a hard day of trying to be brave and conquering her fear. Lots of cuddles, talks, saying comforting verses and waving hi to the gardeners. Today, we will be doing something different than just saying and waving hi from a distance to all of the gardeners that make our yard beautiful. We will be giving them drinks and cookies and hope to build a fun relationship with these workers that come every Wednesday. Maybe by her knowing that these loud noises come from kind people who are not so bad, she will realize it is ok and she is safe.


She has gotten really good at singing "Jesus loves me", telling herself over and over "I am brave!" and saying the Bible verse "fear not, for I am with you."

Wish us luck today as we show appreciation for our gardeners and try to establish a new love for loud noises. We will update with news!

Growing, Learning and Parenting..

I don't need a dozen books on how to raise my children. I don't need to spend countless hours in bed at night reading tips on how to discipline or love my child. Books are funny - some parents like a book that instructs you to be extremely strict, while other parents love a book that tells you to not put up boundaries and let your child do whatever. I find myself right in the middle. The only book I love and always read on how to raise my little ones is a powerful book that no one can say "I am not for it" or "I don't agree" - this amazing book is the BIBLE. It truly is the only book I read and daily go to as a parent. What other way do you want to raise your child than to love, honor and obey Him? What other way do you want your child to turn out to be than to walk in a path that completely honors Him? I pray countless times a day for my little Laylie that she would have a heart for God, be a light to others, and love being in His presence. The way Jason and I parent we know with all our hearts that we are raising Laylie right because it matches up so clearly with the main book that we read daily on how to be parents and raise our children. One of my most favorite time of days is teaching Laylie, and these moments take place right when she wakes up and right before she goes to bed.

As we eat breakfast together, we sit a few inches from each other. We read the Bible together, memorize verses, and then end it with our prayer journals. Hers is pink and mine is blue. We spend a few minutes asking God what our hearts long for and asking him to help us with the things we need. I love seeing my Laylie going to our Father daily writing, saying, and scribbling down the things she wants God to answer. Yesterday, she wrote in her scribbles - "Dear God, I pray for me to share, no grabbing, to obey, Tadee sick, and Lisa to have a baby" I know these are the things that are on her heart and that she is asking Him to answer. She is 2 1/2 and already knows God which makes this mama want to cry tears of joy. Before bed each night, we ask God to help her with any struggles that happened that day. Maybe a moment of not sharing with a friend at the park, or a moment of anger. As Jason and I snuggle and lay on her full size bed we pray together as a family and ask Him to help her be loving and know right from wrong. Every night before bed she has a smile on her face, a happy heart, and she knows she can always come to our main guider and protector.

I may not have a book on my bookshelf on how to raise my child, but I do have a Bible by my bed, on my dining room table, and a few in the office that instruct me on how to be a perfect mama to Laylie. What can be better than that?

Here is Laylie writing in her prayer journal and saying her Bible verses. What a God seeker!!

Our Photo Time

Jason, Laylie and I had a fun evening taking photos and capturing my growing tummy. We can't wait to meet our Rael and the count-down begins....5 more weeks!!!

My two girls (Laylie loves to feel Rael move)

My most precious treasure - Laylie Joanelle

35 Weeks

Tummies!! Whose is bigger?

Kisses!!

Laylie did such a good job...she took this picture - Me and the love of my life

Thursdays...

Every Thursday until my sweet baby girl Rael arrives, I take as an opportunity to do a special “mommy and daughter” day with Laylie. We started off last week by going to Seaworld together and we had the most wonderful time. She sat in her stroller, looked at that big Seaworld map, and pointed out where she wanted us to go. We explored all around the park and we got to see all the sea animals and even stopped for a bit at the Elmo play area. It was such a joy to just soak each other up and do our own little thing, just Laylie and I, on a normal Thursday afternoon.  

Laylie hanging out with Elmo and Ernie

The Windy Skyride

Enjoying The Turtle Aquarium

The next Thursday, Laylie and I headed up to Knotts Berry Farm with our cousins – Katy, Dan and Cash. We had the greatest time being with them for the day and walking all around Knotts. We went on rides, ate a yummy lunch at Jonny Rockets and looked around at all the shops. The weather was perfect, the park wasn’t crowded, and we had a crazy fun time - it was a perfect day.  It was fun to see how talented my cousin Katy is as an artist/painter for Knotts Berry Farm. As we strolled around the park, she would point out fun things that she and her two sisters painted at Knotts Berry Farm.  After a long day, we headed back to their house for some playtime and dinner. Then, Laylie and I packed up the car and headed home with happy hearts and lots of joyful memories.

Cash and Laylie hanging out with Snoopy

Merry Go Round Ride

Laylie's least favorite ride - Cried the whole time (poor girl)

Laylie's favorite ride - smiled the whole time (yipee)

Some of the amazing artwork my cousins painted for Knotts

Me and my cousin Katy

Our adorbale kids exploring the park